Zesty Olives - Laguna Niguel — Restaurant in Laguna Niguel

After seeing this place on Instagram, I thought, “Hey, let’s try it.” When we got there it looked like they’d taken over an old Baskin-Robbins or something similar. They have “The Big Cheese” right at the counter, which is a nice draw, but overall it felt like they weren’t sure what kind of restaurant they wanted to be. One minute it seemed like a Cava-style concept, then Mediterranean, but with Italian food mixed in.

It gave off “survival mode” vibes — like they’ve been through some financial struggles trying to find their identity. There were ripped-off sticker marks on the walls and a big TV looping a rehearsed beach scene with Ibiza-style music.

The food itself was just average. Prices were on the high side, and for what we spent ($60 for two of us, plus a 50-minute drive) you could easily go to a real Italian spot instead. No free refills on drinks, and when I asked for truffle oil on the side, it was literally three drops — very penny-pinching. No one was wearing hairnets, and a lot of the ingredients, like the chicken, seemed pre-made.

If you live in the area it might be convenient since things close early, but it’s not worth traveling for. We won’t be going back — not because it was terrible, but because it was just plain average...

A hidden gem 💎💎💎 We went to Disneyland and saw a tiktok with an affordable eatery that does wheel cheese pasta, it was far from the resort, about 30 mins in Laguna Niguel, which is a very nice area all in itself. I was complaining during the drive since it was far but Oh Boy, was I sorry after 👀🥰🤷. We had the Mediterranean bowl plus chicken $17 and shared with my wife, this bowl was 🔥🔥🔥💯. My kid had spaghetti and meatballs which the sauce was creamy and the meatballs were soft just not at the same level of the bowl. We then ordered the Alfredo pasta in the cheese wheel and added grilled veggies $12 💯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 this was meant for our dinner but I just had to try it 🤦. In a few bites, I fell in love with a $12 pasta. There should be more of these closer to Anaheim 🥰. We used our trip to visit Pirates Cove in Laguna Beach so we made it a very lil nice off park day🙏. The staff is very nice and attentive. The BALD TRUTH, this is an affordable and healthy place perfect for a post workout meal or for the casual foodie that likes to try a delicious Italian/...

Called in an order for their Earth Bowl with chicken, which features white rice, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, tzatziki, pickled cabbage, and pita. I appreciate that they offer a vegan option by substituting the tzatziki with hummus. Overall, the flavors in the bowl were excellent—the combination of ingredients created a delightful balance of freshness and heartiness. The roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts were perfectly cooked and added a nice crunch, while the pickled cabbage provided a tangy brightness that tied everything together. However, I was disappointed with the portion size. For the price, I expected a bit more, as I found myself still feeling hungry after finishing the bowl. A larger serving would make this dish even more satisfying and worth every penny. If they could improve on the portion size, I believe this dish could easily become one of...