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230 Forest
230 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 · 949-494-2545
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LAGUNA BEACH. Suave and sophisticated, this California-style seafood restaurant attracts Orange County's elite, all clamoring to be part of the scene, whether in the sleek martini bar or at one of the handsomely dressed tables in the main dining room. The menu is known for being as contemporary as the decor. Indeed, starter plates may include anything from ahi tuna tartare with whole-grain mustard to butternut squash soup with clover honey crème fraiche. From there, the true feast begins, and chef Marc Cohen's exceptional entrées are headlined by macadamia nut-crusted mahi-mahi with mango slaw, blue and black seared peppercorn Hawaiian ahi, and blackened swordfish with carrot ginger syrup.
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Cafe Zoolu
860 Glenneyre St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 · 949-494-6825
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LAGUNA BEACH. Perhaps one of the OC's best (and most under-publicized) Californian options, Cafe Zoolu is a true product of its surroundings. Eclectic, funky decor features the bold (zebra-striped seats), the unusual (autographed photos of k.d. Lang and the Kingston Trio), and the outright eccentric (Polynesian-style salt and pepper shakers). Owner-chef Michael Leach's menu, noted for its global appeal, is the true star, made complete with superb potstickers, veal chops, and grilled swordfish that have earned rave reviews from critics and diners alike.
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Leatherby's Cafe Rouge
615 Town Center Dr, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 · 714-429-7640
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COSTA MESA. Spare, elegant Cafe Rouge is distinguished by walls of windows and a subdued color scheme that directs diners' attention to the superb food. Initiate your palate with a salad of blue crab or roasted baby beets, or enjoy steamed clams, and then dive into the featured entrees. Representative dishes include miso-glazed butterfish, roasted breast of chicken, Canadian scallops, and beef tenderloin with haricots verts. Tasting menus can also be had. Hours may vary depending on the concert schedule, so please call ahead.
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Napa Rose
1600 S Disneyland Dr, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel®, Anaheim, CA 92802 · 714-781-3463
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ANAHEIM. Set in an Arts and Crafts-style hotel, Napa Rose takes the best from California's vineyards, dairies, farms, and seacoast and submits it all to chef Andrew Sutton, who creates magical dishes with the bounty. The rose-themed restaurant does everything well and is the hotel's most expensive establishment, so you may want to save it for an adult occasion. The Californian wine list is extensive, and it's refreshing to be able to get a glass in the usually dry Disneyland® Resort.
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Opah
26851 Aliso Creek Rd, Town Center, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 · 949-360-8822
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ALISO VIEJO. A well-kept secret, this chic restaurant/bar is a favorite of local movers and shakers, who adore the contemporary Californian menu and the chance to posture under black lights. House specialties run the gamut, and entrees range from a N'awlins-style oyster po' boy to grilled Hawaiian opah and peppercorn-crusted NY steak. For international flair, check out Provençal rotisserie chicken or pan-fried udon served with Maine lobster. Save room for dessert – passing up vanilla bean crème brulée or sweet potato and pecan tart with bourbon vanilla sauce is never a good idea.
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PCH Grill
1717 S Disneyland Dr, Disney's Paradise Pier® Hotel, Anaheim, CA 92802 · 714-781-3463
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ANAHEIM. The upscale hotel that houses this restaurant is a frequent home base for well-to-do vacationers. The decor of the signature PCH Grill, seemingly inspired by a California beach party, springs to life with myriad colors, potted palms, and a slew of "beach" oddities. Innovative Pacific Rim-inspired fare is the calling card – dine on sake-marinated black sea bass, wood-fired pizzas, and panko shrimp in mango sauce. At breakfast (buffet or à la carte), the little ones can thrill to the presence of Disney characters.
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Restaurant 162'
1 Ritz-Carlton Dr, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, CA 92629 · 949-240-2000
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DANA POINT. The number in the restaurant's name refers to its height above sea level, and thanks to a stunning location atop a bluff, it affords awe-inspiring views of the ocean. Even with such a visual treat, folks are also mesmerized by the dining room's elegant, water-hued beauty, including a trio of glittering, freeform chandeliers. The food, too, is on par with the spectacle, as evidenced by crispy duck breast with sweet potato hash, grilled filet mignon with roasted forest mushrooms, bouillabaisse, and grilled Maine lobster with a blood orange beurre blanc. Friday's seafood buffet and Sunday's champagne brunch are also much-loved events.
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Studio
30801 S Coast Hwy, Montage Resort & Spa, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 · 949-715-6420
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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.
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Tangata
2002 N Main St, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA 92706 · 714-550-0906
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SANTA ANA. Located in the Mission-style courtyard of Santa Ana's acclaimed cultural arts museum, this Southwestern-themed eatery is a favorite destination with the town's well-to-do crowd, who privilege the attractive al fresco dining area and the fabulous Californian cuisine. Featured lunch entrees, many bearing a bit of a French influence, include braised lamb shank with polenta, hazelnut-encrusted halibut, and seafood fettuccini with shrimp and clams.
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LAGUNA BEACH. Trendy. Sophisticated. Refined. California casual. Any number of adjectives apply to this sidewalk cafe, where fashion-minded locals and well-heeled tourists rub shoulders over gourmet coffees and teas. Menu items run the gamut, and patrons enjoy poached eggs on buttered toast or fritattas with cucumber salsa for breakfast and then a veggie-friendly Zinc Burger and pizzettes (with sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, roasted peppers, chipotle chili, and Anaheim chilies) for lunch. Folks needing a bite for the road may consult the Market Menu, which sports gourmet sweets and carryout meals.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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