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Contents features

38

WHAT’S BREWING

Laguna is brimming with new coffee shops, adding to several longtime cafes, all serving up steaming hot—or iced—cups of caffeine.

By SHARAEL KOLBERG

42

CANYON CRUSH

Laguna Canyon Winery marks a milestone of producing award-winning vino in town.

By SHARON STELLO

TASTE OF TRADITION

Local culinary experts reveal how family recipes have shaped their menus.

By ASHLEY RYAN

Island Living Meets Desert Luxury

Contents features / departments

A CYCLING CELEBRATION

Laguna Bicycle Festival gears up for its inaugural event with demos, group rides, films, live music, guest speakers and more.

By SHARON STELLO

Mozambique,

DEPARTMENTS

FINDING THEIR TRUE NORTH

United by friendship and driven by talent and determination, this popular local band is hitting its stride with the release of its first full-length record.

By TANYA A. YACINA

TRAVEL: CULTURAL IMMERSION

History, art and culinary adventures create a feast for the senses in Mexico City.

By SHARON STELLO

TASTE OF THE TOWN

Explore the latest news about dining out in Laguna Beach.

Around Town A look at the latest happenings around Laguna

Community

Bob Margolis Golf Tournament; SeaChange Summer Party; Art & Fashion Affair; Provenance Auction & Exhibition

26

A&G: Melding Art and Science Award-winning jeweler Adam Neeley combines his talents in goldsmithing and gemology with masterful designs to create wearable pieces of art.

28

Home: Cutting Corners

From architectural arches to furniture pieces with rounded edges, the trend of embracing curves continues in contemporary homes.

30

Q&A: Once Upon a Time

Step into the Enchanted Forest to experience a world of wonder at the Museum of Make Believe. 58

Last Impressions: 10 Minutes With … Kaira Rouda

The local author shares a glimpse into her recent and upcoming books and some of her favorite places in town.

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Magazine

EDITORIAL

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A Season to Savor

As summer gives way to fall and busy school and work schedules resume, a hot cup of coffee often feels necessary to get through the early mornings and deadlines. Luckily, a slew of new cafes have popped up around town in the past year, offering all manner of caffeine-filled espresso, lattes, tea drinks and more. They join several longtime Laguna coffee shops, making it easy to grab a cup of joe on just about every corner.

As part of this issue’s Eat & Drink special section, read all about Laguna’s coffee culture on page 38. Another drink is also showcased in a story about Laguna Canyon Winery marking its 20th anniversary. Although the grapes are grown in Northern California vineyards, every other step of producing the label’s vino takes place in the winery’s Laguna Canyon space. For more on the brand, plus its wine pairing dinners and wine blending classes, turn to page 42. In this edition, we also highlight a few local chefs who honor their families’ recipes—passed down through the generations—at their Laguna restaurants (page 46).

Elsewhere in the magazine, we talk with local band The Great North Special, which released its first full-length record this summer and debuted its music during performances at Bluebird Park and Rivian South Coast Theater. Performing everything from country-funk to soul-blues, psych-rock and jazz, this band knows how to jam (page 34). We also pay tribute to award-winning jeweler Adam Neeley, who recently wrapped up a retrospective exhibit and the first decorative arts display at Laguna Art Museum. The talented gemologist and goldsmith also has started a nonprofit, Gorgeous Little Things, to encourage the next generation to learn about the industry and perhaps find a passion for making jewelry (page 26).

And, lastly, we preview the inaugural Laguna Bicycle Festival, which descends on the Festival of Arts grounds in late October. The three-day event brings together an exhibit on the evolution of bikes through history as well as BMX stunt shows, live music, guest speakers, group rides and bike clinics for all ages and riding levels. With Laguna’s biking history, top-rated trails and famous local riders, it seems like a perfect fit. Gear up for the event by reading “A Cycling Celebration” on page 32.

With so much happening this season, no doubt it will rush by in a blur. In between the hustle and bustle, make sure to hit pause and savor a few moments this fall, whether that’s sipping a cup of coffee while reading this magazine or listening to new music by The Great North Special or checking out a new event like the bike festival.

Sharon Stello Group Editor sharon@firebrandmediainc.com

Food takes center stage in this issue, from local chefs sharing family recipes at their restaurants (page 46), like Alessa by Chef Pirozzi (pictured), to the abundance of coffee shops popping up in town (page 38) to Laguna Canyon Winery’s 20th anniversary (page 42).

calendarof events

“DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER” THROUGH SEPT. 22; LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE

This side-splitting comedy, presented at Laguna Playhouse in 1997, is back by popular demand. The farce features a married couple with lots of sexy secrets, a cook mistaken for a mistress, a mistress who doesn’t know her way around the kitchen, and plenty of other mistaken identities and mixed up alibis for a night that will surely keep the crowd laughing. (949497-2787; lagunaplayhouse.com)

WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS FILM GALA

SEPT. 21; NEW PORT THEATER, CORONA DEL MAR

Laguna Beach-based nonprofit With My Own Two Hands will present its 11th annual Film Gala, which showcases the work it’s doing in East Africa and helps raise money to support those ongoing efforts to bring clean water, regenerative agriculture solutions,

financial resilience and gender equity to communities in need in the region. Hosted by ESPN’s Stan Verrett, the evening will include a seated dinner, live auction and documentary screening. (949-4165005; withmyown2hands.org)

CHEF MASTERS

SEPT. 22; FESTIVAL OF ARTS GROUNDS

Foodies and dog lovers alike will enjoy this culinary celebration that also raises funds for nonprofit Unconditional, which helps to find homes for senior and special needs dogs and is currently building a state-of-the-art rescue center in town. At the event, savor bites and sips from some of the area’s best chefs, restaurants and wineries. (714-345-0496; chefmasters.org)

BEHIND THE DANCE

SEPT. 26; FORUM THEATER AT FESTIVAL OF ARTS GROUNDS

Kick off the Laguna Dance Festival’s 20th anniversary season

Left: The Paint Out event for kids is just part of the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational. Above: Crowds flock to the annual Taste of Laguna event for local food and drink samples.

at this behind-the-scenes look at the dance-making process with Jacques Heim, founder and creative director of Diavolo dance group, along with Jodie Gates, founder and artistic director of the dance festival. Attendees will have the rare chance to see a dance piece created in real time with audience participation in the choreography. (lagunadancefestival.org)

BETH TUESDAYS

OCT. 1; LAGUNA BEACH CULTURAL ARTS CENTER

Hosted by Beth Fitchet Wood, this monthly singer-songwriters showcase will present a concert by Daisy Abrams with Ramona Ault and Charlie Roberts. Abrams, with classical piano background and guitar talents, is known for heartfelt lyrics around themes of loss, love and self-discovery. Ault, who is in bluegrass band Prairie Sky, performs melodic songs that tell simple stories while Roberts brings energy to his clever, caring songs; together

they form The Simmers duo. (949625-2787; lbculturalartscenter.org)

TASTE OF LAGUNA

OCT. 3; FESTIVAL OF ARTS GROUNDS

Enjoy gourmet bites and signature dishes from more than 30 OC restaurants and award-winning chefs at this food and music festival, which also will feature a silent auction and a concert by The Mighty Untouchables band, with proceeds benefiting the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. (949-4941018; tasteoflagunabeach.com)

LAGUNA BEACH PLEIN AIR PAINTING INVITATIONAL

OCT. 5-13; VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Organized by the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, the 26th annual invitational will feature 30 invited artists who paint outdoors around town and compete for cash prizes. Attendees will have the chance to purchase original paintings created during the nine-day

event, meet the artists and watch as their masterpieces unfold on the canvas. In addition to a Paint Out for kids, the invitational includes panel discussions and culminates in the Collectors Art Party on Oct. 12 and an Art Show on Oct. 13, both at the Festival of Arts grounds. (949-376-3635; lpapa.org)

CLASSIC CAR SHOW AND OKTOBERFEST

OCT. 6; PARKING LOT AT FOREST AVENUE AND LAGUNA CANYON ROAD Hot rods, antiques and muscle cars

will all be on display at this invitational event organized by Rotary Club of Laguna Beach, which attracts hundreds of automobile enthusiasts each year. In addition to the vehicles on display, an Oktoberfest celebration will offer German food, a beer garden, live music and a raffle for prizes donated by local businesses. (lagunabeachcarshow.com)

“FRED TOMASELLI: SECOND NATURE”

OCT. 6 - FEB. 2, 2025; LAGUNA ART MUSEUM

Inspired by Southern California’s

natural beauty and fantasy culture, Fred Tomaselli brings together explosive and hallucinatory images and patterns suspended as hand-painted and collaged elements between clear resin layers, creating unnerving pieces that grapple with issues like the pandemic, race relations and police brutality. The exhibit features nearly 50 new and recent works by the artist, including resin pieces and some from his New York Times series developed during the pandemic. (949494-8971; lagunaartmuseum.org)

BEACH BONFIRE AND SUNSET SOCIAL

OCT. 6; ALISO BEACH PARK

Organized by Laguna Pride 365, this event offers the chance to snuggle up with a loved one or make new friends around the crackling bonfire under the stars from 5-9 p.m. There will be popcorn and all the fixings for making s’mores, but all are welcome to bring any snacks they would like to share— and don’t forget a beach chair. Look for the flying pride flags for the location. (lagunabeachpride.org)

LAGUNA BICYCLE FESTIVAL

OCT. 25-27; FESTIVAL OF ARTS GROUNDS

Jam-packed with all things related to bicycles—road, mountain, BMX, custom and vintage bikes—this new festival will present an “Evolution of the Bicycle” exhibit, an expo, live music and films, stunt shows, demo bikes, group rides, clinics, guest speakers and meet-andgreets with professional athletes. There will also be bike races and crafts for kids. (lagunabikefest.com) /

EDITOR’S NOTE: EVENTS MAY CHANGE. CHECK WITH ORGANIZERS FOR UPDATES.

TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENT: edit@lagunabeachmagazine.com; If you’re on Facebook, make sure to “like” Laguna Beach Magazine, and follow @LagunaBeachMagazine on Instagram.

FIRST THURSDAYS ART WALK: Oct. 3; VARIOUS LOCATIONS

First Thursdays Art Walk is a beloved tradition in town that encourages locals and visitors to view artwork and mingle at local galleries. As part of Laguna Dance Festival’s 20th anniversary season, dance performances will be presented in immersive settings at various venues during art walks in October, November, March and April. (949-463-4800; firstthursdaysartwalk.org)

LAGUNA ART MUSEUM:

ONGOING

In addition to art exhibits, check out special events, including a Sept. 20 figure drawing workshop; a Sept. 22 talk about artist Jay DeFeo’s career by guest curator Rochelle Steiner and Leah Levy, executive director of The Jay DeFeo Foundation; and an Oct. 6 talk by artist Fred Tomaselli about his work. (949-494-8971; lagunaartmuseum.org)

LAGUNA BEACH FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon; Forest Avenue and Laguna Canyon Road (ocerac.ocpublicworks.com)

LAGUNA BEACH LIVE:

This nonprofit presents free program for kids up to age 6 at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Laguna Beach Library and chamber concerts from 1-2 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month at Laguna Art Museum. (949-715-9713; lagunalive.org)

NATURE HIKES:

Various dates; Laguna Canyon Foundation (949-497-8324; lagunacanyon.org)

SAWDUST STUDIO ART CLASSES: Sawdust Art Festival may have already ended for the season, but year-round art classes are offered at the festival grounds in mediums from photography to acrylic and watercolor painting, mosaics and glassblowing. (949-494-3030; sawdustartfestival.org)

Former Mayor Kelly Boyd polishes his entry in a past year’s Classic Car Show organized by Rotary Club of Laguna Beach.

“Irwin’s Garden,” a mixed media piece by Fred Tomaselli featuring acrylic, photo collage, leaves and resin on a wood panel

Around Town / A Smashing Success

In the OC Fair’s Motorhome Madness—its version of a demolition derby—the goal is to crash into other RVs in the contest and destroy them without self-destructing. And the last one standing wins. This year, Laguna Beach Fire Department competed against other police and fire agencies in a three-day first responder extravaganza that served as a fundraiser, collecting more than $51,500 for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). The RV driven by Laguna Beach Fire Chief Nico King emerged as the champion in the event and also snagged “best in show” for motorhome design; it was painted by 16 Laguna College of Art & Design students with help from muralist and LCAD instructor James Thistlethwaite. The design features a dragon blowing blue and white flames on one side and a lizard or gecko using a hose to spray water on the other side. Hobie Surf Shop sponsored the Laguna team. When King was presented with the trophy, he looked into the crowd and found some of the LCAD students that worked on the project and presented the trophy to them. Reflecting later on the work by the art students, Laguna fire Capt. John Kuzmic says, “They did such a fantastic job. We can’t say thanks enough for all they did for us.” (Laguna Beach Fire Department: lagunabeachcity.net) (Laguna College of Art & Design: lcad.edu) —Sharon Stello

THREE PAINTINGS BY FESTIVAL OF ARTS EXHIBITORS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE FESTIVAL’S PERMANENT ART COLLECTION INCLUDING “LET’S SEE ABOUT THAT,”

BY BRUCE BURR; “LIBRARY ENTRANCE,” OIL ON CANVAS, BY SUSAN HOEHN; AND “HOLLYWOOD & VINE” WATERCOLOR AND PASTEL, BY DAVID MILTON. (FOAPOM.COM)

CLUB BOOSTERS

Support has been strong for the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, which recently collected more than $3,700 in a fundraising campaign at Ace’s Coast Hardware. Over a three-month period wrapping up in May, the Broadway Street store encouraged its customers to support the club’s vital programs, helping to fulfill its mission of empowering young people to become productive, caring and responsible citizens. More recently, the organization announced in June that it had received a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation. In addition to garnering funds, the club also was recognized with a Hero of Youth award from the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America for its advocacy on behalf of California’s youth. For example, the club participated in Boys & Girls Club’s California Alliance Days of Advocacy at the state Capitol in Sacramento in April, having met with Sen. Dave Min and other state leaders. (949494-2535; bgclagunabeach.org) —Clara Beard

Laguna College of Art & Design students painted the RV for Laguna Beach Fire Chief Nico King (back, second from left) to drive in the Motorhome Madness contest.

