Around Town

Fresh Storefronts

Three new shops have opened their doors in town, offering unique goods and services to locals and visitors alike.

Royan Handmade Jewelry is located downtown, showcasing owner and jeweler Roya Nassirian’s pieces in a variety of styles. Her collections feature standout materials like seashells, pearls or gemstones as well as necklaces, bracelets and earrings that are reminiscent of the seasons, candy and more. Now that summer has passed, Nassirian hopes to shift her focus to creating one-of-a-kind statement pieces, such as a brooch that she recently turned into a new freshwater pearl necklace.

A bit farther south on Coast Highway is Cryo Haus, a luxury cryotherapy spa started by Danielle Logan, whose husband, Colin, owns Logan Bros. Shaving Co., the barbershop right next door. The spa features a full-body, walk-in cryotherapy chamber as well as a special machine called the Pagani T-Shock. Used to freeze and destroy fat cells in troubled areas, this device is said to reduce cellulite while also tightening the skin. Additionally, cute unisex accessories are provided to keep your ears and hands warm during treatment.

Within the same block is Ligne Blanche, an eclectic boutique gift shop with a curated collection of jewelry, porcelain dishes, trays and other products, most of which are handmade. The storefront also has an extensive collection of textiles. “I import our … colorful fabric from France and make bags, table linen[s], makeup cases [and] pillows that are indoor/outdoor,” explains owner Sandrine Guibert. “I sell the fabric and more.” (Royan Handmade Jewelry: 949-376-1900; royanjewelry.com) (Cryo Haus: 949-444-6494; cryohaus.com) (Ligne Blanche: 949-549-4848; ligne-blanche.business.site)

Celebrating Charity

Though he retired from his position as CEO of the now-closed sauce and seasoning developer Case Swayne Co. in 2000, Laguna Beach resident Keith Swayne still works with various businesses and nonprofits. This dedication garnered nominations for National Philanthropy Day from six different OC-based nonprofits, including the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach and Orange County Community Foundation. Subsequently, Swayne was named this year’s Outstanding Philanthropist and will be honored at the annual awards luncheon, to be held Nov. 14 at the City National Grove of Anaheim.

One organization that Swayne is heavily involved in today is The Keith & Judy Swayne Family Foundation, which he co-founded with his late wife in 2004 as a means of engaging younger family members and encouraging them to enter the world of philanthropy. He is also the co-founder of OC Human Relations and the Family Foundation Alliance (an offshoot of OCCF), holds a position on the UC Irvine MIND (Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders) Leadership Council and previously served as chairman of the OCCF board of governors. Past recognitions that Swayne has received include an award from the California Association of Human Relations Organizations as well as the Civil Rights Leadership Award, both of which honor outstanding citizens throughout the state. (949-436-2939; npdoc.org)

Modern Upbringings

A new self-help book, written by Laguna Beach-based entrepreneur Rick Capaldi, hit local shelves in late summer. Through Outreach Concern, a nonprofit headquartered in Santa Ana—for which Capaldi is the co-founder, president and CEO—he has helped provide counseling and other support services to students and families at nearly 1,000 schools throughout Southern California. Since its inception in 1993, Outreach Concern has become one of the largest organizations of its kind in the country. Capaldi’s book, titled “21st Century Parenting,” applies his 40 years of experience as a family therapist in order to help parents navigate the world of raising children. His main strategy is to utilize what he calls the “three Rs,” which include reading children’s environments, regulating their emotional temperature and redirecting their behavior when necessary. This is the same model that has found success in schools throughout the region, leading to highly productive and cooperative familial relationships. For those in need of some expert guidance, the book is available with advance order at Laguna Beach Books and online. (capaldiandassociates.com)

Sharon Hardy (left) and Cynthia Fletcher

Putting the Art in Artisanal

Nearly one year after its Laguna Beach debut, Slice Pizza & Beer has debuted its second pizza box design created by a local artist. This project was decided upon when the eatery opened last October as a way to foster strong community bonds.

