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
Sapphire’s Decadent Brunch
As my New Year’s resolution has me tucking into my 17th arugula salad with apple cider vinaigrette, I think longingly back to my last, great decadent meal at the weekend brunch at sapphire.Cellar.Craft.Cook. My “brunch buddy,” Ali North and I, decided to make our...
Rum Social Announces Chef Lineup & Menu
Rum Social, the anticipated new eatery in the old Watermarc space, is nearing ever closer to its finish line. Describing itself as an “upscale Hemingway speakeasy,” Rum Social will feature a variety of Caribbean-based drinks and dishes. “We’re tentatively looking to...
Upcoming Events & News
Last Chance for Winter Fantasy at Sawdust this Weekend
I’ve said many times in past blogs that I wait for the Winter Sawdust Festival to do my Christmas shopping. I’m also quite sure that if I were to ever think of leaving Laguna Beach, my closest friends – who are repeated recipients of gifts from the Winter Sawdust –...
46th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade: Dec. 10th – 12th, 2021
Far closer than the Newport Boat Parade and a heck of a lot more . . . creative, the 46th Annual "Fiesta" Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights happily returns Friday, Dec. 10th through Sunday, Dec. 12th. The parade kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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...
Best Food & Drink
Sapphire’s Decadent Brunch
As my New Year’s resolution has me tucking into my 17th arugula salad with apple cider vinaigrette, I think longingly back to my last, great decadent meal at the weekend brunch at sapphire.Cellar.Craft.Cook. My “brunch buddy,” Ali North and I, decided to make our...
Rum Social Announces Chef Lineup & Menu
Rum Social, the anticipated new eatery in the old Watermarc space, is nearing ever closer to its finish line. Describing itself as an “upscale Hemingway speakeasy,” Rum Social will feature a variety of Caribbean-based drinks and dishes. “We’re tentatively looking to...
Conflict eases over AhbA’s speakeasy
Our culinary New Year in Laguna Beach got off to a lovely start this year with the salvation of one our our favorite SoLag restaurants. In the last week of December, the City of Laguna Beach worked with AhbA Restaurateur Nick Bennett to stave off its closure. The...
Christmas Dining Options Aplenty for Merrymaking
“Christmas Eve dining is like the 4th of July in Laguna,” said Chef Rainer Schwarz of Driftwood Kitchen. “Most of us here in town don’t want to miss Christmas Eve, but it’s always great to take that break on Christmas Day.” Indeed, many of Laguna Beach’s restaurants...
Laguna’s 2021 Thanksgiving Options are Bountiful
Last year at this time, the State of California moved back in to “purple tier” status, which sent our Laguna Beach restaurateurs scrambling to figure out what to do with all of their Thanksgiving dining reservations. This year let’s hope we’re in for a more...
Scott McIntosh Opens 3rd Reunion Kitchen Location
Congratulations to my restaurateur/chef buddy Scott McIntosh, who’s known in this town for Boat Canyon’s successful Reunion Kitchen as well as Asada Tacos + Beer. On Monday this week, he opened his 3rd Reunion Kitchen location, this time in Santa Barbara right on the...
Upcoming Events & News
Last Chance for Winter Fantasy at Sawdust this Weekend
I’ve said many times in past blogs that I wait for the Winter Sawdust Festival to do my Christmas shopping. I’m also quite sure that if I were to ever think of leaving Laguna Beach, my closest friends – who are repeated recipients of gifts from the Winter Sawdust –...
46th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade: Dec. 10th – 12th, 2021
Far closer than the Newport Boat Parade and a heck of a lot more . . . creative, the 46th Annual "Fiesta" Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights happily returns Friday, Dec. 10th through Sunday, Dec. 12th. The parade kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at...
Winter Fantasy Festival Opens This Weekend, Nov. 20, 2021
I love the Winter Fantasy Festival at Sawdust more than our summer affair, the Sawdust Art Festival (which I happen to like a lot). This year, it's back in full swing and opening on Saturday Nov. 20th for FIVE full weekends. Aside from 150 artists’ booths in this cool...
SCP Hotels Acquires Second Hotel in Laguna Beach
Soul Community Planet (SCP), a wellness centered group focused on "Holistic Hospitality," announced at the end of October that they have acquired their second hotel property in Laguna Beach. Hotel Seven4one, a boutique hotel on the same block as The Orange Inn marks...
Surfing Santa 2021 Gets Spirits Soaring: Nov 20 & 21
One of the coolest non-profit ideas around, Surfers Healing is designed for children with autism. The greatest surfers in the world jump in to help these kids experience surfing in multiple surf camps throughout the United States Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. One...
Hospitality Night (Santa is Coming!) Fri, Dec. 3rd, 2021
"Every first Friday in December (except maybe not last year, at least not in full regalia as usual), Laguna Beach celebrates Hospitality Night. It's a great "locals' night" for people watching, live music, dancing, great restaurant get-togethers, retail shop and...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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...
Chef Jason Neroni – Rose Cafe – Santa Monica
Meet Chef Jason Neroni, the renowned L.A. based chef of Rose Cafe in Santa Monica. Chef Neroni has heard about the OC Chef's Table, and was so affected by the homelessness in his own neighborhood, that he contacted Illumination Foundation, the non-profit entity...