It’s a packed Halloween week (and beyond) in Laguna Beach! 

This week on my Best of Laguna Beach™ radio show, Ruben Flores joined me and we dove head first into SO MUCH STUFF. Equal parts festive and fiery, this episode swings from haunted houses to hopeful fixes for Laguna’s future – with Ruben’s signature real talk and my inside scoop.

We talked Nosferatu set to live string quartet at the Rivian … and crazy Halloween block parties … and City Council agenda surprises … and pickleball politics and the state of our local retail and restaurants.

We ALSO unpacked the latest on Hotel Laguna, Mo Honarkar’s property shuffle AND what’s brewing for the Coast Film Festival and Laguna Art Museum Art & Nature celebrations, both of which kick off on November 1st.In other words - it’s the quintessential Monster Mash for you this week!

🍷 This one’s for every wine lover who believes a great bottle should always come with a great story.In this Monday’s Best of Laguna Beach episode on KXFM 104.7, I sat down with veteran Hollywood Producer and Talent Agency Owner John Ufland, whose career started with War Games, The Terminator, and Bachelor Party – and whose latest passion project, A Second Pour, brings his storytelling genius into the world of wine.

From Santa Ynez to Willamette Valley and beyond, John’s new venture curates super creative, unusual four-day wine experiences and winemaker dinners that spotlight the people and passion behind every bottle.

Oh man, did I have a fantastic interview on Monday’s KXFM 104.7 with the Laguna “Godfather of Restaurants & Rock & Roll” - Ivan Spiers.

It took me 10 months to haul in this big fish and it was worth every minute.


A life larger than Laguna Ivan Spears has lived more lives than most cats – music exec, surfer, apparel mogul and restaurateur. In this candid interview, he shares the wild path that took him from Zululand, South Africa to Laguna Beach, with detours through London’s 1960s rock scene, the Canary Islands surf breaks, “every farm town” in Central Cali, and SoCal’s early restaurant boom.  

The madness behind Mozambiques originations When Ivan bought the long-shuttered Tortilla Flats building in 2000, he had no idea he was about to spend five years rebuilding it from the studs (with a HAZMAT team to boot). What emerged was Mozambique, a three-level restaurant and live music venue that’s now Laguna legend and home to some of the biggest touring bands around. Here’s his story on the “astounding discoveries” he made along the renovation way.  

Daryl Hall was just hanging out on Mozambique’s Veranda?
Ivan explains how a 15-minute casual convo with Daryl Hall (yes, that Daryl Hall) and Joe Walsh on his rooftop Veranda at Mozambique turned into his excursion to Pawling, New York two weeks later. What ensued from there?

The birth of “Ivan’z House”
Ivan reveals the story behind naming his recently (and massively) expanded upstairs music venue at Mozambique, and the painstaking soundproofing that makes the live shows electric and neighbor-approved.  

The heartbreak of Skyloft and Bodega:
He opens up about the rise and fall of Skyloft and Bodega on January 3rd this year, the battle with new absentee landlords after Sam Goldstein sold, and the toughest part about closing the doors and walking away. 

A rockin’ new chapter with Rumari
Ivan and Italian-aficionado chef Braulio Mello are breathing new life into this beloved 44-year-old spot. The refreshed menu … the expanded and uber-popular happy hour, and the renovated dining room are making locals fall in love all over again.

On this week’s Best of Laguna Beach radio show, I was the only one on the mic because I had a LOT to say as I sped through a jam-packed October lineup of what I consider The Best of Laguna Events for October.From local lobster season celebrated at Coyote Grill and the return of Laguna’s funniest theater troupe, to Dana Wharf’s extended whale watching adventures, Rotary car shows, haunted trails, Mozambique’s legendary Halloween bash and our own Freddy Krueger getting his Hollywood star this is a fast-moving month ahead. I also shared insider foodie finds, including Rumari’s unbeatable happy hour and more.

Buckle up, Buttercup! Your 45-minute radio show awaits.


Whether you’re into theater, music, food, volunteering, or just being scared out of your cotton-pickin’ mind, October in Laguna has something for everyone!