The first box featured artwork by Cynthia Fletcher, who has moved toward creating pieces that offer a more traditional representation with an emphasis on using ink and charcoal. These techniques were apparent in her pizza box design, which shows two incredibly detailed hands that are clasped together as a representation of kindness and unity. She also chose a Mother Teresa quote for the inside lip of the box that paired with the message she aimed to convey: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

Now, the pizza boxes at Slice have been graced with a new design by ceramicist Sharon Hardy, whose clay sculptures and wall hangings often depict the dualities of life and tensions within the natural world. The drawing on the box, which diverts from Hardy’s usual medium, is quite tranquil, as it depicts a memory from when she lived on Cerritos Drive and would be greeted each day by hawks soaring over the Laguna hills that were washed with golden morning light. The quote she chose to go along with this is by the late poet Langston Hughes, who said, “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird.” (949-715-3993; slicelb.com)

Under Construction

The Village Entrance Project, which involves the beautification and improvement of accessibility to areas along Laguna Canyon Road, has entered phase 2A as of Sept. 3. This follows the completion of phases 1A and 1B, which included a remodel of Parking Lots 10 and 11 as well as the addition of pedestrian walkways and bike trails, 120 trees and more than 9,000 plants, decorative channel fencing and a storage building for the police department. Though some of these elements are now open to the public, Parking Lot 10, a portion of Parking Lot 11, and Parking Lot 12 are all being used for displaced vehicles as the project moves into refurbishing the city employees’ dedicated parking areas. When the employee lot reopens, the hours will be adjusted so that anyone can use those parking spaces in the evenings and on the weekends. This phase of the project also includes the construction of debris walls along the hillside and a new retaining wall in Parking Lot 12 as well as the installation of a bridge that will allow vehicular access to the employee lot that is currently closed, plus additional channel fencing, seat walls, water quality basins, landscaping and decomposed granite pathways. Phase 2A is expected to be finished by January 2020, when phase 2B will begin and Parking Lot 12 will be closed through the project’s completion in May. There are also plans to include an art installation and beautify the historic digester building, but the details are still being discussed. (949-464-6688; lagunabeachcity.net)

Soaring Superheroes

The Ranch at Laguna Beach recently played host to a heartfelt event for the Flying Hero Club (previously the Smile High Club), founded by stunt coordinator Jim Churchman, who is renowned for his work on Marvel movies, including recent projects like “Doctor Strange,” “Captain Marvel” and various X-Men films. He uses this expertise to create superhero-themed events with the intention of making children smile, specifically those who are battling diseases or have special needs. This particular one was held Aug. 25 and gave participants the opportunity to quite literally reach for the sky with a computerized flying system that has been used by renowned actors like Robert Downey Jr. of “Iron Man” fame and Halle Berry from the “X-Men” franchise. The kids lay on a belly board, or can be strapped in if they are in a wheelchair, and fly about 100 feet across at approximately 4 feet off the ground. Costumes are provided so that kids can dress up as their favorite character while enjoying their flight as well as music, face painting and more. The Flying Hero Club experience is mobile and will continue bringing smiles to children’s faces where and when duty calls. (flyingheroclub.com)

David Skarman | Photo by Jonathan Skarman — David Skarman | *Photo by Jonathan Skarman*

Paddle Power

David Skarman, a Laguna Beach resident and ultralong-distance paddleboarder, has competed in the Catalina Classic for six years (with a goal to participate in at least four more) and, at age 57, achieved his best time yet at this year’s race. His goal was to finish in under seven hours and, after 600 miles and six months of training, he exceeded his own expectations thanks to both the new class of board that he used and the favorable conditions. He also uses these competitions as a means to raise funds for the Laguna Beach-based Mauli Ola Foundation; the nonprofit works with kids who have cystic fibrosis and brings them to the beach for the ocean’s therapeutic qualities, which help them breathe on their own despite serious respiratory issues. Here, Skarman shares his race experience and discusses his inspirational charity work.

Laguna Beach Magazine: This was your sixth year competing in the Catalina Classic. What can you tell us about participating in this year’s race?
David Skarman: This was the first year for me in the unlimited division, … which means the board … [can be any size] over the 12-foot range. So, being older, at 57, and having completed five [races] in the stock division and actually placing, out of the five, three of those in the top four, … I need[ed] to do something that’s a little easier on my body, so I moved to the unlimited division. … After last year’s event, I finished at 7 hours and 17 minutes, so the goal this year was to take an hour off of that. … [The surface, swell and tide conditions all] played into it being a record-breaking year for many, many people; … the world record was missed by one minute [by another paddleboarder]. … I was able to knock an hour and 15 minutes off of last year, so I finished at 6:02, which is a record number for me.

