RESTAURANT REVIEW:

The Newport Beach Film Festival is one of my favorite non-food events in the city, but I have always managed to combine my love of movies with munching.

The pursuit of new celluloid and cellulite is a worthy one this week, and for the next eight days there are many discoveries to be made.

With many of the films in the afternoon or early evening I can plan a meal before or after a flick. These eight Newport Beach restaurants cover the eight days of the festival and will keep diners fulfilled before or after their flicks.

 Back Bay Bistro (1131 Back Bay Drive, (949) 729-3800, www.backbaybistronewportbeach.com).

The restaurant was redesigned last year and opened recently and it was worth the wait. The biggest attraction — besides the incredible menu — is the retractable awning, giving the restaurant natural light and protection from the elements. The views of the bay were the biggest selling point of the facility and they are still there, with more viewing areas in the now 199-seat dining room.

The crab bistro parfait is a must. The lump crab and homemade tomato relish work well together with the avocado mousse and it is presented in a martini glass.

The pecan-crusted chicken is served at lunch or dinner and the tender chicken breast is combined with the crunchy pecans and warm banana sauce.

 Garlic Jo’s (2332 W. Coast Hwy., (949) 673-8444).

I am a sucker for anything garlic, and if you love this little pungent bulb as much as I do, this is a great place to go.

I liked the scallop carpaccio to start my meal. The tender scallops are served in a light oil and garlic sauce and are outstanding. The New York steak or filet mignon with garlic is a good choice for red meat lovers.

My favorite dish was the jambalaya spaghetti. It is a mixture of chicken, shrimp, mussels, chorizo, asparagus, and red and yellow peppers, tossed with regular spaghetti and a Cajun garlic mixture that is truly unique.

 Ho Sum Bistro (3112 Newport Blvd., (949) 675-0896, www.hosumbistro.com).

This is a great little place that is open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. the other nights. The chicken salad is what it is known for and it could easily be its own meal. The chef makes the salad like a Chinese chicken salad, with pieces of roasted and shredded chicken mixed with lettuce and rice noodles.

There are other items that must be tried as well, which have been labeled as Califoriental. Lo mein dishes, which include combinations like prawns and vegetables with oyster sauce, barbecued pork with oyster sauce and bean sprouts and the Califoriental lo mein, which features marinated grilled chicken breast, Chinese peas, carrots and broccoli with Chinese noodles are other great choices.

 Cucina Alessa (6700 W. Coast Hwy., (949) 645-2148, www.cucinaalessa.com).

This is by far the best Italian restaurant in the area. The only problem is that I and others shave been trumpeting chef/owner Alessandro Pirozzi so much that is has become very popular.

It is worth the inevitable wait. Try the veal marsala or risotto with shrimp and asparagus in a white wine sauce. Pirozzi uses a calabrese chili that he imports from the region in Italy and crushes into the sauce for a little spice.

 Café R & D (555 Newport Center Drive, (949) 219-0555, www.hillstone.com).

This is a fantastic place for lunch or dinner with a limited, but incredibly tasty menu.

I like the cheeseburger and French dip for lunch and have enjoyed the roasted chicken for dinner. The wild mushroom meatloaf is also worth trying.

 Bamboo Bistro (2600 East Coast Hwy., (949) 720-1289, www.bamboobistrorestaurant.com).

This funky little place in Corona del Mar serves authentic Vietnamese food that is rivaled only by places in Little Saigon.

The king crab spring rolls are incredible as are the shrimp cakes. For entrees, try the shaken beef, which has filet mignon sautéed with onions, bell peppers and celery in a garlic sauce or the Chilean sea bass and black beans.

The sole over rice noodles is also a favorite of mine and I would also pick any of the four curry dishes.

 First Cabin 1221 (W. Coast Hwy., (949) 645-5000, www.balboabayclub.com).

This restaurant is part of the Balboa Bay Resort, but don’t worry, the restaurant is open to the public.

There you will dine on noted chef Josef Lageder’s creations.

He is a master at blending both the complex and simple and his menu is as diverse as his background.

Don’t miss the lobster bisque as a starter. For dinner, try the Colorado rack of lamb or the Dover sole.

 Tradition by Pascal (1000 N. Bristol St., Newport Beach, (949) 263-9400 www.pascalnpb.com).

This is the highest ranked restaurant in Orange County by Zagat for the last 10 years and it is one of my favorites as well.

Chef Pascal Olhats makes dining an experience with his exquisite cuisine. Start with the foie gras and follow it with a beet salad with lemon-flavored goat cheese, thyme-crusted sea bass and finish with a thin apple tart or twice-baked cheesecake soufflé.

On Sunday, Olhats offers a prix fixe menu that also includes one free corkage per couple.

JOHN REGER reviews local restaurants and may be contacted at Nolimepublishing@aol.com or P.O. Box 2984, Seal Beach, CA 90740.