Selanne Steak Tavern wins best wine program, now a two-time category recipient 

Selanne Steak Tavern, Laguna Beach’s upscale steak house and tavern at 1464 S Coast Hwy, won the Golden Foodie Award for Best Wine Program 2018 at Orange County’s Golden Foodie Awards gala held on September 30, at the Newport Beach Marriott with over 250 guests. Master Sommelier Michael Jordan presented the award.

“Winning the Golden Foodie Award for our wine program is a great honor,” said co-owner Kevin Pratt. “Teemu Selanne and I are grateful to the Orange County community and beyond that appreciates the hospitality we offer and our impressive wine inventory curated by Advanced Sommelier Vito Pasquale to pair brilliantly with Chef Joshua Severson’s outstanding menus.”

The Best Wine Program Golden Foodies Award recognizes the restaurant whose wine list offers interesting selections that appeal to a variety of wine enthusiasts. In addition to an excellent wine program, the winner is distinguished by having a wine staff who are extremely well-versed about the restaurant’s wines and who suggest wines to guests that will work in harmony with the chef’s cuisine.

This year’s gala was presided over by celebrity master of ceremonies Simon Majumdar who was joined by special guest Neil Saavedra to hand out the awards. 

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Selanne Steak Tavern’s Chad Sisco and Vito Pasquale accepting their best wine program award

According to the Golden Foodie Awards committee, these awards are “a people’s choice event that recognizes the best chefs, libations and cuisine at chef-driven and independent restaurants. 

With its focus on involving the Orange County community to serve as judges through their voting, the Golden Foodie Awards serve as the highest honor and is an indication of local culinary trends and consumer preferences.” There is a two-week period for voters to cast votes recognizing their choices of outstanding restaurants in 17 categories.

Selanne Steak Tavern’s extensive wine list is known for strength in selections from California and Burgundy, France, as well as global selections from Washington, Oregon, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Austria, South Africa, Portugal, Canada and Australia. Recently, this dinner destination has started serving brunch on Sundays and has enhanced its wine program by offering 11 sparkling wines by the glass at brunch – a prosecco, two brut rosés, a sparkling selection from Carneros, five non-vintage champagnes and three vintage champagnes from Perrier Jouet

Previously, Selanne Steak Tavern has garnered five Golden Foodies Awards, including Best Service Award in 2017; Best Steak Award for the restaurant’s outstanding menu execution, service and overall program in 2016; Best Wine in 2015; and Best New Restaurant and Best Steak in 2014. It has also been honored by receiving the Best of Award of Excellence distinction from Wine Spectator for the last two years.

Lost Pier Cafe: A Local’s Love Offering

Story and photos by DIANE ARMITAGE

You’re not going to believe this. I finally found a truly great cup of morning coffee in South Laguna. It’s in the uncanniest of locations: The Lost Pier Cafe. 

Right. 

I already know your question: “Lost Pier Cafe? Excuse me?” 

Correct. 

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Beach View

In the last few months, while we Laguna residents were bustling about our lives, Mark Christy and his friends at The Ranch Laguna Beach were quietly re-opening the beach cafe at Aliso Beach. 

They had hoped for an early summer opening but managed, at last, to fling their shutters open in mid-August. On the weekend of August 18, “The Vic” skimboard contest blew into Aliso Beach with hundreds of participants and onlookers, and our newbie Lost Pier Cafe rattled and hummed along with the best of them, dishing out a surprising variety of breakfast and lunch items that aren’t necessarily the easiest items to craft in a sandy beachside hut. 

“Fortunately, our kitchen there is a giant,” said The Ranch Director of Sales and Marketing Don Chock. “So, we were able to bring in a few more people to cook and take orders for the crowds. We were really pleased to survive the trial by fire, so to speak,” he said. 

Once Upon a Time There Was a Pier

Courtesy of The Ranch Laguna Beach

Aliso Beach Pier

If you were around when the Yellow Umbrella snack bar was in play, you might remember that it was attached to an actual pier. Constructed initially in 1971, the Aliso Beach Pier was a true icon with a rare diamond shape. Standing 35 feet high and 660 feet long, our lovely pier served residents, fishermen and tourists well despite repeated beatings from El Nino storms in 1983, 1986 and 1997. Finally deemed unsafe and too expensive to re-create, the pier was demolished in 1999. 

