Laguna Beach Best

The last two weeks have been busy with friends dropping in from colder climes to soak up our Laguna Beach sunshine.

Being the Laguna Beach tour guide that I am, I’ve been trotting these friends to a variety of Laguna Beach restaurants, and you’ll see a number of comments forthcoming on favorite old haunts and new finds. For starters, I thought I’d begin with something I don’t purposely seek out: The Best Sandwiches in Laguna Beach.

When one of my visitors asked for a good old fashioned sandwich, I was temporarily at a loss. I’ve tried plenty of hamburgers and veggie burgers in Laguna Beach (K’ya, Nicks, Belgian Bistro and Lumberyard Restaurant all scoring highly), and I have a couple favorite paninis, but it took some polling of fellow Laguna residents to land on a couple shops that provide significant fare in sandwiches. (Sorry. There’s the obvious Subway Sandwich shop in town, but I don’t cover franchises in this blog.)

As you know, I only mention the “best of,” and I will say we visited four different restaurants that turned out sandwiches. Laguna Beach’s vegetarian “The Stand” is in  fabulous class all its own, and will be the subject of a different entry. For basic, solid sandwiches, though, my visitor’s vote coincided with mine – Laguna Beach’s The Orange Inn.

In the past, I’ve written about The Orange Inn’s breakfast, monster freshly-baked muffins and smoothie entrees, all of which create snaking lines of customers out the quaint cottage’s doors. Owner John Bodrero recently made a number of changes at the Orange Inn … some of which, admittedly and initially didn’t make his age-old regulars happy (and I heard about it, OH yes) … but his expanded lunch menu adds well to his already popular sandwich board.

Maybe it’s the sprouts that makes the Orange Inn sandwiches so memorable. Nearly every sandwich comes loaded with fresh, crunchy sprouts, lettuce and tomato, and the stack is a nice, hearty presentation. Or, maybe it’s the fact that he doesn’t load you down with overbearing bread rolls – most of the Orange Inn sandwiches are on bread slices like your Mom used to slap together for your school lunch bags. For me, I’d rather taste the filling inside than have to deal with a bunch of chewy bread.

We tried the Orange Inn’s classic turkey avocado sandwich, the Albacore tuna sandwich, and John’s new grilled chicken burger, all of which were freshly made and enjoyable entrees. Happily, the grilled chicken burger was stellar. I can’t say that many restaurants in Laguna Beach serve up a classic, old fashioned grilled chicken burger, but the Orange Inn has filled that gap nicely with two different grilled chicken options.

Readers, send me your favorite sandwiches (and sandwich makers) in Laguna Beach, and I’ll add them to this entry. Enjoy your lunches out there!

OK, every time I think about writing this entry, the old Ohio Players song, “Fire,” keeps running through my mind … this is one sassy year ahead!

This week, the fire begins for the entire 2012 year when Year of the Dragon makes its entry this Monday. The most powerful symbol in Chinese astrology, when a Year of Dragon shows up every 12 years, you’re in for one heck of a great ride. No one loses in the Year of Dragon, especially when you launch your biggest projects, companies, mergers (including marriage) and other “prosperity oriented” plans.

What a blessed relief, then, to see that one restaurant  in Laguna Beach – our new Starfish Asian Cusine in South Laguna Beach – is celebrating Year of the Dragon in style this week. The party starts Monday night (hey, we can’t help that this year’s Chinese New Year falls on a Monday). Starfish has created an exclusive “Dragon Menu” along with unpublished drink specials to pay homage to our incoming fiery, slightly-carbon-smelling friend.

Through Wednesday night, the Dragon Menu accompanies the regular Starfish menu, and offers up many food items that are best for accommodating this powerful year:

• Stone crab dumplings
• Shrimp and pork spring rolls
• Lettuce wraps with chicken and all sorts of goodies
• “Lion Meatballs” with famed kobe beef at the heart of things
• Sweet & sour lollipop chicken
• Black bean noodles
• 8 treasure sticky rice with mango, strawberries, coconut and more

Then on Thursday, Jan. 26th, as the Chinese wrap up their 4-day New Year celebration, Starfish Asian Cuisine is ramping up the party here in Laguna Beach as well. Their one-week-only Dragon Menu will be broken into small plate portions and served almost prix fixe style at $40/person (drinks not included).

