Diane Armitage
21-year Laguna Beach resident &
absolute devotee of this amazing town.
Here our thousands of insider tips and
recommendations
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LAGUNA BEACH
Best Food & Drink
Conflict eases over AhbA’s speakeasy
Our culinary New Year in Laguna Beach got off to a lovely start this year with the salvation of one our our favorite SoLag restaurants. In the last week of December, the City of Laguna Beach worked with AhbA Restaurateur Nick Bennett to stave off its closure. The...
Christmas Dining Options Aplenty for Merrymaking
“Christmas Eve dining is like the 4th of July in Laguna,” said Chef Rainer Schwarz of Driftwood Kitchen. “Most of us here in town don’t want to miss Christmas Eve, but it’s always great to take that break on Christmas Day.” Indeed, many of Laguna Beach’s restaurants...
Upcoming Events & News
Winter Fantasy Festival Opens This Weekend, Nov. 20, 2021
I love the Winter Fantasy Festival at Sawdust more than our summer affair, the Sawdust Art Festival (which I happen to like a lot). This year, it's back in full swing and opening on Saturday Nov. 20th for FIVE full weekends. Aside from 150 artists’ booths in this cool...
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...
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
Laguna Beach Foodie Fare
In case you aren’t privy to my social media platforms @bestoflaguabeach, I thought I’d use this column to share some of my favorite single items that you definitely want to follow up on. Before I explain all these beautiful food and drink items, let me answer those...
Larsen is Friendly Hospitality at its Finest
With the new Larsen restaurant open in Hotel Laguna, everyone and his neighbor can be seen at the new swank digs. I was one of those people last week, meeting my two dear friends, both chef concierges at Montage Laguna Beach and The Resort at Pelican Hill. These lead...
Oliver’s Weekend Brunch
For several months now, Chef/Owner Erik De Marchi of Oliver’s Osteria has been serving up brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. I’ve been so intent on dining on his sumptuous food in the evenings, that I never got around to brunch until this past weekend. Now I wonder how...
Best Local Lobster is Back: Coyote Grill
In Laguna Beach, we locals look forward to about three events each year. In October, it’s all about the lobster … for the month’s duration, you’ll find us standing on street corners in South Laguna, anxiously awaiting the unfurling of the “Local Lobster” banner at...
Pumpkin Jumps Into Menus
As we all scream toward Halloween and the surprising arrival of November, this week's gentle reminder of Thursday’s (Oct. 21st) "National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day" and Tuesday’s (Oct. 26th) “National Pumpkin Day” prompted me into fast action. We have some ripe pumpkins...
Everything’s Coming Up Halloween
As we all scream toward Halloween and the surprising arrival of November (already??!), it's heartening to see that four of our restaurants have announced the return of their popular Halloween parties. McClain Cellars is hosting its first 1920s Speakeasy party on...
Upcoming Events & News
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...
Ruben Flores’ Garden Walks 2021
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....
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,...
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
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
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...