Getting to sleep in and saunter into a restaurant late-morning or early afternoon with my favorite people to share a meal that’s a hybrid of breakfast and lunch almost always feels special. It’s fun, relaxing, and something that definitely sparks joy. Add in a gorgeous view, and my day is complete!

The fairly new restaurant GuacAmigos in Newport Beach, California is a perfect brunch spot if you’re looking for a casual environment with delicious food and waterfront views. It’s a Tony Hawk restaurant located in the Newport Harbor, and the skateboards on the walls throughout the restaurant reflects that. The large windows that stretch to the ceiling let in a ton of natural light and beautiful up-close views of the harbor.

The menu consists of Mexican-inspired cuisine with a California twist. As they suggest, it’s “the heat of Mexico, the heart of California.” There are plenty of taco options, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, and surf & turf, just to name a few. Their brunch menu includes dishes like chilaquiles, Mexican eggs benedict, and French toast.

For appetizers, I suggest starting with the Tableside Guacamole. Talk about a show and super FRESH guacamole – as in, the guacamole lady aka your guac-amigo literally cuts the avocado in front of you! I mean, how often do you get to see guacamole made to your liking? With mix-ins like corn, bacon, tomatoes, jalepeno, it’s quite a step-up from the regular guacamole appetizer. Plus, the tortilla chips are so addicting! They are so light, thin, and crispy! Even if you don’t order guacamole, they’ll bring you a basket of tortilla with salsa, and it is amazing.

GuacAmigos offers a variety of tacos, and you can’t leave without trying one. The lobster tacos and wagyu carne asada so are worth splurging for! They cost a pretty penny, and I can tell you I was pretty hesitant at seeing these prices when cheap taco shops are aplenty in Southern California. However, when the tacos arrived, I was sold. The big chunks of butter-poached lobster with grilled corn and salsa, roasted poblano sauce on paper thin tortilla was so delicious! And that wagyu carne asada? So tender! My skeptic soul was satisfied that it was really wagyu – it was the most tender carne asada I’ve ever had!

The Mexican eggs benedict is a fun twist on the classic breakfast dish. I love eggs benedicts, but paired with lobster?? Irresistible! More delicious lobster on top of ripe avocados and sopes was a wonderfully unique marriage of two cultural influences.

And as many weekend brunch spots, GuacAmigos offers bottomless mimosas! As a sangria lover though, I highly recommend their sangria! I love the mix of fresh fruit used, and it was a delightfully refreshing drink.

Restaurant: GuacAmigos
Address: 2607 West Pacific Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663-4708

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Growing up, I had this idea that I wanted to be a magazine editor or photojournalist. Of course, as a kid, I didn’t know all the details of making that happen, but the idea was quickly shot. Long story short, I never attempted to pursue anything remotely close to writing as a career, but I was that yearbook editor junkie who happily stayed way past class in dedication of my creative passion. In the process, I conjured up the idea that I really want my own space to write whatever I want, however I want, and whenever I want. Since then, it has been a lifetime dream of mine to create my very own blog! Not LifeJournal, Xanga, Tumblr, or WordPress (though I have fond memories for each of those in various periods of my life – who can you relate?!).

So I am SUPER grateful that you have decided to visit my page, and I am so honored that you are here with me as I share my food, travel and life adventures with you. My hope is that you will be inspired to explore more, eat more, and live life to the fullest with an open mind and heart. And I would love nothing more than for us to be a community, so feel free to drop me a line with your thoughts, questions, requests, etc! I would be absolutely thrilled to hear from you!

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