Laguna Niguel

Eat Steak and Sip Cocktails While You Watch The Hobbit; Cinepolis Luxury Cinema Opens In RSM

Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas--a theater chain that began in Mexico--has opened the second of its two planned Orange County theaters in Rancho Santa Margarita last week. Its first OC theater debuted earlier this year in nearby Laguna Niguel.If you're new to the experience of having dinner and a movie fr ... More >>

Laguna Niguel and Costa Mesa DUI Checkpoints Tonight, Garden Grove on Saturday Night

Anyone taking that weird Laguna Niguel to Costa Mesa route this evening, with an overnight stop before heading on to Garden Grove Saturday night, will want to take extra care as three law enforcement agencies are running sobriety checkpoints in those towns those nights. Tonight's locations are undis ... More >>

Mangi Con Amore Is a Fellini Fantasy Come True

[Hole In the Wall] This Laguna Niguel restaurant makes great Italian food in an office park

New Steakhouse Opens at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel

You may know The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel for Raya, the very good Mexican restaurant by Richard Sandoval that introduced huitlacoche to its couture-wearing customers not only by putting it in their soup but also dolloping it on top of their steak. Raya was as good on a recent visit as it was on my ... More >>

Jiro Dreams of Sushi Opens in Irvine and Laguna Niguel on Friday

​Jiro Dreams of Sushi, the film about a legendary sushi chef that has critics raving and viewers salivating, will be coming to our neck of the woods this Friday. It's being released at two Orange County theaters, Edwards University Town Center 6 Cinemas in Irvine and Regency Rancho Niguel 8 Cinema ... More >>

[UPDATED with I.D.'s, More Details:] John Kristopher Altamirano, OC Homicide No. 60: Found Dead in Truck

DMVJohn Kristopher Altamirano​UPDATE, DEC. 7, 5:10 P.M.: When sheriff's deputies found a dead John Kristopher Altamirano in his white pickup parked in front of his Laguna Niguel residence Monday afternoon, the 34-year-old had cuts and bruises on his face as if he'd been in a fight.However, the inj ... More >>

Danielle Rene Deichman Gets 60 Days for Filing False Report That Spread Panic of Predator

​A 20-year-old woman admitted sparking panic throughout South County by falsely reporting she was sexually assaulted in the same area as another recent attack.Danielle Rene Deichman of Laguna Niguel was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years probation after pleading guilty Monday to misdem ... More >>

Roving DUI Patrols Hit Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods Tonight

​The Orange County Sheriff's Department holds DUI roving patrols tonight in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods.Deputies will target areas that have a high incidence of DUI-related arrests and collisions, according to a department release.

Power Balance, Maker of Those Silicone Miracle Bracelets, Files For Bankruptcy

​Power Balance, the maker of those brightly colored silicone bracelets that promised to improve balance and flexibility, increase strength, end all political strife, etcetera, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The news is no major shocker because last December, the Laguna Niguel-based company a ... More >>

LA Times Pushes Back Community News Expansion into South County and Announces OC Arts Section

​The Los Angeles Times announced today that it will expand Times Community News (TCN) coverage into Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel and the Orange County arts community beginning Aug. 26.If part of that sounds like deja vu all over again, it is--with a twist. A June 30 memo from Times Media Group to ne ... More >>

Amtrak Mooning

Mugs Away Saloon

[UPDATED with Sentences:] Caretaker Norma Ruth Casini, Husband Leno and Daughter Anastasia Darlena Mendezkestler Guilty of Fleecing the Elderly

​UPDATE, MAY 5, 6:52 P.M.: Caretaker Norma Ruth Casini pleaded guilty to stealing more than $642,000 from multiple elderly victims, including taking $610,000 from an 85-year-old woman to spend on shopping, travel and a "dog whisperer." The 51-year-old Laguna Niguel resident was sentenced to 13 ... More >>

[UPDATED] Caretaker Norma Ruth and Leno Casini's Daughter Anastasia Darlena Mendezkestler Joins Parents in Facing Charges Tied to Thefts from Elderly

