A resident’s sincerely
objective, non-paid
recommendations
for all the best places
to dine, drink and play in
LAGUNA BEACH
Best Food & Drink
Rumari’s Amoré Lasts Through February With Special Menu
Heading into my dining review last week, I circled the block a couple times before I realized there was a spot right there in front of the restaurant. I whipped into the space, put the car in park and gathered my camera, notebook, purse and key to make my exit. At the...
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 one of the few who’s still...
Popular Chef Maro Molteni Will Operate Royal Hawaiian
Chef Mariano (“Maro”) Molteni still remembers the November day when Mo Honarkar suggested that Maro take over the Royal Hawaiian space as the new restaurant owner/operator. “All the hair stood up on my head,” he says with his wide grin. “The Royal Hawaiian … now,...
This Week’s OC Chef’s Table Interviews – Mastro’s, Cali Fresh, Trevor’s, Slapfish, Villa Roma
I know this might sound like a really odd thing to say, but after 30 years of interviewing and marketing some of the most iconic individuals in the world, I still find chefs to be some of the most unique human creatures on our planet. Every time I interview a chef, I...
South of Nick’s Margarita Making a Run for Champ Title
Last night, I stopped in at South of Nick's with my good friend, Ali North. It was early - 5:00ish - and we had an unexpected number of seats available to us. (If you're a fan of South of Nick's, you know that an empty seat is a rarity.) While I'm an ardent Paloma fan...
This Week’s OC Chef’s Table Interviews – Celebrity Chef Jet Tila, Rose Café, Farmhouse, Filomena’s
This year, I have the distinct pleasure and honor of interviewing all the top Orange County chefs participating in the annual March 2019 OC Chef's Table. For years, I had heard about this "must attend" gala, which raises funds for the Illumination Foundation's efforts...
Upcoming Events
Casting Call for Pageant of the Masters 2019 Show
Can you stand still for 90 seconds? The Pageant of the Masters is looking for volunteer cast members fr next summer's show, The Time Machine. Individuals of all sizes and ages are needed to be cast members in the world's most famous presentation of tableaux vivants....
Tibetan Monks Returning to Laguna for New Mandala Creation
The Sawdust Art Festival will be the new host for the Drepung Gomang Monks Sacred Tibetan Arts Tour, Jan. 28 - Feb. 5. This is a big switch-up from the Tibetan Monks' usual temporary residence at the Neighborhood Congregational Church. I began covering the Tibetan...
Starfish Annual Toy Drive on Dec. 10th
Get into the holiday spirit at Starfish by participating in The Starfish Annual Toy Drive. This year the toys will be donated to the victims of the California Wildfires. Starfish is offering a great discount to customers that bring in an unwrapped toy on Monday, Dec...
Playhouse Beauty and the Beast – free tickets to patrons 21 and under
Thanks to the generosity of the Suzanne and James Mellor Fund, Laguna Playhouse is offering patrons age 21 and under two free tickets to Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose on Wednesday, Dec 5 and Thursday, Dec 6 at 7 p.m. Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E....
Holiday Singalong at SoLag Park – Dec 9th
Holiday Sing-Along at The Garden Park takes place this Sunday The community is invited to the annual Holiday Sing-Along at The Garden Park (SoLag) this Sunday, Dec 9 from 2 - 4 p.m. Bring your instruments, singing voices, and treats to share during this festive day in...
Surterre Announces Holiday Toy Drive for Homeless Children
Each year, the brokers and agents of Surterre Properties choose a non-profit entity for their annual holiday toy drive. I was delighted to hear the news this week that they chose an entity close to my heart, the Illumination Foundation. While more than 400 Surterre...
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...
