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
Pinafini Joining Laguna’s Restaurant Row
At last a "coming soon" banner has appeared at the former Javier's/Asada/Tortilla Republic/Fishbone building at 480 S. Coast Highway. YAY! The Pinafini Restaurant & Bar plans to open in early November, Owner Vasken Haitayan told me. Pinafini will feature...
Red Dragon Flying High
For oh … maybe about 8 years … the ownership of the Red Dragon enterprise on Coast Highway has kept their cards close to the chest. But I'd say it's about time NOW to get the word out about this fabulous restaurant. Way back in June 2015, I first reported that the Red...
Upcoming Events & News
Three Big Announcements for This Weekend (Aug. 18th-20th, 2023)
Three big announcements this weekend, Aug. 18-20, 2023): Potential Tropical Storm This Weekend Laguna Beach is anticipating the possibility of heavy rains and surf this weekend and into early next week as Hurricane Hilary moves up from the Baja peninsula to the...
Ruben Flores’ Garden Walks 2023
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....
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
Chef Linda Johnsen – Filomena’s – Costa Mesa
Meet Chef Linda Johnsen, Owner and Chef of the ever-popular Filomena's in Costa Mesa. Chef Linda purchased the restaurant in 2009 when the real estate market tanked (her primary career at the time), and she's never looked back. Click to learn more about Chef Johnsen...
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...
Best Food & Drink
Chefs Leo Bongarra and Maro Molteni Shake Up Terra
Folks, please allow me an editor’s note here on the front end. I’m called “BEST of Laguna Beach” because I only focus on the best there is in our magical town. As a rule, I don’t talk about or promulgate issues or disputes in town. In this case, however, I feel the...
Renowned Rumari Gets a Reboot
The long-adored Ristorante Rumari in Laguna Beach has re-emerged with a fresh face and brand; she now calls herself simply "Rumari" with a focus on Mediterranean fare that meanders Italy's Riviera and introduces even more bright, fresh flavors from Greece. Still...
Royal Hawaiian Returns for Tiki Takedown
The Royal Hawaiian Grand Dame in Laguna Beach is back in all her tiki glory. The restaurant just reopened last weekend (June 10th) with fervent hopes that you'll love her like you used to. Here's the Odd and Strangely Unique History About Laguna's Royal Hawaiian …...
Top 5 Margaritas in Laguna Beach
Cinco de Mayo lands on Friday this week, which is a perfect time to present my updated “Top 5 Margaritas of Laguna Beach" list. Here’s how my search for the best margaritas in Laguna Beach began … For 14 years now, I’ve been polling my readers and faithfully...
Best Mother’s Day Buffets and Dining in Laguna Beach – May 8, 2022
My Mom LOVES Laguna Beach. (And I so love my Mom. The photo is us when I was about 8.) There's no place she would rather be on Mother's Day than here in Laguna Beach. So, by default, I'm sure your mothers all feel the same. Fortunately, there are a number of Laguna...
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...
Upcoming Events & News
LBHS buddies undertake vast “Creation” project in glass
It’s been 42 years since these two buddies met at Laguna Beach High School. That may seem like ancient history to Dirk Maes and Kaj Garmshausen. In a matter of weeks, though, the two will certainly be making history with the installation of a 3,000-piece...
2022 Patriot’s Day Parade Returns. Hooray!
It's back in all its regalia and community small-town fun! In Laguna Beach, the well-loved Annual Patriot's Day parade starts at 11 a.m., which means hundreds of happy citizens participating, thousands watching from the sidewalks, and traffic diversions beginning as...
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 –...
46th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade: Dec. 10th – 12th, 2021
Far closer than the Newport Boat Parade and a heck of a lot more . . . creative, the 46th Annual "Fiesta" Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights happily returns Friday, Dec. 10th through Sunday, Dec. 12th. The parade kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at...
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...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
Chef Jason Neroni – Rose Cafe – Santa Monica
Meet Chef Jason Neroni, the renowned L.A. based chef of Rose Cafe in Santa Monica. Chef Neroni has heard about the OC Chef's Table, and was so affected by the homelessness in his own neighborhood, that he contacted Illumination Foundation, the non-profit entity...
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...