With Glori Fickling GHoneyWest

Nadia: Stepping Out ENTERTAINMENT  Editor

LODGING DIRECTORY

Laguna Journal wibcom@aol.com

RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach

Stonehill Tavern

Motif

Club 19

Pool Bar & Grill

Monarch Bay Club

Crust

Lobby Bar & Lounge

Wine Cellar

Salt Creek Grille
32802 Pacific Coast Highway
Dana Point, CA 92629
Phone: (714)661-7799 Fax: (949)661-2447
 http://www.saltcreekgrille.com
Food:     Service:     Ambiance:   Overall: 

Mozambique Restaurant and Coastal Lounge 1740 South Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone: (949) 715-7100
Food:     Service:     Ambiance:  Overall: 

Sorrento Grille
370 Glenneyre St.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2362
Phone (949) 494-8686 www.culinaryadventures.com 

230 Forest Ave
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2114
Phone: (949) 494-2545 

Food:     Service:    Ambiance:   Overall: 

White House Restaurant
340 S Coast Hwy.,Laguna Beach, CA   Ph.949 494-8088                                                        
Food:     Service:     Ambiance:  Overall: 

Dizz's As Is                                       2794 S. Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone: 949-494-5250

Tabu Grill 949 494-7743
2892 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-3953

242 Cafe Fusion Sushi                                 242 North Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone: (949) 494-2444
Website: Click Here

 Beach House, The                                619 Sleepy Hollow Lane
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone: (949) 494-9707
 

La Sirena Grill                                 30862 South Coast Hwy.
347 Mermaid Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone: (949) 499-2301
Website: Click Here

Greeter's Corner Restaurant
329 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2111
Phone: (949)494-0361

Thai Brothers
238 Laguna Ave
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2120
Phone: (949)376-9979. 

Cedar Creek Inn
27321 La Paz Rd., Laguna Niguel (949) 389-1800, 26860 Ortega Hwy. and San Juan Capistrano (949) 240-2229 www.eatatcedercreek.com  

Sundried Tomato-Cafe, 949/494-3312
361 Forest Ave
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2138

Hapi Sushi
250 Beach St.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2105
Phone: (949) 494-9109 

B J's Chicago Style Pizza Grill Brewery
280 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2110
Phone: (949) 494-3802
www.bjsbrewhouse.com

Johnny Rockets
188 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2108
Phone: (949) 497-7252 www.johnnyrockets.com  

Salerno Restaurant
220 Beach St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2105
Phone: (949) 497-2600 

Hennessey's Tavern
213 Ocean Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651   Website: Click Here
                      
MADISON SQUARE & GARDEN
320 N. Coast Hwy.
(949) 494-0137


Romeo Cucina
249 Broadway St.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1806
Phone: (949)497-6627
www.costadoro.com/romeo.htm

Cafe Zinc & Market
350 Ocean Ave Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2322
Phone: (949) 494-6302

Villa Romana
303 Broadway St # 101
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1816
Phone: (949)497-6220

Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt
272 Broadway St
Laguna Beach, CA92651-1807
Phone: (949)494-5443

Chinese Combo
215 Broadway St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1806
Phone: (949)497-5777

Orange Inn
703 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2722
Phone: (949)494-6085

Tivoli Terrace
Open July & Aug otherwise Special Events Only 
650 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1837
Phone: (949)494-9650 

Tivoli Too!                                          P.O. Box 956
777 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92652
Phone: 949-494-6044
 

Laguna Feast
801 Glenneyre St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2751
Phone: (949)494-0642

Cafe Zoolu
860 Glenneyre St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2733
Phone: (949) 494-6825

TI AMOS
31727 South Coast Hwy
(949) 499-5350

Stand Natural Food Restaurant
238 Thalia St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2712
Phone: (949)494-8101

Royal Hawaiian
331 N Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1627
Phone: (949)494-8001

Cottage Restaurant
308 N Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1628
Ph:(949)494-3023

Goko Cafe & Deli
907 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2726
Ph: (949)494-4880

Natraj Cuisine of India
998 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2727
Phone: (949)497-9197

Adolfo's Mexican Food
998 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2727
Phone: (949)497-2023

