Beyond the Stilts: The Secrets Behind Amorelia’s Laguna Landing

New chef. New menu. New legacy in the making. Step behind the curtain at Laguna’s most anticipated opening.

The next version of the 15-year Costa Mesa restaurant icon, Amorelia’s, is setting up shop at our only Laguna Beach restaurant built on what I call “stilts” – at 858 S. Coast Highway.

And, just like the building’s 2-story height in this location, this family-owned biz is scaling their menu UP to reflect an enticingly fresh menu, not only reflecting the finest in steaks, seafood and more, but adding in centuries of discoveries and articulation from Mexico’s refined cuisine.

It will be called: Amorelia Cocina Artesanal. The team is looking to open the new addition to Laguna Beach in mid July.

“I knew for years that I needed to be in Laguna Beach because I wanted to expand to more … and this is THE creative place you do that,” Owner Gloria Seretti told me.

“It took a few years of looking for the perfect place, but I believe this place was meant to be for us. I knew it from the start.”

General Manager Joaquin Torres is now accepting applications for all positions (minus the Executive Chef … and trust me, that reveal alone is worth the scroll). Hard-copy resumés preferred.

So what’s really going down inside Amorelia Cocina Artesanal?

Think raw bar, wagyu, uni and five seating areas that aren’t just for sunset views.

👉 VIP Members: Continue the read below for the full scoop on Laguna’s next major restaurant moment.