From Farro Bowls to Margarita Trucks – Laguna’s Got Layers

On this week’s episode of Best of Laguna Beach on KXFM 104.7, I sat down with Laguna Nursery and Visionscape Design owner Ruben Flores to chat about the amazing events, spaces, and stories that make Laguna special – and why strong, authentic, in-the-trenches marketing matters more than ever.I'm publishing this replay early to encourage you to attend tonight's meeting and add your voice.

As someone who's been celebrating and championing “Laguna’s best” for nearly two decades from radio to podcast and blog to books — I believe we owe it to this incredible town to ensure that our many unique stories and personalities are told with heart, soul and substance.

Here’s everything we covered in this Monday’s “Best of Laguna Beach” show:

What I really do for a living (heh) and my two new podcasts - one launched 3 weeks ago - Mastering Restaurant Revenue with me and Bruce Russo (the G.O.A.T. of restaurant design and build for profit making ease). Then, this Friday, April 11th, The Catalyst Code launches! It’s my behind-the-scenes recipe for real momentum and mindset shifts, served up for anyone hungry for more out of life and business. Please go check both out here (this might ask you for another email subscription but it’s free):
Mastering Restaurant Revenue
The Catalyst Code Preview
Then, Ruben & I discussed creative moments in Laguna Beach that you just can’t find anywhere else:
Why the Laguna Achievement Festival two weeks ago was such a stellar representation of our town

Ruben’s famed (and kinda hilarious) Garden Walks

Restaurateur Mario Melendez (Rasta Taco) and lightbulb moment several years ago that created the first “margarita truck” in the country. Now his “Rasta Rita” margarita trucks have bloomed to a whole fleet. We talk about the crazy events and receptions he does (and not a bad idea for Father’s Day, either!)

Restaurateur Cary Redfearn’s insatiable love for creative food and the new dishes he and Chef Armando Ortega keep coming up with at Lumberyard, including my new favorite, a grilled shrimp and perfectly-done farro bowl. This photo does it NO justice - super tasty and amazing.

Ruben talks more about the current Main Beach renovation and our city’s “Great Art vs. Blah Plants.”
The renowned Laguna Beach Garden Club’s Gate & Garden Tour is coming up May 3rd and 4th - it seriously sells out in advance every year, so be sure to grab your tickets:Gate & Garden Tour Tix

On the subject of Laguna Beach Garden Club, we talk about the monthly guests they bring in and the “jaw dropping” presentation Hollywood Production Designer Nelson Coates delivered a couple weeks ago … and of course we then have to talk about our favorite movies where Nelson has created entire forests, gardens and even a garden scene in the “Crazy Rich Asians” wedding that is now a frontrunner of “best cinematic weddings of all time.”

HERE is where we talk about the City Council meeting tonight with our initial thoughts on the visitor' bureau.

The recent Rivian event that reminded Laguna Beach that the ENTIRE CITY was deemed a “national historic treasure” in 1984.

I mentioned that the Drake Laguna Beach is now setting up a second location - The Drake on Sunset - on Sunset Blvd. right at the junction between WeHo and Beverly Hills. And no - we’re not losing our beloved chefs, Chef Paul and Chef Nick to L.A. They’ve both elected to stay here in Laguna Beach. (That larger story is forthcoming.)

A quick chat about incoming fast food “counter” service incomings - Board & Brew soon to be in the Wild Taco location on Ocean Avenue and Coast Highway, and Chela’s now in the former North Laguna Lost Bean/Zeytoon location.