OC Restaurant Week 2013: Div Bar (dinner)

My friend Brian and I went to check out Div Bar in Newport Beach!

I just thought that Newport Beach and BBQ were two things that would never go together! I was glad to be proven wrong!

! 

Of course we were here for OC Restaurant Week! Looks like a great selection for $20!

Dinner started with a very large portion of crispy calamari tossed in a chili lime sauce. Just perfectly cooked and battered calamari! The calamari was slightly rubbery as it should be. I loved the subtle flavor of the chili lime sauce! Super addicting and I would gladly order this again! There was so much that I took the rest of it home with me!

My friend Brian went with the broasted chicken as his entree. Four large pieces of juicy chicken, smashed potatoes and a slice of jalapeno cornbread! He is a big fan of broasted chicken and made short work of this!

I went with the smoked meat combination! The brisket was crispy on the edges but soft and juicy the rest of the way! The ribs were meaty and flavorful! I didn't even make use of the BBQ sauces that were provided! The Asian slaw was another winner! Can someone get me the recipe for the dressing? And I loved the jalapeno cornbread. It was sweet but had a nice kick to it!

I couldn't even finish my plate! I took home some brisket and ribs and the cornbread because I wanted to save room for dessert!

And what an awesome dessert this was! I am a big fan of simple is best and this just proved my point! The chocolate chip cookie is baked in a cast iron skillet and served immediately with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream! Just a perfect way to end the evening! It reminded me of coming home from elementary school and my mom taking freshly made chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. It was that same type of flashback as in Ratatouille. How simple things remind us of home and why we love to eat!

I am a new fan of Div Bar and looking forward to returning! Phenominal customer service all the way around! From the valet (they have super limited parking so it's valet only), to the hostesses, to the wait staff, everyone was warm and friendly. I will be back!

Div Bar
Smokehouse Barbecue
2601 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Phone: (949) 675-7427
Website | Map