Brussels Bistro subscription is best “Food Blues” prescription

By Diane Armitage

Have you ever felt absolutely smug about discovering something ahead of everyone else? I have to admit feeling that way every time I dig into yet another great meal from Brussels Bistro’s monthly meal subscription plan. 

Brussels first rolled out its “10 meals for $89 a month” subscription in December. I hopped on board immediately.

It’s March now and, having now tried about 35 of these meals, I have to say I’m still very impressed. This is fabulous food. 

For months, Brussels had already been dominating the 2020 takeout scene with beautifully packaged frozen and fresh food they had cooked and prepared “sous vide” style. Much of their takeout menu is vacuum-packed, allowing for easy refrigeration and extended freezing. 

In December, they began providing a 10-meal monthly subscription, with a vast array of gorgeous gourmet tastes arriving in frozen status. 

When I picked up my March allotment, Chef Nicolas told me that they’ve switched to oven and microwaveable dishes to make it even easier (as if popping a bag into boiling water isn’t easy enough).

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Diane Armitage

Brussels Bistro’s March subscription – 10 meals for $89 a month

The team is also beginning to incorporate choice into one’s monthly selections. By April, they intend to have fully vegetarian, gluten-fre,  and more available in a pick-and-choose sort of menu. 

Frankly, I like the element of surprise. This month, I unpacked: 

--Cod Filet in veggie broth with fingerling potatoes 

--Chicken Meatballs with mushrooms and bacon in a gravy of beef broth, red wine, and beer (hmm!) 

--Turkey Breast with braised endive and potatoes 

--Saffron Rice with chorizo sausage 

--Shepherd’s Pie with ground beef, ground pork, mashed potatoes, spinach, and onion 

--Quinoa Caponata with eggplant and capers 

--Chicken Tangine with veggies 

--Yellow Curry (mentioned below) 

--Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes with a grain mustard sauce and cauliflower gratin 

--Rotini Bolognese with a healthy portion of freshly shaved Parmesan cheese. 

Last weekend, my buddies, Tom and Joao, were grilling fish. I added two vegetarian dishes from my Brussels freezer to serve as side dishes – the Quinoa Caponata and the Yellow Curry & Coconut Red Lentils with Cauliflower. The two dishes were more than enough to share between the three of us and they added a gourmet quality I couldn’t have cooked up with less than a half day’s labor in the kitchen. 

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Diane Armitage

Brussels Bistro’s Saffron Rice with Chorizo Sausage

This is truly a genius idea at a such an affordable price. The popularity is catching on – even people on the East Coast are ordering the 10 monthly meals. The Brussels team simply packs the supply in dry ice and sends it off. Chef Nicolas tells me they’ve also begun to deliver via UPS to Las Vegas, San Diego, Northern California, and more. We’re lucky locals, though – we can just pick up our monthly installment in the alley behind their Laguna restaurant. Go to www.BrusselsBistro.com to their “Orders Online” tab to subscribe.

P.S. Cocktails, anyone? 

With the announcement of their new spring cocktail rollout, Oak Laguna Beach reminded me this morning that next Wednesday is (drum roll please) National Cocktail Day.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Oak Laguna Beach

Oak Laguna has just rolled out its Spring Cocktails, just in time for National Cocktail Day next Wednesday

If you’re willing to play, I’m here to take your votes. 

I’ll be writing in next Tuesday’s Stu News Laguna about the top five most popular cocktails in Laguna Beach. 

Is it Royal Hawaiian’s Lapu Lapu? Is it Dan the Man’s Lemondrop Martini at 230 Forest? Is it one of Neil Skewes’ famous libations at Starfish? How about a single choice from the sheer craftery at Broadway by Amar Santana, Drake Laguna Beach, Sapphire.Cellar.Craft.Cook, Driftwood Kitchen, or Selanne Steak Tavern? Will your favorite margarita make the list? 

Register your vote at https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/ and may the best libation win. 

