Lagunans have yet to discover Serra’s
DINING OUT
I wonder how many locals are aware that right here in lovely Laguna
Beach we have an authentic Turkish restaurant that also boasts one of
the liveliest nightclubs in this or any other town.
Serra’s Bar and Grill, on Laguna Canyon Road opposite our
world-renowned Festival of Arts, must be the best kept secret locally
as the hip young crowds observed enjoying night time revelry here
seem to be mainly from outside our area. Many Lagunans are missing
something terrific by way of dining, dancing and delightful service
teamed with surprisingly affordable prices because this scintillating
cabaret rocks nightly.
I’ll start with the setting: a block-long bar inside the front
entry leads to four-some tables surrounding the dance floor, each
illuminated with a little ruby-beaded lamp. Heavy floor-to-ceiling
drapes offer inner privacy, separating the dining room from a
perimeter alfresco deck which is usually jammed with an enthusiastic
smoking contingent. A pool table at the rear adds another dimension.
Adjacent to this an upholstered bench fronting a trompe l’oeile wall
painted with Turkish terrain and adorned with exotic artifacts offers
additional seating.
The enticing selection of assorted entrees runs a delicious gamut
of Turkish and Mediterranean fare. Pastas, seafood, poultry, meat and
vegetarian dishes are priced from $12.50 for grilled chicken to
$18.95 for jumbo shrimp sauteed with garlic and spices. Instantly
tantalizing taste buds are heady aromas of garlic, cumin and oregano,
which season such dishes as perfectly broiled lamb chops modestly
tabbed at $17.95. The savory quintet of tender morsels are
accompanied with flavorful basmati rice, a whole grilled tomato, bell
pepper strips, delicate potato slices and a perky oregano sprig.
Chicken comes in five flavorful styles, herb-grilled, curried,
teriyaki seasoned, as shish kebabs and with mushrooms in a creamy
white wine sauce.
The list of pastas starts with Turkish ravioli in yogurt sauce
going to scampi in Serra’s tangy tomato sauce. Combination dinners
for two or more include a cold vegetarian combo at $24.95 consisting
of feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, humus, tarama, dolma,
eggplant and barbunya. Hearty platters for dedicated carnivores are
generously heaped with such as chicken and lamb kebabs, mixed
seafood, lamb chops, rice and vegetables. These come in at $38.95 and
$44.95 depending upon individual selections.
Scan the menu of provocative appetizers and find such warm and
cold delicacies as kofte, tasty plump meatballs; barbunya, flavorful
red bean salad; pastirma, a spicy pastrami; and tarama, salmon caviar
dip. The ample servings are tabbed from $3.95 to $11.95, the latter called “Serra’s shrimp delight.” To savor a diverse selection, the
chef will happily indulge adventuresome sharing by constructing a
picturesque platter of your personal choices.
Variations on the dinner menu are augmented with nightly table
tent specials. Tropical fruit cocktails include Mangoritas, Red Remy.
Vanilla kiss and Cow Killer with “everything in it but the cow.”
Martini aficionados, moreover, will be delighted with mixologist
Onur’s brim-full presentation, artfully carried to your table by such
caring waiters as dedicated Christopher who was exceptionally patient
in explaining many of these adventuresome dishes.
A night at Serra’s really takes off, though, when the disco
commences around 9 p.m. Lovely Serra Gokee herself, when not catering
her many parties, spins a huge variety of the exotic music that
constantly inspires the compatible crowd to strut their stuff and
reach out for anyone initially too shy to participate. With a 9th
anniversary celebration anticipated on April 28th, this fascinating
night club is about to be cloned at a new Studio City site. It is
Serra’s thoughtful way of accommodating the many fans who have been
traveling that arduous distance to relish the same exciting ambience
which started here in our very own home town in 1994.
* GLORI FICKLING is a longtime Laguna Beach resident who has
written restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be reached at 494-4710 or by e-mail at ghoneywest@aol.com.
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