World
These recently opened local eateries offer diverse cuisine and a global ambience .
BY ASHLEY BURNETT | PHOTOS BY JODY TIONGCO
Left : Moulin ’ s made-to-order crepe station ; right : a French crepe topped with Nutella ; bottom : Moulin , a French-style bistro , opened its doors in September 2016 .
ithout ever leaving Laguna Beach , you
Wcan travel to Brussels , Japan , Peru , Hawaii , Italy , Mexico and countless other far-flung destinations — all via your taste buds . The city plays host to several globally minded restaurants featuring unique dishes and exotic atmospheres . And a handful of eateries have recently opened their doors , many of which allow for additional foreign getaways within the city limits .
Below , we ’ ve rounded up a few of the establishments that have helped to bring a plethora of fresh and culturally diverse menu items to town within the last year , adding to the area ’ s thriving and constantly evolving culinary scene . Start at any one of these dining destinations and work your way through the list for a trip around the world — no passport necessary .
MOULIN
Stepping into Moulin feels a lot like entering a charming little
28 SUMMER 2017 CITY GUIDE
Parisian cafe . And that makes sense , since owner Laurent Vrignaud was attempting to re-create the atmosphere of a classic French bistro when he first founded his eatery , which now has two locations . The first Moulin opened its doors in 2014 in Newport Beach , while the second iteration made its Laguna Beach debut this past September .
The bistro was named by Vrignaud ’ s mother , who chose the word “ moulin ,” which means windmill in French . The moniker is a nod to the windmills that dot the landscape of the Montmartre district in France , the site of Vrignaud ’ s childhood home .
The eatery , which offers alfresco seating out on its patio area , perfectly captures the design of a French bistro — but the food is where the restaurant really shines . Vrignaud wanted to bring a little piece of France with him to California when he moved to the state in the 1980s , and the menu is a reflection of that desire : Dishes include classic items such as traditional baguettes , eclairs and other pastries , French onion soup and assorted cheeses , as well as coffee beverages like cafe au lait .
Try this : The cafe ’ s French crepes and liege waffles , available at a made-to-order station exclusive to the Laguna Beach location , are a must . For the crepes , choose from Nutella , sucre-citron ( sugar and lemon ), apricot or strawberry toppers . And both the crepes and the waffles are best paired with a chocolat chaud ( hot chocolate ) or , in the afternoons , a glass of wine or Champagne for a bit of French flair .