​UPDATE, MARCH 4, 6:01 P.M.: Are the Casinis a family of gypsies--the thieving kind Borat warned us about?Because now the daughter of alleged sticky-fingered caretaker to the elderly Norma Casini and her husband the accused fence Leno Casini is up on charges related to the caper.Anastasia Darlena ... More >>

Elizabeth Gaitanis of Tastes of Greece Goes On the Line, Part Two

Tastes of Greece's Facebook pageYep, it's that tiny​Here is part two of our interview with Elizabeth Gaitanis of Tastes of Greece in Laguna Niguel. For the first part, click here.

¡Ask a Comida Critic! A Good Mimosa Near the Coast?

​From Twitter, from a gal whose name I can't remember, whose question I can't quote verbatim because it's buried under a pile of tweets, but which went like this:Where can I find a good mimosa near the beach?Actually, she first asked about a good mimosa, period. I recommended Memphis at the Santor ... More >>

ChickPita Moving Into Brea Mall

​Spotted at Brea Mall's food court, the fourth OC location for ChickPita is taking over the old Tacos N More space. This chain of Mediterranean grills already has an express version in Laguna Niguel with a condensed menu. It appears they are expanding to the east, with Las Vegas and Chicago loca ... More >>

Danielle Rene Deichman Charged With Filing False Sex Attack Report That Put South County in a Panic

​A 20-year-old woman who sparked alarm throughout South County of a predator on the loose after she reported being sexually assaulted in the same area as another recent attack, has been charged with misdemeanor counts of filing a false police report and resisting arrest.Danielle Rene Deichman of L ... More >>

This Week in Food: Copyright Fight over Tacos, Dia de los Muertos, Blizzcon Eats, and Killer Pizza Dough!

Flickr user lol-ita​Such a busy week at this infernal, tasty blog, as usual. Click after the jump to read some of the highlights!

What's the Cost for Police Service in Your City?

​At the most recent meeting of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens got the five supes to approve $77 million in annual police service contracts with 11 cities throughout the county.That amount represents a slight increase (primarily due to deputy benefits) over the last ... More >>

Laguna Niguel Imposes 1-Year Moratorium on New Medical Marijuana Clinics

​Here's a question for Laguna Niguel's city fathers and mamas: Since you have just approved a moratorium preventing medical marijuana dispensaries from opening in town for another year, can you also give local patients 12 months off from insomnia, debilitating pain and lack of appetite--the sympto ... More >>

Free Dinner at Savannah Chop House; But Read The Fine Print

​My fascination with what was once David Wilhelm's might Culinary Adventures dining group continues since I keep getting unsolicited e-mail newsletters from them (I ate at one of his restaurants once and took advantage of an offer where I'd get a discount on the meal if I signed up for it, which I ... More >>

Sleepy South-County Towns Make US News's List Of Political Junky Zones

Ed Piskor / OC Weekly​A proponent of the Lance MacLean recall (blogged about earlier today) just tipped me off to a list in published in US News and World Report last week: "10 Cities for Political Junkies." Orange County towns comprise one-fifth of the cities on the list, which seeks to document ... More >>

Understanding Laguna Niguel Through Twitter

Gustavo's always ragging on Laguna Niguel as being the lamest city in the county. I live in a neighboring town, and I gotta say, it's not so bad. Laguna Niguel has some good fast food! Real people do live in Laguna Niguel, and they do like it. How do we know? Twitter, duh. Here's a not-so-random sam ... More >>

Getting Ripped Off By Bland Food at Geisha House

I've eaten at restaurants where the bill came to more than $300 for two (the late, great Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel). Where the buffet cost $100 for two (Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel again). Over $100 for omakase for one (Hanamori). Many other places too expensive and too superflu ... More >>