LBM: And we hear that you used a special board for this year’s race?
DS: The board is actually the board that won the whole Catalina race last year. … [It is] 17 feet, 6 inches and it’s about 19 inches wide and it’s very, very unstable, but it has a tiller on it, which means that the fin is controlled by a bar that’s between my legs because it’s too long to turn, and so it’s just a real challenge in choppy water [and] on your knees. … For me, it was about 60-40, so about 60% of the time I’m on my belly and 40% of the time I’m on my knees. On our knees is where we get the power and … that deeper dig, but you’re using more muscle and … a lot more energy, so it was quite a challenge over this training season to get up to steam on where I felt really comfortable on that board, … but it’s nice in the water when the conditions prevail. If conditions are rough, it’s going to have its challenges … [but] everything this year was perfect for going into that unlimited division.

LBM: Finally, let’s discuss your charity work for the Mauli Ola Foundation. What has come from this particular partnership?
DS: We were able to raise … upwards of, I’m going to put it in the $5,000 zone for Berkshire [Hathaway HomeServices California Properties’] donations so, [in] total, we’ll have about $6,000 [to donate to the Mauli Ola Foundation].

… When I was able to qualify to come back into the Catalina Classic, I wanted to do it for a bigger cause than just crossing, … so I did research into multiple foundations [and] … Mauli Ola seemed to fit what I was trying to do. And obviously, it having some local roots and some of the Hawaiian roots, it made the most sense for me, and they’ve been very supportive of my efforts. … This year, I had a 50-foot escort vessel … and we flew the Mauli Ola flag through the entire race, so we were really proud of that. (Catalina Classic: catalinaclassicpaddleboardrace.org) (Mauli Ola Foundation: 949-715-5774; mauliola.org)

Community

SeaChange Summer Party

A star-studded list of guests turned out for the 12th annual SeaChange Summer Party, which benefited the ocean conservation nonprofit Oceana, including actor Ted Danson, who is also vice chair of the organization’s board of directors; filmmaker and environmentalist Alexandra Cousteau, who is Oceana’s senior adviser; actors Sally Pressman, Angela Kinsey and Oscar Nunez; plus others. They were among the more than 400 supporters who gathered at a hilltop estate in Laguna Beach on Sept. 7, raising over $1.5 million for Oceana, with funds going toward the elimination of aquatic plastic pollution. The organization will be advocating for federal legislation to be passed within the next five years to reduce the overabundance of single-use plastics. The party itself included live music by singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and his rock band as well as live and silent auctions that featured the likes of a luxury BMW hybrid car, custom suits from renowned designers, jewelry, vacations and more. (oceana.org)

*Photo courtesy of Pacific Marine Mammal Center*

Call of the Sea Gala

This year marked the most successful Call of the Sea Gala to date. Benefiting the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the 10th annual gala raised nearly $430,000 to go toward the organization’s efforts to provide education and facilitate its research and conservation initiatives as well as rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured marine mammals so they can be released back to the wild. At the event, which took place Sept. 8 at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, more than 240 guests viewed a moving tribute video to co-founder John Cunningham followed by special recognition of Western Digital as the nonprofit’s Philanthropist of the Year for its volunteer work and partnership with PMMC, and Chloe Mei Espinosa as Junior Philanthropist of the Year for founding an impactful Skip the Plastic Straw campaign. The evening’s entertainment was provided by the Wheeland Brothers, who performed reggae-rock tunes that perfectly complemented the beach motif of both the organization and the event itself. (pacificmmc.org)

Gala 2019 Committee | Photo by COBA Images — Gala 2019 Committee | *Photo by COBA Images*

Laguna Art Museum Gala 2019

Kicking off the Laguna Art Museum’s second century of presenting California artworks, Gala 2019 was held at the Festival of Arts grounds on Sept. 21. The evening consisted of a cocktail hour, performance art, dancing and a gourmet, three-course dinner featuring an entree prepared by Craig Strong, chef-owner of Ocean at Main, all enjoyed by 270 guests who came together to raise more than $600,000 to benefit the museum. A few attendees were honored by the museum, including longtime supporters and philanthropists Joe and Jane Hanauer, who were distinguished as the gala’s honorary chairs. Another honoree, Lita Albuquerque, was given the Wendt Award for her significant contributions to the California art scene; she also showcased her work through a piece of performance art titled “Ash,” which commemorated the damage to her home and studio due to the Woolsey fire last year. After the awards, there was a live auction of experiences like a private chef’s table dinner at Studio, a wine tasting at the museum, plus an artistic trip to New York, followed by a paddle raise for more donations. Guests then took to the dance floor and grooved to tunes by the interactive DJ band, Soulcirque. (lagunaartmuseum.org)

Home & Design Special Section

Holistic Harmony

The ancient Chinese art of feng shui is still practiced today, fostering positive energy and enhancing myriad aspects of one’s life.

