Selanne Steak Tavern

Verdict: A Serious Steakhouse That Earns Its Price Tag — But Book Well in Advance

The most common misconception about Selanne Steak Tavern is that it coasts on its owner's name. It does not. This is a Michelin Plate-recognised steakhouse (2024 and 2025) on South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, with a 400-selection wine list managed by Wine Director Vito Pasquale and a kitchen led by Chef Vincent Terusa. The food earns the room, and the room earns the occasion. If you are planning a special dinner in Laguna Beach at the $$$$ price tier, this is the most credentialled option on the coast.

The Space and the Experience

Selanne Steak Tavern occupies a position on South Coast Highway that gives it a footprint suited to destination dining rather than casual drop-ins. The layout separates the dining room from the bar area clearly enough that both serve distinct purposes: the dining room is built for the kind of paced, occasion-oriented meal where you want space between tables and attentive floor staff, while the bar area functions as a standalone destination — relevant if you are arriving late, skipping a reservation, or want to eat without committing to a full dinner format. For a date, an anniversary, or a business dinner where you need the room to feel considered rather than crowded, the dining room delivers. General Manager Chad Sisco oversees the floor, and the service structure reflects a team that takes the full-evening experience seriously.

The physical scale of the space is appropriate for the price tier: this is not an intimate 20-seat room, but it is not a cavernous hotel steakhouse either. The seating density is comfortable enough that conversations stay private, which matters for the clientele this restaurant draws. If spatial intimacy is your primary requirement for a special occasion, book early in the week when the room runs quieter. Weekend seatings fill fast and the energy shifts accordingly.

The Wine Program

The wine list is the strongest argument for spending seriously here. With 400 selections, an inventory of 3,000 bottles, and depth in both California and French categories, this is a list built for a steakhouse crowd that actually knows wine. Corkage is set at $45, which is fair for the calibre of restaurant. Wine pricing sits at the $$$ tier , expect many bottles above $100, with the full range offering options at multiple price points. Vito Pasquale as Wine Director signals that this is not a perfunctory list assembled to fill a binder: the California and French strengths align precisely with what a serious steak dinner demands, and the inventory depth means the list does not run thin on the bottles worth ordering.

If you are bringing your own bottle, the $45 corkage is worth factoring into your total spend. At $$$$ cuisine pricing (typically $66 or more per head for two courses, before wine), a self-supplied bottle at corkage can meaningfully shape the overall cost of the evening.

Late-Night Positioning

For post-standard-dinner hours, Selanne Steak Tavern's bar area is worth knowing about. In Laguna Beach, late-night dining options at this quality level are thin: the town closes earlier than Los Angeles, and most restaurants at this price tier stop seating by 9 or 10 PM. The bar at Selanne gives you access to the kitchen and the wine program without needing a full dining-room reservation. If you are staying nearby , check our full Laguna Beach hotels guide , and want a serious drink and a plate of food after a long evening, this is one of the few places in the area that can deliver at the quality level you would expect from a Michelin Plate venue. Confirm current bar hours directly with the restaurant before planning around this, as hours are not publicly posted in our data.

Who Should Book

Selanne Steak Tavern is the right call if you are planning a celebration, a date that needs to feel considered, or a business meal where the setting does the work. The Michelin Plate recognition for two consecutive years gives it a credential that other Laguna Beach steakhouses cannot match. The wine program adds a dimension that most coastal steakhouses at this price point do not offer. If your priority is a direct, well-executed steak in a relaxed environment without the formality, other Laguna Beach options might suit better. But if the occasion warrants a full-evening investment , serious food, serious wine, a room that feels like it fits the moment , this is the address.

For Italian in Laguna Beach, Oliver's Osteria is the natural comparison for a similarly priced special occasion. For something entirely different in format, R|O-Rebel Omakase offers a counter-format Japanese experience for a different kind of celebration. Southern California diners comparing to other credentialled options should also consider Addison in San Diego or Providence in Los Angeles for multi-course ambition at a comparable spend.

Explore More in Laguna Beach

• Our full Laguna Beach restaurants guide
• Our full Laguna Beach hotels guide
• Our full Laguna Beach bars guide
• Our full Laguna Beach wineries guide
• Our full Laguna Beach experiences guide