Dine List
A New Brunch Comes Ashore
Surf & Sand rolls out its new weekend brunch menu.
Brunch at Splashes is all-new and served fresh to its hungry patrons, with a wide variety of new small bites and artisan creations from chef Jeff Armstrong. Included in the revamped brunch menu is smoked albacore, lobster scrambles, grilled swordfish, crab and shrimp cocktails and even Nutella pancakes. And brunch wouldn’t be brunch without a handful of tantalizing cocktail options to wash down the new creations with. New drinks include the Verde Mary, the Sunrise Sangria and a variety of top-notch bubbly to toast the good life with.
Naturally, one thing that remains unchanged is the stunning ocean view. Between the wide variety of sweet, savory and succulent treats, your plate(s) will be full and your cup, tumbler or flute of choice will certainly runneth over. The new assortment of options at Splashes is available now on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
(1555 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-376-2779; surfandsandresort.com/splashes)
Gnocchi Night
This end-of-the-month Argentinean tradition comes to Maro Wood Grill. In Argentina, the end of each month is a time to scrape together whatever is left and maximize its meal potential, as money tends to be tight by then. It is (according to legend) this custom that led to the creation of a national “gnocchi day” that takes place on the 29th of each month as part of a celebration of good food, family and prosperity.
Enter Maro Wood Grill, Laguna’s own Argentinean stop for freshly grilled bites, which hosts “Noquis del 29” every month to bring this Argentinean tradition to hungry locals. Executive Chef Debra Sims makes all sorts of special seasonal gnocchi by hand for this traditional event, including ricotta, beet, three-cheese, spinach, shrimp and pumpkin gnocchi.
Locals can now treat themselves to this special menu item and celebrate the end of the month in delicious fashion. ”Regardless of the origin,” owner Maro Molteni says, “the important part of the tradition is to enjoy the food, the place and the company.”
“Noquis del 29” happens on the 29th of every month, and early reservations are recommended. (1915 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-793-4044; marowoodgrill.com)
Laguna’s Little Italy
A new menu and chef bring a true authenticity to Ti Amo’s cuisine.
Ti Amo Ristorante, one of south Laguna’s hidden gems, is making a splash in 2012. Although the restaurant has been charming residents and locals for many years, new owner Veronica Scala took over in January, bringing with her big plans for the beachside eatery.“This is a new venture for me,” Veronica says, noting that she has already introduced a new menu, happy hour and wine list to the intimate Italian restaurant.
Creating a truly authentic Italian experience, the new executive chef Pino Domicolo brings his Sicilian roots to Ti Amo cuisine: “Our new chef is from Italy—he does all the desserts by hand every morning; the pastas, raviolis [are] all from scratch as well,” Veronica explains. In addition to menu changes, Ti Amo patrons will find enhancements to the restaurant’s décor. The upper garden enjoyed a remodel, but the most dramatic change took place downstairs, where the bar and lounge area is now open with a new happy hour.
Ti Amo is open six days a week for dinner: Tuesday – Sunday from 5 p.m. to close. (31727 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-499-5350; tiamolagunabeach.com)
Small Bites of Nirvana
Nirvana Grille will now offer small bites late at night.
From 9 – 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Nirvana Grille on Broadway will tempt diners with tasty creations from chef Lindsay Smith-Rosales. Nirvana gives guests a wide, scrumptious menu of choices to nibble on while they enjoy refreshing cocktails in the heart of the village. Some of the new small plates include organic spinach and mushroom salads, thyme blue cheese French fries, pork medallions and savory chicken wontons. All of these small bites and more will be available both at the bar and at any of Nirvana Grille’s tables, making this the perfect place to satiate your appetite after a night on the town. (303 Broadway St.; 949-497-0027; nirvanagrille.com)
American
BJ’s Pizza and Grill
280 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-3802;
bjsrestaurants.com
Broadway
328 Glenneyre St.; 949-715-8234
broadwaybyamarsantana.com
The Cliff Restaurant
577 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-1956;
thecliffrestaurant.com
The Cottage Restaurant
308 N. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-3023;
thecottagerestaurant.com
Hennessey’s Tavern
213 Ocean Ave.; 949-494-2743
lumberyard
384 Forest Ave.; 949-715-3900;
lblumberyard.com
Royal Hawaiian
331 N. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-8001;
royalhawaiianlaguna.net
Ruby’s Diner
30622 Coast Hwy.; 949-497-7829; rubys.com
Splashes Restaurant and Bar
1555 S. Coast Hwy. at Surf & Sand Resort;
949-497-4477; surfandsandresort.com
Stonehill tavern
One Monarch Beach Resort;
949-234-3200; surfandsandresort.com
Tommy Bahama Bar & Grill
400 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-376-6886;
tommybahama.com
Tivoli Terrace
650 Laguna Canyon Rd.; 949-494-9650;
tivoliterrace.com
Tivoli Too!
