Community Corner

Umami Burger Set to Open Wednesday—Let the Belching Begin!

The Laguna Beach outlet of the popular gourmet burger chain will open in the space formerly occupied by Picayo.

Just in time for summer, the Laguna Beach outlet of the Los Angeles-based Umami gourmet hamburger chain is scheduled to open this coming Wednesday, June 13, at 1 p.m.

The restaurant at 610 N. Coast Highway takes over the space formerly occupied by Picayo, in a small complex of businesses at Boat Canyon Drive next to . Picayo closed last year.

The Laguna Beach Umami—the chain's 10th location, and second in Orange County—will serve beer and wine, as well as their famed gourmet hamburgers.

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To get an idea of what to expect from their menu, take a look at what Umami's Costa Mesa location offers.

According to their website, "umami" derives from the Japanese word meaning a fifth taste, "describing the pleasant and savory taste imparted by glutamate, a type of amino acid, and ribonucleotides that occur naturally in foods," according to a note from founder Adam Fleischman.

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As a result, the restaurant's menu of gourmet burgers has been built around the "umami" concept, using sophisticated combinations of natural flavors. Their signature Umami Burger, for example, has shiitake mushroom, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, crispy parmesan and umami ketchup.


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