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
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...
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 Jet Tila – Food Network’s Iron Chef
Meet the Food Network’s Celebrity Chef Jet Tila, the likable and uber-talented chef on a number of shows, including Iron Chef America. Chef Jet Tila is returning for his second year to OC Chef’s Table as the spotlight celebrity chef. Click to learn more about Chef...
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...
Best Food & Drink
Celebrate Year of the Ox This Week With Mandarin King
This Thursday, Feb. 12th, Chinese New Year is upon us, ushering in the Year of the Ox. The Chinese believe the personality of the astrological sign infuses the year. We couldn't be more fortunate to have the "yin" stability of the Ox in the year ahead. Known for its...
Laguna Chefs Share the Love with Valentine’s Day Menus
No matter what may be going on all around us, and despite the fact that social distancing is in play, Valentine's Day will always be our annual optimist. It may look a little different at our restaurants this year - the two-by-two tables won't be shoulder to shoulder,...
Superbowl Sunday Eats
With outdoor dining open now, our Laguna Beach restaurants are scrambling to accommodate residents and visitors. This coming weekend, though, might be a bit quieter than most as the Superbowl take over center stage. Typically, Superbowl Sundays are pretty quiet in our...
Restaurants Ready (Again) for Outdoor Dining
This week, when Governor Newsom lifted the regional stay at home order, it didn't take long for restaurants to get the message. Cleared to fly for outside dining again, just about every Laguna Beach restaurant owner has been hustling to get their outdoor patios back...
Plan Breakfast To-Go on Inauguration Day
Every four years, I take the day off for Inauguration Day. I vote, so I feel it's my duty. I like the spectacle and swelling Democracy heart of it all. This year, even without the crowds and the bands and the balls, it's still Inauguration Day, and I'm front and...
Deal of the Century: Brussels Bistro’s Monthly Meal Plan
This holiday, while perusing some of my favorite Laguna Beach restaurant sites for various take-out options, I stumbled across an amazing deal that almost seemed too good to be true. Brussels Bistro had begun a new offer: A subscription of $89 a month gets you 10 new...
Upcoming Events & News
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...
Laguna Playhouse’s “Barefoot in the Park” a Must
Laguna Playhouse is debuting one of my all-time favorites, Barefoot in the Park, with shows that begin on Sunday, March 1st and run through Sunday, March 22nd. No less than Paul Rodriguez and Rita Rudner are in two of the four starring roles. Rodriguez plays the part...
2020 Patriot’s Day Parade Promises Fun & LESS Traffic Snarls!
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 early as 9:00 a.m. The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. by Laguna...
Beach Club at Main Beach has reopened behind Hotel Laguna
Hotel Laguna operators, Laguna Creative Ventures, has launched what it calls a "first stage" Beach Club, open Wednesday through Sunday and holidays (weather permitting) with limited beach service. Anytime between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., you can walk down or park in the...
Big Fundraiser Keeps Getting Bigger This Sunday (Feb 23rd) for Adam & Rachel Bernstein
Three weeks ago on January 25th, a GoFundMe page went live for well-loved, longtime Laguna Beach bartender Adam Bernstein and his wife, Rachel. The couple has been financially beleaguered since Rachel was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer last summer. GoFundMe...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.