Restaurants In Laguna
 

...Or in the surrounding area.

Hi everyone. I am going to Laguna Beach and was wondering if you could offer up some restaurant suggestions. I am very open to trying new things...well, nothing too outrageous. I hear Splashes is good at the Surf and Sand, but besides that, I am not to familiar with anything else. Thanks in advance!

I was born and raised in OC, and Partners Bistro at 448 South Coast Highway is one of my favorite restaurants. Charming ambience, great food and excellent service every time. Try their nightly fixed-price menu. Also, right around the corner is an amazing chocolate boutique.
http://www.partnersbistro.com/

One of our favorites is French 75, just across the highway from the Surf and Sand.

http://www.culinaryadventures.com/Pages/F75Profile.html

Cafe Zoolou for unbelieveable baseball cut swordfish, Te Amo for romantic Italian, Rumari for excellent Italian, but not so romantic, Studio at Montage for a blow-out, 230 Forest or Sun Dried Tomato Cafe for more casual, yet still very good.

Tabu is still one of the hottest - it's good, but not mind-blowing. Dizz's for funky & fun.

Unfortunately, there is a new chef at Splashes & the jury is still out... I've never had a decent meal at French 75 across the street (except for a taste of my friends steak frites once, which were pretty darn good), but the bar atmosphere is nice. For a different, but still spectacular view of Laguna, the rooftop bar at Sauvoury's in the Hotel de la Casa de la Camino (or something like that...) is really wonderful - beware, tho, bar closes at 10pm, as it is outdoor & what is considered a temporary bar.

Just got back from a week in a 4 story beachfront house there... a big 7 miles south of our Newport house, but a different world all together... hopefully the weather will hold for you - we had the 1st good week of the summer. Be sure you have a deluxe room at the S n S - they hang out over the waves & beach - the regular ones are over the pool.

We recently had an excellent meal at the Salt Creek Grille, about half way between Laguna and Dana Point - at the corner of PCH and Crown Valley Parkway. Excellent food, especially seafood, in a casual atmosphere.

www.saltcreekgrille.com

Mozambique has just opened south of the Surf and Sand and seems to be doing great business.
Clae's for seafood right on the sand at Main Beach.

I would highly recommend Savoury's inside the La Casa del Camino Hotel. Can't stop praising the quality of wines they have there! ^
www.savourysrestaurant.com

Thanks all for you wonderful suggestions. I wrote down the restaurants so I can do some research. Thanks again so much! I am actually staying at the Montage and am hoping for a spectacular stay. Brendamc, you mentioned Studio, for a blow out. Since I am staying at the hotel, I wasn't sure if it was worth a try, so in your opinion, I would imagine it does?

If you have time, I also suggest you head over to San Juan Capistrano. If you make it there, try breakfast or lunch (no dinner) at Ramos House Cafe just behind the railroad station.

www.ramoshouse.com

javier's is my favorite restaurant in laguna beach.

Well...... if you can afford it & not get upset about a $400 meal that's very good, but not especially filling (kindof reminds me of El Bulli - my husband was still hungry after 29 courses!). It is an excellent restaurant, probably one of our best - if you can relax & enjoy it, great. If you're worried about the total, I wouldn't go there. Also depends on how trendy you like your food - for good old standards in a luxe atmosphere, go to the Ritz or 21 Oceanfront in Newport. Studio has incredible views - ask for a window table - if you're staying there, I'd make a resv now (tell them it's a special occasion) & you can decide once you arrive.

P.S. If you get all excited about a cheese concierge, as I do, you just might love it!

I would recommend Carmello's which is located north of LB on PCH. They have great italian food and the table side ceasar salad is incredible!!

Have a great time!!!

You didn't mention which meal, so here's my $.02...

Haven't been out that way in a while but the Sunday brunch at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel was always good...HUGE selection and good quality in a great setting.

How about the Brussels Bistro? Great food (especially the frites and whatever combo appetizer thing they have), good selection of beers... just a fun place to kick back.

They closed & now are the Landmark Steakhouse - food is getting mixed reviews, but the nightclub is hot hot hot right now...

Las Brisas is good for appetizers and drinks (on outside patio only). I really like their guacamole and chips. Great at sunset. Also, I recently dined at 230, at 230 Forest Ave. Highly recommended! Cheers!