Penguin Cafe
981 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2726
Phone: (949)494-1353

Chapleau Restaurant
853 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1839
(949)494-1541

Serras Bar & Grill
859 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1839
(949) 497-2566

San Shi Go
1100 S Coast Hwy # 303
Laguna Beach, CA92651-2970
Phone: (949)494-1551

Olamendi's
1100 S Coast Hwy # 202
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2969
Phone: (949)497-4148

Wahoo's Fish Taco
1133 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2938
Phone: (949)497-0033

Jack In the Box
1201 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-3115
Phone: (949)494-9060

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
1350 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-3118
Phone: (949)376-1995

Gina's At The Beach
217 Broadway St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1806
Ph: (949)376-3333

242 Cafe & Marketplace
242 N Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1821
Phone: (949)494-2444

Beach House Inn
619 Sleepy Hollow Ln
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2434
(949)494-9707 The Beach House
 

Taco Loco
640 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2450
Phone: (949)497-1635

KFC
695 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2415
Phone: (949)497-5528

Taco Bell
699 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2415
Phone: (949)497-6700

Husky Boy Burgers
802 N Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1426
Phone: (949)497-9605

Picayo
1155 N Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1315
Phone: (949)497-5051

Mandarin King
1223 N Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1316
Phone: (949)494-8992

Royal Thai Cuisine
1750 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-3258
Ph: (949)494-8424

Rumari Restaurant
1826 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-3231
Ph: (949)494-0400

A La Carte
1915 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-3647
Phone: (949)497-4927


Ruby's Diner
30622 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-4240
Phone: (949)497-7829

China Bistro 1, 949 499-5236
30832 Pacific Coast Hwy
South Laguna, CA 92677-2505


Bud's Ice Cream-San Francisco
30862 S Coast Hwy
South Laguna, CA 92677-2505
Phone: (949) 499-6007

Ben Brown's Restaurant
31106 S Coast Hwy
South Laguna, CA 92677-2599
(949) 499-2663

Downtown Stand Natural Food
347 Mermaid St.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2318
Phone: (949) 494-9499
 

The Koffee Klatch  

THE LOFT AT MONTAGE
30801 S. Coast Hwy.
(949) 715-6080

                   Laguna Niguel Restaurants

Romeo Cucina
28241 Crown Valley Parkway (AT GREENFIELD)
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 831-4131
www.costadoro.com/romeo.htm

Cafe Neff
23811 Aliso Creek Rd
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-3902
Phone: (949)831-9464

New Mandarin Garden
29971 Alicia Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-2091
Ph: (949)495-0281

KFC
30071 Alicia Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-2092
Phone: (949)249-1871

Pizza D'Oro
30051 Alicia Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-2090
Phone: (949)495-0814

China Moon
30001 Town Center Dr
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-2066
Ph: (949)249-6868

Int'L House Of Pancakes
23810 Aliso Creek Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Phone: (949)360-0910

Souplantation
23870 Aliso Creek Rd
Laguna Beach, CA 92677-3907
Ph: (949)831-6055

Snooty Fox Restaurant
30242 Crown Valley Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-2365
Phone: (949)495-2298

Daffy's
30100 Town Center Dr # J
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-2064
Phone: (949)495-6117

Mc Donalds
27470 Alicia Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-3412
Phone: (949)448-7148

Laguna Hills Restaurants

King's Fish House
24001 Avenida de la Carlota
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 586-1515

Don Jose's Mexican Restaurant
23972 Avenida De La Carlota
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3119
Phone: (949)581-1570

Food:     Service:     Ambiance:   Overall: 

El Torito Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
24301 Avenida de la Carlota
Laguna Hills CA 92653
(949) 951-9137

Food:     Service:     Ambiance:   Overall: 

Scarantino's Italian Inn
23862 Bridger Rd
Lake Forest, CA 92630-3711
Phone: (949)768-8757

Food:     Service:     Ambiance:   Overall: 

Players Sports Grill
Ridge Route & Moulton Pwky
Laguna Hills, CA
949 588-5973

Food:     Service:     Ambiance:   Overall: 

Simply Delicious Cafe
23521 Paseo De Valencia
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3107
Phone: (949)855-0605

