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Went for a date night last night and we enjoyed our dinner! We've been passing this place forever but hadn't had a chance to try it! Nice atmosphere, it feels slightly upscale but still relaxed. Good service! Food: I got the lamp chop salad- VERY good! The lamb was cooked *perfectly* and was very flavorful. It was pretty fatty, but I think that leant to the good flavor and juiciness. It wasn't a massive meal, but I was full after finishing it. My husband got the shrimp pasta and that was VERY good! He scraped his plate clean and raved about it. We split the artichoke appetizer- this I wouldn't get again. It was good in the beginning and the dipping sauce was yummy, but as you ate the artichoke the seasoning and butter/oil ran out and it became gradually less flavorful and more tough. Not to say it was bad, we've just had better. Ultimately the 4/5 is mostly for pricing, it isn't cheap, but given the location the price is pretty comparable to other restaurants in the area. We'll definitely go back!
Cute little bistro on the Forest avenue surrounded by lots of shopping and galleries. Unfortunately Laguna Beach is in the middle of removing tons of trees in the middle of the street so there is absolutely no view at this time. It is supposed to be finished early June. The food and service are both great. We started with the whipped ricotta with toast and honey and almonds and it was delicious we shared the salmon salad. It was definitely plenty for two. We were celebrating a birthday and they made sure to bring us a delicious ice cream sundae Would really like to return in the summer for an evening meal
Very cute dinner date spot in downtown Laguna. We ordered the warm rolls, gazpacho, Caesar salad, and chicken sandwich. The warm rolls were a great start to the meal and had a balanced sweet/salty flavor profile. With the butter, it just melted in your mouth. I'm also a sucker for a good Caesar salad and this spot delivered. Their croutons were Polenta-based but this made it even better. They were soft and warm and honestly a lot easier to eat than the traditional hard ones! Our server was also very friendly and enthusiastic and made the evening very fun for us. Overall would come again!
Stopped in for the first time for lunch and it was a lovely experience. We opted to eat outside on the patio on lower Forest and it was a beautiful day in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. The dining area inside looked really nice but we couldn't resist the beautiful day and peek at the ocean. We started with the warm Parker house rolls and they were almost the best rolls we've ever had. They had a flaky almost croissant type texture on top with thick pieces of sea salt, while soft and fluffy inside. Absolutely to die for. We then split the cheeseburger and fries and it was really good. All fresh and delicious ingredients but could've used a bit more flavor via an aioli or sauce of some kind, which is personal preference. But the burger was juicy and perfectly cooked. The thin and crispy fries were great and just the way I like fries like that. The service was warm, friendly and efficient. Would love to go back for dinner and try more of the menu - it has some really great looking main dishes. You know the drill for parking anywhere near Main beach in Laguna, so plan accordingly.
Amazing service and good food. As a pescatarian I had limited options, but those few options were good ones! The seafood salad was actually loaded with seafood, very filling on its own. The salmon entree was amazing, just perfectly seasoned. The sizzling shrimp appetizer was cool but very underseasoned. I wish they seasoned and sautéed the items a little more. I also had a passionfruit mocktail which was tasty. I'm happy they offered non alcoholic options. Our server was so awesome, I wish I remember his name! He was very knowledgeable on the food preparations and was able to tell us right off the bat if something was not in line with out dietary restrictions. They have indoor seating, but we chose to sit on the patio with the heat lamps. It was very cute and romantic, perfect for a date night. My husband and I would love to come back for another date night!
Overall good food and refreshing drinks. The shrimp weren't bad but needed some additional flavor, while the dates were delicious! The cucumber cocktail was clean and perfect for lunch. The ceasar salad was a miss and lacked flavor while the 3 specialty tacos were some of the best I've had in a long time. Our server was attentive and on it for anything we needed.
230 Forest Avenue is a superb restaurant on the main street at Laguna Beach. Located right near the beach with both indoor and outdoor seating. The hostess and our waiter were great, and they continued to check on us and fill our iced teas. We ordered the fish n chips and the chipotle lime chicken and both were great. Even our iced teas were great. We sat outdoors and had a great lunch. I highly recommend this restaurant if you visit Laguna Beach. Enjoy.
