Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach is the latest restaurant located at the Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach. Diners can expect a refined take on sophisticated Irish cuisine. Husband and wife restauranteurs, Darren and Jean Coyle, opened Fable & Spirit to create an elegant menu that rings true to the Ireland they grew up with, void of typical gimmicks, shamrocks, and green beer. Instead, their menu offers innovative dishes like their Rabbit Fricassee and a collection of fresh colorful cocktails.
Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach introduces diners to the modern cosmopolitan side of Ireland.
At the first site of Fable & Spirit, one cannot help but notice the fabulous interior design. The restaurant features a bright color palette with turquoise walls, bright purple flower arrangements, velvety green sofas, and vintage-inspired floral chairs. The large floor to ceiling wine shelf makes for the perfect centerpiece.
Pictures above are their “Morrigan’s Dream” and “Friends in High Places” cocktails.
After settling in we began the evening with some amazing cocktails. They are all incredibly colorful and vibrant. All of their libations feature fresh ingredients and are served in the most beautiful glasses which makes them that much more enjoyable. Pictures above are their “Morrigan’s Dream” and “Friends in High Places” cocktails. Morrigan’s Dream features Brokers Gin with celery, pineapple, yellow chartreuse, and lime. Their “Friends in High Places” is a Ford’s Gin Pomp & Whiskey with raspberry, lemon, lavender, and egg white.
“Hares Looking at You” ties in the Ireland Hare theme found throughout the restaurant.
Another fantastic cocktail is their “Hares Looking at You” which ties in the popular Ireland Hare theme you can find throughout the restaurant. It is made with Wheatley vodka, canton ginger, pressed carrot, lemon, and basil.
Blue Hawaiian Prawns with sweet corn, red bell pepper, pickled shallots, and citrus mojo.
For our first dish, we enjoyed the Blue Hawaiian Prawns with sweet corn, red bell pepper, pickled shallots, and citrus mojo. The prawns were enormous with the heads kept on making them even more photogenic and delicious. The Blue Hawaiian Prawns were paired with a Lieu dit Santa Maria Valley white wine.
The Rabbit Fricassee was the highlight of my evening.
Next, for our second course, we had the Rabbit Fricassee. This was my personal favorite dish of the evening. It was perfectly executed with truffle potato puree, baby turnips, morel mushrooms, and braising jus. If you have read my previous articles you are likely aware of how much I love morel mushrooms. The braising jus was so incredibly flavorful and the portion size was surprisingly generous. I could easily order this as my main meal with a side of their fabulous vegetables pictured next. This dish was paired with a Chanin Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir.
The Roasted Cauliflower is not to be missed.
As an accompaniment, our table was served some fresh selections from their vegetable menu. Their Roasted Cauliflower was a stand out star and I highly recommend you not leave the restaurant without ordering this for your table. It was simply fabulous and will keep me returning for years to come. Their Roasted Cauliflower is prepared with a green harissa curry, caramelized onions, and shaved almonds. It is exquisite!
Smoked Bone-In Short Rib with heirloom potatoes, whole grain mustard, red cabbage, horseradish gremolata, and barbeque jus.
Finally, for our main course, we enjoyed the Smoked Bone-In Short Rib with heirloom potatoes, whole grain mustard, red cabbage, horseradish gremolata, and barbeque jus. The smoke infused into the short rib was prominent and added a beautiful flavor to the dish.
Classically French-trained executive chef, David Shofner.
The classically French-trained executive chef, David Shofner, has been a part of Darren and Jean Coyles’ restaurant business since 2012 when Dublin 4 was established. The Coyles also own WineWorks in Mission Viejo. If you’re looking for a fantastic and innovative journey into sophisticated Irish cuisine then Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach will certainly make for the perfect dining experience.
Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach
3441 Via Lido
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Sondra Barker
