Chef Leo Bongarra officially launched his 237 OCEAN AVE restaurant in mid- June 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

Following his partnership with legendary singer and songwriter Daryl Hall , local entrepreneur Ivan Spiers has launched IVAN ’ Z HOUSE , a 300- seat 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

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

TOP LEFT : COURTESY OF 237 OCEAN AVE ; TOP MIDDLE AND RIGHT : COURTESY OF IVAN ’ Z HOUSE ; BOTTOM : COURTESY OF ZINC CAFE

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