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 https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/ and follow on Instagram @BestofLagunaBeach (look for Diane’s smiling face).

Laguna chefs share the love on Valentine’s Day

By Diane Armitage

No matter what may be going on all around us, and despite the fact that social distancing is in play, Valentine’s Day will always be our annual optimist.

It may look a little different at our restaurants this year – the two-by-two tables won’t be shoulder to shoulder, and a larger percentage of Valentine dinners may be found on tables in our homes. 

Regardless, Laguna Beach chefs are ready with special plans for outdoor dining and takeout. Many, in fact, are providing their Valentine prix fixe menus for takeout this year.

Many restaurants have sent me their news for my Restaurant Directory at https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/, but some menus are still in the crafting phase, so be sure to check the Directory for updates over the next few days.

Here’s the love in the air for Valentine’s Day: 

Flights to send you in the right direction

Jason and Sofia McLain are celebrating the anniversary of their first date (February 13) and their second date (February 14) with a weekend of wine tastings at their Canyon-based McLain Cellars, February 12-15. Wines will be paired with cheese, charcuterie, and chocolate. 

Gifty Ideas

Kudos to Nirvana Grille and GG’s Bistro for coming up with Valentine boutiques that offer ready-made gifts right along with their Valentine food.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Nirvana Grille

Various-sized Valentine Gift Baskets at Nirvana Grille make love easy

Chef Lindsay at Nirvana has crafted a number of specialty baskets starting from $49. These gems are loaded with anything from crafted chocolates to spa gift cards, champagne, essential oils, and Valentine-themed serving platters.

She’s also teaching weekly cooking classes which, for me, would be my kind of Valentine gift.

GG’s Bistro has turned its small indoor restaurant space into a boutique of foods, chocolates, house-baked goods, wines and champagnes, and creative gifts for that browse-and-buy mode. Francesca has even brought in the Valentine’s Day decor for you.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of GG’s Bistro

Shop for Valentine gifts, specialty foods, and champagnes at GG’s Bistro

Restaurants with specialty items

Because Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday with Presidents’ Day on Monday, many of our restaurants are celebrating all weekend long with Valentine specials from Friday through Sunday.

Several restaurants have created Valentine weekend specials that will be offered along with the regular menu. GG’s Bistro, Royal Hawaiian, Lumberyard, Ristorante Rumari, Reunion Kitchen, The Cliff, Skyloft and Brussels Bistro are adding delectable delight to their standard courses. The majority have confirmed that these same specials will be available for takeout.

Be sure to check these “specials” out as they are announced in the Directory because these aren’t everyday options. Consider, for instance, Skyloft’s Fried Brisket Mac with, you guessed it, beer-battered brisket topped in their famous mac-and-cheese and ladled with rosemary gravy). 

Restaurants with Prix Fixe Menus

In a normal year and a typical crowded Valentine’s Day, many chefs prefer to create prix fixe menus to keep the kitchen running smoothly. This year, with indoor dining still not available to the public, they’re not expecting the usual Valentine crowds (though cozying up in an outdoor dining setting can’t be all bad on Valentine’s Day). Despite what could be lesser numbers, a handful of chefs are making those prix fixe menus anyway.

In fact, The Drake created a Valentine’s prix fixe menu for “Dine In” and an entirely separate one for a “Couples Take-Away Meal” that includes a bottle of Prosecco Gancia Docg.

The Drake’s Dine-In menu lets you choose one salad from eight options, an entrée from nine options (including my favorite, the Chili Lime Crusted Steelhead Salmon), and one impossible option from four desserts.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of The Drake

The Drake’s perennial favorite, Filet Mignon in Peppercorn Sauce

While the Drake’s “Take-Away” Valentine Menu might be a bit smaller in stature for easier packing, it’s a giant in taste, from the starter of Maine Lobster Louie to the significant Surf and Double Turn entrée. The Tomato Saffron Soup and Berry Tiramisu complete the menu.

