If you love seafood and a great place to have it, try the Bluewater Grill, which has several locations, the best of which is right here in Newport Beach. Is it any wonder that Stroll Lido Isle has hosted several neighborhood get-togethers at this location over the past few years? The most recent was in September, and a nice crowd of Lido Isle residents, contributors, and sponsors showed up for fun, food, drinks, and a complimentary drawing for some nice prizes.

 

Publishers Christy and Rob Gallagher were there to welcome everyone, and they handed out tickets for the drawing. Their daughter, Maggie, has taken up her Dad’s former duty snapping photos of everyone including familiar faces and new ones.

 

Bob and Sheila Baker were there. So was Myra Berman with her friend Irma Nichols. Also seen were Tony Guenther and Norma Wilson, their guest Joann Baker, and new (to the socials) the Hendlers: David and Heidi, along with son Ryan and his wife Stacey who came all the way from Arizona. The Chans (Victor and Debbie) were there; a while back in the old Lido Living days he was Mr. October. Mark Mowrey of Allied Yacht and Ship was there with daughter MacKensie. His grandparents, Ned and Dora Hill, were Lido’s first power couple back in the ‘40s and ‘50s; Dora was the first woman to become Mayor of Newport Beach.

 

A particularly interesting person in attendance was Christian Buhl and brother Anthony. Buhl is a co-founder of California Inclusive Sailing (CIS) with its main base located at A’maree’s boutique (operated by his partner, Denise Schaefer, on Coast Highway). CIS provides sailing opportunities for the handicapped. People with mobility issues can still enjoy a day sailing, and if necessary, make use of the special lift installed at Marina Park, the only one located at a public facility in the state and one which Buhl worked to have installed. Stroll Lido Isle did a cover story on Buhl and CIS last April. (I save all my copies, do you?)

 

An abundance of delicious complimentary appetizers were served including jumbo shrimp and crab cakes. Drinks were available to purchase. One of the wines offered up was The Landing Chardonnay, a delicious New Zealand selection and a wine that is mentioned in my December wine column. “I love the quality of the food and the friendly staff here,” said Tina Caruso, wearing her trademark hat, with her was her friend, Valerie Edwards.

 

Other folks spotted included David and Berit Alderfer, Jessi Robb Zanderholm, Anita Gillett, and John Oyler. Among the sponsors present were Jessica Taylor and Tomy Dominique of Salt Optometry, located on Via Lido, Brenda Oglesby of Lymphatic Therapy, Claudia Hall and Michael Baeza of Dignity Memorial.

 

Some great prizes of the evening: The first to win was Jeff Pence who took home two bottles of wine from The Landing (mentioned above). Lily Hou won a $500 facial from Cryo Recovery Lounge. Norma Wilson took a platinum-level hydrafacial from Bio Revive Wellness Spa. Sheila Baker gets to enjoy a TempSure Envy treatment at Salt Optometry. Debbie Chan won a lymphatic therapy treatment donated to CIS. Still left were three bottles of French wine donated by Allied Yacht and Ship, which were won by Valerie Edwards, Myra Berman, and Denise Oglesby. There were some names on the guest list whose tickets were pulled out of the hat by yours truly who were not there to claim their gifts. As Woody Allen once said, “Ninety percent of life is just showing up.”

 

I recommend showing up at the Bluewater Grill regularly. The Newport Beach Bluewater Grill is located at 630 Lido Park Drive. Or try one of their various locations in SoCal, including Avalon, Carlsbad, Coronado, Redondo Beach, Santa Barbara, Temecula, and even Phoenix, which everyone knows is really part of Southern California. Newport Beach hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. There is also a Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the bar area. Their phone number is 949-675-3474, and reservations are required for groups larger than six.

 

What I like best about Bluewater Grill is not only their fabulous clam chowder but also their very reasonable corkage policy. If you order a bottle of wine from their list or just by the glass, I recommend The Landing Chardonnay or perhaps Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay which should pair well with just about anything on the menu. I should dine at Bluewater Grill more often, and I respectfully suggest that you do as well.