Diane Armitage
21-year Laguna Beach resident &
absolute devotee of this amazing town.
Here our thousands of insider tips and
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LAGUNA BEACH
Best Food & Drink
My Birthday Month’s Spectacular Foodie Finds
Last month was my birthday month, and it seems my friends know only one thing to do with me - take me to a restaurant. It proved a delightful, busy and caloric month, as those of you who follow my social media can attest. For today's column, I just had to share a few...
Wine Gallery’s Hidden Gem Menu
For years now, I've been extolling the cooking virtues of Chef Josh at our locals' favorite Wine Gallery. While most folks are more than happy to partake in his wings or various creatives pizzas, I always like to try something from the "real" menu of entrées every...
Upcoming Events & News
The Drake Nears First Anniversary With Enthusiasm
Exactly one year ago, I interviewed the founders of The Drake Laguna Beach who, after three long years, were putting the finishing touches on the city's new posh jazz supper club. They finally opened the last week of September, just when the City of Laguna Beach...
Laguna Beach Books hosts best-selling mystery author T. Jefferson Parker
On Friday, August 14 at 5 p.m., Laguna Beach Books is pleased to present the latest virtual event in its new Signature Event Series. Enjoy a literary evening with author T. Jefferson Parker as he speaks about his new book, Then She Vanished. He will be in conversation...
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
Royal Hawaiian’s Royal Take-Out Treatment
If you've been reading my columns this summer, you know that I've begun to lean somewhat heavily on our great restaurants in town whenever I have a small dinner party to pull off. A couple weeks ago, it was a special birthday dinner party for a neighbor. I invited...
August’s “Best of Laguna Beach” Food Finds
As I was flipping through my phone's August photos this morning, I realized that if you aren't following my social media platforms, you're missing out on most of the food I eat all month long! So, I'm introducing an end-of-month Diane's Best of Laguna Beach™ round-up...
Harley Shifts to Summertime Casual Fare
On Wednesday this week, I unchained myself from my desk and joined a friend (Ali, the lead concierge at Surf & Sand Resort) at Harley Laguna Beach to try Chef Greg Daniel's outdoor dining. Several weeks ago, it was a happy relief to all of us when Chef Greg...
Rumari Offering $37.50 Family Meals
I was so busy last week that I can't even think of a metaphor to describe it. The weekend prior, I had invited four of my COVID-quarantined neighbors (meaning they're being as cautious as I am) to my roomy patio table for a Thursday night dinner. As I tore through...
Vegetarian Options Abound in Summer Menus
One of my followers the other day commented that I was "focusing on too much meat," and by golly, I can fix that! As it turns out, I haven't pieced together a vegetarian-styled column since the end of April, when I mentioned many of my favorite salads in town. Whether...
“Outdoor Dining” Expands to More Options in Your Own Backyard
With new closure orders issued this week for most California counties (including Orange), our Laguna Beach restaurateurs are "watchful." "It's great that we still have outdoor dining available to us, but I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop," said Cary...
Upcoming Events & News
Update: Orange County Beach Closures Beginning May 1, 2020
As you probably know, Governor Newsom announced on Thursday a HARD CLOSE of all Orange County beaches. The Governor did not include other counties in California in his order. Beaches may be closed in OTHER counties and cities, based on the decision of their city and...
Who to Complain to About Beach and Traffic Chaos this Weekend in Laguna Beach
This week with warmer weather and impatient people who are tired of staying at home, South Laguna Beach (SoLag) was overrun with beach visitors. It's only going to get busier this weekend. Because the County has closed its parking lots but NOT its beaches, we have...
Laguna Beach Books Announces Virtual Best-Selling Author Events
Just when you thought our entire globe had relegated itself to Netflix binge watching and TikTok karaoke, I have refreshing news: People are ordering books. That's right – actual books that have covers and pages and smell like books! "I can't say that we're seeing as...
Phenom Musician Francois Dean Takes It Virtual
If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I'm a giant fan of the great musician, Francois Dean. Here in town, he's primarily played at Skyloft and Mozambique, and also ran the "Laguna Voice" contest with me at Mozambique for over a year. This guy is...
Laguna Beach Unified closes school and cancels student-related activities effective March 16 to April 3, 2020
The Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), after careful deliberation and in an abundance of caution, announced today that it is closing its schools, effective Monday, March 16, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The District’s Spring Break is the...
2020 Festival of Whales Parade Changes Dana Point Route
While Laguna Beach has its Annual Patriot's Day Parade on the morning of Saturday, March 7th, neighboring Dana Point has its own parade - the 49th Annual Festival of Whales Parade - same day, same timeframe – which is just the beginning of a two-weekend festival of...
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...