An update on Laguna restaurants (where creativity reigns!)
By Diane Armitage
For the last two weeks, our Laguna Beach restaurants have been grappling with decisions on whether to temporarily close or try the take-out/delivery route.
Last Friday, I reported that nearly 80 Laguna Beach restaurants were opting for take-out and delivery. Since that time, we’ve dropped to 67 restaurants open, but that includes the re-opening of Chef Amar’s Broadway by Amar Santana, Carmelita’s Mexican Kitchen, and Nick’s Laguna Beach. Even Main Street Bar, one of the first in the state required to close because of the bar lockdown, has gotten back into the game with the sale of wine and beer, and they’ve ingeniously partnered with Pizza Bar for food delivery with their alcoholic beverages.
And, in just these few short days, we’re seeing much more creativity and expansion in options.
Here are the biggest changes we’re seeing in this week’s update. Again, if I don’t have your information listed here or if it needs to be updated, please don’t yell. Just contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text me your name, restaurant name, and details at (949)) 637-1995, and we’’l get it updated.
When life gives you lemons, make Lemon Drops to go
For all of you who tried your own hand at martinis and margaritas this weekend, this announcement should come as blessed relief to you: While the state continues to crack down on our activity, the surprise entry of the week has been ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) lifting its rigorous licensing guidelines to allow for the delivery of beer, wine and, yes, ready-made cocktails.
Per ABC, “Alcoholic beverages that are packaged by are establishment are open containers and may not be transported in a motor vehicle except in the vehicle’s trunk, or, if there is no trunk, the container may be kept in some other area of the vehicle that is not normally occupied by the driver or passengers (which does not include a utility compartment or glove compartment (Vehicle Code Section 23224).”
Restaurateurs are also required to use no-tamper stickers on their lids.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Reunion Kitchen
Restaurants and patrons are singing hallelujah to the news that cocktails can now be delivered on a to-go basis. Here, three popular drinks that we really don’t want to try at home are prepped and waiting for their no-tamper lid stickers before being sent on their way.
Restaurateurs like Scott McIntosh (Reunion Kitchen and Asada), Cary Redfearn (Lumberyard), Rainer Schwarz (Driftwood Kitchen), our oldest friends in Solag (Coyote Grill), and our newest friends in the same “hood,” The Drake, joyously jumped on that bandwagon in a nano-second with humorous takes on their best-selling cocktails.
Expect to see more cocktail offerings in the near future.
Family style options are hitting the streets
While every restaurant continues to offer single servings of your favorite hits, you can expect a growing number of family-style dinners that serve two to four people. Starfish Laguna and Avila’s El Ranchito have always been great at this, and Lumberyard’s popular Rotisserie Chicken Dinners and Rib Dinners are now being joined by Penne Pasta and Meatloaf family dinners and family-sized salads. GG’s Bistro offers multiple family-style options, from burger dinners to pastas and vegetarian meals. And, now that Chef Amar is a new daddy, he’s also serving up family style options from Broadway.
“Vacuum packed” gives you seven days of refrigeration
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Brussels Bistro
Brussels boosts every one of its menu items in vacuum-sealed packs for longevity
Leave it to Chef Tomas to come up with the first offer of vacuum sealed, ready-to-eat meals that can last as long as seven days in your refrigerator. Begun at his San Clemente restaurant, the popular operation expanded to his downtown Laguna restaurant yesterday (Monday) with pickup every day in both locations. Order the day prior.
Keep in mind, too, that many restaurant soups can be frozen as well as other sundry food items – check those websites for helpful hints.
Hours and discounts are still changing like the tides
Most restaurateurs are chopping their daily hours. If you call and get no answer, don’t assume they’ve closed their doors. Most are keeping more accurate notes on their websites and in their social media.
I’m noting a few unique items below but can’t list them all as it’s changing too rapidly. Just be sure to ask when you call. I’m also offering a regularly updated and expanded PDF on discounts and deals to readers on my email list at www.TheBestofLagunaBeach.com.
Begin online orders rather than driving up to order
In keeping with the latest recommendations, our restaurants should only be offering walk-up windows or curbside pickup. Allowing people all the way into one’s restaurant is a no-no. Further, when you order online, there’s less risk to everyone – no risk of cross-contamination with credit cards, processors, or pens, for one thing. And, it gives the restaurant plenty of time to prepare your order before your arrival or your designated delivery company’s arrival.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Scott Brashier
Now a regular view, patrons wait patiently outside closed restaurant doors to pick up their favorite meals, like Lumberyard seen here
Lastly, if the grocery doesn’t have it, chances are your restaurant will
Beyond fresh, hot food, some restaurants are expanding into pantry and mini-grocery pop ups.
