Rum Social

Get your social skills back in action and check out some new Tropical food and beverage vibes at Laguna Beach’s new Rum Social. Located in the well known Peppertree Lane, the new owners invite you on a journey through the Caribbean with their new Hemingway inspired restaurant. Beautifully remodeled, this space encourages you to relax, let go, and enjoy some cutting edge food and eclectic libations while kicking back in the aesthetically pleasing environment designed by Kenneth Ussenko.

I have been eagerly waiting for something refreshingly different, and hip to open up in town. I was a big fan of the late Watermarc, and even more so of Partners, where I hold many great memories of Adam bartending with his late night local crowd. My interest were peaked when i first heard the name Rum Social. Rum tasting and sampling worldly food, is right up my alley.

If rum is your thing, they have no shortage of that amongst other common spirits. They feature a rum distilled locally in San Diego, called Malahat.I tried all four different flavors that are also used in some of their house specialty rum cocktails. I enjoyed trying them as a sipper straight, or shall I say neat. My favorite was the black tea they use in their R.S. Cuba Libre. More of a rich body, sugary, darker flavor. But the Ginger Rum, base liquor for the Mojito Smash, was very unique and tasty. You can even order a bottle, and with a corkage fee, take the rest home with you. Though you might not be able to craft their twist on a Cuba Libre, they add a little coconut simple syrup and some fresh mint to this classic cocktail. It’s one of those refreshing drinks that by the time your glass is half empty, you’re already picturing the next cold one to arrive.

All is of this rum and fun was enjoyed in the swank upstairs bar. It’s a small intimate space with pink and royal blue fabric booths, and cute little two tops on the small outdoor patio of this charming and historical location. There are several black and white photos of people and places that line the walls and stir conversations and memories. Like many I’d presume, I had never really spent any time upstairs in either of the previous restaurants. Well, now I can attest there is a great reason to venture up the flight. One of my favorite drinks, and apparently Chef Jared Adams’s favorite as well, was the One Night Stand. This cocktail packs a punch with Chartreuse giving a very sophisticated finish, and served in elegant glassware. Many of the drinks had fun names like 3 Arch,Social Queen, and Jungle Bird, which is a unique twist on a Mai Tai. Be sure to say hello to the super friendly and talented bartenders, Sean and Marlene. They are so fun to chat with and very entertaining to watch them do their magic.

On a separate visit, I enjoyed a dining experience downstairs. My guest and I allowed our server and Chef De Cuisine Nick Herrera to take us through an exciting tasting of different island cuisine. A cool concept I really liked, was this “family style approach” to eating. Basically, this translates to food will come when it’s ready to be served. Unlike a traditional meal where everyone gets what they ordered at the same time. It’s important to note that they can accommodate that serving style as well, upon request. All are sat with share plates on the table and they even include a classy , large, gold serving spoon that is refreshed as needed. It gives everyone in your part a chance to try new things and share the eating experience together.

I don’t recall what island our first dish was inspired by, but this Hamachi Crudo starter was the bomb.Thinly sliced avocado, jicama, an amarillo sauce, garnished with the tastiest little leaf called sour apple soro. There was textures and flavors for days on this dish. According to Kevin, textures and spices are what they’re all about. This was followed by yummy, good for you, rum braised, tender bright fuchsia colored beets! There was this incredible purple yogurt goat cheese spread that complimented each bite of beet, perfectly.

I’m a total pepper belly, so I really enjoyed the Brussel sprouts. They had those addicting crispy onions, with garlic vinaigrette, and some fresh red Anaheim chilies. I liked that the sprouts were ala dente, can’t stand a soggy cabbage head, plus they hold their flavor better that way. Next came the Jerk Chicken. It was a very generous portion and meant for two, and the jerk spice was legit. Principal John Fisher said “we import it from Jamaica”. I thought it tasted authentic, it had that nice Scotch Bonnet pepper kick. Served with jasmine rice, a black bean puree, and some escabeche, this dish was hot and healthy. We also had Seabass that was exquisitely prepared. crispy, crunchy outside, tender and moist inside. The dark rum butter sauce was insanely good. It was such a beautiful plate with some bright yellow corn succotash and an artistically grilled Ciopollini onion that that made it look like one’s masterpiece with such contrast, colors, and textures. But it was ours to enjoy, and every scrumptious bite, we did. Too full for desert, but that never stopped me, we sailed into the tastiest Toffee cake I have ever tried. It had a super moist spiced rum syrup like center, salted creme friache, and ginger rum raisins. An absolute must have, and perhaps enjoyed with an after dinner drink. Pretty cool and convenient that they partner with the popular Gelato shop next door to concoct some Tropical Flavored, Chocolate covered bite sized balls, that are a party in the mouth. Don’t try and take a nibble on one of these. It’s all or nothing, or you might go home with a little on your shirt.

These guys are really on to something good. Chef De Cuisine said, ”It’s an opportunity to culinarily step it up in the OC”. I feel we really need this artistic expression in food. Something different, something fun, bring on the Rum.

Written By:
Pamela Simpson www.ArgyBargyConsulting.com

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