What's New in Laguna Beach

New Restaurant Openings

Asada Laguna Beach is a Mexican steakhouse featuring fresh California-Mexican cooking. The festive Tequila Bar offers an extensive selection of spirits, ice cold beer, margaritas and signature cocktails. The beautiful ocean view makes it a perfect destination for fun. www.asadalaguna.com

Broadway by Amar Santana opened September 2011. Amar Santana was formerly the chef at Charlie Palmer restaurant in South Coast Plaza. The restaurant is designed with an industrial New York vibe. The inventive menu will feature seasonal items such as Lobster and Shrimp Corn Dogs with Tarragon Emulsion; Pan Roasted Sea Scallops with Sea Urchin Risotto and Passion Fruit; Bacon Wrapped Braised Pork Cheek with Roasted Garlic Grits and BBQ Honey; Slow Poached Organic Chicken Eggs with Chicken Livers, Chicken Wings and Crispy Chicken Skin, and Foie Gras Stuffed Quail in Celery Root Puree with Pumpernickel and Truffle Jus. www.broadwaybyamarsantana.com

Katsuya Laguna Beach is a dynamic pairing of Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi and design impresario Philippe Starck, making Katsuya by Starck a feast for the senses. With a family-friendly indoor-outdoor dining space, Katsuya offers more than just sushi - there is something for everyone. www.sbe.com/Katsuya

Starfish Laguna, owned by Nancy Wilhelm, who has successfully earned the highest Zagat rating (29 out of 30) in Southern California for the past two years for Tabu Grill restaurant in Laguna, features "AmerAsian" cuisine such as Summer rolls; pho, udon and soba noodles; Bhutanese rice; wok sauté; ribs and other chef's expressions. Asian mojitos, martinis, sakes, sangrias, artesian beers and boutique wines are served at the horseshoe-shaped bar. Enjoy muddled cocktails, a street satay bar and romantic atmosphere. Indulge in Opium Hour, Sunday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. with $5 Opium Bites, $8 Cocktails and Select Beer & Wine Specials. Friday and Saturday Late Nights from 10 p.m. to midnight. www.starfishlaguna.com

Three Seventy Common Kitchen + Drink  is a neighborhood establishment featuring Chef-driven comfort food. With an emphasis on the farm to fork movement, they support principles of sustainability and responsible farms and fisheries. "Globally Influenced, Domestically Sourced." They utilize fresh, local ingredients with a seasonally changing menu. www.370common.com

Umami Burger - This ultra-popular L.A. mini-chain will open its first Orange County restaurant in Laguna Beach in early 2012. Umami will have a nautical theme, full-service bar, as well as their signature gourmet hamburgers along with inventive sides such as smushed potatoes, sweet potato fries, tempura onion rings and specialty salads. 610 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. www.umamiburger.com

Laguna Beach Foodies
The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau launched www.lagunabeachfoodies.com in 2011. Guests have the opportunity to sign up to receive instant access to exclusive restaurant offers in Laguna Beach (2 for 1 entrees, 20% off total bill, etc).

Laguna Beach a la Carte - A Food & Wine Experience takes place Thursday, March 7-10, 2013 at various venues in Laguna Beach. Guests will experience world-class cuisine, prix-fixe menus, cooking demonstrations, food & wine pairings, and special offers by local restaurateurs ... taking place at various restaurants over four special days. www.LagunaBeachAlaCarte.com

Hotel/Lodging Developments

Hotel Laguna has created a new synergy with the community by partnering with Pageant of the Masters for their property-wide renovation. They are now displaying large, framed photographs taken 'behind the scenes' at Pageant of the Masters in the newly renovated guest rooms. Also, the Terrace Cafe has been renamed OceanView Bar & Grill offering new menu items. www.hotellaguna.com

Inn at Laguna Beach, offering intimate ocean lodging at Main Beach above the Pacific in the heart of Laguna, will undergo a complete renovation in Spring 2012 to include guest rooms, the swimming pool and spa, and sun terrace. Guest rooms will have new furniture, carpet and paint with upgraded bathrooms. The pool area will have a new deck and furniture, and the pool will be re-plastered with new tiles. The Pacific meeting room and fourth floor terrace will receive new flooring, new furniture and higher glass walls on both sides to cut down on noise and wind. The concept is to create a beachy chic look, and wherever possible they are using items that are environmentally conscious such as dual flush toilets and 30% recycled material for the bathroom tiles. is located at 211 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. www.innatlagunabeach.com

Pacific Edge Hotel
New additions include The Deck and Indoor/Outdoor Cabanas. Pacific Edge, Joie de Vivre Hotels' Laguna Beach property, unveils The Deck, boasting the ultimate beachfront restaurant experience literally right on the sand. Guests can nosh on casual beach fare, sip on freshly made cocktails, take a dip in the ocean, watch the surfers, paddle boarders and dolphins, or catch a sunset. Guests visiting The Deck can relax on lounge chairs in the sand, store paddleboards at the beach valet, take a surf lesson, or rent a cabana. The five fully private beachfront cabanas (that open out to a deck with direct access to the beach) offer a menu of "extras," including a masseuse, mobile airbrush spray tanning, manicure/pedicure, and a personal photographer/videographer. Available for day use only, and you don't have to be a hotel guest to take advantage of this special pampering. Cabanas can accommodate up to eight people. www.pacificedgehotel.com

Surf & Sand Resort recently underwent a complete guest room/suite and pool deck renovation. With the completion of its $3 million renovation project that included the pool deck, Aquaterra Spa and Splashes Restaurant, these new design elements have transformed this idyllic ocean front resort to a more modern aesthetic. The resort features 167 guest rooms, including 13 suites and 3 penthouses that sit terraced above the sea. Its newly remodeled pool, with a modern-chic design, features new cabanas, chaise lounges, a mosaic tile wall designed by a local artist and a newly added poolside bar. Surf & Sand is one of only five oceanfront properties in the state. www.surfandsandresort.com