If you’ve been following our blog for a while, then you know that we often venture out to enjoy the local food and wine scene here in Orange County, but, having said that, rarely do we find a place like Rum Social. This new restaurant, which took over the old Watermarc space, is simply incredible, and we couldn’t have had a better experience.

The Atmosphere & Decor

The best way to describe the design and decor at Rum Social is showy and opulent Las Vegas meets laidback and cool Orange County, but with a Caribbean island twist. The very fact that the restaurant’s name includes the word ‘rum’ has led to descriptions such as “Hemingway-like”, and once inside, it’s easy to see why all of the above could be used to describe this ultra-cool dining spot.  

The upstairs bar area and the downstairs dining room are a terrific mix of textures, colors, and fabrics – including a glamorous “throwback” wallpaper, which sort of has the 1950s poolside at the Beverly Hills Hotel vibe.

Before you sit down in the dining room, head to the upstairs bar. On the night we visited, the bar at Rum Social was bustling, and we had the honor to meet Ken Ussenko, one of the owners, and an internationally known designer, who is also responsible for the incredible decor. Ken is extremely hospitable, and he welcomed us with open arms.  

The Rum Social Dining Room

When you step into the dining room, your eyes are drawn to the large velvet-clothed booths in muted pinks and navy blue that line one wall of the restaurant. A cascade of floor-to-ceiling windows traces the opposite wall. 

In the center of the room are freestanding polished wood tables with velvet cushioned chairs. As soon as we were seated downstairs, our server, Patton, promptly greeted us, provided a helpful rundown of the menu, and gave us a few suggestions as to how we might plan our dining experience. He was informative, conversational, and provided excellent service right from the start.  

The Menu at Rum Social  

In crafting the menu at Laguna Beach’s Rum Social, Executive Chef Nick Hererra took his inspiration from coastal communities around the world. But the team at this restaurant aims to deliver much more than the traditional “coastal dining experience” that you find up and down the California coast. According to the small blurb at the top of the dining menu, their mission is: to combine modern American cooking with tropical flavors of destinations we call vacation.  

And now, on to our dining experience!

The Rum Social Dining Experience 

For our first course, we ordered the Hamachi Crudo, Plantains, and Beet Salad. These were delivered to our table by the Food and Beverage Manager, Gerard, who explained the nuances of each dish.

Now, Hamachi Crudo is a dish that pops up in a lot of high-end restaurants, especially ones in California. In other words, we have had our fair share of this refreshing preparation of the Hamachi fish. But we just want to say, wow! That first bite of Crudo will knock your socks off – in a good way! We have never had Hamachi prepared in this way. The sensation of flavors hits your palate in layers; it was absolutely amazing.

The plantains were also excellent. This starter is prepared with a Malahat ginger rum and lemongrass glaze, so you’re getting a nice blend of sweetness, tang and aromatic flavors.

Shortly after we dug into the first course, General Manager, Jean, checked on our table to ensure everything was to our liking. The thread of attentive, friendly service was seamless at Rum Social right from the beginning. 

For the main course, we couldn’t say ‘no’ to the Chef’s Special – Seabass, which was topped with delicate pea shoots, and served with a mouth-wateringly good sauce. Absolutely delicious.  

Final Thoughts

Rum Social is a welcome addition to the Laguna Beach dining scene. This is the kind of restaurant that can do double-duty as a great Laguna Beach date night spot, and a place you want to share with out-of-towners.

While the prices might be considered a little on the high side – you can easily reach a $100 per person check if you’re like us and you order a few glasses of wine, two starters, entrees, and dessert. The entrees alone hover around $34. But, we feel the pricing is appropriate when taking into consideration the quality and the uniqueness of the food, the convenient location of the restaurant, and the ambiance.  

The complete makeover that this space has seen is incredible. Ken and his team turned what is now Rum Social into a restaurant that is fun and functional, with a buzzy bar on the upper level and a restaurant on the lower level. 

Kudos to the entire team; we were thoroughly impressed from start to finish!