Service 5/5 Ambience 5/5 Food Preparation 5/5 Food flavor 4/5 Everything was insanely well prepared but missing a flavor element. Not sure if it was acid or umami that was missing, regardless the preparation was well executed. The scallops melted into your mouth. The lobster was fresh and delicious. The bacon dates! Like crack!!!
Wonderful service, beautiful atmosphere, and fresh food. Myself and two others came for lunch recently, and were seated immediately. Our server was so friendly and remembered my friend from her previous visits. We started with a few drinks. I recommend the Albarino, a crisp white. I ordered the Toasted Garlic Salmon entree. The salmon had a delicious crust on top which was absolutely divine, and the salmon was cooked perfectly (medium). The quinoa had great flavor, especially with the addition of the salsa verde. I had a bite of the halibut special- it was light with good texture. The brown butter gnocchi were perfectly chewy and the brown butter in the sauce really came through. We completed our meal with the pistachio crème brûlée. Not too sweet, creamy, and flavorful.
Went here with my son and husband, and this place was outstanding! Food: We started with the Calamari Kung Pao as an appetizer -- it was flavorful and perfectly cooked. My husband had the burger, which he really enjoyed -- juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked just right. My son had the fish and chips. I had the special of the day, the Halibut, and it was absolutely outstanding -- fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. We'll definitely be coming back! Service was great
We didn't know where we wanted to eat so we just walked around laguna and checked out their menu and was very imp by their seafood options. They also had a fish taco special which is what i got and i absolutely loved it. The fish was cooked perfectly and all the toppings paired perfectly in the taco. Their drink selection was really good and i really enjoyed their margaritas. The fish and chips were also very delicious. Our waitress was every sweet and i appreciated that she checked in on us every once in a while.
If a man is talking in the forest, and there is no woman there to hear him, is he still wrong -- Jenny Weber I thought for sure I had added a review for 230 Forest. But I must have been wrong... And I have been here with a few different friends, mostly women because men are just wrong ;-) And over the years, it's always been consistently good. Plus sitting on the patio, lovely people watching ambiance and a view of Main Beach. Favorites on the menu include the bacon wrapped dates, wagyu carpaccio, oysters, lamb chops, onion soup, truffle fries...basically the plates for sharing. Beer list is interesting...East Bros. and North Coast are represented. Wine list is basic with a few interesting finds. Last time I was there the bottle I brought was corked so I ordered the Alpha Omega second wine and it was decent. $25 corkage. Recommended!
I've been frequenting the spot since I was in my late teens and have always enjoyed their offerings. They make a mean French onion soup and I love getting a plate (or two) of their lamb pops - although I think they just call them lamb chops on the appetizer menu now. My other favorite is the oyster plate with pomegranate granita, although the oysters are not consistent; sometimes they have the smaller petit oysters but the last time, they only had one petit and the others were larger and a little more chewy. On our most recent visit, we noticed the chops were more fat than meat so that was a little disappointing as well but the were cooked nicely. Service is usually decent, sometimes the servers seem a little less than enthused to be there but we will continue going back. Dog friendly!
