Dinner in Dana Point

[keena]

We're going to be up in Dana Point in a couple weeks. Any ideas for dining, both nice and casual are fine, as long as it is good!

[pasadenaerin]

My parents live in Dana Point, so some favorites are: Dizz's, 230 Forest, Luciana's, and Ti Amo for fancier places, and Thai This and Antoine's for casual. If you venture beyond Laguna, try in Crystal Cove Blue Fin, Sage and Javier's which just reopened there. Have fun and happy eating!

[lanatolman]

Sapphire in Laguna - just a few miles up the road. It is the best dining in thet area - except the Studio at the Montage.

[1000steps]

If you want to strech a bit north, yeah, check the boards for Laguna Beach. Tons out there.

[keena]

thanks--these are great ideas!

[1000steps]

Lots of good choices.
Stonehill Tavern is the tops in quality and price. http://www.michaelmina.net/stonehill/index.html

Vine in San Clemente is excellent www.vinesanclemente.com

as is Gemmell's in Dana Point Harbor www.gemmellsrestaurant.com.

Savannah Chop House is right up the hill from the Harbor (2 mi) and is also good for steaks. www.culinaryadventures.com

Very nice wine bar in town called Purple Feet www.purplefeetwines.com

For more casual fare, take a walk around the Harbor and there are quite a few choices.
such as Harpoon Henrys & Wind and Sea. www.windandsearestaurants.com

Best Italian in DP is at Casanova www.casanovaristorante.com or Ferantelli's www.ferrantellis.com

Best Mexican is Olamendi's (actually couple miles south in Capo Beach) http://originalolamendis.com/

Best Sushi is Gen Kai. Sorry no website. but it's on PCH

Rambling but that kind of covers it.

[elmomonster]

I concur on Stonehill Tavern (Michael Mina's place at the St. Regis).

Here's a full report I did with pictures:
http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2007/...

[ErikaK]

When we lived in Dana Point, we loved Marios by the Sea for Italian. It is not really by the sea though :) it is up the hill, Golden Lantern at Del Avion. Also, good mexican at Olamendi's down the coast in San Clemente, right on the beach, and Carlos right in Dana Point on PCH

[albs]

Stonehill Tavern (Michael Mina's restaurant) at the St. Regis Hotel is excellent. I enjoyed it as much as his place in San Francisco.

[daantaat]

Dana Point is in OC, which is covered on the LA board. That said, I had a good dinner at Michael Mina's place at one of the big resorts there (Ritz Carlton??). I am completely blanking on the hotel name.