Hot destinations in Orange County

A selection of hotels and eateries in the area

By KATHY A. MCDONALD

Mastro's Ocean Club

An hour south of Los Angeles via the 405 Freeway, Newport Beach counts celeb residents such as Kobe Bryant and Jay Leno, while Newport Beach's "it" factor has been boosted by reality TV skeins such as Bravo's "Real Housewives of Orange County" and MTV's "Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County. Here are some hot spots in town:

A Market @ A Restaurant
A 6-month-old roadside market and chic deli with charcuterie, salads and imported cheeses, A Market shares a parking lot and ownership with A Restaurant -- the modern remake of the Arches, a Newport Beach landmark. Helmer McG is an investor along with Bob Hurley of sports clothier Hurley Intl.
Address: 3400 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach
Phone: [phone]
Website: arestaurantnb.com

Andrea
Rare Italian wine varietals and Northern Italian specialties, such as house-made pasta and gelato, have made Andrea a favorite with locals since its November opening. The heated outdoor terrace has stellar views; many menu items, such as the branzino and burrata, are flown in daily from Italy. Open nightly.
Address: 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast
Phone: [phone]
Website: pelicanhill.com

Island Hotel Newport Beach
After a two-year renovation that was completed in March, the 20-story, 295-room Island Hotel is ready for its film festival closeup as official host hotel. The hotel's exec chef, Bill Bracken, is well-known to showbizzers from his stint at Beverly Hills' Peninsula Hotel.
Address: 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach
Phone: [phone]
Website: islandhotel.com

Mastro's Ocean Club
An offshoot of the Beverly Hills steakhouse, Mastro's Ocean Club has impressive coastal views, while the spacious piano bar and lounge is a clubby-adjunct to the see-and-be-seen restaurant that's open for dinner nightly.
Address: 8112 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach
Phone: [phone]
Website: mastrosrestaurant.com

Resort at Pelican Hill
Set in a terraced hillside with views of the coast and Pacific Ocean, the Resort at Pelican Hill is a newly opened, super-private luxury hotel and spa done in soothing creamy and neutral hues amid much marble and Italian limestone. Renaissance master Andrea Palladio was the inspiration for the architecture. There are 128 hideaway villas with butler service plus 204 plush bungalow suites, a 136-foot-diameter circular mosaic tiled pool and 36 holes of golf designed by Tom Fazio -- all overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Address: 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast
Phone: [phone]
Website: pelicanhill.com