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
Dine-In Closures Prompt Rapid Outdoor Action
On Wednesday this week, Governor Newsom announced that dine-in options would close in 19 counties, including Orange County, for the next three weeks. Outdoor dining and take-out can still continue. Minutes after the announcement, Laguna Beach restaurateurs and chefs...
Burgers & BBQ To Go This Holiday Weekend
Typically on the 4th of July in Laguna Beach, many of our dine-in restaurants close. Our 4th of July crowds tend to flock to Heisler Park and Main Beach, hunkering down for the day and rarely even sending one designated "food buyer" out of the fray to pick up ice...
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...
Yard Bar Patio Restaurant Debuts to Happy Acclaim
On Wednesday afternoon, a new patio restaurant was born in the heart of downtown. Aptly named Yard Bar, this patio is more of a little brother to the Lumberyard restaurant on Forest. A concept dreamed up by the ever-innovative Restaurateurs Cary and Suzanne Redfearn,...
New Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook Lives Up to its Name
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing a talented restaurateur choose Laguna Beach. In Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook's case, Restaurateur Russ Bendel has stacked the deck with additional talent that plays at a very big culinary level. For daily operations, Russ...
Popular Kya/Rooftop Chef Craig Moves to Ristorante Rumari
After 15 years of creating renowned success as the Corporate Chef of Casa Del Camino's K'ya Bistro and The Rooftop, Chef Craig Connole has moved four blocks south to Ristorante Rumari. "I was planning to leave Casa at the end of March and take off the month of April...
Upcoming Events & News
Sawdust Will Open Smaller Outdoor Marketplace on July 17th
Clearly, the above photo will NOT be happening at the Sawdust Art Festival this year. But they DO have a different solution! While the Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters and Art-A-Fair all cancelled their summer seasons this year, the Sawdust leadership worked...
Beaches in Laguna Beach – City vs. County Beaches in Laguna Beach
Thanks to all of its beautiful cove beaches, Laguna Beach has an extraordinary number of beaches in just an eight mile stretch. With all of the recent closures, many people have been confused on WHAT a CITY beach is and WHAT a COUNTY beach is as they're somewhat...
Update: Orange County Beach Closures Beginning May 1, 2020
As you probably know, Governor Newsom announced on Thursday a HARD CLOSE of all Orange County beaches. The Governor did not include other counties in California in his order. Beaches may be closed in OTHER counties and cities, based on the decision of their city and...
Who to Complain to About Beach and Traffic Chaos this Weekend in Laguna Beach
This week with warmer weather and impatient people who are tired of staying at home, South Laguna Beach (SoLag) was overrun with beach visitors. It's only going to get busier this weekend. Because the County has closed its parking lots but NOT its beaches, we have...
Laguna Beach Books Announces Virtual Best-Selling Author Events
Just when you thought our entire globe had relegated itself to Netflix binge watching and TikTok karaoke, I have refreshing news: People are ordering books. That's right – actual books that have covers and pages and smell like books! "I can't say that we're seeing as...
Phenom Musician Francois Dean Takes It Virtual
If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I'm a giant fan of the great musician, Francois Dean. Here in town, he's primarily played at Skyloft and Mozambique, and also ran the "Laguna Voice" contest with me at Mozambique for over a year. This guy is...
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...