It's no easy task to spot the better eateries of Laguna Beach from the more touristy dining rooms that define much of the city's restaurant scene. Watermarc is one such exception, located on a busy strip of PCH on the fringes of the inner village located within a charming 2-story arts and crafts bungalow with street-to-street access. From a streetfront facade framed in retractable windows that open the main dining room overlooking the pedestrian actions an interior space of natural stone floors offers a darker color palette of pub-like ambiance with space that spreads out to a rear terrace as well as an upper level private dining room. A lively bar offers one of the area's best selection of wines by the glass stored in computerized storage lockers and served by well-versed staff.
The Food
A lunch and dinner menu offer a total of over 15 grazing plates led by chef Marc Coehen who narrates a modified Californian menu with seafood and grilled meat influences for a menu of appetizers like caramelized onion flatbread, smoked bacon-wrapped dates, foie gras brullee and lamb chop salad. Mains include array of burgers like duck or rare lump crab cake with seafood entrees like grilled swordfish and seared Ahi or meatier dishes like fillet mignon or New York strip with endless sides of house truffle chips, artichoke risotto and roasted cauliflower.
Last Word
Innovative Californian gourmand in inner Laguna Village offer feel-good cuisine and stylish wine bar with terrace.