And, guest Mixologist Dan Oliver will be creating a number of his own dragon-style drinks all the night through. This guy is the favorite at Mastro’s’ just north of our Laguna Beach limits. It’s sure to be an interesting show, especially given the fact that the Starfish resident bartenders rank at the top of my list in creative drinks, efficiency and genuine friendliness.

Unless you’re willing to chance it at the large bar at Starfish, call ahead for reservations any night of this “dragon” week at (949) 715-9200. Starfish is in the Albertson’s shopping center directly across from the Montage Laguna Beach at 30832 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

Wondering when and where those big, incoming swells are going to hit tomorrow and this weekend (Friday, Jan. 6^th – Sunday, Jan. 8^th) in and around South Orange County’s Laguna Beach?

Well, this year, LagunaBeachBest will be gathering intel from two Laguna Beach born-and-raised guys who’ve done little else but surf every flippin’ day of their lives. When surfers start babbling about epic surf and swell heading our way, I figure there’s no better than these two pros to share their prognostications – particularly as I’m a Denver girl who understands the riptides of bathtub water and frozen water Vail chutes and, ehrm, that’s about it.

Rod Greenup, the owner of the famed Laguna surf shop, Costa Azul, will be giving us the lowdown for central Laguna Beach and its northernmost corner. Rod grew up in Laguna Beach as a kid, started shaping boards in his dad’s garage in 1985, and really only left Laguna Beach to set up the first surf shop on the tip of Baja for a number of years. He returned to North Laguna Beach thereafter, and only leaves us now to fly all over the world for great surfing. (Fellow surfers call this guy a “flight risk. Even as I chatted with Rod today, he was packing up for a scuttle to northern Baja tonight.)

Kaj (pronounced Ki like “hi!”) Garmshausen will be talking to South Laguna Beach thru Dana Point and maybe even a bit of San Clemente as … well … big waves are worth traveling for.

Kaj grew up in Laguna Beach as well, spent one year in New Zealand in 1979 to surf, and then returned to Laguna Beach and has been living in and around its environs ever since.

I love talking to these guys. They likely ditched every third morning of high school to surf, but they come off sounding like triple PhD Physics profs when they start talking about the waves they love.

So, back to the huge swell rolling into Southern California tomorrow …

As I write this, we have a great “swell train” chugging its way in from Hawaii. The buoys started bouncing tonight at high tide, and Friday we’ll see that swell make its landing in Laguna Beach in the morning hours and build as the day wears on.

Now, Laguna Beach is a series of pocket beaches and coves, so it takes a serious swell with a lot of width, breadth and patience to work its way into our coves in the winter.

This swell looks to have some serious patience.

As Rod relays, given that this epic swell has taken on a serious west trajectory, you won’t see the usual Laguna Beach summer spots like Brooks going off, but Rod’s thinking that midtown breaks at Thalia and the Laguna Rockpile (Heisler) should provide some above-decent winter rides and some serious photo shots.

There’s a good possibility that the reef off of Treasure Island (the Montage Laguna Beach) could pop substantially, and Salt Creek and Strands to the south of Laguna Beach should continue to provide the great rides it showed up with earlier this week.

Having spent all of his waking free time at Trestles (San Clemente) this week, Kaj stayed through high tide tonight to confirm that things will definitely be bumping tomorrow, but senses that the introduction of a westerly wind and drop in temps will likewise drop the incoming barrels.

As Kaj notes, if you want way-above-average rides OR photos of this ocean of ours this weekend make tracks to Salt Creek, Dana Point’s jetty (photos only of course), and any part of the Trestles strip. On Rod’s end, he recommends the siting of bigger waves at The Wedge (Balboa Peninsula) or making tracks to Huntington Beach or points farther north in Santa Barbara’s realm.

