At Ti Amo Restaurant in Laguna Beach, the Love is Mutual!

I am a very unselfish person. I make this declaration because I am about to share with you my review of Ti Amo Restaurant in Laguna Beach, knowing whole-heartedly that doing so will result in you, Dear Tourist, heading on over for a meal, thus making it just a little harder for me to make my own reservations -- which I intend to make quite often from here on out. :)

Cabernet Sauvignon sorbet is incorporated into the appetizer. Minutes after my husband, Scott, and I snuggle into our private booth, tucked into one of the many enclaves of the restaurant, our appetizer appears from the kitchen: a presentation of prosciutto with creamy Gorgonzola, topped with a scoop of Cabernet Sauvignon sorbet, artistically accented with an orchid petal that matches the sorbet in hue. (Common--do you know how to win a girls heart at the get-go or what? Sorbet AND wine?) At Ti Amo Restaurant (which means "I love you" in Italian) in Laguna Beach, it's love at first bite.

Ti Amo's first-class cuisine is accented by its ascetic charm. Located right off Pacific Coast Highway, the restaurant occupies the renovated space of a former circa 1928 home. The restaurant has an ocean view, various enclaves of rooms, lit fireplaces, sunset views, deck dining, and a tree growing through the middle. (You don't have to back up and re-read. Yes, there is a tree growing through the middle of the restaurant! From the floorboards, it shoots right up through the glass sky roof that has been built around it). The tree makes a fun conversation piece and a must-see for adults and kids alike.

Teens will easily recognize Ti Amo, as MTV filmed some segments of the hit show Laguna Beach here. The Real Housewives of Orange County have also dined here. I hope they had the Raspberry Martini, because it is the PERFECT girly drink. It comes in a glass that has been drizzled with raspberry puree and is served with a raspberry bobbing in the bottom. I've already picked out the Lemon Meringue for my next visit. Yes guys, there's a great wine and cocktail list too :).

The Rolling Stones, Magic Johnson, Billy Joel, Paula Abdul, George and Barbara Bush, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale are just some of the hundreds of celebrities that have dined at Ti Amo. Each has signed a menu that adorns the entrance way and stairwell.

Owner, Jim Hirschberg, is a friendly presence in the restaurant. He offers tidbits of history and humor amongst our bites of Pera Ripiene alla Gorgonzola salad.

For my entree, I order Monchong, a fresh Hawaiian fish that Ti Amo has lightly crusted in pistachio. It is served over lobster risotto and complemented by asparagus and carrots. Scott orders bone-in veal with a mushroom risotto. I cannot recount for you one word that was spoken over dinner. Maybe there weren't any. Everything is truly delicious!

The fish is light and flaky, perfectly cooked and seasoned. The risotto is rich and balanced. Jim comes to check on us and Scott's bone-in veal is only bone. "Well, I can tell you didn't like that at all!" he laughs.

It is a Wednesday night and the dining rooms around us are filled with diners. Young, old, tourist and repeat local diners, everyone seems to be enjoying their dinner just as much as we are! There are smiles all around.

I ask Jim for a suggestion on dessert. Though he admits they're all delicious, he steers us towards the Banana Bread Pudding. "It's the reason I bought this place," he said. How can you say no to that?

The pudding arrives. It is warm and spongy, surrounded by currants, strawberries and raspberries and flooded in a Banana’s Foster whiskey sauce. Zen is achieved. I can't stop smiling. Having finished dessert, Jim and the rest of the staff wish us a good night and many returns.

I'm still smiling on our way out. As we walk past the Zagat rating and various award plaques, I lean over to read a menu Paula Abdul has signed. "Your hospitably is unsurpassed," she has scrawled above her name. I couldn't agree more.