Alessa Laguna

Alessa Laguna Restaurant Review:

Tucked among the boutiques and art galleries along downtown Laguna Beach’s Forest Avenue, this Italian restaurant taps into the coziness of the neighborhood through intimate lighting and white tablecloths set against rustic red bricks. The eatery itself serves as a culinary love letter of sorts for chef Alessandro Pirozzi, who uses the inviting confines as a base to create genuine Italian cuisine utilizing the secret family recipes and old-world techniques he learned from his beloved grandmother, Nonna Ida. His knack for creating flavorful bites filled with balance and complexity is found throughout the menu, from the razor-thin octopus carpaccio to the indulgent, plump ravioli stuffed with Maine lobster and roasted fennel. Carefully crafted pizzas, hand-made pastas, seafood and meat dishes provide a wealth of approachable dining options. Traditional desserts like tiramisu and panna cotta provide a nice finish. Guests stopping in for lunch tend to order up more casual fare like salads and panini in between gallery visits. Alessa Laguna also offers a solid wine list of Italian producers.