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
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...
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...
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...
Best Food & Drink
Best Margaritas in Laguna Beach, 2022
National Margarita Day is Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, an as far as I'm concerned, this is the love holiday we really need to be paying attention to this month. So, it's time to roll out (once again), Diane's updated Annual "Best Margaritas of Laguna Beach." Here's how my...
Laguna Restaurants Love Valentine’s Day
For the last several years, Valentine’s Day has always been mixed into the same weekend as President’s Holiday, and it’s like the Fourth of July here in the middle of February. We go from empty streets to packs of roving people in a matter of hours. This year,...
Sapphire’s Decadent Brunch
As my New Year’s resolution has me tucking into my 17th arugula salad with apple cider vinaigrette, I think longingly back to my last, great decadent meal at the weekend brunch at sapphire.Cellar.Craft.Cook. My “brunch buddy,” Ali North and I, decided to make our...
Rum Social Announces Chef Lineup & Menu
Rum Social, the anticipated new eatery in the old Watermarc space, is nearing ever closer to its finish line. Describing itself as an “upscale Hemingway speakeasy,” Rum Social will feature a variety of Caribbean-based drinks and dishes. “We’re tentatively looking to...
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
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....
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...
Oil Spill Closes Laguna City & County Beaches, DP Harbor and Newport Harbors Closed
A major oil spill out of Huntington Beach on Saturday night has required the closing of all City and County beaches, including Laguna Beach and Dana Point. OC Parks has also closed Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor. Both Newport Harbor, Bayside Beach in Newport...
Cook with Chef Amar
Chef Amar Santana is teaming up with Lung Cancer Foundation of America for a "Cook with Chef Amar" virtual cooking class on Saturday, Oct. 2nd from noon to 1 p.m. Chef started his first restaurant here in Laguna Beach, Broadway by Amar Santana. He later opened Vaca by...
Festival of Arts 2021: What I Love Most
The Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters is exactly that - two enormous productions that symbiotically co-exist next to each other on the same grounds. This year's Pageant of the Masters is titled "Made in America, Trailblazing Artists & Their Stories,"...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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