Editor, The transformation of the renowned Royal Hawaiian into a noisy neighborhood problem shows the need to balance business and neighborhood interests by compliance with conditional use permit rules. This often difficult process is likely to reappear as owners submit plans for parcels under development or still vacant along North Coast Highway. Most property along [...]
The menu of local restaurants shrank by two entries unexpectedly with closures at either end of town. Patrons of Royal Hawaiian, a landmark watering hole since 1947 in North Laguna, on Sunday drank up the inventory, including its signature lapu lapu cocktail, in a free-for-all send-off and quasi wake. The Sunday before, Café Vienna, a [...]
Editors, While still attending U.S.C. in 1951, we would drive to Laguna Beach for a day at the beach and dinner at the Royal Hawaiian. Navy Grogs, “Wiki Wiki” steaks, a salad with a wonderful dressing, and flaming ice cream volcanos for desert; all at a price Don could afford ( guys paid in those [...]
Editor, I clicked up the March 28 Planning Commission meeting that extinguished the life of the Royal Hawaiian and asked myself: What has happened to our town? What has our city government done to us? First they take away our beaches, then our fishing, and now, because of one cranky old lady they drove the [...]
Organizers of Laguna Beach’s Boutique Benefit plan a pre-sale party on Friday, May 4, which supports local and global causes. For a $40 tax-deductible contribution, participants before shopping can feast between 5 and 6 p.m. at Nirvana Grille, 303 Broadway St., which serves as host for donated delicacies from local restaurants including Laguna Culinary [...]
About 300 people attended the Glennwood Housing Foundation wine-tasting fundraiser earlier this month, which raised surpassed expectations by raising $15,000 for the organization. “The community is starting to understand the need for housing for these young adults with disabilities,” said Glennwood fundraiser organizer and local parent Wendy Potter, who expressed appreciation to Brian Cuddy, who [...]
Royal Hawaiian’s executive chef James Harris claimed the trophy “Champion Chef of Orange County” last Sunday, Aug. 21, in the Sunday Night Chef Fights at a showroom in Huntington Beach. The local culinary match similar to cooking competition shows on television pitted the Laguna Beach’s restaurant’s chef against Nicola Bellazzi of Enne Cucina in [...]
Police Use Taser to Subdue Assault Suspect
An assault involving three men escalated into a struggle with Laguna Beach police, who ultimately deployed a taser twice to subdue the younger combative suspect in the 300 block of Cozumel around 1:15 a.m. Friday, May 10, police said. Police ultimately arrested Laguna Beach resident Sergio Gabriel Borgognone, 51, for allegedly resisting arrest and his [...]
