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
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
Tibetan Monks Returning to Laguna for New Mandala Creation
The Sawdust Art Festival will be the new host for the Drepung Gomang Monks Sacred Tibetan Arts Tour, Jan. 28 - Feb. 5. This is a big switch-up from the Tibetan Monks' usual temporary residence at the Neighborhood Congregational Church. I began covering the Tibetan...
Starfish Annual Toy Drive on Dec. 10th
Get into the holiday spirit at Starfish by participating in The Starfish Annual Toy Drive. This year the toys will be donated to the victims of the California Wildfires. Starfish is offering a great discount to customers that bring in an unwrapped toy on Monday, Dec...
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.
Best Food & Drink
Best Margaritas in Laguna Beach
So, here's how the search for the best margaritas in Laguna Beach began … I polled my thousands of readers and they told me where to go. I then faithfully donated by gall bladder to science in an effort to taste test their votes. Comment your thoughts, please. This...
Celebrate Summer with Stateroom’s New Late Night Menu
When the Sentinel Restaurant owners first took over the old Beach House, John Nye felt an immediate connection to the wood paneled bar, even as worn and dark as it was. “As soon as I saw this place, I knew it was going to be a primary piece in our story moving...
Restaurateur McIntosh Returns Asada Restaurant to Laguna Beach
True to his predictions at the end of 2013, Restaurateur Scott McIntosh is not only bringing his current successful restaurant concept to Laguna, but he's opening a second Asada Restaurant right next door. As I noted in June, McIntosh, with years of restaurants under...
Laguna’s Taco Tuesdays Tantalize With Terrific Tastes
El Torito claims it came up with the idea of “Taco Tuesday” somewhere in the 1960s, and Taco John’s tried to trademark the phrase in 1989 (with vehement backlash as a response). It’s a phrase that simply doesn’t want to be owned, particularly as it offers so much love...
New Centrál Coastal Peruvian: A Delicious Lesson in Cultural Cuisine
There’s something I like about Laguna’s newest restaurant – Centrál Coastal Peruvian – even better than their food. I now know more about Peru and its people’s passion for great food than I’ve learned in an entire lifetime. Anna Driggs loves-loves-loves her Peruvian...
After 11 Years, Tabu Grill Closes its Doors
One of my favorite foodie restaurants in town, Tabu Grill permanently closed its doors on Monday, July 6th. When Tabu opened 11 years ago, it immediately met with great fanfare. At that time, Laguna Beach didn't have a great deal to offer by way of chief-inspired...
Upcoming Events & News
Flavors on the Farm Tour Offers Great Fun, Inventive Culinary Demo
You know that rare moment when you meet someone who has absolutely followed the calling in his or her life? I saw this in Chef Jessica McLeish last month when I took a tour of an organic farm and then participated in a culinary demonstration at a picnic table right...
Laguna Beach Trolleys Return! (See Trolley Map)
Thanks to everyone's love for Laguna Beach, the city has decided to start the trolleys much earlier this season. If you're familiar with Laguna Beach, you know that the red and blue trolleys we have trundling through town are absolute life savers for getting around...
Dana Point Festival of Whales Parade & Festivities
While Laguna Beach has its Annual Patriot's Day Parade on the morning of March 7th, neighboring Dana Point has its own parade - the Festival of Whales Parade - which is just the beginning of a two-weekend festival of jam-packed events. On Saturday, March 7th, the...
Patriot’s Day Parade Returns This Saturday With Trolley Help
I'll be writing more about this weekend's activities in Laguna Beach, but just wanted to warn Laguna Beach residents and visitors alike that our annual traffic snarl arrives early tomorrow morning, Saturday, March 7th. In Laguna Beach, the 49th Annual Patriot's Day...
Restaurant Week Features Even Tastier “Trouble”
This week, at three of our Laguna Beach restaurants – Maro Wood Grill, Slapfish and Tortilla Republic – you have (as the Grateful Dead quips) “trouble ahead … and trouble behind.” Trouble ahead? Each of these restaurants is participating in this week’s O.C....
Restaurant Week in Laguna Beach Features 19
Truly one of the most delightful culinary weeks in Laguna Beach begins this coming Sunday, March 1st through Saturday, March 7th. It’s Restaurant Week! A long tradition in all of Orange County, Restaurant Week gets the most respected chefs involved in creating...
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.