I popped into Laguna Beach’s popular Broadway restaurant by Amar Santana, about a week ago and was met by the smiling Chef Santana, himself, and his new summer menu.
To date, I’m not sure that any of us were tired of Amar’s great foodie menu, but chefs tend to get bored with their courses long before their patrons do. Our Broadway Restaurant Chef had changed up about 70% of the menu, starting with his favorite (of course) – PORK.
His new appetizers consist of Crisp Braised Pork Belly, Watermelon Salad with black olives and feta cheese (I’m its newest fan), Asparagus topped with a poached egg and duck prosciutto, and Chilled Shrimp dish with avocado, charred corn and chipotle lime vinaigrette (also sublime).
For Chef Santana’s main dish change-up, I tried the Grilled Salmon with summer squash and a saffron-tomato vinaigrette. Meanwhile, my friend dug into Roasted Halibut sitting atop a fantastic corn risotto cake and drizzled in citrus scallion sauce. Both very flawlessly yummy, they join a Bacon Wrapped Vermont Quail dish, a Confit Lamb Shank with mint chimichurri, and a Wild Mushroom Bolognese dish done with a smoked tofu base – this has been such a popular off-menu item for vegetarians that Chef Amar decided it was time to put it in print.
For dessert, try the Broadway Restaurant signature dish … the rather insane Espresso Creme Bruleé.
For a Laguna Beach restaurant that’s really only been open 8 months, you’re not going to find many missteps here in menu, service, wine list or those skinny bread sticks you can’t get enough of. Be sure to check out the Broadway before the larger summer crowds descend.