Sacrifices to the Aliso Pier Gods

Just a few years ago, a new beach cafe and restrooms were added back onto the beach. Repeated attempts to operate the beach cafe to profit, however, proved as depressing as the loss of our beautiful pier. It was almost as if the gods of Aliso Beach Pier required a few sacrifices as supplication and reparation for the pier’s loss. 

And, then, Mark Christy came along. 

Mark is one of the lucky residents who, on many occasions, enjoyed the pier and its Yellow Umbrella snack bar. Despite all odds, he has demonstrated obvious love and devotion to reviving The Ranch property across the way. And, his own General Manager Kurt Bjorkman came up with the name for the cafe, Lost Pier. 

By the looks of things, it seems that the Pier Gods are, at last, mollified. 

A Breakfast Surprise

I live just down the sand from Aliso Beach, so have visited the cafe on a few occasions. It has quickly become one of my favorite enclaves with its welcoming umbrellas and ocean surf just a few yards away. It is absolute peace and serenity on weekdays. And, even with the summer crowds tucked away, the Lost Pier continues to operate from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. 

Frankly, the Lost Pier won my heart with my first cup of coffee. Not only is it a great tasting cup of coffee, but the staff adds the milk in before handing it to you. 

I’ve only seen this practice in operation at Tim Horton’s in Canada, and it brings back fond memories of actually seeking out the donut chain in Montreal and Toronto because they always pour the milk in for me, like some kind of doting mother or grandmama. 

The Lost Pier staff welcomes you like family, too. They are warm, energetic souls with a complete understanding of a somewhat complicated menu that is a far cry above the common fare of hot dogs, fries and chocolate-dipped frozen bananas. 

It helps that The Ranch Chef Kyle St. John has been involved in the Lost Pier’s menu development, and that his own cooking staff can support the cafe’s own kitchen. While some menu items may sound similar to what’s offered on the Harvest Restaurant menu, these beachside items have been tweaked in a beautiful way for this sunny, outdoor clime. 

Big Breakfast Items for Beach-Going Appetites

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Paper Bag Beignets

Paper Bag Beignets show up warm from the oven and rolled in at least a half-pound of happy powdered sugar. They are melt-in-your-mouth goodness. A giant Egg Sandwich boasts sausage and gooey cheese.

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Breakfast Burrito

And, while my weekly Breakfast Burrito at Harvest Restaurant is one of my all-time favorites, the same-named burrito at Lost Pier may be one-upping its older sister with thick chunks of smoked bacon liberally rolled in with the eggs and potatoes – absolute heaven. Avocado Toast, Chilaquiles and Granola & Yogurt round out vegetarian offerings, too. 

Power Lunch

After 11 a.m., the menu turns its eye to lunch fare with more unusual offerings such as hefty freshly-made salads, Hummus & Avocado Sandwiches and a towering BLT along with the more standard fare of cheeseburgers, quesadillas, fries and hot dogs (albeit it’s a Wagyu Hot Dog, so even that isn’t quite the standard fare). 

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Fish Tacos

The beachy fish offerings are tantamount, though, with super-fresh Ceviche and Poke, a daily catch take on Fish & Chips and Fish Tacos, and even the rare appearance of an overstuffed Lobster Roll. 

I’ve tried the Fish Tacos and the Carne Asada Burrito – both pass with flying colors, particularly in fresh taste factor and relative steamy heat, which is normally lacking in cooked items at a beach cafe. 

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Carne Asada Burrito

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and “The Balboa Bar” (the iconic frozen dessert that every beach café requires) round out the dessert menu.

It’s OK to Be Unprepared

Keep in mind that parking at this lot does not cater to Laguna “shopper” stickers. You’ve got to feed the meter, or park on Coast Highway and amble down to the café. If you do choose to just pop in and stay awhile, the Lost Pier sells sunscreen and beach towels, and rents beach chairs and umbrellas, too. Bjorkman says they’re also working on providing portable fire pits. And, beer and wine permitting should finally be sorted out in the next few weeks ahead. 

