Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Flavors of Laguna Food Tasting and Cultural Tour - Part 2

If you missed part 1 of this tour, you must go back and read it! Go now!


Our next tasting was at Zinc Cafe.


They have a cute shaded patio area that I can definitely see myself having brunch at. I didn't take a photo because it was full of people that I'm sure did not want to end up on this blog.


Zinc Cafe is a full service restaurant with deli cases full of pre-made goodies that you can take to-go. They also have a coffee and juice bar. Yes, I can definitely see myself coming back soon.



Our tasting was this Summer salad of sorts with corn, black beans, purple onions, cilantro in a light vinaigrette. I thought this was okay. I probably wouldn't order it usually but I can see how this would make for a refreshing and light lunch for me during the work week when I am trying to eat healthier.



Next up was a cupcake stop at Casey's Cupcakes!! Casey can best be described as a baking Barbie doll. Seriously! She was the first Food Network Cupcake Wars winner! That's a lot of street cred there.


Come check out the inside! So cute it will give you cavities.


So this is Casey!


Oh Sister K, you are just too cute!


Red Velvet (back), Sassy Strawberry (right) and Decadent Dark Chocolate (left) - I had a red velvet one. It was okay but I think I need to go back and sample another one before I give my opinion. The tasting was too small. I loved the addition of this cupcake stop on the tour. It provided that little something sweet that we were all craving.


Casey's Cupcakes
303 Broadway Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715-8245

Our next cultural stop was the Murphy-Smith Bungalow used for various purposes during Prohibition, okay so it was used for drinking. This is another one of those original structures of Laguna Beach. When we first got to the site, the building was not yet opened to the public so we walked on and came back a little bit later (an hour past opening time) and they were still not opened. So we never got to see the inside but it had all it's original fixtures and furniture. I spied with my crocheting eye a granny square quilt draped over a chair. I was probably the only one jazzed about that. Pretty sure I was.


Our next tasting stop was the Ocean Avenue Restaurant & Brewery.



For beer tasting! It started out like this...


Which turned into this...


...and pretty soon there was toasting and glasses sliding on the bar top. Everyone was laughing and having a good ol' time and I was the DD. Awesome!


 All's well that ends well!


M got some cheesecake since it was his birthday weekend. I couldn't have this either. It was a sad stop! 


Ocean Avenue Brewery and Restaurant
237 Ocean Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 497-3381

I have to comment that I finally broke in those Skechers Resistance Runners. I don't think I am going to use these for running but they are really awesome for walking around in. I have to say that on this four hour tour that turned into a five hour tour, not once during the five hours did my feet or back ache. They were amazingly cushion-y. I should have wore these walking around in SF but I had never wore them before the trip and had no idea how they would handle that much walking around but they are awesome shoes. Love <3!


Moving on! Cultural lesson time! Ah beautiful Laguna Beach with your ability to attract both young and old, active and leisure beach goers and let's not forget sober and drunk. Laguna is a small patch of beach that for some reason people love to cram into. It is always a madhouse in that area during the summer.




This is where Laguna Canyon meets the PCH and traffic at this intersection is crazy at times.


Actually this was the place of the cultural stop not the board walk part. This is the Greeter's Corner Restaurant.



See inscription below on why he is posed this way.



Our final tasting was at the Pizza Lounge across from Hotel Laguna. Good pizza! I'm not an expert at pizza by any means but this place smelled so good, looked clean and has a huge selection of pizzas.






Pizza Lounge
397 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 497-2277

Our final stop was the Wyland Galleries.



Why was the Wyland Galleries our final stop...well because at the back of the gallery is this amazing view! 




You just can't beat this blue sky!!



For more info: Flavors of Laguna Food Tasting and Cultural Tour

***I purchased discount tickets for this tour through Goldstar. 

2 comments:

southOCgal said...

It's so funny, I just barely saw this tour advertised and I was wondering what it was about. It's inspired me to check out what other food tours there are in Orange County. For Laguna, I'll definitely be linking to your post...

Glenn Jones said...

Casey's had a big article in the OC Register today.

And unfortunately, I remember the greeter when he was alive. Jeesh. I'm a relic....