Ahh, the holiday season … snow, sleet, scraping ice off your windshield and wind that tips you sideways …  except in Laguna Beach.

Compared to last year’s deluge rains and flooding, Laguna Beach is sitting pretty here between Christmas and New Year’s, with gorgeous, perfect days and warm, empty sand beaches. And, while the waves in South Laguna Beach might not be rocking quite like The Balboa Wedge has seen this last week, the top pros in skimboarding are staying on top of their game.

Today, I spent my late afternoon “work break” on West Street Beach nabbing a few shots of two of my pro skimboard favorites, Vic Skimboard‘s Morgan Just and Exile Skimboard’s Blair Conklin. Occasionally, these guys whine about me publishing photos “pre-wipeout,” but really? How many people in this world would even get to this point of the photo frame in the first place? (Click each photo once for zoom view.)

Sadly, one of our coolest stores in Laguna Beach – Stand Up Paddle at 1099 S. Coast Highway – is closing its doors TODAY (Thurs, Dec. 29th). Race down there before 2:00 today to take advantage of 40% off sales on just about everything and $300 for barely used rental boards.

Ryan Tropp will be taking over as sole owner, moving SUP into wholesale and manufacture in San Juan Capistrano.

We’ll miss you, Tommy, and all your great folks who introduced the latest rage in water sports to Laguna Beach central!

Laguna Beach is putting on her party shoes for New Year’s 2011, ushering in 2012! The New Year’s Celebration is a massive event in Laguna Beach, and this is The Definitive List to all New Year’s Dining & Restaurants in Laguna Beach for 2011.

Click here if you’re looking for New Year’s Parties & Celebrations in Laguna Beach, 2011. If you’re interested in dining in Laguna Beach on New Year’s Eve, read on, oh brave one:

Laguna Beach Restaurants with Prix Fixe Menus, New Year’s Eve – These prices exclude beverage, tax and tip. Watch for New Year’s Eve parties to follow at some of these locales, too.

