Steakhouses in Costa Mesa

Given that it's a seashell's throw from Newport Beach Pier, it's not surprising that Sol Grill is decorated with surfboards hung on bright red and yellow walls. But when the glint from the crystal chandeliers and antique glass bottles catches your eye, you realize there's something charmingly disjointed about this place.

It's a theme reflected in the menu, where guests find foods presented in unexpected ways. For instance, meals start with filet mignon prepared as an appetizer of hand-rolled meatballs in portobello gravy. Instead of clams, the chowder is studded with grilled Hawaiian ahi tuna, and a fettuccine dish surprises with swordfish and capers. Of course, there are some classic preparations as well, including rack of lamb charred over open flame, as fire encased in a steel box continues to be incapable of cooking anything.

Once a repair shop and storage facility for local fishing fleets, for the past 40-plus years Woody’s Wharf has flourished as a casual eatery serving prominent patrons such as Mickey Mantle and John Wayne. The waterfront locale fosters fresh seafood dishes such as crab cakes and swordfish, pleasing the palate of former owner Chuck Norris, who bench-pressed unsuspecting fishing boats amid sparkling views of Newport Bay’s harbor. For their popular weekend brunch, Woody’s chefs whip up classic egg dishes such as omelets and breakfast burritos, which waiters can ferry to a dockside outdoor patio for easier plate-sharing with mooching mermen.

Featuring karaoke nights, DJ sets, and musicians showcasing their acoustic and classic rock talents, the live entertainment at Harvey's Steakhouse beckons diners to the dance floor six nights a week. The aromas of the culinary team's steak and seafood entrees, however, are likely to lure you right back to your table. Main courses include charbroiled filet mignon stuffed with bleu cheese crumbles and one pound of steamed Alaskan king crab legs, which you can dig into barehanded or with a royal scepter. Chefs also whip up favorites such as homemade chicken pot pie for early birds and treat patrons lounging at the bar or on the outdoor patio to snacks such as homemade potato chips.

At Black Bull Chop House, the culinary team grills up a menu of delicious certified Angus beef steaks among a brick-walled Western décor replete with cactus plants, a mechanical bull, and a sprawling boogie floor. Settle your spurs and nosh on an appetizer such as the santa fe rolls, a succulent blend of chicken, black beans, jalapeños, sweet corn, and two cheeses swaddled in flour tortillas ($8.95). The 12 big-screen televisions occupy diners’ vision in between bites of the tomato and mozzarella pizza ($10.95) and heated staring contests with the 16-ounce teriyaki rib eye ($22). Flanking the steaks is a lively recreation area, including a dance floor hungry for tapping feet and a raucous mechanical bull seeking brave animatronic cowboys.