Mozambique- Laguna Beach

Brittany Miller and I wanted to hang out with Blake Lawrence before he went back to school in Arizona. We decided to have dinner in Laguna Beach on a Tuesday night. I called up Derek Angulo to see if he would like to join us. Mozambique, a South African-style steakhouse, is on the East side of Pacific Coast Highway south of Bluebird Canyon Dr on Agate, in a Aztec-style building. Valet parking is available; we parked on the hill because Rembrandt needs the exercise. Blake mentioned that I did not have to put money in the meter because it was after 7pm. Even without a reservation the hostess seated us promptly, and Derek came a few minutes later. We had a good table in a quiet dining room with high ceilings and some funky Africo-electro music that made me want to dance tribally around a firepit.

 

The waiter asked if I wanted any alcoholic drinks to which I respectfully declined. We did not order any appetizers as we anticipated a full meal with the entrees. Derek had been here before with his parents, and because they were paying, he ordered the most expensive steak on the menu. So naturally he recommended that dish to Blake and me because we have lucrative jobs, even though he’s the one who drives the BMW….

 

I asked for a recommendation, to which the waiter pointed to a wild salmon swimming in a Wine sauce. I ended up ordering the Durban curry, a mix of tender lamb, vegetables, and rice. Sambal, chutney, and a yogurt-like sauce were served on the side so I could strategically add them to different parts of the dish. Sambal is a south Asian chili sauce that added a little HA-CHA-CHA to my curry. The curry was good, and I wish there was more of it. Derek and Brittany had the Kobe Beef burger, topped with cheddar cheese and Applewood smoked bacon and served with fries. Blake ordered the 13oz chop house sirloin steak. It came with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and asparagi (is that the plural of asparagus?). Sous chef so-and-so slopped the steak with signature spice rub and served signature steak sauce on the side. Blake is a kind and generous soul and allowed me to humbly taste his chunk of dead cow, which was dreadfully tender and flavorful. There was also a mystery sauce that I dabbled with, and it went with the steak nicely.

 

Derek did not see any protein shakes on the dessert menu and thus didn’t order anything. The Portuguese Hot Butter Pudding caught me eye and poked it, I mentioned this to Blake and Brittany who did not necessarily agree with my decision but conceded because I have a considerable amount of “social stature.” The waiter was quick to point out the presence of brandy in the dessert and rapidly recommended it. Derek, noting his third reference to alcohol of the evening, joked that he was trying to get me drunk and take me home. I quickly decided Laguna Beach was a bad choice to go out to eat.

 

The hot pudding was baked, rich, and caramelized with butter, brown sugar, cream and brandy. Brittany and Blake vetoed the flavor but I applaud them for tasting. Nevertheless, if I could take three things to an island off of Mozambique, it would be this dessert, Derek’s car, and my crossword puzzle book. When we received the check, we realized that Blake had been charged for the filet mignon, to which we remembered that the steak was awfully tender for a sirloin. The waiter dealt with this swiftly and everything was squared away.

 

The food was good, the company was great, and this restaurant receives an A.