Though the exact timeline is up for debate, records show that feng shui originated in China more than 3,000 years ago. This ancient concept highlights the importance of finding balance within your environment and harmonizing your chi, or universal life force, through the art of placement. Some believe that applying this to your home or office can affect everything from your career and wealth to relationships, health, creativity and more, with feng shui optimizing energy in favor of the aspects of life you want to improve.

“It’s basically how the energy of the space, whether it’s a home or a business, affects people living [or working] there,” says Jennifer Bonetto, a certified classical feng shui master and owner of Real Feng Shui Soulutions in Laguna Beach, who notes that both negative and positive energy can influence peoples’ lives.

“Whatever energy that home has—it’s based on the Law of Resonance—you’ll start resonating at that same level and you’ll make decisions based on the energy that is present or prevalent there,” Bonetto says. Furthermore, she explains that this is why some people move into a home and consistently make bad decisions while living there, while others move into a new space and are suddenly blessed with an abundance of good fortune. “It’s because the energy in the home or business is either supporting them, hindering them or it’s mixed, like it’s up and down,” she says, adding that this is why each project her company takes on is personalized for the client.

The Path to Prosperity

When Bonetto first started studying feng shui, she knew of the Western interpretation that was introduced to the United States in the 1980s but was eager to dive deeper into the authentic, traditional method. “The only feng shui that I had known at that time was the Americanized version, like painting certain rooms [specific] colors and placing tchotchkes in certain corners,” Bonetto recalls, noting that American feng shui is more based on superstition and the use of particular items like aquariums, bamboo and Buddha statues or images. “… Anything that’s like a symbolic representation of the Chinese culture is usually what Americans will deem as feng shui.”

After studying for more than two years, “I went back and feng shuied every single home I’ve ever lived in to see if the energy matched my experiences and it totally did, so I knew that we were on to something,” she says. Since then, she has optimized her own residence for relationships, family, career and health—with subsequent events being that she met her husband and got pregnant on their first try. Her husband has also received multiple promotions at work and all members of their family are healthy, including their 2-year-old son, who has no sleep issues (a common problem at his age).

“You want to make sure that your home or your business is set up properly so that the energy you are activating is good energy that will enhance money, that will enhance relationships, that will enhance health, so that things continue … [in] a forward, positive direction,” Bonetto says.

When it comes to clients, Bonetto caters to people from all walks of life. Regardless of what each client wants to improve, there are three imperative tools used during the feng shui process: a compass, the Flying Stars chart (like a natal chart for the building) and a bagua (a map of the home’s energy).

“The bagua in … Americanized feng shui—they use it … like a cookie-cutter version and that [practice] assumes that every single home faces north and every single person is the same. So it’s very hit or miss and most people’s initial introduction to feng shui is that, and they usually don’t get a good result, so they feel disenchanted with it,” Bonetto explains.

With classical feng shui, the way things are arranged is based on readings from the three aforementioned tools as well as when people moved in, their birthdays, furniture and decor placement, landscaping and even the directions you face while sleeping or watching TV, plus the way your home faces (this is dependent on where the most energy is coming from outside, which is typically the street since that is where the most activity occurs). This is all with the intention of activating positive energies, whereas you might accidentally be activating negative energies if feng shui hasn’t been applied to a space.

Go With the Flow

The most important aspect of feng shui is ensuring that energy is flowing properly, so one of the biggest yet simplest things one can do to help facilitate this is to declutter. “The more stuff you have in your home, the longer it takes for your goals to come to fruition because it has to do with the energy flow,” Bonetto says, going on to compare this energy flow to driving a car. “… If you’re trying to get somewhere and you … keep hitting red lights, then it takes longer to get there versus if you get all green lights, it’s easier to get there. Well, when there’s a bunch of clutter in your home, the way the energy flows is it has to keep stopping and redirecting.”

