About Selanne Steak Tavern
When NHL Hall-of-Famer Teemu Selanne and his business partner Kevin Pratt converted a 1934 Craftsman estate on South Coast Highway into a steakhouse in 2013, critics were cautious about celebrity restaurant ventures. They need not have been. Selanne Steak Tavern has become one of the most accomplished steakhouses in California, recognised by the Michelin Guide and rated 4.8 stars across thousands of diner reviews — the rarest of outcomes when athlete and restaurateur collide.
The property itself earns the visit. Five distinct dining environments span the historic building: the intimate Wine Library, lined floor to ceiling with serious bottles; the Sunset Terrace, where PCH and coastline frame every meal; the Veranda for warm evening al fresco dining; the more formal Loft for private gatherings; and the Tavern, the lively heart of the house. Each environment has its own personality, yet all share the warmth of genuine, unhurried hospitality that distinguishes this kitchen's spirit from its rivals.
The steaks are the argument and the closing statement. The dry-aged ribeye — marbled, well-timed, finished with compound butter and served on a seared cast iron surface that stays warm through the meal — has generated the kind of word-of-mouth marketing that no budget could buy. The Lord Stanley Wagyu cut commands a premium and earns it without apology. Pacific Diver Scallops, butter-poached lobster, and the Selanne mac and cheese maintain the standard across every course. The wine list is extensive and expertly curated, with particular depth in California Cabernet and Burgundy.
Tipping over 4,800 OpenTable reviews at 4.8 stars, Selanne Steak Tavern achieves consistency at scale — the hardest trick in fine dining. Return guests are the norm, not the exception. Laguna Beach residents eat here for birthdays, anniversaries, and the kind of business dinner that needs to feel like a treat without the awkwardness of expense account scrutiny.
Best for Closing a Deal
The power dinner south of Los Angeles. Selanne Steak Tavern's combination of Michelin recognition, historic estate setting, and impeccably managed service creates the precise conditions in which serious business conversation thrives. Request the Wine Library for a private dinner of two to four; the intimate room and floor-to-ceiling cellar communicate seriousness and generosity without ostentation. The kitchen's reliability eliminates the anxiety that accompanies a venue gamble. When a deal needs to close, this is where to close it.