Laguna Beach Magazine: March 2019
Rendering of the planned Monarch Bay Beach Club space | Image by Bishop Pass
Up Front: Around Town
Hotel Happenings
Monarch Beach Resort’s oceanfront beach club and American eatery is being renovated and slated to reopen in April. The Monarch Bay Beach Club (formerly known as Monarch Bay Club) in nearby Dana Point will have many refreshed aspects. These include a new logo and atmosphere with an indoor-outdoor feel to accompany an interior design incorporating the casual comfort of a beach cottage sprinkled with sophisticated midcentury elements and a warm, inviting color palette. Other details include an immediate ocean view upon arrival, a spacious bar area, better accessibility, luxurious canopies and lawn furniture as well as updated restrooms inside and on the patio.
Wardrobe by the Waves | Photo by Pacific Dream Photography
Just up the coast is The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, which recently unveiled an elevated personal shopping experience: Wardrobe by the Waves, which is presented in partnership with South Coast Plaza. This program allows guests to peruse the highly sought-after brands at the famous shopping destination from the comfort of their room. Guests will work directly with a seasoned stylist, who will conduct virtual consultations then curate a collection of clothing and accessories for a fitting session upon the guest’s arrival at the resort. Also, starting in May, The Ritz-Carlton will continue its Yappy Hour events—monthly cocktail parties that canines and their humans are invited to attend—which raised more than $90,000 last year. Proceeds benefit The Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit that provides disabled veterans with service dogs.
Another partnership is between The Ranch at Laguna Beach and Catalina Backcountry, which will provide trips to Santa Catalina Island for resort guests. These offerings include two excursions: the Catalina Backcountry Day Package, which features a hike, shopping and exploring the city of Avalon, or an overnight camping trip and two-day hike on the Trans-Catalina Trail, complete with gear, followed by a one-night stay at The Ranch that includes spa treatments and all meals. Both packages come with a round-trip boat ride from Dana Point or Newport Beach.
Additionally, various local resorts have been recognized by Forbes Travel Guide for their accommodations, spas and on-property restaurants. Monarch Beach Resort and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel were both given a Four-Star distinction while Montage Laguna Beach received the Five-Star award. Studio at Montage and Raya at The Ritz-Carlton both also received AAA Four Diamond accolades. (Monarch Beach Resort: 949-234-3900; monarchbeachresort.com) (The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel: 949-240-2000; ritzcarlton.com) (The Ranch at Laguna Beach: 949-499-2271; theranchlb.com) (Montage Laguna Beach: 866-271-6953; montagehotels.com)
Meg Weidner and Donna Mills during filming | Photo courtesy of Bill Nichols
Cinematic Debut
Laguna Beach resident Meg Weidner released her first feature film Jan. 29 through Freestyle Digital Media. Primarily filmed in Laguna, as well as other locations in Orange County, “Best Mom” is a comedy written by and starring Weidner as Addy, a travel writer and mother struggling to discipline her young daughter. In an attempt to connect with her child, Addy joins an improvisation class to throw out the structure she is used to, thus teaching her that both motherhood and improv are failure-based arts.
The film has already received accolades from last year’s Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival with distinctions for Best Family Film as well as recognition for Donna Mills (from “Joy” and “General Hospital”) as Best Supporting Actress in her performance as Addy’s mother and boss. Other notable actors include Jilon VanOver of “Better Call Saul” fame as Addy’s husband, Jason; Violet Hicks from “Vice” as Addy’s daughter, Esther; and Krista Allen from “Baywatch” and “Anger Management” as Jason’s ex-girlfriend and Addy’s improv teacher. (bestmomfilm.com)
An interior view of Amēnah
Open for Business
The eclectic lifestyle store Amēnah (which is a combination of the owners’ names, Amelia and Hannah) carries everything from its own lines of skin care products, size-inclusive clothing, gold-filled jewelry, a candle collection, pottery and furniture. All items available at Amēnah are designed and made by the owners in partnership with local artists. This concept was born from a feeling of disconnect, as the owners noticed most consumers are faced with a choice between quality, consciously made products and affordability—so they wanted to create a brand that incorporates all of those aspects. The store also helps support local organizations, such as the Laguna Beach Parents Club, SchoolPower and KX 93.5 radio station.
