Zov’s Newport Coast

I’m being generous with the second star…
Came in on a Friday afternoon at 2:00.not busy by any stretch of the imagination. Waitress came over and promptly asked us if we wanted to order and beer or wine – now I get it, this isn’t a critique specifically aimed at Zov’s but guess what, not everyone is a drinker! Not everyone drinks at 2:00pm in the afternoon. I know you want to increase the average revenue per customer, but I just find the pushing of alcohol to me rather obnoxious. Why not just ask if we want something to drink? Probably sounds like an over reaction on my part to write about this but I think it’s an important point.
So we passed on the alcohol, asked for a water and ice tea. Got those promptly, and the busser was great making sure they were always full… waitress came back and wanted to take our order, said we needed a moment. Well maybe she was being overly courteous but she never came back – finally at the 8 minute mark, I dropped a $ 5 for the ice tea and we bailed.
Again, none of this probably sounds overly egregious, and it normally wouldn’t be, but Dov’s is an expensive place, average cost for a burger is over $ 15, over $ 23 for an entrée.
The fact of the matter is, if you’re going to charge those prices, you need to provide the level of service that normally accompanies those prices.

I go here every 2 weeks for Happy Hour and dinner. Very friendly and helpful staff. Food is always creative and good. Very consistent place and perfect neighborhood gem.

We rolled into Newport late after a brutal drive on the I-​5, looking for some relaxing and reasonably priced fare — not yet understanding that this zip code adopted its pricing philosophy from Switzerland.
The Mediterranean theme of Zov’s seems to stall halfway through the appetizer menu. We started with a mezze sampler, including some fair stuffed grape leaves and a rather bland hummus, then moved on to an unexceptional chicken bowl and an impressively garlicky but rather tough skirt steak, accompanied by an overdressed arugula salad and fries. Fast and efficient, but overpriced and unmemorable.

I come here quite often and I must say the busser Gilberto is the best and very professional very attentive always carries a smile and makes me feel at home! I Iove the golden lentil soup

Worst service. A group of us decided to go hiking in Morro Bay after we wanted to try out Zov’s. Never again will I spend my money on unlimited mimosa’s when you only get 2 since your waitress has decided to become MIA. We flagged down another waitress who was actually put out we asked for help.
Management needs to revamp the staff before I come there again.

Such a nice place for brunch right by the Crysta Cove park after a good hike. Thanksfully, by the time we got there we were sitted right away on the patio.
On the plaza by Newport Coast Dt and San Joaquin Dr. Zov’s is on the left corner of first class pizza.
The ambience walking in is very welcoming, a bit small if you open the doors and there’s people already waiting.
Right after we walked in, we got sitted and we ordered the bottomless mimosas. The drinks arrived pretty quick, and they were preety F-​great! The alcohol level was perfect, not too much nor too sweet. We started with a round of all 4 flavors, but the one that we kept ordering was the barlett pear! A must to try.
The food came later. It was great. We had almost everything is the breakfast menu! We had to try everything sin e we heard the food was great, and it was!
The best item in the breakfast menu are the hash browns! They are not just any others hash, they are double staked, toasty from both sides, filled with chees and basil… just order them!
The other best thing was the breakfast burget! A good handful of tender beef, arugula, scrambled eggs, feta cheese, and the bun is so fresh and buttery! Just delicious.
We were here for almost 3 hours, and we had so much food and in out party of 8 each person consumed an approximate of 10 mimosas each. Never did we felt rush, well only that one time the waitress bathed the bestie with a mimosa… it was an accident.
Really good place for brunch and lunch, maybe our next time we’re here we may come for dinner.

I had a great time at Zov’s on Sunday. I sat out on the patio with a friend and enjoyed a cup of coffee and early afternoon air! The service was great and the Farmer’s Chicken Sausage Scamble was on point! But what really stood out was the crispy hash brown cake!!! Nice and crispy on the outside and perfectly soft creamy potatoes on the inside! I might just order a few sides of them only the next time I go.

