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LAGUNA BEACH
Local Lobster Season is On but No Local Lobster to Be Found
In Laguna Beach, we locals look forward to about three events each year. In October, it’s all about the lobster … for the month’s duration, you’ll find us standing on street corners in South Laguna, anxiously awaiting the unfurling of the “Local Lobster” banner at...
New Kid in Town: Lumberyard’s Popular Burger Goes Beyond
Over many years, the Lumberyard Signature Burger has never budged from my annual "Top 5 Burgers of Laguna Beach," and it's always been a best-seller on Cary Redfearn's menu. Over the last few months, though, the LYard champ is being challenged by a come-upper from its...
The Drake Brings Back Nostalgic Supper Club
Last night was the official "opening night" for The long-anticipated The Drake Laguna Beach. It was an impeccable experience, which is a rare thing to say on a restaurant's opening night. Yes, they're still stepping into their stride, but for a 0-day-old restaurant...
Royal Hawaiian Pulls Off 1st Argentinian Beef Agreement in Western U.S.
The Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill, long known for its iconic Lapu Lapu cocktail, recently invited two iconic and internationally renowned Chefs into full ownership and operation in January of this year - brothers Martin Molteni and Mariano "Maro" Molteni. Now, this...
Coyote Grill Howls Its 30 Years on Sept. 24th
In late August of 1989, the Michael Keaton/Jack Nicholson version of Batman was setting $100 million records, "Good Thing" was topping the charts from the Fine Young Cannibals, and Kim Bryant was opening South Laguna's Coyote Grill. Fast forward 30 years, and Coyote...
Tortilla Republic Closes Suddenly, Fishbone Hoping to Swim In
Tortilla Republic Laguna Beach abruptly closed with locked doors and a simple note this Tuesday, Sept. 3rd. Their note to the public stated that "Due to the recent influx of Mexican restaurants in Laguna Beach, it has become unsustainable for Tortilla Republic to...
Spooktacular Paw-ty Options for Your Pets
As Halloween fast approaches, there are plenty of events popping up that cater to kids and adults, alike. Fortunately, Halloween also includes the most important peeps in our lives, too - our pets. There are two upcoming events that are simply "can't miss," even if...
Dining Project OC Pops Up at Hotel Laguna
Sometimes, when I feel like my life is nearing an alarming level of chaotic flurry, God/the gods/angels have a pow-wow on how to give me a break. Things are so busy in my life right now that they know they can’t send me on vacation. So, they decide, instead, to bring...
Laguna Art Museum Gala Promises Sophistication & Surprise
Laguna Art Museum's history and future is being celebrated again this coming Saturday, Sept. 21st, when the Laguna Art Museum Gala takes place at the Festival of Arts grounds. Last week, I wrote an article about the Museum's history and reasons for the expansive shift...
2019 Laguna Art Museum Gala Promises Glitz and Fun All in One
Last Friday, Laguna Art Museum (LAM) Executive Director Malcolm Warner offered me a rare walking tour of the museum. Since his arrival at LAM in 2012, the man has been so busy that I've only seen bits of him from afar, either walking briskly from here to there or...
New Trolley Schedule Post Labor Day
If you stayed off the trolleys this summer because of the crowds, now's your time to not only take back the town but take back your trolleys! Starting this week (Sept. 3), trolley service is cut back but still continues to troll us throughout the town. Weekend...
Locals’ Parties & Pub Crawls Popping Up Everywhere
As much as we love our tourists for their economic boost, we locals can't help but feel a bit of happy-happy joy when Labor Day creates that invisible cut off day. While our city remains much busier year-round now, it's still a welcome relief to be able to drive from...
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 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 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...
Chef Randy Gruspe – Duke’s – Huntington Beach
Meet Chef Randy Gruspe, new Chef of the renowned Duke's in Huntington Beach. Chef Randy Gruspe was born and raised a Hawaiian, which might make him the best possibly suited chef for the popular Duke's chain. Click to learn more about Chef Randy Gruspe and … The events...
