Crackling Fire, Perfect Ribeye, and 60 Years of Charm
Thereās a reason the valet at Five Crowns is more stacked than the 73 at rush hour, and no, itās not just the prime rib (though that certainly doesnāt hurt). This year, the iconic English-style dining destination in Corona del Mar is turning 60, marking the milestone with a season-long celebration that feels nostalgic and freshly inspired. Think throwback menus with modern flair, student-designed murals on the exterior walls, and a showstopping cocktail poured tableside into a limited-edition glass. Itās luxe, local, and loaded with thoughtful details that reflect the restaurantās rich legacy in the Orange County community.
From day-one regulars to first-time guests, everyoneās got a reason to raise a glass. Whether youāre here for the crab Louie and dry-aged duck, or want to toast with a Jubilee cocktail under the glow of vintage chandeliers, Five Crowns is the moment.Ā
The Jubilee Cocktail Is Serving Drama ā and Diamond-Cut Ice
Letās raise a glass ā preferably one etched with a 60th anniversary crest ā to the Jubilee, Five Crownsā most dazzling cocktail to date. This celebratory sipper is an experience just as much as it is a delectable drink. Served tableside with all the flair of a royal toast, the Jubilee features Balvenie 16 French Oak, Drambuie, and CuvĆ©e Louis-Alexandre Grand Marnier. Itās sweetened just right with housemade Queen Ann tea syrup and layered with custom bitters made from the same blend. The final flourish? A diamond-cut ice cube that clinks dramatically into a custom keepsake glass. And, yes, you get to take it home. Sticking around through the end of the year, this cocktail is a liquid tribute to the restaurantās legacy. Itās bold, balanced, and just theatrical enough to make the whole table pause.Ā
Thereās a Limited-Time Throwback Menu Thatās Full of Big Flavor and Bigger Energy
From July 10ā30, Five Crowns is going full vintage, but in the chicest way. The throwback menu reimagines classics with a modern twist, like the Dover Sole Veronika finished tableside or a 22 oz. English Rib Chop topped with crispy fried onions and beef fat hollandaise. Even the sides feel iconic ā hello, Potatoes OāBrien and green beans with toasted almonds. Dessert is its own event, with Banoffee Pie and Eton Mess that play into the restaurantās British roots. Itās a limited-time lineup that tastes like history and might ruin all other dinners for you if youāre not too careful.
Five Crowns Is Turning the Outside Into an Art Gallery With Student Murals
To celebrate 60 years of timeless hospitality, Five Crowns is turning its historic exterior into a canvas for local high school students. Through a unique art student scholarship initiative, select students can design and create a commemorative mural that reflects the restaurantās enduring legacy, deep-rooted community ties, and iconic cultural presence in Corona del Mar. This temporary installation is a platform for young talent to shine. The selected winning artist will receive a scholarship award, and their mural work will be amplified through social media, community buzz, and in-restaurant programming all summer long. Itās a rare moment where culinary heritage and visual storytelling collide in full color. Bonus points if you catch golden hour for that mural selfie.
The Continental Louie Cocktail Is a Salad With Swagger
Letās hear it for seafood that slays. The Continental Louie is an elevated throwback starter that feels like part salad and part showstopper. It stacks fresh crab and shrimp on little gem lettuce, topped with punchy Louie dressing, chopped egg, and breakfast radish. Served with hot toast and a wink of mid-century flair, this salad-turned-showstopper brings that classic steakhouse energy into the now and captures the kind of timeless California cuisine that Five Crowns helped pioneer. Itās crisp, elegant, and just retro enough to feel special. Order it while the throwback menu is live ā youāll wonder why it ever went away.
The Staff Knows Your Name (and Probably Your Favorite Cut of Meat)
Five Crowns has built its legacy not just on prime rib and polished silverware, but on its unwavering dedication to white-glove hospitality. From the moment you’re greeted, there’s an effortless warmth that makes you feel like a regular, even if it’s your first visit. Celebrating something? Expect a personalized touch. Been dining here for decades? Odds are your server remembers your favorite cut and how you like it cooked. That rare blend of attentiveness and tradition is what sets the experience apart. In a world of QR codes and quick-turn tables, Five Crowns slows things down with intention. The staff hosts, welcomes, and remembers. Here, the service is as memorable as the meal, and the people behind it make every guest feel like part of the family.
Every Detail Is a Tribute to Timeless Style
The minute you step inside, it hits you: This place isnāt trendy. Itās timeless. The lighting is moody in the best way, the booths invite you to linger and lounge, and even the glassware feels like it belongs in a museum (or your dream bar cart). The 60th anniversary touches, like sparkling, limited-edition glasses and heritage menu nods, enhance the vibe. Every detail, from the tableside finishes to the whisper of English countryside decor, is a nod to elegance that doesnāt try too hard because it doesnāt have to, and itās proof that style never goes out of fashion; it just ages really well.
Itās the Perfect Excuse to Dress Up Again
Your favorite outfit deserves more than a quick selfie and a DoorDash delivery. Five Crownsā celebration is your cue to dig out those heels, press that dress shirt, and revel in the joy of dressing up with intention. Whether itās a first date, a long-overdue girlsā night, or your fifteenth anniversary, the candlelit dining rooms, vintage glassware, and timeless ambiance practically beg for a bit of sparkle.Ā
This is the place where a red lip feels right, and ordering a tableside cocktail in a tailored blazer makes perfect sense. Five Crowns invites you to slow down, sip something special, and savor the feeling of being exactly where you are.
Local Insight: After dinner, take a short stroll to Lookout Point for ocean breezes and peak main-character energy. Itās the post-meal magic that makes Corona del Mar unforgettable.
Theyāre Still Doing Tableside Moments Better Than Anyone
At Five Crowns, the show starts when your cocktail or entrĆ©e gets its grand finale tableside. This place still believes in drama, but not the TikTok kind. Weāre talking rich citrus duck jus drizzled just-so over the dry-aged King Cole Duck or beef fat hollandaise spooned tableside atop a sizzling English Rib Chop. These are time-honored rituals that are meant to make your meal feel like an experience. While most restaurants have swapped silver carts for QR codes, Five Crowns leans into ceremony in a refreshing, not fussy way. Itās precise without being pretentious, warm without being over-the-top. In short? Dining with a sense of occasion. And honestly, we could all use a little more of that.
Because Icons Deserve to Be Celebrated
Reaching 60 years in the restaurant world is like winning the culinary lottery ā and Five Crowns has been the go-to for date nights, birthdays, anniversaries, and ājust becauseā dinners that somehow always feel elevated. This anniversary is a celebration of everything thatās made Five Crowns iconic: the prime rib carved with care, the throwback cocktails that still hit, the candlelit charm that never goes out of style.Ā
Booking a table now guarantees you become a part of the story (and that youāll definitely be eating well) as a living tribute to tradition, hospitality, and staying power. Restaurants will come and go like trends, and Five Crowns proves that substance, service, and a perfectly made Banoffee Pie never go out of style. Say yes to the moment and experience the legacy.
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
