Sure, Laguna Beach has great sun and sand and art. But we also have a great history of famous residents and breathtaking residences. Now you can see historical Laguna from the sea, aboard Dana Wharf’s 63-foot OCean Adventure luxury catamaran. (Get it? OCean, as in Orange County, the OC?) There’s no Gilligan on this 3-hour tour, but you will see stars homes, world renowned architecture, beautiful cliffs and beaches, and probably a dolphin or two or twenty. And the cruise ends with a glass of wine from Laguna Canyon Winery. What more could you want for less than $50 per person? Come stay with us and we’ll make the arrangements for you. To learn more about the cruise and what you’ll see, check out the Coastline Pilot article or go straight to Dana Wharf’s reservation website.
Cale Falk, former Casa Laguna chef and prior Gold Medal winner at the 2008 Select Registry Inn-Credible Breakfast Cook-off, took home “top breakfast” honors at our 2010 Culinary Challenge on Thursday February 18, 2010. A panel of six prestigious judges sat poolside and watched as the three chefs battled it out, then they sampled each selection and marked their ballots for what would be a very close contest.
Chef Peter O’Keefe, who won the 2007 Select Registry Silver Award while working at Casa Laguna, received the most points for creativity and menu appropriateness with his “Eggs Benedict Belly Up” – a beautiful dish featuring pork belly “tater tots”, served with a sunny side up egg perched atop brioche and finished with hollandaise sauce and corn foam.
Our current culinary master, Chef Joshua Roberts, grabbed top points for overall taste with his signature “South Laguna Benedict” – comprised of fluffy poached eggs sitting atop a whole wheat ravioli stuffed with Portobello and shallot filling, served with brown butter hollandaise and roasted asparagus wrapped in pancetta. 
But it was Chef Falk, with his Asparagus Flan and Herb Comfit Potatoes topped with Poached Eggs and Crispy Asparagus, who squeaked out the overall win by just one point! The culinary challenge kicked off Casa Laguna’s 10-year anniversary, with our founder/owner Francois Leclair acting as master of ceremonies, and former co-owner Paul Blank servings as one of the judges. The rest of the judging panel included Fifi Chao, Food Reviewer for the Orange County Business Journal,; Laguna Beach Mayor Elizabeth Pearson; President of the Laguna Beach Visitors and Convention Bureau, Karyn Phillipsen; and special guest judges long-time regular Casa Laguna guests, Shauna and Dave Weiner, who got married at the inn four years ago. Watch for Chef Falk’s winning recipe on the cover of our upcoming cook book; and, on our menu this summer. We thank all of our chefs for helping make Casa Laguna a “foodie” destination.
We’re often surprised by the variety of presentations that the Laguna Playhouse brings to our community; and, we’re never disappointed by the quality of the production and performance. Never was this truer than last night’s superb presentation of Hershey Felder as “George Gershwin Alone.” There were times when we felt we must surely have been transported back in time to watch and listen to Gershwin play his fabulous music just for us—on a Steinway concert grand of course. Felder returns in late February as “Monsieur Chopin,” and, at the end of last night’s performance, he gave us a small sampling of what we can expect. We can’t wait!
[gallery columns="4"] After three high-pressure days of non-stop lectures and seminars, we left CABBI Napa, for some down time with our friends at Inn on First. Situated just blocks from downtown Napa, the Inn on First was just what we needed. Ample off-street parking and close proximity to shops, restaurants, and wine tasting, meant no driving necessary until the long trip home. (I know, we’re probably the only people who come to Napa and don’t go out to see the big wineries, but this time it was all about relaxation.) The room was comfy and the fireplace kept it cozy and warm while we relaxed in the big jetted tub. Our thanks to Jamie and Mercedes for their superb service and hospitality. Sorry we missed you Jim.
[gallery] On our way to the CABBI conference in Napa, we had the opportunity to spend a night (only one, sadly) at the marvelous Canyon Villa B&B in Paso Robles (http://www.thecanyonvilla.com). This unique inn sits atop one of the rolling hills just west of Highway 101 and is surrounded by beautiful green fields. A myriad of superb wineries are literally just minutes from their door. (Yes, we managed to work in a couple of tastings—how could we resist?) Our thanks to Jim and Diane for making our short but luxurious stay a warm and welcome respite from the road.
