by Diane | Apr 13, 2021 | Best Restaurants
As we emerge tattered and weary from our COVID year, we all just need a little time away at a balmy Caribbean island … with an infinity pool … sipping rum drinks while Bobby McFerrin croons, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Fortunately, our new restaurant, Rum Social, will be...
by Diane | Apr 9, 2021 | Best Restaurants
With memories of Kung Pao Calamari still dancing in my head, I next poked my head into the brand new Poke Tiki shop in the H.I.P. District. Perfectly situated in the old Project Juice location, it’s just south of Gina’s Pizza and Bonzai Bowl. Three weeks...
by Diane | Apr 6, 2021 | Best Restaurants
Chef Marc Cohen established his “California Cuisine” restaurant, 230 Forest in 1995 when very few people even knew what that kind of cuisine was. Chef Marc proved a trailblazer in the field and – 26 years later with a world of chefs scrabbling after...
by Diane | Mar 29, 2021 | Best Restaurants
Several additional restaurants have submitted their plans for Easter, so I’ve expanded my column from last week to help you make your Easter dinner decisions. Orange Tier: No Change For Restaurants Although we’ve recently graduated to Orange Tier, our restaurants are...
by Diane | Mar 18, 2021 | Best Restaurants
With the announcement of their new spring cocktail roll out, Oak Laguna Beach (photo above) reminded me this morning that next Wednesday is (drum roll please) National Cocktail Day. If you’re willing to play, I’m here to take your votes! I’ll be...
by Diane | Mar 18, 2021 | Best Restaurants
Have you ever felt absolutely smug about discovering something ahead of everyone else? I have to admit feeling that way every time I dig into yet another great meal from Brussels Bistro’s monthly meal subscription plan. Brussels first rolled out its “10...
by Diane | Mar 16, 2021 | Best Restaurants
Red Tier is officially in play and St. Patty’s Day is just a day away. It’s a blessed week, indeed. Red Tier & Longer Daylight Hours = Busier Restaurants On Sunday, our Laguna Beach restaurants moved from Purple Tier to Red Tier status, which allows for...
by Diane | Mar 4, 2021 | Best Restaurants
Bless the OC Restaurant Week folks for staying the course with promotions throughout Orange County. While it’s certainly a different kind of OC Restaurant Week this year, five Laguna restaurants will be participating with specialty discounted menus throughout...
by Diane | Mar 2, 2021 | Best Restaurants
As much as we hoped that our restaurants and bars would be able to keep their heads above water, some have grown weary of treading water. After 32 years as one of Laguna’s most loved sushi restaurants, San Shi Go was still operating on Saturday evening, Feb....
by Diane | Mar 2, 2021 | Best Restaurants
After our beloved White House (Laguna Beach) restaurant shuttered its doors in the fall of 2019, we all fell to wondering who would be next to move into the central downtown space. At one point Chef Reiner Schwarz (The Deck, Driftwood Kitchen, Hendrix) and his team...
by Diane | Mar 1, 2021 | Best Restaurants
Last week, cries of alarm sounded in the streets (and in my text messages) when the Main Street Bar’s rainbow flag disappeared from the front window. Had the last bastion in Laguna’s gay bars surrendered? Probably not. After all, Main Street has been a...
by Diane | Feb 22, 2021 | Best Restaurants
National Margarita Day is Monday Feb. 22nd, an as far as I’m concerned, this is the love holiday we really need to be paying attention to this month. So, it’s time to roll out (once again), Diane’s updated Annual “Best Margaritas of Laguna...