Most important to me – they’re hoping to have consistent Wi-Fi in the near future so that we can even bring our laptops down for a couple hours of solitude, sun and solidly fun food fare. 

The Iconic is Back

Clearly, I have a fondness in my heart for The Ranch as Christy and his staff have proven diehard loyalty to Laguna locals, while still catering to incoming visitors. I feel the same fondness for Lost Pier, and it’s probably due to the very same fact – this cafe might look like it caters to our visitors, but it is downhome local, through and through. 

Take a moment in the next few weeks to find your way to Lost Pier. It’s a great reminder as to why you chose Laguna Beach in the first place. 

Lost Pier Cafe is located at 31131 S Coast Hwy. 

For more information, go to www.lostpiercafe.comor call (949) 715-4210.

Get your taste buds ready for some delightful fare as Taste of Laguna returns to FOA grounds on Oct 18

Join Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce for a night of tasty bites and delicious drinks from Laguna’s finest restaurants. Mark Thursday, Oct 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. on your calendar. It’s the Chamber’s favorite night of the year, so they are going to kick it up a notch!

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Photo by Shutterstock

Taste of Laguna comes to FOA on Oct 18

Enjoy selections from favorite local Laguna Beach spots, including Jan’s Health Bar, K’ya, Kitchen in the Canyon, Laguna Beach Beer Company, Las Brisas, Lumberyard, Mozambique, Nick’s, Okura Sushi, ​Reunion Kitchen & Drink, Rooftop, Sapphire, ​Sergio’s Empanadas, Skyloft, ​Slice Pizza, South of Nick’s, Starfish Laguna,
Terra Laguna Beach, The Cliff, The Grove on Forest, Three Seventy Common Kitchen + Drink, Ti Amo by il Barone, Tommy Bahama, Watermarc, and Whole Foods.

For more information and tickets, go to www.tasteoflagunabeach.com.

New restaurant Harley plans an uncommon guest experience for 370 Common’s former space

By DIANE ARMITAGE

One of our most talented chefs in Laguna Beach, Chef Ryan Adams of 370 Common Kitchen + Drink, is pulling up stakes and moving on…but he’s really just moving down the road a patch. Adams announced this week that he will be closing 370 Common by mid-to late September, so that he can better focus on his two newest concepts, one of which (Parallel Pizzeria) resides in Dana Point.

Happily, the large, two-story edifice we’ve come to know as 370 Common has already found a new restaurant resident in the uber-talented Chef Greg Daniels, who has announced the coming of his newest concept, Harley. He plans to open in October. 

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Photo by Anne Watson

Chef Greg Daniels, new proprietor of Laguna Beach-based Harley

This could actually be called a “Chef Swap”

Just weeks after opening his specialty pizza restaurant in Dana Point, Chef Ryan Adams also opened Buttermilk Fried Chicken, in Old Towne Orange. 

Adams’ restaurant sits less than two blocks from Haven Gastropub in Old Towne, which was opened in September 2009 and operated to award-winning status by none other than Chef Daniels. A partner/owner of the popular gastropub, Chef Daniels resigned in April of this year, and is now moving into 370 Common’s space to open Harley. 

Clearly, the two chefs have been talking. 

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Photo by 370 Common Kitchen + Drink

Chef Ryan Adams

“I wish Greg well on his new endeavor,” says Chef Ryan. “We’re all looking forward to seeing what Greg does with this fantastic space.”

Why he chose Laguna

My question for our incoming chef, of course, was: “Why Laguna?”

Chef noted, “I have always loved Laguna Beach, and the vibe here is right for what I hope to achieve. 

“One of the things that I’m most proud of over my time in Old Towne Orange is that, through Haven and Provisions, we worked to help build a food scene there. 

“I’m really looking forward to being part of the developing food and dining scene with the community of chefs that are already in Laguna Beach, like Amar Santana and Rainer Schwarz,” says Chef. 