Chef Amar Santana is offering yet another decadent menu at the Broadway for both outside diners and those who prefer eating at home. Takeout orders for this specific menu must be made by Friday, Feb 12.

Broadway’s menu starts with an amuse of smoked salmon mousse with quail egg and caviar because that’s just how Chef Amar flies. Then, wander through Albacore Tataki, Lobster and Scallop Raviolo, Butter Poached Maine Lobster, and Pink Pineapple Upside Down Cake (with Grapefruit Honey Sorbet, wow).

At Driftwood Kitchen, Chef Rainer Schwarz starts his Valentine prix fixe with a champagne toast and his crazy-good fresh-baked Parker House rolls. These two items basically corner the market on love.

He continues, though, with choices of salad or Hamachi Tartare and then White Asparagus Soup. A single entrée choice isn’t easy with Petite Filet & Braised Prime Beef Shortribs with truffled mashed potatoes or Chilean Seabass Filet with Maine lobster risotto. (Oh my.) The menu wraps up with a “Sweetheart Chocolate Dessert” for two.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Driftwood Kitchen

Chef Rainer’s Seabass with Maine Lobster Risotto at Driftwood Kitchen

Mozambique’s Valentine’s Day includes a free champagne split for every two entrées purchased. Chef Braulio’s prix fixe menu will be the only menu offered and live music will be supplied by our own Andrew Bloom. Watch the Directory for the menu’s details on what is usually quite an extensive menu from Chef Braulio.

At Nirvana Grille, nibble your way through a cheeseboard for two as you make choices from Chef Lindsay’s extensive 3-course menu. If you’re eating at the restaurant for Valentine’s Day, consider having a Nirvana gift basket waiting at the table.

Manned by Chef Erik, Oliver’s Osteria’s kitchen is nothing but love, love, love.

It only intensifies on Valentine’s weekend with a prix fixe 4-course dinner that starts with Capesante al Cognac (seared jumbo scallops) and wanders in a happy haze through Tartara Tarufata (ground aged filet) and Tris di Ravioli (3 raviolis – Lobster/Shrimp, Asparagus & Ricotta, and Pumpkin in butternut squash sauce).

Then, for your Oliver’s entrée, choose from Filleto in Fonduta (prime filet with taleggio cheese fondue) or Branzino (Chilean sea bass). Chef’s smug Semifreddo with a mocha fondue finishes the meal.

Make reservations

Even though you may think it will be a quieter Valentine weekend, I suggest you ignore that thought completely and make your reservations as soon as possible. If you’re planning takeout, most of the restaurants will be prepared for you throughout the weekend, though keep in mind that Broadway has a Friday evening (February 12) deadline. Just watch my Directory for changes and updates as new Valentine information and menus come in, or sign up for my email for alerts.

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 https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/ and follow on Instagram @BestofLagunaBeach (look for Diane’s smiling face).

Harvest restaurant at The Ranch reopens for outdoor dining today

The Ranch at Laguna Beach has reopened its signature Harvest restaurant for outdoor patio dining as of today, February 5, in accordance with state and local health guidelines. 

Harvest will be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served beneath a heated canopy surrounded by serene canyon views. Live music will also be provided from 5:30-9:30 p.m. daily for an added dose of atmosphere.

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

The Ranch at dusk

The Ranch at Laguna Beach is also one of the first hotels in the world to become Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED® with Forbes Travel Guide. This seal of approval is granted to hotels which implement and uphold more than 360 health, hygiene, and safety standards to keep guests and staff safe while maintaining an exemplary resort experience.

Harvest restaurant at The Ranch at Laguna Beach is a favorite for locals and guests of The Ranch Laguna Beach for its farm and hook-to-table cuisine, extensive wine list, garden-driven cocktail menu, and stunning views of the Aliso and Wood Canyon. The restaurant will reopen with its full menu, created by Executive Chef Kyle St. John, which marries the bounty of the season with the artistry of Laguna Beach into a vibrant array of local flavors, ingredients, and California culinary traditions. 

