Slice Pizza and Beer introduces new box design by Laguna Beach ceramicist Sharon Hardy

Slice Pizza and Beer, owned by Suzanne and Cary Redfearn, has just released its second Laguna Beach artist designed box. Suzanne says, “In keeping with the concept of promoting community, we decided when we opened to have local artists design our boxes.” 

The inaugural box was designed by local painter and screen printer Cynthia Fletcher. It’s a depiction of two clasped hands and represents kindness and unity. The quote that accompanied the design (printed on the inside lip of the box) was by Mother Teresa: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

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Submitted photo

Sharon Hardy (on left) and Cynthia Fletcher

“Our new box is designed by ceramicist Sharon Hardy,” says Suzanne. “She used to live on Cerritos Drive and would wake each morning to the golden hills of Laguna and the soaring hawks. Her box quote is: ‘Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird.’ –Langston Hughes.”

Sharon Hardy is an artist who primarily uses clay to create wall and free- standing sculpture. The dualities of chaos and order, growth and decay, organic and mechanical are the inspiration for Sharon’s sculptures. Tension between parts and the whole, form, and patterns found in the systems of nature drive the ideas behind her work. 

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Friends gather to celebrate passing of torch (box) with Suzanne Redfearn (second from left), Cynthia Fletcher, and Sharon Hardy

Sharon received her BFA from Arizona State University and studied ceramics at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado. She has exhibited throughout California including at The Richmond Arts Center, The Irvine Fine Arts Center, SCAPE Gallery, and Gallery 825. Her works hang in private collections throughout the U.S.

Slice Pizza and Beer is located at 477 Forest Ave. For more information, call (949) 715-3993 or visit www.slicelb.com.

For information about Cynthia Fletcher, go to www.cynthiafletcherart.com.

For information about Sharon Hardy, go to www.sharonhardyceramics.com.

Royal Hawaiian offers new twist on holiday parties

By Diane Armitage

Dear Reader, 

I know you don’t want to hear this, but Thanksgiving is less than 100 days away. 

It falls late this year, too, which can cause even greater stress for corporate event planners and family heads-of-state who want to secure a great holiday dining or party experience. 

All of Laguna’s restaurants are gearing up for holiday requests. Chefs across the city are telling me that bookings have already begun for those few prime days in November and December. 

And, while I’m sure every restaurant is happy to negotiate large parties and buyouts, I think it’s cool that the Molteni chef brothers at Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill have come up with a number of offerings for smaller, more interactive holiday parties, too.

“We’re booking catering parties and in-restaurant large holiday parties and buyouts for up to 150 people,” says Chef Maro Molteni. “But we want smaller companies and family gatherings to know they’re just as important to us, so we came up with some fun twists on the usual holiday party.”

Fun Twists for Smaller Parties

In addition to “Tiki Cocktail Parties” and holiday-plated dinners, the Royal Hawaiian has also introduced Rum Tasting Events, Rum- or Wine-Chocolate Pairing Parties and Tiki Cocktail-Making Classes for groups of 12 to about 20.

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Courtesy of Royal Hawaiian

A sampling of gourmet rums at Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill

“We’re working with a huge number of super-gourmet rums for our cocktail program,” says Royal Hawaiian Mixologist Sean Melia. “These events are a perfect way to teach our guests about the amazingness of higher-level rums.”

Chef’s Dinner + Lunches Too

After the initial success of their Chefs’ Dinners a few weeks ago, the Molteni brothers also are offering an off-the-menu, interactive Tasting Dinner for private parties up to 20. And, they’re opening the restaurant for holiday lunches and early cocktail parties (for all sized parties) from November through the end of January. 

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Courtesy of Royal Hawaiian

Tasting Dinners at Royal Hawaiian are off-menu creations

“The holidays are stressful enough,” says Chef Maro. “We want to do what we can to make holiday events flexible, easy and fun.”

Nothing wrong with using imagination and a little magic at the holidays, right? People interested in booking at Royal Hawaiian can email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The best-selling author and blogger on The Best of Laguna Beach, Diane Armitage is on an endless quest for the most imaginative adventures in Laguna’s restaurants, events, and lifestyle. Check out chef interviews, retail and restaurant news, and favorite events at www.TheBestofLagunaBeach.com

Chef Craig Strong to serve as celebrity chef for Laguna Art Museum’s Gala 2019

On Saturday, Sept 21, Laguna Art Museum will launch its second century with its Gala 2019 event from 5:30 to 11 p.m. at the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach. More than 350 guests will enjoy performance art, dancing, exquisite wines, and fine dining by Chef Craig Strong. 

Craig Strong is Chef and Owner of Ocean at Main, the culmination of over 20 years of distinguished experience. The restaurant recently opened in Laguna Beach with chef-driven, seasonally changing dishes that highlight pristine ingredients. 

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Chef Craig Strong will serve a celebrity chef for LAM’s Gala 2019 

Chef Strong was the executive chef for nine years at Studio at Montage Laguna Beach, where he helped the restaurant garner Five Stars from Forbes. Previously under Chef Strong’s helm, the now-called The Langham Huntington in Pasadena earned a Michelin star for two consecutive years. 

Earlier in his career, Strong cheffed at The Arts Hotel in Barcelona and The Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead, Georgia, and served as sous chef at Glitretind Restaurant at Stein Erikson Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah. He studied at L’Academie de Cuisine in Washington, D.C.

The museum will recognize longtime supporters and community philanthropists Jane and Joe Hanauer as the Honorary Chairs for Gala 2019 and will honor the acclaimed and beloved California artist Lita Albuquerque with its Wendt Award. 

