OWNER / FOUNDER
Jay Lewis
IT ALL STARTED WHEN…
Entrepreneur, visionary, and tastemaker, Jay Lewis, had the dream of recreating the ideal Aussie eatery in Southern California. His 20 years of experience across multiple industries propelled him to the forefront of his chosen ventures time and time again. Beginning with the design and apparel business, Jay created a successful brand with multiple retail locations and a strong wholesale presence in Australia’s Gold Coast. When it was acquired in 2007, he joined a renowned Sydney-based fashion brand as their international business manager. In 2009, Jay took his apparel expertise to the shores of Southern California, where he created a fashion collective that includes a women’s contemporary fashion brand and a firm specializing in immersing Australian brands into the US marketplace through PR, marketing, and distribution. With his Australian roots firmly grounded in U.S. soil, he saw an opportunity to create a gourmet coffee and organic food experience reminiscent of those from his hometown on the Gold Coast. In 2015, he opened Outpost Kitchen to rave reviews in Southern California.
Now with a second location at South Coast Metro that offers an extended menu, dinner and cocktails, Jay calls Newport Beach his home with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons.
ORGANIC – SUSTAINABLE – ALL NATURAL – LOCAL
The Inspiration Behind Our Menu
Taking inspiration from the 1970s beach cafes of Australia, Outpost Kitchen recreates the familiar feeling of a neighborhood meeting spot. Since its opening in 2015, the Costa Mesa restaurant has become the go-to spot for clean, fresh food where guests can enjoy art, music, and community in an industrial, yet modern environment. Imbued with vintage photography and art from well-known local artists, the restaurant pays homage to the laidback Australian lifestyle. Its menu of fast-but-fresh cuisine focuses on organic, biodynamic, and locally sourced ingredients.
Where Art, Music, and Community Meet
OUTPOST Kitchen is known for its fast-but fresh cuisine and unwavering commitment to California-grown & bio-dynamic produce, organic & humanely raised meats, and responsibly sourced, sustainable seafood. Lewis’s hidden gem has developed a cult following over the years which propelled him to open a second location in South Coast Metro.
“We chose to open another location in Costa Mesa because we’re excited about the diversity and opportunity this city has to offer. We want to celebrate the community that’s embraced us and the culture we’ve created since opening our first location six years ago,” comments Lewis. “Much like the city of Costa Mesa itself, this new space is at once bold and expressive, yet understated and cool.”
The beverage program features superfood-infused cocktails that extract bold flavors, vibrant colors, and immune-boosting properties from powerful all-natural ingredients like spirulina, moringa, beetroot, turmeric, and tarragon. With roots firmly planted in Australia and the U.S., Lewis has chosen a variety of Aussie and local liquors to take center stage at the bar.