More Space, Across the Street

The Place Across the Street From the Hotel Laguna (yes, that’s the official name) has reopened following a cosmic redecoration. The new look features hand-painted planetariums and otherworldly ceramic sculptures. The Place has also added some menu items to reflect its new theme, such as atmospheric salad (baby lettuces, balsamic dressing, mixed vegetables) for $5.95.

The Place was closed for nearly two months and reopened June 4, said John Bullard, general manager. Regular customers will notice a shift toward Italian dishes, he said, and some favorite “daily specials” are now everyday offerings--seafood spaghetti, for example, which tops pasta with mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari and a tomato and white wine sauce for $9.95.

Two new chefs have been hired, Nino Chirico and Alberto Candivi, formerly of Armani Express in Beverly Hills.

The Place is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

440 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. (714) 497-2625.

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Bistango Gallery Restaurant in Irvine is exhibiting the Cubist Car, a painted Mazda by artist Maria Casalena. The car, which is a Picasso-style depiction of a wild ride, won the national Mazda ArtCar competition.

Bistango changes its artwork every two months to keep customers coming back for a fresh look. 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. (714) 752-0868.

Anne Michaud is a staff writer for The Times Orange County Edition. Information for the Newsbites column can be Faxed to (714) 966-5663, or addressed to: Newsbites/OC Live!, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Calif. 92626. Or call (714) 966-7898.