Beloved Laguna Beach Restaurant Founded By Late, Great Chef Announces Closure

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A well-loved Laguna Beach restaurant is closing its doors for good this year.

After more than a decade of service, Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck will close its doors, The Orange County Register reported.

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"The closure of Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck is part of the planned redevelopment of the Pacific Edge Hotel property," Managing Director of Pacific Edge Hotel Chris Whitman told the newspaper. "At this time, we are focused on successfully operating through the final weeks and preparing for the redevelopment."

The eatery's final day of service will be Sept. 8, the report said.

Noteworthy for its placement on the sands, The Deck was opened by the late chef Rainer Schwarz and director of operations John Nye in 2012.

They followed with Driftwood Kitchen in 2013, and became well-loved for a sensational menu, breath-taking panoramic views and sea-worthy bar.

The restaurants made headlines after chef Schwarz died in a car crash on April 6 in Dana Point at age 59.