• The Broadway by Amar Santana Restaurant, 3 seatings.  5:00 p.m. is a 4-course meal at $75/person, and the 2 remaining seatings at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., offer a 6-course meal at $120/person with champagne toasts at 9:00 p.m. (East Coast New Year’s) and at midnight, PST. Bartenders will be featuring new drink concoctions all evening. Menus are posted on the website. Call for reservations, (949) 715-8234.
• French 75, 2 seatings. 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., is a 4-course prix fixe menu at $80/person, and 2nd seating at 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. is a 4-course menu at $100/person. Champagne toast and party favors at 9:00 p.m. (East Coast New Year’s) and live music by Mike Hamilton. Call for reservations, (949) 494-8444.
• Grand Ballroom Gala, Montage, Laguna Beach, 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. The “Grand Dame Event” in Laguna Beach on New Year’s Eve, the Montage’s Gala begins with a reception from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m., with dinner, live music, dancing and serious partying continuing from there. Tickets are $300/person and include beverages, wine pairings, tax and gratuities (and probably a party hat, too!) See their 4-course Montage New Year’s Gala Dinner Menu, and make reservations for this very popular event at (949) 715-6420.
• The Loft at the Montage, Laguna Beach offers 2 seatings. 1st seating is 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and offers a 4-course holiday tasting menu. $95/adult, $30/child (4-12 years), or $300/person includes beverages, wine pairings, tax and gratuity. The 2nd seating is 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and offers a 5-course holiday tasting menu with champagne and party favors. $150/adult, $55/child (4-12 years). Call for reservations, (949) 715-6420. At the Montage, children have their own Montage Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party at the Paintbox. Adults can participate in the Montage Grand Ballroom New Year’s Eve Gala. Click here for Montage New Year’s Eve Gala details
• Mozambique‘s NYE 2012 Celebration offers 2 seatings. 1st seating is 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and offers a 3-course prix fixe menu at $55/adults, $10/children’s menu. The 2nd seating, 8:00 p.m. – close is a 3-course prix fixe for $85/person. Call for reservations, (949) 715-7777.  Mozambique Celebration Party begins at 9:00 p.m. in the upstairs lounge. Click here for Mozambique New Year’s Eve party details.
• Royal Hawaiian, serving up a 3-course prix fixe menu with Chandon split all evening at $45/person. Dining guests can stay on for the RH New Year’s Eve Party with hats, party favors and more. Click here for Royal Hawaiian New Year’s eve party details.
• Romeo Cucina, 4-course prix fixe menu all evening at $75/person. Live music provided by DJ. Call for reservations, (949) 497-6277.
• Splashes at the Surf and Sand Hotel, 4-course prix fixe menu from 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at $110/person. Call for reservations, (949) 376-2779.
• Starfish Asian Coastal Cuisine, 3 seatings at 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. with regular menu plus a Taste of Asia menu featuring traditional techniques from the 5 different areas of Asia. Champagne toast at midnight. New Year’s Eve special drink concoctions include the Red Dragon (citrus vodka, lemon juice, basil, mint shaken with muddled red berries and served on dry ice, and Sea Bubbles, a mix of champagne and Blue Curacao. Call for reservations, (949) 715-9200.
• Studio at the Montage Resort Laguna Beach begins the evening with a Reception from 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., with Dinner Seating and its own Studio New Year’s Eve Party from 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. It features a 5-course Chef’s tasting menu, live music, dancing, party favors and champagne toast at midnight. $300/person includes cocktails and reception while $150/person includes wine pairings only.
• Tabu Grill, 2 seatings with the first from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. for a 4-course menu at $75/person. Add wine pairings for an additional $45/person. Second seating is 9 p.m. to close with a 5-course menu at $110/person and wine pairings an additional $60/person. Balloon drop and champagne toast includes.
• Ti Amo Ristorante, 3-course prix fixe menu all evening at $45/person with 9:00 p.m. (East Coast New Year’s) and midnight celebrations.
• Tommy Bahama’s, 4-course prix fixe menu all evening at $55/person. The Wine Locker is open and discounted on several amazing wines and DJ provides live music. Call for reservations, (949) 376-6886.
• The White House proves one of the smartest tools in the Laguna Beach shed with a great solution: Come for their prix fixe menu at $50/person, and not only are you allowed to “stay” for the White House New Year’s Eve Bash, but you’re able to keep the same table, reserved all evening and private from the general walk-in audience, for you and your party. See White House New Year’s Eve Party details.

Laguna Beach Restaurants with Regular Menu + Holiday Chef Specials. Watch for New Year’s Eve parties to follow at some of these locales, too. 

• The Deck at Pacific Edge Hotel is offering a custom New Year’s menu, food and drink specials all day long and a heck of a Cirque du Soiree Party all evening till 1:00 a.m. For dining, call for reservations, (949) 281-5703. Click for The Deck’s Cirque du Soiree New Year’s Party details
• House of Big Fish, Cold Beer offers regular menu and Chef New Year’s specials all day. The House of Big Fish Free New Year’s Eve Party begins at 10:00 p.m. with complimentary tray-passed appetizers and desserts. Click here for House of Big Fish New Year’s Eve party details.
• K’ya Bistro in the Casa del Camino offers regular menu and New Year’s Chef specials until 10:00 p.m. Call for reservations, (949) 376-9718. The Free K’ya New Year’s Eve Party begins at 10:00 p.m. in the Casa lobby with complimentary tray-passed appetizers and desserts. Click here for K’ya New Year’s Eve party details.
• Katsuya offers regular menu and New Year’s Chef specials through 7:00 p.m. The Katsuya Winter Wonderland New Year’s Eve Party begins from there with a buffet of signature dishes and party zone atmosphere. Click for Katsuya New Year’s Eve party details.
• Sapphire Restaurant’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. In addition to the Holiday A la Carte menu, the chef is featuring a number of New Year’s specials. Call for reservations, (949) 715-9888.
• Sun Dried Tomato is ringing in the New Year with a custom New Year’s Eve menu and drink specials all evening. Call for reservations, (949) 494-3312
• Watermarc offers regular menu and a New Year’s Chef Special menu throughout the evening. Call for reservations, (949) 376-6272.
• Zoolu Cafe offers its regular menu (which, let’s face it, is always fabulous), with a few Chef Michael specials thrown in. (And if you know Zoolu, you know he won’t decide what those specials will be until about the day before, but that’s part of the charm of this place). Zoolu is about as big as a shoebox, so make reservations early by calling (949) 494-6825.

