A resident’s sincerely
objective, non-paid
recommendations
for all the best places
to dine, drink and play in
LAGUNA BEACH
Best Food & Drink
OC Chef’s Table 2019 – Top-Ranked Chefs and 3 Laguna New Entries
These last few days, I’ve been immersed in what is certainly one of the most enjoyable aspects of my life – interviewing chefs. Forty-two of them, actually. For the second year in a row, I have the pleasure of working with the Illumination Foundation and their...
One-Year Old Slice Pizza: Laguna’s Crafty Custom Pizza Concept
I love the way our Laguna restaurateurs love their restaurants. Last week, I met with Cary Redfearn, who will be celebrating the 1-year anniversary at Slice Pizza and Beer, the crafty concept restaurant he and wife, Suzanne, concocted. It sits directly across the...
Chef Strong’s Ocean at Main – Initial Review
When Chef Craig Strong left his immaculate Montage-based restaurant, Studio, to start his own restaurant in Laguna Beach, the news was something akin to Moses coming down from the Mount. As much as we've all loved Craig Strong in our community, few of us regularly...
Chef Craig Strong Opens Restaurant Friday, Oct. 5th
This just in from Chef Craig Strong and his new Laguna Beach restaurant, Ocean on Main. I'm heading there now for a dining preview - news and photos shortly! His website isn't quite live yet -oceanatmain.com but you might be able to call for reservations: (949)...
Upcoming Events
Sip ’n Shuck Shindig Returns Nov. 4th
I know the 5th annual Driftwood Kitchen + The Deck Sip ’n Shuck party isn’t happening for an entire month (Nov. 4th to be exact, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.). The tickets for this event, though, disappear faster than oysters on the half shell, the namesake for this event. Our...
Pet Parade & Chili Cook Off – Emphasis on Chili, Please!
For the record, if you want to compete in the annual Chili Cook Off contest in the Board of Realtors' Pet Parade this Sunday (Sept, 30th), you'd better be prepared to put up or shut up. For starters, it's a $1,500 entry fee to cook up your chili fixins ON SITE and...
Ohana Fest 2018 Will Undoubtedly Wow Again
Ohana Fest 2018 is back for its 3rd year at Doheny State Beach, beginning Friday afternoon, Sept 28th through Sunday, Sept. 30th. Some tickets are still available for an ever-growing amazing line-up of music at TheOhanaFest.com; the vast majority of tickets were sold...
Just Announced: Doheny’s Driftwood Fest Featuring Chase Rice, Big & Rich
The hottest country crooners are back in play for the Driftwood Festival at Doheny Beach on Nov. 10th & Nov 11th. Tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. THIS Friday at DriftwoodFest.com, so set your alarms now as this event typically sells out in a number of hours. Perfect...
Arts & Culture
Karloff’s Frankenstein movie is bigger than life on big screen
I love seeing movies at Cinepolis at Ocean Ranch. Just seven miles from downtown Laguna Beach (and a mere four miles for me), it’s become my reward for surviving particularly stressful weeks. In fact, I rarely see a movie anywhere else. Although the food they serve...
History of the HIP District Solves All Those Questions
The Laguna Beach Historical Society will present “The History of the HIP District” on Tuesday, Sept 25 at the Susi Q, by Susan Elliott, Joe Hanauer, and Chris Keller. It's a free event that begins at 7:30 p.m. Frankly, I just want to know what those darned animals are...
Plein Air Paint Out Celebrates 100 Years with Artist Invite This Saturday
So may people have enjoyed the Pageant of the Masters theme this year as it focuses much of its spotlight on the plein air painters who came to Laguna Beach to paint its iconic scenery. And now, we have yet another spotlight on the modern day painters themselves this...
A Bevvy of Sight and Sound in our Own Little Town
On Saturday, I decided to do a walkabout in Laguna Beach. I had already spent the morning on Ruben Flores’ Garden Walk (an excursion sponsored by Laguna Nursery). It was a particularly spectacular event as we had a handsome, shirtless dude invite us over to see his...
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DI WANDERS
Reviews of spas, resorts and restaurants outside of Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach News
OC Chef’s Table 2019 – Top-Ranked Chefs and 3 Laguna New Entries
These last few days, I’ve been immersed in what is certainly one of the most enjoyable aspects of my life – interviewing chefs. Forty-two of them, actually. For the second year in a row, I have the pleasure of working with the Illumination Foundation and their...
read more
One-Year Old Slice Pizza: Laguna’s Crafty Custom Pizza Concept
I love the way our Laguna restaurateurs love their restaurants. Last week, I met with Cary Redfearn, who will be celebrating the 1-year anniversary at Slice Pizza and Beer, the crafty concept restaurant he and wife, Suzanne, concocted. It sits directly across the...
read more
Karloff’s Frankenstein movie is bigger than life on big screen
I love seeing movies at Cinepolis at Ocean Ranch. Just seven miles from downtown Laguna Beach (and a mere four miles for me), it’s become my reward for surviving particularly stressful weeks. In fact, I rarely see a movie anywhere else. Although the food they serve...
read more
Chef Strong’s Ocean at Main – Initial Review
When Chef Craig Strong left his immaculate Montage-based restaurant, Studio, to start his own restaurant in Laguna Beach, the news was something akin to Moses coming down from the Mount. As much as we've all loved Craig Strong in our community, few of us regularly...
read more
Chef Craig Strong Opens Restaurant Friday, Oct. 5th
This just in from Chef Craig Strong and his new Laguna Beach restaurant, Ocean on Main. I'm heading there now for a dining preview - news and photos shortly! His website isn't quite live yet -oceanatmain.com but you might be able to call for reservations: (949)...
read more
Sip ’n Shuck Shindig Returns Nov. 4th
I know the 5th annual Driftwood Kitchen + The Deck Sip ’n Shuck party isn’t happening for an entire month (Nov. 4th to be exact, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.). The tickets for this event, though, disappear faster than oysters on the half shell, the namesake for this event. Our...
read more
Lost Pier Café: A Local’s Love Offering
You’re not going to believe this. I finally found a truly great cup of morning coffee in South Laguna. It’s in the uncanniest of locations: The Lost Pier café. Right. I already know your question: “Lost Pier Café? Excuse me?” Correct. In the last few months, while we...
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This Week in Laguna Beach: Restaurant Rumors Running Wild
This weekend, a large ad in the OC Register noted that Stonefire Grill was expanding to Brea this fall and, then, to Laguna in early 2019. Really? A 12th location for Stonefire Grill here in Laguna? Well … no. After jumping on the phone to chat with the City and the...
read more
Pet Parade & Chili Cook Off – Emphasis on Chili, Please!
For the record, if you want to compete in the annual Chili Cook Off contest in the Board of Realtors' Pet Parade this Sunday (Sept, 30th), you'd better be prepared to put up or shut up. For starters, it's a $1,500 entry fee to cook up your chili fixins ON SITE and...
read more
Ohana Fest 2018 Will Undoubtedly Wow Again
Ohana Fest 2018 is back for its 3rd year at Doheny State Beach, beginning Friday afternoon, Sept 28th through Sunday, Sept. 30th. Some tickets are still available for an ever-growing amazing line-up of music at TheOhanaFest.com; the vast majority of tickets were sold...
read more
