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
Top 5 Margaritas in Laguna Beach
Cinco de Mayo lands on Thursday this week, which is a perfect time to present my updated “Top 5 Margaritas of Laguna Beach" list. Here’s how my search for the best margaritas in Laguna Beach began … For 14 years now, I’ve been polling my readers and faithfully...
Best Mother’s Day Buffets and Dining in Laguna Beach – May 8, 2022
My Mom LOVES Laguna Beach. (And I so love my Mom. The photo is us when I was about 8.) There's no place she would rather be on Mother's Day than here in Laguna Beach. So, by default, I'm sure your mothers all feel the same. Fortunately, there are a number of Laguna...
Upcoming Events & News
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...
2022 Patriot’s Day Parade Returns. Hooray!
It's back in all its regalia and community small-town fun! In Laguna Beach, the well-loved Annual Patriot's Day parade starts at 11 a.m., which means hundreds of happy citizens participating, thousands watching from the sidewalks, and traffic diversions beginning as...
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
Top 5 Margaritas in Laguna Beach
Cinco de Mayo lands on Thursday this week, which is a perfect time to present my updated “Top 5 Margaritas of Laguna Beach" list. Here’s how my search for the best margaritas in Laguna Beach began … For 14 years now, I’ve been polling my readers and faithfully...
Best Mother’s Day Buffets and Dining in Laguna Beach – May 8, 2022
My Mom LOVES Laguna Beach. (And I so love my Mom. The photo is us when I was about 8.) There's no place she would rather be on Mother's Day than here in Laguna Beach. So, by default, I'm sure your mothers all feel the same. Fortunately, there are a number of Laguna...
Red Dragon Restaurant Finally Flying
After years of delay, the Red Dragon restaurant in the former Mosun/Club M space, has received its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approval from Laguna's Planning Commission. The April 26th vote approved the CUP, design review, a Coastal Development permit and a few...
A First Taste at Rum Social (Now Open!)
Last night (Wednesday, March 16th), my friend Lisa and I ate at South of Nick's because I was sure that the newly opened Rum Social would be packed. At about 7:30 as we were leaving, I suggested we "poke our heads in" to see how it was going. Our intention to just...
Bianchi Tasting Room: A Tasteful Tease to Award-Winning Wines
It’s been four months since the popular Paso Robles winery, Bianchi opened its “bottle shop” in North Laguna. It was almost an afterthought, really, as the primary reason for the real estate was to situate a southerly home office back in Laguna Beach where family...
Rum Social Plans Opening Next Week
Rum Social, the anticipated new eatery in the old Watermarc space, is finally set to open to the public next week, “hopefully around the 10th of March,” said Partner John Fisher. The team began its soft open process this past weekend, inviting only friends, family and...
Upcoming Events & News
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...
2022 Patriot’s Day Parade Returns. Hooray!
It's back in all its regalia and community small-town fun! In Laguna Beach, the well-loved Annual Patriot's Day parade starts at 11 a.m., which means hundreds of happy citizens participating, thousands watching from the sidewalks, and traffic diversions beginning as...
2022 Dana Point Festival of Whales Parade & Festivities
It's great to see the 51st Festival of Whales back in full swing this year with a kick-off that occurs on Friday, March 4th with a "Welcoming of the Whales" beachside ceremony. It really begins on Saturday, though. While Laguna Beach has its Annual Patriot's Day...
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...
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...