Barbara’s Bits and Bites: The Ritz, Pizza Nova

It’s time to take my monthly break from writing about politics and focus on something more far delicious for all those foodies out there who enjoy discovering — and re-discovering — fun places to eat in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa as much as I do.

The buzz this week is about The Ritz Restaurant.

Many will remember the iconic restaurant in Fashion Island closed in February after losing its lease with the Irvine Co.

Has The Ritz found a new location?

Seems so, and the old Chart House restaurant at 2801 W. Coast Highway in Newport is where it will likely re-open, if plans are approved by the city.

I walked by Wednesday night and saw the Public Notice of Application sign, which was issued by the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control for an ownership change posted on the door of the old Chart House.

The sign names Grill Concepts Inc. as the applicant and the business as The Ritz Restaurant.

Best known for its Grill on the Alley restaurants in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, San Jose and other locations, Grill Concepts is made up of the same folks behind the Daily Grill restaurants located nationwide.

I called their corporate office is in Woodland Hills to ask a few questions.

Unfortunately all the company would confirm is that The Ritz will reopen at the old Chart House location, and it is the same Ritz as the one that served Newport Center for decades.

When I asked for an approximate opening date, and whether the same managing partner of the Ritz, Ray Jacobi, was involved in this new venture, I was told they couldn’t give me any other information.

Back in October 2011 I wrote in the Orange County Register about how The Ritz had lost its lease.

Jacobi at the time he told me, “We have one year and three months left on our lease, and the Irvine Co. will not be renewing it.”

But the Irvine Co eventually gave the Ritz several lease extensions, buying Jacobi more time to find a new location.

When we spoke November 2013, Jacobi mentioned that he’d had some preliminary talks with the property owners of the old Chart House location, but that was as far as it had gone.

Speaking with him on the last day of the Ritz’s operation, Feb.15, he still hadn’t secured a new location but vowed to keep looking.

I emailed and called him this week but haven’t heard back.

Pizza Nova opens

A stone’s throw from what will be the new Ritz location is the newly opened Pizza Nova.

Located at 2601 West Coast Highway, it’s where the old DivBar Smokehouse BBQ restaurant used to be. That one closed in December 2013 after about a year of operation.

Nothing seems to stick at this spot. I hope Pizza Nova can turn this trend around, because it has good pizza.

I was in there the other night, and the staff is friendly, the interior is much brighter than when DivBar was there, and the food was good.

There’s valet parking, the patio is pet friendly, and you can also arrive by boat, if you choose.

Wood-fired pizzas come in 10- and 14-inch servings.

They also offer a gluten-free option.

Prices range from $11.25 to $19.50, depending on the size and toppings.

Italian Meat Pizza (tomato sauce topped with pepperoni, salami, Applewood bacon and sausage) is $13 for the 10-inch and $19.50 for the 14-inch.

Other interesting choices at these same prices include Gorgonzola Pear Pizza (Alfredo sauce and Gorgonzola baked with fresh pears and topped with spinach tossed with balsamic vinaigrette, caramelized walnuts, onions and pears).

Try the Portobello and Pancetta Pizza (black truffle oil, Portobello mushrooms, crispy pancetta Italian bacon, caramelized onions and Parmesan).

Pizza Nova also has an extensive pasta menu, and you can substitute whole wheat pasta for an additional $2.

Pasta dishes come in two sizes, individual plates and pans.

Choices include linguine and clams (fresh Manila clams, garlic, onions and white wine lemon butter sauce served with garlic toast), at $14 and $54 for pan size.

Chicken Tequila Fettuccine (fresh spinach fettuccine, chicken breast, peppers, caramelized onions and cilantro in a jalapeno cream sauce) is $14 and $54.

The menu also offers salads, soups, sandwiches and wraps, as well as desserts and a kids’ menu.

Delivery is available after 5 p.m. on and the restaurant is open daily at 11 a.m. Takeout is also available.

Other Pizza Nova locations include Point Loma, Solana Beach and San Marcos. Visit https://www.pizzanova.net for more information.

BARBARA VENEZIA, whose column appears Fridays, lives in Newport Beach. She can be reached at bvontv1@gmail.com.