Matchmaker and reality TV personality Justin Bird discusses his perfect day around town.
By Lauren Matich
A 10-year resident of Newport Beach, Justin Bird loves everything from the proximity to the ocean and beautiful year-round weather to the limitless number of restaurants and attractions. He also knows a thing or two about love: He’s a matchmaker who works as an assistant to Patti Stanger on Bravo’s reality series “The Millionaire Matchmaker.” Although work calls him to Los Angeles, he says there’s nowhere else he’d rather live than here by the coast. “Once you live here, you’re spoiled. Why would you want to live anywhere else?” he asks. “Newport has it all.”
Justin moved to Balboa Peninsula when he was a college student at Concordia University Irvine and has since relocated to Corona del Mar. There, between shoots and matchmaking, he can be found squeezing in a morning workout at China Cove or indulging in the local cuisine. From enjoying the sort of relaxed day you’d expect of coastal living to orchestrating whirlwind romances, Justin is a man about town. Newport Beach Magazine caught up with the matchmaker to discuss his favorite local haunts.
Jumpstart the Day
“On a weekend … I will run to Crystal Cove from Corona del Mar on the trails and back; that gets my day started.”
Coffee Stop
“Haute Cakes [Caffe] is awesome. I like the atmosphere. It’s inside-outside seating, and they’ve got a great coffee bar.”
Decked Out
“My favorite brand is Vince. It has its own brick-and-mortar store at Fashion Island.”
Frozen Treat
“The view from Pelican Hill is fantastic. They have a coffee shop, Caffè, with gelato. You sit out there and see the golf course with the green on the water.”
Love Connection
“The best place to meet people in Newport is not a late-night spot, but more like taco Tuesday at Sol [Cocina]. I prefer to go for dinner and drinks.”
Night on the Town
“Oak Grill at Island Hotel Newport Beach is so cool. There’s stuff off the menu that you can ask for, like the salt experience. It’s a very good date spot, and you can carry the night into Aqua Lounge if you feel like dancing.”
