Restaurant near Laguna Pageant of the Masters
 

Hi. Going on a tour to see the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. Would like the name of a restaurant or two for dinner. We like very good food and are partial to Continental, French, but are open to most anything. We don't like etc. Would like some suggestions.
Any price range ok.

The hotel Surf & Sand hotel's restaurant, Splashes is very nice.
http://www.surfandsandresort.com/restaurant.html

French 75 has been very nice for a while now.

Avilas Mexican is fine, outdoor inexpensive casual dining.

I am going to the Pageant next week and was just figuring out where to eat beforehand too. I used to like the setting at the Beach House, right over the sand but the last time I was there it wasn't very good. I heard that it may be closing down so that may be a sign, a shame, in its prime it was very good.

The Ritz at Laguna Niguel has a very nice restaurant with ocean views.

The Ritz in in Dana Point, if you want a spectacular restaurant, the Studio at The Montage is very good. There is also The Loft at the Montage which is excellent and a little less expensive. The Montage Resort is in a beautiful setting with oceanviews. We also loved Splashes @ the Surf and Sand Resort.

In downtown Laguna there is Claes @ the Hotel Laguna which has good food and views of the ocean. Sundried Tomato Cafe also has excellent food and service. If you want something trendy, Hush and Sapphire are good choices. Have fun in Laguna Beach! ***kim*** ((#))

I'm going tonight and the vote was for dining on the grounds of the festival itself, I was outvoted but time was a concern for some. They are driving a long way. I do love the Sundried Tomato Cafe, that would have been a good idea, oh well, next time I am in the area. Hope you enjoy the evening, loisco.

Stonehill Tavern at the St. Regis was great as well.

Also really like Watermarc (upstairs) and Sapphire (location is a little random but the food is great).

I do not like the dining on the grounds - I did once and the food was horrible.

http://cafezoolu.com/ Cafe Zoolu is a favorite of ours but you have to be prepared for a sort of funky place - the plates are large enough to share without a doubt.

Of course the Montage is amazing -

Splashes has wonderful views and easy parking (valet) but the food has been hit or miss for us.

Have fun!

adding the French 75 recommendation was great as well. My Mom and Stepdad are renting a house in Laguna for a week in August - looking forward to spending time there and it is sure to include an evening at French 75

Well, we ended up straying over to Little Saigon for some excellent dinners and then going to the Festival and the Pageant. I have not had good experiences at the Tivoli either but I did see there is a Gina's Alfresco now in the Festival center lawn area with more tables and a new atmosphere so it may be worth a try.

SeaUrchin - glad you had a good evening. I am looking forward to our time spent in Laguna in August... I know... I am only 25 minutes from there but sometimes that traffic getting in and out in the summer is enough to make me not go. I tend to go to t-street for the beach itself - and just not want to deal with Laguna in the summer time.

Hi MomDD, you will so enjoy Laguna even in August I am sure. With a house there you won't have to worry about parking and driving. I much prefer Laguna in the wintertime, too. I spent many summers there while I was younger.

The festival art is a bit different this year and the Pageant was very good in the first half and a bit short in the second. It brought to my attention an artist I knew nothing about, Carl Larsson and his sweet watercolors.

Sorrento Grille and Wine Bar is close to the Pageant of the Masters and has excellent food. Its one of our favorites for downtown Laguna

A lot of great restaurants here, however, I'm along with FrankS- choose a place downtown. It gets VERY busy during the Pageant of Masters. The most relaxing stress free way to do it is: park, eat downtown, then walk to the show. Sorrento Grille and Wine Bar, Sundried Tomato, 230 Forest Avenue are all very easy walking distance.