Will be visiting these areaa in two weeks and I am seeking dinner suggestions. I have been to Las Brisas and want something different. Local favorites would be nice. Also, is the Crab Cooker on Balboa Island still a popular restaurant? Thank you.

The Crab Cooker is on the Balboa Penninsula, not island, and when we dined there last month on a Thursday night we had to wait 40 minutes.

There are lots to choose from in this area depending on what you want to spend. In Laguna, The Beach House is close to the water, Five Feet is good as is Savannah Grill.

In Newport Joe's Crab Shack is a fun place. Picnic tables and noisy but fun. At Fashion Island is Roy's which is excellent seafood or Flemings for steak. The Rusty Pelican is on the bay. Great time of year to come!

BJ's Pizza is a good chain down in that area. There's one on Balboa Island and one in downtown Laguna. Good Chicago style pizza and at a decent price.

Also check out the restaurants at Fashion Island in Newport. PF Chang's and Cheesecake Factory are two good standards. For a more upscale and costly choice is Twin Palms in Newport or the Ritz.

For some pretty decent Mexican food in Laguna, try Javier's.

Thanks all.

We are going to be a the Ritz Carlton which I am told is closer to Dana Point than Laguna Beach or Newport Beach. If anyone has any local favorites in that area, recommendations would be appreciated.

Try L'Hirondelle in San Juan Capistrano-cozy Belgian/French place with a terrace. The Ritz for a big splurge, Cannon's in Dana Point for (I had lunch there) for salads, fish, view of the water.

Update- Savannah Grill and Twin Palms both closed quite awhile ago. Basilic on Balboa Island is very good though pricey. Sage in the Eastbluff Shopping Center is nice, with a patio.

We enjoy Bayside in Newport Beach. It is on Bayside right below Coast highway and the food is excellent. We also like a place that I believe is called Harborside in Dana Point. It is down at the Marina and the seafood is wonderful. Last weekend we went to a place in San Juan Capistrano called "Cafe Mozart" and we enjoyed that too. Just some other suggestions from the ones listed above which also are very good.