The New Five Crowns

Heirloom tomato and red kale salad Alaskan Halibut with corn and Green Bean Succotash

The high end English style pub "Five Crowns" of Corona Del Mar just celebrated their Golden Anniversary with an interior and exterior remodel. I was invited to take a peak and preview the summer menu!

The yearlong remodel still honors both the building's history and family's history while opening a new door to the future. They were committed to excellence and longevity. 'We build restaurants to last," said Ryan O'Melveny Wilson, Corporate Executive Chef and Vice President. "What we're doing will maintain Five Crowns' distinctive character and will also help define fine dining for the next generation. We plan to be a part of this community for fifty more years."

The Family was very involved in the remodel down to the smallest of details they collaborated with Hatch Design Group, YYES Design Studio, Robertson Hill Architecture and Roger’s Gardens to develop a two-phase renovation plan.

Phase 1: The Exterior

The first phase focused on the exterior façade, new landscape design, interior colors, finishes and tabletops. The refreshed landscaping continues Five Crowns’ historic English garden theme and circles the entire property, including both the Coast Highway and Poppy Street elevations, the back garden and the Five Crowns parking lot. Lush topiaries, boxwood hedges and a large raised vegetable bed as well as Southern California aromatics including lavender, rosemary, sage and several citrus trees have been incorporated.

A bold and eye-catching new pole sign with a re-imagined Five Crowns logo. A fresh two-color palette on the exterior walls – embellished with classic British inn decorative details. The restaurant’s front door was relocated to face Pacific Coast Highway, creating a more welcoming approach to the building.

Energy will flow through the interiors colors have gen the place a new energy. Vivid Paints, daring wallpapers and wooden table tops instead of formal white linen.

“We’re bringing back artifacts that are important to our history,” Wilson says. “In 1936, Matilda MacCulloch commissioned the building of the English-style inn that became the Five Crowns. We’re hanging a set of oars her son used at Oxford University and a marvelous antique rowboat in the Nelson room. We also have a replica of a 13th century statue known as Sir Nigel – our “oldest guest”– who has been with us since we opened. We’re making changes, but we’re also inviting people to embrace our history and all of the great stories that go along with it.”

Phase two : The green House

The removal of walls have provided a dramatic direct sight line from the restaurant’s entrance to a new greenhouse bar where intimate lounge seating and a redecorated patio have brought a new energy and lively scene while still paying homage to the past 50 years of Five Crowns