What's not to love about the new Sapphire Laguna restaurant in Laguna Beach? The hot dining spot has a prime location with ocean views (formerly the landmark Pottery Shack then renamed The Old Pottery Place), a celebrated chef owner, an organic-themed interior and an outdoor terrace with a warm fire pit.

Azmin Ghahreman, Sapphire Laguna's owner, is a globally admired chef formerly based at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point. Ghahreman has also cooked for Four Seasons hotels around the world so he's been influenced by cuisines of France, the Mediterranean, the Pacific Rim, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, the American Southwest and California.

"Our goal here is to offer a full sensual experience – an innovative menu, a lively cocktail scene, beautiful patio with an ocean view, stunning art displays, special events and always a sense of conviviality," Ghahreman says.

The menu changes daily and seasonally, relying on the freshest foods available from small farms, purveyors and artisan suppliers. Lunches, dinners and weekend brunches offer intriguing dishes, including wok-fried baby Thai snapper with chili-lemongrass vinaigrette; braised prime short ribs with creamy Parisian mashed potatoes; and black cod with banana curry, ginger-scented jasmine rice and stone fruit chutney. Or try jumbo shrimp with handmade spinach ricotta tortelloni pasta, fresh artichoke and rosemary milk; and Kalua-pulled pork quesadilla with oaxaca cheese and avocado tomatiillo sauce.

Sapphire's ambience reflects Laguna's beachy, artist colony feel complete with ocean views, an open kitchen, a round communal table, and walk-in wine cellars holding up to 700 bottles. Organic materials incorporated throughout include parts of the original Pottery Shack, a root wood bar counter from a redwood tree that dates to the 1700s; glass accents and distressed wood furniture and flooring.

Opening soon adjacent to the restaurant will be Sapphire Pantry. It's an extension of Ghahreman’s love of wines, cheese and local produce and will offer freshly made food for take-home meals, parties or picnics.

1200 South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. 949.715.9888.

www.sapphirelaguna.com

www.anissas.com

Reserve a spot at Sapphire Laguna's special five-course Mediterranean Street Food Dinner served Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. London-based Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food authority and cookbook author Anissa Helou and Chef Azmin Ghahreman created the dinner priced at $95 per person, which includes wine pairings and a copy of Anissa Helou’s "Mediterranean Street Food." Tax and gratuity not included.

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