Restaurant recommendations in/around Newport Beach?

My GF is headed out there for a conference. Any recommendations? She's an adventurous eater and doesn't mind hole-in-the-wall type joints.

Thanks!

 

For seafood, try The Crab Cooker.

 

Intersection of Baker St and Bristol St in Costa Mesa is near a lot of good places to eat. Mitsuwa Market has a really great food court (cash only!) where I go for ramen at Santouka. There's a trendy complex called The Camp which has Umami Burger and other restaurants.

A bit closer to Newport Beach is El Toro Bravo tortilleria. It's a bit tricky to see but it's at the end of a strip mall. Really authentic tacos but not a sitdown place. There's also a bunch of other restaurants around there in walking distance that are all worth going to.

On Balboa Island itself just before the ferry there's Free Range Cafe which is kind of a brunch type food.

Most places I know are closer to Irvine, but I don't know how far she's willing to go.