Natraj of India 
24861 Alicia Pkwy.
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
949-581-4200

Au Bon Pain 
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3667
Phone: (949)768-9688

Niki's Tandoori Express
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3667
Phone: (949)586-0663

Ruby's Diner
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3667
Ph: (949)588-7829

Sbarro Italian Eatery
24155 Laguna Hills Mall # 2380
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-7626
Phone: (949)768-9906

Burger King
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3667
Ph: (949)768-1410

Chinese Express
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3667
Phone: (949)472-0323

Round Table Pizza
24155 Laguna Hills Mall # 1690
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3675
Phone: (949)586-0540

Mis Amigos
24155 Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3667
Ph: (949)597-0942

Carrows Restaurant
23952 Avenida De La Carlota
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3119
Phone: (949)837-4963

Pizza Hut
24012 Ave De La Carlota # C
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3100
Ph: (949)586-4700

Koo Koo Roo
24001 Avenida de la Carlota
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 830-8336

Arby's Roast Beef Restaurants
23862 Bridger Rd
El Toro, CA 92630-3711
Phone: (949)581-1082

McDonalds
23861 Bridger Rd
El Toro, CA 92630-3712
Phone: (949)768-2976

Bennigan's
24231 Avenida De La Carlota
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-3606
Phone: (949)837-0340


Restaurants Near

OPAH     (949)360-8822.

Mega Burgers
24310 Swartz Dr
Lake Forest, CA 92630-4744
Phone: (949)588-8289

Jack In the Box
23812 El Toro Rd
El Toro, CA 92630-4730
Phone: (949)581-2883

Carmels
23781 El Toro Rd
El Toro, CA 92630-4729
Phone: (949)770-7050

Jamba Juice
24312 Rockfield Blvd
Lake Forest, CA 92630-4742
Phone: (949)699-4170

Spoons Grill & Bar
23732 El Toro Rd
Lake Forest, CA 92630-4711
Phone: (949)586-4480

Expresso Coffee House
23721 El Toro Rd
Lake Forest, CA 92630-4712
Ph: (949)770-162

The Original Pancake House
26951 Moulton Pkwy
Laguna Hills, Ca 92651
(949) 643-8591

 Dr. Viviane S. Stein

Cosmetic & General Dentistry

31852 S. Coast Hwy., Suite 412 Laguna Beach, CA 949 415.1000

BELIZE Great pre-development price on Resort Condos and Villas $75,000+

 **************************************

NATIVE TRIBE-PRIMITIVES AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY

577 S. COAST HWY, LAGUNA BEACH, CA (949) 376-7632  or go to: NATIVE TRIBE-PRIMITIVES LTD  We now have Color Diamonds

***********************

www.robeks.com
robekscostamesa@hotmail.com

***********************

Where every OC and SD county listing can be found www.buyersonlycoastalrealty.com

***************

WHEN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VISIT PRIMITIVES AT THE VILLAGE IN  LAGUNA BEACH ON THE GOLD COAST. OVER LOOKING THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 

TURQUOISE SILVER JEWELRY, KOKOPELLI, ZUNI, HOPI, NAVAJO, DREAM CATCHERS, KACHINA DOLLS, SILVER JEWELRY, BRACELETS, RINGS, NECKLACES, EARRINGS AND ARTIFACTS 

577 S. COAST HWY, LAGUNA BEACH, CA (949) 376-7632  or go to: NATIVE TRIBE-PRIMITIVES LTD  We now have Color Diamonds

*****************

Laguna Village Cafe Restaurant has re-opened as The Cliff Laguna Beach restaurant!

Laguna Village 577 South Coast Hwy. Laguna Beach, CA (949) 494-1956

Mr. Bones Fine Cigars & Tobaccos

325 Glenneyre Street

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

949 494-8665

www.mrbonesfinecigars.net

Restaurant Dining Reviews

Aliso Creek Inn Restaurant Laguna Beach

By Peggy and Mickey

ALISO CREEK INN lies in Aliso Canyon on 80 acres, someone measured it we guess and it is 365 yards from the beach. And just down the road from the Montage Resort.