Photo courtesy of Buy Hand
Buy Hand, which is known for its products that are handmade locally and around the world, has moved once again. Ever since sisters Kavita and Vidya Reddy opened the retail business in 2012, they’ve dreamed of working in downtown Laguna. Now, that dream has come to fruition after their store moved in February to its third location at 357 S. Coast Hwy., in the space that formerly housed Ning Zhou Gallery (which moved to Aliso Viejo). “We’ve honed our skills as shopkeepers in two locations, learning more and more about what our customers liked and didn’t like,” Kavita says. “… Now we’re ready to try our handmade concept in the mecca of the city.” The store still carries customer favorites like gemstone jewelry, hand-knit stuffed toys and block-print Indian dresses, as well as new goodies. (Amēnah: 949-715-8399; amenahdesigns.com) (Buy Hand: 949-715-0515; lagunabuyhand.com)
Photo by ChiccoDodiFC/Shutterstock.com
A Decline in Crime
The city saw a dramatic decrease in crime last year, leading to the lowest crime rate on record, as reported by the Laguna Beach Police Department. Overall, the city saw a reduction of 14 percent, which includes both property and violent crimes. The crime that changed most drastically was burglary, which the police department attributes to its law enforcement officers engaging with and educating the community about unlocked doors and open garage doors as well as arresting those responsible for past crimes of this nature. Larceny also decreased a significant amount, while frequency of other crimes like auto theft, sexual assault and robbery went down slightly; the number of aggravated assaults and murders stayed the same (there have been no murders in town since 2012) and the amount of simple assaults and arson saw a slight increase. (lagunabeachcity.net)
Photo courtesy of City of Laguna Beach Public Works Department
Stairway to Pearl Street
After closing off access to Pearl Street Beach in August due to erosion and low levels of sand, the Laguna Beach City Council has unanimously approved a rehabilitation project. This will include replacing the stairs and walkways that lead to the beach as well as improving the surrounding landscape by adding large succulents and other native plants. After a bidding process, the project was awarded to Wright Construction Engineering. The total cost of construction management, inspection, engineering, surveying and geotechnical observations will be almost $1.16 million. About $510,000 of that will be transferred from the Anita Street Beach Access Improvement project, as the Pearl Street Beach project has been deemed more pressing. Funds will be restored for the Anita Street Beach project in next year’s budget. (949-497-3311; lagunabeachcity.net)
Photo by Birdiegal/Shutterstock.com
Seal Spotting
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center has launched a new smartphone app that will allow users to upload photos and information about tagged seals that are spotted in the wild. Created in partnership with engineering students at the University of California, Irvine, the Seal Spotter app will allow the marine mammal rehabilitation organization to keep track of its patients (as well as those released from other centers) and monitor success rates after they are reintroduced to their natural habitat. It will also serve as a platform for users to learn about the history of marine mammal life in the area as well as conservation in general. The 10-week collaboration brought together the notions of research and conservation to create a project that allowed the students involved to apply their knowledge in the real world while simultaneously strengthening the PMMC’s research efforts. The app is available for Android and iOS devices. (949-494-3050; pacificmmc.org)
Photo by COBA Images
Up Front: Community
California Cool Art Auction
The Laguna Art Museum hosted its 37th annual California Cool Art Auction, the longest-running benefit of its kind in the entire state, on Feb. 16. A live auction led by renowned art appraiser and auctioneer Aaron Bastian included 18 artworks, such as “Card Trick” by Tony DeLap, “Ember Vessel” by the late John Mason, “5am” by Laddie John Dill and more, while the silent auction offered another 97 pieces for the more than 250 attendees to bid on. The live auction garnered $181,000 while the silent auction raised $179,000; a fund-a-need campaign that was presented by the museum’s curator of education, Marinta Skupin, received another $41,000 in addition to around $34,000 raised by ticket sales. In total, the evening raised more than $435,000 for the museum’s various exhibitions, which focus on collecting and preserving California art, as well as its educational programs that focus on children and teens in kindergarten through high school. (lagunaartmuseum.org)
Dinner Dance chairs Gina Alshuler and Gorjana Reidel | Photo by COBA Images
SchoolPower Dinner Dance
More than 300 guests attended the 34th annual Dinner Dance, presented by local nonprofit SchoolPower with an Outside the Box theme Feb. 9 at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. The event raised more than $330,000 to support schools in Laguna Beach. Those in attendance as well as remote parties bid on silent and live auction items, such as a weeklong vacation in Deer Valley, Utah; VIP passes to the exclusive, upscale Los Angeles club The Magic Castle; jewelry from Fredric H. Rubel; and more. The 2019 Fund-a-Need initiative was introduced during the evening, titled Building Your Future Self, which aims to foster environments for children that allow them to discover who they are, such as their personal strengths and passions. All funds raised will benefit this program, which includes online resources for career exploration, high school curricula focused on research and entrepreneurship as well as a mentorship program that will connect students with professionals in the community. (lbschoolpower.org)
