This Monday, Oct. 21st, my dear buddy Ruben Flores, joined me at my “Best of Laguna Beach” radio show on KXFM 104.7 Radio for lively, fun discussion that covers everything from places we think are haunted to updates on our favorite eats in Laguna and favorite sets around the world, thanks to Nelson Coates.

Moments in the show:
1:00 Introducing Ruben Flores “Laguna’s Beautification Consultant” and his versions of Laguna Nursery here in Laguna Beach.

3:30 We talk a few minutes about Nelson Coates behind his back (Ruben’s partner and the Production Designer of “The Morning Show” on Apple TV).

• 5:10 Why Nelson’s title is so misleading, and how Ruben defines Nelson’s role as a “Production Designer.”
• 6:40 Nelson’s greatest forté and how that showed itself in two sets of bricks Nelson decided on for a “hotel” facade in “The Morning Show.”
• 8:55 Different movie and streaming creations by Nelson that Ruben has visited all over the world. We also discuss Nelson’s emotional detachment as all of his sets are swept away after filming.
• 13:25 Ruben talks about his favorite sets from Nelson’s world and how Nelson helps make actors feel more at home on their sets during filming.

16:10 Can you name the style of your home in three words? We talk to Ruben’s bi-monthly Garden Walks (next one is Nov. 2nd at 10 am, Laguna Nursery, 481 N. Coast Highway).

18:00 Why Ruben continues to haul in GIANT pumpkins for his Nursery’s frontage during Halloween/autumn’s season. And the haunted paintings inside the Nursery.

21:45 A rundown of Halloween events in Laguna Beach. Then we wander into haunted places in town and mention the places we think are the most haunted place in town. Ruben also talks about the “Storybook Architecture” homes in North Laguna (usually referred to as witches’ houses)

25:40 The horrific, heartbreaking demise of our National Historic Registered Villa Rockledge. Ruben shares an amazing historical story that connects Riverside’s Mission Inn to Villa Rockledge here.

28:15 We return to Halloween events in Laguna and talk about the long-running, extensive “trick or treat street” FIERCE competition between Oak Street and Brooks Street. I also mention the Halloween parties/costume contests at Mozambique and Skyloft.

31:00 We discuss our recent dinner at Chef Erik’s Oliver’s Osteria in the Canyon (next to Sawdust), and why it FEELS good. Oliver’s, a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, was a third-generation restaurant in the space and was initially quite tiny until post-COVID came along and provided the giant outdoor tenting for additional dining. Although I’m often there for brunch on the weekends, this was one of our first times back for dinner. (Stay tuned for that larger article here at Best of Laguna Beach.)

36:55 An Oto Sushi and Pinafini update on their coming-soon dates. We also discuss that second floor level at the Oto Sushi location; it has always been in play since Sorrento Grill was first established by Restaurateur David Wilhelm. We discuss the possibility of putting a different theme in place in that upper level, and skip over to Bodega’s unique multiple dining “themes” and my favorite restaurant as a kid, Casa Bonita in Denver (Go South Park for making Casa Bonita famous!)

41:15 We discuss the ingenuity of Ivan Spiers (owner of Bodega and Skyloft in downtown, in addition to Rumari’s and Mozambique) and my quick margarita and wings at Skyloft on Saturday.

42:10 The loss of Wild Taco at the corner of Coast Highway and Ocean. We discuss our own brilliant opinions about what should go in that space next.

45:45 We discuss the sorry state of lower Ocean Avenue, the storybook “step sister” to the one street over, Forest Avenue’s continually marketed “Promenade.” Ruben talks about showing love to Ocean Avenue, where trees aren’t being watered, and where pumpkin displays and large containers of flowers do not exist.
We then move into clean up and “love” that could occur on “Restaurant Row” and the singular Peppertree Lane whose charm could be duplicated elsewhere in town. We close with more suggestions on what to do to attract more polish, life and beauty into our town.

54:00 Next week: Chef Evan of Evan’s Gourmet will be discussing her holiday season plans for YOU at “The Best of Laguna Beach radio show on KXFM 104.7!