Studio

LAGUNA BEACH. A lovely, light-filled interior boasts accents of wood and stone within its Craftsman-inspired space and invites diners to enjoy window-scooping views of the ocean as they dine on revered French-Californian cuisine. The kitchen, led by chef James Boyce, confidently turns out dishes like pan-seared New Zealand John Dory (a signature that gains depth from caramelized cauliflower and Madras curry), Xeres vinegar-braised short ribs, roasted Maine diver sea scallops, and a Wagyu beef rib-eye. An astounding wine selection adds to the pricey-but-worth-it experience.