Laguna Beach Feasts 2024
Lucky me to have a sweet mother-in-law who needs frequent visits and lives in Laguna, CA. The climate and the scenery are usually excellent. The restaurant scene is legendary. This is a getaway weekend destination for Los Angeles. Laguna is also a vacation destination for USA and international citizens.
(Click on any photo and it will pop up and you can scroll across to see them all large with only one click.)
The Scallops and Corn Risotto were so spectacular at 230 Forest Avenue I wanted to go back the next day and order it again. Cooler minds prevailed and we tried another famous spot that is new to us, Evan’s Gourmet. Their version of Shrimp and Grits inspired me to make a list of the seven recipes in my cookbook collection to try, thank you Eat Your Books for making that easy. Many cooks think they have the definitive recipe. My best guess about the superiority of this dish is the shrimp were cooked in brown butter before ascending the throne of grits. Evan’s also gets a thumbs up for the biggest plate of home fries to share I’ve ever seen.
No trip to Laguna is complete without a bowl of Cioppino from Nick’s. Every bowl is served with a loaf of hot bread. It’s consistently the best fish stock I’ve ever had. Read all about how I cook Cioppino here. I’m sure other menu items are good because the place is always packed and it’s hard to get a reservation, but I’ve never tried anything else!
Other than eating, the main sports are walking, surfing, skate boarding, volleyball and gallery hopping. Art and artists abound in this area. If you visit in the prime time months of summer, unique entertainments include the Pageant of the Masters and the Sawdust Art Festival. It’s all good in Laguna Beach. Even sitting is an art activity.