Dine at This Stunning Waterfront Venue
With the sun sinking into the horizon, a golden glow washes over the ocean. In front of us, Parker House Rolls, seared scallops, and craft cocktails create the perfect scene. Full and satisfied, weāre certain weāve discovered Orange Countyās newest culinary star. Ā LÅrea, Huntington Beachās Newest Restaurant at PasĆ©a Hotel & Spa
Tucked within Huntington Beachās PasĆ©a Hotel & Spa, LÅrea emerged in early May with its fresh interpretations and creative twists on California coastal-inspired dining, promising an experience that will have hotel guests and local visitors coming back for more. After a $5 million transformation, PasĆ©a Hotel & Spa has redefined its food and beverage offerings, unveiling the new restaurant alongside the revamped rooftop bar, now called Treehouse on PCH.
Interior
Before the renovation, we frequented Tannerās Restaurant along with Tannerās Treehouse, and we were amazed by what the PasĆ©a team had accomplished with this refresh. Upon entering LÅrea, we were enveloped in a light, breezy ambiance that pays homage to the beautiful neighboring coastline, thanks to OC-based Hatch Design Group, who worked with the restaurantās surroundings to create an open-air space that seamlessly blends indoor sophistication with natural outdoor beauty.
Walnut dining tables, a gorgeous, hand-painted community table by local artist Chris Trisnan, and an impressive 77-foot stone bar set the stage for a dining experience thatās as elegant as it is inviting. The restaurant’s alfresco setting offers a calm and relaxed juxtaposition to the lively, open-concept kitchen that offers guests a glimpse of the action.
The decor and ambiance are genuinely stunning, but what truly stands out is the clear ocean view, visible from nearly every table, inside or out. Even Treehouse on PCH feels more elevatedāthe seating is now a bit lower, and the higher seating is situated alongside the edges of the space, resulting in a much more open, unobstructed view of the water.
Helmed by Chef de Cuisine Stefan Pierce and Executive Chef Scott Rackliff, LÅrea is a testament to āland, sea and libations,ā a concept that permeated every aspect of our dining experience.
āWeāre using ingredients that we can get from the land,ā Chef Rackliff says. āHere in California, we have some of the best produce in the country. We have the ocean right here too, so, of course, we offer fresh seafoodāand amazing craft cocktails.ā
Ā āWe’ll change the menu three or four times a year as the seasons change and let the ingredients speak for themselves,ā he explains. These seasonal menus, along with conscious seafood sourcing, help this new Orange County restaurant incorporate more sustainable dining practices.
Although the menu is seasonal, LÅrea will offer several signature dishes like the Duck and Goat Charcuterie and the Seafood Stew. During our visit, we enjoyed the fluffy Parker House Rolls, tender Seared Scallops, and a flavorful Koji-aged Pork Chop. Chef Rackliffās favorite, the Pork Belly Wraps, was another standout dish.
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Menu
This Huntington Beach restaurantās menu may seem simple at first, but unexpected techniques and presentations make every dish exciting. For example, the butter candles, served with Parker House Rolls, were a standout. Chef Rackliff first introduced this idea during his job tasting. Meanwhile, another showstopper was the Pork Chop. It arrived over a smoker with rosemary and fresh herbs, adding both depth and aroma to the dish. The aroma alone brought a refreshing touch to the LÅrea table.
Unsurprisingly, LÅreaās bar program is just as impressive as its food menu. Led by PasĆ©aās award-winning Resort Mixologist Miguel Sandoval, the cocktail menu is a delicious blend of classics and creative concoctions, like the Dutch Dancer martini and the tableside Boozy Affogato. Our favorites of the night included the Wild Spirit, the Fizzy Lizzy and (Chef Rackliffās recommendation) the Laurel.
The drink program can be enjoyed beyond the walls of LÅrea. The bar can also be accessed from the pool area to enjoy, along with some light bites. For those seeking a more scenic experience, head upstairs to Treehouse on PCH. With its iconic tree sculpture, deep-seated sofas, and teak daybeds, Treehouse is the perfect place to relax with another cocktail. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you sip and unwind in style. With fewer than 10 rooftop bars in Orange County, a view like this is definitely worth checking out.
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Chef Rackliff shares that heās especially proud of LÅrea serving as an extension of PasĆ©aās philosophy..
āPeople can expect and be excited for [how weāre] trying to be true to who we are and what we stand for as a property. Laidback luxury means doing things really well from a presentation perspective but not having it be uptight. So it’s very approachable,ā he explains.
āWhen people come here, they just want to be taken care of. People want to be pampered, but they want to be pampered in an approachable way.ā
LÅrea
21080 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
@lorea.hb
Born and raised near the Pacific Coast, Jordan Nishkian is a California girl through and through. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Creative Writing and a BA in Anthropology, and her favorite place to be is curled up in a comfy chair with a book in her hand and a pen in her hair.
