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

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...

Rum Social Announces Chef Lineup & Menu
Rum Social, the anticipated new eatery in the old Watermarc space, is nearing ever closer to its finish line. Describing itself as an “upscale Hemingway speakeasy,” Rum Social will feature a variety of Caribbean-based drinks and dishes. “We’re tentatively looking to...
Upcoming Events & News

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...

Oil Spill Closes Laguna City & County Beaches, DP Harbor and Newport Harbors Closed
A major oil spill out of Huntington Beach on Saturday night has required the closing of all City and County beaches, including Laguna Beach and Dana Point. OC Parks has also closed Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor. Both Newport Harbor, Bayside Beach in Newport...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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Best Food & Drink

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...

Cocktails, Anyone?
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 writing in next...

Brussels Bistro Subscription is Best “Food Blues” Prescription
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 meals for $89...

Luck o’ the Irish is All Around Our 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 indoor...

OC Restaurant Week Begins Sunday, March 7th
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 the...

San Shi Go Calls it a Day
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. 27th. On...
Upcoming Events & News

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...

Laguna Art Museum Gala Promises Sophistication & Surprise
Laguna Art Museum's history and future is being celebrated again this coming Saturday, Sept. 21st, when the Laguna Art Museum Gala takes place at the Festival of Arts grounds. Last week, I wrote an article about the Museum's history and reasons for the expansive shift...

2019 Laguna Art Museum Gala Promises Glitz and Fun All in One
Last Friday, Laguna Art Museum (LAM) Executive Director Malcolm Warner offered me a rare walking tour of the museum. Since his arrival at LAM in 2012, the man has been so busy that I've only seen bits of him from afar, either walking briskly from here to there or...

New Trolley Schedule Post Labor Day
If you stayed off the trolleys this summer because of the crowds, now's your time to not only take back the town but take back your trolleys! Starting this week (Sept. 3), trolley service is cut back but still continues to troll us throughout the town. Weekend...

Locals’ Parties & Pub Crawls Popping Up Everywhere
As much as we love our tourists for their economic boost, we locals can't help but feel a bit of happy-happy joy when Labor Day creates that invisible cut off day. While our city remains much busier year-round now, it's still a welcome relief to be able to drive from...

New Dog Beach Hours + Dog-Friendly Restaurants Updated List
Laguna Beach is extremely dog-friendly and it gets even friendlier in the fall and winter months. Starting on September 10th (my birthday, thank you very much. I'm sure all the dogs voted for this day) … dogs are allowed on the beaches anytime of the day as long as...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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