Representatives from the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach accept a donation check from Coast Hardware.

THRILLING READING

Author Suzanne Redfearn has a new book coming out.

Fans of the suspensethriller genre will be delighted to know that come Oct. 8, the latest novel by local author Suzanne Redfearn—to be published under the name S.E. Redfearn— will hit shelves, e-readers and audiobook apps alike. “Two Good Men,” from Blackstone Publishing, tells the tense tale of a troubled scientist and a broken FBI agent who are both charging at the same noble goal from diametrically opposing angles. According to the author, inspiration partially came from the “melancholy introspections” bestowed upon her by a middle school teacher given to poignant digressions at the end of class. Redfearn, who is a No. 1 Amazon and USA Today bestselling author of six other novels, including “Where Butterflies Wander,” “Moment In Time” and “Hush Little Baby”; along with her husband, she also co-owns local eateries Lumberyard and Slice Pizza & Beer. (suzanneredfearnauthor.com) —C.B.

S. Coast Hwy, Ste. 108, Laguna Beach Mon–Sat 11:30am-8pm • Sun 9am-7:30pm

Moroccan Adventures

Just before sliding into the holiday season next year, lucky travelers who sign up for Village Travel Laguna Beach’s Morocco Kingdom Of Light excursion will be headed off to Mediterranean views and the labyrinthine streets of ancient cities from Oct. 29 to Nov. 11, 2025. The two-week trip is in partnership with chef Amar Santana and business partner Ahmed Labbate of Laguna restaurant Broadway by Amar Santana. Known for his appearances on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef,” Santana previously took part in a European cruise through the same travel agency in 2023. Notably, Labbate is from Morocco and will be able to provide special insight into the destination. This trip will include 4-plus to 5-star lodging, guided dune buggy and camel treks, fantastic dining and trips to the “vibrant markets of Marrakech.” This bespoke Morocco private adventure is tailored by a local expert and promises to be a deep dive into local landscapes, people and culture. Among the activities is a special dinner hosted by Santana and Labbate at a local restaurant on the last night of the trip. Even with space for up to 100 voyagers, Village Travel Laguna Beach trips tend to book quickly, so those wanting to take part are encouraged to make a reservation soon. (949-464-5778; villagetravellaguna.com) —C.B.

JO SITU ALLEN WILL BE HONORED AS LAGUNA ART MUSEUM’S

ARTIST OF THE YEAR DURING THE DIRECTORS CIRCLE DINNER AND AWARDS NIGHT ON SEPT. 26 AT CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK. ALLEN HAS PAINTED A MURAL IN TOWN AND ILLUSTRATED TWO BOOKS ON LOCAL NATIVE SPECIES. SHE PROVIDED VISUAL INSPIRATION FOR THE AWARDS NIGHT AND HAS DESIGNED ARTWORK FOR DIRECTORS CIRCLE MEMBERS TO RECEIVE AT THE EVENT. (LAGUNAARTMUSEUM.ORG)

Scenic spots around Morocco, the destination for an upcoming trip with local chef Amar Santana (left in top inset) and business partner Ahmed Labbate

Driven to Help

As a way to bolster its budget and assist more people, local nonprofit Sally’s Fund is now accepting donated vehicles to be sold. The organization provides transportation services to older adults and disabled individuals in Laguna Beach. To facilitate contributions, Laguna-based CarDana—a charitable car donation organization—will pick up the vehicles, no matter what condition they’re in, and handle their sale. All proceeds will go to Sally’s Fund after a modest handling fee. “Donors know there are costs associated with doing business, but they also want assurance that the charity they are supporting is the primary beneficiary, not some middleman,” Anthony Glenn, founder and CEO of CarDana, said in a press release. “We offer vehicle owners a transparent donation experience. Once the vehicle is sold at auction, the owner receives an itemized breakdown of the handling costs, the amount it sold for and the exact amount of the check that Sally’s Fund received, all of which is tax-deductible.” Glenn, who spent decades in the car donation business, recognized there were opportunities for improving the process. That led him to found CarDana—the second part of the name is pronounced “donna” and means a positive act or kind action in the Buddhist practice. To donate a car to Sally’s Fund, fill out a form on the CarDana website. (Sally’s Fund: 949-499-4100; sallysfund.org) (CarDana: cardana.co) —S.S.

IGNITE WELLNESS WITHIN THE

Rachael Berger, executive director of Sally’s Fund (left), and Anthony Glenn, founder and CEO of CarDana

SUSTAINABLE STYLE

Creativity took center stage last month when the Festival of Arts’ annual Runway Fashion Show featured ensembles made from reclaimed, recycled and repurposed materials. Among these transformed treasures was a gown adorned with 312 tea bag covers designed by printmaker Anne Moore, who received the Most Creative Concept award for this design, dubbed “Breakfast at Tea-fany’s.” Meanwhile, glass artist Cody Nicely received the award for Most Exciting Ensemble Inspired by a Fashion Designer for his mermaidshaped skirt assembled with hand-dyed CDs, fishing line and beach trash. Painter Elizabeth McGhee was honored with Most Innovative Use of Materials for a whimsical dress composed of recycled socks. And, lastly, painter Nancy Swan earned both the People’s Choice Award and Most Glamorous and Elegant Red Carpet Worthy Creation for a tribute to costume designer Edith Head: Her dress

was constructed from trash bags, bubble wrap and newspapers. In addition to showcasing these and other innovative sartorial selections, this year’s event also collected gently used professional attire for nonprofit Working Wardrobes in exchange for free festival admission. The response was overwhelming,

Making Music Together

with bins and racks overflowing at the donation table. And, commemorating the runway show’s 15th anniversary, a retrospective of recycled couture by W. Bradley Elsberry was presented, including his denim collection assembled from 50 pairs of thrift store jeans. (foapom.com) —S.S.

performances highlighted a celebration of The

Local nonprofit The Drake Gives has teamed up with the Playing for Change Foundation and UC Irvine’s Power of Music initiative and Samueli Academy to increase music education at the Santa Ana charter school, which serves foster youth and the local community. As part of this partnership, celebrated during an Aug. 28 event, additional funding will allow the school to hire another music instructor, add many classes, offer more instruments, increase major performance opportunities and provide master classes by well-known artists. The school’s performing arts department now includes choir, instrumental music, theater and dance. During the partnership’s launch party, students, families and friends enjoyed local food and a performance by their own school band, The Minors, as well as musical presentations by Samueli students, staff and alumni. Additionally, Universal Music artist Pamé performed to a packed crowd. The Drake Gives, founded by Alec Glasser, owner and founder of The Drake restaurant and live music venue in Laguna Beach, aims to promote the power of music to impact people’s lives. The charity, which raises money to support music education especially among underserved youth, also created the Power of Music initiative with UCI’s School of Social Ecology as a way to leverage music to enhance education, promote well-being,and inspire social change both locally and globally. (949-376-1000; thedrakelaguna.com) —S.S.

Music

Drake Gives’ new partnership with several other organizations to support music education for kids.

Models wearing outfits made of repurposed materials in the Festival of Arts’ Runway Fashion Show

MINE TO SHINE

When Rebecca Slater and Rachel Zakhary decided to put a ring on it, the couple didn’t realize how unique their bond would be when they went hunting for their engagement bands. By going through Kwiat’s Mine to Shine diamond traceability program—now available at Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers in Laguna Beach—the couple was able to find a choice stone that could be fashioned into two separate diamonds for both rings. This was the first time Kwiat was able to do something like this. The happy couple’s ethically mined stone resulted in both a 2.52-carat Kwiat Cushion and a 2.51carat Kwiat Radiant diamond, which were then mounted in platinum settings. From the moment of the diamond’s discovery until the rings arrived in individual keepsake boxes, the Mine to Shine program kept Slater and Zakhary regularly up to date with their stone’s progress. As an adjunct part of Kwiat’s commitment to clarity and honesty about the origins of its diamonds, with every ring purchased, the company makes a donation to a nonprofit organization that provides families in underdeveloped nations with clean drinking water. (Kwiat: kwiat.com) (Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers: 949494-3513; rubeljewelers.com) —C.B. /

Kwiat’s Mine to Shine diamond traceability program is now available through Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers.

Community / Galas & Events

ART & FASHION AFFAIR

A Met Gala-inspired event, the star-studded Art & Fashion Affair kicked off the final week of Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters on Aug. 24 with thousands of guests arriving on the red carpet in their most creative attire for a night of fine art, living pictures and fun photo opportunities at the festival grounds. Celebrity guests included singer-songwriter Matt Mauser, who performed that evening, as well as TV show “Criminal Minds” cast members Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler and Kirsten Vangsness, who served as the event’s host. As guests arrived, Pageant volunteers made the rounds dressed in re-creations of Met Gala costumes that paid tribute to Rihanna, Bad Bunny and Edith Head. Photo stations allowed attendees to pose with fun props and backdrops including one styled as the cover of Vogue magazine. Mauser and his big band performed the music of Frank Sinatra, the Rat Pack and other singers from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. Attendees also were treated to a private showing of the festival’s fine arts show and a special Pageant performance with this year’s theme “À la Mode: The Art of Fashion.” The winner of a summerlong raffle for a 2025 Volvo XC60 PHEV Black Edition or $20,000 in cash was also announced. The raffle, a summerlong fundraiser, garnered $87,790 while the gala ticket sales raised more than $236,350; all proceeds go to support arts programming for Festival of Arts. (foapom.com) —Sharon Stello

BOB MARGOLIS GOLF TOURNAMENT

From a shotgun start to a helicopter golf ball drop, silent auction, Jersey Mike’s lunch and an awards ceremony, the fun-filled 24th annual Bob Margolis Golf Tournament raised $79,000 to support the mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, which delivers mentorship and youth development programs to over 3,000 young people each day in Laguna and Saddleback Valley. More than 140 golfers participated in the Aug. 5 event at Aliso Viejo Country Club. A highlight of the day was the helicopter golf ball drop, which serves as a kind of raffle for the grand prize of a Montage resort staycation including two nights in an ocean-view suite, two 60-minute spa treatments and a $60 daily breakfast credit. Boys & Girls Club offers a wide variety of after-school programs and summer, spring break and winter camps with activities from sports to crafts, science projects, leadership training and more. (bgclagunabeach.org) —S.S.

1. Tournament venue Aliso Viejo Country Club 2. George Cheng and team

1. Michael Obermeyer, Lori Obermeyer, Kirsten Vangsness, Sherrie Larsen, Troels Larsen 2. Aisha Tyler, Kirsten Vangsness, Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook 3. Pageant performers

PROVENANCE: FROM COLLECTOR TO COLLECTOR

Instead of its previous Collector’s Choice gala event, Laguna College of Art & Design hosted a fundraiser called Provenance: From Collector to Collector with an opening reception Sept. 5 at the LCAD Gallery downtown and an online auction, which was slated to continue through Sept. 15. All proceeds will support the LCAD Scholarship Fund, but the amount raised by the event was not available as of press time since the auction was not over yet. Those attending the reception were able to view artwork donated by renowned artists and then bid on the pieces online. Among the artwork included in the auction was a painting by Paul-Émile Pissarro, a photo print by Jan Gauthier, a lithograph by Joan Miró and serigraphs by painters Robert Beauchamp and Victor Vasarely. Gallery visitors enjoyed tray-passed hors d’oeuvres from West Coast Event Productions and wines provided by Waters Edge Wineries while listening to the smooth sounds of Jaeson Plon on guitar. (lcad.edu) —S.S.

SEACHANGE SUMMER PARTY

More than $1.5 million was raised for ocean conservation efforts at nonprofit Oceana’s SeaChange Summer Party on Aug. 17 at a private Laguna Beach estate. The event, hosted by award-winning actor and Oceana board member Ted Danson, honored longtime Oceana supporter and SeaChange co-founder Valarie Van Cleave for her dedication to the charity, from serving as chair of the organization’s board and co-founding the SeaChange Summer Party, which has raised over $20 million in the past 17 years, to starting Oceana’s campaign to fight seafood fraud. The party, attended by about 360 supporters including several celebrities, featured a sustainably sourced gourmet dinner, an auction, dancing under the stars and a performance by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb, who played hits including “Stay (I Missed You).” Oceana’s new CEO, Jim Simon, also addressed the crowd for the first time since stepping into the role over the summer. The organization highlighted achievements with its partners over the past year including protection of habitat in Mexico, Canada and Europe; convincing Amazon to reduce its use of single-use plastics in North America; and several actions in California to reduce sea turtle and whale entanglements in commercial fishing gear. Danson called on everyone to continue to help protect “the fragile ecosystem right off our shore—our own ‘Blue Serengeti’ and other ecosystems just like it around the world.” (oceana.org) —S.S.