This week on Best of Laguna Beach Radio,™ my dear friend joined me again - Ruben Flores (Laguna Nursery owner, in-demand Visionscape landscape designer, and community dynamo).

The conversation soared from owl houses to Mozambique’s Ivan’z House Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute (wall to wall sold out), to Ruben’s recent Garden Walk, and my Secret Shopper restaurant insights.

Together, we turned the spotlight on why Laguna is equal parts quirky, cultured, and fiercely local – from Sunset Serenades and South Laguna block parties to fire safety talks on Garden Walks, and the ever-evolving restaurant scene. Add in Nelson Coates’ Hollywood production design magic, The Morning Show’s season premiere, and LCAD’s latest milestone last Sunday, and you’ve got one jam-packed hour of Laguna love.

Show Notes: What We Talked About …

• Owls to the Rescue: Diane shares how great horned owls chased 140+ unbearably noisy seagulls from her rooftop, and Ruben suggests the next move to keep them there.
• Community Beats: From Sunset Serenade concerts to a South Laguna block party to Ivan’z House unbelievable music lineup to The Cliff’s big pro football viewing nights, and our lunch at Lost Pier (on a Saturday!) … Laguna locals prove music + food = instant magic.
• Hollywood in Laguna: Nelson Coates’ production design was featured in Rivian’s showing of In the Heights last Thursday, just a day after the new season of The Morning Show (also his design) took center stage. We chat at length about his special use of Laguna art on all his sets.
• On Stage at the Playhouse: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder wins my rave review as one of the best Playhouse I’ve seen in YEARS. Kid you not!
  
  
• Then, onward to … Restaurants & Reality Checks: When fall brings the slowdown, my (Diane’s) restaurant consulting business is quickly accelerating. Time to show restaurants how to keep seats full and locals happy. Ruben quizzes me on everything I do as a Restaurant Consultant …
  • Locals-First Focus: Programs and perks that keep residents coming back when tourists fade.
  • Smart Marketing: Helping restaurants move beyond “get people in” to actually retaining and re-engaging existing diners.
  • New Pods of Revenue: Slow season is the best time to implement creative, long-range programs that create new streams of income
  • Secret Shopper Insight: On-the-ground reports that show what really happens when owners aren’t watching.
  • New Concepts: Guidance on site selection, permitting, and positioning for restaurants looking to land in Laguna.
  👉 Bottom line: I’m helping restaurants make small shifts that add up to big revenue.

On this week’s Best of Laguna Beach Radio Show & Podcast, I sat down with Sapphire Cellar.Craft .Cook Founding Partner Russ Bendel, and Partner/Executive Chef Jared Cook.

Bendel and Cook are part of a small core team of restaurant pros, and I can safely say that this team knows what it takes to build restaurants that become community anchors. Before they took over former Chef Azmin’s Sapphire/Pantry space with their own brand and menu, they already had three successful restaurants – their first at San Clemente’s Vine, then Laguna Hills’ Ironwood and, then, Westcliff/Newport Beach’s Olea.

They were handed the keys to Sapphire … literally DAYS before the Pandemic shutdown in 2020. How’s that for an interesting start?

Now the keepers of seven thriving restaurants, Russ and Jared are not only talking about how the team jumped into action to survive the rollercoaster Pandemic, but sharing secrets behind Laguna’s most talked-about Breakfast Burrito, how many burger meat combos they tried before deciding on “The One,” and how their winter season Wine Dinners and seafood specials keep Sapphire buzzing all year long with their long-standing community of Laguna Beach locals.

