objective, non-paid
recommendations
for all the best places
to dine, drink and play in
LAGUNA BEACH
Royal Hawaiian Offers New Twist on Holiday Parties
Dear Reader, I know you don't want to hear this, but Thanksgiving is less than 100 days away. It falls late this year, too, which can cause even greater stress for corporate event planners and family heads-of-state who want to secure a great holiday dining or party...
Harley’s Sunday “Grill” is a Perfect Ode to Summer
In yet another ode to the happy, growing-up years of our childhood, Harley's Chef Greg Daniels has created a Sunday family style "backyard BBQ" from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. If you've been around long enough to remember Three Seventy Common's "Fried Chicken Sundays," you...
SoLag’s New AHBA: An Unexpected, Welcome Arrival
After a rare U-turn last Thursday in South Laguna, something strange caught my eye … actual PEOPLE moving around in the former Eva's Caribbean Cafe. There were tables out front and people were SITTING at them. What the heck was going on? I called the City. Yep,...
A Manhattan Legacy Comes to Life in SoLag’s “The Drake”
When he was a teenager, Alec Glasser spent three summers working at the Drake Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Because his family didn't want him traveling back and forth each day to their home in Queens, they negotiated a sweet deal: He was allowed to live at the hotel....
Mediterrania Restaurant Closes
This week in Laguna, our restaurant community suffered another casualty. The new Mediterrania restaurant (also called MG Laguna) closed its doors unexpectedly. Mediterrania Owner Mohamed Mamoun opened his first Mediterranean restaurant in Irvine in 2013 (Mediterrania...
Taste of Laguna for Thurs, Oct 3rd, 2019 – Tix Now on Sale
The Taste of Laguna Food & Music Festival combines two of our community's favorite events, The Chamber of Commerce's Taste of Laguna and KX 93.5's concert, into one mega evening for foodies and live music fans. This limited event will sell out, so get your...
Ohana Fest 2019: Red Hot Chili Peppers Making Rare Appearance
Back in 1983, the Red Hot Chili Peppers came together in L.A. when high school buddies Anthony Kiedis (now infamous lead singer) and Flea (aka Michael Balary and now infamous bassist) decided it was time to create a band. During that first year, the scrappy...
World’s Largest Skim Contest, The Vic 2019, Returns Aug. 17th-18th
In May this year, the Pros' United Skim Tour began 2019's seasonal run for the crown at a full-on gallop. The Tour hits both coasts, with Cabo San Lucas and Santa Cruz early in the season, followed by East Coast Outer Banks (NC) and Dewey Beach, Delaware continuing to...
Biggest Little Farm Film Teaches Biggest Life Lessons
Every now and then, I find a cool event outside of our city limits that I've just got to tell you about. My friend, Ali, turned me on to it, and I'm heading there this Thursday. In San Juan Capistrano, the non-profit Ecology Center offers a number of documentary...
Fly Me to the Moon With This Weekend’s Live Music
Alright, I'll admit it. I love the "American Songbook" (also called American Standards) era … you know, the fabulous and original Rat Pack boys (Frank Sinatra is still my favorite), Nina Simone, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald … the list goes on and on. They play as my...
Brothers’ “Chefs’ Table” is Double the Fun at Royal Hawaiian
When the Molteni brothers purchased the iconic Royal Hawaiian in January, Laguna Beach was in for a rare, "brotherly love" kind of treat. While Chef Martin and Chef Maro have independently operated award-winning kitchens all over the world, they've also supported and...
Monthly Garden Walk a Unique Discovery of this Magical Town
Many, many Saturdays ago, on a last-minute whim, I joined Ruben Flores’ monthly Garden Walk. Years ago, Ruben started the Garden Walk at his original location at Mountain and Coast Highway and continued the tradition after moving the nursery to North Laguna at...
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...
