There’s no doubt chef Zov Karamardian is a treasure in Orange County. She runs six restaurants and bakeries in Tustin, Anaheim, Irvine, John Wayne Airport and Newport Coast, specializing in her award-winning Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Armenian cuisine.

She’s constantly updating and improving her restaurants and menus, and she’s a tireless supporter of the community. She’s supported many charitable organizations including Casa Teresa, Laurel House, SPIN (Serving People in Need), and she was on the advisory board of Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine. She’s even working on a new charitable project based around catering.

With summer in full swing, it’s a great time to dine al fresco at Zov’s Newport Coast newly renovated pet-friendly patio that’s reminiscent of the Mediterranean coast. Along with the patio, featuring a new hard-shell roof, glass walls, heat lamps, and new furniture and décor, the restaurant’s bar menu was also updated. (Bravo used the updated space earlier this year in a segment for their hit show “Flipping Out.”)

New dishes include Lamb Haute Dogs with merguez lamb sausage, cucumber relish, Dijon secret sauce, urfa black pepper ketchup and mini greens; Zahtar Pita Bread with extra virgin olive oil and seasoned lebni; Mediterranean Shrimp Cocktail with house cocktail sauce, tomato, capers, olives, fresh herbs, lemon, horseradish and pita chips; Smoked Salmon Stack with crispy potato cake, capers, red onion, arugula, yogurt mint sauce and more.

Other favorites from the bar menu include chimichurri steak pita with lebni, cabbage, diced tomato, fresh herbs, red pepper aioli and micro greens; Pita Chip Nachos with spiced tahini chicken, 3 cheese sauce, feta, cheddar, pico de gallo, crushed avocado and Aleppo pepper; and Zov’s Classic Cheeseburger Sliders with lettuce, tomato, brie cheese and secret sauce on mini brioche buns.

These plates are available in the bar and cocktail area of the restaurant which features big screen TVs, an extensive wine-by-the-glass selection and “Happiest Hour” daily from 3 to 6 p.m.

The patio is also available for use as a private dining room, accommodating parties of up to 48 diners. For booking, contact catering@zovs.com.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. nightly.

Zov’s Newport Coast in the Newport Coast Shopping Center, at 21123 Newport Coast Drive. 949.760.9687.