The best new thing in town

As a former employee of The Beach House Restaurant, ( I waited tables there for 5 long years, waaayyy back when! ) I was thrilled when I heard the buzz about The Deck opening up at the ultra mod Pacific Edge Hotel, with the Beach House as their supporting kitchen. Knowing the location all too well, I couldn't wait to try it. So when my friends were planning a little girls catch-up evening, we jumped at the chance to go on opening day.

We entered through The Beach House Restaurant, but there is an actual entrance to The Deck.

I had forgotten just how quaint and lovely The Beach House restaurant really is. And I even got to see some of my old friends who are still working there, which was a real bonus!

It wasn't easy to make reservations, I ended up making mine through The Beach House, which wasn't the right thing to do. I even called The Pacific Edge Hotel to make sure that The Deck would have my reservation when we arrived, but they didn't seem to know, and said it would be fine, which it was. I'm sure these are all just little kinks that will work themselves out, it was opening night, after all.

The real entrance is just south of The Beach House on Sleepy Hollow Lane.

The first glimpse of The Deck from the hostess desk.

Ok, it just gets better from here. The Deck is a dream! It is right smack-dab on the sand, you couldn't get any closer if you were building a sand castle.

Stand up paddlers paddle by, and a surfer performed for us right out front.

This is an amazingly special place, with the waves crashing, the gulls overhead, and a chill beach vibe, it is a place I'll go back to over and over again. And even though it was a bit overcast and chilly, our waitress, Lauren, was there with blankets ready in case any of us needed one.

The Beach House Restaurant has been owned and run by the Pike family since 1968, which is ions in restaurant time. The building itself is the former home of 1920's hollywood star, Slim Summerville, it is so steeped in local history, that the ghosts nearly greet you at the door.

Our waitress Lauren, manager Noah Pike, and chef Michael Ingino pose against the perfect background.

 We ordered a little champagne with our appetizers. The food and service were just great, but truly, you cannot beat that ambiance!

A sampling of the appetizers that we noshed.

Here's the northern view from our table.

The Deck is an extension of a home that was built by the previous owners of Vacation Village Hotel, which has since been more appropriately renamed Pacific Edge. So when you head to the ladies room, you pass through this cozy living room area that makes you wish that you had brought your favorite book.

A stand-up bar is creatively made from a stand up paddle board from Suplove. Very clever.

The Deck is definitely worth a visit. If you go soon, while it's still a bit of a secret, maybe you won't meet up with the projected throngs of tourists and locals vying for a table. I know I'll be back, for sure!

I'm still not entirely sure how to make reservations, but try Pacific Edge Hotel's phone line:

949-494-8566

Pacific Edge Hotel
647 South Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA  92651

The entrance to The Deck is on Sleepy Hollow Lane, just south of The Beach House.


The Beach House Restaurant
619 Sleepy Hollow Lane
Laguna Beach, CA  92651

949-494-9707