1. Beto Bedolfe, Sara Lowell, Elizabeth Wahler, Valarie Van Cleave, Ted Danson 2. Jim Simon, Nancy Christiano, Mark Wittcoff 3. Barbara and Greg MacGillivray 4. Sam Trammell, Emmanuelle Chriqui

5. Rachel Recchia, Blake Moynes

1. Lisa Mansour, Suzanne Chonette 2. Diane Silber 3. Mark Saville, Mark Hilbert, Lisa Mansour 4. Steve Brittan

Artists & Galleries / Jewelry Melding Art and Science

AWARD-WINNING JEWELER ADAM NEELEY COMBINES HIS TALENTS IN GOLDSMITHING AND GEMOLOGY WITH MASTERFUL DESIGNS TO CREATE WEARABLE PIECES OF ART.

By SHARON STELLO

On the heels of his first solo exhibit, which wrapped up over the summer at Laguna Art Museum, jeweler Adam Neeley has launched a nonprofit to encourage the next generation of jewelry makers while continuing to craft his own stunning pieces and push the limits with his materials and techniques.

Neeley himself got started in the field at a young age in Colorado. “My dad was a rockhound and we’d go rock collecting,” Neeley says. “And I’ll tell you, when you dig for seven hours in the ground and you finally find a crystal, it is absolutely thrilling. You’re the first person in the whole world to see it and hold the treasure. And that was something that just captivated me as a kid.”

From there, Neeley became interested in stonecutting and started working with local rock shops. Artists in the area took him under their wings and taught him the ins and the outs of the trade. From there, he learned silversmithing and took part in his first jewelry show at age 14 in Telluride, Colorado, selling out in just two hours. “And immediately, my parents said, ‘Well, Adam, this might turn into a business if you want it to,’ ” Neeley recalls.

His recent exhibit, called “Modern Alchemy”—the museum’s first decorative arts showcase and a 25-year retrospective of his work—shared some of that personal history because he wanted to “inspire the next generations to fall in love as rockhounds or beginning lapidary artists.”

Among more than 100 pieces on display were his early creations including a pair of earrings he made for his mom as a 12-yearold. “And it was an interesting progression because you can see I started out a little more Southwestern, coming from Manitou Springs, Colorado. And then by age 14, I started to move a little bit more modern,” he says.

Jeweler Adam Neeley

POLISHING A GEM

Refining his raw talents, Neeley attended the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California, then traveled to Florence, Italy, and studied at contemporary jewelry school Le Arti Orafe, apprenticing under master goldsmith Giò Carbone, who took him to the next level, guiding him to experiment with custom alloys and ancient techniques like niello.

Neeley went on to learn platinum smithing and computer-aided design in New York, but was drawn back to Southern California’s warm weather and scenic coastline, opening his first atelier in north Laguna Beach in 2006—across the street from his current studio and shop—in this “wonderful, charming artist colony in one of the most beautiful places you could imagine,” Neeley says. “And it also has the appreciation of patrons that collect here and come here for it.”

Only 23 years old, he opened the shop with about a dozen pieces over Fourth of July weekend and sold all of them that same month. That momentum has continued for the past 18 years, gaining loyal collectors

along the way including at Festival of Arts, where he exhibited for more than a decade. He has also won dozens of awards and even has a piece, his lustrous pearl-filled South Sea Glow pendant, in the Smithsonian Institution’s collection.

Among his innovative achievements, Neeley created SpectraGold, a gradient alloy that transitions from rich yellow gold to white gold. He has also invented a cool green VeraGold, red RevaGold and peachy Champagne-toned AlbaGold. These metals required hundreds of hours of experimentation to perfect the colors and ensure they are flexible enough to work with and hard enough once a piece is finished. And each piece takes more than 80 hours of work, hand-fusing and forging, to produce.

Neeley is inspired by nature, whether it’s flowers, seashells or color palettes like the purple blossoms and green leaves of a jacaranda tree. “Nature’s one of my favorite muses,” Neeley says. “[I] take a look at something that’s really beautiful in nature, like a flower, and … kind of distill down those elements, like the curves and movement into something that’s a modern, abstract interpretation.”

He also enjoys borrowing color combinations from artists like Vincent van Gogh and elements from different time periods, whether it’s a touch of midcentury or modernizing a look from the Victorian era. When it comes to men’s jewelry, from rings to cuff links and lapel pins, Neeley trades curves for angular forms, often turning to the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright for inspiration.

Neeley says he was drawn to making jewelry because there are so many facets to the art form, including different techniques and also the challenge of mastering each aspect. “And I think that constant search for perfection and craftsmanship, that constant search for balance and design and originality and

COURTESY

then the next stone,” he says. “Today, … we purchase a lot of our stones at the Tucson Gem Show and I go and I’m like a kid in a candy store—the world’s most expensive candy store. And I just love it. It’s my passion. And I was very lucky to find my passion early in life.”

TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO DREAM

He offers both a fine jewelry collection, where he re-creates a few of his most popular pieces for people to buy, as well as high jewelry, which he often enters in competitions. Designs sometimes come to him in dreams. The key to capturing that idea, he says, is waking up during the dream and sketching the design before it fades from memory. Take, for example, his Nautilus earrings: Reminiscent of a shell shape, they are made of SpectraGold and outlined in different colored pearls for an ombre effect.

Neeley’s Tonna Galea earrings also came to him while sleeping. “There’s a particular shell in Greece called the Tonna galea … and I actually brought one home with me and cut it open,” he says. “And inside, you get this wonderful spiraling of the shell, which is so cool. And so I had gone to bed with the shell right next to me—kind of planting the seed.”

And the dream did come, leading to the earrings made of SpectraGold and mimicking the curves of the shell, accented along the edges with glittering diamonds. In Neeley’s further research, he made a fun discovery: If you plot this shell’s shape on X and Y axes, it’s the same as the harmonic series if mapped out as sound waves. So this idea of the parallel between music that you hear and jewelry worn on the ear added another layer of intrigue to the design. Neeley started to release the brandnew Tonna Galea earrings and other Greekinspired pieces in the Cyclades Collection over the past few weeks and will continue rolling them out through the end of September.

He also plans to introduce a new titanium collection next year, possibly in spring. Embracing aerospace technology, Neeley uses the computer to create designs that are produced by a 3D printer with a kind of metal typically reserved for space shuttles and satellite parts. He was drawn to titanium because it’s strong and lightweight—meaning large, dramatic earrings are more comfortable to wear—and it can be made in vibrant hues. In this way, he continues to push boundaries.

GIVING BACK

Neeley also seeks to encourage today’s youth. In late May, he founded an educational

Neeley’s XOX pearl and yellow gold ring (top left), Tonna Galea earrings (top right) and his exhibit, “Modern Alchemy,” at Laguna Art Museum (bottom)

nonprofit called Gorgeous Little Things to instill in children an appreciation for gemstones and minerals—Earth’s geologic marvels—and the art of contemporary jewelry.

“Going into the art world is a little less known than becoming a lawyer or a dentist,” Neeley says. “And so I’m seeing, generationally, our industry is shrinking a lot—the jewelry industry itself [and] the art industry. … And so I want to inspire those next generations to take that leap if they feel this is something that could be their life’s passion.”

The nonprofit is, in part, a nod to his mother’s career as a teacher. For his recent exhibit, Neeley worked with Laguna Art Museum to create educational programming that will eventually be incorporated in curricula for grades K-12 that teachers can download from the nonprofit’s website, gorgeouslittlethings. org, to use in schools across the country.

And, leading up to Neeley’s exhibit, the

nonprofit paid for the creation of special display cases that were donated to the museum to use in future exhibits. Also in collaboration with the museum, the nonprofit sponsored an outing, Art Access: Dig for Gems with Adam Neeley, which took a group of children and adults to the Oceanview Mine in San Diego County in June. Neeley anticipates offering other events and outings in coming months.

“In addition, the nonprofit will begin to amass a collection of gems and jewelry that will be available for museums and other educational institutions to be exhibited or showcased and then eventually donated,” Neeley says. “… We’re hoping that legacy continues beyond us.” /

ADAM NEELEY FINE ART JEWELRY

352 N. COAST HIGHWAY

949-715-0953; ADAMNEELEY.COM

Home / Curved Designs

Cutting Corners

FROM ARCHITECTURAL ARCHES TO FURNITURE PIECES WITH ROUNDED EDGES, THE TREND OF EMBRACING CURVES CONTINUES IN CONTEMPORARY HOMES.

By TANYA A. YACINA

Incorporating curves into a room’s design adds a touch of softness and intrigue, enhancing the space’s visual appeal. In a renewed focus on creating comfortable, nurturing home environments, curved design elements contribute to a sense of coziness and relaxation, making these spaces feel like a safe haven.

When including curved design components in a home, Juaneice Munoz, CEO and principal designer of La Casa Azul Design, says to start with the bones of the home; begin with the base and build from there.

“If you start with the decor, you always have regrets because at some point down the line, you end up working on the structure and

function of the home and find you missed some things,” she says. “If your structure is fine, then the easiest thing to do is add wall decor and accents with [a] curve. Start big and work down from there.”

Munoz says an example would be adding a large curved mirror in your entryway to set the tone. She loves to use furniture to add curved lines and suggests placing custom round pieces throughout the home, including adding a circular coffee table to a room or ceramic “fireballs” stacked in the fireplace instead of logs to break up the angles. She also says to consider rounded rather than hard-edged vases—even the greenery or flowers they hold

could also have rounded leaves or petals—to soften hard lines in a space.

“Curved vases, pillows [and] unique accents are fun because they break up the monotony,” she says. “Mixing it up is always a great idea. In design, all elements of the architecture and the furniture need to speak to each other and, if flexibility is necessary, that is a very simple go to.”

Munoz says the trend can be taken a step further by adding curves in the architectural details.

“Arches have been a staple to design dating back as early as 200 B.C.,” she says, “but have started to become more popular as of late. We add arches to bars, cabinets, doors, doorways and fireplaces,

and borrow from Greek, Mediterranean and Spanish styles to create a timeless design.”

In custom home design, Munoz says adding arches to doors and doorways is likely the easiest way to add curves to the home’s architecture. However, if an in-depth, comprehensive design is at play, there are many beautiful and thoughtful curved details that can be added to ceilings, hallways and kitchens that will be timeless and well-appointed.

“Create a plan for a consistent story, vary the size of accents— big, medium and small, [and] find a statement piece,” she advises when trying to achieve this look.

From arched doorways to rounded tables, curves are balancing out hard edges, like in these spaces by interior designer Juaneice Munoz.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

SOFTEN A SPACE WITH THESE PIECES FEATURING ROUNDED EDGES FROM LOCAL SHOPS.

1) With a striking blend of design and functionality, the MIKADO ROUND DINING TABLE by Alain van Havre for Ethnicraft has a sculptural base that supports the solid rounded top for timeless appeal, available in oak and black oak finishes, from $3,709, at Modern Studio. (949-376-0103; modernfurnishings.com)

2) Offering a captivating design that merges vintage charm with modern style, the eyecatching GILDA SINGLE LIGHT SCONCE features a large, clear glass globe set on a brass stem accented with contrasting rivets against a sleek black marble or faux alabaster back plate, $349, with advance order at Nuance. (949-494-8833; nuance-home.com)

3) The FAN DINING CHAIR by Tom Dixon brings a striking presence to any setting with its wood-machined spindle construction and distinctive circular footing, enhancing its sculptural appeal, available in black birch or natural oak with a black leather seat pad, $1,080, online from Laguna-based Vertigo Home. (949-738-0374; vertigohome.us)

4) Crafted from reclaimed elm with a natural smoked wood finish, this BOSTON 48” ROUND COFFEE TABLE adds a touch of contemporary style to any room, $2,700, at Tuvalu Home Environment. (949-497-3202)

5) A rotating arrangement of distinctive shells forms a circular design of natural beauty in this RIVIERA FRAMED WALL ART. The earthy tones and textures radiate outward, pulling the viewer into this captivating piece inspired by the ocean, $483, with advance order at Cottage Furnishings. (949497-3121; shopcottagefurnishings.com) g

Q +

AOnce Upon a Time

STEP INTO THE ENCHANTED FOREST TO EXPERIENCE A WORLD OF WONDER AT THE MUSEUM OF MAKE BELIEVE.

By ASHLEY RYAN

Whimsy and wonder abound at the Museum of Make Believe, a new nonprofit art space that opened along South Coast Highway in the spring. Founded in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, the museum has been a long time coming.

“We were doing traveling exhibits to other museums, and that really just sort of sparked our love for combining storytelling and art,” says museum co-founder Amy Mitchell. “Our fourth or fifth show, it was like, what if we had our own place, … did it ourselves and weren’t continually traveling [with] this very delicate work?”

Amy, who holds a degree in poetry, created the words for the inaugural exhibit, “Ghost Stories & Fairy Tales,” while her husband, Geoff Mitchell, serves as the main artist. Step into the Enchanted Forest the couple has created entirely by hand and you’ll be met with paintings, audio, miniatures, written stories and more. It’s a playground for the imagination, too, offering treasure hunts, special prizes and illustrated storybooks filled with all the tales within the museum.