2 months ago
We ended up here on a whim after walking by and hearing someone say the food was really good, and I'm so glad we decided to give it a try. We had a group of eight on a Saturday afternoon without a reservation and only waited about 15 minutes for a table, which was a pleasant surprise. We shared the charbroiled artichoke to start, and it was absolutely amazing. I also ordered the patatas fritas and a blueberry mocktail, both of which were delicious. Everyone at the table enjoyed what they ordered, and there wasn't a single dish that disappointed. The service was friendly, the food came out quickly, and the atmosphere was lively without feeling overwhelming. I'd definitely come back the next time I'm in Laguna Beach. read more
We were in Laguna Beach on a beautiful Friday afternoon and wanted a quick snack, but mostly wanted to kick off happy hour. This area just across PCH has always been a convenient place to grab something, but it's even better now that they've closed off the street and turned it into a promenade of sorts. The restaurants have expanded their outdoor seating and during the summer they have live musicians playing later in the day. It felt festive and very summer-in-Laguna. This review is mostly for the vibes. Our waiter was chill and friendly, the food came out quickly and although it's priced for tourists, it was decent. The thin, crispy fries were solid. It's super dog-friendly, close to the ocean and an easy place to settle in for the afternoon. If we didn't have other plans, we would've stayed all night. read more
***Little Gem in Laguna Beach*** A great restaurant located in the heart of Laguna Beach. This was our second time here and it did not disappoint. My husband and I wandered in on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant has nice indoor and patio seating. Since there was some construction we decided to eat inside. They have a nice drink selection, I had an Espresso martini, which was the perfect pick me up. My husband ordered IPA. My husband ordered the House Cheeseburger, which was the size of a double patty. It comes with the perfect melted white cheddar cheese. I ordered the Chipotle Lime Chicken Sandwich, which was delicious. The havarti and guacamole are the perfect topping. I don't know if they make their own buns but they are so delicious. The service was excellent . Food: 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 If you find yourself in Laguna Beach, don't sleep on this restaurant. read more
4 months ago
Went for a date night last night and we enjoyed our dinner! We've been passing this place forever but hadn't had a chance to try it! Nice atmosphere, it feels slightly upscale but still relaxed. Good service! Food: I got the lamp chop salad- VERY good! The lamb was cooked *perfectly* and was very flavorful. It was pretty fatty, but I think that leant to the good flavor and juiciness. It wasn't a massive meal, but I was full after finishing it. My husband got the shrimp pasta and that was VERY good! He scraped his plate clean and raved about it. We split the artichoke appetizer- this I wouldn't get again. It was good in the beginning and the dipping sauce was yummy, but as you ate the artichoke the seasoning and butter/oil ran out and it became gradually less flavorful and more tough. Not to say it was bad, we've just had better. Ultimately the 4/5 is mostly for pricing, it isn't cheap, but given the location the price is pretty comparable to other restaurants in the area. We'll definitely go back! read more
2 days ago
5 months ago
Cute little bistro on the Forest avenue surrounded by lots of shopping and galleries. Unfortunately Laguna Beach is in the middle of removing tons of trees in the middle of the street so there is absolutely no view at this time. It is supposed to be finished early June. The food and service are both great. We started with the whipped ricotta with toast and honey and almonds and it was delicious we shared the salmon salad. It was definitely plenty for two. We were celebrating a birthday and they made sure to bring us a delicious ice cream sundae Would really like to return in the summer for an evening meal read more
Very cute dinner date spot in downtown Laguna. We ordered the warm rolls, gazpacho, Caesar salad, and chicken sandwich. The warm rolls were a great start to the meal and had a balanced sweet/salty flavor profile. With the butter, it just melted in your mouth. I'm also a sucker for a good Caesar salad and this spot delivered. Their croutons were Polenta-based but this made it even better. They were soft and warm and honestly a lot easier to eat than the traditional hard ones! Our server was also very friendly and enthusiastic and made the evening very fun for us. Overall would come again! read more
