Tabu Grill

A cozy, cool, hip and hot restaurant in Laguna. I'd been driving by for a few years and always wondered about the food. It got a stellar Zagat rating. We celebrated a friends B-day there last night and the food was beautiful and delicios-o!.

Loved the music and the whole setting.

Try it - you will be a believer!

Pros: Wonderful ambiance, music, cocktails and food

Cons: all good

Posted 01/16/09

My husband and I have a job that takes us all over the world. We live in NY City and eat at many fine restaurants. Our recent experience at Tabu was one of the best we've had in years! The place is small, yes, but that just adds to the charm. With so many chain, unimaginative restaurants out there, Tabu Grill is an amazing find! The staff was fun, personable and professional all at once. We had a table that allowed us to watch the chefs at work and it was not only entertaining, it was impressive as well. Everyone in the place made us feel as though we were their personal guests. The wine was a fun mix of non conventional old and new world selections. The food was amazing! We had the scallops and the foie gras to start with and, in all of our travels, we've yet to taste better than what we had at Tabu. The Filet and crab/avacado stuffed tuna was PERFECT! We finished off with a white chocolate panna cota and a pineapple upside down cake. There were only 3 lovely girls as servers that night and all 3, at some point stopped by to service and chat with us. All lovely, and freindly!. The chefs were professional and a joy to watch. We will recommend going to Tabu Grill to all our friends that head out to California for vacation and we will make sure to reserve a table each and every time we are there!

Pros: Service, food, music, fun energy, quaintness

Cons: parking

Posted 06/04/08

As I was reading some of the previous reviews, I could not believe that some people consider this restaurant "outstanding" and that it has "great ambiance". I beg to differ. I am not a food critic, but I've eaten at many restaurants around the world, and Tabu is not what it claims to be. In fact, it's a hole in the wall, with modern touches, but so tiny, I felt claustrophobic. It was dark with a sinister vibe. Because it's so small, you will certainly be wearing the smoke and fumes from the kitchen once you leave - apparently there is no ventilation.
The host and waiter were not too concerned with good customer service (very snooty - the "chic wanna-be place" is too good for YOU, in their opinion. The food was average - some dishes were OK and some were below average. The seating situation was another point of contention for me. We sat on this long bench, sandwiched bewtween other couples like sardines. If you like being crowded, barely able to hear yourself because the music is obnoxiously loud, and pay $$$ for bad service and bad fod, then I would recommend this place. Otherwise, save your money!!! You would be better off indulging yourself in a tasty picnic, on the beach. Great view, fresh air and the crowds won't suffocate you there.

Posted 05/10/08

My wife and I stopped by Tabu earlier in the day to grab a menu as we knew that we would be dining out later in the evening. We were given a small, fold-out menu with descriptions of cuisines that made my mouth water. I was particularly interested in one dish that contained crab and avocado and my wife was taken by the description of a salmon entree.

We called ahead and were given a reservation. When we arrived, we were greeted by Managing Partner Nancy and immediately shown to our table. The interior was intimate and the decor calming. It appeared that about 25% of the dining room's real estate was claimed by an "open kitchen" area. However, it looked as if this area was only being used by the wait staff as a soup and salad station.

Both of the items that we had seen on the mini-menu were no longer offered. I inquired about the absent dish listings and was told by our perfunctory waiter that our mini-menu was not up to date with the current entrees and that the dishes we desired were no longer available. He claimed that it was similar to their internet listings. (As I write this, there are NO listings for entrees on the website. The link for 'entrees' is inoperable.) Our waiter suggested alternate choices. I took his advice and chose to have the sea bass. Intrigued by the blue cheese macaroni, my wife chose that along with the beef.

We were served our wine along with some garlic bread that was burned on one side. After a few bites we didn't eat the rest.

It took FOREVER for our meals to arrive. We thought that something may have happened in the kitchen because there was a lot of smoke - enough to make our eyes water.

My fish was tasty but drowned in juices. My wife's macaroni had a severe burned taste even though it didn't look burned. Her meal was perhaps one of the worst I've ever tasted. Since it was our anniversary we just wanted out. We paid our overly expensive bill and left. I wouldn't recommend this to friends.

Pros: Good choice of music and decor

Cons: Over priced food that tastes burned - No cocktails, only limited beer and wine

Posted 03/23/08

Perfectly sized - intimate. Excellent staff, somelier, chefs, food, ambience. Each time I have been there, it is an incredible experience. Extensive wine list, outrageously good food. Reservations highly recommended. Dress nicely. I've tried most of the menu and have enjoyed it thoroughly, in particular ANY of the specials.

Pros: Food, Staff, Intimate Size, NO KIDS =)

Cons: A little Loud during prime time

Posted 10/30/07

We had dinner for six last night. Started with the scallops and poke appetizers - both were outstanding. I enjoyed the Escolar for dinner - you may know its more familiar name, Wahoo. It was prepared perfectly. We enjoyed a bottle of Merlot and an '01 Far Niente Cabernet with dinner, along with a Di leonardo Pinot Grigio for the ladies. Desserts were delicious, and the waiter did a fine job. The prices were not unreasonable considering the quality. We probably drank $300 worth of wine, which pushed the bill up. All in all, a very enjoyable evening. I definitely recommend this restaurant.

Pros: delicious appetizers, excellent service, knowledgeable waiters

Cons: very limited seating

Posted 04/14/06

I've been there twice. The first time I ordered lamb. The lamb was spectacular. It was my anniversary and the waittress was very nice and efficient.
The second time I had Ahi Tuna. The dish was equally as good. This time I ate at the bar. There is a lot of action at this little restaurant, but it truly delivers.

Pros: Food, Ambiance, Decor

Cons: Could be larger

Posted 06/10/05

WOW! What a find, Tabu Grill is not in the main part of Laguna Beach where all the tourists are, it's about 2 miles south near the Montage. Once you enter the restaurant, the ambiance and the food soon remind you that you are in a special part of the world. The scallop appetizer blew me away, then came the pork chop, the best I've ever had. Our waiter was well versed on wine too. My wife loved the salmon, and loved the late night boutique, Max Regal, next door. A very $$$ and memorable night!

Pros: Intimate

Cons: , Parking

Posted 07/13/04