I honestly cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. It is our favorite place for whenever we get a chance to go out. The ambiance is fantastic, and the staff is absolutely amazing and extremely attentive. The food is always delicious and the ever-changing dessert menu is always keeping us on our toes. No matter what, we always get some empanadas to start off with, they are legit some of the best Ive ever had. When I'm really hungry, I always go for the lamb shank off the dinner menu, it seriously is so tender and falls off the bone. I wish I lived closer so I could just walk over for an amazing cocktail when I needed one(their Old Fashioneds are legit!) but living so far away makes for an even better experience when we get to watch the sunset while driving down PCH to our favorite date night place!
If I could write a novel about this quick lunch, I would. Anna was courteous, knowledgeable, charming and above all knew exactly what to recommend! Lovely location tucked in just enough to keep the bustling noise out but still a short walk from the water.
The Pisco Sour was like the best Margarita you've never had. The Pork Belly Bites fell off the skewer, and I mean mouth-watering perfection. Wonderfully seared and tenderly cooked. Superbly seasoned and the crisp green apple balanced out this savory starter to the T. I've already sent a friend here and both he and his date loved it! It's a must-dine in Laguna, especially at this great price!
Our first time at Central, very, very good! Made a reservation through Open Table, we got there slightly early, they took us to our table immediately, no waiting.
The service was excellent, the menu very good.
It got a bit noisy, but it was Saturday evening, so, it was expected I guess.
All and all, I would definitely recommend it!
I never have high expectations for dining establishments in Laguna Beach, but Central was hands down much more than what I expected. I highly recommend it!
We had Pan fried white fish with rice
And Rotiserie chicken with rice and micro greens salad.
The flavors were excellent, service was attentive
and we made it to the Pagent of the Masters with time to spare.
The setting was beautiful with indoor and outdoor seating as well as a full bar.
I felt the menu could have a few more items on it. However what is on the menu provides a wide spectrum of choices. With that being said my wife had a salad and the chicken skewers. The sauces that accompanied the skewers were outstanding! Myself...i had(and forgive me for not remembering the name of the dish) what equated to basil chicken pasta. It also was fabulous. What was most eye opening to me was the temperature of the food. It was hot.... The way it SHOULD be. The owner was on hand and was very extremely kind and very warm to his patrons. Being from Detroit it was our first time and for you locals I would absolutely give it a try I think you'll love it!
The food is delicious!! Although the basic structure of the food is Peruvian, It is not traditional. I'd call it Peruvian Nouveau Cuisine. The ceviche is close to the traditional ceviche, they use seabass and key limes to give that traditional citrus flavor and serve it with the big white Peruvian corn. I'm hooked on the Lomo Saltado, the beef is cooked to your taste and served sliced atop a bed of rice topped with onions & tomatoes, the fries are crispy and served surrounding the rice so they stay crisp. They have several different sauces depending on how much you like to turn up the heat, all a flavorful and each unique. They have a great bar and can serve up just about anything you want. Great ambience inside and outside(I prefer outside by the fountain), the owners are usually there and are super warm and friendly. Totally worth a visit!!
Crab cakes, quacamole and plantains and rotisserie chicken sand which were great. The service is always the best.
My husband and I enjoyed his 40th Birthday lunch here and it was great! Good food, music, atmosphere and service. Loved the plantain chips and guacamole! We will surely be back for more good food. 👍👍😊
Had an amazing time last night at Central. Food was great but the staff and management made it even more fun. Tony; you're Manhattan is the best and I so appreciate you naming your signature drink the "Brett!" Honored!
We were there for New Years Eve. The atmosphere was awesome. Greeted at the door by the owner. He was energetic and super friendly. The service was just as great. Food was a really good find too. We'll be back!
The atmosphere and staff were so warm and friendly. The grilled octopus was as good as what I had in Santorini. Dee concocts excellent drinks with a ready smile.
We had a great time in Laguna beach and this was one of places we really enjoyed going to for drinks. Next time we will go eat here.
I have several food allergies and it is always difficult to find a good place that will cater to my needs. My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Anna, the owner. She brought us in and the dining experience began. We had fun and we ate well! Thank you to Anna and the staff for a fabulous afternoon.
Linda Trujillo Ferragut
+5
We celebrated my husbands 75th birthday in Laguna Beach. We are still talking about the wonderful and amazing time we had. The food and service were excellent, and the owner and General Manager, Taylor McKinney went out of their way to accommodate our party of 16. Can't wait to go back!
My daughter and I had our date night here and we absolutely loved it. Spectacular food and the intimate ambiance made this place feel like home. We enjoyed our sea bass with truffle mac and cheese:) We shall be back!!!