Chef Lindsay’s Nirvana Grille is offering a bustling Co-Op for grocery and household products.
Restaurateur John Secretan’s Zinc Cafe + Market is still offering produce and household products.
Teemu’s Selanne Steak Tavern is offering everything from fresh, butchered meats, and fresh seafood to breads, dairy, and eggs. And, to top it all off, Driftwood Kitchen’s Chef Rainer is offering 20 percent off every wine bottle with a roll of toilet paper on top.
Photo by Driftwood Kitchen
Driftwood Kitchen’s wine bottles to go now arrive with a bonus “thank you” gift from Chef Rainer
This week, expect to see new commissary-style entries from The Drake. And, hopefully, next week we’ll be seeing the revised Sapphire Pantry re-open under our Russ Bendel’s new ownership. (More on that story this Friday in Stu News.)
The updated list of restaurants providing to-go/delivery:
North Laguna
Asada Taco + Beer – (949) 226-7263
Gina’s Pizza & Pastaria – (949) 497-4421
Husky Burger – (949) 497-9605
Jan’s Health Bar – (949) 371-0023
Las Brisas – (949) 497-5434
Mandarin King – (949) 494-8992
Reunion Kitchen – (949) 226-8393
242 Café Fusion Sushi – (949) 494-2444
UrthCaffe – (949) 376-8888
Zeytoon Cafe – (949) 715-9230
The Canyon
Another Kind Cafe – (949) 715-9688
Laguna Beach Beer Company – (949) 715-0805
Oliver’s Osteria – (949) 715-0261
Downtown and “Restaurant Row”
Adonis – (949) 715-4581
Alessa by Pirozzi – (949) 497-8222
Anastasia Cafe – (949) 497-8903
BJ’s Restaurant – (949) 494-3802
Broadway by Amar Santana – (949) 715-8234
Brussels Bistro – (949) 290-7851
Carmelita’s – (949) 715-7829
C’est La Vie – (949) 497-5100
GG’s Bistro – (949) 494-9306
La Sirena Grill – (949) 497-8226
Lumberyard – (949) 715-3900
Nick’s Laguna Beach – (949) 376-8595 (phones go live Tuesday after 3 p.m.)
Nirvana Grille – (949) 637-4708
Pizza Bar – (949) 497-2277
Rasta Taco – (949) 715-1510
Shirley’s Bagels – (949) 494-6296
Slapfish - (949) 715-0460
Slice Pizza and Beer – (949) 715-3993
Thai Brothers – (949)-376-9979
The Cliff – (949) 494-1956
Wild Taco – (949) 549-4282
Zinc Cafe + Market – (949) 494-6302
Central Laguna (Woods Cove) and HIP District
Active Culture – (949) 715-5188
Andree’s Patisserie – (949) 494-1577
Avila’s El Ranchito – (949) 376-7040
Banzai Bowls – (949) 715-8989
Domino’s Pizza – (949) 376-0333
Driftwood Kitchen & The Deck Laguna – (949) 715-7700
Feast Laguna – (949) 494-0642
Gina’s Pizza & Pastaria - (949) 494-4342
Gu Ramen – (949) 715-0825
Heidelberg Cafe – (949) 497-4594
Jack in the Box – drive-up window
Main Street Laguna – (949) 494-0056
Natraj Indian Cuisine – (949) 497-9197
Orange Inn – (949) 494-6085
Roux Laguna Beach – (949) 715-3707
San Shi Go – (949) 494-1551
Selanne Steak Tavern – (949) 715-9881
Sergio’s Empanadas – (949) 715-7622
Subway – walk-up window
Taco Bell – drive-up window
Taco Loco – (949)-497-1635
The Stand Natural & Vegan Foods – (949) 494-8101
Wahoo’s Fish Taco – (949) 497-0033
South Laguna
Coyote Grill – (949) 499-4033
Dizz’s As Is – (949) 494-5250
La Sirena Grill – (949) 499-2301
Neapolitan Pizzeria – (949) 499-4531
Ruby’s Auto Diner – (949) 497-7829
South Swell Donuts – (949) 499-6171
Starfish Laguna – (949) 715-9200
Ti Amo by Il Barone – (949) 499-5350
The Drake – (949) 376-1000
Z Pizza – (949) 499-4949
The bestselling author and blogger on The Best of Laguna Beach™, Diane Armitage is on an endless quest for the most imaginative adventures in Laguna’s restaurants, events, and lifestyle. Check out chef interviews, retail and restaurant news, and favorite events at www.TheBestofLagunaBeach.com and follow on Instagram @BestOfLagunaBeach (look for Diane’s smiling face).