Although they hope to eventually move into a larger space, they are now focused on bringing an ever-changing collection of innovative pieces to this location. Read on to learn more about the Mitchells, their creations and how they hope to shape visitors through their artwork.

LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE: What do you hope to inspire with the Museum of Make Believe?

AMY MITCHELL: At our ribbon cutting, we had a little girl come in with a notepad and she was drawing pictures and writing her own stories in the exhibit. That’s what we want to see—and hopefully that will be the next generation and the next. So that’s what we’d love to try to spark.

LBM: When it comes to the creative process, what do you enjoy most?

GEOFF MITCHELL: Seeing it happen— because most of the time, I have no idea what’s coming next myself. … Working with other people, I’m always saying [we rely on] imagination, but I think a lot of that is listening to the things around you and thinking, I’ll tell a story about that. … But there were so many things that we didn’t plan for [in this space]. It’s exciting making it up as you go, just taking the chance and seeing what happens.

LBM: Do you have one favorite part of the museum?

AM: It’s probably the dog [in “Shooting Star”] because that was after our dog, Sparrow. Sparrow was my little soulmate. … When we first got this space, he was almost 18. And he came with us every day. He had no clue what was going on. But he used to sleep right behind the tree there and there’s a little note to him back there that says, “We miss you, Sparrow.” … I really wrote the story for him.

Amy and Geoff Mitchell, co-founders of the Museum of Make Believe

GM: I don’t like just one thing; I do like all of it. I’m happy with the tree [and] … the cottage. … I don’t know if I have a favorite part, but I am preferential to Starlight Park. I’m … building a twinkling light sign that’s going to go up there.

LBM: What’s next?

AM: We already have a 7-foot dragon that we built, so we’re building a castle ruin that should be coming hopefully in the next few months. We are going to change the decor for Halloween and then, of course, for the holiday season. … We’re [also] working to fundraise to create a school group tour program so that we don’t have to charge for that. … We’ll be adding some workshops and other events, but we definitely need more space. … But we also don’t want to lose the beauty of hand-making everything and, when you get too big too fast, sometimes you lose that.

LBM: Why do you think it’s important for people to use their imaginations?

AM: Technology has really … changed

the way we interact and engage with the world. So often, we’re looking down … and we’re not looking people in the face. We’re not really exploring the world and I think that’s a real loss. … It was really important to us that we have no digital technology when people came inside. We wanted everything to

be handmade and kind of go back to that old-fashioned mindset. I grew up pre-cellphone, pre-internet, and I would just make up stories. I think that gives us empathy. It helps us connect with other people when we hear their stories, and I think we’ve lost some of that. We want to … bring some of that back. g

One of the scenes in the Museum of Make Believe’s inaugural exhibit, “Ghost Stories & Fairy Tales”

A Cycling CELEBRATION

Laguna Bicycle Festival gears up for its inaugural event with demos, group rides, films, live music, guest speakers and more.

By SHARON STELLO

Laguna Beach is home to mountain biking legends, biking clubs for kids and adults, top-rated trails, plenty of road biking opportunities and longtime bike shops and brands, so it makes perfect sense to have a celebration dedicated to the sport in this town. After three years of planning, it’s finally coming to fruition this fall when the Laguna Bicycle Festival descends on the Festival of Arts grounds Oct. 25-27.

“We have so much history in Laguna,” says Blair “Air Blair” Liggatt, festival founder and director, mentioning greats like Troy Lee and the Crankbrothers brand.

Liggatt hopes to make the festival an annual staple in town. “We have been overwhelmed with response from all over the world,” he says of support for the inaugural event. Liggatt’s vision is to celebrate the biking lifestyle for pros and beginners alike while also supporting local bike shops and raising money for charities including All Kids Bike, Ride 4 Autism, the Grow Cycling Foundation and Laguna Canyon Riders, a local youth mountain biking team for which Liggatt is a coach and board member. Proceeds from a silent auction and raffle during the event will benefit these organizations.

Festival attendees will have plenty to peruse over three days. Check out the Evolution of the Bicycle showcase, a museum-style display of bikes from all eras highlighting the innovation and design of bicycles and how they have changed through history. “We want to showcase the art of the bicycle,” Liggatt says. An exhibit of beautiful bikes from vintage to BMX and custom-built designs will also be competing for best of show awards to be determined by judges; plus, attendees may vote for a fan favorite. And wander through the trade show and expo featuring some of the top manufacturers of bikes for riding on road, gravel and mountain terrain as well as BMX and e-bikes.

Then be wowed by live stunt shows featuring professional athletes performing tricks on BMX

bikes. Festival guests will also have the opportunity to try out demo bikes, ride the course and join one of many biking clinics—for all ages and riding levels—led by professional coaches and athletes.

Food and craft beer will be available for purchase and the Laguna Beach Fire Department will put on a pancake breakfast. The festival soundtrack will be provided by bands including the Tijuana Dogs, Corday, Lousy Little Gods and local musicians Ethan Staus and Pilot Touhill, all performing live during the event. Other entertainment includes unicycle and acrobat performers, a penny farthing (vintage high wheeler) bike race on opening day and adult tricycle races on 29-inch custom trikes. Additionally, the festival will present some of the best bicycle documentaries and short films in the on-site Forum Theater, where attendees can also find guest speakers and Q&A sessions with athletes from the bike industry on leadership, life coaching and bicycle travel adventures.

Above: The Laguna Bicycle Festival will present BMX stunt shows among many other displays and activities on the three-day schedule. Left: Blair Liggatt, festival founder and director

Live podcast interviews will take place daily with favorite bicycle athletes and stars from the past and present on the podcast stage. And festival attendees will also have the chance to meet and greet current and former pro athletes including Bob Haro, Richie Schley, Hans “No Way” Rey, Eliot Jackson, Brian Lopes, Troy Lee, Eddie Fiola, Mike “Hollywood” Miranda, Bill Allen (Cru Jones in the movie “Rad”) and more to be announced soon.

The family-friendly event will also have plenty to keep the kids entertained with arts and crafts as well as races on an indoor bike track for ages 3-7 (Strider Balance Bikes will be available to use) and an all-ages pump track, which is a circuit with banked turns, rollers and berms allowing a bike rider to move along by pumping their body up and down rather than by pedaling or pushing.

Attendees are also invited to participate in one of many group rides to be led by popular athletes and social media stars. Shuttle services will be available to favorite trail systems in the surrounding areas. And the festival will partner with the 10th annual Laguna Beach Dirt Fondo, a bike riding challenge with both 25- and 50-mile routes on some of the area’s best trails, fire roads and bike paths. Not a race, the event will emphasize having a fun and safe time and learning more about Laguna’s open space. Limited to the first 100 riders who sign up, the ride is a fundraiser for the Laguna Canyon Riders. g

LAGUNA BICYCLE FESTIVAL Oct. 25-27; Festival of Arts grounds; lagunabikefest.com

3501 Sausalito Drive | Corona del Mar

Kings Rd | Newport Beach

Portola | Laguna Beach

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1751 Candlestick Ln | Newport Beach

The

Finding Their

new

United by friendship and driven by talent and determination, this popular local band is hitting its stride with the release of its first full-length record.

By TANYA A. YACINA

Years in the making, local band The Great North Special recently made its mark on the music scene with the release of its debut full-length vinyl record, “Callithump Parade,” over the summer along with performances at Bluebird Park and Rivian South Coast Theater to celebrate the new album.

Based in Laguna Beach, the group of passionate and talented musicians are known for sharing their love of diverse genres, from country-funk and soul-blues to psych-rock and jazz. The group of friends have been

playing music together for several years, but coalesced as a band and started doing shows in 2019.

“This whole thing came from the seed that was planted many, many years ago when we were figuring out how to write songs together and keeping that little flame lit until we could get here—with the big electric band in the back of our minds the whole time,” says frontman Andrew Corradini, a Laguna resident who grew up in town along with a couple of the other band members.

The seven-piece ensemble includes

Great North Special debuting its

record with a performance at Rivian South Coast Theater in July

Corradini and Russell Long on vocals and guitar; Ben Wagner on guitar and pedal steel; Albert Margolis on keyboard; Anson Ditt on bass; Derek Eglit on drums; and Max Vega on percussion.

Since forming, the band has steadily gained a loyal following in Laguna Beach and beyond. This first full-length album showcases the group’s unique style, powerful musicality and the chemistry the members have developed through countless rehearsals and gigs.

“Andrew and I, we’re writing the songs,

but everyone in the band is writing their own part into the music—it’s fully collaborative between all the band members,” Long explains. “We’re inspired by the shared desire to play music. … We’re trying to have fun … [and find ways to] surprise ourselves or do something different.”

GETTING IN THE GROOVE

The Great North Special’s live shows encompass the electrifying talents of the band’s members, drawing audiences into a euphoric blend of music and dancing.

Each performance takes the crowd on a one-of-a-kind musical journey that isn’t soon forgotten.

“Ever since the beginning, there was a certain vibe and groove and chemistry that we all had playing with each other. It was evident from the very first time we got together,” Margolis shares. “That’s when we knew we had something special. But, every time you go through a project like this, as it happened in our first EP and was super evident when we were done with recording the [latest] record, we became much tighter … [as] a unit.”

In 2020, the band released its self-titled debut EP, which included four original tracks underscoring the group’s seemingly effortless collaboration and alluring song lyrics. In 2022, the band released the single, “Love Service Devotion” and cemented its foothold in the Southern California music scene.

“For sure, the band has evolved since first getting together,” Wagner says. “We’ve evolved together in almost every aspect. I think, most importantly, the original songs that Andrew and Russell have written is what propelled us to another level. As a band, arranging them and recording them together got us so tight where the band is more like a family than seven buds just jamming together.”

In just a few short years, Wagner adds, the band went from playing three-hour shows with a couple of original songs and 14 covers to now performing 14 originals and a handful of covers. The band has often performed at Skyloft in Laguna, The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa, The Mint in LA, and farther afield at SLO Brew and Fernwood Tavern on California’s Central Coast, while also participating in music festivals like June Lake Jam Fest in the Mammoth Lakes area and Docent Brewing’s Field Trip Fest in San Juan Capistrano.

LAYING DOWN THE TRACKS

When The Great North Special decided to record its first full album of original music, which Long says took about two years to complete, the band was financially supporting the recording with its own funds, but then heard about the Laguna Beach Artistic Innovation Grants program, which offers annual grants between $5,000 and

Above: The seven members of Laguna Beach-based band The Great North Special; below: vocalist and guitar player Russell Long holding the band’s new album, “Callithump Parade”

$20,000 to support the local art-making process and premiere of these endeavors; funding comes from the city and local lodging establishments. The Great North Special was awarded a $20,000 grant, which enabled the group to complete the demanding recording process.

“We’d spent a couple of years saving up show money and we spent all of that right up until the grant came through,” Long says. “Had the grant money not come through, we would have been playing a lot of little gigs to continue saving up. We knew it would be expensive and we’d have to budget out to build out the LP. The grant truly helped us bring it to completion.”

In July, the band debuted its new LP in dynamic style at Rivian South Coast Theater. The sold-out Laguna show not only featured the band’s live performance set to a psychedelic liquid light show, but also included a panel discussion and a viewing of Matt Costa’s short film about the band, titled “Nothin’ But Fun.”

Mostly recorded live in the studio, the album highlights the band’s lyrical and musical craftsmanship. Corradini explains that

each song presents a unique musical story with lyrical themes like joy, love, nature, community, technology, spirituality, mental health, existentialism and pure celebration.

“I have been pleasantly surprised by the positive response we have received so far,” Vega says. “Each one of us brings something different to that table and we all have various influences, and yet we have managed to create something that is a joy to listen to. I would say, as a band, we work hard at keeping the vibes on stage good and that’s what really keeps this train moving.”

The Great North Special delighted local fans this summer when the band opened Laguna’s annual Music in the Park summer series. Long and Corradini agreed that, especially with the album complete, it was a great time to just perform their music surrounded by friends and fans.

“The response to the new record has been incredible,” Wagner adds. “Seeing people in the crowd getting super pumped when hearing the intro to a song they want to hear from the album is such a special feeling. [It’s] hard to describe. It’s totally new for me on this side of the stage.”

JAMMING INTO THE FUTURE

“The next phase for the band and the record process is now to play the songs, share the record and the live show wherever we can on the road—get back to the business of having fun,” Long says. “And then, come up with some new jams along the way.”

Corradini says to get to this point and finish the record, it meant turning down other opportunities over the past year.

“We had to write and be in the studio and all that,” Corradini says. “I think it’s exciting that that’s done and under our belt, so we can get back to doing what it is all of us want to do—being able to play a bunch of live shows and enjoy what we’ve done.”

The Great North Special’s debut LP is available on vinyl, CD and cassette tape, and can be purchased at Sound Spectrum in Laguna and Creme Tangerine Records in Costa Mesa, as well as on the band’s website, thegreatnorthspecial.com. Stay tuned for upcoming shows including “An Evening With The Great North Special” at 8 p.m Sept. 26 at Skyloft in Laguna. It’s sure to be a special night. g

JIM STIDHAM

Opening Laguna’s Music in the Park summer series, The Great North Special performed at Bluebird Park in July.

LIVE LIFE WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Choosing the right senior living community is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Care and safety come first, but lifestyle and independence are important too. At Belmont Village, you’ll find it all. An experienced staff, 24/7 licensed nurses, awardwinning enrichment and memory programs in a luxurious and attentive environment. And unlike most, we build, own, and operate all of our communities. So residents can count on the continuity of those high standards, never compromising on the things that matter.

