It’s official: we found the hottest new restaurant in Newport Beach. Your experience at SET Steak & Sushi starts the second you walk in the door. When it comes to a luxurious and delicious dining experience, it’s game, SET, match.
SET Steak & Sushi, located at Pendry Newport Beach, earned its name because the restaurant hopes to provide its customers with the ideal setup in terms of food, drinks, service and ambiance. This idea is brought to life in two unique menu items that are entirely special to the restaurant called the Chef’s Perfect Set.
By day, SET Steak & Sushi is perfect for a bite with coworkers or a shopping break from nearby Fashion Island, offering lunch-only items like a prime New York steak sandwich and a Maine lobster roll. By night, SET will become your go-to date night spot or the first thing you think of when the girls say they need a night out. The dining room has a dark, sexy vibe and a view of the expansive bar while the patio is decorated with beautiful lights and lots of lush greenery.
SET Steak & Sushi’s wide variety of specialty, classic and zero-proof cocktails means there is literally something for everybody. We tried the Wide Eye Rye, in which an old fashioned meets an espresso martini, and the Baby Maker, which starts with Casamigos Reposado and includes refreshing flavors from blood orange liqueur and fresh watermelon juice. In addition to the cocktails, SET boasts an extensive wine list to pair perfectly with any meat or seafood dish.
Every appetizer sounds exquisite. We ultimately chose the wagyu beef carpaccio and the baked scallop dynamite. The wagyu beef carpaccio is stellar, melting like butter in the mouth; it was complemented by mustard seed, parmesan aioli and chimichurri. The baked scallop is hearty and the sauce is deliciously spicy. We couldn’t let a drop go to waste, and the shell makes the perfect spoon for sipping. The bluefin tuna pizza and half-Peking duck are additional standouts.
There are two options under the aforementioned Chef’s Perfect Set: a Sushi Set and a Steak Set.
We tried the Sushi Set, which is absolutely breathtaking and exactly what foodies look for in a restaurant experience. A large box is brought to your table and upon delivery, the top is removed and dry ice dances brilliantly before revealing delicately prepared sashimi. There are nine boxes that are each filled with sashimi mixed with different sauces and ingredients. Every square was a new flavor and discovery. If you like sushi, the Sushi Set is a must-have. The Steak Set offers a selection of the chef’s cuts of the night garnished with bone marrow and three sauces. If you can’t decide between SET’s outstanding steak options, the Steak Set allows you to enjoy a sampling.
While you will be undoubtedly tempted by the Chef’s Perfect Set, a list of surf and turf options are available. On the surf side, you can choose from specialty sushi rolls, nigiri flights and chilled shellfish–including an ultimate caviar tower. On the turf side, the restaurant has many classic, dry-aged, wagyu and large-format steak cuts available. We ordered the 16-oz. dry-aged New York Strip steak and tried all four sauces. The steak is flavorful, juicy and cooked to perfection. Our two favorite sauces: huacatay chimichurri, which is a Peruvian spin on the classic, and the galbicucho, a smokey barbecue sauce. Another way SET Steak & Sushi prepares you for your meal is by letting you pick your steak knife from a large box that encourages you to “choose your weapon.”
Lest we forget the sides. The twice-baked potato, available with the option of osetra caviar, is extremely tempting, but we ultimately went with the truffle mac and cheese and were not disappointed with our decision.
After all of the incredible appetizers and entrees, we implore you to save room for dessert. We couldn’t resist the carrot cake, and you won’t be able to either. Made in-house with spiced chancaca-honey cake, brown butter cream cheese frosting and dulce de leche, the carrot cake is served alongside jasmine tea ice cream. Each bite we tried tasted better and better.
SET Steak & Sushi is open for lunch Monday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner is served every day from 5 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.setnewport.com.
690 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660