In the above audio replay (see it up there?), Ruben Flores and I jump back into my Monday “Best of Laguna Beach” radio show at KXFM 104.7, Laguna’s only community radio. We had A LOT to talk about!
Here’s what the above audio replay covers:
SHOW NOTES
Our Laguna’s “Hospitality Night” review, including the Pepper tree lighting, our opinion on this year’s downtown holiday lighting and our opinion on what Dana Point is doing in comparison, especially at Dana’s Harbor (Festival of Lights). We also talk about 6 restaurants and 2 great retail stores (Nuance and Tuvalu) that our small group dropped in on during the super-packed evening. Ruben also shares his favorite moment of the entire evening.
We chat about Tia and John, the owners of Oak Laguna, which led us to us asking all of you out there to - in the week ahead - support the restaurants that likely didn’t get as much love as those that were so packed in the downtown corridor on Hospitality Night.
My update on ALL the incoming Laguna restaurants I’ve announced since late September. Remember, folks, to follow my Instagram and Facebook @bestoflagunabeach to get my breaking news stories on new restaurants joining us here in Laguna - these are verified facts, not just rumors!
For a update in print, see my release here:
My September new restaurant announcements - OTO Sushi, Truly Pizza and RAW Bar’s three mini-restaurant concepts planned for SoLag.
My late October new restaurant announcement - Piatti Italian coming to 222 Ocean Avenue, which was most recently Suenos. We wax euphoric about missing Chef Craig Strong, who was also in this location (in addition to 4 other concepts he blessed us with before moving to Newport Beach). Ruben also asks me what I think has kept proving “challenging” to restaurant concepts thriving in this specific location. And we talk again about creating a more inviting environment on Ocean Avenue all around.
My November new restaurant announcement + yet another update - OTO Sushi’s opening happened in November, Chef Chris Tzorin’s return to Laguna with Taste Collective, in the former Taco Loco. November also included more updates from me on Pinafini (and we’re hoping he’ll be open before Christmas Day). We also talk about what I know about the Penguin Cafe shift of ownership.
I talk about another “mystery” restaurant possibility and why that space failed for previous restaurant concepts. I put on my Restaurant Consultant hat and talk about what could make any concept really work in this location.
Ruben and I review his last astounding Garden Walk two weeks ago - truly amazing houses and gardens we had access to. And, of course, we started the entire day’s event with a Muzeo Treats tasting of their fantastic chocolates and wafers - they just opened by the Orange Inn … and we all landed at the Walk’s end at GG’s Bistro for lunch and their famous sangrias. So yum.
The LAST Garden Walk of 2024 happens this Saturday, Dec. 14th at 10 a.m. Meet at Laguna Nursery, 481 N. Coast Highway to find out what surprise Ruben has in store for us on this particular tour.
THEN, don’t miss the South Laguna Community Garden Holiday Sing Along on the same day, 2 pm to 4 pm. Free to everyone; please bring a dish of something great to share.
We move into ALL the upcoming holiday events I’ve been gathering from all points and groups - I mention everything I’ve gathered in a quick review. Be sure to grab the latest blog rendition here:
Ruben talks about the miserable loss of a giant, giant Stone Pine tree at our Woods Cove Nita Carman park and empty tree wells that he’d love to see filled. He wants more of us to keep an eye out for struggling trees as most can be saved months before they are not salvageable. He further talks about how well the Sawdust grounds keeps their trees so healthy with “immaculate care,” and mentions Three Arch Bay’s great care of their trees, too, and offers suggestions on how we - as a town - can continue to support our “Tree City.”
We close with a reminder that we’re in the 60 busiest days for restaurants right now … so show some patience and kindness with all the workers there. It is, after all, a season of giving and love!
Join me next Monday for a live interview with Chef Nick Gstrein from The Drake Laguna Beach!
Join me LIVE on Mondays, 2 pm PDT/5 pm EDT at KXFM 104.7 Radio for new restaurant news and reviews, the best Laguna events, and plenty of rockin’ interviews with Laguna Beach chefs, restaurateurs and downright interesting people.
If you’re not nearby to twirl that radio dial … meaning anywhere in the world outside of Laguna Beach proper, download the free KXFM Radio app from Google Play or the App Store, OR just go online to stream 24/7 at the KXFM website:
P.S. The KXFM Radio.org SILENT AUCTION is still alive and well! You’ve got just a few more days to bid on the 5 restaurant gift card package (value” $525!) + dinner with me! See details here:
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