This New California Restaurant Brings Old Hollywood Glamour, Live Music, And Upscale Dining To Laguna Beach

A baby grand piano sits in the bar of this new spot, and the live music starts once the evening gets going.

Brass, velvet, dark green, and tangerine accents surround it. That’s a lot of glamour for one room.

The kitchen cooks from scratch and skips seed oils completely. Sauces, dressings, and fresh juices are made in-house every day. I like how seriously that team takes the small stuff.

The chef spent 12 years running a famous kitchen nearby before opening this place with an old coworker. She had dreamed about it for about a decade.

I believe that kind of patience shows up on the plate.

California has plenty of beach restaurants with ocean breezes. How many feel like a supper club from the golden age of the movies?

A Ten-Year Dream Finally Got Its Own Spotlight

Some friendships come with a business plan attached. The Noble Ace started that way, when Elizabeth Schreiber and Chef Magellan Moore worked together at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Newport Beach.

Elizabeth talked about opening a restaurant with Chef Moore for roughly ten years. That’s a long time to hold onto one idea.

The dream finally came true when the doors officially opened on June 29, 2026.

Elizabeth and her husband, Tom Schreiber, are founders alongside the chef. The rest of the crew brings serious Orange County experience too.

General Manager Hillari Galindo and Assistant General Manager Danny Reyes lead the front of house.

Many team members also worked at Mastro’s Ocean Club before this project. That shared history matters.

A team that already knows each other can focus on guests instead of learning names.

The big goal here is simple but bold. The founders want to bring back genuine hospitality, the kind that makes dinner feel personal.

In a busy beach town, that mission stands out.

It also explains the name of the game. This California spot was built by people who waited, planned, and finally bet on themselves.

An Old Building Got A Glamorous Second Act

History lovers, this one’s for you. The restaurant lives inside the historic Heisler Building on a busy downtown corner.

You’ll find it at 400 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. The space sat empty after Bodega, the previous tenant, closed in early 2025. Now it has a fresh story to tell.

Designer Ralitsa Kombakis of Studio Rallou took on the makeover. Her plan blended the building’s historic character with the feel of a modern supper club. Old bones, new energy.

That mix is a smart move. A brand-new building can’t fake decades of personality. Here, the past gives the glamour something real to lean on.

The location helps, too. Downtown Laguna Beach is made for wandering, so dinner can easily turn into an evening stroll near the coast.

Plan ahead for a relaxed arrival, since downtown streets can fill up on nice evenings. Giving yourself extra time means you can actually enjoy the walk in.

A little patience beats circling the block while your reservation ticks away.

Honestly, few new restaurants get to start life in a building with this much local character.

Brass, Velvet, And Tangerine Make A Strong First Impression

Dark green walls. Shiny brass. Pops of tangerine and soft velvet. The color palette alone tells you this isn’t a flip-flops-and-paper-napkins kind of place.

The design aims to capture the romance and mystery of classic Hollywood nightlife. Think movie stars, glowing lights, and dressed-up evenings. Yet it still keeps a modern, welcoming approach.

A coastal influence ties it back to the beach. That balance keeps the glamour from feeling stuffy.

The space draws from the elegance of Old California with a contemporary seaside feel.

The whole concept leans into an Old Hollywood speakeasy experience. The team treats the setting as just as important as the food. That’s a big promise, and the details back it up.

So what should you wear? Nothing says you need a tuxedo. Still, this is the kind of room where a nicer outfit feels like part of the fun.

Bring your phone camera, but don’t spend all night staring at it. A room designed this carefully deserves real attention. Let the colors and textures do their quiet work while you relax.

Your Evening Can Swing To A Live Piano Soundtrack

Music isn’t background filler here. Live entertainment is one of the main reasons The Noble Ace feels so different from a typical dinner spot.

A piano sits right in the bar area. It sets an intimate, after-dark mood that fits the Old Hollywood theme perfectly. Picking a playlist could never match it.

The restaurant keeps a live music calendar, so performers and nights can vary. Checking it before you go is a smart move. That way you can plan dinner around the show you want.

The bar area is where the energy runs highest. If you love being close to the music, aim for that zone. It’s lively, social, and full of personality.

Want something calmer? Other dining areas sit farther from the piano. You’ll still feel the vibe without needing to raise your voice.

That flexibility is a nice touch. A celebration with friends and a quiet date can happen under the same roof.