Stopped in for the first time for lunch and it was a lovely experience. We opted to eat outside on the patio on lower Forest and it was a beautiful day in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. The dining area inside looked really nice but we couldn't resist the beautiful day and peek at the ocean. We started with the warm Parker house rolls and they were almost the best rolls we've ever had. They had a flaky almost croissant type texture on top with thick pieces of sea salt, while soft and fluffy inside. Absolutely to die for. We then split the cheeseburger and fries and it was really good. All fresh and delicious ingredients but could've used a bit more flavor via an aioli or sauce of some kind, which is personal preference. But the burger was juicy and perfectly cooked. The thin and crispy fries were great and just the way I like fries like that. The service was warm, friendly and efficient. Would love to go back for dinner and try more of the menu - it has some really great looking main dishes. You know the drill for parking anywhere near Main beach in Laguna, so plan accordingly. read more
Amazing service and good food. As a pescatarian I had limited options, but those few options were good ones! The seafood salad was actually loaded with seafood, very filling on its own. The salmon entree was amazing, just perfectly seasoned. The sizzling shrimp appetizer was cool but very underseasoned. I wish they seasoned and sautéed the items a little more. I also had a passionfruit mocktail which was tasty. I'm happy they offered non alcoholic options. Our server was so awesome, I wish I remember his name! He was very knowledgeable on the food preparations and was able to tell us right off the bat if something was not in line with out dietary restrictions. They have indoor seating, but we chose to sit on the patio with the heat lamps. It was very cute and romantic, perfect for a date night. My husband and I would love to come back for another date night! read more
Overall good food and refreshing drinks. The shrimp weren't bad but needed some additional flavor, while the dates were delicious! The cucumber cocktail was clean and perfect for lunch. The ceasar salad was a miss and lacked flavor while the 3 specialty tacos were some of the best I've had in a long time. Our server was attentive and on it for anything we needed. read more
5 days ago
230 Forest Avenue is a superb restaurant on the main street at Laguna Beach. Located right near the beach with both indoor and outdoor seating. The hostess and our waiter were great, and they continued to check on us and fill our iced teas. We ordered the fish n chips and the chipotle lime chicken and both were great. Even our iced teas were great. We sat outdoors and had a great lunch. I highly recommend this restaurant if you visit Laguna Beach. Enjoy. read more
Service 5/5 Ambience 5/5 Food Preparation 5/5 Food flavor 4/5 Everything was insanely well prepared but missing a flavor element. Not sure if it was acid or umami that was missing, regardless the preparation was well executed. The scallops melted into your mouth. The lobster was fresh and delicious. The bacon dates! Like crack!!! read more
Wonderful service, beautiful atmosphere, and fresh food. Myself and two others came for lunch recently, and were seated immediately. Our server was so friendly and remembered my friend from her previous visits. We started with a few drinks. I recommend the Albarino, a crisp white. I ordered the Toasted Garlic Salmon entree. The salmon had a delicious crust on top which was absolutely divine, and the salmon was cooked perfectly (medium). The quinoa had great flavor, especially with the addition of the salsa verde. I had a bite of the halibut special- it was light with good texture. The brown butter gnocchi were perfectly chewy and the brown butter in the sauce really came through. We completed our meal with the pistachio crème brûlée. Not too sweet, creamy, and flavorful. read more
Went here with my son and husband, and this place was outstanding! Food: We started with the Calamari Kung Pao as an appetizer -- it was flavorful and perfectly cooked. My husband had the burger, which he really enjoyed -- juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked just right. My son had the fish and chips. I had the special of the day, the Halibut, and it was absolutely outstanding -- fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. We'll definitely be coming back! Service was great read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
We didn't know where we wanted to eat so we just walked around laguna and checked out their menu and was very imp by their seafood options. They also had a fish taco special which is what i got and i absolutely loved it. The fish was cooked perfectly and all the toppings paired perfectly in the taco. Their drink selection was really good and i really enjoyed their margaritas. The fish and chips were also very delicious. Our waitress was every sweet and i appreciated that she checked in on us every once in a while. read more
If a man is talking in the forest, and there is no woman there to hear him, is he still wrong -- Jenny Weber I thought for sure I had added a review for 230 Forest. But I must have been wrong... And I have been here with a few different friends, mostly women because men are just wrong ;-) And over the years, it's always been consistently good. Plus sitting on the patio, lovely people watching ambiance and a view of Main Beach. Favorites on the menu include the bacon wrapped dates, wagyu carpaccio, oysters, lamb chops, onion soup, truffle fries...basically the plates for sharing. Beer list is interesting...East Bros. and North Coast are represented. Wine list is basic with a few interesting finds. Last time I was there the bottle I brought was corked so I ordered the Alpha Omega second wine and it was decent. $25 corkage. Recommended! read more
