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| Tried and true | In the know | |
 The Crystal Cove Shake Shack (7703 Pacific Coast Hwy., 949-497-9666) is a Laguna landmark, a bright yellow hut that's been serving fruit smoothies for more than 40 years. Choose among a dozen flavors, but the creamy date shake ($3.50) is the best, a blend of dried dates, ice cream and skim milk, with nutmeg sprinkled on top. (Rachael's fave is the peanut butter-banana-date shake!) |
Fruit Shakes |
 Body-conscious Laguna locals opt for all-natural shakes at The Stand Natural Foods, (238 Thalia St., 949-494-8101) a.k.a. "The Stand," a miniature barn that serves vegan shakes ($4). The staff blends housemade nut milk with fresh fruit like strawberries. Corn tortilla chips (with low-cal carrot garnish!) are a tasty, crunchy splurge. |
 Since 1979, diners have come to the sprawling restaurant Las Brisas (361 Cliff Dr., 949-497-5434) for a morning buzz, the Ultimate Margarita, made with premium agave blue tequila ($10). Or for a hearty, if pricey, hangover cure, get the Desayuno Ranchero: grilled steak piled on a tostada with two eggs, potatoes and spicy tomato sauce ($27 for brunch, including fruit and Champagne). |
Mexican Brunch |
 Insiders love the cantina Coyote Grill (31621 S. Coast Hwy., 949-499-4033), especially when bikini season is approaching: The Baja-inspired dishes are made with a twist. For Chorizo Eggs ($8.50), sausage is skimmed of fat and served with eggs and enchilada sauce. Sit outside to look at beautiful Catalina Island while you (healthfully) indulge. |
 When you're on the coast, with access to the best fresh fish, you don't have to settle for the same old spicy tuna rolls. At the popular Sushi Laguna (231 Ocean Ave., 949-376-8786), chef-owner Jay Sada gets innovative with his "Baby Back Ribs" Roll ($13). It looks like ribs drenched in barbecue sauce, but it's meatless, made of spicy tuna topped with seared albacore in a ponzu sauce. |
Crafty Sushi |
 Miki Izumisawa is one of the few female sushi chefs in the biz, and she crafts some ingenious rolls at her modest, four-table eatery, 242 Cafe Fusion Sushi (242 N. Coast Hwy., 949-494-2444). Izumisawa's sushi is filled with unlikely ingredients like peppercorns and macadamia nuts. Her ahi tuna Sexy Handroll ($8) is seductively spicy, with scallops, crab, cilantro and avocado acting as delicious bedfellows. |
 You'll walk right into a luau at The Royal Hawaiian (331 N. Coast Hwy., 949-494-8001), where the burnt yellow Lapu Lapu cocktail ($10) has been a main attraction since 1947. The well-guarded secret recipe keeps customers taste-testing the drink in hopes of one day figuring out the ingredients. Our best guess: rum, pineapple and citrus juices. |
Neon Cocktail |
 Ocean Brewing Company (237 Ocean Ave., 949-497-3381) is a classy place, decorated with modern artwork and copper beer vats. Those who aren't knocking back malt ales are clinking Bikini Martinis ($8), a pretty-in-pink cocktail made with vodka, Malibu rum, grenadine and pineapple juice. Warning: Bikini Martini drinkers tend to end up on the dance floor till the wee hours.
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