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"Comfort food" means different things to different people, and it can also look a little different depending where you travel. Think for a moment about what your favorite “comfort food” is. Fried Chicken? A creamy bowl of Mac n Cheese? Fresh-out-of-the-oven slice of apple pie? While your go-to comfort food probably differs from your spouse’s or your children’s, pretty much everyone has at least one beloved item on their comfort-food menu.

As humans, food is a way to satiate our appetite, nourish our bodies and sometimes to have a sensory experience. For us, food is an incredibly social thing. Families gather around the dinner table. Peace is made by breaking bread together. Almost every major celebration involves some manner of feast.  That is where comfort food comes into the picture.

Comfort foods work because they provide psychological comfort. Oftentimes, these foods remind us of fond memories or occasions — holidays, birthdays and reunions that connect friends and relatives.

Whether you find your comfort at your favorite Newport Beach restaurant or somewhere else, one thing is for sure… some of the tastiest indulgences will soothe your soul and make things right in your world, if only for the moment. Surrounded by breathtaking views of Newport Harbor, Tavern House is the perfect place for your friends and family to get together for amazing food and a stunning ambiance.

At Tavern House, our Comfort Food Monday is enjoyed by patrons far and wide. On Monday, we serve dinners with an updated twist to add to your list of top comfort meals. For instance, D's Famous Fried Chicken will transport you to Mama's table where simpler times were enjoyed. The Thyme Gravy elevates the meal to modern standards without sacrificing the nostalgic goodness.

Read on to learn more about Tavern House’s Comfort Food Monday and our commitment to feeding you right with coastal cuisines of Southern California, Hawaii, and Mexico.

What Are Comfort Foods?

The concept of comfort food has evolved over time, to the point where today it is essentially whatever food makes you feel good, makes you feel nostalgic or even just whatever you love to eat. Comfort foods are those that people associate with their formative years, or with “home.” These are frequently simple home-cooked style food. Since we have all had different experiences in our lives, everyone likely has their own comfort food.
Why exactly do we grab for a particular food when we crave comfort?
•    Foods that can evoke feelings
•    A food that can be calming and soothing
•    Food that might bring you back to a pleasant childhood memory
•    Something that will warm you up in cold weather
•    A meal that might help mend a broken heart
•    A food that simply makes you feel good, for no particular reason

What Qualifies as Comfort Food?

A wide variety of dishes can qualify as comfort food, but usually, they fall into three categories:
1.    Physical Comfort Foods, i.e. all those foods that are healthy for both your body and mind, that taste good and make you feel happy. This could include our Buddha Bowl, a wonderful mix of Basmati Red Rice, Baby Vegetables, Avocado, and Goat Cheese.
2.    Nostalgic Comfort Foods, which bring back memories of your childhood, your loved ones, your hometown or any happy ones. Mom’s or grandma’s signature recipes definitely fall into this category. Chicken Piccata and Short Rib Stroganoff definitely fit this category. Nostalgic yet updated for the modern palette.
3.    “Guilty Pleasures“, which are indulgent foods on the heavy side that you love for their delicious taste but make you feel a bit guilty when you eat them. May we temp you with D's Famous Fried Chicken or Beer Battered Fish & Chips

Click to see our whole Comfort Food Monday menu. From Linguini and Clams to Chicken Piccata to Snapper Veracruzana, your nostalgia needs are met at Tavern House in Newport Beach.

Why Does Comfort Food Make Us Happy?

Clearly, comfort food gives us an unmatched sense of happiness. But what makes comfort food so comforting? The truth about comfort food is that it has little to do with the food itself, but rather with our associations with it (although the food is pretty important too, obviously).

Our primitive brain identifies that specific foods are related to positive experiences we had, which creates positive associations. When you store the memory of a particular food in your mind, you do not just store a small part of it, you store everything that surrounded you while you were eating it.

When you eat that food, it is not only the memory that is triggered in your brain, but also the emotions you experienced — comfort, security and love. Subconsciously, those associations are activated and bring a rush of positive feelings and a sense of happiness. That is why comfort food can be as comforting as a hug!

The Premier location on Balboa Harbor offering stunning views, ambience, food and service

Its beautiful Harbor view location is warm, comfortable and stylish...a place for a casual lunch, relaxing dinner, weekend brunch, happy hour or late-night snacking. It represents a beach and water oriented lifestyle that many locals enjoy in the golden triangle....Cabo, Hawaii and Newport Beach. The seafood-oriented menu offers a collection of classic and creative dishes prepared with the highest quality ingredients including organically grown produce, sustainable and properly harvested seafood, and humanely raised poultry and livestock.

Overlooking Newport Harbor, it doesn’t get much better than Tavern House. Whether you are looking to host a baby shower, wedding rehearsal dinner or epic birthday party, this tried-and-true Newport Beach restaurant takes the stress off of planning. With multiple seating options, a large stone fireplace and operable windows and skylights, guests will love the elegant, coastal space. From tray-passed hors d’oeuvres to custom menus created by Chef David Wilhelm, all menus offer the highest-quality all natural and organic ingredients. Buyouts of the entire restaurant are available, as well as offerings for corporate events and presentations. Look no further, Tavern House is the Newport Beach destination family, friends or coworkers will all love.