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

Outdoor dining is back at Harvest at The Ranch 

Meals will be served on the Harvest patio, featuring a new canopy, heaters, and twinkling lights. The canopy sides will be open to allow for constant airflow, and seating will be spaced and managed to allow for distancing. Stringent sanitization protocols are implemented for guest and staff safety. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.

Created in homage to Laguna’s original Ranch homesteaders, the menu at Harvest changes with the season. Fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables are sourced from the property’s own half-acre organic garden and supplemented with ingredients from the best local producers. The result is handcrafted California comfort cuisine, locally rooted creative cocktails, 18 craft beers on tap, and unparalleled canyon scenery.

Harvest will be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Due to capacity and distancing guidelines, reservations are strongly recommended. To make a reservation, visit www.ranchlb.com/dining/harvest.   

The Ranch at Laguna Beach has implemented numerous updates at Harvest to allow for a safe outdoor dining experience. These include, but are not limited to:

--Tables and chairs reconfigured on The Porch for increased physical distancing while still offering magnificent canyon views.

--Restaurant hosts will guide physical distancing at entrances, waiting areas, and queues.

--Silverware will be deep sanitized and rolled in napkins; straws are individually wrapped.

--Glass barriers will be installed at host stand for staff and guest safety.

--Table turn times will be increased to ensure proper sanitation protocols.

--Hand sanitizer will be readily available to guests.

--Face masks are required for staff and guests while visiting any area of The Ranch at Laguna Beach.

For more information about The Ranch Laguna Beach’s health and safety practices, visit www.ranchlb.com/wellbeing-practices. For more information about The Ranch at Laguna Beach, or to book a stay, visit www.ranchlb.com.

Laguna chefs share the love on Valentine’s Day

By Diane Armitage

No matter what may be going on all around us, and despite the fact that social distancing is in play, Valentine’s Day will always be our annual optimist.

It may look a little different at our restaurants this year – the two-by-two tables won’t be shoulder to shoulder, and a larger percentage of Valentine dinners may be found on tables in our homes. 

Regardless, Laguna Beach chefs are ready with special plans for outdoor dining and takeout. Many, in fact, are providing their Valentine prix fixe menus for takeout this year.

Many restaurants have sent me their news for my Restaurant Directory at https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/, but some menus are still in the crafting phase, so be sure to check the Directory for updates over the next few days.

Here’s the love in the air for Valentine’s Day: 

Flights to send you in the right direction

Jason and Sofia McLain are celebrating the anniversary of their first date (February 13) and their second date (February 14) with a weekend of wine tastings at their Canyon-based McLain Cellars, February 12-15. Wines will be paired with cheese, charcuterie, and chocolate. 

Gifty Ideas

Kudos to Nirvana Grille and GG’s Bistro for coming up with Valentine boutiques that offer ready-made gifts right along with their Valentine food.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Nirvana Grille

Various-sized Valentine Gift Baskets at Nirvana Grille make love easy

Chef Lindsay at Nirvana has crafted a number of specialty baskets starting from $49. These gems are loaded with anything from crafted chocolates to spa gift cards, champagne, essential oils, and Valentine-themed serving platters.

She’s also teaching weekly cooking classes which, for me, would be my kind of Valentine gift.

GG’s Bistro has turned its small indoor restaurant space into a boutique of foods, chocolates, house-baked goods, wines and champagnes, and creative gifts for that browse-and-buy mode. Francesca has even brought in the Valentine’s Day decor for you.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of GG’s Bistro

Shop for Valentine gifts, specialty foods, and champagnes at GG’s Bistro

Restaurants with specialty items

Because Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday with Presidents’ Day on Monday, many of our restaurants are celebrating all weekend long with Valentine specials from Friday through Sunday.

