David Wilhelm Still a Trendsetter with Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern
This week, I’ve stepped out of the actual city limits of Laguna Beach (oh no!), but thought I’d check in on the restaurateur who was one of Laguna’s first culinary pioneers – David Wilhelm. The founder behind Kachina in downtown Laguna Beach in the early 1980s,...
Skyloft Restaurant: Finishing Touches Steeped in Americana
Launching a restaurant in Laguna Beach can be a lot like waiting through a pregnancy without any real delivery date to depend upon. In early June, I wrote an article here in StuNews about 11 restaurants launching, eight of which were planning to be open by...
Chef Amar Santana in Bravo’s Top Chefs Season
At summer’s end when I finally caught Chef Amar Santana in his restaurant, I asked him where he’d been hiding all summer. He replied with a sly smile and a cheeky response, “You’ll find out soon enough.” On Monday, the whole world found out what Chef Amar...
Plein Air Invitational Begins This Saturday
This Saturday, Oct. 17th, 35 of the country’s top “plein air” (meaning “painting outdoors in natural light”) painters will descend on our lovely town for the Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational. I love the Laguna Beach Plein Air. This is a nine-day event, giving you...
Outstanding In the Field Will Set Its Laguna Table at Iconic Beach
The innovative founder of Outstanding in the Field, Jim Denevan, is returning to Laguna Beach in November. He’s partnering once again with the Laguna Art Museum to produce one of his iconic dinners at one very, very, very long table to kick off the Museum’s Art &...
Autumn is More Awesome With Watermarc New Fall Menu
When Watermarc opened its doors, it was 2009 … the depths of the worst recession this country had experienced in decades. “I knew we had to make a major shift because people were just spending differently,” says Chef Marc Cohen. “Instead of committing to $40 for one...October Arrives With Oom-Pah-Pah Oktoberfest Festivals This Weekend
This weekend, Laguna Beach is surrounded in Oktoberfest Festivals. Literally. Significantly different in nature, you’ll see large crowds at either of these popular returning events: Oktoberfest – Dana Point To our south, Dana Point will be hosting its annual...
Laguna Beach Beautification Council’s Gala is Going to Be a Beauty!
The Laguna Beach Beautification Council is at it again, this time with a celebration gala in the gorgeous gardens of one of Laguna’s most pristine estates. Set for Saturday, October 17th from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., the LBBC Gala will be in full Italian Renaissance swing...
Tamarind of London Closes
Tamarind of London in Newport Coast closed and shuttered its doors and windows on Sunday, Oct. 4th. While the Michelin starred restaurant initially received accolades for its introduction of “real” Indian food to Southern California, business over these...
With a Big Bang, Planet Urth Caffe Arrives
There’s some serious bustling going on at Urth Caffé. Our newest restaurant to join the Laguna Beach culinary throng, Urth Caffé finally threw open its doors to the public last Sunday, doling food and drink to about 5,000 people. “At 7:00 p.m., when it was time to...