Diane Armitage
21-year Laguna Beach resident &
absolute devotee of this amazing town.
Here our thousands of insider tips and
recommendations
for all the best places
to dine, drink and play in
LAGUNA BEACH
Best Food & Drink
Bodega Laguna Dropping Into Former Laguna Fish Co.
Laguna restaurateur Ivan Spiers is doing a fast and efficient restaurant makeover worthy of one of those Netflix series. In a mere month's time, he's shifting the Laguna Fish Co. (under Skyloft downtown) to Bodega Laguna. Plans are still on track to open at the end of...
Pinafini Joining Laguna’s Restaurant Row
At last a "coming soon" banner has appeared at the former Javier's/Asada/Tortilla Republic/Fishbone building at 480 S. Coast Highway. YAY! The Pinafini Restaurant & Bar plans to open in early November, Owner Vasken Haitayan told me. Pinafini will feature...
Upcoming Events & News
Pageant of the Monsters Returns – Oct 2023
Just when you thought the backstage at Pageant of the Masters had gone dark for the winter season, there seems to be some creepy rustling going on. Beginning October 27th through 31st, 2023, the Monsters rise while the Masters sleep. Step into the haunted house behind...
Three Big Announcements for This Weekend (Aug. 18th-20th, 2023)
Three big announcements this weekend, Aug. 18-20, 2023): Potential Tropical Storm This Weekend Laguna Beach is anticipating the possibility of heavy rains and surf this weekend and into early next week as Hurricane Hilary moves up from the Baja peninsula to the...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
Chefs Leo Bongarra and Maro Molteni Shake Up Terra
Folks, please allow me an editor’s note here on the front end. I’m called “BEST of Laguna Beach” because I only focus on the best there is in our magical town. As a rule, I don’t talk about or promulgate issues or disputes in town. In this case, however, I feel the...
Chef Craig Connole finds new level of expression at Ristorante Rumari
Fourteen years ago, I decided I'd make a hobby out of covering all the "best of Laguna Beach." Initially, it was just a few lonely blogs that - just as the movie Julie & Julie reported - seemed to only attract my Mom's attention and comments. Fast-forward 14 years...
Best Food & Drink
Bodega Laguna Dropping Into Former Laguna Fish Co.
Laguna restaurateur Ivan Spiers is doing a fast and efficient restaurant makeover worthy of one of those Netflix series. In a mere month's time, he's shifting the Laguna Fish Co. (under Skyloft downtown) to Bodega Laguna. Plans are still on track to open at the end of...
Pinafini Joining Laguna’s Restaurant Row
At last a "coming soon" banner has appeared at the former Javier's/Asada/Tortilla Republic/Fishbone building at 480 S. Coast Highway. YAY! The Pinafini Restaurant & Bar plans to open in early November, Owner Vasken Haitayan told me. Pinafini will feature...
Red Dragon Flying High
For oh … maybe about 8 years … the ownership of the Red Dragon enterprise on Coast Highway has kept their cards close to the chest. But I'd say it's about time NOW to get the word out about this fabulous restaurant. Way back in June 2015, I first reported that the Red...
San Shi Go Closing Sept. 17th, 2023
The go-to sushi favorite for three decades, San Shi Go Laguna Beach, is permanently closing on Saturday, Sept. 16th. Laguna Beach residents are, to say the least, bummed. San ShiGo has had a rough go of it for a couple years now. For 32 years, the popular restaurant...
Laguna’s “The Stand Natural Foods Restaurant” Closing?
The next three week's might be The Stand’s last stand. Alizabeth “Alisa” Arciniaga, owner of The (venerable) Stand Natural Foods Restaurant since 2015, says she simply can’t afford its upkeep nor the prospect of surviving another long Laguna Beach winter. “It makes...
Chefs Leo Bongarra and Maro Molteni Shake Up Terra
Folks, please allow me an editor’s note here on the front end. I’m called “BEST of Laguna Beach” because I only focus on the best there is in our magical town. As a rule, I don’t talk about or promulgate issues or disputes in town. In this case, however, I feel the...
