Food in an around Laguna

I have a long history with Laguna.  My Grandmother moved to Laguna when she had enough of the cold. She had always gone back and forth from DC to LA.  We are from LA so Florida wasn't even a thought.  When I was in college I spent my first semester of my senior year working for Robinsons in Los Angeles.  Fred spent the majority of the time with me deciding not to graduate in 3.5 years.  All he had left was his thesis but once he got off the plane he decided why not just stay and finish his thesis when I went back to finish college too.  We visited my Grandmother often so it is fun to return to that area and certainly see the development that has gone on over the last 25 years.

Zinc cafe
I wish I could write about something that rocked our world but I can't.  We are insanely spoiled in NYC.  A few highlights.  Breakfast at Zinc Cafe in Laguna.  We also went to Anastasia in Laguna which we had been to years ago when were in Laguna for a wedding.  I like that you can eat on one side and shop on the other but the food is just ok.  This breakfast bar at Zinc was quite good.  Tastes like mandel bread loaded with dried fruit.  Made me want to go home and whip up some mandel bread.

Tacofridge
I wish I could recommend some restaurants for dinner but I can't.  There was a store I wanted to check out in Newport Beach so we drove up there one day and had lunch too.  Searched for the best fish tacos in Newport and this is what came up.  The Bear Flag Fish company.  There was a line at noon so that is always a good sign.  Somethings were better than others.  It is essentially a restaurant that also sells fish.  

Tacogrill
Here is the grill for the tacos and the fish.  

Fishtacos
We had swordfish tacos with avacado.  

Chipscoconutpoke
Fresh coconut water and poke.  They have both salmon and tuna poke so we tried both.

Chips
The chips are excellent.  Might have to find these online and buy them.

Grilled artichokes
The grilled artichoke is a nice touch.  Steamed and then finished off on the grill.  Might do that myself.  

Probably our best lunch there.  Definitely gives you a little bit of the local Newport flavor too.  

Comments (Archived):

  1. JLM

    .Your ability to tell a story with pictures is a huge talent.Your pics are good enough to be the main story by themselves but when they support a great blog post the combo is dynamite.Well played.Of course, any reference to fish tacos is low hanging fruit. I am convinced there is some food out there so good if Putin and Obama sat down and ate it together — world peace.I am not aware of any conflict ever started on a belly full of fish tacos. Could be wrong. I was wrong once in 1977.JLM.

    1. Gotham Gal

      obama and putin. maybe a good bbq place?

      1. JLM

        .While I am a hopeless optimist, I would currently be a bit reluctant to trust Vlad with a knife in our President’s presence.Beauty of fish tacos? Finger food, no cutlery required.May be over thinking it.JLM.

        1. Gotham Gal

          actually you might be right

        2. bulgogi jack

          the backwardness of texas never ceases to reveal itself. ya’ll eat bbq with forks and knives?!?

          1. Gotham Gal

            ha. actually i do not.

          2. JLM

            .Watch it, son. We’re getting very civilized down here. It’s all the Californians moving in. The other day I saw someone drinking wine with Q.I never use silver for ribs, sausage wraps and chopped beef sandwiches. I am a silver user for brisket and sausage.I think I may have to get some Q today.JLM.

          3. bulgogi jack

            Practically the only passable Q coming out of California is the Korean variety. The only silver is in fancy chopsticks. As a born and bred Q man, KBBQ has been a revelation. Food really is the best way to bring people together. Lots of Hite beer and soju are certainly encouraged. Eat with your hands, laugh with your heart, order a cab with your head!

          4. JLM

            .I spent a year in the ROK, so I get your name. Most people won’t make the connection.In Korea, I began to drink Tsintao and OB and San Miguel. The beer was never cold enough where I was so I began to drink it on ice. To this day, I still do.Of course, I was tricked into eating dog while I was there and yes it was tasty. Gaegogi, anyone?Haha, well played.JLM.

  2. MLM

    Years ago I used to love going to Javier’s for tacos and margaritas. They were located on PCH and the food and drinks were legendary…as were the patrons! I see they’ve moved up to Newport, Vegas and even Cabo and seem to be a lot more upscale. I’d love to know if the food and drinks are still as delicious as I remember. http://www.javiers-cantina.com

    1. Gotham Gal

      Keep the memories