Sheldon Harte, founder and principal of Laguna Beach-based interior design firm Harte Brownlee & Associates, agrees that it’s important to ensure there is an organic flow in each room and that natural pathways aren’t blocked by the likes of imprudent furniture placement or general disorganization. “We have all walked into chaotic homes and rooms that have no harmony or flow, and you might not always know what is out of sorts or why, but you can sense it and it all feels wrong,” Harte says. “The home should unfold and reveal itself for positive energy. … You don’t have to have a lot of money to make rooms that are calm, positive and relaxing, for the ultimate flow of chi.”

And though feng shui is inherently personal, there are some general tips and tricks that can be utilized for any home: Avoid homes at the end of a cul-de-sac because there’s too much energy flowing into the home, which can indicate fighting, divorce, money problems and health issues like high blood pressure, stress or anxiety. Make sure that all beds have a headboard, which provides support in relationships, health and money. Do not keep large mirrors in the bedroom, as this can cause sleep issues or, if you’re in a relationship, it can lead to affairs. Also ensure there are no mirrors facing the front door because this will deflect any positive energy that tries to enter the home.

“In the general living area, you just want to make sure that you don’t have a bunch of stuff everywhere—that things are organized and that they are put away—so that the energy can flow in unobstructed,” Bonetto says, noting that this is especially important to apply at the entrance. “… Whenever there is an obstruction by the front door, whether it’s inside or outside, it affects money and career, so you always want to make sure that you don’t have furniture or shoes or anything like a coat rack or a hat rack [in that area].”

She also airs on the side of caution when it comes to color and suggests sticking with neutral tones like grays, browns, beiges and whites, or even blues and greens. “The colors that you want to stay away from, unless you know the direction your home faces and when you moved in, [are] … shades of red because those can activate good energy but it can also activate negative energy,” Bonetto says. “… I always tell people [to] avoid painting walls or using curtains in those shades. If you want accent colors, you can use them for pillows, even area rugs, but avoid painting entire walls those colors just to make sure that you’re not activating negative energy.”

All this being said, for a truly impactful experience with feng shui, the best method is to employ an expert. “This is a time-honored tradition in Chinese culture and, if one is really serious about achieving all the right energy, then … a feng shui practitioner is a great investment,” Harte says.

Especially for those who may be feeling a bit stuck or stagnant, Bonetto strongly encourages them to seek out this positive energy shift and says, “It doesn’t matter what you have going on in your life now, you can always change the energy so that your goals come to fruition and so that you’re not suffering.”

In Your Element

Classical feng shui uses the five elements to categorize energies for both people and homes.

The classical style of feng shui focuses on the five elements: fire, earth, water, wood and metal. Jennifer Bonetto, a certified classical feng shui master and owner of Real Feng Shui Soulutions in Laguna Beach, notes that these elements are not meant to be taken literally, but are used to describe someone’s energy or the energy of their home.

Fire energy does not automatically mean someone should paint the walls of their home red. Instead, this indicates certain personality traits like intelligence, loyalty and a forward-thinking approach as well as a tendency for taking radical action.

Earth homes or people are usually down to earth and intuitive as well as dependable and nurturing, but can also be stubborn, reclusive and even go so far as to hoard if the troublemaker energies are activated in their homes.

Water people or homes are usually excellent at fostering wealth and intelligence while having a distinctly calming energy, though these people can also be highly emotional and sensuous as well as a bit mysterious.

Wood homes or people are often creative, easygoing, flexible and allow for growth due to the strong progessive energies. Though they are often a bit indecisive, they can be outspoken when they do have a strong opinion; they’re also capable of being gentle.

Metal people are authoritative and charismatic, so they typically hold high-powered positions as presidents, CEOs or other business leaders. They’re often protective and family oriented, but can also be excessive and tend to overthink things.

Taste of the Town

Tacos & Tequila

Though this local Mexican eatery is renowned for its homemade tacos and selection of craft beer, even more perfect pairings have made their way onto the drink menu. After three years of operation, Asada Tacos & Beer has been granted a liquor license and has thus started offering a selection of cocktails, namely margaritas. Previously, only soju-based libations were offered. Now, plenty of choices abound, including the Asada Cadillac; a classic, mango or strawberry margarita; the Skinny Chick, made with Casamigos silver, agave and lime juice; or Rosa’s Jalapeno Margarita, which incorporates Hornitos reposado and a jalapeno muddle. This same brand’s anejo can be found in the Mexican Old-Fashioned along with maple syrup, chocolate bitters and a lemon twist—a south-of-the-border take on an American classic. For those who aren’t feeling tequila, the refreshed drink menu also features the Watermelon Cooler with rum, agua fresca and watermelon syrup as well as two Tito’s vodka-based drinks: a spiked sparkling lemonade and Jim’s Bloody Mary, which fans of restaurateur Scott McIntosh are likely to recognize from a similar cocktail with the same name at the adjacent sister restaurant, Reunion Kitchen & Drink. (949-226-7263; asadatacos.net)

