Central LB - Laguna Beach

Great food and service! Menu is a nice change to the same/same in Laguna.

Ambiance is the best part about this restaurant. Unfortunately we waited 18 minutes past our reservation time and still sat at a high bar table with stools. Food is average at best and plating needs lots of help. My wife ordered the scallop and all she saw at first glance was a can of chick peas that were tossed with a few scallops that were over cooked and placed in a bowl drenched in excessive sauce. Surprising how no one has told this chef to make improvements ASAP. Worst part about it was the description of the dish was not well represented once we received it. It took a good 30 minutes to receive two entrees and non of the starters looked appealing. My wife commented on her dish and the waiter brought our “bread pudding”. It was pre scooped and refrozen vanilla ice cream with caramel and squares of fried dough. They have no idea what bread pudding is. Thanks for the thought we appreciate that. Two drinks and a $100 later you’ll decide this place won’t have us returning again.

Great food and cocktails, friendly welcoming service but the restaurant is small and packed with seating, no bathroom in restaurant (outside, upstairs, needed a key), music was loud and didn’t fit the ambiance of the place and slightly overpriced. Might go back for the happy hour but probably on a weeknight when it’s a bit more relaxed.

Like many restaurants I've been to, the appetizers started off very positive and delicious but the main courses were simply not very good ordered the scallop dish which came with 5 overcooked scallops, 5 pieces of overcooked brocoli and about 200 garbanzo beans that were mushy all buried in a sauce that was not good. My daughter's risotto (one of the signature dishes) was okay but still drenched in sauce so hard to taste the other flavors. On a positive note, my ice tea was very good and the service from the waitress was great so perhaps come here for drinks and the appetizers but stay away from some of the mains.

The food and service were awesome. We both had the scallops. Great portions and just the right amount of spice!