Chaparosa Grill: A Caribbean Oasis in Laguna Niguel

Wishing you could take a quick trip to the tropics, but know that it is not going to happen this week?

The offers the bright colors and flavors of the Caribbean right here in Laguna Niguel. Tucked in the corner of the Marina Hills shopping center, this little restaurant has a small, but lively bar. The night we visited, patrons were enjoying March Madness and tennis from the desert on the three televisions. Adjacent to the bar area is a dining room with comfortable booths and tables, and a covered patio. The walls are painted tangerine orange with accents of turquoise, pink purple, and cobalt.  

The drink menu is extensive: from house to sparkling wines. Most are from California and sold by the glass or bottle. There is a huge selection of martinis, including the classic, the Mai-tini prepared with rum, pineapple, orange juice. If you prefer, try the chocolatini made with vanilla rum, crème de cacao and served in a chocolate-drizzled glass. Other empting tropical drinks include the midnight orchid, raspberry liqueur, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and Half-and-Half served over ice. There is a big selection of margaritas, too. We were feeling festive and ordered a cocktail, I went with the ginger-tini and my husband, chose the tropical chapatini. Both were delicious, refreshing and served in a martini shaker after being shaken table-side. 

The menu offers appetizers, entrée salads, pizza, pasta dishes, seafood dishes, steaks, chops and ribs. This was not my first time at Chaparosa Grill, so I chose what I always choose: the Ahi salad. It is my absolute favorite, and although I have ordered other Ahi salads at some elegant restaurants, I have never had one better. It is prepared with large pieces of seared Ahi served on a bed of fresh greens with fried wonton strips, Wasabi dressing, topped with seaweed salad, and lots of pickled ginger. It is light and fresh with a good balance of flavors between the spicy and salty Wasabi dressing and the sweet ginger.

My husband selected the Capallini Lagunaise, a mix of chicken and shrimp sautéed with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil in a cream sauce. This is a rich and flavorful dish perfect for a chilly evening. Both meals were served on colorful dishware, that add to the whole experience.

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and this is a restaurant we have come to count on for their good food and service, and cheerful ambiance.

Chapparosa Grill serves brunch every Saturday and Sunday, and happy hour daily starting at 3 p.m. It is open for lunch and dinner daily, and features many special events, including corkage-free Mondays and Taco Tuesdays.

I give it 4 Patches out of 5.