Proceeds from the event ensure operating support for Laguna Art Museum to continue its mission to be the premier museum for California art and a center of culture for Laguna Beach.

For more information about Gala 2019, including to purchase tickets, visit https://lagunaartmuseum.org/events/gala-2019/.

Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Dr.

Brothers’ “Chefs’ Table” is double the fun at Royal Hawaiian

Story and photos by Diane Armitage

When the Molteni brothers purchased the iconic Royal Hawaiian in January, Laguna Beach was in for a rare treat.

While Chef Martin and Chef Maro have independently operated award-winning kitchens all over the world, they’ve also supported and created in each other’s restaurant kitchens for decades, wordlessly and inherently playing to the other’s strengths.

“We’ve worked together in kitchens since we were kids,” says Chef Maro Molteni. “So, every time we’re together again, it just locks in fluidly. It’s easy.”

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Chef Martin Molteni, left, with little brother and Co-Chef Maro Molteni of Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill

This certainly proved the case this last Saturday evening when they chose to co-host a Chefs’ Table dinner in their revitalized private dining room at the Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill. The brothers scheduled two such dinners, with this coming Friday, Aug 2 still offering a few seats at 7 p.m.

A 10-Course Exquisite Dinner

Saturday’s Chefs’ Table was nothing short of extraordinary. Greeted at the door with a glass of Veuve Cliquot, it only improved from there as the brothers served dish after dish with cocktail and wine pairings for each.

True to their Royal Hawaiian duo-world menu that combines Argentinian coastal cooking roots with historical Hawaiian coastal favorites, Chefs Martin and Maro explained they would be doing the same for this dinner.

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Geoduck Ceviche is prepped and ready for the Chefs’ Dinner

The menu started with a giant Littleneck Clam on ice, followed by a rare Geoduck Ceviche, fresh-caught Sea Bass Sashimi, Ahi Tuna Tartar and Sweetbreads. With each entry, the chefs explained the dish and poured fresh wine.

Already stuffed to our own human gills, a glorious Wagyu Empanada was followed by an even more glorious, melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu steak.

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Rogel Torta brings down the house at the Chefs’ Dinner event

The brothers finished the evening with a duo of desserts – an Argentinian favorite, a magnificent Rogel Torta, and an “American favorite,” a flourless Lava Cake adorned in bright, fresh tropical fruits.

While there are no promises that the same menu will be in play this coming Friday, guests can be assured that this Chefs’ Table dinner will be a most memorable one and well worth the $100/person investment. Chefs Martin and Maro are world-class talented innovators. Grab the last of the Friday seats at their website at www.RoyalHawaiianLB.com.

 The best-selling author and blogger on The Best of Laguna Beach, Diane Armitage is on an endless quest for the most imaginative adventures in Laguna’s restaurants, events, and lifestyle.

What’s up with The Drake, Wild Taco, and Red Dragon: progress details and updates

By DIANNE RUSSELL

Residents have been eagerly anticipating the opening of three local restaurants – The Drake, Wild Taco, and Red Dragon. As reported, “City staff is aware of the following progress” on two of the locations.

The Drake

Laguna Beach’s Director of Community Development Greg Pfost says that construction is well underway at The Drake, and it will open when completed. While the restaurant may open as early as sometime in August, they do not have a confirmed opening date.

The Drake, located at 2894 S Coast Hwy, is the project of executive chef and ownership partner Paul Gstrein (formerly of Bistango and Bayside) and sons, including his sous chef son Nick Gstrein. The culinary team will feature modern California fare with global influences. The restaurant will also have a piano bar lounge, an enclosed firewall patio, and will feature live music nightly – jazz, R&B, and blues. 

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Courtesy of Facebook

The Drake during construction – “Where great food meets great music”

The Drake, named after the famous New York City hotel, is an expanded version of the Tabu Grill space at the corner of Nyes Place and Coast Highway.

Wild Taco

 “Wild Taco submitted for a building plan check and the tenant improvement plans are currently under review by the City. Once the permit is issued, they may move forward and complete construction and then open. No opening date is available at this time,” says Pfost. 

Wild Taco, owned by Bear Flag Fish Co, is proposing a 56-seat fast casual restaurant (in the building formerly occupied by Johnny Rockets) serving Baja Californian cuisine with a farm-to-table style menu dedicated to sourcing the freshest ingredients from produce, farm-raised organic meats, and locally caught wild fish. There will also be beer and wine service. It’s located on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Coast Highway.

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Wild Taco took over the building formerly housing Johnny Rockets 

The interior design will draw influence from Baja California and California surf culture. No alterations to the building exterior were proposed at the time the process began earlier in the year. 

Red Dragon 

Jim Conrad, local architect in charge of the Red Dragon project, says that the halt in construction has been a result of a disagreement between the City and Coastal Commission on exactly what is a minor and major remodel – and whether the demolition exceeds the limits. 

Before the new property owner Enshan Zhao bought it for three million dollars, the owner of the property at 680 S Coast Hwy – a location that once housed the popular Mosun Sushi & Sake and Club M – kept the place dormant.

Construction initially began in January of 2018.

According to Conrad, the Coastal Commission didn’t want to allow the construction to continue, but the City determined Red Dragon has not exceeded the limits and construction may be resumed. However, it must wait until after the summer, since it will require lane closures that would further bog down summer traffic.

According to www.reddragonca.com, Red Dragon will be a new upscale Chinese restaurant that will provide authentic Cantonese cuisine (meals and dim sum). The project will feature a fine dining restaurant, including private rooms, a terrace, an indoor bar and lounge, a rooftop bar and lounge, and an exterior patio dining area.

Stu News will continue to provide updates on these projects, including opening dates when announced.