Maro Wood Grill

Maro Wood Grill Restaurant Review:

Situated just south of downtown Laguna Beach, this cozy venue is reminiscent of a beachside bungalow, where neighbors talk to each other as they take in the city’s coastal breezes. Most of the action takes place on the patio --- an intimate space dotted with flourishes of bright orange, succulent plants. The cheerful ambience is made even happier by an Argentinean-inspired menu that changes daily based on seasonality, freshness, and market availability. The venue's wood-fire grill factors heavily into the fare served up, something that's evident with starters such as the toasty empanadas and the roasted edamame flavored with Sonoma salt and house-picked ginger. The grill is used to full effect for entrées, too, which feature an array of fish, poultry and meat dishes. Among them is the classically prepared mesquite baseball steak with Yukon Gold potatoes and house-made chimichurri. The restaurant's South American influence is also demonstrated by the number of wines culled from Argentina's lauded Mendoza Valley, including a few labels that pair well with daily dessert creations.