650 Laguna Canyon Rd.;
949-494-6044;
tivoli-too.com
Belgian
Brussels Bistro
222 Forest Ave.; 949-376-7955;
brusselsbistro.com
California Contemporary
230 Forest Avenue
230 Forest Ave.; 949-494-2545;
230forestavenue.com
Café Anastasia
460 Ocean Ave.; 949-497-8903
Blue Laguna
696 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-376-2583;
bluelagunaoc.com
Cafe Zoolu
860 Glenneyre St.; 949-494-6825;
cafezoolu.com
K’ya Bistro Bar & The Rooftop Lounge
1287 S. Coast Hwy. at Hotel La Casa del Camino; 949-376-9718; kyabistro.com;
rooftoplagunabeach.com
The Loft
30801 S. Coast Hwy.
at Montage Laguna Beach;
949-715-6420;
montagelagunabeach.com
Madison Square & Garden Cafe
320 N. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-0137;
madisonsquare.com
Mosaic Bar and Grille at
Montage Laguna Beach
30801 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-6420;
montagelagunabeach.com
Nirvana Grille
303-101 Broadway; 949-497-0027;
nirvanagrille.com
Sundried Tomato
361 Forest Ave.; 949-494-3312;
thesundriedtomatocafe.com
Tabu Grill
2892 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-7743;
tabugrill.com
The Terrace
425 S. Coast Hwy. at the Hotel Laguna;
949-494-1151; hotellaguna.com
The White House Restaurant & Nightclub
340 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-8088;
whitehouserestaurant.com
Watermarc Restaurant
448 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-376-6272;
watermarcrestaurant.com
Caribbean
Eva’s Caribbean Kitchen
31732 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-499-6311;
evascaribbeankitchen.com
Chinese
Mandarin King
1223 N. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-8992
Continental
Dizz’s As Is
2794 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-5250;
dizzsasis.com
French
C’est La Vie
373 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-5100;
cestlavierestaurant.com
French 75
1464 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-8444;
french75.net
Studio at Montage Laguna Beach
30801 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-6420;
studiolagunabeach.com
Global Cuisine
raya
1 Ritz-Carlton Dr.; 949-240-2000
Sapphire Laguna Restaurant & Pantry
1200 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-9888;
sapphirelaguna.com
Italian & Pizza
Cucina Alessa
234 Forest Ave.; 949-497-8222
Gina’s Pizza
610 N. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-4421;
1100 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-4342;
ginaspizza.com
Pizza Lounge
397 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-2277;
pizzalounges.com
Polina’s Salerno Italian Restaurant
220 Beach St.; 949-497-2600
Ristorante Rumari
1826 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-0400; rumari.net
Romeo Cucina
249 Broadway; 949-497-6627; romeocucina.com
Ti Amo Ristorante
31727 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-499-5350;
tiamolagunabeach.com
Z Pizza
30902 Coast Hwy.; 949-499-4949; zpizza.com
Mediterranean
Picayo
610 N. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-5051;
picayorestaurant.com
GG’s Café-Bistro
540-108 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-9306;
ggscafebistro.com
Zeytoon Cafe
412 N. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-9230;
zeytooncafe.com
Mexican
Asada
480 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-5533;
asadalaguna.com
Avila’s El Ranchito
1305 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-376-7040;
avilaselranchito.com
Coyote Grill
31621 Coast Hwy.; 949-499-4033;
coyotegrill.tv
Laguna Feast
801 Glenneyre St.; 949-494-0642
La Sirena Grill
347 Mermaid St.; 949-497-8226;
30862 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-499-2301;
lasirenagrill.com
Las Brisas
361 Cliff Dr.; 949-497-5434;
lasbrisaslagunabeach.com
Olamendi’s
1100 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-4148;
olamendis.com
papa’s Taco
31622 Coast Hwy.; 949-499-9822;
papastacosinc.com
Taco Loco
640-1B S. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-1635;
tacoloco.net
Seafood
The Beach House
619 Sleepy Hollow Lane; 949-494-9707;
thebeachhouse.com
Claes ovation
425 S. Coast Hwy. at Hotel Laguna;
949-376-9283; claesrestaurant.com
House of Big Fish & Ice Cold Beer
540-200 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-4500;
houseofbigfish.com
Seafood/Steaks
maro wood grill
1915 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-793-4044;
marowoodgrill.com
Mozambique Steakhouse & Coastal Lounge
1740 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-7100;
mozambiqueoc.com
Rock’n Fish
422 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-3113;
rocknfishlb.com
starfish
30832 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-9200;
starfishlaguna.com
Specialty
Laguna Culinary Arts
845 Laguna Canyon Rd.; 949-494-4006;
lagunaculinaryarts.com
Sushi
242 Café Fusion Sushi
242 N. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-2444;
fusionart.us
katsuya
858 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-793-4030;
sbe.com/katsuya
O fine japanese cuisine
30872 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-5551;
ofinejapanesecuisine.com
San Shi Go
1100-303 S. Coast Hwy. (upper level);
949-494-1551
Thai
Laguna Thai by the Sea
31715 Coast Hwy.; 949-415-0924;
lagunathai.com
Royal Thai Cuisine
1750 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-8424;
royalthaicuisine.com
Thai Bros.
238 Laguna Ave.; 949-376-9979;
thaibroslaguna.com
Vegetarian
Zinc Cafe
350 Ocean Ave.; 949-494-6302;
zinccafe.com LBM