Photo by Brad Thontlin Photography
Cat’s Meow Champagne Brunch
The sixth annual Cat’s Meow Champagne Brunch, presented by The Blue Bell Foundation for Cats, was held Feb. 17 at seven7seven. The 135 supporters in attendance were treated to free-flowing Champagne, a brunch buffet and prizes, such as for the best cat-themed outfit. A silent auction of items donated by local artists and businesses, along with ticket sales, helped raise approximately $12,750. Proceeds will benefit the Community Cat Fund, which supports the cost of care for cats given to Blue Bell, particularly older felines that typically have a more difficult time getting adopted. During the event, the organization’s chairwoman, Susan Hamil, spoke about these costs, which typically include $50,000 for cat food and $5,000 for litter each year. Hamil also honored volunteers Ken Paulson, Chris Lutz and Gail Spivack as well as a staff cat caregiver, Mary Oviedo, with Blue Bell Cat Awards for their hard work and dedication. (bluebellcats.org)
Photo by Pacific Dream Photography
Taste of the Town: Dine Sides
Easter Eats
One of the newest eateries in town, Harley Laguna Beach, unveiled a brunch menu in late February that’s available on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Standout offerings include braised bacon steak with a honey glaze by Orange County-based Backyard Bees, Indonesian long pepper and a side citrus salad; hearty buttermilk biscuits topped with house-made sausage gravy; and steel-cut oatmeal that incorporates Cordillera dark chocolate, raw organic brown sugar and berries. Delicious side dishes also grace this menu, such as toast from OC Baking Co., twice-smoked bacon, Kennebec hash browns, fruit from local farms and more. Those who enjoy a morning libation can also opt for bottomless mimosas with a choice between Roederer Estate brut or Louis Roederer Brut Premier, a bloody mary, or take it back to college days with a Chambong experience, which is essentially a classy Champagne shooter. (949-715-1530; harleylagunabeach.com)
Oatmeal at Harley Laguna Beach | Photo by Anne Watson
Brunch & Beyond
Local resorts are hosting myriad Easter brunch events for the entire family to enjoy. At Montage Laguna Beach, choose from one of three brunch options: a Masterpiece Easter Celebration featuring a 12-station buffet with savory and sweet dishes, a Champagne toast, live music and children’s activities; Studio will host a multicourse tasting menu; and The Loft will offer an a la carte menu with Easter specials like lamb osso buco and pan-seared salmon as well as desserts like a pear-blackberry crisp and profiteroles.
In Dana Point, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel will also host a brunch buffet in The Pavilion ballrooms with savory stations filled with mixed salads, bespoke omelets, fresh seafood, carved meats and more. At Monarch Beach Resort, the Easter Bunny will pass out eggs during brunch. The meal will be followed by an egg hunt, which will be complimentary for brunch and resort guests. (Montage Laguna Beach: 866-271-6953; montagehotels.com) (The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel: 949-240-2000; ritzcarlton.com) (Monarch Beach Resort: 949-234-3900; monarchbeachresort.com)
Photo by Dondee Quincena
From Burgers to Baja
The company behind Newport Beach favorite Bear Flag Fish Co. will bring its Baja California concept, Wild Taco, to Laguna Beach; it’s expected to open this summer. This will be the eatery’s second location, taking over the 1,850-square-foot space that formerly housed American diner Johnny Rockets. The 56-seat fast-casual dining establishment will have counter service as well as a selection of beer and wine. The interior is expected to stem from both Baja and California surf culture, all centered around a counter seating area and semi-exposed kitchen. The restaurant’s signature farm-to-table menu, which features hormone-free meats as well as handmade tortillas and salsas, will be available and include the likes of street corn, ahi poke nachos, tacos, vegetarian options, weekend brunch and more, all at an affordable price.
Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill chef and co-owner Mariano “Maro” Molteni | Photo by Molteni Kitchen
Royal Revamp
After selling his local Argentinean bistro Maro Wood Grill in 2017, chef Maro Molteni and his brother, chef Martin Molteni, are now the owners and operators of Royal Hawaiian. This restaurant and Tiki bar has been an iconic Laguna Beach landmark since 1947, with Mo Honarkar purchasing the building and entire commercial block in 2015. Honarkar will act as the Moltenis’ landlord as they take over the business. Closed since Jan. 22, the brothers plan to reopen Royal Hawaiian in mid-March with a revised menu that will meld the Polynesian and Argentinean cultures through the traditional cooking method of wood-fire grilling steak and seafood. Locals will be pleased to know that the Lapu Lapu cocktail will return and “is never going to go away,” according to a statement by Maro. Meanwhile, Martin—who is based in Argentina, but will be traveling regularly between his home base and Southern California—is focusing on the menu and kitchen management while Maro is working on hiring, interior design and kitchen changes. (949-715-1470; royalhawaiianlb.com)