By SHARAEL KOLBERG

LAGUNA BEACH RESIDENTS MUST LOVE THEIR COFFEE BECAUSE THIS SMALL BEACH TOWN SEEMS TO HAVE EXPLODED WITH NEW CAFES OFFERING A VARIETY OF CUSTOM CAFFEINATED CONCOCTIONS—JOINING MANY LONGTIME FAVORITES. LAGUNA NOW HAS AT LEAST 20 PLACES TO GRAB YOUR MORNING CUP OF JOE, WHICH MEANS YOU COULD VISIT A DIFFERENT CAFE FOR NEARLY THREE WEEKS TO TRY THEM ALL.

Whether you like a hot espresso, pour over or cold brew, there’s something for every coffee connoisseur, not to mention alternative drinks from herbal tea to matcha lattes and chagaccinos (made from chaga mushrooms), plus delicious pastries to pair with your favorite morning beverage.

NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

If you’re in need of a morning jolt or an afternoon pick-me-up, these new businesses have a variety of sips to get you going. Coffee purists will love Jedidiah Coffee’s beans, which hail from places like Ethiopia, Guatemala and Colombia and are freshly roasted in Laguna Canyon. The local brand’s “Keep Laguna Caffeinated” motto extends to educating customers about

its craft coffee, and the north Laguna cafe is much more than a coffee shop, it is a community gathering place. Local groups meet there and the owners, husband-and-wife team Steve and Embry Munsey, organize beach clean-ups and Corner Markets with artisan goods. “We like to think we give back to our community by really being ingrained in it,” Embry Munsey says. The company is named in loving memory of the couple’s stillborn son. After several years of pop-ups and event catering, the Munseys finally opened their brick-and-mortar cafe earlier this year, partnering with local companies such as Gelato Paradiso for their affogatos and South Swell Donuts for the pastry case.

Also in north Laguna, The Lost Bean Coastal Cafe opened in May in the space formerly occupied by Zeytoon Cafe; it’s the

Beautiful latte art at Urth Caffé

brand’s seventh OC location. The Lost Bean works with sustainable farms and sells fairtrade coffee, as well as international organic loose-leaf teas. The cafe roasts its organic beans using an eco-friendly machine that recirculates the air to ensure quality, smokeless roasting and is better for the environment. You can also feel good about what you’re drinking as the company gives a significant portion of its profits to charities around the world that support education, health and the environment. While at the cafe, select a scrumptious dish from the Mediterranean

menu and dine on the rooftop patio. Bear Coast Coffee, which debuted in December on South Coast Highway—with shops also in San Clemente and Dana Point—serves artisan coffee using syrups made in-house and almond milk made from scratch. “Our focus on community, connection and creativity sets us apart,” says owner Jeff Clinard. Bear Coast sources coffees from farmers the company knows and cares about, paying growers above fair trade prices and working with communities that follow the best practices for sustainability. The owner

visits the farms where the coffee is grown, spending significant time in Central and South America. In El Salvador, the brand even serves as a philanthropic partner to provide clean water to surrounding communities. Try one of Bear Coast’s specialty drinks, such as lavender caramel coffee, dark chocolate mocha, vanilla nutmeg latte or horchata latte. Be sure to also try the yummy chia seed pudding.

Food-forward cafe Rye Goods, which opened last year in downtown Laguna, mills its own flour for delectable pastries and

Clockwise from top left: espresso and a pastry at Moulin; enjoying the patio at Jedidiah Coffee; MoonGoat Coffee’s drive-through kiosk; coffee and a croissant at The b8kery by Selanne

offers organic premade meals to take home. Food leftovers are donated to the Laguna Food Pantry. The cafe’s coffee drinks are made with beans from LA-based Canyon Coffee, which sources fair trade beans and uses 100% regenerative organic coffee beans. For a unique drink, try the saffron latte or strawberry matcha latte.

In a hurry for your caffeine fix? No problem. Swing by MoonGoat Coffee’s drivethrough spot—which opened last year in north Laguna—for a churro latte, masala chai, matcha spritzer or Yuzu Fizzy soda with an espresso shot. Pair your drink with a gluten-free yuzu raspberry lemon loaf, overnight oats or a buttermilk biscuit and egg sandwich. The company has also sponsored, collaborated with and hosted multiple events and fundraisers with Growers First, a local nonprofit that empowers indigenous farmers to achieve a sustainable income and growth through partnerships with U.S. buyers. And a few years ago, MoonGoat partners David Yardley and Mark Evans went on a trip to Mexico, bringing supplies and goodwill to some of the coffee farmers and their workers.

Endless Quest Roasters is a single-origin shop that opened in March at Boat Canyon Shopping Center, focusing its efforts on specialty roasted coffees and teas, such as ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan, which customers love with the cafe’s house-made lavender syrup. Owner Ryan Okko, who visits the farms where the coffee beans are grown, says, “I am committed to … making a positive impact on the lives of the coffee producers we support.” The cafe also offers vegan doughnuts, which are a hit.

Although Michelin Guide-recognized Selanne Steak Tavern is known for its superb steaks and wine, the restaurant also recently opened The b8kery by Selanne, adjacent to the restaurant, late last year. The bakery is housed in the former Andree’s Patisserie, established in Laguna in the 1960s. Customers can select from a variety of specialty hot and cold drinks, as well as The b8kery’s popular fruit bang pies and assorted pastries.

Other newbies include Equator Coffees, a Certified B Corporation focused on quality, sustainability and social responsibility, which serves its specialty java and pastries from LA’s Farmshop in a space at Rivian’s South Coast Theater. And Succulent Coffee Roasters offers batch brew, pour over and cold brew selections with a rotating mix of seasonal coffees and a full espresso bar.

OLDIES, BUT GOODIES

There are plenty of coffee shops in Laguna that have withstood the test of time and have gained many loyal customers. These places are where you meet up with friends and the baristas know you by name. Some sell bagged beans, in case you want to sleep in and savor your morning brew in your PJs.

You can smell the beans being roasted when you walk in the door of motherdaughter-owned Laguna Coffee Co. A longtime locals’ favorite, the lively atmosphere, friendly baristas, art-adorned walls and outdoor seating make it an appealing place to chat over a cup of your favorite bean-to-cup brew; notably, the cafe’s coffee comes from small-batch growers across Central America and Africa. The medium roast Laguna Blend features a mild flavor with cherry and floral notes. While at the cafe, fill your belly with fresh pastries (from Rye Goods), toasts or sandwiches, too.

Heidelberg Cafe, a popular Laguna Beach staple for three decades, offers

coffee from Delta Cafe Roasting Co., which is made with 100% shade-grown, sun-dried coffee beans; for espresso-based drinks, Illy brand beans are used. The cafe also features a large breakfast and lunch menu paired with ocean views. Try the vanilla cream cold brew, iced strawberry matcha or lavender vanilla tea latte and sink your teeth into the eggs Heidelberg or almond stuffed French toast. Sign up for the cafe’s loyalty program to earn points toward future purchases.

Situated in what was once part of The Pottery Shack, established in the 1930s, The Pantry is an expansion of the adjacent Sapphire, Cellar-Craft-Cook restaurant. You can’t miss the iconic statue of Eiler Larsen, the original “greeter” of Laguna, out front. “Everyone loves the historic nature of our location, plus … we have a beautiful patio with an ocean view,” says owner Russ Bendel. The coffee shop features traditional coffee drinks, as well as a breakfast and lunch takeout menu with items such as pastries, waffles, burgers

Top: The Lost Bean Coastal Cafe serves coffee and a Mediterranean food menu; left: Endless Quest Roasters is a single-origin coffee shop.

and sandwiches. Of course, coffee isn’t the only beverage served here. Don’t miss The Pantry’s popular mason jar cocktails.

Moulin, a traditional Parisian cafe, carries authentic French food and drinks. You’ll find no-fuss coffee drinks such as espresso, Americano, cafe au lait and cappuccino (without flavored syrups), as well as freshly made bread, pastries, desserts and sandwiches, and made-to-order crepes, omelets, salads and more. The bistro also carries wine and Champagne imported from France.

For organically grown heirloom coffee, decadent baked goods and desserts, and beautiful latte art, head to Urth Caffé, where you’ll typically see a long queue patiently waiting. Customers’ favorite drinks include the Spanish latte and the caffe pistachio latte, made with Sicilian pistachio butter and pistachio milk. Organic ceremonial matcha and rooibos teas are also offered.

Zinc Cafe, which opened in the 1980s and recently came under new ownership, features a classic and innovative coffee menu with traditional lattes and cappuccinos as well as a lavender latte and salted rosemary latte—plus a full food menu from breakfast through dinner with many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Laguna is also home to two Starbucks

locations (downtown across from Main Beach and inside Pavilions), for those seeking their familiar Frappuccino, nitro cold brew and ever-popular Pumpkin Spice Latte. A few other well-established coffee shops in town include Anastasia Cafe, open since 1995, with traditional coffee beverages, fresh-squeezed juice, plus breakfast and lunch dishes, all made in-house daily. Others include Blk Dot Coffee, known for its Vietnamese coffee drinks and also serving breakfast sandwiches, bowls and bagels;

Kitchen in the Canyon, with hot and iced coffee, mochas, rose and lavender lattes, a variety of tea options and a full breakfast and lunch menu.

Of course, many other restaurants in town serve coffee as well, but there’s something comforting about walking into a warm coffee shop, especially in fall and winter, to enjoy a steaming cup of joe while perusing the newspaper headlines, getting lost in a good book or catching up with friends. g

Clockwise from left: Coffee and a pastry at The Pantry; Jedidiah Coffee’s north Laguna cafe; Bear Coast Coffee on South Coast Highway

J.J. HUBER’S PASSION FOR WINE RUNS DEEP: FROM HELPING TO PICK THE GRAPES IN NAPA AND SONOMA COUNTIES TO PERFECTING THE BLENDS, HE’S BEEN INVOLVED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AT LAGUNA CANYON WINERY, WHICH STARTED IN 2003 AND OPENED FOR TASTINGS A YEAR LATER.

This fall, the winery celebrates the 20th anniversary of its tasting room opening to the public. “It’s hard to believe how fast it went by,” Huber says of reaching the milestone. The Orange County Wine Society will help toast the occasion at a Nov. 1 party complete with wine tastings and cheese and charcuterie boards. And there are plenty of other ways to get involved, from dropping by for tastings to signing up as a member or attending monthly wine pairing dinners or a wine blending class.

Step into the newly remodeled tasting room and visitors will find self-serve wine-dispensing machines—a pandemic pivot that has proven popular among those seeking to taste at their own pace—and rock ’n’ roll presented on a 10-foot screen rather than live jazz.

Billed as OC’s first urban winery, everything is done on-site in

Laguna Canyon, from the grape crushing to the fermenting and bottling. Every inch of space is used. Even barrels under the tasting tables often hold wine. Huber sees the wine-making process as a creative endeavor, making Laguna Beach, with its history as an art colony, the ideal location for his craft. “This is our expression of art, so it’s been really nice to be part of that,” he says.

The creative aspect of winemaking becomes evident, Huber

Laguna Canyon Winery is celebrating the 20th annviersary of opening its tasting room (left).

The winery sources handpicked grapes from vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties, Monterey and Paso Robles.

explains, as people might buy the same grapes, but their wines each end up tasting different in the end. There are so many things that can be tweaked during the process to create your own style. His small-batch wines are unfiltered and made with high-quality grapes from low-yield vineyards. “We do it by hand, so you get a much better extraction and some amazing color as well coming from the skins,” Huber says, noting that larger companies often produce wines with a lighter or medium-bodied color. “… And ours are inky, chewy, jammy. So that’s part of the benefit of handcrafting something in small lots.”

Laguna Canyon Winery—which consistently wins awards at the OC Fair’s Commercial Wine Competition including lots of gold and double gold medals—offers 20 different varieties, from reds like pinot noir, syrah, petite sirah and a Super Tuscan to whites like chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio. Huber started with a focus on blends, but now also offers pure varietals. There isn’t one that’s the most popular. “Members will come in and buy a case … and there’s 12 different bottles in the case,” he says. In addition to the Laguna Canyon brand, he also produces wine under the Purple Paws label, which is a tribute to his late

poodle, Tierra (aka Terr Bear or Bear), and donates the proceeds to nonprofits helping homeless pets.

“So the story goes, I was here pressing pinot noir about 15 years ago and I brought her to the winery. We were in the back here pressing and there was wine all over the floor,” Huber recalls. “Her little paws got soaking wet with pinot noir and she came to the front and she was traipsing around in the tasting room and marking all these little … paw prints all over the tasting room floor and I said, ‘That’s it, Purple Paws Pinot.’ And so I’ve been donating a portion of the sales for homeless pets in Orange County for the last 15 years.”

DEEP ROOTS

Huber comes from a ranching family in Canada, where he first caught the winemaking bug. He knew the ag life wasn’t for him, so Huber moved to Vancouver where he met Gianni Seminari, who would become his mentor. Huber crushed grapes for two years with this Italian wine master from the University of Milan, honing his skills. Eventually, Huber embarked on his own journey with much success. Huber and his brother established their first winery in the Vancouver area in 1993 and then the family

Tuscan wine blending class with Huber

opened a second winery in 1996.