In Laguna Beach, we’re ushering in 2012 with serious style … tons of New Year’s Eve parties, phenomenal bands, the most renowned DJs, FREE New Year’s Eve parties, and high-end galas and celebrations. This is your definitive list – The 2011 New Year’s Eve Parties in Laguna Beach for every possible restaurant, hotel and resort participant. 

LagunaBeachBest.com also has a separate entry specifically focused on dining – click: 2011 New Year’s Eve Dining Laguna Beach. (If you’re reading this prior to Christmas, we also have articles on Laguna Beach Christmas Eve Dining and Christmas Day Dining )

Many of the Laguna Beach restaurants on New Year’s Eve serve dinner and then proceed to throw a party, so in this NYE Parties article, we cover restaurant party details, as well as Laguna Beach bars and gala celebrations at hotels and resorts. I’m also providing addresses for each of these establishments so that you can call and reserve your taxi in advance. 

Laguna Beach Restaurant & Bar Parties, New Year’s Eve 2011

Bounce, 1460 South Coast Highway, 949-494-0056. The last bar standing for those who staunchly support our “alternative lifestyle” here in Laguna Beach, Bounce is featuring special guest DJ Carolyn, party favors and drink specials till 2:00 a.m.

(The) Deck, 647 S. Coast Highway, 949-281-5703. A newcomer to Laguna Beach just this summer, this outdoors beach deck and private cabanas at the Pacific Edge hotel has become quite the popular watering hole with locals and visitors alike. For New Year’s Eve, they’re doing it up in style with a Cirque du Soiree New Year’s Eve Party from 10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Popular DJs From Another Mother featuring Sli Dawg from SOUL Project will kick off the entertainment early in the evening, but the entertainment promises to go well beyond music (think Cirque) all evening long. The Deck will feature a special holiday custom menu, food and drink specials, a champagne toast and more. To reserve a dining table well in advance, call the above number. Call the Sales & Event Team at 949-281-57803 to reserve group and VIP access to The Deck’s only Laguna-Beach based Surf Cabanas and The Villa from 4 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. The Green Room also offers bottle service from 10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m., and should be reserved well in advance, too.

French 75, 1464 South Coast Highway, 949-494-8444. After offering a prix fixe menu (see French 75 Dining New Year’s Eve), the party starts in earnest from 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., with live music from renowned Mike Hamilton, drink specials, party favors and champagne. Tickets are $100/person; call in advance to reserve or purchase.

Henessey’s, 213 Ocean Ave., 949-494-2743. DJ and dancing starts upstairs at 9:00 p.m. with a free champagne toast at midnight. No reservations are required, and there’s no cover charge, but this place fills up quickly, and they do adhere to fire codes, so get there early.

House of Big Fish, Cold Beer FREE New Year’s Eve Party, 540 South Coast Highway, #200, 949-715-4500. Celebrating a great year of fantastic business, this newcomer restaurant is offering regular and special menu items all day (see House of Big Fish Dining New Year’s Eve), then waltzes into a 10:00 p.m. full-on party with complimentary tray-passed appetizers, desserts, party favors, and countdown to midnight.

Katsuya, 858 South Coast Highway, 949-793-4030. One of our newest entries to Laguna Beach, Katsuya is going all out with a “Winter Wonderland New Year’s Eve.” The all-night party includes a renowned DJ (they’re not saying yet), a premium hosted bar and a buffet of signature chef dishes. Of course, there’s a midnight champagne toast, too. Tickets are $125 in advance and $150 at the door. VIP Packages are also available. Space is filling quickly, so best get on those reservations soon.

