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
Best Margaritas in Laguna Beach 2020
National Margarita Day is Saturday, Feb. 22nd, and as far as I'M concerned, THIS is the LOVE holiday we really need to be paying attention to in the month of February. (I can't believe the greeting card industry hasn't caught on to this one yet.) SO, time to roll out...
Wine Gallery’s “Tasting Tuesday” Features Rosenthal Imports
Wine Gallery has another pop up Tasting Tuesday happening on Feb 25th, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. These are awesome fun. It's a mini-workshop … maybe more like a science lab … with a variety of wines and proffered pairings with the regular Wine Gallery menu. This coming...
Sapphire’s Chef Azmin Hands Baton to Award-Winning Restaurateur Russ Bendel
Rumors are true … Chef Azmin Ghahreman, Executive Chef & CEO of Sapphire Culinary Group, is selling the Sapphire Restaurant and Pantry at The Pottery Place to focus on other Sapphire Culinary interests. In a statement released late Thursday afternoon, Chef Azmin...
Laguna Chefs Share the Love on Valentine’s Day
Yesterday, I was talking to one of our Laguna chefs about Valentine’s Day. Oddly … reservations for Valentine’s Day tend to occur well in advance, while Mother’s Day reservations tend to happen at the last minute. Imagine that. If you’re still putting your plan...
Superbowl Recipes – Personal Favorites from our Chefs – Marc Cohen
I asked local chefs for EASY recipes they whip up themselves when they head out to Superbowl parties. Over the next few days, I'll be posting their go-to favorites that become everyone else's favorites at any party they attend. From Marc Cohen, 230 Forest and...
Superbowl Recipes – Personal Favorites from our Chefs – Cary Redfearn
I asked local chefs for EASY recipes they whip up themselves when they head out to Superbowl parties. Over the next few days, I'll be posting their go-to favorites that become everyone else's favorites at any party they attend. From Cary Redfearn, Lumberyard and Slice...
Upcoming Events & News
Beach Club at Main Beach has reopened behind Hotel Laguna
Hotel Laguna operators, Laguna Creative Ventures, has launched what it calls a "first stage" Beach Club, open Wednesday through Sunday and holidays (weather permitting) with limited beach service. Anytime between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., you can walk down or park in the...
Big Fundraiser Keeps Getting Bigger This Sunday (Feb 23rd) for Adam & Rachel Bernstein
Three weeks ago on January 25th, a GoFundMe page went live for well-loved, longtime Laguna Beach bartender Adam Bernstein and his wife, Rachel. The couple has been financially beleaguered since Rachel was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer last summer. GoFundMe...
President’s Day Soirée Celebrates Art & Music
Here's your perfect reason to actually celebrate President's Holiday on Monday, Feb. 17th - an Art & Music Soirée at The Deck's Bungalows! While The Deck provides its usual great party fare, there will be plenty going on with Pink and Foo Fighters musician Jessy...
Ahh, the gift of a Valentine Spa Day
Hopefully, you've made dinner reservations for Valentine's Day (that's tonight, folks) or Valentine's weekend. If you haven't yet, you can check out my Valentine Dining Roundup article on what's available out there. Now, for that gift! Given the latest stress levels...
Catalina Island Offers “Best of Winter” Packages
Years ago, I actually owned an amazing condo on Catalina Island. I used to go over there in the winter months to write big projects - my own books, ghostwritten books, or those massive 20-page sales letters to sell something like a Tony Robbins coaching program. I...
Longtime Local Bartender Adam Bernstein Needs Our Help
If you've been in Laguna Beach for any length of time, you've probably met the great bartender and mixologist Adam Bernstein. The guy brought sunshine and light to a few local establishments, the last being Sapphire Laguna for more than 10 years. About two years ago,...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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...