But Huber felt pulled toward the renowned vineyards of Northern California, so he continued his wine science education under the tutelage of UC Davis professor Clark Smith. Over the years, Huber’s style has evolved, combining Old World and New World wine-making methods to create complex blends. After visiting a friend in San Diego and meeting a young woman there, he decided to stay in Southern California. She

Laguna Canyon Winery owner J.J. Huber prefers low-yield vineyards planted on a slope.

Huber (center) with team members John Rider (left), head winemaker, and Jeff McEachron (right), who conducts the Super

eventually introduced him to his future wife, who was from Orange County and chose the Laguna Canyon site for his third winery.

Huber and his brother grew the winery exponentially. At one point, they had an extra 4,000 square feet of space in the adjacent building and had 150 barrels going at one time. They distributed their wine in 15 U.S. states and exported to China for many years. Laguna Canyon Winery’s bottles could be found in Costco, Ralphs and Albertsons stores across Southern California and in some restaurants. Then, in 2019, Huber bought his brother’s share of the business, becoming the sole owner, and decided to downsize right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. When wholesaling, the winery was producing 5,000 bottles a year and, since downsizing, only creates about 1,000 per year now.

“Downsizing was the best thing I’ve ever done,” Huber says. “So now it’s really winemaking for passion more so than winemaking for profit. I’ve got my 500 members … and retail guests, we’re open six days a week as a public tasting room and I’m happier than I’ve ever been—no headaches and no pressure and no stress. I just love what I do and I’m able to meet nice people along the way.”

The tasting room exudes a comfortable, homey feel that’s at once modern and rustic with huge wrought-iron chandeliers, farmhouse-style pendants and wine barrels holding up the tabletops. Behind the counter, a large, dark wood cabinet—built by Huber’s

father—displays wine bottles and medals from the fair. Ceramic flooring was replaced with polished concrete and the walls went from a dark clay color to a brighter off-white. And Huber’s office was converted to a private event room, which is great for special occasions like bachelorette parties and birthdays. “It really turned out nice and I think now it’s timeless,” Huber says of the remodeled space.

FROM VINE TO WINE

When it comes to making the wine, Huber travels to Northern California in a rented van to get his load of grapes at harvest time. For pinot noir, that’s usually in early September.

“And I’m picking grapes in the vineyard so I still have that connection to the land,” he says. “I’ve still got that agricultural spirit, really enhanced, that I love so much. It’s great to be able to be an urban winery and not a vineyard-[based] winery. I contract with vineyards throughout Napa County, Sonoma County, Lake County, even Paso Robles [and] Monterey. And, in doing that, I’m able to integrate different soil compositions and different terroirs into my wine portfolio so that they all are unique and different in their own ways.”

In addition to loading up his bins of grapes at harvest time, Huber goes to the vineyards two or three times a year to maintain his relationships with the growers. When choosing vineyards for his supply of grapes, he has four criteria: hand picked, low yield, sloped fields and no machines. “If

it doesn’t meet those four criterias, I’m not really interested,” he says.

For the best picking conditions, he gets to the vineyard in the middle of the night. “We pick at usually 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning,” he says. “And it’s great because the Budget rent-a-vans are air-conditioned, so by the time I get [back to Laguna], … they’re still … cold. It’s an eight- or nine-hour drive, sometimes 12 hours, from Lake County.”

Upon returning to the winery, it takes two or three hours to crush a ton of grapes. “So I’ll do an email blast and some of my members and retail guests will come out and kind of watch us crush and maybe throw a fork or two in there and help crush a little bit and kind of get the experience, which is fun.”

After crushing the grapes, yeast is added and fermentation starts, he explains. The yeast eat the sugar, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide, the latter of which rises to the top, bringing the skins with it and forming what’s known as a cap. Huber and his team punch that cap down several times a day to extract more color and tannins, and flavor compounds and enzymes from the skins as opposed to large wineries with massive tanks that pump the wine over that cap.

Once the crushed grapes ferment for 12 days or so and the juice has been pressed off the skins, then the mixture continues to ferment in the space behind the tasting room. The red wines also go through a second fermentation called malolactic fermentation.

Grapes, fresh from Northern California, get destemmed, crushed, fermented and pressed in the winery’s Laguna Canyon space.

“That’s where I’ll inoculate the wines with bacteria. It will eat the malic acid [and] it will convert it to lactic acid, so it gets rid of all those harsh tannins,” Huber explains. “And then it will sit there. So pretty much from the time we receive the grapes until the time they get in the oak barrels, it’s about two months. And then pinot noir and sangiovese will come around pretty quickly in the oak barrels, usually a year, whereas cabernet sauvignon, syrah, petite sirah, they’ll take upwards of two years.”

Huber has been bringing on more people to help oversee his winemaking program, including a UC Davis enologist and now the former head winemaker from Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa Valley.

“I’m 62 years old this fall,” Huber says. “I’m kind of getting up there, so I’m just stepping back a little bit and letting my team do a little more and me do a little less.”

When it comes time for bottling, that process has been done in the tasting room for the last 20 years. “We send the glass to a company in Paso Robles and a 1,200-degree oven heat inks on the labels [instead of using a paper label],” Huber says. “… [It has] just a really nice, clean, elegant look to it.”

Interestingly, in addition to his Italian technique and mentor, all of Huber’s equipment is Italian, from Tuscany: the filling machine, corker, spinner, crusher and press. Even his automatic dispensing machines (for tastings) are from Tuscany. “I’m the first winery in Southern California to get them,” Huber says.

Visitors get a card loaded with a pre-set amount of money, then insert the card in a machine to dispense a taste of wine. Staff are still on hand to answer any questions.

“Right now it’s all through the machines, but we’re talking about introducing a secondary tasting program where we would still pour at the bar,” Huber says. “That would be a little bit different price point and more educational and more one on one. We’re talking about it right now. … That would be something we’re looking at maybe a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or just Saturday and Sunday. We’re not sure, but we’re looking at it right now.”

For a more immersive introduction to the winery, which has become quite popular, guests can sign up for a two-hour premium wine and barrel tasting experience on Friday,

Saturday and Sunday. “That’s one on one with me as the owner, winemaker and sommelier,” Huber says. Guests receive a glass of Champagne, then Huber gives a talk about the winery and presents a video about his wine-making process, followed by premium wine tastings from the machines paired with a cheese and charcuterie board. And, finally, the event ends with tastings straight from the barrel. “It’s just really educational, really engaging and really a lot of fun,” Huber says. Whether you like reds, whites, blends or single-varietal vino, Laguna Canyon Winery has something for every taste. And if, for some reason you don’t find that perfect sip to please your palate, there’s a wine blending class to try your own hand at mastering the art of winemaking. g

Top left: Laguna Canyon Winery stands out in its field with many awards. Top right: Automatic dispensing machines make tasting at your own pace easy for guests. Bottom: Wine-blending classes are offered.

By ASHLEY RYAN

WHEN IT COMES TO FAMILY TRADITIONS, ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO KEEP THEM ALIVE IS THROUGH FOOD. WHETHER IT’S A LONG-ESTABLISHED RECIPE FOLLOWED DOWN TO A T, A CLASSIC DISH THAT HAS BEEN JAZZED UP OR A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT CREATED BY FAMILY MEMBERS FROM DIFFERENT GENERATIONS, ONE WAY TO SHOW LOVE FOR YOUR ANCESTORS IS BY KEEPING YOUR CULTURE AND CUSTOMS AT THE FOREFRONT.

“Family is everything—it’s the foundation of life, the anchor that keeps you grounded and safe,” says Alessandro Pirozzi, executive chef and owner of both Alessa by Chef Pirozzi and Salerno by Chef Pirozzi. “It makes you who you are.”

Family recipes passed down through generations provide a glimpse into the personal histories and cultural backgrounds of Laguna Beach’s chefs and restaurateurs. They are more than simple ingredients and instructions—they tell stories of love and offer a sense of belonging and togetherness that transcends place and time.

By exploring our culinary heritage through the groundwork that our ancestors have laid out, we’re better able to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary flavors and techniques. Our roots are important in shaping our future: Every dish we re-create tells a story of familial bond, touches upon special moments from our past or allows us to connect with who we are, and every tweak to a family recipe allows our roots to dig in a little bit deeper as we keep our loved ones’ memories alive.

Local chef Alessandro Pirozzi’s farfallina rosa (front) and branzino

AS A NATIVE OF NAPLES, ITALY, it’s no surprise that Pirozzi’s menus are heavily inspired by his family’s culinary traditions. In fact, he started cooking with his grandmother when he was only 4 years old. Though knives were off limits in his youth, he mastered other techniques, like harvesting vegetables from the garden and roasting garlic to put into a homemade ragu sauce.

Sharing recipes was definitely a form of love for his grandmother, or nonna, as well as other relatives. “It’s mandatory—it’s like a language, religion or belief,” Pirozzi explains. “Passing down recipes preserves cultural heritage and family history.”

Through his simple yet pleasant life in Italy, where he was always surrounded by family, Pirozzi has learned that the best menus are straightforward but full of flavor. Braised meats, seafood and, of course, pastas all permeate his restaurants, inspired by his Neapolitan roots. Growing up, he recalls that they were limited in their ingredients, often relying on only flour, eggs and water to create something delicious. As such, his time-honored

pastas remain a highlight.

Sharing his loved one’s recipes—which include everything from Spaghetti Verde, Zucca ravioli and limoncello-infused taglierini to branzino and burrata e tomato carpaccio—has allowed him to offer a piece of his own traditions to diners in Laguna while also showcasing the cuisine of Naples without the requirement of a passport. A number of other dishes, like the Nonna Ida’s Lasagna and Nonna Titina’s Recipe Potato Dumplings, are also inspired by and named for the chef’s grandmothers.

“I cherish the[se] dish[es] … like a piece of art created from scratch,” he notes. “The passion, technique and experience shared with family make … [them] special. Diners appreciate the authenticity and connection to tradition.”

While Pirozzi learned to cook in his grandmother’s kitchen, he also underwent formal culinary training. But, he says, it’s all connected. “Although the techniques differ, the essence remains the same: Focus on family traditions, use quality ingredients and embrace simplicity,” he explains. “While culinary school promotes complexity, family

cooking teaches that less is often more. The key is simplicity—using basics like salt, pepper, fresh herbs, oregano and extra-virgin olive oil.”

Making these recipes, using the same ingredients that he used with his grandmother, always reminds him of the memories he’s made with his loved ones. “It takes me on a culinary journey down memory lane, recalling family meals in Naples,” Pirozzi says.

Clockwise from above: Chef Alessandro Pirozzi; his heirloom tomato salad and Zucca ravioli, made with butternut squash; Spaghetti Verde

GROWING UP IN DURBAN, SOUTH

Africa, restaurateur Ivan Spiers learned plenty about cuisine from his family during his childhood—and it opened his eyes to a culinary world that spans much of the globe, yet retains distinctly unique elements as well. “South Africa had a lot of Irish, English, Dutch, African, Indian and Malaysian influence,” he explains.

When he came to the United States more than 30 years ago and decided to launch his own restaurant, he knew that he wanted it to be distinctly South African— something that Laguna Beach didn’t have. It’s been nearly two decades since Spiers opened the doors to Mozambique, yet traditional dishes and ingredients are still prominent on its varied menu. He worked closely with the opening chefs to ensure that the food served resembled dishes he enjoyed overseas with his family and that they would be appealing to diners in America as well.

One thing that greatly impacted his menu choices was the tradition of the African braai fleis, which is a South African tradition used for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.

More than a simple barbecue, this custom features a full-on feast with grilled meats cooked over an open flame, cultural sides and drinks like beer, wine or cocktails. These backyard celebrations inspired Spiers to include peri-peri sauce in both the peri-peri tiger prawns and the periperi chicken dishes.

“We import all the bird’s eye chile [used in the peri-peri sauce] from Africa—it’s the only place you can buy it,” Spiers notes. “The dishes are received exceptionally well. It took awhile, but after 20 years, we sell a ton. The sauce and preparation is our secret recipe. The chicken and prawns are wood-fired—charbroiled; the sauce is added while you cook it.”

The peri-peri sauce infiltrates the

Top right: Restaurateur Ivan Spiers with his dog, Max; top left: peri-peri prawns; bottom: peri-peri chicken

menu in more ways than one, also served with the calamari, seafood platter, prego steak sandwich and Mozambique shrimp scampi. While Spiers guards his precise family recipe—which combines the bird’s eye chiles with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and a secret, specialized blend of spices—diners can stop by to try his South African creations.

FOR NICK GSTREIN, SOUS CHEF AT The Drake, family is a pivotal part of his life. “Family, to me, means history,” he explains. “You want to honor those who have come before you [and] remember the past, but also make a name for future generations.”

Gstrein’s father, Paul, is also a chef, so he grew up in the kitchen watching his dad work. Whether it was back in Austria at his family’s hotel or at nearby eateries like Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach or Bistango in Irvine, he says that being in those culinary environments inspired him to develop his own skills and desire to cook.

“It just built a foundation—a love and passion for culinary [arts],” he explains. “I always knew that after football was done, I was going to hang up the cleats and helmet and pick up a knife.”

Now, Gstrein works with his dad—who is executive chef and partner at The Drake—on a regular basis. “Like any job, it has its ups and downs—especially working with family,” he says. “But … you always want to work for somebody who has knowledge and has been around the block a few times. I think working with my dad has … taught me a lot.”

