OC Restaurant Week is just around the corner with dates set for Sunday, March 6th – Saturday, March 12th. For locals here in Laguna Beach, this can be a bane or a boom, depending entirely on the opinion you chose.
On the bane side, this always designates a much busier restaurant traffic flow in Laguna Beach. Although more than 100 restaurants participate across Orange County, I’m not exaggerating or bragging when I say that many diners choose Laguna Beach above all others simply because of the growing culinary reputation we have.
On the boon side, this is a perfect week to adapt the motto, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, as at least a handful of our preferred restaurants offer exceptional dining values throughout the week. There’s no better time to get out to one of your favorite restaurants or choose to dine in a Laguna-based restaurant you haven’t yet tried.
Amenable menus for both lunch and dinner
In a departure from previous years when each restaurant had to choose a “pricing slot,” there seems to be more freedom in allowing the restaurants to price prix fixe menu options that will prove most amenable to visiting diners.
Starting the lunch options at just $10, Chef Andrew Gruel tossed out an amazing number of options for just $10. At a rocking low $15 for lunch prix fixe, try Skyloft, GG’s Bistro or Royal Thai.
For $5 more, drop into the $20 lunches at Maro Wood Grill, Mozambique, O Fine Sushi, Splashes, Starfish (also a whopping number of options compared to most compadres in the prix fixe category), Tommy Bahama’s or Tortilla Republic.
Dinner prix fixe menus ranges in price from the Slapfish $20 dinner to a truly lovely prix fixe menu from Chef Josh at Selanne for $80.
Interested in a $30 dinner? You’ll find plenty of options at GG’s Bistro, Mozambique, Nirvana Grille, Royal Thai, Skyloft, The Cliff, Tommy Bahama’s and Tortilla Republic.
For a $40 prix fixe, Lumberyard Owner Carry Redfearn is treating you to his all-time best sellers and Starfish is offering another whomping number of options for dinner.
At the $50 prix fixe range, Chef Lindsay steps it up another notch with even more options than her $30 dinner choices, and Chef Ryan at 370 Common and Chef Ron at Splashes aim to please with creative menu options as well.
Of course, I always offer my own recommendations, which you can find at my Facebook/BestofLagunaBeach page.
Here’s your chance to finally try that Laguna Beach restaurant you’ve been hearing about! Chart your path now and make those reservations (even for lunch, trust me), as these restaurants will be bustling all week long.