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
Red Dragon Restaurant Finally Flying
After years of delay, the Red Dragon restaurant in the former Mosun/Club M space, has received its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approval from Laguna's Planning Commission. The April 26th vote approved the CUP, design review, a Coastal Development permit and a few...
A First Taste at Rum Social (Now Open!)
Last night (Wednesday, March 16th), my friend Lisa and I ate at South of Nick's because I was sure that the newly opened Rum Social would be packed. At about 7:30 as we were leaving, I suggested we "poke our heads in" to see how it was going. Our intention to just...
Upcoming Events & News
2022 Dana Point Festival of Whales Parade & Festivities
It's great to see the 51st Festival of Whales back in full swing this year with a kick-off that occurs on Friday, March 4th with a "Welcoming of the Whales" beachside ceremony. It really begins on Saturday, though. While Laguna Beach has its Annual Patriot's Day...
Last Chance for Winter Fantasy at Sawdust this Weekend
I’ve said many times in past blogs that I wait for the Winter Sawdust Festival to do my Christmas shopping. I’m also quite sure that if I were to ever think of leaving Laguna Beach, my closest friends – who are repeated recipients of gifts from the Winter Sawdust –...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
Chef Peter Lai – The Blind Rabbit Speakeasy – Anaheim
Meet Chef Peter Lai, new Chef of the award-winning Blind Rabbit speakeasy in Anaheim. Chef Peter Lai wasn't even looking for a new job when he was invited to take a look at The Blind Rabbit … and then he couldn't even find the door when he showed up for his...
Chef Rich Mead – Farmhouse – Newport Beach
Meet Chef Rich Mead the unassuming chef of Farmhouse in Newport Beach at Roger's Gardens. Chef Mead has been cooking for GIANT tables of guests for years, so he's looking forward to his return to OC Chef's Table where he simply tends to 10 guests during the...
Best Food & Drink
2022 OC Restaurant Week Begins Sunday, March 6th
OC Restaurant Week returns once again this year with EIGHT Laguna restaurants participating. These are sincerely discounted specialty menus throughout the week. It's a perfect time to try something new or return to an old favorite at a great price. See below for...
Best Margaritas in Laguna Beach, 2022
National Margarita Day is Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, an as far as I'm concerned, this is the love holiday we really need to be paying attention to this month. So, it's time to roll out (once again), Diane's updated Annual "Best Margaritas of Laguna Beach." Here's how my...
Best Margaritas in Laguna Beach, 2022
National Margarita Day is Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, an as far as I'm concerned, this is the love holiday we really need to be paying attention to this month. So, it's time to roll out (once again), Diane's updated Annual "Best Margaritas of Laguna Beach." Here's how my...
Best Margaritas in Laguna Beach, 2022
National Margarita Day is Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, an as far as I'm concerned, this is the love holiday we really need to be paying attention to this month. So, it's time to roll out (once again), Diane's updated Annual "Best Margaritas of Laguna Beach." Here's how my...
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
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
SCP Hotels Acquires Second Hotel in Laguna Beach
Soul Community Planet (SCP), a wellness centered group focused on "Holistic Hospitality," announced at the end of October that they have acquired their second hotel property in Laguna Beach. Hotel Seven4one, a boutique hotel on the same block as The Orange Inn marks...
Surfing Santa 2021 Gets Spirits Soaring: Nov 20 & 21
One of the coolest non-profit ideas around, Surfers Healing is designed for children with autism. The greatest surfers in the world jump in to help these kids experience surfing in multiple surf camps throughout the United States Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. One...
Hospitality Night (Santa is Coming!) Fri, Dec. 3rd, 2021
"Every first Friday in December (except maybe not last year, at least not in full regalia as usual), Laguna Beach celebrates Hospitality Night. It's a great "locals' night" for people watching, live music, dancing, great restaurant get-togethers, retail shop and...
Coast Film Festival Nov 10-14, 2021
Get ready for adventure and life-changing stories because the Coast Film Festival is back for its third go-around. Screenings galore, Q&As with filmmakers, and all the surrounding hoopla take place November 10-14 at the Festival of Arts Grounds. There will be...
Ruben Flores’ Visionscape Takes State Honors for Landscape
Congratulations to Ruben Flores (owner of Laguna Nursery and Visionscape Landscapes) for two giant wins on Nov. 5th in the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) annual “Awards of Excellence.” The CLCA annually awards “the best of the best” with an annual...
Oct. 30th Garden Walk Explores 2 Iconic Laguna Properties
This coming Saturday, Oct. 30th, Ruben Flores is pulling out all the stops on his Garden Walk with a special “field trip” to two of the most iconic properties in Laguna Beach. These properties are rarely opened to the public, let alone a gaggle of nature-loving,...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
Chef Randy Gruspe – Duke’s – Huntington Beach
Meet Chef Randy Gruspe, new Chef of the renowned Duke's in Huntington Beach. Chef Randy Gruspe was born and raised a Hawaiian, which might make him the best possibly suited chef for the popular Duke's chain. Click to learn more about Chef Randy Gruspe and … The events...
Chef Jeff Moore – EATS Kitchen – Irvine
Meet Chef Jeff Moore, Owner and Chef of EATS in Irvine. Chef Moore started working in restaurants to stay alive in college and, after learning to make the best Philly Cheesesteak in the world, he was hooked on creating food that people love. Click to learn more about...