Brunch by the Beach

Following the debut of a renewed interior and in concurrence with its 40th anniversary, Las Brisas has made changes to its popular weekend brunch. Previously a buffet-style experience, the oceanfront dining establishment now offers a four-course, prix fixe menu, with the option to upgrade to bottomless mimosas and bloody marys or purchase signature cocktails. The meal itself starts with an assortment of seasonal fruit and sweet breads for the table, followed by a choice of starter like salmon tostadas or pozole verde with pulled chicken, tomatillos, hominy and poblano peppers. Entree options include everything from huevos rancheros, chilaquiles or filet and lobster enchiladas to French toast, an asparagus omelet or a cheeseburger, plus many more. For a sweet finish, opt for a spoonful of traditional flan or a trio of coconut, mango and pineapple sorbets. If you can’t make it in for brunch, the restaurant is also offering new breakfast, lunch and patio menus, the latter of which is ideal for a gorgeous, sunny day in SoCal. (949-497-5434; lasbrisaslagunabeach.com)

A Sensory Experience

Two long-standing annual events, the Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Laguna and KX 93.5’s annual concert joined forces for the first time to present The Taste of Laguna Food & Music Festival. Held Oct. 3 on the Festival of Arts grounds, this evening featured more than 30 restaurants that set up booths throughout the venue and presented attendees with bites of their standout dishes. Samples included the likes of hash fries and jammy eggs from Harley Laguna Beach, lobster ravioli and charred Spanish octopus from Ocean at Main, tacos from South of Nick’s and much more. Other local businesses were also in attendance, such as Honey Girl Grows and its unique, local honey (one flavor derived from this year’s super bloom); Laguna Beach Chakra Spa and Gallery, which offered free tarot card readings; and Laguna Beach Garden Club, which quenched guests’ thirst with fruit-and-flower-infused water. Live musical entertainment spanned four decades with music from the 1960s as performed by Woodie and the Longboards, 1970s tunes by Polyester Express, 1980s hits by Flashback Heart Attack and a tribute to the 1990s by Sega Genecide. Attendees were also encouraged to participate in a silent auction or make direct donations to the presenting organizations. As of press time, the total amount raised was still being calculated. (tasteoflagunabeach.com)

The Golden Foodie Awards night | Photo by Joe Katchka — The Golden Foodie Awards night | *Photo by Joe Katchka*

Honorable Mentions

Four Laguna Beach restaurants have been recognized by Wine Spectator magazine for its annual Restaurant Awards, which highlight international dining destinations (and even some on cruise ships) with exceptional wine programs. This year, honorees included three that have previously been recognized by the publication: Studio at Montage Laguna Beach, which was distinguished as a Grand Award Winner (one of only 100 dining establishments) for the sixth consecutive year; Selanne Steak Tavern, which has won since 2017, with a Best of Award of Excellence for its impressive inventory of more than 3,000 bottles; and Splashes at the Surf & Sand Resort, which has curated a wine list of 375 selections and won for the first time last year, also with a Best of Award of Excellence. Harley Laguna Beach was honored for the first time this year with an Award of Excellence as well.

The wine display at Studio | Photo courtesy of Montage Laguna Beach — The wine display at Studio | *Photo courtesy of Montage Laguna Beach*

Selanne Steak Tavern also received a Golden Foodie Award for Best Wine Program for the second year in a row. This local, people’s choice awards ceremony showcases the best of Orange County’s food and beverage programs. For this particular category, voters are asked to choose the restaurant they believe offers the best wine list that caters to various palates as well as top-notch wine experts who can recommend excellent pairings. And with an internationally recognized program that features more than 425 global selections, it’s no wonder this cellar stands out. (Studio: 949-715-6030; montagehotels.com) (Selanne Steak Tavern: 949-715-9881; selannesteaktavern.com) (Splashes: 888-281-3502; surfandsandresort.com) (Harley Laguna Beach: 949-715-1530; harleylagunabeach.com)

Weaving enchanting stories that honor authenticity ✨

Featured Publications

Dec 18 Laguna Beach Magazine: October/November 2019