K’ya Bistro/Casa Del Camino FREE New Year’s Eve Party, 1289 South Coast Highway. Ater K’ya wraps its Chef Craig specials/dining (See K’ya Dining New Year’s Eve), its free New Year’s party begins at 10:00 p.m. in the Casa lobby. (Hey, one sibling restaurant can’t celebrate without the other getting involved.) Complimentary tray-passed appetizers, desserts, party favors and more. This is going to be a see-and-be-seen crowd, so get there early!

(The) Marine Room, 214 Ocean Ave., 949-494-3027. One of the long-standing of what I call the “triumvirate” of bars in Laguna Beach, you just can’t miss the Marine Room. Drink specials and special guest Freshy Freeman, 9 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Cover is $10.

Montage Grand Ballroom New Year’s Eve Gala, 30801 Coast Highway, 949-715-6420. The “Grand Dame” New Year’s Eve Gala in Laguna Beach, this is a combo dinner/party package that includes a 4-course extensive dinner menu (see Montage Gala Dining New Year’s Eve); live music and dancing by the famed James Gang band; and all the party favors and champagne toasts you could want at midnight. The $300/person ticket includes beverages, wine pairings, tax and gratuity. (The Montage is also offering special New Year’s Eve room packages. If you stay as many as 3 nights, the Gala is complimentary. Click: Montage New Year’s Eve Room Packages.)

Montage Laguna Beach Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party at the Paintbox. If you’re a registered guest for New Year’s Eve, be sure to get your 5-12-year-olds registered for the Paintbox party at the Montage, an exclusive club for kids. Somehow, I don’t think this is going to be a frozen-pizza-warm-Dr.-Pepper kind of party like I used to experience as a kid …

Mozambique, 1740 South Coast Highway, 949-715-7777. Few live band bars perform as solidly as Mozambique, and the story is sure to remain the same for New Year’s Eve. While they finish up their prix fixe menu in the restaurant (see Mozambique Dining New Year’s Eve), the live funk and R&B favorite, Upstart, takes to the stage at 9:00 p.m. in the upstairs lounge. Either reserve your entire evening with dinner and the party upstairs included, or pay a $20 cover at the door.

Ocean Brewing Company, 230 Ocean Ave., 949-497-3381. This annual New Year’s Eve Bash begins at 9:00 p.m. with TWO favorites in the house – DJ’s Rhythm and DJ El. Drink specials run all the night long and include $5 shots of Agua and complimentary champagne at midnight. Cover is $10 early in the evening, possibly increasing as the night wears on.

Rockin’ Fish, 422 South Coast Highway, 949-497-3113. Offering a special menu this evening, (see Rockin’ Fish Dining New Year’s Eve), Brian Nicolet of the well-loved 3-Man Weave begins at about 9:00 p.m. through the New Year’s countdown.

Royal Hawaiian, 331 North Coast Highway, 949-494-8001. Offering a prix fixe menu (see Royal Hawaiian Dining New Year’s Eve), the RH rolls with live music, appetizer menu, hats, party favors and more till 2:00 a.m.

The Saloon, 446 South Coast Highway, 949-494-5469. What I love about our “triumvirate” three bars in town (Marine Room, Saloon and Sandpiper) is that these guys never have to change anything for any sort of holiday and they’ll still be packed to the gills on New Year’s Eve. Same SOP at The Saloon, and it’s sure to be the usual crowd fest till 2:00 a.m.

Sandpiper (the beloved “Dirty Bird”), 1183 South Coast Highway, 949-494-4694. What we love about the Sandpiper is that it never changes and it never has to – same drill, same great live band TBA, and a … shall we say … “memorable” party atmosphere till 2:00 a.m.