Then only reason for 4 stars is the staff. The most enjoyable part about my visit was the friendly staff. My server Carrie was a doll. She was professional, kind, and provided excellent service. My chair was not the cleanest when I say down. I had to wipe off crumbs. I ordered kabobs and apparently it’s the same price whether you have steak and chicken or both chicken? Kinda disappointing chicken should be less. I had the steak and chicken. I figured I may as well get the most bang for my buck. Dish came with tomatoes I strongly dislike. Bits of cucumber and included the ends. Not good. The rice was a mix of noodles and rice tasty buy greasy. The kabobs were over marinated. It was okay. I don’t think I’ll be back. If you want great service and okay food check it out. Or maybe just stop in at the bar. The bartender had a following.

I would definitely recommend Zov’s. The food was wonderful. I had a delicious Brie Cheeseburger with some shoestring fries. However, we had a reservation for 6, were seated immediately, but did not get any food at all, including our drinks, until past 6:30. Overall, the food was great but the service was disappointing.

While I must come back for the food, I was very pleased with the service, ambiance, drinks and desserts thus far.
I had coffee and chocolate cake while my husband had a cocktail and we really enjoyed everything.
Service was very nice, this is a perfect place for dates.
The menu sounds amazing, as did the plates passing by so we will have to return for more next time!

Awesome place!!! Tender, succulent, ALL THE ABOVE. Tavia should RUN this JOINT!!! :)
Can’t wait to come back!

3.5 to 4.0
About the only items below par were the bar drinks. Low on taste, low on liquor and high on price.
The food was enjoyed by all in the dinner party. An assortment of appetizers were sampled and approved. The entrée portions were generous and all diners were happy with their menu choice.
Our waiter was very attentive and accurate.

Zov’s is amazing. Great food, comfortable atmosphere, and the best staff! Chris & the entire staff are so focused on taking care of the customer.
I’ve worked in the Newport Coast center for five years and this is home away from home!

Plenty parking in the same lot as Sharky’s and Pavilions. Restaurant décor is classy. Came after a local hike on a Saturday night starving. Service was great. Before we got our food, which was pretty quick, we were served warm sourdough (?) buns with delicious butter. Everyone enjoyed their meal.
1. Burgers are big. Good to share with an extra appetizer.
Spiced Lamb burger– Def. had spice to it and tasted good with the sundried tomatoes. Friend enjoyed it too.
Cheeseburger– Hubby liked it with the cheese that was on it. I didn’t like the cheese very much as it tasted like a mild stinky cheese.
2. Lentil Soup– Good. Tasted like chicken soup with mashed lentils.
3. Chicken and Beef Skewers– Friend reported that they were good, but the chicken was more tender.
I really wanted dessert, but there was no room for it.

Zov’s was the last restaurant in our alphabet series. There is plenty of parking in the lot, so you don’t have that issue. The location is fantastic. It’s a beautiful 5 minute drive to the coast.
To start off the night we had some baba ghanoush. The name sounds silly, but I’ve had a lot of this dish over the years and Zov’s makes a really good one.
As for the food, I ordered the lamb sandwich, which came with some thin cut fries. The lamb was juicy and the ratio between meat and bread was good. Of course, I would have preferred more meat, but they weren’t skimpy. Also, the fries were nice and crisp.
For dessert we all shared the bread pudding, a key lime tart, and chocolate bomb. The bread pudding was the best of them all. I could only have a bite or two of the tart because that’s all I cared for and the chocolate bomb was a bit sugary and rich for my taste. There are many things that went right at Zov’s. They were able to seat our extra large group, had a great menu, and the food was overall very good. It was an excellent way to end our group dinners.

Portions were big, taste was not up to expectations. Not bad but not great. Normally after a workout tastebuds are generous but wasn’t too impressed. Had the salmon salad with a glass of red. Friend had chicken and they give you practically the whole chicken!
Décor and ambiance was great. Very relaxed and pleasant inside. Service was decent.
Not bad to switch it up once in a while but if you want a great meal you can do better.

