I am meeting up with a couple of friends to see a musical at the Segerstrom Center. Looking for a spot for dinner. A couple of us aren’t from the area and will stay overnight. Considering staying near the theatre or out someone more on the coast. It’s just 1 night so not sure if ease of theatre outweighs views,plus we plan on getting down there mid to late afternoon and will have to check out in the am… We will spend part of the next day exploring the area so lunch suggestions are appropriate as well.
We all live near the ocean in various parts of Ca so dining with a view isn’t important. 1 picky eater so no Japanese places.
Thanks in advance
The best restaurant in the area is Taco Maria in the home-design mall a couple of miles up the freeway from South Coast Plaza. It is a casual but nice place with excellent, fine Mexican food. Was ranked #2 on Jonathan Gold’s Top 101 Restaurants in LA list. Don’t be put off by the name.
Marche Moderne is a good French bistro in South Coast Plaza (right across the street from Segerstrom Center).
There’s a Din Tai Fung in the mall as well, but they don’t take reservations and the wait is horrendous. Yummy Shanghai soup dumplings.
Sorry that my recommendations are all in malls!
@nottelling - well it is southern Ca. Not a problem with a mall. Marche Moderne was also recommended by another CCer via PM. I’m going to run that by my friends. It’s nice that it’s right near the theatre.
Lodging- I thought we would stay near the Segerstrom but my friend is suggesting we stay somewhere we would enjoy the next day. I’m thinking Laguna or Newport. Any suggestions- price range 200-300 a night.
The Island Hotel in Newport Center (next door to Fashion Island, another mall!) is in a good location, and is fairly close (about 10-15 mins. from the Segerstom Center). I think it is in your price range. I stayed there a long time ago (15 years ago) when it was a Four Seasons and it was nice but can’t vouch for it now.
The go-to place in Laguna is the Surf and Sand – right on the beach, but probably above your budget. I’ve never stayed there but I know people who have and they like it.
I’m a local, I literally can see Taco Maria out of my office window. Great food, I’m not sure how good they are about getting you in and out to go the theater (moot point if you go early, they do take reservations).
I might consider staying in one of the hotels by Segerstrom, being able to walk or catch a shuttle to the theater makes things really easy. But there are also lots of nice places towards the beach.
If it were me, I’d stay at the Westin right next to the theater.