Chuck Rock
Operating Owner

Whether it is in the business of hospitality, securities, marketing or overseeing his Acthaus company, Chuck Rock has proven to have the Midas touch. Over the course of his entrepreneurial career, he has seen his share of success and excitement, but few things turn him on more than his passion for food and wine. Having spent most of his life globetrotting in his business endeavors, Rock has developed a refined palate and true knowledge of wines of the world and has amassed a collection of over 12,000 bottles. This collection, heavy in rare French Bordeaux and Burgundies, lends to an extensive wine list at his latest venture, hush restaurant in Laguna Beach, CA.

Rock entered the restaurant world as a waiter at 19 and over the next ten years worked his way up to management level in restaurants from Aspen to Ocean City, Maryland. Along the way, his love for food and wine began to flourish and his wine collection began to take shape. Moving into the business world in the early 80's, Rock saw eventual potential for his collection and began to take his wine hobby more seriously. His various business investments led him all over the world, lending to widespread exposure to many types of wines. Learning more and more with each sip, it wasn't long before Rock became a true aficionado in the field and a serious collector. In 1992, after obtaining a personal wine storage facility to properly house his bottles, the collection began to grow exponentially and its potential was ultimately realized into what now exists at hush.

Today, to maintain the restaurant and his production company, Rock divides his time between his two homes in Laguna Beach and New York City, but looks forward to focusing much of his attention on his latest West Coast endeavor. "Having spent so much time in restaurants after all these years, I have developed a real sense of what diners want in a restaurant. I wanted to construct a place that featured all of the best elements from my favorite restaurants around the world and give Laguna Beach diners a world-class dining destination," he says. To achieve this and to pay homage to his coastal home, he hand-selected each member of hush's team out of Laguna Beach's top talents, creating a jewel of a restaurant the area can be proud of.

Danny Reyes
General Managing Partner

Daniel Reyes has been involved in Los Angeles nightspots and restaurants for the past 22 years. Having lived in Los Angeles for 12 years “Danny” made his move to Orange County in 1996 to join a team of restaurateurs and was an integral part in the creation of Odessa Restaurant in Laguna Beach. After a brief but successful stint with Odessa, Danny decided to infuse his talents with the very much established Mark’sRestaurant in Laguna Beach.

He spent three years honing his talents at the helm of the restaurant, establishing himself with the local clientele. In the fall of 2003 after a great ten year run Mark’s Restaurant closed its doors to the public and the Laguna Beach landmark was made available. Chuck Rock and Danny Reyes saw the potential and possibilities that the space could create and a partnership between two old friends was formed. “hush” is a culmination of a dream and a vision of two experienced and dedicated individuals to bring to Southern California the architectural style, décor and ambience of their favorite restaurants in NewYork and London, an award winning wine collection, unparalleled cuisine and service to create a lasting and rewarding dining experience to anyone that walks through its doors.

Ashley Ewart
Executive Chef

Margaux Marie Pierog
Sommelier

A southern California native, Margaux Marie Pierog graduated from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration with a concentration in independent restaurant operations. She has worked at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia, Chat Noir French Bistro in Costa Mesa, and the Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach.

In 2006, she took part in the ‘Best Young Sommelier’ National Competition via the Chaine des Rotisseurs, and reached the finals for the entire country. Margaux is a Certified Sommelier via the Court of Master Sommeliers, Certified Specialist of Wine, and assistant editor to an online wine database www.KnowVino.com

Now in Laguna Beach and managing hush restaurant’s distinguished and extensive wine collection, Margaux is thrilled to be sharing her passion with Southern California. She describes managing hush’s wine collection as “a wish fulfilled – this collection is something every sommelier dreams about” and she has tackled the task with absolute enthusiasm.The list, which features over 1000 selections from around the world including several rare and reserve French Bordeaux and Burgundies, has been compiled with all wine lovers in mind, experts and novices alike.