I've been frequenting the spot since I was in my late teens and have always enjoyed their offerings. They make a mean French onion soup and I love getting a plate (or two) of their lamb pops - although I think they just call them lamb chops on the appetizer menu now. My other favorite is the oyster plate with pomegranate granita, although the oysters are not consistent; sometimes they have the smaller petit oysters but the last time, they only had one petit and the others were larger and a little more chewy. On our most recent visit, we noticed the chops were more fat than meat so that was a little disappointing as well but the were cooked nicely. Service is usually decent, sometimes the servers seem a little less than enthused to be there but we will continue going back. Dog friendly! read more
From the drinks... to the apps... to the meal - everything was outstanding. I feel so bad that I didn't get our servers name. He was so awesome! At the moment, I am having so many issues with food and things I have to stay away with... It's such a pain to go anywhere, let alone put that pressure on a server or a restaurant to deliver. After listing all of the foods/ingredients I need to avoid at the moment... Our server didn't miss a beat. He said he didn't think any of that was going to be a problem, and that he would help me navigate through the menu. And not in a "you should be fine" kind of way- but in a "we can absolutely make this work" kind of way. My hubby is already planning our next date night here- and believe it or not, he is harder to please than me (because he typically prefers eating at home). I love that this gem is a 15 minute drive up the beautiful coast from our home. Right now, here are the foods I need to avoid: *Gluten *Meat glue (yes, you read that correct- and it's more commonly used in restaurants than you think!) *Canola oil (used in nearly every restaurant and in nearly every marinade/vinaigrette/sauce) *Dairy *Certain veggies *Certain herbs Thank you 230 Forest Avenue for going above and beyond, you've got a very happy customer for life read more
In and around Forest Avenue is a mecca of dining destinations for just about any palate with options from the refined to the more casual. 230 Forest avenue sits above mid center and the Chef has created a bunch of menu options that are about as creative as they are tasty. For this visit, I decided to try their lighter/lunch offerings and moved forward with selections from their appetizer offerings. On this Saturday before noon, seating was easy sans a reservation and was able to dine at a table on their patio area. The staff here were extremely friendly and were extremely accommodating and helpful with prompt service. There were three items of particular interest on this occasion and my guest and I settled on: Wagyu Beef Carpaccio; Spicy Tuna Crudo and Shoestring Truffle Garlic Fries with fresh Aioli dip. Each of these items were very carefully and impressively prepared and served. My first sampling was the crudo that was very nicely displayed. The Tuna was very fresh and plentiful making it difficult to consume with a single bite. The first two that I had was a little short on the spice, but the last sampling was more to my liking. The Carpaccio came second and this item was very good both in quality and taste. It had all the accompaniments to enhance the flavor including greens, sauce, capers and cheese. They were very generous on this item as far as portions go, so be advised if you are having an entrée. The Fries were a nice, "crunch, " to enjoy with these dishes that were more refined. Cooked very well, seasoned very well and unable to finish given the portions of everything else. This combination of things for lunch or say a Happy Hour would be a great time for a fun gathering down in Laguna Beach. This area of town is a favorite location for me and I would visit more for dinner than anything else. That said, this chance to enjoy the sun and the scenery worked out well for a Saturday destination. Overall, 230 Forest Avenue is a place that I would recommend for lunch . . .I'll have to advise later once I've dined for dinner. They provide many options for many palates and have a very fun vibe for lunch or dinner. I suggest you give it a try, they care deeply about quality products, preparation and presentation. Bon Appetite! read more
My friend and I went for lunch and decided to split the fish and chips. The entree includes two large deep fried halibut filets, shoestring French fries along with a large helping of coleslaw, plenty of food to share. The fish was moist and cooked to perfection, the fries were crispy and delicious but the coleslaw was very salty. We sat in the outdoor patio located in the street. It is a great people watching spot. The patio is dog friendly. Our server was attentive and friendly and kept our ice teas filled. read more
A nice local restaurant with really good food that is not too pretentious. One of my favorite meals in a while. Ordered the special halibut plate with potato purée, lump crab macaroni and cheese, dinner rolls and wine. The decor is eclectic, fun, and the staff were very friendly. read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