Pablo Escobar, Other OC Tax Delinquents Snared

Pablo Escobar, now dead and probably not of Huntington Beach.The LA Times reports today that Burt Reynolds, Dionne Warwick and Sinbad are among the 250 folks who owe $143 million in back taxes, according to the California Franchise Tax Board's list of the top state tax delinquents.Orange County may ... More >>

Ritz-Carlton's Easter Brunch Is Fit For A King (Or Lottery Winner)

Loads of restaurants are running special menus this Sunday, but the Easter Brunch (10am-3pm) at the Pavilions in the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, is one for gourmets and splurgers. At $84 ($25 for kids), it's only $4 more than the normal brunch, and for that you get the likes of: Slow Roas ... More >>

This Week In Food

Our fave posts from the last five days:Gustavo urged us to steer clear of the chilaquiles at the otherwise splendid Laguna Niguel's Break of Dawn, which unleashed a TORRENT OF SHOUTING FROM OUTRAGED RESIDENTS!!!!!!!!!!!.He also came across "the most pointless valet service in Orange County" (aren't ... More >>

Mimi's Cafe in Lake Forest Giving Away Free Gift Cards

Another Mimi's Cafe "re-opens", and another giveaway!  The same thing happened when the Laguna Niguel branch debuted their new digs.  Now it's Lake Forest.  This Thursday, March 12th at 9:00 AM., the first 75 18-year-old plus guests will get gift cards.  Since they plan to give away $3000 worth ... More >>

Former UFC Fighter Kimo Leopoldo Arrested in Tustin

TMZ is reporting that former UFC fighter Kimo Leopoldo was arrested this afternoon in Tustin after police discovered a "small amount of what is believed to be meth" in his car.What's interesting is what led them to search his car in the first place: He was dressed in a Long Beach police jumpsuit. H ... More >>

Howard Ahmanson Jr. Only the Second Biggest Hater

Gustavo's pal Howard F. Ahmanson Jr. just missed the top spot on the Dishonor Roll published online by Californians Against Hate. The Knights of Columbus of New Haven, Conn., gave $1.425 million to the campaign for the same-sex-marriage-barring Prop. 8, while Howie only ponied up $1.395 million.Hey, ... More >>

Have A Baby, Have An Orgasm? What The?

The makers of a new documentary called "Orgasmic Birth" promise that such a thing is possible when you give birth without drugs, wheelchairs and stirrups. The enigmatic (and not immediately obvious) sensual secrets of childbirth will be revealed at a screening of the film tonight in Laguna Niguel. ... More >>

Today: Mimi's Cafe in Laguna Niguel Giving Away $100 Gift Cards

Today only, Mimi's Cafe in Laguna Niguel, in celebration of its "grand reopening" of that particular restaurant with a new interior and new menu items, will have a ribbon cutting with the mayor at 7:00 AM, and giveaways throughout the day totaling about $5000. The best part is that the first 100 cu ... More >>

What's The Deal With OC Billionaires?

We've got the George Argyros-owned apartment empire "systematically ripping off" its largely poor or lower middle class tenants by fabricating excuses for not refunding deposits to literally thousands of people. We've got Donald L. Bren--owner of the Irvine Co. using strong arm tactics on small l ... More >>

Grub Guide

Moonnites

The 28th Annual Mooning of Amtrak

New Reviews

Let's Go to Prison; Sweet Land

Grub Guide

Tasty morsels from the county's best damn dining guide

Grub Guide

Tasty morsels from OC'c best damn dining guide

Grub Guide

Tasty morsels from the county's best damn dining guide

Diary of a Mad County

April 26 - May 2

Meat Juices Down Your Throat!

Savannah Steak and Chop House sizzles

Grub Guide

This Week in Belated Happy Lunar New Year!

Laguna Niguel

Prozac on Wheels

Skate Mama o-rama!

This Week In Small-City Dining

L

Laguna Niguel

Cul-de-sacs and soccer fields

Human Waste Project

Local official disputes report saying he knew people poop polluted Aliso Creek

Getting More Retail than Sinatra

Whose Poop Is It Anyway?

How not to solve the Aliso Creek pollution mystery