They advertise that the resort's restaurant plays up its views of the golf course and red rocks and we found that refreshingly true. They also urge you to discover the perfect blend of nature, fine wine, fine food and elegant comforts. We found that true too and we want to add. It has a heated pool, spa and lots of parking, a rarity for most anywhere in Laguna Beach. They say they take pride on having the most spacious resort in Laguna beach and that their unpretentious yet impeccable service will make you want to visit again and again! And we would not be doing it justice without mentioning the Nine-hole golf course and pro shop. But we were there tonight for the restaurant and lounge.

The first thing that stuck us going into ALISO CREEK INN was the short drive in. It is in just far enough that you don’t hear the traffic from coast hwy. In a serine valley of gorgeous greens of Laguna Beach’s only gulf course and a majestic mountain view with the fresh water of Aliso Creek running through the beautiful length of the property, then empties into the Pacific Ocean, at one of the cleanest beaches in America, ("Aliso Creek Beach). This is truly a tranquil rustic resort in one of the few Canyon Resorts in all of Orange County.

My wife, and our friend Sam and myself a few years back while walking this natural creek, we recovered imbedded in a recent cliff fall from a previous heavy rain a prehistoric man, woman, child and a dog dating back some eight thousand years. Back then they say that Salmon run the creek and that the area was very popular place to live for the early peoples of the area. They had plenty of food from the abundant sea and the Fish and Crawdads in the creek. And to this day Steelhead, other fish and bright red Crawfish have been reported. We in fact at one time before the pier was torn down, you could bait large Lobster and we had Lobster more then anyone should have in those days. Even though the pier is gone the fishing is still great from the beach.

Getting back to the ALISO CREEK INN the reason we are here and is one of our most liked places, which by the way was recently purchased by the local world class resort, the Montage.

The restaurant is simply magnificent the décor is hearting, the service is great and the food is world class. Its prepared by chef Robert Biebrich who has been extra busy lately because of the 5.4 earthquake we just had and the epicenter was only 4 miles from his house so he has been busy cleaning up the mess.  

Robert says his food philosophy is very basic he likes to use the best products available that are in season and to prepare them simply. His sleek presentations and fresh ingredients are part of the appeal at the casually elegant ALISO CREEK INN.

Due to his background training it is entirely French, so the food is based on French ideals. Robert said “I rarely like to use more than 3 or 4 core ingredients on the plate because I feel simplicity is the best way to showcase nature’s products”.  Robert should know something about both food and wine, having spent the past 4 ½ years in Napa Valley. That experience gave him an extra appreciation for local sustainable products and he is slowly pushing the restaurant in that direction by trying to source out only local products.

We were seated by restaurant manager Jaqeline Kane who was very friendly and also very knowledgeable about the property and the local Laguna area as well and we chatted for some time. Our server Elli was pleasant and really knew her foods and all the details and was able to answer mine and my wife Peggy’s many questions. If and when we looked up and needed anything there she was, seemed like on Q. Everyone, from the hosts to the table clearers, and exudes warmth and friendliness.

Limited to nine appetizers and salads, seven entrees and what turned out be a seven-course dinner for us. The entire menu was surprisingly reasonably priced. All the food served us was by far and away some of the best food we have had in a long time. And considering Peggy and I review restaurants for a living that’s saying something. The opening volley was a new presentation called, Amuse: A crab salad, (big chunks) with avocado puree with a heavenly Thai herb dressing.

Our second offering was a White gazpacho with pickled cherries toasted pine nuts and smoked paprika with warm corn chowder and if you can believe it, it came with fantastic marinated shrimp.

Then come an heirloom tomato and water melon salad with cucumber and whipped balsamic teamed up with roasted asparagus salad with chervil oil and morels a la crème which lift us both breathless it was so good!

Next a seared scallop with piperade, white bean stew and bitter coca emulsion with crunchy sautéed halibut with stirfried beans and shitake mushrooms and truffled mushroom broth. We were in paradise no question about it.

Then fresh from the Roberts kitchen came a whole roasted quail with fennel salad and licorice sauce with crispy pork belly and Santa Barbara spot prawns with fenugreek sauce and shaved Fuji apple. Not to shabby I’d say!