Famed Arches restaurant closes after 90 years

The Arches restaurant, a Newport Beach institution for nearly 90 years, abruptly closed last week for unknown reasons.

A company representative confirmed that the business on Westcliff Drive closed Wednesday night. The phone s disconnected and the doors are locked.

Along with the Arches fades a relic of Newport Beach history. The old-line eatery, opened in 1922, served the likes of Shirley Temple, John Wayne and other Hollywood stars from its original West Coast Highway building. After moving from that location four years ago, owner Dan Marcheano struggled to keep the restaurant afloat.

Marcheano, who bought the restaurant in 1982, could not be reached for comment.

The Westcliff location sustained minor damage during a grease fire in August but was able to reopen the same day, according to the Daily Pilot.

While the Arches kept serving prime rib, lobster and other traditional dishes it was known for, Marcheano introduced pizza when the new location opened in mid-2010. Its fare and ambience were similar to competitor La Cave, about a block away.

— Mike Reicher, Times Community News

Photo: The Arches in 1930. Credit: Sherman Library