Being of Austrian descent, Gstrein notes that he has traveled to Austria roughly 20 times. “Growing up, whether we went for a week or two weeks or three, the meals were always planned out,” he says. “My grandma

was always the cook, and schnitzel was always a big request.”

He would help her pound out the meat and prepare the family meal—however, they never used recipes. “Writing out a recipe feels very foreign,” Gstrein explains. “As I’m sure is the case with a lot of grandmas, there is no recipe. She’s just done it 1,000 times.”

Although the dish isn’t on the regular menu, Gstrein and his father often incorporate it as an Oktoberfest special, available from late September through the first few weeks of October; it can also be special ordered while dining in. Traditional schnitzel is crafted with veal, but at The Drake, the father-son duo use Iberico pork to modernize and elevate the meal. After coating it and putting it in the fryer, Gstrein says that he must pay close attention to cook it to where the crust separates slightly from the meat. The result is a sweet, savory dish with a hint of saltiness that he says checks all of the boxes, with the acidic tang from the potato and sweetness from a lingonberry preserve.

They incorporate this special to keep their traditions alive. “Cooking in my grandma’s kitchen as a child was one of my fondest memories growing up—whether I was going to be a chef or not,” Gstrein explains. “I think you cherish those moments for the rest of your life and hopefully pass them on down to your own children.” g

Schnitzel, made with Gstrein’s family recipe— but switching veal for Iberico pork—is offered at the restaurant during Oktoberfest from late September through mid-October.

OMA GITA’S AUSTRIAN SCHNITZEL

Servings: 4

4 boneless pork (or veal) chops

Salt, for seasoning

2 cups all-purpose flour

4 eggs

3 cups breadcrumbs

3 cups vegetable oil or lard

1 tablespoon butter

1 lemon wedge, for garnish

1 jar of lingonberry preserves, for garnish

Place the pork chops between two layers of plastic wrap on the countertop. Using a mallet, pound them until they are 1/4-inch thick. Season both sides with salt. Prepare three different bowls to dredge each pork chop—one each of flour, whisked eggs and breadcrumbs. Dip in the flour, ensuring it’s fully coated, then place into the egg mixture and, finally, coat evenly with breadcrumbs. Pour the oil into a large skillet to a depth of about 1/4 inch. (This should be a shallow fry.) Heat the oil to 350 F over medium-high heat, adjusting the heat source as needed to maintain temperature. Add the butter right before the meat goes in for added flavor. Fry the chops in the hot oil for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and crisp. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding. After frying, salt the schnitzel immediately after removing from the pan. Serve hot, garnished with lemon wedges and lingonberry preserves.

—Courtesy of Nick Gstrein of The Drake

Nick Gstrein, sous chef at The Drake

Cultural IMMERSION

History, art and culinary adventures create a feast for the senses in Mexico City.

By SHARON STELLO

WHETHER STROLLING THE UPSCALE POLANCO NEIGHBORHOOD, WITH ITS TREE-LINED STREETS NAMED AFTER FAMOUS WRITERS AND SCIENTISTS, NEOBAROQUE ARCHITECTURE AND HIGH-END BOUTIQUES, TASTING YOUR WAY THROUGH A STREET TACO TOUR, SOAKING UP LOCAL CULTURE AT ONE OF THE MANY MUSEUMS OR STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF ANCIENT PYRAMIDS AT TEOTIHUACÁN, JUST A FEW MILES BEYOND ITS NORTHERN EDGE, MEXICO CITY IS A VIBRANT DESTINATION WITH ENDLESS EXPERIENCES FOR VISITORS.

Clockwise from above: artwork in a Polanco neighborhood park; a pyramid at Teotihuacán, a UNESCO World Heritage site; artist Diego Rivera’s Anahuacalli Museum

The massive metropolis, covering nearly 600 square miles—bigger than New York City—is divided into 16 boroughs. Interestingly, the central and eastern sections were built on dried lake beds situated at more than 7,300 feet above sea level, which is a higher elevation than the city of Denver.

And while Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is a densely populated area, it’s also filled with green spaces: One of these lush oases is Chapultepec Park, the largest and oldest urban park in Latin America and one of the oldest in the world. From history and art museums to an internationally renowned zoo, a lake and gardens, there’s plenty to explore in this park alone.

Mexico City is also a global hot spot when it comes to the culinary world. In May, the Michelin Guide debuted its first list of recommended restaurants in Mexico, including two in Mexico City that received two stars—Quintonil and Pujol—and five others that each garnered one star; establishments in other regions of the country also were recognized. And, back in April, Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City was named at the top of North

America’s 50 Best Bars list as voted by industry experts in this third annual contest.

Indeed, there is something for all the senses to savor in Mexico City.

A PLACE IN POLANCO

When considering a home base for your travels, Las Alcobas Mexico City offers a central location, luxurious accommodations and friendly service. The five-star hotel’s concierge team members speak both Spanish and English, helping American visitors easily navigate their new surroundings. They are also part of the worldrenowned Clef d’Or organization.

The intimate, 35-room boutique hotel in the Polanco neighborhood was formerly a palatial private residence. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, a Toronto and New York-based firm, the hotel offers a serene retreat with its own restaurant and spa, all located steps from local boutiques and eateries along main thoroughfare Avenida Presidente Masaryk and the surrounding area.

Rooms feature rich wood, modern design,

cultural touches like an alebrije—bright-colored folk art sculptures of mythical creatures believed to offer protection—in the closet, and views of the bustling cityscape. While fall is a great time to visit, when several festivals take place, so is early spring (before the rainy season begins), which allows you to enjoy the jacaranda trees in full bloom; the windows of some rooms look right into these trees with their purple blossoms and birds flitting about in the branches. Upper floor suites and a penthouse offer outdoor terraces with garden areas and sweeping views.

Spalike marble bathrooms feature a rain shower, separate soaking tub, plush terry robes and handmade soaps. Make sure to indulge in the bath service: A butler will arrive to set up a bath using an herb and salt blend of your choice such as lemongrass, arnica and camphor to ease jet lag; rose, orange and cocoa nibs for a sensual scent; or lavender, mint and chamomile to induce relaxation.

Meanwhile, a cabinet holding the mini bar and coffee maker is filled with traditional Mexican candy and snacks. Continue the culinary journey

Top, from left: dishes at Pujol, a Michelin Guide two-star restaurant in Mexico City; Anatol restaurant at five-star hotel Las Alcobas Mexico City; the hotel’s Masaryk Suite; bottom left: the suite’s sweeping view; bottom right: Chapultepec Castle

with room service or a meal at the on-site restaurant, Anatol, with international-inspired, farmto-table dishes. For breakfast, choose from items like stuffed French toast with strawberry-rhubarb compote, bacon and basil or chilaquiles featuring a mouthwatering roasted tomatillo sauce, plus a variety of pastries. At lunch and dinner, choose from bone marrow flatbread, lobster esquites (street corn), salmon belly tartare with yuzu and serrano chiles, steaks, pasta, short rib or the signature house-roasted chicken.

EXPLORING THE AREA

While the hotel affords a comfortable stay, visitors will want to step beyond those walls to take in the local culture and history that abounds here. And Las Alcobas can arrange exclusive experiences from cooking classes to after-hours museum tours, hot air balloon rides and a variety

of tours. For example, guides will take you to the 8-square-mile pyramid complex of Teotihuacán, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or Coyoacán, the neighborhood where artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera lived.

In Teotihuacán, which means “the place where the gods were created,” stroll between the towering Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcóatl, which were built between the first and seventh centuries. Some smaller, stone structures feature painted animals and geometric designs. At its peak, this community boasted at least 25,000 inhabitants. Now, these ruins hold the secrets of this vast civilization. Archaeologists are trying to understand more about the ancient city that existed over 1,000 years before the Aztecs arrived, and why it disappeared. Walking along the main path, it’s possible to feel transported, imagining what life here might have been like so

many years ago. Every so often, the stillness is punctuated by vendors demonstrating whistles that replicate bird calls and jaguar growls, their sounds echoing off the stone surroundings.

On another day, venture to Coyoacán with its indoor markets selling fresh produce, spices and even edible insects as well as beautiful handmade textiles, toys and more. Food stalls offer tacos and tostadas bursting with fresh flavor. For dessert, head a block away to Lecaroz bakery to pick up a churro or pan dulce then grab a cafe de olla, coffee made with sugar and cinnamon, at Café El Jarocho, a fixture in the community since 1953. Then enjoy a few peaceful moments in the nearby park, Plaza Jardin Hidalgo. Make sure to peek into the adjacent Parroquia San Juan Bautista Coyoacán, one of the oldest churches in Mexico City, to see the resplendent interior with gilded details, stained glass and paintings along the walls and ceiling before heading to the Frida Kahlo Museum.

The museum encompasses Casa Azul (the Blue House), where Kahlo grew up and later lived with her husband, Rivera, the famed muralist. The two-story home displays her paintings as well as photos, folk art, personal items and furnishings in many rooms including the area where she painted with views out to the courtyard gardens. An easel is set up with her wheelchair in front of it. Kahlo suffered from several health problems during her lifetime, contracting polio as a child and sustaining serious injuries in a bus crash at age 18, requiring more than 30 surgeries through the years.

Visitors may be overcome with emotion as they stand just inches from the four-poster bed where she spent her days after the accident. Her mother attached a mirror on the canopy above so Kahlo could see herself to paint her famous self portraits. Aside from her physical pain, Kahlo, who has become a feminist icon, no doubt also endured emotional trauma as her relationship with Rivera was a tumultuous one, filled with affairs by both of them; the couple divorced after he began a relationship with her younger sister, but they later remarried. She died at 47 of pulmonary embolism,

Top and bottom left: The Frida Kahlo Museum; top middle: a boat ride through the “floating gardens” of Xochimilco; right: one many murals throughout the city

although some have speculated that she may have overdosed on painkillers.

Your ticket from the Frida Kahlo Museum also includes entry to Rivera’s Anahuacalli Museum, which combines modern art and the pre-Columbian aesthetic. The building, made of lava rock from the Xitle volcano eruption, houses more than 45,000 pieces from Mexico’s ancient civilizations—such as arrowheads, pottery and stone figures—including 2,000 on permanent display. Mosaics by Rivera and Juan O’Gorman embellish the ceilings in several rooms. One space also features 16 large sketches for murals by Rivera. And a rooftop terrace affords expansive views of the area.

LOCAL FLAVORS

Another worthy excursion is a boat trip through the “floating gardens” of Xochimilco, about 17 miles south of Mexico City. Step aboard a brightly colored “trajinera,” a flat-bottomed boat, with a guide who will ply the shallow waters with a long wooden stick to move the vessel through the canals. Bring a picnic and a cooler of beer or buy food from “chalupas,” or gondola-type boats passing by; from those boats, they cook and sell traditional Mexican street food and drinks, including

roasted corn, sopes and pulque, an alcoholic beverage made of fermented agave sap.

Boats carrying mariachi bands will also step aboard to perform music for your group, for a fee, creating a lively party atmosphere. And vendors may suddenly appear as if out of nowhere, selling their wares from jewelry to decorated blankets and the like. Alongside the canals are several fields where farmers grow produce and flowers on “chinampas,” or artificial islands—the “floating gardens”—which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. These are the only reminder of pre-Hispanic land use in lagoons within the city’s basin. Also an ecological reserve, a variety of birds can also be spotted along the way.

There are also land tours that will tempt your taste buds, like visiting popular taquerias, street taco stands and bars in the Narvarte neighborhood of Mexico City during a nighttime walk led by friendly and knowledgeable guides from the Eat Mexico culinary tour company. Among the spots on a recent tour was El Vilsito, which is an auto repair shop by day, then the doors are rolled up at night to reveal a taqueria within. Tables and chairs are also set up on the sidewalk as the crowds often spill outside. Known for its al pastor, the meat is cooked on a spit; watch as the

cooks slice off pieces to make the tacos, piled high with cilantro and onions on warm tortillas. Then choose from a variety of salsas based on your flavor preference and heat tolerance. Plenty of other options are also on the menu, but al pastor is what they are known for.

Down the street is the Tacos Tony stand, beloved by locals for steak and sausage tacos. You’ll eat standing up at raised tables, but part of the fun is watching the workers prepare the meat. For “suadero” tacos, thin meat is cooked in a special pan with a raised mound in the center. The meat is simmered in fat with water, onions, longaniza and chorizo sausage for added flavor. With your tacos, be sure to also grab a Boing! soda in mango or guava for a unique refreshment. Farther down the street taco tour route, brave eaters may want to try tacos de cabeza (braised meat from the head of a cow) or lengua (beef tongue) at the Tacos Manolos stand.

