Eat Like a Champ at Selanne Steak Tavern

Selanne Steak Tavern is a flavorsome concept in Laguna Beach’s lineup of modern-meets-chic cuisine. This award-winning restaurant is cleverly tucked into a historical estate off PCH and is named after Anaheim Ducks hockey superstar Teemu Selanne who, like his business partner Kevin Pratt, finds leisure in pairing a delicate slab of meat with charismatic wine.

The longtime friends discussed opening a restaurant after a round of golf almost 15 years ago. With the closure of the previous tenant’s restaurant, French 75, the two took it as a clear indication that it was time to pack up their idea and move it into the mannered confinement of Laguna’s coast. The restaurant went rare-to-welldone in November 2013 and quickly gained a local following.

Forever fans of a gorgeous steak, Selanne and Pratt knew a steakhouse-themed restaurant was the natural choice for themselves as well as the community.

General manager Chad Sisco explains, “It was immediately clear [the location] was ideal for the concept, everything from the architecture to the building style.”

The Selanne team prides themselves on sustainable practices. “The meats are of the highest quality, aged properly, and perfectly prepared by our culinary team,” Sisco raved. ”We use fresh spices and locally grown herbs in all our preparations.”

One of Selanne’s bestsellers is the Lord Stanley Cut, consisting of a 38-ounce A5 Wagyu Tomahawk Chop from Darling Downs, Australia, served with truffle marrow butter and bordelaise sauce. Another is the Scarlet Beet Ravioli which takes thinly sliced beets and sandwiches them around goat cheese, finishing with hazelnuts and a golden beet vinaigrette.

Not comforting enough? Perfect, because Sisco thinks Selanne’s five-cheese fondue and brioche crumb-topped mac and cheese will put those five star Yelp-ing fingers to work. For those lacking that dine-in feeling, order takeout from DoorDash.

Selanne is open Monday-Saturday 5pm to close, and Sunday 10am to close.

Born and raised on the salty sands of California’s coast, Manny Frausto is a staff writer at Laguna Beach Living and has adored the power of writing (much like he adores eating the fattier parts on a Tomahawk) for publications such as the LA and OC Register, OC Home Magazine, and beyond. Reach out to him at manny@lagunabeachliving.com.

Photos by: Tanner Chergosky

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