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
Poke Tiki: Make-Your-Own-Poke-Bowl Has Landed in Laguna
With memories of Kung Pao Calamari still dancing in my head, I next poked my head into the brand new Poke Tiki shop in the H.I.P. District. Perfectly situated in the old Project Juice location, it's just south of Gina's Pizza and Bonzai Bowl. Three weeks ago, Poke...
230 Forest – 26 Years and Still Going Strong
Chef Marc Cohen established his "California Cuisine" restaurant, 230 Forest in 1995 when very few people even knew what that kind of cuisine was. Chef Marc proved a trailblazer in the field and - 26 years later with a world of chefs scrabbling after his lead - he's...
Upcoming Events & News
Hauntin’ Events 2019 Start This Weekend
If you haven't noticed, Halloween has become a month-long event. I'm not sure how this all got started, or when it actually took pole position over the Easter Bunny, but no one seems to be complaining. I was sad to see that the Festival of Arts' Pageant of the...
Spooktacular Paw-ty Options for Your Pets
As Halloween fast approaches, there are plenty of events popping up that cater to kids and adults, alike. Fortunately, Halloween also includes the most important peeps in our lives, too - our pets. There are two upcoming events that are simply "can't miss," even if...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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Best Food & Drink
This Week’s OC Chef’s Table Interviews – Habana’s The Blind Rabbit, EATS Kitchen
This is my second week interviewing the top chefs in Orange County who are participating in the famed "OC Chef's Table" in March 2019. The mastermind event created by Illumination Foundation, this must-attend gala raises funds to help permanently break the cycle of...
Harley Restaurant Officially Opened: Old Friends, New Chef, Creative Food
I so enjoy meeting new chefs of new restaurants in Laguna Beach … especially when you get a sense they’re going to be here for a while … and particularly especially when he or she turns out to be one cool cat. Check both of those boxes for Owner Chef Greg Daniels of...
Lumberyard Celebrating 10 Years This Thursday (Can You Believe It?)
On the heels of its little sister’s successful 1-year anniversary last Friday (Slice Pizza and Beer), big sister Lumberyard is celebrating her 10th anniversary this Thursday, Oct. 25th. To celebrate the milestone, Lumberyard is offering specials throughout the day,...
OC Chef’s Table 2019 – Top-Ranked Chefs and 3 Laguna New Entries
These last few days, I’ve been immersed in what is certainly one of the most enjoyable aspects of my life – interviewing chefs. Forty-two of them, actually. For the second year in a row, I have the pleasure of working with the Illumination Foundation and their...
One-Year Old Slice Pizza: Laguna’s Crafty Custom Pizza Concept
I love the way our Laguna restaurateurs love their restaurants. Last week, I met with Cary Redfearn, who will be celebrating the 1-year anniversary at Slice Pizza and Beer, the crafty concept restaurant he and wife, Suzanne, concocted. It sits directly across the...
Chef Strong’s Ocean at Main – Initial Review
When Chef Craig Strong left his immaculate Montage-based restaurant, Studio, to start his own restaurant in Laguna Beach, the news was something akin to Moses coming down from the Mount. As much as we've all loved Craig Strong in our community, few of us regularly...
Upcoming Events & News
Emerging From ABC Penalty Box for “Footloose” Ways, Mozambique Invites Supporters to Re-Opening Party
This Tuesday, Jan. 10th at exactly 5:15 p.m., Mozambique Steakhouse re-opens after a required 5-day suspension levied by the Alcoholic Beverage Control board (ABC). Owner Ivan Spiers will be celebrating the occasion with his usual forward-thinking aplomb by inviting...
Rose Bowl Viewing Party at Skyloft – 25 TVs
I don't think I'm telling you anything new when I say that this year’s Rose Bowl beginning between USC and Penn State at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2nd. Skyloft Restaurant will be ready with 25 TVs trained on a single TV station. It’s fairly obvious that...
5 Best Dining & Party Options This NYE in Laguna
You’ve made it through Christmas. Now it’s time to party! Granted, most of Laguna Beach’s restaurants in town are open on New Year’s Eve, but I tend to favor those few that go out of their way to make your NYE shine. From what I’ve researched, about 10 restaurants are...
Casting Call for Pageant of the Masters: Jan 6th – 8th
Our world famous Pageant of the Masters is gathering its new cast and crew for our 2017 summer show, "The Grand Tour." Casting call is at the Festival of Arts grounds at the Irvine Bowl, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd on these dates: Friday, Jan 6, 7 - 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7...
Di’s Live Music Pick of the Week: Rumble King – Fri., Nov. 11th
Even in the dead of "winter, our Laguna town is still filled with great live music in every form and venue. For this week, Nov. 6th - 12th, my pick is Rumble King on Friday, Nov. 11th at Mozambique. Oh my gosh, have you heard these guys?! Definitely one of the most...
Popular Sip and Shuck Returns at The Deck
Already in its 4th year, the Sip and Shuck is back at The Deck/Driftwood Kitchen! The event is set for Sunday, Nov 13th, from 2 - 6 p.m. The brainchild of Co-Owners John Nye and Chef Rainer Schwarz, the Sip and Shuck is an awesome party that raises funds for a...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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