End the evening at Alquimia Cafe Barra y Tostadora, a neighborhood spot with both coffee and cocktails. Sidewalk tables provide a nice place to gather with friends, enjoy the evening air and toast the end of a trip filled with good food, history and culture—and start planning your return visit. /

• ROOFING REPLACEMENTS/REPAIRS

• BALCONY DECK STRUCTURAL RECONSTRUCTION

• ROOFING WATERPROOFING

• EXTENSIVE DRY ROT/TERMITE REPAIRS

• SHEET METAL FOR HARSH COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS

• IN DEPTH SPECIFICATION/STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

• INTERIOR DAMAGE REPAIRS

• BALCONY RAIL SYSTEM DESIGNS/GLASS/CABLE

• PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES

• DOOR & WINDOW REPLACEMENT

• STUCCO/PLASTER RECONSTRUCTION

• RAIN GUTTERS/CHIMNEY CAPS

• SKYLIGHTS/ATTIC VENTING SYSTEMS

SERVING LAGUNA BEACH & NEWPORT BEACH

Dine / Alessa by Chef Pirozzi

Savoring Tradition

Alessa by Chef Pirozzi’s dining room (bottom), Funghi Misti pizza (top left) and the involtini starter (top right), which is organic zucchini, rolled and baked with mozzarella cheese and basil over pomodoro sauce then topped with more mozzarella

Perhaps more importantly, the authentic Italian menu tempts with the chef’s timehonored family recipes. Chef and owner Alessandro Pirozzi learned to cook with his grandmother while growing up in Naples, Italy. The youngest of four children (and the only boy), he would often hide out in his grandmother’s kitchen when the girls were teasing him. This became his sanctuary, where Pirozzi fell in love with cooking. Here, he learned secret family recipes and traditional techniques, which put him on the path to later train to become a chef.

the Funghi Misti is a must-try item: Made without tomato sauce, it layers a mix of wild, organic mushrooms, fontina cheese and house-made infused truffle oil. The dough for each pizza’s crust is prepared with a blend of flours imported from Italy.

Alessa also offers some meats that aren’t commonly found on local menus, like salami made from elk, bison or wild boar as well as duck prosciutto for antipasti options and entrees like wild fish of the day, duck breast and elk chops available upon request. Try the delectable smoked duck breast with wine and blueberry sauce. Pirozzi smokes the duck himself and the meat is cut into succulent medallions drizzled with the sauce and topped with whole blueberries.

Of course, you won’t want to dine here without trying the pasta. Consider the bucatini arugula e burrata. The bucatini pasta is tossed with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, Italian herbs, baby tomatoes and arugula, then topped with fresh burrata cheese and black sea salt. While the sauce contains no dairy, the creamy texture makes it a dreamy dish. Or consider the Maine lobster and fennel-filled ravioli in a pink sauce or the limoncello-infused taglierini pasta mixed with tiger shrimp and shallots in a lemon and white wine sauce.

Other homemade options include Spaghetti Verde, which infuses the pasta with arugula; slow-cooked lamb over rosemary-infused pappardelle; Nonna Ida’s meat ravioli; and baked ziti with Mamma’s Meatballs. There are also five kinds of gnocchi based on Nonna Titina’s recipe for these potato dumplings, as well as three versions of risotto. Staple Italian dishes like chicken Parmigiana, veal Marsala or cioppino don’t disappoint either.

DELIGHT IN AUTHENTIC FLAVORS, A GLASS OF WINE AND DOWNTOWN VIEWS AT ALESSA

BY

CHEF PIROZZI.

By SHARON STELLO

Ideal for alfresco fall dining with its patio and extended deck on The Promenade on Forest, Alessa by Chef Pirozzi offers a charming setting to enjoy lunch or dinner with a view of downtown and live music on the plaza Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Pirozzi owns two restaurants in Laguna Beach: Alessa by Chef Pirozzi, which he opened in 2010 on Forest Avenue, and Salerno (formerly called Polina’s Salerno), which he bought eight years ago, on Beach Street. While the menus at these two bistros are similar, there are some differences. For example, Alessa has a pizza oven, allowing for creations like the margherita with pomodoro sauce, mozzarella, organic basil and extravirgin olive oil infused with Italian herbs, and the Calabria with homemade mild Italian sausage, Gouda cheese and spicy salami and arrabbiata sauce. And, for mushroom lovers,

To drink, pair your meal with a glass of wine from the impressive list of vino from Italy and California’s premier regions. Then sip the night away or end the meal on a sweet note, with desserts like panna cotta, spumone, refreshing gelato or ricotta cheesecake with fresh berries, mango and raspberry puree while getting lost in conversation with your friends or loved one. g

ALESSA BY CHEF PIROZZI 234 Forest Ave. 949-497-8222; alessalaguna.com HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

TOP LEFT: SHARON STELLO; TOP RIGHT AND BOTTOM: CLARA BEARD

The Rooftop Lounge offers a front-row seat for spectacular ocean sunsets while you enjoy signature hand-muddled fresh fruit mojitos & California fare.

Incredible views of the stunning Pacifi c Ocean, the best cocktails in Orange County, and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Open daily for lunch, The Rooftop is Laguna Beach’s premier spot to enjoy fresh California fare, sip a cold beer, and gaze out onto the breezy horizon. Known for the Best Mojito

HOURS:

Happy Hour: Mon-Fri • 2pm-5pm Mon-Thurs: 11:00am-9:00pm Fri: 11:-00am-10:00pm • Sat: 10:00am-10:00pm • Sun: 10am – 9pm

Brunch: 10:00am-3:00pm Saturday/Sunday

Taste of the Town / Dining News

OCEAN EATS

Chef Leo Bongarra officially launched his 237 OCEAN AVE restaurant in midJune in the space formerly occupied by The Wharf and then Breeze & Brew. This new spot for local foodies, located at, well, 237 Ocean Ave., serves up international cuisine, local beers, craft cocktails, live music, DJs and speakeasy vibes. Choose from hearty bites like burrata with tapenade and toast, ceviche with mango and avocado, and crabcakes with tartar sauce. Entrees range from Indian cod with curry to chicken schnitzel with fried egg and spaetzle, steak frites, Prime pork chop, seared scallops and a Main Beach burger with caramelized onions and Jameson sauce. Bongarra, whose resume includes both American and international hot spots, arrived in 2018 to take on the post of executive chef at Hotel Joaquin in north Laguna. In summer 2023, he took on Terra at the Festival of Art grounds; Larsen, located inside Hotel Laguna; [seven-degrees] event center; and Laguna Art-A-Fair, before taking the helm at Tango on Forest Avenue and then moving recently to open 237 Ocean Ave. Only open for dinner Wednesday through Friday, but opening at 11

a.m. on weekends, the restaurant also presents live music on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 1 a.m. (237oceanavenue.com) —Clara Beard

THE BIG HOUSE

Following his partnership with legendary singer and songwriter Daryl Hall, local entrepreneur Ivan Spiers has launched IVAN’Z HOUSE, a 300seat venue on the second floor of his Mozambique restaurant down on the South Coast Highway. Taking its cue from Hall’s popular spot in Pawling, New York, the reimagined Laguna

Beach music spot kicked off in early July and serves up music four nights a week; general admission tickets can be purchased on Mozambique’s website. As part of the lineup, Reggae Sundays will now be offset by the reinstated all-ages Jazz Brunch earlier in the day. Ticket prices will vary depending on the performer, but guests can expect a wide range of entertainment, from cover bands to regional favorites, as well as periodic special acts. Keep in mind that The Durban Room, Mozambique’s popular downstairs piano lounge, will also continue to

Left: 237 Ocean Ave serves international cuisine and local beer. Middle and right: The newly launched Ivan’z House at Mozambique offers dinner—and Sunday brunch—paired with live music.

Zinc Cafe’s Reubenesque sandwich; the restaurant recently changed ownership.

host live music. (949-715-7777; mozambiqueoc.com) —C.B.

FRESH START

Laguna resident John Secretan mastered vegan food before it became popular with the opening of ZINC CAFE on Ocean Avenue in 1988, expanding over the years into nearby Corona del Mar in Newport Beach as well as Orange, West Hollywood and Los Angeles’ famed Arts District. Despite the brand’s continued success, Secretan has decided to retire following the sale of the business to SPC Group, a company based in South Korea, in the spring. “They approached me in Downtown LA with the desire to invest in a brand that they saw growth potential [in],” Secretan says. “… After a great run of 37 years, I felt it time to hand over the reins. I’ve loved almost every minute of it and have so appreciated the employee relations I’ve made that are ongoing, my mom’s endless support and hard work through her recipes and creativity, and the amazing communities that have supported us for all these years.” Secretan will stay on as a brand adviser for the next

couple of years, and Zinc—a destination typically only open during the day—is offering extended hours during the summertime with fresh, innovative meat-free dinners. (949-494-6302; zinccafe.com) —Ashley Ryan

A SHINING STAR

Laguna Beach is home to one of seven California restaurants added to Michelin Guide’s list of onestar dining establishments in early August. This is the first star for REBEL OMAKASE, a sushi restaurant that was previously recognized by Michelin; even being listed by the guide is considered an honor. As Michelin explains in its writeup, Rebel Omakase is overseen by chef Jordan Nakasone, offering only two seatings per night. Omakase, or “chef’s choice,” means the diner leaves decisions up to the chef rather than making their own dish selections. Tucked in a small plaza on Forest Avenue at Beach Street, the restaurant is “rooted in tradition” although “the meal skews contemporary with a focus on seasonality and product quality,” Michelin says, highlighting the eatery’s standout sushi such as Japanese white salmon and shima

aji. Michelin also compliments the gindara dish, “a rectangle of cod set in a memorable cauliflower dashi and garnished with tonburi and a delicious, comforting chawanmushi topped with firefly squid and shaved bottarga.” Other Laguna restaurants receiving Michelin mentions this year include Oliver’s Osteria, first listed in 2021, and Selanne Steak Tavern, honored as a “new discovery” last year. (Rebel Omakase: 949-664-3186; rebel-omakase.com) (Michelin Guide: guide.michelin.com) —Sharon Stello /

RESTAURANT LISTINGS

Sushi restaurant Rebel Omakase has received the high honor of a Michelin Guide star.

Last Impressions / Kaira Rouda

10

MINUTES WITH Kaira

Rouda

THE LOCAL AUTHOR SHARES A GLIMPSE INTO HER RECENT AND UPCOMING BOOKS AND SOME OF HER FAVORITE PLACES IN TOWN.

By SHARON STELLO

Laguna Beach author Kaira Rouda says she likes to write about grownups behaving badly. And she finds abundant inspiration all around. Once she has an idea, she runs with it.

“I write by the seat of my pants,” she says. “No outline, no idea where the story will go. I start with a character and, usually, a title. And the story builds from there.”

The prolific novelist released “The Second Mrs. Strom” in August and “What the Nanny Saw” is slated to come out Nov. 13, both published by British publisher Bookouture.

“[They] are stand-alone sequels to my first big breakout book, ‘Best Day Ever,’ ” Rouda says. “I’m so excited for people who have read ‘Best Day Ever’ to reconnect with Paul Strom again, and his new wife, Cecilia, on their romantic … trip to Paris. Even if you haven’t read the first book, you can jump right in.”

The telling tagline for “The Second Mrs. Strom” is: I don’t want a perfect marriage—I want revenge. “I love to write stories about what is beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives,” Rouda says.

Rouda and her husband, Harley, a former Congressman, live in Laguna’s Emerald Bay neighborhood. They moved to town 14 years ago from Malibu. While Rouda’s family goes back five generations in California, she moved around a lot as a child due to her father’s job as a professor at various universities. Meanwhile, her husband and his family have deep roots in Ohio, so they lived there for 20 years before making it out to California.

Rouda pursued several different careers before becoming a novelist. She and her husband started Real Living—a lifestyle real estate brand that recognized the significant role of women in making or influencing home purchases—which was franchised and expanded into 22 states. That led to her first book, “Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs,” later followed by her first novel.

Now, Rouda is on track to have four books come out in a little over a year. “Last September, ‘Beneath the Surface’ came out and was quickly optioned for a feature film, which is exciting,” Rouda says.

“ ‘Beneath the Surface’ introduces the ruthless Kingsley family of Newport Beach,” Rouda explains. “I like to describe it as ‘Succession’

meets ‘White Lotus.’ ‘Beneath the Surface’ takes place on a mega yacht trip to Catalina Island. Book two, ‘Under the Palms,’ published in May of this year, … features the same family—at least those who survived the yacht—on a weekend retreat to The Twin Palms, inspired by the Montage Laguna Beach.

“Both novels were so fun to write because it was like being on vacation in my mind. I had no idea that the next two books would be slated so soon after, but they are, and I can say I’ll likely not ever have four books in a year again. It’s been a bit exhausting, but fun.”

LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE: What do you like about living in Laguna Beach?

KAIRA ROUDA: What’s not to like, truly? After spending so many years in Ohio, I never take for granted the sparkling views, the ocean breeze, the soft sand beneath your feet. I love our town, and how special it is. I love everything about living in Laguna Beach.

LBM: Any favorite spots in town?

KR: I love Heisler Park … and then walking to the Laguna Art Museum and seeing the latest exhibit, and then heading into town. There are so many special places. … [Some are] Brussel’s Bistro for mussels, GG’s [Bistro] for the meze platter, 230 Forest [Avenue] for french fries— a publication day tradition—and Alessa [by Chef Pirozzi] for great Italian food.

LBM: What genres do you like to read?

KR: I read widely, but because I’m a domestic suspense/psychological fiction writer, I read a lot in that genre. I also founded and co-host a show called “Killer Author Club,” where we interview the top-selling suspense authors in the business, live, every other Tuesday. Check out killerauthorclub.com for more.

LBM: You also do a lot of volunteer work. Why is giving back important to you?

KR: It’s an old adage, but it is true: The more you give back, the more you grow as a person. I’ve never regretted spending time volunteering and wish I was doing more—always. g

Local author Kaira Rouda