Upcoming Events & News
Pageant of the Monsters Returns – Oct 2023
Just when you thought the backstage at Pageant of the Masters had gone dark for the winter season, there seems to be some creepy rustling going on. Beginning October 27th through 31st, 2023, the Monsters rise while the Masters sleep. Step into the haunted house behind...
Three Big Announcements for This Weekend (Aug. 18th-20th, 2023)
Three big announcements this weekend, Aug. 18-20, 2023): Potential Tropical Storm This Weekend Laguna Beach is anticipating the possibility of heavy rains and surf this weekend and into early next week as Hurricane Hilary moves up from the Baja peninsula to the...
Ruben Flores’ Garden Walks 2023
Every other Saturday, award-winning Landscape Architect Ruben Flores offers one of the most informative "field trips" around with his Laguna Nursery Garden Walks. Garden Walkers are asked to meet at the Laguna Nursery by 10 a.m. to purchase their day “pass” for $10....
Laguna Beach 4th of July Fireworks Show 2023
For 2023, the Laguna Beach 4th of July Fireworks show is once again originating from Monument Point at Heisler Park. Here’s the official scoop: Closures & Fireworks Schedule The Point itself will be closed the entire 4th of July day. And, at 5:00 p.m., the area of...
Oliver’s Monthly with Wine Tasting & Small Bites
Chef Erik of Oliver's Osteria can't seem to stop creating everything good. A few months ago, he announced a twice-a-month Wine Tasting and Small Bites event at the bar. Let me repeat that: At the bar. The bar houses all of SIX people, so you've got to get cracking on...
LBHS buddies undertake vast “Creation” project in glass
It’s been 42 years since these two buddies met at Laguna Beach High School. That may seem like ancient history to Dirk Maes and Kaj Garmshausen. In a matter of weeks, though, the two will certainly be making history with the installation of a 3,000-piece...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
Chefs Leo Bongarra and Maro Molteni Shake Up Terra
Folks, please allow me an editor’s note here on the front end. I’m called “BEST of Laguna Beach” because I only focus on the best there is in our magical town. As a rule, I don’t talk about or promulgate issues or disputes in town. In this case, however, I feel the...
Chef Craig Connole finds new level of expression at Ristorante Rumari
Fourteen years ago, I decided I'd make a hobby out of covering all the "best of Laguna Beach." Initially, it was just a few lonely blogs that - just as the movie Julie & Julie reported - seemed to only attract my Mom's attention and comments. Fast-forward 14 years...
Chef Linda Johnsen – Filomena’s – Costa Mesa
Meet Chef Linda Johnsen, Owner and Chef of the ever-popular Filomena's in Costa Mesa. Chef Linda purchased the restaurant in 2009 when the real estate market tanked (her primary career at the time), and she's never looked back. Click to learn more about Chef Johnsen...
Chef Peter Lai – The Blind Rabbit Speakeasy – Anaheim
Meet Chef Peter Lai, new Chef of the award-winning Blind Rabbit speakeasy in Anaheim. Chef Peter Lai wasn't even looking for a new job when he was invited to take a look at The Blind Rabbit … and then he couldn't even find the door when he showed up for his...
Chef Rich Mead – Farmhouse – Newport Beach
Meet Chef Rich Mead the unassuming chef of Farmhouse in Newport Beach at Roger's Gardens. Chef Mead has been cooking for GIANT tables of guests for years, so he's looking forward to his return to OC Chef's Table where he simply tends to 10 guests during the...
Chef Jet Tila – Food Network’s Iron Chef
Meet the Food Network’s Celebrity Chef Jet Tila, the likable and uber-talented chef on a number of shows, including Iron Chef America. Chef Jet Tila is returning for his second year to OC Chef’s Table as the spotlight celebrity chef. Click to learn more about Chef...