Show Notes

• The Origin Story: How Russ grew up in the restaurant industry and Jared found his calling at age 5 in his mom’s Oregon kitchen
• From Vine to Sapphire: The team’s expansion into Laguna Beach, and why Sapphire’s 200-seat restaurant and prime location were irresistible.
• The Pandemic Pivot: Opening Sapphire in March 2020 … and pivoting overnight to takeout, Pantry breakfast burritos, and their now famous mason-jar craft cocktails.
• The Breakfast Burrito Legend: Jared’s research obsession to find the perfect combo … (he puts WHAT in that burrito??)
• Winter Wine Dinners That Sell Out in Hours: During winter months, these five-course experiences feature powerhouse wineries like Caymus, Silver Oak and Dave Phinney.
• Seafood & Clean Coastal Focus: From swordfish to countless pounds of oysters to “sexy seafood specials” (hey, Jared said, it, not me!), Sapphire leans into Laguna’s love for fresh, clean eating. Here are their personal favorites …
• Happy Hour & Beyond: Expanded bar menu, weekend brunch standouts (they name their personal favorites again), and the Pantry’s daily counter-service favorites.

Get ready, Laguna Beach – 70 chefs, wineries, and culinary stars are uniting for Chef Masters at the Festival of Arts grounds on Sunday, Sept. 28th, 5 - 9 p.m. (proceeds benefit 2 animal rescue groups).This Monday at “Best of Laguna Radio” at KXFM 104.7, I sat down with powerhouse culinary event producer Kristin Martin of KM Productions to talk about the jaw-dropping scale of this event, why it sells out every year, and how it benefits Priceless Pets and Carma OC animal rescues.

The Big Event: Chef Masters returns September 28th, 5 - 9 p.m., at the Festival of Arts — 70 of Orange County’s top chefs with hundreds of tasting treats, live music, auctions and dancing under the stars.

• For a Cause: Tax deductible ticket sales support Priceless Pets and Carma OC, two well loved animal rescue nonprofits.
• Her Journey: Kristin’s leap from schoolteacher to one of Southern California’s most sought-after event producers.
• Chef Power: Why 70+ chefs (and wineries, breweries, and even mocktail makers) keep saying “yes” to her events.
• Behind the Curtain: Her craziest locations, the crazier set up demands, and the problem-solving mindset that keeps the show running smoothly.
• Ripple Effect: How these events boost nonprofits and shine a spotlight on chefs and restaurants long after the night ends.

On this episode of Best of Laguna Beach Radio at KXFM 104.7, I sat down again with Bruce Russo – the country’s most prolific restaurant designer and developer – for a behind-the-scenes look at why opening a restaurant in Laguna Beach can be such a different ballgame.

Bruce has built nearly 600 restaurants nationwide, but even with that experience, Laguna’s more lengthy and segmented approval process proved more time-consuming than anywhere else he’s worked. From historical preservation requirements to disconnected rounds of planning and zoning meetings, this episode walks through the painful but eye-opening reality of bringing a restaurant to life in our town.Then, we jump into somewhat hysterical stories - like how Bruce and team do 6,000-square-foot nightclub overhauls … complete redesigns and new brands … in FIVE days 😳. Any way you play it, patience, organized strategy and “never say die” persistence matter no matter where you plant your restaurant!

• Laguna vs. everywhere else: Why Bruce says the city’s piecemeal approach drags projects out far longer than in other markets.
• First steps in the process: Site reviews, schematic designs and respectful “courtesy meetings” with (any) city department.
• Historical preservation headaches: Doors, windows, stucco walls, and even sprinkler placement became legendary discussions in Laguna.
• Permits and inspections: Six months, 20+ city meetings, and 15–25 inspections before final occupancy – far above the national average.
• Equipment pitfalls: How reusing outdated systems can derail approvals and why inspectors will never let it slide.
• The health inspection wait game: Delays that can hold restaurants hostage for months.
• When speed is the mandate: Nightclub makeovers in Dallas completed in under a week, with steep 💰💰💰 penalties if late, lol. (Bruce’s team never misses a deadline.)
• Engineering and finishes: How 60–70% of finishing and front-of-house materials are purchased by Bruce and team before permits even clear, and why engineering is the unseen hero.

In this week’s Best of Laguna Beach radio show, I sat down with Andrew Turula, the 18-year General Manager of The Cliff Restaurant & Live Music, who’s been keeping the iconic Cliff - our YES, only CLIFFside restaurant – running for nearly two decades.

