Dizz's As Is

 

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18

J. P.

Laguna Niguel, CA

more atmosphere than anything else. If you like bars, I guess you'd like this. For dinner, no no no. Terrible, fishy seafood. For drinkers only.

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4

46

Jen W.

San Diego, CA

Wow-I wasn't expecting to get such a great meal in what could very well have been my grandmother's living room.  This place really is kitschy, but not in a bad way, it's actually so tacky it's good.  Imagine Laura Ashley tablecloths, black and white photos of old movie stars and fake plants.  Charming-you'll just have to check it out if you don't believe me.

We got a great bottle of wine, a Marquis Phillips blend for the mere price of $25.  Our waiter, Mark, was awesome.  The menus aren't bound together, instead you get loose leaf binder pages, and all entrees are served with bread, soup or salad.  

I had the veal marsala, yum, yum, yum, yum-the sauce was incredible.  I love veal, have been eating it my whole life, and this did not disappoint.  My boyfriend got the filet, and unfortunately it wasn't on par with a steak at Ruth's Chris or any other top steak house (which explains the absence of a star).  But, I would definitely go back for the veal marsala or something else on the menu.

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5

Rob C.

Newport Beach, CA

The menu is eclectic and varied, the vermouth aperitif and service are rare and the place itself is a very close to home feeling. Secret gem in Laguna Beach!!

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Elite '08

119

98

Darnelle B.

San Gabriel, CA

We were staying at Charley's folks beach house and decided to walk down to get something to eat.  We arrived a bit before 5 and were told they were not open yet, but we could sit at bar...oh that really sucked!  So we sat there and took in the locals...the nostalgic decor  and just really got relaxed.  The place really filled up right about seating time..not sure if it was 5 or 5:30.  The bar seemed like it was a place for everyone to gather...and when the imaginary bell rang..they sat all of us.  The menu was a bit odd...they brought us pages....no binder...what would Chef Ramsey say!  I had the Rack of Lamb and added to Sea Scallops and it was lovely...Charley had the steak...and it was dreamy as well.  Wine list was impressive...and fair priced.  The place made you feel wistful..and wanting to be one of *them*!  LOCALS!  We made reservations to go back on New Years...but we are so flighty and not sure where we will end up.. A great family run business ...good food...and warm cozy atmosphere!

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Elite '08

54

230

Raymond G.

San Jose, CA

My wife and I were on a weekend getaway in Laguna Beach. We wanted to find a local favorite and was referred to Dizz's As Is.

We walked there from our hotel and we nearly passed it because it was so indiscreet. We first walked in the main dining hall where the decor looked like a flash back from the 30's. Almost like a place where illegal liquor was served during prohibition. It's a bit run-down, but had a very comfortable feeling about. Kind of like going into grandma's living room.

Anyway, we opted to eat outside in their patio. It was a nice warm evening and the lighting outside was very romantic. We started with an appetizer of chicken wings. Delicious. Spicy, sweet and very tender. After the wings, I might have had the best French Onion soup ever. Large bowl with a sweet, flavorful broth topped with a crunchy sliced sourdough and mozzarella. Mmmmm... I can still remember the flavors. The main course arrived and I had the Oso Busco. It was very good and hearty. My only complaint was that it was served with spaghetti. I think white rice would have been a better complement. What can you expect, I'm Filipino... we live on rice. No points deducted for the pasta, but next time, I'll ask for a side of rice if it's available.

Just when I thought I've had enough, my wife asked for the dessert menu. And she's the type who doesn't like to share 1 dessert. One each, and so I obliged. I had the Belgian chocolate sundae and she had the fruit cream pie. The 2 desserts arrived and we both burst in laughter. The fruit cream pie was the size of a shoe (size 8). It  was huge and thought there was no way we can make a dent on this thing. Minutes later, we understimated our stomach's capacity. We nearly ate the whole thing along with my dessert. The fruit cream pie turned out to be very light. Mostly filled with giant strawberries in a light whipped cream. The crust was also very good.

Overall, an excellent experience at DIzz's As Is. I highly recommend going here. Great service as well.

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6

E O.

Aliso Viejo, CA

This place rocks.  Seriously.  It's rare to find a spot in OC that doesn't look like it could have been transplanted from a mall in Oklahoma City or some other godforsaken place.