My son and daughter gave me and my wife a $ 100 gift card. Exquisite flavors. The lamb chops are delicious. So was the sea bass. The lentil soup is incredible! Service was good. Great appetizer menu. The babaghanoush and tabbouleh were wonderful.

Oh my god, I’m in trouble. An old friend just dropped off the Milk Chocolate Bomb (crème brûlée center, sugar cookie crust, chocolate ganache, milk chocolate shavings, powdered sugar) at my house as a surprise… and oh dear lord I lost my marbles. It is SO delicious!!! It took some willpower to not devour the entire thing in one go. On top of that, it was beautifully made (see photo). I’ll definitely be visiting to try everything else they have to offer… *goodbye gym gains* ._​.
Do your loved one a favor and give them the gift of sugar and carbs for Valentines Day. They will love you for it. ;)

Man oh man, its a whole ‘nuther world up here. I had an 11:00 appointment to get my haircut in this same strip center, and saw Zov’s as I was attempting to traverse around the construction in the middle of the parking lot. I have been to the original Zov’s in Tustin several times. Although it has been years, I still fondly remembered enjoying their comida.
It was fairly dead at 11:30 on a recent Saturday morning, and I opted to sit at the bar where there was a regular, and the manager Chris discussing sports. In between ordering a glass of vino and lunch I was welcomed into the conversation. It appears Chris is a seasoned pro from his easy going personality, and I immediately felt comfortable and welcomed. The waitress was also very cheery and efficient, and helpful with her knowledge of the menu and her recommendations.
I have been trying to lighten up on my meat intake as of late to try and break away from the bad habits of the holidays. But dammit am I a sucker for a good lamb burger, and that is what I eventually settled on after consulting with my waitress. Theirs is called the spiced lamb burger, and was topped with feta, sundried tomato, lettuce, red pepper, and aioli. I appreciated that the firm bun held up well. I had requested medium rare, and even though it was a few shades towards medium well, it was still a very flavorful burger. For my side of choice I chose a salad and that was also excellent.
They have a decent list of wines by the glass, and priced a little high, but in this toney neighborhood that is to be expected. I am sure their rent is much higher than most of the rest of OC.
Will I be back? Well as long as I keep coming back for my haircuts, it appears I will be here every three weeks. The frittata my fellow bar stool jockey ordered looked to be my next meal of choice.

Zov’s Newport Coast is a great place to grab a bite of Lox for breakfast in Newport Coast. Okay, the best Orange County at minimum.
I have dined at Zov’s countless times now and all but once was for breakfast fare. Truth be told, I am not a fan of Eastern Mediterranean, so my review is devoid of any of their lunch or dinner offerings due to personal bias. For breakfast however, Zov’s is the absolute TRUTH. Clean location, great service and a bright and sunny outside patio makes this my fave spot in Newport Coast to nosh on Sunday mornings.
Once seated I pull out a coin and flip it in order to decide if I am getting the Gravlox & Scramble Sandwich or the Bagel & Gravlox. Be advised, I love Smoked Salmon. I am Norwegian so it is in my genes. Zov’s house cures their Lox and the quality in the finished product shows the pride in the handiwork. This is seriously the real deal people. Take heed.
The Gravlox & Scramble Sandwich is true to its advertisement: Scrambled eggs with Gravlox, tomato, sliced red onion, capers and a smear of cream cheese. This is beginners Gravlox as the sandwich application takes quite a bit away from the smoked meat and the flavor profile gets a bit confused with the eggs and all. Don’t get me wrong, this sandwich is off the chains/​hook/​heezy, but if you are a purist go with the Bagel & Gravlox. This allows you to customize the experience bite for bite. I tend to eschew the Bagel altogether and employ the knife and fork on the Salmon, salty and delicious Capers, fresh Tomatoes and Red Onion. I don’t like much in the way of the smoke/​fatty fish paradigm. Either way you choose, you really can’t beat it.
The best Lox in OC.