PALMO Pop-Up: A Vegan Destination In Newport Beach

PALMO website

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If Thursday is the new Friday, Wednesday is hump day, and Tuesdays are for tacos, what do we call Monday....sandwich night? We're thinking either meatless, or, as Raya Belna would like you to refer to it, PALMO. That's right. There's a new pop-up in town, and it's found in a different, non-car dealership sort of venue (but oh, so OC)....a golf course.

Perhaps you recognize her name. Raya was on the most current season of Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race, representing our fine county with the Seabirds luxe lonchera team. What began this week, and every Monday for the foreseeable future, is a meal meant to explore your lighter (read: herbivore) side.

The five-course, organic raw fusion cuisine runs for a scant $35, which is reasonable when you compare to, say, most of Newport Beach. Individual items run a consistent $7 for individual soup, salad, and beverage option. The exception this week being our pictured banana leaf tamale, priced at $14. Containing saffron quinoa, plantains and persimmon chutney, they had us at banana. Of course, you don't have to take our word for it; here's their website.

Kudos to new management at the Newport Beach Golf Course for allowing a concept besides that questionable Sunday brunch to class up the joint. Now if you can rename the Tee Room.

PALMO Pop-Up (Mondays only, from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.) is inside the Tee Room lounge at Newport Beach Golf Course. 3100 Irvine Blvd., Newport Beach. For reservations, please call (949) 478-4857 or email raya@palmofoods.com.