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
Everything’s Coming Up Halloween
As we all scream toward Halloween and the surprising arrival of November (already??!), it's heartening to see that three of our restaurants have announced the return of their popular Halloween parties. Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill gets the weekend off to a sizzling start...
“We Got the Beat” at Harley’s Party – Nov. 5th
On Friday, Nov. 5th, Go-Go’s drummer, Gina Schock, will be hosting a “meet & Greet” at Harley Laguna Beach. Tickets are $125 per person and include a signed copy of Gina’s new book, Made in Hollywood: All Access with the Go-Go’s, as well as two premium drink...
Upcoming Events & News
Oil Spill Closes Laguna City & County Beaches, DP Harbor and Newport Harbors Closed
A major oil spill out of Huntington Beach on Saturday night has required the closing of all City and County beaches, including Laguna Beach and Dana Point. OC Parks has also closed Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor. Both Newport Harbor, Bayside Beach in Newport...
Cook with Chef Amar
Chef Amar Santana is teaming up with Lung Cancer Foundation of America for a "Cook with Chef Amar" virtual cooking class on Saturday, Oct. 2nd from noon to 1 p.m. Chef started his first restaurant here in Laguna Beach, Broadway by Amar Santana. He later opened Vaca by...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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...
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...
Best Food & Drink
Everything’s Coming Up Halloween
As we all scream toward Halloween and the surprising arrival of November (already??!), it's heartening to see that three of our restaurants have announced the return of their popular Halloween parties. Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill gets the weekend off to a sizzling start...
“We Got the Beat” at Harley’s Party – Nov. 5th
On Friday, Nov. 5th, Go-Go’s drummer, Gina Schock, will be hosting a “meet & Greet” at Harley Laguna Beach. Tickets are $125 per person and include a signed copy of Gina’s new book, Made in Hollywood: All Access with the Go-Go’s, as well as two premium drink...
San Shi Go Coming Soon … I Promise
Posted Oct. 13, 2021 - Local favorite San Shi Go looks to be rounding the final bend for their re-opening at the former Okura Sushi restaurant at Thalia and Coast Highway. San Shi Go closed in its old location on March 1st. A devastated fan base moped for months...
Where’s My Rum?
You may recall that months and months ago – April 13th, to be exact – I announced that Rum Social Kitchen & Cocktails would be taking over the old Watermarc space. Termed by the longtime restaurateurs as “an upscale Hemingway speakeasy,” the team planned to open...
Wine Gallery’s Tasting Tuesdays Return
The “Locals’ Season” is in full swing with restaurants all over town offering creative events. Wine Gallery’s popular “Tasting Tuesday” has returned. Owner Chris Olsen initiated the every-other-week event prior to COVID and started them up again in September. “I...
7 Laguna Restaurants Participate in Marriott Bonvoy “Eat” Campaign
Marriott Bonvoy has recently launched an "Eat Around Town" campaign that awards 4 points for every dollar you spend as a Marriott member, and 6 points for every dollar you spend if you're "elite" status (Ambassador, Titanium, Platinum, Gold or Silver). For the month...
Upcoming Events & News
Oil Spill Closes Laguna City & County Beaches, DP Harbor and Newport Harbors Closed
A major oil spill out of Huntington Beach on Saturday night has required the closing of all City and County beaches, including Laguna Beach and Dana Point. OC Parks has also closed Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor. Both Newport Harbor, Bayside Beach in Newport...
Cook with Chef Amar
Chef Amar Santana is teaming up with Lung Cancer Foundation of America for a "Cook with Chef Amar" virtual cooking class on Saturday, Oct. 2nd from noon to 1 p.m. Chef started his first restaurant here in Laguna Beach, Broadway by Amar Santana. He later opened Vaca by...
Festival of Arts 2021: What I Love Most
The Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters is exactly that - two enormous productions that symbiotically co-exist next to each other on the same grounds. This year's Pageant of the Masters is titled "Made in America, Trailblazing Artists & Their Stories,"...
Laguna Beach Fireworks 2021
The Laguna Beach fireworks show is back in play and will begin at approximately 9 pm on Sunday, July 4th. As usual, the fireworks show will originate from Monument Point at Heisler Park. For this reason, the Monument Point area will be closed all day on the 4th of...
Sunglass Gallery’s Harry Bagga Shines
After properly grieving the loss of my 14-year Fendi sunglasses, I trooped back to the only man I trust - 31-year Sunglass Gallery Owner Harry (Harjit) Bagga. This is the guy who looks at you once and heads right to the perfect sunglasses. Fendi, apparently, has lost...
Citing COVID Cases, Sawdust Marketplace Closes
Initially scheduled through December 20th, the Sawdust Marketplace closed yesterday (Saturday) for the season and the year. Marketplace organizers noted that "Due to rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases in our own area, and several confirmed cases among our Sawdust...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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...
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 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 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...