Maro Wood Grill
| Address: | 1915 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA |
| Phone: | +1 949-793-4044 |
| Site: | marowoodgrill.com |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | Closed 12–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM 12–10PM 12–10PM 12–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
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Steven Sievers
During my wonderful night at Maro Wood Grill, I kept forgetting I was at a restaurant. I felt more like I was at a dinner party at someone’s house. As it turned out, that is actually the goal of Maro Wood Grill in Laguna Beach, CA. This small restaurant has a relaxing and friendly atmosphere with a covered outdoor heated patio that sits 28 along with seating for 8 inside by the kitchen. Executive Chef Debra Sims’ menu is a fusion of modern and rustic food that is kissed on a wood grill. All food is locally produced, they serve grass fed beef, and everything is made from scratch. Inspired by Argentina, Chef Sims appreciates pure simplicity over the lost art of cooking over an open fire. I tried the tasting menu which included: Mushroom Ceviche & Grilled Sourdough, Grilled Fennel & Fig Salad, Ñoquis with Herbs & Grilled Tomatoes, Wood Grilled Oysters, Rockefeller with Burnt Lemon Wedges, Mesquite Lamb & Baba Ghanouj, Flat Iron & Chimichurri, Short Rib with Roasted Vegetables, Grilled Fruit with Passion Fruit Curd, and Banana Bread Pudding Bites. While everything was amazing, the star of the night was the lamb from Australia. I asked what was the secret sauce that makes it taste so amazing. It turns out that it was just grass feed and cooked on wood grill. Who would of thought that would make that much of a difference? Trust me, you have to come here and try this. While the lamb was the star, the desert is award winning. The Banana Bread Pudding Bites have won a Golden Foodie Award for Most Delicious Dessert in Orange County the past two years. It is also up again for the award this year and we will find out in a couple weeks if it wins again. Chef Sims even brought out their past trophy for us to take photos. It’s a pretty heavy trophy. I can write about how amazing the Banana Bread Pudding bites were, but the awards speak for itself. You have to know it is delicious when it wins back to back awards…and possibly a third. I hope it does. I would suggest when you visit to ask to talk to owner Mariano Molteni “Maro” who can tell you tales of growing up in Argentina where he gained a great appreciation for fresh, natural and healthy food. Also, ask Executive Chef Debra Sims if you can see the Golden Foodie award and ask about the wood grill. Just like dinner parties, its fun to talk to your hosts.
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Reggie E
Nestled along the PCH, Maro Wood Grill is a place I passed by, but fortunately one evening my friends and I sat down for an early-evening dinner and refreshments. Boy were we glad we did! It was a bit on the warmer side temperature wise and our server brought our pitcher of sangria which the timing was only beaten out by the taste. Also the funny thing was as the evening continued our server continued to refill our glasses so we lost track of how many times we swam refreshingly through the evening is Maro’s sangria …great service! The Grilled Fennel & Fig Salad prepped my palette well, as well as the Ricotta Noquis with Grilled Tomatos. What followed was Maro’s own “Oyster Rockefeller” where my taste buds could really identify with Maro’s wood grill technique. I must confess I didn’t let a morsel slip away with this course as I even remember biting through the burnt lemon wedge by accident! It was just that good. As I’m a fanboy of the carnivore world, Maro’s Mequite Lamb and its tender short rib dishes were selections that let me appreciate my Paleo-ish style of eating …unga-bunga on these meat dishes, Maro! As more sangria helped send my fine cuisine into my stomach, we were treated to Maro’s Executive Chef entering our dining area to give us a history of Maro’s cooking style, and, of course, its prestigious accolades. It was no wonder that our dessert for the evening had already won back-to-back Golden Foodie Awards, as my taste buds were delighted. It seems that I was not in the minority as perhaps a week after our visit to Maro, our dessert received a three-peat Golden Foodie Award! I look forward to visiting Maro and treating my wife to a special evening of fine cuisine in a nice casual atmosphere, with an award winning team and service! Thanks, Maro Wood Grill … and see you again soon!
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Chris Fleury
I havent been so excited about finding a restaurant in a long time! Id driven by Maro Wood Grill hundreds of times and never had the opportunity to try it out until recently when I attended a dinner there. Let me just say that the food was beyond FANTASTIC. I must have tried 10 different items off their menu and every single thing I tried was exceptional and unique. I love trying new and interesting dishes and I was not let down at Maro Wood Grill. Every single thing they offered was different from anything Ive ever had anywhere else. I would HIGHLY recommend that anyone with an adventurous palate try Maro Wood Grill. Youll be so glad you did.
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Karla Maree
Organic locally-sourced and incredibly fresh. I forgot to take a photograph of my food so I borrowed the plate of a fellow Diner to take a picture of. Grilling makes the food amazing and the spicing is unique. Im gluten-free and have a very easy time eating here. Im working my way through the menu and so far everything is a 5-star dish. The owner Alex greets everybody personally and makes you feel right at home.
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Aaron Fitt
Our favorite spot in Laguna. Chef Debi is a magician - if you ever get a chance to do one of her big prix fixe dinners, dont miss it. The Maro Burger is the best damn burger in Orange County, and the empanadas and grilled edamame make for great appetizers. Debi makes great desserts too. Just a small place with the same warm, friendly people for years (we love Maro and Mariano too!).
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Monica Bustamante
Ive been here twice and Maro does not disappoint. A limited but solid menu, Maro blends traditional with modern flair. The food is beautifully presented in its simplicity. Ive heard the banana bread pudding is award winning but Ive chosen the home made ice cream and its divine. Maro is a quiet and quaint restaurant, easy to miss. Put it on your list tonight. Youll be glad you did.
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Jon S
Drove past a lot of other restaurants to go here and was completely disappointed. Tables did have basics such as salt and pepper for food and the food was nothing great. For the price they charge you expect properly cooked food but all the cuts of meat were not cooked correctly and honest everything lacked any real flavor for the price being paid.
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M Garcia
A friend surprised me and took here for lunch yesterday. What a good time we had. The Argentian Short Ribs was fantastic! It was tender, well seasoned, it was just plain delicious. Im not a dessert person but I did have a bite of there Banana Bread Pudding and even that was well done. Bravo to the staff for making us feel right welcomed.
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A Private User
Food was amazing! Everything on the menu sounds delicious and interesting. I had the Maro Burger and it was one of the best Ive had. After a long morning at the beach the smell of the wood burning grill brought us in. It was something new and I was pleasantly surprised. Highly recommend this place.
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Cody Cox
Me and my gf went here after staying right up the street at casa Laguna, the bread pudding and everything we ordered including the house wine was phenomenal. Would highly recommend, were looking to make that trip a valentines night every year.
