PART II -- The Incomparable Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach
The perfect Suite, Spa and Foodie experience right here in Southern California
STUDIO at the Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach: where divine food meets a heavenly setting.
30801 S. Coast Hwy.,
Laguna Beach,
(949) 715-6420
www.studiolagunabeach.com
Open for dinner Tues.-Sun., 5-10 p.m. Starters, $25-$28; entrées, $55-$65; chef’s tasting menu, food only, $125-$175 per person; with wine pairings, $200-$250. Full bar. This is truly one of our favorite dining experiences where cuisine, aesthetics and service are all wrapped up into an unforgettable evening. The tone is set from the moment you enter and the gracious hostesses invite you in to dine.
Perched superbly at the end of the bluff overlooking the ocean and with all of humanity behind you, we can think of no finer spot in America to enjoy the sun setting into the Pacific Ocean than one of Southern California's finest dining establishment, headed by the handsome Chef extraordinaire, Craig Strong.
The Captain, Miguel, is as handsome as the restaurant is attractive, and certainly made for a good start to the night.
Despite the fresh-faced model-like good looks of the entire staff, there is not an ounce of attitude, a welcome relief from so many metropolitan fine dining establishments. Their sole goal is to please their patrons and resonate a wonderful dining experience.
Every course we enjoyed was paired with a new and interesting wine, and the som's description and enthusiasm for the wines he was pouring was inspiring, increasing the anticipation of trying that particular selection.
Every course we enjoyed was paired with a new and interesting wine, and the som's description and enthusiasm for the wines he was pouring was inspiring, increasing the anticipation of trying that particular selection.
Chef Craig will accommodate anyone with any tastes, allergies, likes or dislikes, and all with a smile on his face. We strongly suggest trying the tasting menu, or asking him to cook for you with taste sensations from his imagination. We did the latter, and told him what we didn’t care for (low salt for Scott, no shrimp for Michael, for example) and he took it and ran with it, with beyond scrumptious results.
We partook in the superb
tasting menu of six course which at $125 ($200 with wine pairings) is a
relative bargain for all that you enjoy in this experience.
Starting with their
heirloom tomato salad (locally sourced, of course) with aged balsamic and baby
greens (some fruits and veggies are grown right outside Studio's doors in
their own garden), we followed this with seared diver scallops. Scott is not a
fan of scallops but he devoured each one as if they were a new food group.
The orange powder and the coconut curry sauce was the perfect combination to
make these scallops unique and delectable.
From here we
launched onto the sautéed sea bass with a checca sauce, light and
mouth watering and subtle but still bursting with hints of flavor from the
oregano and accompanied by the Swiss chard-potato gratin. In fact, the
sea bass tasted so fresh, we could almost imagine the fishing dories floating
up on the Montage's beach with their catches of the day.
We have to admit the
press roasted Guinea was our favorite served with pickled cherries au jus and we had
the perfect pairing with the hen, 2009 Soliste Pinot Noir, which brought out
the pungent flavors of the hen.
There was a perfectly
prepared cheese course between our hen and dessert. For those of you who
are unaware, the Montage in Laguna has an almost
unparalleled cheese program and the triple cream Vermont cheese was a wonderful
way to (almost) end the meal. All of the wine accompaniments were stellar, but
since the Dining Duo craves dessert, the Uroulat, Jurancon, 2001 proved to be
the standout, setting the desserts off perfectly.
The light coconut hibiscus meringue with coconut
sorbet accompanied by a late harvest wine of our choosing was truly the
ultimate ending and we cannot wait to return to see what else Chef Craig has up
his sleeve.
There is a private dining area for 12 just off the kitchen, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Secure it for a minimal food and beverage fee, and you can have a private party that will be remembered for ages.
Chef Craig can and will pop in and out of the dining room, more fully describing the evening’s events than he could do in the main dining room.
THE ART OF SPA -- one of the country's best spa experience!

The spa at the Montage is not so much a destination for massages, but more a personal journey in relaxation. Going way beyond massages, we started with mani/pedis that proved experienced and unrushed. Distinctly missing was the chatter of a foreign language with rows of chairs and foot tubs. Here, the service was individual and with real personal care. We felt like we were having time with an old friend.
The folks working in the entire spa facility are friendly and welcoming, and clearly enjoy their work. The massage therapists are taught to combine a knowledge of indigenous botanicals derived from the ocean with the purpose of inspiring positive change “inside and out”. It’s not just rhetoric. Both the men’s and the women’s sides (nearly identical) provide a peaceful setting, with a cozy quiet room with fireplace, teas and edibles. The Jacuzzi is more like a small pool, and a waterfall cascades into it in such a fashion that we couldn’t wait to have it run over our weary, tired shoulders.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE
We didn’t have enough time for other services at the full-service salon which also offers highly personalized programs. The boutique had a tremendous amount of lotions and potions, and other items to take home as souvenirs of this moment in time.
SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE
From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, it feels like family (from the good side, that is) is taking care of you.
It’s all of these things and many more that moves this Hotel and it’s restaurants into its own exceptional category. We’ve already listed our house for sale, and sent for our belongings so we could move in here permanently. Oh wait, all we really need is a few pairs of shorts, some bathing suits and a few toys for Triple Dog, and they sell all those at the hotel gift shop.
We were not the only ones who had a superlative experience at the Montage and didn't want to leave.
As the sun set over the Montage Hotel in Laguna, we vowed to return again to this magnificent spot sooner than later.
Appetizingly yours,
Michael and Scott
The Dining Duo
0 comments
Post a Comment