Restaurant Review:

I took advantage of one of the specials. There is a happy hour menu from 5 to 7 p.m., which includes several of the regular menu items for $10.50. There are also four of the appetizers on special as well.

I got the lobster ravioli. The bits of spiny tail lobster are encased in the pasta and served with a vodka cream sauce. It is topped with shrimp and almost has an alfredoesque consistency to it, though it is light red in color.

The dinners there are reasonably priced and plentiful. Seafood is the dominant theme, with salmon, swordfish, halibut and ahi staples of the menu.

Chicken, lamb and pastas are also featured, and one of the specialties of the house, Grandma Jill’s meatloaf, is the ultimate comfort food.

As we finished eating, a man was walking in with a guitar, setting up for a little acoustic blues set he would be playing as the sun was setting.

We were both late for appointments, so we couldn’t enjoy the restaurant as much as we would have liked.

As I drove away, the lyrics from “Soul Kitchen” floated through my head.

“I guess I’d better go now; I’d really like to stay here all night.”

Some day soon, I will.

ADDRESS: 110 McFadden Place, Newport Beach

PHONE: (949) 723-4105

CUISINE: eclectic

SPECIALTY DISH: grilled filet mignon, Grandma Jill’s meatloaf

ALCOHOL SERVED: beer and wine

DRESS: casual

FAMILY FRIENDLY: yes

CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED: American Express, Visa, MasterCard

RATING: *** 1/2

JOHN REGER is the Pilot’s restaurant critic. His reviews run Thursdays.