Good booze, good grub, great ambiance.  Can't miss.

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Elite '08

57

201

Yong S.

Torrance, CA

Tucked away from the main action in Laguna Beach is one of south Orange County's best kept secrets: Dizz's As Is.  Although it is on the well traversed Pacific Coast Highway, it draws no attention from the random driver.  It is frequented by locals, who I'm sure are thanking the heavens for having such an amazing neighborhood restaurant that is mostly unknown to the outside world.

Although the outside of the restaurant appears anonymous, the inside is very charming.  It has a nice arty feel including mismatched decor.  Also, you get the sense that the restaurant itself used to be someone's home.  The candles provide intimate lighting and, although tables can be a little close, it is easy to carry on a conversation.  This is a fantastic place for a romantic date.

For food, they'll start you off with pate and a small glass of vermouth to cleanse the palate.  For entrees, the menu is printed on a stack of paper with one menu item (along with a great description) per sheet of paper.  You'll get one stack to share with your dining companion, so you'll probably be passing paper back and forth to each other while making your decision.  The menu is eclectic and features a nice variety of dishes.  I ordered veal marsala while my friend had a filet mignon.  Both were fabulous.  At Dizz's, you get great food and atmosphere at a reasonable price.

As for the negatives:

1) Dizz's As Is does not take reservations except for large parties and I heard the wait can be very long on Saturday night.  Fortunately, I came early on a Friday night and got seated pretty quickly.  FYI, it is only open for dinner.

2) The dessert menu was not impressive.  After hitting a home run up to this point, I was a little disappointed when I saw the dessert menu.  The house specialty (strawberries held together with fresh whipped cream) was good.  My friend loved it and the table next to us ordered it to go when they saw it.  But that's not normally my thing especially for this type of atmosphere.  I was looking for something as artistic as the restaurant.

I've tried many restaurants in Laguna Beach and, in my opinion, Dizz's As Is stands above the crowd.  Sorry Laguna residents, but the secret is out.

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14

Tanya M.

Long Beach, CA

My husband and I came here for dinner on sunday.  We got there around 7:20PM and found plenny of parking in front of the restaurant, on PCH.  We got seated right away and were offered complimentary toasts with goose pate and some wine we cannot remember.  We ordered the Shark Special and their menu's Veal Shank.  They are both very good.  We also had their famous fruit cream pie, which was also good.  The entries came with soup or salad which really fill you up fast, especially if you could not stop eating their fresh hot bread.  We really enjoy our time there.  The service was a bit slow, but we in no hurry.  We will come back to try other options and will upgrade the rating to 5 stars if they keep up with the good works.  The restaurant is hard to find so check out the map before you go.

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26

Lisa W.

Dana Point, CA

Dizz's has the best of everything - from appetizers to dessert!  It's a family run business that has been keeping locals happy for years!  It's off the beaten path in Laguna - very quaint.  They don't take reservations but enjoy a cocktail in the outdoor patio garden area while you wait. It's worth it!.  Their filet mignon is delicious - I love the tiger prawns too! Finish with the creme brulee or a Dizz's cappuccino.  One of my all-time favorites!

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Elite '08

98

139

Amanda P.

Long Beach, CA

Mmm what a happy birthday to me... Very romantic. Super quaint. For about a year I drove by this indiscreet cottage/shack  looking place before discovering it was a restaraunt. After looking into it I learned it was one of Laguna's most beloved dining spots, and a celebrity haunt to boot. Say no more, Im in.
It feels like something out of the 1920's, 1930's, and the decor reflects this old school vibe with its Marilyn Monroe portaraits adorning the walls. Kind of like your grandma's house. Fairly small, and I hear it can get really busy. They dont take reservations, so show up on time.
Slightly expensive, maybe $35 bucks a plate depending what you get, but it all includes a complimentary shot of vermouth, pate, bread, and salad. Mention your birthday and you get a mousse dessert that will blow your mind.
Everyone in there looked like they might be someone important- my nosy, people watching skills were activated. I ordered the rack of lamb, Ace ordered the veal- both literally melted on our tongues. I will be back; you need to go. Get liquored up, take your date down to the  beach after, and you have a good shot at getting laid.

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