The White House, 340 South Coast Highway, 949-494-8088. This is a great deal: When you reserve a dinner reservation at 7:30, 8:00 or 9:00, you pay $50/person for a prix-fixe menu (see White House Dining New Year’s Eve), champagne at midnight AND the table is all yours for the entire evening through midnight. Special guest DJ Soul Reaper (80s, electronica, top 40, club hits) begins at 9:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome at 10:00 p.m. with a cover charge ($20) that includes party favors and champagne for midnight countdown. Call for reservations; deposits are accepted over the phone.

Lastly, news from our neighboring neighbor, The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, 949-240-2000: The Ritz New Year’s Eve Celebration Experience features overnight stay, a 4-course dinner, and attendance at the Gala for live music and champagne toasts for $900/couple.

Then, Laguna Beach restaurants celebrating the East Coast New Year’s at 9:00 p.m. PST 

If you’re one of those folks who can’t keep your eyes open past 9:30 p.m., but still want to be in a party atmosphere to celebrate the New Year, these Laguna Beach restaurants are “honoring” the East Coast Times Square ball drop in lieu of (or in addition to) the “stroke of midnight” here on our Pacific shores:

The Broadway by Amar Santana, French 75, The Loft at the Montage Laguna Beach, Romeo Cucina, Splashes at the Surf and Sand, Ti Amo Ristorante, Sapphire Restaurant, Sun Dried Tomato, 230 Forest and Watermarc.

That’s it for now! Updates will be occurring regularly, so bookmark this page or check back often! I do hope you venture out and bring in the New Year in the best little place on the planet, Laguna Beach.

Hey, all you Laguna Beach restaurateurs … if you’re not on this list, contact me right away at Diane@LagunaBeachBest.com with your details.

While most restaurants are closed in Laguna Beach on Christmas Day 2o11, there are a few noteworthy hotel-based restaurants that are providing fabulous Christmas Day dining in Laguna Beach, including The Loft and Studio restaurants at the Montage Resort; the Montage’s Ballroom Celebration; and Claes Ovation at the venerable Hotel Laguna in Laguna Beach.

If you’re looking for great restaurant dining for Christmas Eve, instead, go to my large blog entry on Christmas Eve Dining Laguna Beach, 2011 .

Christmas Day Restaurant Dining in Laguna Beach, 2011:

• Claes Ovation at the Hotel Laguna, 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Prix fixe 4-course meal, $55/person. Call for reservations, (949) 494-1151.
• The Loft at the Montage Laguna Beach, noon – 10:00 p.m., 4-course holiday tasting menu, $95/adult, $30/child. Call for reservations, (949) 715-6420.
• The Studio at the Montage Laguna Beach, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., 5-course holiday tasting menu, $125/person or $200/person with wine. Call for reservations, (949) 715-6420.
• The Montage Laguna Beach’s Masterpiece Ballroom Celebration, noon – 5:00 p.m., A 12-station holiday buffet featuring live music, entertainment and complimentary family photos. $105/adult and $35/child. This is quite a phenomenal spread. Click for the Masterpiece Menu Call for reservations, (949) 715-6420.

Restaurateurs, if I’ve missed you in the Christmas Day Dining round-up, please contact me at Diane@LagunaBeachBest.com

P.S. If you’re looking for something to DO on Christmas Day in Laguna Beach check out the Holiday Events Calendar Laguna Beach, 2011

OK, folks, I started blogging about the Laguna Beach restaurants doing Christmas Eve specials in the LagunaBeachBest.com Holiday Events Calendar Laguna Beach list and was subsequently BOMBARDED by all sorts of readers wondering about all the REST of the Laguna Beach restaurants and their Christmas Eve possibilities.

So, here it is – this entry is ALL about Christmas Eve. If you’re looking for 2011 Christmas DAY dining opportunities, click: Christmas Dining Laguna Beach

The definitive list of what Laguna Beach restaurants are doing for Christmas Eve, 2011. (well, some restaurants didn’t pick up the phone. We’ll keep trying. Restaurateurs are welcome to contact Diane@LagunaBeachBest.com with additions.