Update
 

I contacted the concierge at the Montage just to see what they would suggest and received the following recommendations: French 75, Five Feet, Hush, Tabu Grill, Javiers and 230 Forest. Sounds like the resort is on the same page as everyone here, which is a very good sign. I will definitely try most of these places for either lunch or dinner. Thanks again for all your help!



ust as an update, I went ahead an contacted the Montage concierge and had them make reservations at Studio and Hush. I will leave the final evening open and make me decision at a later date.

i just had dinner at flemings the other day though its in newport beach. great steaks.

Thanks for the update Brenda. I really liked that place, but I guess it's now time to find a new favorite.

A couple of "locals" places no one has mentioned are Picayo (#1 Zagat rated) and Dizz's as Is.

Hey thanks LagunaBeach, I was actually looking for something local. Picayo looks really good. It sounds like the food is very good.

For a quick casual lunch, stop by Taco Loco on PCH.

3 words: Wahoo's Fish Tacos

Carmello's Closed
 

I believe that Carmello's (referred to above) closed about a year ago.

Wahoo's is good, Taco Loco is better. By miles. Give it a try next time you are there! ;)

I recommend the Blackened Calamari Tacos, or a Blackened Tofu Mushroom burger.

Wahoo's??? You're going to Laguna Beach for that??? OMG! You do realize that it's a fast food joint, right? I personally don't think it's all that great...you can get the same food at any baja style fast food chain like Baja Fresh or Rubio's.

I also don't recommend Javier's. It's a Mexican Restaurant and it's okay. Overpriced for the quality of the food they serve, but not bad...just not great either. Actually their other location at the Irvine Spectrum is better. The ambiance is nicer and the food even tastes better. If you want Mexican food in Laguna, do Las Brisas instead. I think they have a better ambiance and better food. Also, Miguel's in Foothill Ranch (about 15 miles inland) is much, much better, but that is quite a ways out of your way.

I like Cannons in Dana Point for Sunday Brunch. It's right on the coast and the food is great. Just south of Laguna Beach.

If you're in Laguna Beach, how about driving up the coast on PCH to Newport Beach? TONS of great restaurants there. I like Five Crowns in Corona Del Mar for steaks and prime rib.

Had a great dinner at Tabu recently. It's on South Coast Highway opposite the beach. Delicious lamb chops and scallops. Must reserve as it's small. You can sit at the counter to watch the action. Everything a la carte so not cheap.

Just as another update, I'm leaving on Friday for Laguna. I chose Studio and Hush and left the last night open. I'm really anticipating these restaurants and will write a review when I get back. Thanks again for all your advice.

Good afternoon everyone. I just returned from Laguna Beach and had some really good dining experiences, some bad ones too. The first night I got in I chose to eat at Hush. I was really looking forward to this place but was very disappointed. It had atmosphere, it was really a unique and very appealing place but it definitely lacked food and service. The food was just ok, nothing notable at all and the service was just unfriendly. I was made to feel bad because I did not order and appetizer or several drinks. I definitely will not be returning. On he other hand, I dined at Studio and Mozambique, two really phenomenal restaurants. Studio was definitely one of the most memorable experiences. The service and food were perfect. Mozambique was very good, offering some really unique flavors and truly good service. So those two made up for Hush.

what are the comments about The Studio at the Montage Resort in Laguna

Bumping to see if anyone has additional thoughts for my trip this weekend. Anyone try the seafood buffet at The Ritz?

Pedro's Tacos & Burritos for a hole in the wall mexican place. Yummy
It's in San Clemente.

I also like the Chart House in Dana Point.

All are driving distances within 10-15mins.

I will answer my own post having returned from 5 days at the Ritz in Laguna.

1. The Ritz is MUCH better after the remodel. Incredible natural beauty and now a hotel with style to match

2. The seafood buffet at the Ritz is incredible. For $55 per head it cannot be beat. Great food.

3. Javiers was great for Mexican, but was a little loud. Las Brisas is a tourist trap and only good for the views.

4. The White House was great for breakfast...and even better for Friday night people watching.

5. The organic cafe on Ocean Street (I forget the name) is great as well.

Hard not to like a trip to a place where it is 70 degrees in December and you have a beach front hotel room.

That's Zinc Cafe on Ocean Ave. - glad you enjoyed beautiful Laguna & the great weather we're having at the moment...

BTW, for future Laguna visitors, I had another great & fun meal at 230 Forest - gruyere mashed potatoes to die for - and I don't even like mashed potatoes! Delicious steak - usually not wild about filet mignon, but this was very tasty & flavorful. Friend had the swordfish - looked like a baseball cut, with baby artichokes & other goodies. Seared ahi was perfect as usual. It was the night of the Christmas Walk in Laguna - wonderful time to be there & the place was jumping!