Several restaurants have created Valentine weekend specials that will be offered along with the regular menu. GG’s Bistro, Royal Hawaiian, Lumberyard, Ristorante Rumari, Reunion Kitchen, The Cliff, Skyloft and Brussels Bistro are adding delectable delight to their standard courses. The majority have confirmed that these same specials will be available for takeout.

Be sure to check these “specials” out as they are announced in the Directory because these aren’t everyday options. Consider, for instance, Skyloft’s Fried Brisket Mac with, you guessed it, beer-battered brisket topped in their famous mac-and-cheese and ladled with rosemary gravy). 

Restaurants with Prix Fixe Menus

In a normal year and a typical crowded Valentine’s Day, many chefs prefer to create prix fixe menus to keep the kitchen running smoothly. This year, with indoor dining still not available to the public, they’re not expecting the usual Valentine crowds (though cozying up in an outdoor dining setting can’t be all bad on Valentine’s Day). Despite what could be lesser numbers, a handful of chefs are making those prix fixe menus anyway.

In fact, The Drake created a Valentine’s prix fixe menu for “Dine In” and an entirely separate one for a “Couples Take-Away Meal” that includes a bottle of Prosecco Gancia Docg.

The Drake’s Dine-In menu lets you choose one salad from eight options, an entrée from nine options (including my favorite, the Chili Lime Crusted Steelhead Salmon), and one impossible option from four desserts.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of The Drake

The Drake’s perennial favorite, Filet Mignon in Peppercorn Sauce

While the Drake’s “Take-Away” Valentine Menu might be a bit smaller in stature for easier packing, it’s a giant in taste, from the starter of Maine Lobster Louie to the significant Surf and Double Turn entrée. The Tomato Saffron Soup and Berry Tiramisu complete the menu.

Chef Amar Santana is offering yet another decadent menu at the Broadway for both outside diners and those who prefer eating at home. Takeout orders for this specific menu must be made by Friday, Feb 12.

Broadway’s menu starts with an amuse of smoked salmon mousse with quail egg and caviar because that’s just how Chef Amar flies. Then, wander through Albacore Tataki, Lobster and Scallop Raviolo, Butter Poached Maine Lobster, and Pink Pineapple Upside Down Cake (with Grapefruit Honey Sorbet, wow).

At Driftwood Kitchen, Chef Rainer Schwarz starts his Valentine prix fixe with a champagne toast and his crazy-good fresh-baked Parker House rolls. These two items basically corner the market on love.

He continues, though, with choices of salad or Hamachi Tartare and then White Asparagus Soup. A single entrée choice isn’t easy with Petite Filet & Braised Prime Beef Shortribs with truffled mashed potatoes or Chilean Seabass Filet with Maine lobster risotto. (Oh my.) The menu wraps up with a “Sweetheart Chocolate Dessert” for two.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Driftwood Kitchen

Chef Rainer’s Seabass with Maine Lobster Risotto at Driftwood Kitchen

Mozambique’s Valentine’s Day includes a free champagne split for every two entrées purchased. Chef Braulio’s prix fixe menu will be the only menu offered and live music will be supplied by our own Andrew Bloom. Watch the Directory for the menu’s details on what is usually quite an extensive menu from Chef Braulio.

At Nirvana Grille, nibble your way through a cheeseboard for two as you make choices from Chef Lindsay’s extensive 3-course menu. If you’re eating at the restaurant for Valentine’s Day, consider having a Nirvana gift basket waiting at the table.

Manned by Chef Erik, Oliver’s Osteria’s kitchen is nothing but love, love, love.

It only intensifies on Valentine’s weekend with a prix fixe 4-course dinner that starts with Capesante al Cognac (seared jumbo scallops) and wanders in a happy haze through Tartara Tarufata (ground aged filet) and Tris di Ravioli (3 raviolis – Lobster/Shrimp, Asparagus & Ricotta, and Pumpkin in butternut squash sauce).

