Reaching 100 years in the same location is a rare milestone in the restaurant industry. Newport Beach staple A Restaurant, formerly known as The Arches, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year in Orange County. Year-long celebrations and philanthropic activities follow to honor the journey.
A Restaurant Completes 100 Years in Newport Beach
A Restaurant traces its roots to 1926, when the Coast Highway linked Huntington Beach with Newport Beach. John Vilelle and James Sturgeon opened The Arches, a roadside diner and service station.
The Arches featured Mediterranean-style architecture, with red-tiled roofs and unique arches. It quickly became a neighborhood landmark for gatherings and shaped early Newport Beach culture.
In 2008, it was taken over by partners Joseph “McG” Nichol and Jordan Otterbein of River Jetty Restaurant Group (RJRG). The duo turned the place into a modern steakhouse while retaining its historic atmosphere…