As a late teenager at the turn of the Millennium, some of my favourite TV shows were based in LA; The OC, Laguna Beach, Sweet Valley High, Saved By The Bell. It took until I reached my 40s to finally venture to the West Coast and my God was I excited. Here's what we got up to...
We Stayed...
Surf-side, modern 70s aesthetic boutique hotel: Casa Loma Beach Hotel
We ate:
Miki’s, Laguna Beach (there’s sushi, then there’s Miki’s sushi) - this tiny eatery with their longboard nestled on the side of the Pacific Highway, opposite Main Beach, doesn’t look anything from the outside - but the gems never do. Our host insisted we met for Friday night dinner, and we were not disappointed. A “Sexy Hand Roll”, tangy mango dipping sauces, the uniquest of flavours and things done to yellowfin tuna I could never even imagine - one dish that looked more like a roulade but melted like butter in your mouth are just a snippet of what we ate. This restaurant has a charming story, and a true dynasty of Laguna Beach.
La Jolla
A day trip from San Diego. Think Hamptons-esque, cashmere-filled boutique-lined streets, independent coffee shops, plus an Oppenheimer Group office (if you know, you know) all with a view to die for of La Jolla Cove. Stepping out of the car we were not only hit with the crashing noise of the surf, but the calling of the local sea lions who take up residence in the cove right below the town. Go with a slightly strong stomach, the whiff of sea life is like a punch in the nose!
We ate:
Puesto, La Jolla. It’s hard not to stumble across a Mexican eatery anywhere in Southern California (given their proximity to the Mexican border), and having spent 6 months in Mexico myself, my bar is fairly high for the right taco. Puesto fitted the bill. Greeted with bright orange parasols, a full-height bar packed with every tequila and mezcal brewed under the Mexican sun and a menu to die for, it was a sure fire lunchtime hit. A birria bowl was for me, whilst my companion had a ‘flight’ of guacamoles with fresh corn black tortillas. A sweet but just-enough-sour passion fruit juice was the perfect accompaniment before we recommenced our exploration of the La Jolla coastal path.
Newport Beach
Another day trip from our weekend base of Laguna Beach to visit our host’s ‘empire’ office building sitting on the edge of Newport Marina (each of the offices comes with their own pontoon, so a boat is a must). I have never been one for malls, shopping centres or outlet centres, but Lido Marina Village changed my tune. Built right on the edge of the marina itself, lines of boutiques are broken up with various eateries overlooking the marina with seating right along the boardwalk. Nobu sits alongside Jenni Kayne (I had to be extracted from the latter after an hour of strict window shopping) which sets the tone for the best outdoor mall I’ve ever visited.
We ate:
Circle Hook Fish Co, Newport Marina. How I’ve not returned to the UK looking like a tuna is a small miracle, but how could I not indulge daily when the tuna is just so fresh and melts like butter. This time around was the Asian Tuna Seared Salad - it did what it said on the tin, with an added bonus of a salty-zingy ginger and soy dressing, amples of raw slaw (various cabbage, sprouts, broccoli) crispy black rice and some intriguing wonton crisps. Sublime, as was my partner’s ceviche to which I ate at least half of in addition to my own.