Laguna Beach Restaurants with Prix Fixe Menus, Christmas Eve  - These prices exclude beverage, tax and tip.

• The Broadway by Amar Santana Restaurant, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. A 4-course select menu offering. No fixed seating times. Call for reservations, (949) 715-8234
• French 75 Restaurant, A 3-course select menu, $55 per person or a 4-course select menu, $70 per person. 1st seating, 4:30-5:00 p.m., 2nd seating is already locked, 3rd seating is 7:00 to closing. Live music by Mike Hamilton. Call for reservations, (949) 494-8444
• The Loft at the Montage Resort, Laguna Beach, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. A 4-course holiday tasting menu. $105/adult and $35/child. Call for reservations, (949) 715-6420.
• Sapphire Restaurant, 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. A 3-course prix fixe Christmas Eve dinner. Price ranges from $52 – $66 per person depending on your entree selection. No fixed seating times. Call for reservations, (949) 715-9888
• Splashes at the Surf and Sand Hotel, noon – 8:00 p.m., A 3-course prix fixe Christmas Eve menu, $65 per person. No fixed seating times. Call for reservations, (949) 376-2779
• Studio at the Montage Resort Laguna Beach, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., 5-course holiday tasting menu, $124/person, $200/person with wine. Call for reservations, (949) 715-6420.

Laguna Beach Restaurants with Regular Menu + Holiday Chef Specials, Christmas Eve 

• Beach House, Laguna Beach – 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. A la carte menu only, 949-494-9707
• Romeo Cucina, 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Chef specials with live music from Giovanni, 949-497-6627
• Starfish Asian Coastal Cuisine – 4:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., Regular menu with Christmas eve “Upscale” additions (and oh,my, they sound great), 949-715-9200
• Ti Amo Italian Ristorante, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Several Christmas specials from the Chef, 949-499-5350
• Three Seventy Common, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Christmas Eve Prime Rib Roast meal with all the fixings in addition to regular menu, 949-494-8686

Laguna Beach restaurants serving regular menus on Christmas Eve:

BJ’s Pizza, Claes Ovation at the Hotel Laguna, Cucina Alessa, GG’s Bistro, Gina’s Pizza, Henessey’s, Katsuya, Laguna Sushi, Lumberyard Restaurant, Nick’s, Nirvana Grille, Ocean Brewing Company, O Fine Japanese Cuisine, Sun Dried Tomato, Rockin’ Fish, San Shi Go, The Pizza Lounge, Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant, 230 Forest, 242 Cafe, Watermarc

These Laguna Beach restaurants are closed on Christmas Eve:

• Brussels Bistro
• Cafe Zoolu (whimper)

Hey all you RSS feed readers to LagunaBeachBest.com,

Happy Holidays! It occurred to me that you might not be receiving my e-mail updates about the Master Holiday Gift Ideas List in Laguna Beach or the Master Events Calendar for all things holiday in Laguna Beach.

I keep updating the 2011 Holiday Events in Laguna Beach Calendar, and it now includes new Christmas Eve dining, Christmas Eve church services in Laguna Beach, and Christmas Day live music venues. Click: Holiday Events 2011 Laguna Beach

And, you also have more than 20 unique gift ideas I’ve found in every nook and cranny in Laguna Beach for every character on your list. These gift ideas are most easily accessed in the summary list I’ve created: Click: Holiday Gifts Laguna Beach

If you have a holiday event or special dining hours at your Laguna Beach restaurant, email me directly to be included in the calendar: Diane@LagunaBeachBest.com

Thank to all the folks who have sent in great holiday gift ideas – if you haven’t seen your idea yet, have faith – I’m still trying to cram these great gift ideas in!

Lastly, as a gift to all you coffee lovers out there, The Laguna Coffee Company is offering one lucky winner FREE COFFEE for months! Sign up to be registered to win on the home page of www.LagunaBeachBest.com – we’ll have the drawing on New Year’s Eve.

Make it a great week out there, and pass this Laguna Beach news on to your friends and cohorts!