Driftwood Kitchen Pacific Edge Hotel Rainer Schwarz Driftwood Kitchen

Driftwood Kitchen

Pacific Edge Hotel
619 Sleepy Hollow Lane (Cleo St.)
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Thoughtful, elegant cuisine matches the beachfront setting of this airy Laguna Beach venue.
Openings: Brunch & Dinner daily

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Driftwood Kitchen, Laguna Beach, CA


Driftwood Kitchen Restaurant Review:


Situated about 30 yards from the surf and sand, this shoreline venue affixed to Laguna Beach’s Pacific Edge Hotel brings the outside in through massive windows and stark white hues that festoon the bungalow-style main dining room. The restaurant draws a crowd with its location alone, but executive chef Rainer Schwarz matches the setting with well-composed contemporary fare that entices the palate. Starters like the tuna tartare taco, enveloped in a sweet, crisp miso and sesame shell, exhibit skillful compositional balance, while the fork-tender grilled Spanish octopus with chickpea purée, za’atar and tomato-caper vinaigrette nods to Schwarz’s love for Mediterranean flavors. Mains such as the pan-seared black cod fillet with lemon and Parmesan emulsion or the butcher steak and pork belly duo served with chimichurri sauce and roasted mushrooms are approachable yet forward-thinking. Indulge in the espresso coffee sabayon for dessert before retiring to the old-school, wood-paneled Stateroom for a smartly assembled nightcap. Brunch items include eggs Benedict with blood orange hollandaise.

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