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
![Laguna Restaurants Love Valentine’s Day](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/800x600-love.jpg)
Laguna Restaurants Love Valentine’s Day
For the last several years, Valentine’s Day has always been mixed into the same weekend as President’s Holiday, and it’s like the Fourth of July here in the middle of February. We go from empty streets to packs of roving people in a matter of hours. This year,...
![Sapphire’s Decadent Brunch](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/800x600-Sapphire-patio.jpg)
Sapphire’s Decadent Brunch
As my New Year’s resolution has me tucking into my 17th arugula salad with apple cider vinaigrette, I think longingly back to my last, great decadent meal at the weekend brunch at sapphire.Cellar.Craft.Cook. My “brunch buddy,” Ali North and I, decided to make our...
Upcoming Events & News
![Ruben Flores’ Garden Walks 2022](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/800x600-Garden-Walk-Property-2-1-1-1.jpg)
Ruben Flores’ Garden Walks 2022
Every other Saturday, award-winning Landscape Architect Ruben Flores offers one of the most informative "field trips" around with his Laguna Nursery Garden Walks. Garden Walkers are asked to meet at the Laguna Nursery by 10 a.m. to purchase their day “pass” for $10....
![Local Artist Steve Adam Has an Elephant Now](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Best-800x600-Steve-Adam-and-Cali.jpg)
Local Artist Steve Adam Has an Elephant Now
You might say that local Laguna Beach artist Steve Adam has had an elephant-sized year. Several months ago, he was chosen by none other than L.A. Rams owner Stanley Kroenke as the “branding artist” for the spectacular SoFi stadium. Steve has since splashed his...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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Best Food & Drink
![Rumari Expanding with Neighborhood Italian Market](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/800x600-Craig-and-family.jpg)
Rumari Expanding with Neighborhood Italian Market
As we inch ever closer to expanded restaurant seating options, Laguna restaurateurs are expanding their options, period. Chef Craig Connole (formerly K'ya and Rooftop) has gained traction since taking over Ristorante Rumari's operation a year ago. With the City's...
![Saigon Beach Vietnamese Eats Opens at Last!](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/800-x-600-Saigon-Beach.jpg)
Saigon Beach Vietnamese Eats Opens at Last!
It's been exactly two years and eleven months since the former Royal Thai went dark, waiting for a new breath of life. She finally got her wish when new owners Phong and Lan Vu opened the doors to Saigon Beach Vietnamese Eats last Thursday. "As you can probably guess,...
![Rum Social Asks Laguna Beach to Dance](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Rum-Social-martini.jpg)
Rum Social Asks Laguna Beach to Dance
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...
![Poke Tiki: Make-Your-Own-Poke-Bowl Has Landed in Laguna](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/800-x-600-Poke-finished-dish.jpg)
Poke Tiki: Make-Your-Own-Poke-Bowl Has Landed in Laguna
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 ago, Poke...
![230 Forest – 26 Years and Still Going Strong](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/800x600-230-Kung-Pao-Calamari.jpg)
230 Forest – 26 Years and Still Going Strong
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 his lead - he's...
![Last Chance for Restaurant Reservations on Easter Sunday](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/800-Selanne-Waffles.jpg)
Last Chance for Restaurant Reservations on Easter Sunday
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...
Upcoming Events & News
![Art & Nature Begins Nov. 7th](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Laguna-Beach-painting-800.jpg)
Art & Nature Begins Nov. 7th
Laguna Art Museum is celebrating its 7th annual Art & Nature, a multidisciplinary exploration of art in the natural world from November 7-10. For the first time in the event’s history, the commissioned work of art will be inside the museum rather than outside, and...
![Sip ‘n Shuck 2019](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sip-800.jpg)
Sip ‘n Shuck 2019
Next Sunday’s 7th Annual Sip and Shuck party at The Deck just keeps expanding with more enticing fare. Our fine folks at The Driftwood and The Deck restaurants introduced the Sip and Shuck as an oyster/champagne party in the name of non-profit love for Laguna Beach....
![Royal Hawaiian Hosts Oct 31st “Voodoo & Lapus” Party](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Voodoo-Halloween-800.jpg)
Royal Hawaiian Hosts Oct 31st “Voodoo & Lapus” Party
Because Halloween is on Thursday next week, a few restaurants and bars in town are celebrating this weekend with live music and parties. Next Thursday, though … Halloween night … the only party noted in town is at The Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill with its “Voodoo &...
![Hauntin’ Events 2019 Start This Weekend](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Witch-House-Laguna-Beach-1080x675.jpg)
Hauntin’ Events 2019 Start This Weekend
If you haven't noticed, Halloween has become a month-long event. I'm not sure how this all got started, or when it actually took pole position over the Easter Bunny, but no one seems to be complaining. I was sad to see that the Festival of Arts' Pageant of the...
![Spooktacular Paw-ty Options for Your Pets](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Woofstock-Doheny-800x600.jpg)
Spooktacular Paw-ty Options for Your Pets
As Halloween fast approaches, there are plenty of events popping up that cater to kids and adults, alike. Fortunately, Halloween also includes the most important peeps in our lives, too - our pets. There are two upcoming events that are simply "can't miss," even if...
![Dining Project OC Pops Up at Hotel Laguna](https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/800-Dining-Project-OC-pre-dinner-view.jpg)
Dining Project OC Pops Up at Hotel Laguna
Sometimes, when I feel like my life is nearing an alarming level of chaotic flurry, God/the gods/angels have a pow-wow on how to give me a break. Things are so busy in my life right now that they know they can’t send me on vacation. So, they decide, instead, to bring...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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