Top row : The Promenade on Forest , which often features live music ; bottom right : outdoor seating at Moulin , also on The Promenade ; bottom left : a patio with ocean views at C ’ est La Vie |
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OUTDOOR AMBIANCE Laguna Beach has an abundance of atmospheres for outdoor dining : The terrace at Oliver ’ s Osteria that transports guests from the canyon to the Italian countryside , rooftop restaurants like Skyloft and Mozambique that provide panoramic views of the sunkissed shore , and several eateries with small “ parklet ” patios on Forest Avenue , a favorite spot for strolling and dining downtown .
“ I think that the quintessential California experience is that most people want to be outside … [ to ] enjoy the atmosphere ,” says Marc Cohen , executive chef and operating partner at 230 Forest Avenue . “ Our regular guests , who have been well-traveled and have spent time in Europe , really enjoy the opportunity to dine outside and have a bottle of wine .”
When the city granted special permission
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for restaurants on a stretch of Forest Avenue to create outdoor dining parklets when businesses reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic , 230 Forest Avenue was among them . Some of the other eateries here include French bistro Moulin with its crepes , fresh salads and sandwiches and Italian restaurant Alessa by Chef Pirozzi , which serves up pastas , pizzas and other entrees made with traditional family recipes . This dining and retail destination ultimately turned into a permanent pedestrian plaza dubbed The Promenade on Forest .
And it wasn ’ t only the restaurants that advocated for this space to remain . “ The locals really felt that it added to the community ,” Cohen says . “ I ’ ve been in Laguna for 30 years and I think that this is the first time we really see people gathering [ like this ]. … It ’ s
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become a meeting place and the gathering point for the city , and it gives it a completely different feel and flavor .”
Just down Coast Highway , The Old Pottery Place anchored by corner restaurant Sapphire , Cellar-Craft-Cook has preserved multiple aspects of Laguna ’ s history including The Greeter statue and original pieces from The Pottery Shack , which the building previously housed .
“ Sapphire is in an iconic location ,” says owner Russ Bendel . “ It ’ s got that nice charm , that historic feel . We ’ ve got a multilevel patio that has a relaxed , comfortable Laguna Beach vibe that is set up with a fire pit in the center .” With bright orange umbrellas , peekaboo ocean views , citrus trees lining the patio , succulents and other floral elements , Sapphire captures the essence of this artistic California city .
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TOP ROW : COURTESY OF CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH |
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