Visit Laguna Beach Visitors Guide 2020 - 49

OUTSHINE PR

admission fee to access the cat
lounge. Aside from the feline
room, guests can enjoy a variety
of toasts and salads in addition
to snacks like a trio of cheeses or
chips served with guacamole. Or,
opt for a glass of wine or a coldbrew coffee. (949-619-6369;
catmospherelaguna.com)

The drake
Located where the former Taboo
Grill stood, The Drake, "Where
Great Food Meets Live Music," will
be one of Orange County's premiere intimate dining and music
spaces featuring contemporary
American cuisine by acclaimed
chef Paul Gstrein, with nightly live
jazz, R&B and blues in a stylish
dining room, piano bar lounge
and cozy fire-wall al fresco patio.
Opening late 2019. (949-276-1000;
thedrakelaguna.com)

south of nicks
Nearly everything on the menu
at this Mexican eatery and bar is
made in-house, from the salsas
to the jalapeno-infused tequila
and corn tortillas. Among the
most popular dishes are the
filet mignon ranchero served
fajita-style, and carne nortena,
which is a sliced steak adobo. The
eatery is also known for its fresh
seafood options, including the
lobster enchiladas and chipotle-dusted, pan-seared fish. The
cuisine is complemented by the
lively atmosphere and creative
libations like the Mexican mojito
and sweet-yet-tangy El Chamuco
margarita. (949-715-3717;
nicksrestaurants.com)

Lost pier cafe
This ultracasual, beachfront
space opened summer 2018 as

Laguna
Beach Beer Co.

an extension of The
Ranch at Laguna
Beach. It offers breakfast, lunch, options
just for kids and quick
grab-and-go snacks,
plus beach essentials
like sunscreen and
towels. Some of the
most popular morning meals include
the breakfast burrito,
the avocado toast
and the paper bag
beignets. Come afternoon, select from salads or meaty dishes
with ingredients
from land and sea. The Fisherman's
Ceviche is made with the freshest catch, while the cheeseburger
includes a hearty 8-ounce blend of
chuck and brisket. (800-223-3309;
theranchlb.com)

Laguna Beach Beer Co.
(LBBC) opened a tasting
room and restaurant in the
city that bears the brand's
name and, unlike the more
industrial dwellings of other
Orange County breweries,
it is taking advantage of its
spacious location in Laguna
Canyon, offering both
indoor and outdoor seating,
with a wood-fired oven as
a focal point in the kitchen.
The carefully constructed
menu offers a variety of
items including specialty pizzas and other light
fare. Added bonus: There
is ample parking, and the
Laguna trolley stops right
in front of the business.
(lagunabeer.com)

Mclain cellars

roux
Walking into Laguna's only Creole
restaurant is like being transported
to New Orleans. Situated in a house
that was built in the late 1930s, the
charming setting is a perfect match
for the Southern hospitality the
eatery is known for. After a brief closure, Roux reopened in early 2019
with a fresh menu full of Louisiana
flavor. Renowned regional dishes
like fried oysters, jambalaya and
shrimp and grits offer an authentic
taste of the South, with gluten-free,
vegan and diabetic-friendly options
also available. (949-715-3707;
rouxlaguna.com)
COURTESY THE RANCH LAGUNA BEACH

Founded by husband-andwife team Jason and Sofia
McClain, McClain Cellars
grows and harvests its
grapes and makes its wine
all in Santa Ynez Valley along
California's Central Coast.
In early 2019, the winery
opened its local tasting
lounge in Laguna Canyon.
More than a dozen varietals
and blends are offered, with
unique names like Cloud
Nine chardonnay, Laguna
Sunrise muscat and the
highly rated Purpose Road,
a sangiovese-merlot blend.
Visitors can pair the wines
with charcuterie platters,
tastes of olive oil and artisan popcorn, as well as
live music on some nights.
(949-590-9980;
mcclaincellars.com)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
A SAMPLE OF TOASTS FROM
CATMOSPHERE; A CREOLE DISH
AT ROUX; AVOCADO TOAST FROM
LOST PIER CAFE; THE DINING
ROOM AT SOUTH OF NICKS

VISITLAGUNABEACH.COM I DESTINATION GUIDE 2020

49
http://www.lagunabeer.com http://www.theranchlb.com http://www.catmospherelaguna.com http://www.nicksrestaurants.com http://www.rouxlaguna.com http://www.thedrakelaguna.com http://www.mcclaincellars.com http://www.VISITLAGUNABEACH.COM
Visit Laguna Beach Visitors Guide 2020

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