Buddha's Favorite, hidden away in the back streets of Newport Harbor, offers a relaxed dining environment with a spectacular waterfront view. The staff is knowledgeable, and quick to recommend any of the popular favorites on a generous menu of soups, salads, noodles, sushi and sashimi. Buddha's Favorite offers an array of "Japanese wild mountain vegetables," the likes of which this reviewer has rarely seen. Both the Beagle and Buddha's Favorite are popular hand rolls that are nearly as visually striking as they are delicious. The pan-fried tofu steak is an appe-tizer must, featuring a lightly-seared tofu patty covered with green onion, mushroom stems, Japanese roots and a sweet terikaki concoction.
The restaurant is open for lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and for dinner between 5:30 and 10:00 PM. It's packed in the evenings, but if there's a wait, Buddha's Favorite offers a nice selection of infused sake to sip while you take in the view.