Visiting town and stumbled upon this place, so happy we stopped by. Ordered their fried Brussels sprouts and a cocktail. Everything was delicious and the service was nice. Would definitely come back! read more
Spectacular restaurant in Laguna that has something for everyone. I'd recommend making reservations ahead of time, because it does get busy especially around dinner hours. To start, we ordered the housemade ricotta app which was amazing. Creamy and whipped ricotta served with perfectly buttery and toasted slices of bread. For the mains, I ordered the prime rib dip sandwich with truffle fries and it was nothing short of incredible. Quite possibly one of the best sandwiches I've eaten. The prime rib was thinly sliced and super tender with sweet caramelized onions all sandwiched between a french roll, served with a generous cup of jus and a mild horseradish sauce. The service was also great and food came out in a timely manner. 230 Forest Ave gets two thumbs up from me. read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
Exceptional food, service and vibes! Today was my first visit and we loved it. The food was amazing, and the staff always was refilling our water and making sure we had everything we needed. I asked for hot sauce and they brought out an amazing fresh hot sauce I'm guessing made in house because it was served in a dish, it was delicious! We sat outside and it was really enjoyable. The only thing to note is parking it there are public parking garages a block down, we will be back! read more
Went here a few weeks ago before seeing a show nearby and the vibe down this street was popping and I ended up eating outside which was nice to enjoy the weather and more relaxed environment Service was great and very attentive by our waiter and food was really good especially the tuna appetizer crouton things lol I am butchering the name but the food was great and everyone was very nice there I would eat here again and make another reservation read more
4 months ago
This was a great dinner spot in the downtown area! Definitely busy on a Sunday night, but snagged some bar spots. Staff was attentive and super friendly. The menu has a lot of great sounding items on it and we could have ordered so many other dishes if we weren't full. Really enjoyed everything we ordered: Brussels sprouts, lump crab man n cheese, and fisherman's chowder. Brussels were perfectly crisp and had delicious flavor. Mac n cheese could have had more crab and been a tad less creamy underneath, but the flavor was great and I really liked the noodle shells. Generous portions of halibut in the chowder, which also had a great herby flavor. Would recommend for a nice dinner! read more
I walked by this place during the day and it looked like a really cool vibe so I did a little bit of research and it seemed like this was a really great spot to go in Laguna! I arrived probably close to 7 PM and luckily it was during the week so seating was available on the patio so I went on the patio and I was greeted very early I just can't remember the gentleman's name.. I asked what drink I should order and he showed me the most popular drink and it was the fig purée Margarita and let me tell you It was so good, I have never had a fig Margarita but definitely get it! I also ordered the scallops with risotto and a wedge salad, and both of them were delicious ! This is a really great find in Laguna Beach and I highly recommend ! read more
The perfect date night in Laguna Beach. This restaurant feels fancy and upscale compared to some of the other restaurants surrounding it. We started with the wagyu carpaccio and shared the bolognese with burrata cheese on top. The wagyu carpaccio was flavorful and was the perfect starter dish - light and yummy. The bolognese was hearty, warm and comforting. The service was friendly, attentive and quick. Even though the restaurant was packed with a line hoping to snag a table leading to the street, the staff never rushed us. This is a restaurant we will visit again! read more
11 months ago
The food was not good. I ordered a kale salad and it came with no kale but when i asked if it was the correct salad they said yes and that was all, no concern as to why i would ask that. The menu never mentioned beets or carrots or cabbage yet it was filled with all that. I didnt send it back because i thought maybe i read it wrong and when i finally got a menu to check my mom had eaten some and it was too late to send it back...The salmon tasted fishy and the whole meal was bland. Have been going here on vacation for years but this whole experience ruined it we wont go back read more
OMG... there was absolutely nothing on this menu that wasn't tasty! This sizzling garlic shrimp was phenomenal... Could've had that for an entrée! My husband had the prime rib dip, which was delicious, but the pork chop... With spinach, pinenuts, spinach, and in some kind of a hazelnut sauce was off the chart! I cook pork chops all the time and I like to say I do them well... But this was off the chart! We'll definitely be back read more
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230 Forest Ave
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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(949) 494-2545
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https://230forestavenue.com
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