New Restaurant Asada Laguna Now Open for Business

Asada Laguna opened its doors to much ribbon-cutting fanfare on Monday, the latest in a string of new restaurants to debut in Laguna Beach.

The restaurant, which bills itself as a "Mexican steakhouse and tequila bar," is in the old Javier's location at 480 S. Coast Hwy. Reservations are available starting next week.

Monday's official opening brought out several local dignitaries including members of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and its president, Rose Hancock, as well as Mayor Toni Iseman.

Partner Scott McIntosh, an experienced restaurateur, is a former chief operating officer of the Claim Jumper chain, as well as a co-founder of Nick's, which is, interestingly, just a few doors down from Asada. Asada joins a strip of other fine dining restaurants on what's essentially a sort of restaurant row between Laguna Ave. and Legion St., including Nick's, Watermarc, the recently opened Tommy Bahama and Rock'n Fish, and the House of Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer.

Next to go live on the restaurant scene: Broadway by Amar Santana, in the old Five Feet building at 328 Glenneyre St., slated to open within the next few weeks.