Laguna Beach’s historic La Casa del Camino hotel is welcoming guests back to its dining room and patio for an all-new, upscale Southern Californian tapas experience. Appropriately named Comedor, the reimagined restaurant has undergone a Spanish revival retouch, emulating the 1930s accents echoed throughout the recently renovated hotel property and creating a charming hub for visitors and locals alike.

Diners are encouraged to come together and connect over Comedor’s vibrant and elegant menu, developed by Chef Marcel Vigneron. He is best known for his runner-up finish on Season 2 of Bravo’s hit reality series, “Top Chef;” appearances on Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef,” “Iron Chef,”  “Food

Fighters,” “America’s Best Cooks,” ”Cutthroat Kitchen: Superstar Sabotage,” and “Chopped: Celebrity Chef Charity Edition;” as well as his former involvement in Los Angeles-based restaurants Wolf and Tacos Lobos.

Vigneron’s tapas selection for Comedor include traditional Spanish favorites such as Charred Spanish Octopus with Squid Ink Romesco and Papas Arrugadas with Aioli and Mojo Rojo, and as well as more unexpected creations like Carrot Fritters with Tamarind Yogurt Sauce. Main dishes, like the Rossejat de Fideos— Paella-style vermicelli with lobster, shrimp, and calamari, cooked in a seafood broth– are elevated and technical, with a modern twist. Desserts range from the fresh Pear Tart, to the decadent Molten Chocolate Cake, served with vanilla ice cream and a sesame streusel.

“As with the hotel itself, we wanted the menu at Comedor to reflect Southern California’s rich and cultured history, as well as its vibrant present,” said Chef Vigneron. “Our cozy, yet elegant dining experience now serves as an extension of the ‘home’ La Casa del Camino provides its visitors.”

Comedor also features a show-stopping lineup of cocktails, curated by mixologist Devon Espinosa, who recently crafted menus for Santa Barbara’s iconic Hotel Californian. The Smoking Musket (Rye, Beckrovka, Doiln Blanc, Green Apple)  features an Insta-worthy smoke reveal presentation, while the Chai Old Fashioned, features Laird’s Apple Jack, Rittenhouse Rye, and Chai Syrup, and is garnished with a flamed orange peel.

“As we slowly emerge from a time of isolation, we’re proud to present a dining room where people can reconnect with loved ones and exchange laughs over food and drinks made from the heart,” said Spencer Kushner, Comedor’s Director of Food and Beverage. “With Comedor, we hope to take the historic charm and scenic dining experiences guests have come to love from La Casa del Camino to the next level.”

The restaurant’s design comes from LA-based interior designer Matt Winter, who is known for designing the show stopping interiors for Gjusta Bakery in Venice, Fia Restaurant in Santa Monica, Manuela in Los Angeles and, more recently, La Casa del Camino’s Rooftop Lounge earlier this year. At Comedor, diners will be seated at elegant carrera marble and carved wooden tables, situated beneath beautiful wrought iron chandeliers. Additional Spanish Revival-style accents include colorful tile-work and gothic sconces.

“In all of my work for the Casa del Camino property, and specifically Comedor, I wanted to stay true to a classic design while paying homage to the history of the building and its original architecture,” explains Winter. “We were able to slightly modernize the exquisite California spanish features with our choice of materials and colors, original era-appropriate lighting, and upcycled furniture to give it an authentic feel.  I wanted to evoke a familiar yet comfortable feeling from guests while helping to make the space come alive and highlight the building’s almost 100 year old bones. I’m really so pleased with the result.”

Comedor opened to guests for indoor dining at a limited capacity on April 30, 2021. Reservations, which are highly recommended, are available through Resy.

ABOUT COMEDOR

Comedor, located within the historic La Casa del Camino hotel, offers diners an upscale Southern Californian tapas experience, just steps away from the Pacific Ocean. The recently renovated, 1930s-inspired dining room features a menu of Spanish classics with a local twist, as well as show-stopping, hand-crafted cocktails, and more. For more information, please visit www.comedorlaguna.com or call (949) 376-9718. Located at 1289 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.