It is a strange thing to talk about a place that no longer exists in its original form, yet still dominates every conversation about fine dining in Orange County. Honestly, if you spent any time living in or visiting Southern California between 2003 and 2020, Studio restaurant Laguna Beach wasn't just a place to eat. It was the place. Perched on a dramatic bluff at the Montage Laguna Beach, it looked out over the Pacific with a sort of quiet confidence that most restaurants spend decades trying to manufacture.
But things changed.
The world of high-end hospitality shifted during the pandemic, and the space that once housed Studio underwent a massive identity shift. For a while, it felt like the end of an era. People were genuinely mourning the loss of Executive Chef Craig Strong’s influence and, later, the hyper-modern French-California touch of Chef James Boyce. It wasn't just about the food. It was about that specific feeling of sitting in a craftsman-style bungalow while the sun dipped below the horizon, turning the ocean into a sheet of hammered gold.
What Actually Happened to Studio Restaurant Laguna Beach?
Most people get confused here. They search for a menu, try to book a table on OpenTable, and realize the listing looks... different. That’s because Studio, as we knew it, officially evolved. The physical building—that iconic structure at the edge of the Montage property—is now Talay, a Thai-inspired pop-up concept that originally gained fame in Mexico.
It’s a pivot.
Some locals were skeptical. Moving from a white-tablecloth, French-influenced powerhouse to a Southeast Asian night market vibe is a bold move for a luxury resort. But the reality is that the "Studio" brand was tied to a specific type of formal dining that started to feel heavy. Today, the space is vibrant. It’s spicy. It’s less about the hushed tones of a wine cellar and more about the energy of charcoal-grilled meats and lemongrass.
The transition wasn't an accident. Montage International recognized that the modern traveler—the one willing to drop $1,200 a night on a room—doesn't always want a three-hour tasting menu. They want something authentic, punchy, and perhaps a bit more relaxed. Still, the legacy of Studio remains the benchmark for everything that has followed.
The Era of Craig Strong and the Garden-to-Table Roots
To understand why the ghost of this restaurant still haunts the Laguna food scene, you have to look at the garden. Seriously. Long before "farm-to-table" was a buzzword printed on every fast-casual napkin, Studio was literally growing its own ingredients on-site.
Chef Craig Strong, who led the kitchen for a decade, was known for his obsession with the Montage’s 1,000-square-foot raised-bed garden. He wasn't just ordering microgreens from a catalog. He was out there. He’d pick squash blossoms in the morning and they’d be on your plate by 7:00 PM. That level of vertical integration created a flavor profile that was impossibly fresh. It’s the kind of thing you can’t fake with a good distributor.
You’ve likely heard of his signature dishes, like the Iberico pork pluma or the way he handled local spiny lobster. It was technical. It was precise. But it also felt like California. It didn't have the stuffiness of a Parisian Michelin-starred room, even though the service was arguably just as sharp. The sommeliers there were legendary, managing a 2,500-bottle wine cellar that was frequently recognized by Wine Spectator with the Grand Award.
The Nuance of the Wine Program
Let’s talk about that wine for a second. Most high-end spots have a good list. Studio had a library. It wasn't just about having expensive bottles of Screaming Eagle or DRC. It was about the vertical depth. You could find vintages that simply weren't available anywhere else on the West Coast. The wine pairings weren't just "white with fish," they were education sessions.
The staff could tell you about the soil composition in a specific sub-AVA of Santa Barbara because they had actually been there. That’s the E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) that Google loves today, but Studio was doing it in real life twenty years ago.
Why the Location Was (and Is) Unbeatable
Laguna Beach has no shortage of ocean views. You can get a burger at a dozen spots along PCH and see the water. But Studio was different because of the elevation and the isolation.
Built on a rocky point, the restaurant felt disconnected from the rest of the resort. You walked down a winding path, past the pool, and suddenly you were at the edge of the world. The architecture was Craftsman—lots of dark wood, shingle siding, and stone. It felt like a private estate. If you were sitting at a window table, you weren't looking at a parking lot or a road. You were looking at Treasure Island Beach and the vast, dark Pacific.
It’s one of the few places where the environment actually improved the taste of the food. There’s some psychological study somewhere, probably, about how salt air and the sound of crashing waves make high-acid white wines taste better. Honestly, it's just common sense.
The Current Reality: From Studio to Talay
If you show up at the Montage today looking for the old Studio menu, you're going to be surprised. Talay is the current resident. It’s a concept by Chef Mario Alberto and it’s a complete departure.
Think:
- Khao Soi with rich coconut curry and crispy noodles.
- Charcoal-grilled oysters with chili jam.
- Spicy papaya salad that actually has some heat to it.
It’s brilliant, but it’s a different world. The "Studio" name is currently used more for private events and exclusive "Studio Garden" dinners rather than a nightly restaurant operation. This is a common trend in luxury hospitality—using a legendary space for high-margin private bookings while running a high-concept pop-up for the general public.
Is it "better"? That’s subjective. If you miss the white tablecloths, you might feel a bit lost. But if you want a cocktail that uses Thai basil and bird’s eye chili while watching the sunset, Talay is a massive upgrade.
How to Get the "Studio" Experience Today
Even though the formal restaurant is in a state of flux, you can still replicate that high-end Laguna experience if you know where to look. The Montage still offers the "Studio Garden" for private dining. If you have a group and a significant budget, you can book the garden for a bespoke dinner that mirrors the old-school Studio vibe.
Also, don't sleep on the Lobby Lounge. While it's not Studio, the sunset views are similar, and the live piano music provides that classic Laguna atmosphere.
For those seeking the specific culinary DNA of the original Studio, you should follow the chefs. Craig Strong eventually opened Ocean at Main in downtown Laguna (though that has since closed as he moved into other ventures). Many of the sous-chefs and sommeliers from the Studio era have dispersed into the top kitchens of Newport Beach and Dana Point.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you are planning a trip to the site of the former Studio restaurant Laguna Beach, here is how to navigate it like an insider:
- Check the Current Pop-up Schedule: Before you drive down, verify if Talay is still in residence or if a new concept has taken over. The Montage rotates these to keep the draw fresh.
- Book for Sunset, Not After: The primary value of this location is the visual. If you book at 8:00 PM, you’re just looking into a black void. Aim for 30 minutes before "Golden Hour."
- Explore the Grounds First: Arrive an hour early. Walk the public coastal trail that runs right below the restaurant. It’s one of the most beautiful walks in California and it’s free.
- Dress the Part (Even if it’s Casual): Even though the vibe has shifted toward "luxury casual," you’ll still feel more comfortable in a linen shirt or a sundress than in gym clothes.
- Ask About the Wine Cellar: Even if you’re eating at a pop-up, the resort still manages that incredible wine collection. Ask the server for the full list if you’re a serious collector; they often have gems tucked away that aren't on the standard menu.
The era of the traditional Studio restaurant may have evolved into something new, but the bluff it sits on hasn't changed. The waves still hit the rocks the same way, and the sunset is still the best show in town. Whether it’s French-California fusion or spicy Thai street food, that corner of Laguna remains the gold standard for West Coast dining.