Then, for your Oliver’s entrée, choose from Filleto in Fonduta (prime filet with taleggio cheese fondue) or Branzino (Chilean sea bass). Chef’s smug Semifreddo with a mocha fondue finishes the meal.

Make reservations

Even though you may think it will be a quieter Valentine weekend, I suggest you ignore that thought completely and make your reservations as soon as possible. If you’re planning takeout, most of the restaurants will be prepared for you throughout the weekend, though keep in mind that Broadway has a Friday evening (February 12) deadline. Just watch my Directory for changes and updates as new Valentine information and menus come in, or sign up for my email for alerts. 

P.S. About that Super Bowl this weekend

In Tuesday’s Stu News Laguna, I gave you several ideas for Super Bowl takeout ideas. If you missed it, you can find it in my blog on my website.

A much larger number of restaurants are open this Super Bowl Sunday than past years have proven. Some, however, will be closing at 3 p.m. or earlier to catch the game. Just check your favorite restaurant in the Directory to see their status. If I don’t have a status update, you might want to give them a call before heading in their direction.

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 https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/ and follow on Instagram @BestofLagunaBeach (look for Diane’s smiling face).

Harvest restaurant at The Ranch to reopen for outdoor dining Friday

The Ranch at Laguna Beach will reopen its signature Harvest restaurant for outdoor patio dining on Friday, Feb 5 in accordance with state and local health guidelines. 

Harvest will be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served beneath a heated canopy surrounded by serene canyon views. Live music will also be provided from 5:30-9:30 p.m. daily for an added dose of atmosphere.

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

The Ranch at dusk

The Ranch at Laguna Beach is also one of the first hotels in the world to become Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED® with Forbes Travel Guide. This seal of approval is granted to hotels which implement and uphold more than 360 health, hygiene, and safety standards to keep guests and staff safe while maintaining an exemplary resort experience.

Harvest restaurant at The Ranch at Laguna Beach is a favorite for locals and guests of The Ranch Laguna Beach for its farm and hook-to-table cuisine, extensive wine list, garden-driven cocktail menu, and stunning views of the Aliso and Wood Canyon. The restaurant will reopen with its full menu, created by Executive Chef Kyle St. John, which marries the bounty of the season with the artistry of Laguna Beach into a vibrant array of local flavors, ingredients, and California culinary traditions. 

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

Outdoor dining is back at Harvest at The Ranch 

Meals will be served on the Harvest patio, featuring a new canopy, heaters, and twinkling lights. The canopy sides will be open to allow for constant airflow, and seating will be spaced and managed to allow for distancing. Stringent sanitization protocols are implemented for guest and staff safety. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.

Created in homage to Laguna’s original Ranch homesteaders, the menu at Harvest changes with the season. Fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables are sourced from the property’s own half-acre organic garden and supplemented with ingredients from the best local producers. The result is handcrafted California comfort cuisine, locally rooted creative cocktails, 18 craft beers on tap, and unparalleled canyon scenery.

Harvest will be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Due to capacity and distancing guidelines, reservations are strongly recommended. To make a reservation, visit www.ranchlb.com/dining/harvest.   

The Ranch at Laguna Beach has implemented numerous updates at Harvest to allow for a safe outdoor dining experience when it reopens on February 5. These include, but are not limited to:

--Tables and chairs reconfigured on The Porch for increased physical distancing while still offering magnificent canyon views.

--Restaurant hosts will guide physical distancing at entrances, waiting areas, and queues.

--Silverware will be deep sanitized and rolled in napkins; straws are individually wrapped.

--Glass barriers will be installed at host stand for staff and guest safety.

--Table turn times will be increased to ensure proper sanitation protocols.

--Hand sanitizer will be readily available to guests.

--Face masks are required for staff and guests while visiting any area of The Ranch at Laguna Beach.

For more information about The Ranch Laguna Beach’s health and safety practices, visit www.ranchlb.com/wellbeing-practices. For more information about The Ranch at Laguna Beach, or to book a stay, visit www.ranchlb.com.