Named after his grandfather

Chef Daniels says he named his new Laguna Beach restaurant after his grandfather, Harley, because “I want you to feel like I did when I went to my grandfather’s house – always welcome, the food was always good, and I left with a feeling of warmth in my heart.”

While Daniels continues to craft his opening day menu, he says his focus lies in creating seasonal menus in collaboration with local food producers for the freshest meats, seafood and produce. 

Daniels further states that the “crafting of the guest’s experience” is as much a priority as the food that is served. As more restaurants go the way of quick serve and self-serve, Daniels says he’s looking forward to bringing back the old-style warmth that will coddle Laguna residents and visitors with special care. 

At the top OC Chef’s event in March, too

To that point, Chef Daniels also announced this week that he will be sharing the love as a participant in the March 3, 2019, Top Chef extravaganza, Illumination Foundation’s OC Chef’s Table at the Disneyland Hotel. 

Now in its 6th year, the OC Chef’s Table culls the county’s finest culinary talent – the real movers and shakers in our foodie-loving world – for an evening of chefs cooking tableside for guests. The evening’s funds go toward the Illumination Foundation’s effort to break the cycle of homelessness by providing a full circle of services for homeless people that includes housing, recuperative care, after-school resource centers and tutoring for homeless children, and resources, networks and workforce help for adults. 

“Bringing on a talent like Chef Greg Daniels just elevates our event even more,” says Terry Campbell, marketing director for Illumination Foundation. “He couldn’t be in greater, like-minded company with all of the talented, generous chefs who give their time to this event.”

Illumination Foundation will reveal all 40-plus chef participants this month. 

Laguna Beach residents, though, will be the first to get a sneak peek at what Chef Daniels brings to the table with his planned October opening. Stay tuned in Stu News and my own blog, TheBestofLagunaBeach.com.

Selanne Steak Tavern Earns “Best Of” Award from Wine Spectator

Industry leader publication Wine Spectator magazine has announced its 2018 restaurant award winners, and Selanne Steak Tavern has once again earned the second highest level of recognition – The Best of Award of Excellence. For 2018, this award has been achieved by only 1,215 winners from all 50 states and from 75 countries. All award winners will be featured in the August 31 Wine Spectator issue, which just hit newsstands.

“The Best of Award of Excellence is only garnered by restaurants that typically offer 350 or more selections and are destinations for serious wine lovers – places that have a deep commitment to wine, both in the cellar and through their service team,” said Selanne Steak Tavern owners Teemu Selanne and Kevin Pratt. “We are exceptionally proud of our wine collection and of all the efforts put forth by our gracious and talented team, led by newly certified Advanced Sommelier Vito Pasquale.”

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Selanne Steak Tavern earns The Best of Award of Excellence 2018 

Selanne Steak Tavern, an upscale steakhouse and tavern housed in a chicly transformed historic 1934 home on Pacific Coast Highway, has received this award based on its impressive wine inventory of over 2,750 bottles with list strength in selections from California and Burgundy, France.

The list also offers outstanding global selections, Old and New World from Washington, Oregon, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Austria, South Africa, Portugal, Canada and Australia. While the list is heavily focused on California cult wines with many highly allocated, low production, big scoring selections, it is designed to appeal to all wine lovers – their palates, pairing preferences and spending desires.

Recently, with the addition of being open for Sunday brunch, Selanne Steak Tavern has enhanced its beverage program by offering 11 sparkling wines by the glass at brunch – a prosecco, two brut rosés, a sparkling selection from Carneros, five non-vintage champagnes and three vintage champagnes from Perrier Jouet.

At dinner, the award-winning wine list complements Executive Chef Joshua Severson’s contemporary steakhouse menu featuring steaks, chops and other dishes served with classic sauces, bone marrow butter and sides – from the signature Lord Stanley Cut from Darling Downs, Australia, to Skuna Bay Salmon, Maine Lobster, Wagyu Steaks and Brandt Beef Short Ribs.

Selanne Steak Tavern is located at 1464 S Coast Hwy. For more information visit www.selannesteaktavern.com or call (949) 715-9881.