Beyond the cascading valley of Laguna and through its jagged and busy streets, seafood restaurant, Las Brisas, is nestled amongst the cliffs.
Located at 361 Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach, it is only about 50 steps from Laguna Beach itself, and 1.6 miles from the Montage Laguna Resort.
Because of its premiere location and ocean-view, I expected this restaurant to be extremely pricey.
However, as the reviews raved, the food was affordable and the portions were well worth the prices.
As I walked into the restaurant, I could feel the ocean breeze hit my face, carrying with it the smell of fresh pico de gallo and filet mignon.
Michael McBrien is the manager of the restaurant.
“My favorite part about working here is seeing families of all backgrounds gather here by the ocean and sharing dazzling food,” said McBrien as he conversed with our table.
The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor seating arrangements.
The newly renovated inside of the restaurant emulates that of a 5-star restaurant. It features wood aesthetics, with clean white walls and ocean-colored pastels.
There were several TVs next to the bar, which was manned by bartender Julio Gonzalez.
“With our wide selection of drinks and cocktails, the bar is always busy and I quite enjoy that,” Gonzalez said.
The outside patio boasts a panoramic view of Laguna Beach below.
There was also a wide assortment of tables, featuring umbrellas for shade and heaters for when the breeze gets too chilly.
I was seated by arguably the best waiter I’ve ever had, Riccardo Garcia. He was kind, energetic, flamboyant, and had a contagious spirit and laugh.
“The best thing about my job is that it’s not a job. It’s a lifestyle and hobby; I LOVE people! Serving them, laughing with them, whatever it may be”, Garcia exclaimed
The menu was simple, self-explanatory, and showed off the cheap prices.
For an appetizer and drink, I ordered the fresh chips with ceviche and the passion fruit mai tais.
The chips and ceviche came first and they certainly did not disappoint.
The chips were warm, fresh, and garnished with a hint of lime salt to allow the perfectly seasoned crunch to the palette.
The ceviche was delectable. I could taste the swordfish and crab, which paired nicely together.
My drink came next. It was a refreshing blend of fruits that was crispy and sweet but not too strong, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Next, it was time for the main course and I could hardly wait.
Due to high recommendation and Yelp popularity, I ordered the filet mignon and bacon tacos.
The wait time was 37 minutes and for good reason. The tacos were gorgeous, each one separated on a metal rack.
They were stuffed with a healthy portion of filet mignon and topped with fresh guacamole.
As a bit into my first taco, I was nostalgically transported onto the shores of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The tenderness of the filet mignon and the freshness of the guacamole truly was incredible.
Evangeline McCoy, a frequent at the restaurant, ordered the tacos as well.
“The tacos are some of the best I’ve ever had, and on top of that, a there’s a view to match,” said McCoy.
Her brother, Eric McCoy, ordered the grilled shrimp salad.
“The ingredients are fresh and authentic. There’s nowhere else I’d rather enjoy the food as well,” he stated.
If you’re into breathtaking views and flavorful ingredients, be prepared to dive into an experience worth-while at Las Brisas.
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