Wonderful food -and stunning view of the beach....great service
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Cool place nestled away in downtown Laguna Beach. They have a nice patio out front with views of the street for people watching, though it's not a super busy area. Solid wine list. The beer list is just okay, with their crafts being the mass produced basics like Allagash White and Sculpin. We only had one cocktail (the smoky mezcal one), but it was very good. We also really enjoyed the Sangria. As far as food, the mushroom bolognese was very different, but interesting. Definite fungus flavors (which should be a good thing if you are ordering something with "mushroom" as the first word), and great sauce, but I like my noodles al dente and these were a little more well done. The salmon was well cooked with good flavors, and the bed of carrot curry it sits on is fantastic. The Cuban sandwich was very good as well. Service was excellent (Sherry was our server), and the owner/manager (?) checked in with us as well. The only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars was the price. I know it's Laguna Beach, but we had 2 sandwiches, a pasta, and a Salmon Entree plus 2 drinks each (mostly wine and beer) and it came out to $300. I had a little sticker shock, but everything else was really good.
Amazing aesthetic, incredible food, and great service! As a local here in Laguna Beach I struggle to find healthy and delicious food options but I just found my new favorite spot! Would recommend to anyone visiting the town or to locals who want a new and exciting experience.
I loved that they received us with a complimentary glass of prosseco. Went to dinner with some girlfriends and we had a great time. The staff was so acomodating and flexible, we where running late and even though they were dully booked, they where able to push back our reservation. The food was amazing. Try the lamb shank. Our waiter recommended a great bottle of wine. Great service
This place is great! My mother and I wandered in to try happy hour at Central and we were very impressed. We tried a Peruvian cocktail on happy hour that was delicious and strong and empanadas that we were excellent. The restaurant has a trending, but welcoming vibe and the staff was very friendly and kind. I cannot wait to get back to Laguna Beach to try dinner here!
I've eaten here numerous times. As a gluten-free eater it is one of the few places in town that I know I can go and never have to worry. The food is based on Central American cuisine therefore the name. It has been fused with California cuisine and offers some amazing tastes and combinations. It's fresh, and local as much as possible, and the staff is always very attentive. They have live music sometimes with outdoor seating.
Central is one of my favorite restaurants. Located in the heart of Laguna Beach, you'll find a welcoming staff who go out of their way to make you feel at home. It's a great place to take friends and family to enjoy great tasting food served in a comfortable and upscale location. The owner is often on site to ensure every expectation of your experience is fulfilled. I love Central's chicken entree. The seasoning is just right, and the portion size is plentiful enough to have a little left to take home. You will love this place. Have a seat at the bar, sit outside, or dine indoors. You'll have plenty of great choices at Central.
Wonderful place to have a birthday meal! I was treated like a queen and the food, beverages and ambiance were incredible. Will be back!!!!
Walked by this place, gave it a quick glance as we tried to find another spot to eat at. All other restaurants in the area were packed so I looked up the review for this place and decided to go in. SO glad we did. The small hole in the wall spot was just lively enough to enjoy a great conversation, yet quite enough to get away from the loudness in other neighboring food spots. The service was great and Corey (our server) was very friendly and accommodating. The food was fresh and hot when it got to our table and was very delicious. I would highly recommend walking away from all the loud restaurants and checking out this quite gem in the corner. You will not be disappointed.
Had the best experience today!! Went with my friend Karen for lunch and had the best Peruvian food, ever!! the chicken soup with the cilantro and the empanadas were to die for!!!! The superb service provided by Tony, added to the lovely time we had. Definitely going back soon. The price was very good too. Keep the good work guys!!!
Thank you,
Christina Vickers
Food was delicious! A great atmosphere with beautiful food. Menu is small but the chef's delicious interpretation of the Peruvian influenced dishes with French style is fantastic. Can't think of another resturant with this fusion of cuisines and style. I personally had the quinoa and it was incredible. Quinoa might not sound like a thrilling dish but this was full of flavor and was incredible satisfying.
Had some really great things here! The skirt steak was very tender and delicious, as were the starters. The cod wasn't great, unfortunately. Friendly service and the drinks were on point.
Central was a great Saturday afternoon find. First thing to know is that you can bring a single bottle of wine with you that Ce real doesn't carry and there is no corkage fee. Second bottle is a $25 charge which is also a good deal.
To start we had the heirloom tomato burata drizzled with a balsamic that was so good. Must try this when you go.
We both opted for salmon entrees: seared salmon sandwich on a brioche bun. The sandwich had a thick filet inside with fresh fixings for a very hearty meal.
The quinoa salmon salad was fresh but very salty and difficult to finish.
The patio space is a nice spot to have a drink on a warm day too. Definitely will be back.
Great dining experience with my family. The outside area was phenomenal and the service was excellent. I recommend this place, as a lifetime local who is picky on Laguna dining, to everyone trying to grab an amazing bite to eat.
Tony, the waiter, was very helpful. The food was wonderful. We had the delicious octopus (spicy), yummy ceviche, melt in your mouth lamb shank and new york steak. Banana empanado...yum
Central Coast is not traditional Peruvian food is more fusion. Food is not cheap but is tasty. I do go back every time I stay at Surf & Sand. I'm originally from Peru & if you are looking for traditional Peruvian food you should go somewhere else, this still have the Peruvian flavor with its own touch.
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