VIII by Selanne — Restaurant in Laguna Beach

From the moment we stepped into The VIII, we knew we were in for something special. While waiting to be seated, we were greeted with a refreshing virgin Aperol spritz and bottomless champagne—a delightful start that set the tone for the evening.

What followed was an extraordinary 8-course tasting menu, each dish perfectly paired with a wine from a different corner of the world. And somehow, every single wine felt like a personal favorite. The food was phenomenal—creative, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The service? Absolutely superb. Attentive, warm, and genuinely passionate about the experience they were creating.

The surprises didn’t end with dessert. The chef personally came out to thank us and gifted us a thoughtful parting treat. Then, the hostess handed us a handwritten thank-you card along with two Polaroid pictures she had taken of us during the evening. It was such a heartfelt touch that made the night unforgettable.

The VIII doesn’t just serve dinner—it delivers an experience. Every detail, from the drinks to the final goodbye, was executed with care and elegance. This place doesn’t just raise the bar—it redefines it. Truly one of the best dining experiences...

My brother took my mom and me to VIII by Selanne Steakhouse to celebrate our upcoming birthdays—and WOW, it was beyond amazing! From start to finish, it exceeded our expectations. The food was absolutely delicious… and DO NOT sleep on the wine pairing!! It truly elevated every course and was reasonably priced for this type of menu.

I’ve been to a few other restaurants with tasting menus, but this one was by far the most memorable and well worth it. The level of detail put into every dish and pairing really shows!

We had such an amazing night—it was fun, flavorful, and felt really special. Definitely a birthday celebration...

Awesome, "Michelin-esque" experience. Fantastic service, inventive dishes, and an awesome wine-pairing / cocktail program are the staples at VIII. Highly recommend! Do yourself a favor and book this...