Live music turns an ordinary weeknight into an event. Good luck leaving right after dessert when a favorite song starts.

Everything Starts From Scratch In This Kitchen

Twelve years is a long run in any kitchen. Executive Chef Magellan Moore spent that long as Head Chef at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Newport Beach.

Now he runs a Modern American menu with his own rules. The biggest one? Everything comes from scratch. Sauces and dressings are made in-house daily. Fresh juices get pressed in the kitchen too.

The kitchen also avoids seed oils completely. That choice catches the eye of anyone who pays close attention to what goes into their food. It shows real commitment to premium ingredients.

Thoughtful execution is another focus. Good ingredients only shine when someone handles them with care. This team clearly takes that part seriously.

Menus can shift over time, so read the current one when you arrive. Ask your server what the kitchen is excited about that day. Fresh cooking often means fresh favorites.

I like that the focus stays on doing the basics right. Scratch cooking takes more time and effort.

In California, where diners care about ingredients, that extra work makes a lot of sense.

Book The Chef’s Table For A Six-Course Adventure

Here’s a dinner with a guest list. The Chef’s Table experience happens in a dedicated private tasting room, away from the main buzz.

Guests enjoy a six-course menu that changes every week. That means a return visit won’t repeat the last one. Variety is baked right into the plan.

The table needs at least four guests and fits up to ten. That size feels just right for a birthday, an anniversary, or a group of food-loving friends. Big enough to celebrate, small enough to chat.

There’s only one seating each night, and it starts at 6:00 pm. With just one chance per evening, booking early is the wise play.

Gather your group before you call. Confirm everyone’s schedule and any food needs ahead of time. A little planning keeps the night smooth.

Six courses take time, so don’t schedule anything right after. Let the evening unfold at its own pace.

Honestly, a weekly-changing menu in a private room feels like front-row seats to the kitchen’s best ideas.

Weekend Brunch And Sunset Hour Stretch The Fun

Not a night owl? Good news. The glamour isn’t only for after dark.

Weekend brunch runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. It’s a relaxed way to see the space in daylight. The window is short, so don’t wander in at 1:25.

Big plans are brewing too. The team plans to add a five-course seated brunch. That would turn a lazy weekend morning into a full event.

Weekdays have their own perk. Sunset Hour runs Monday through Thursday, giving you a reason to swing by early in the evening.

Regular dinner service starts at 4:30 pm daily. On Fridays and Saturdays, things run until 11 pm. Other nights wrap up at 10 pm.

So which slot fits you best? Brunch suits slow mornings with family. Sunset Hour fits an after-work treat with friends.

Having options this wide is rare for such a polished spot. Laguna Beach visitors can fit The Noble Ace into almost any schedule, whether they love morning light or evening piano.

Pick The Room That Matches Your Mood

One restaurant, several personalities. The venue seats up to 150 guests, but it never feels like one giant room.

Each area has its own atmosphere. Choosing the right one can totally change your night. The bar area is casual and lively, with live piano music close by. It’s perfect for socializing.

Expect energy, conversation, and plenty of rhythm.

Upstairs, the main dining area offers a fuller dinner setting. It works well for families or friends who want to focus on the meal.

Then there’s the den. This intimate corner is made for date nights. Softer, cozier, and a little more private.

Planning something bigger? An 18-person private dining room handles exclusive events. Think rehearsal dinners, milestone birthdays, or company celebrations.

The team also hosts private events built around elevated food and warm hospitality. That makes the place handy for special occasions.

My advice is simple. Mention your preferred area when you book. A quick request now can save you from shouting over music during a romantic dinner later.

Regulars May Soon Get A Locker Of Their Own

Membership has its perks, or at least loyalty does. The Noble Ace is developing a locker program for regular guests.

The idea lets regulars store their personal collections on-site for future visits. Sounds like something straight out of an old movie, right? It fits the speakeasy spirit perfectly.

Programs like this signal something bigger. The team wants people to come back again and again. Hospitality, after all, is their whole mission.

That goal shows up everywhere. From scratch cooking to live music, the plan is to make guests feel known. A locker with your name on it takes that idea further.

Since the program is still being developed, ask about it on your next visit. Details may change as it grows.

Laguna Beach already draws visitors from all over California. A spot that rewards repeat guests could easily become a favorite stop.

I can’t imagine a better ending to this story. A dream ten years in the making now invites guests to build their own traditions there. That’s old-school charm with real staying power.