Red Dragon and Cabana join the long list of closed restaurants in Laguna Beach.
Both closures are probably not surprising to locals.
Red Dragon was DOA, having spent way too much to remodel the old Mosun mansion that had zero parking and no foot traffic. Add the exorbitantly high food prices – for Chinese food – and it really had no chance.
For example, some of the small specialty entrees pushed $100 for an unremarkable experience. Online reviews are littered with similar complaints.
Perhaps the only good news is that the new building is stunning (doubtless with a rent to match). Whether someone else can come up with a viable concept remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, Cabana was actually a decent restaurant with a nice happy hour, but the location seems cursed. The last day is May 31. Located at 222 Ocean Ave., it has churned through several restaurants, most recently Taverna, Ocean at Main, Sueños, then Cabana. And that’s only the last few years.
The space is big and no doubt expensive, but rumor has it there are a few suitors already lined up to take a chance. Let’s hope the outcome is a more approachable, mid-scale restaurant.
One final bit of restaurant news: New restaurant Tango on Forest Avenue has already had turmoil. Chef Leo Bongarra apparently had a falling out and is going over to Breeze and Brews on Ocean.
Oof … the Laguna restaurant scene has become exhausting.