From raw scallops, fish tacos and the best steaks in the land … to ongoing events on their cliffside terrace over the ocean … and 6-day-a-week live music under the stars, Andrew shares insider stories on what makes The Cliff a beloved local spot and international draw. He opens up about Laguna’s shifting tourism scene, the restaurant’s unbeatable ocean views, their spectacular event venue, and what keeps his team motivated through 1,400-cover summer Saturdays.
🏈 PLUS! Monday Night Football Just Got Interesting at The Cliff 😉


Starting on the first Monday Football Night, The Cliff is rolling out a Pro Football-only Menu for Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Think chili cheese dogs, wings, nachos, tenders, and more with killer drink specials.But here’s the game-winning kick:


Then for Monday Night Football ONLY, guess the final combined score of the game before the end of the 1st quarter, and if you nail it … The Cliff gives you a gift card for the entire amount. Yep, the entire tab (no more than two people, though - no pile ons allowed!)

Key Points from our Interview

• 18 Years at the Helm – Andrew Turula has grown with The Cliff since 2006, starting as a server and moving on up to GM.
  
  
• History of the Village (Who Knew? 😮 ) – Taken on by two sisters, Kathy Gibson and Sharon Heron, whose parents founded Laguna Village Arts & Flowers in the 1960s; today the Village hosts The Cliff plus 12+ artisan shops with strictly original, handmade work. Them’s the rules!
  
  
• Views & Venue – 30 restaurant tables and a stunning cliffside event venue that hosts up to 200+ guests with unbeatable sunset ceremonies over the ocean.
  
  
• Culinary Standouts – Fan favorites include raw scallops (their #1 appetizer and a special reserve with their providers), and a cocktail menu known for this …
  
  
• HAPPY HOUR + TACO TUESDAY - Happy Hour is Mondays- Friday, 3 pm - 6 pm and Taco Tuesday overlaps on its special day, 4 pm - close.
  
  
• Live Music Legacy – What started as open mic night has evolved into one of Laguna’s best live music programs, with bands and duos (like Perfect Blend) drawing 100+ crowds year-round.
  
  
• Phenomenal Event Venue for Your Next Group – Weddings, social events and corporate celebrations are fully customizable, with menus rivaling high-end steakhouses and every table, linen and chair you desire. (Andrew even got married there himself).
  
  
• Seasonal Shifts – Summer traffic has slowed post-COVID compared to neighboring beach towns, which Andrew attributes to weakened city marketing. What are his thoughts on where Laguna needs to shift (and quickly) to change it up?
  
  
• Locals & Loyalty – From Taco Tuesday feasts to happy hours and football-night specials, The Cliff continues to innovate while staying a community favorite.

In this week’s “Best of Laguna Beach Radio,” Laguna native and catering powerhouse Chef Evan Lewis dishes on her Sawdust Festival frenzy, the bittersweet close of her restaurant (Evan’s Gourmet), and why group dining + fully custom catering are her recipe for what’s next. From ahi sandwiches and lamb lollipops to Halloween party ribs shaped like skeletons, Chef Evan proves that food is never just food … it’s an experience!

Text or call Chef Evan for catering
and group dining requests here:
949-388-1569.


Show Notes 

• Chef Evan’s 11-year run at the Sawdust Festival and why her Angus burger + fries never stop flying out the window.
• The pivot: closing her restaurant service while doubling down on catering + group dining at her Thalia Street location.
• Why her spot is the perfect hidden gem for 20–36 person events – weddings, rehearsal dinners, or small business holiday parties.
• Inside her catering world: from 300-person plated dinners to six-course wine pairings (sorbet palate cleanser included!).
• How Chef Evan creates menus from scratch for various catering events, even pulling off authentic Armenian feasts without a playbook.
• Her playful catering side: Halloween skeleton ribs, pumpkin puke displays, and kid parties with trampolines + mini hot dogs.
• The “Create a Recipe” contest where one lucky listener gets Chef Evan to invent their dream dish.
• Growing up in Laguna: her first job at Taco Bell (yes, brown polyester pants included), plus the local hangouts she still loves.
• Rapid-fire Q&A: favorite wine, last meal pick, and why “organized fridge” is a caterer’s superpower.