Three longtime Orange County restaurants are saying farewell this month, including a South Laguna Mexican spot, a Little Saigon fixture and one of Dana Point’s most enduring waterfront eateries.
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One closure comes down to a lease, another ends more than three decades of seafood and family celebrations, while the third is part of the sweeping overhaul of the Dana Point Harbor.
La Sirena Grill (Laguna Beach)
La Sirena Grill will close its South Laguna location on Sunday, Sept. 20, wrapping up more than two decades at 30862 South Coast Highway, across from Montage Laguna Beach.
In a note posted at the restaurant, as first reported by Laguna Beach Unfiltered, the Cortellessa family said its lease was ending and that it had been unable to negotiate on new terms. (La Sirena Grill is, notably, located in the same plaza as the vacant site of a former Gelson’s.)
“We want to thank this amazing community, our customers, our employees and partner Mark Christy for supporting our family business for over 25 years,” read the missive.
Known for tacos, burritos and other Cali-Mex fare, La Sirena has operated in Laguna Beach since 1999. The South Laguna spot also features a full bar with margaritas and craft beers on tap.
Fans need not bid adieu to La Sirena altogether; its original shoebox-size location at 347 Mermaid St. in downtown Laguna will remain open.
Seafood Cove (Garden Grove)
The longtime Chinese seafood restaurant on Westminster Avenue in Little Saigon has closed after roughly 35 years.
Seafood Cove had long been a gathering place for family feasts and parties, serving Cantonese seafood dishes, wonton soup and other standards. Its closure prompted a bit of an outpouring from longtime customers online, with several recalling birthday dinners and family gatherings held there over the decades.
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“I loved going there with my family,” commented Tuk Prahok, adding, “My favorite dishes were the Vietnamese Sour Seafood soup, Kung Pao Chicken, and the Salt and Pepper Shrimp.”
Seafood Cove 2, found at 9211 Bolsa Ave. in Westminster across from Asian Garden Mall, remains open. The second location serves dim sum daily, along with its seasonal-special lobster and a dinner menu of seafood (of course), noodles and more.
One big question remains: Will the open Seafood Cove now nix its numerical distinction? “We’re so used to it now but who knows, maybe we will change that,” said the host on the phone, with a laugh.
Wind & Sea (Dana Point)
That’s a wrap: The Dana Point Harbor restaurant will serve customers for the last time on Tuesday, Sept. 15, closing after 54 years on the waterfront.
Opened in 1972 by Robert “Boib” Mardian, Wind & Sea became synonymous with harbor dining and its potent mai tais. The restaurant, surrounded by water on three sides, has remained at the same spot since its debut so many years ago.
Its closure makes way for the ongoing $700 Dana Point Harbor redevelopment. Wind & Sea’s departure comes on the heels of last year’s closure of sister eatery Harpoon Henry’s, another longtime harbor fixture.
The restaurant has spent its final days leaning into nostalgia, posting old photos and recipes to its socials while urging customers to pop in for one last sunset and mai tai. “We are so lucky that 55 years ago, Bob found this little spot by the harbor and decided to take a chance on it,” the restaurant posted on its final day.
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