Ichibiri – Smokin’ Hot Fun!
By Krissy V.

Ichibiri is hardly the new kid on the block when it comes to South County restaurants. For over 25 years, they’ve been delighting locals with some of the finest Japanese teppan and sushi in the area.

Featuring teppanyaki cooking, which literally translates as “iron plate cooking,” Ichibiri’s chefs have clearly mastered this artful and playful preparation by incorporating skillful technique and a dash of comedy to create an entertaining and delicious dining experience. Patrons at the teppan grill, especially the younger set, can’t help but be amazed by each chef’s repertoire of stunts: from spinning, tossing and catching various bottles and utensils to fashioning smoking volcanoes out of stacked onion rings or sculpting the likeness of Mickey Mouse from mounds of fried rice. The fact that I can also maintain an uninterrupted conversation with my husband while my 5-year old is mesmerized by the chef’s antics is the proverbial cherry on top!

After the “show” concludes, you’ll be met with a generous portion of rice, yakisoba noodles, tasty vegetables and your choice of filet mignon, teriyaki chicken, scallops, halibut or other protein to dip into a selection of tasty sauces. Pair it with saki or a Sapporo and you’re all set for a great meal.

Also in Ichibiri’s bag of tricks is a tasty array of sushi and sashimi that can be enjoyed at the sushi bar, teppan grill or at a private table. Ichibiri works diligently with local suppliers to assure their customers receive only the freshest fish and ingredients and their sushi chefs echo this attention to detail by preparing your personal favorites, even if they’re not on the menu.

No matter where you reside in South Orange County, you’re not far from one of Ichibiri’s convenient locations in Dana Point, San Clemente or Laguna Niguel. Whether you’re an old fan or a new friend, visit them for lunch, dinner and a great time!

27981 Greenfield Dr # J • Laguna Niguel • 949.362.8048
16 Monarch Bay Plaza • Dana Point • 949.661.1544
1814 N El Camino Real • San Clemente • 949.361.0137
www.ichibiris.com

Holiday Activities in South Orange County – Puttin’ On The Glitz

On Saturday, November 27th, San Clemente kicks off the season with its premiere holiday event – Puttin’ on the Glitz. The San Clemente Downtown Business Association, in conjunction with the City of San Clemente, present a magical evening of fun for the entire family.

Decked out in twinkling lights, historic Avenida Del Mar will be transformed into a festive pedestrian mall as children enjoy rides on a motorized mini-train and an enchanting horse-drawn fantasy carriage. Face painters, balloon artists and magicians will captivate the crowd while carolers in Victorian costumes, a barbershop quartet, a bagpipe troupe and other performers will fill the air with live music.

The charming shops and windows lining the avenue will be decorated for the season and will remain open to accommodate holiday shoppers anxious to get a jump on their lists. Organizations and vendors such as the Boy Scouts of America will offer hot apple cider, fire roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, snow cones and cotton candy as you stroll the quaint downtown village.

Sirens will signal the arrival of Santa Claus perched upon a fire truck, as he leads a fanfare procession down Del Mar to the Community Center. Mrs. Claus & their elves will greet and take Santa to his awaiting fireside chair where children will have an opportunity to profess their hearts’ desires and create a lasting memory with a photo.

Puttin’ on the Glitz is free to the public and runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. A complimentary shuttle service is provided from the San Clemente High School parking lot, located just East of the freeway on Avenida Pico.

For more information about the event, please contact the San Clemente Downtown Business Association at 949.218.5378 orwww.villagesanclemente.org.

Laguna Nursery

If you thought about popping into Laguna Nursery for a few annuals to plant this weekend, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Clear your schedule, because more than a couple of minutes are needed to explore their maze of elegantly and artfully displayed antiques, artifacts and garden wares. Salvaged architectural pieces, unique pots and interesting plant compositions make this garden emporium a wealth of inspiration for your indoor and outdoor spaces.

Ruben Flores purchased Laguna Nursery three short years ago, but his architectural background is evident everywhere you look. When Ruben heard the site was slated to become a storage facility for a local hotel, he “couldn’t let it go.” His business has since flourished into a local destination for landscape architects, designers and homeowners alike. Flores considers himself and his crew—most of whom have been with him throughout his illustrious career—“artistic directors of the garden.”

A series of coincidences early in his career brought Flores to Laguna Beach. While a student at Cal Poly Pomona, he toured Coastal California on speaking engagements, educating audiences about California native plantings. It was at one of these lectures that Flores was “discovered” by a well-known landscape architect in Laguna Beach. That project—the Villa Elena Mansion—propelled him into the world of high-end landscaping. Flores went on to design the rolling gardens of the Gucci Mansion, whose owner sent him to Europe to study the “visionscapes” of France, Italy and England. Flores describes this immersion into historically significant art and sophisticated European lifestyles as an “intensely creative” time.

Today, Flores incorporates his exposure to art and architecture into all his projects. He prefers residential to commercial work because he values the collaborative relationships that develop with homeowners. He designs landscapes

around his clients’ lifestyles and especially loves creating intimate spaces for entertaining. Flores emphasizes that a garden can be visually interesting no matter what the size or budget and that even a tiny patio has great potential. His mantra is, “Keep it spinning and don’t get bored,” and also believes that, “A garden can’t just be given to someone; it has to be nurtured and appreciated.”

Thanksgiving Day Activities in Dana Point
By Nichole Chambers

Want to work up your Thanksgiving Day appetite? Then be one of the 12,000 participants expected to flock to the 33rd annual Dana Point Turkey Trot on November 25th. Benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, this festive Dana Point event is a wonderful way to give back to your community in the spirit of the race’s mantra: “Run so others can eat.”

Drawn by pristine harbor scenery, a good cause and a great chance to burn some calories before the day’s feast, runners from Orange County to Kenya and just about everywhere in between have long enjoyed the annual Dana Point Turkey Trot for its 5K, 10K and Kids’ Gobble Wobble race for ages 5-12.

Last year’s brilliant sun and sparkling ocean beckoned the biggest turnout in the history of the event. Dubbed “America’s Turkey Trot,” the 32nd annual race attracted more than 11,000 participants from more than 45 states and five countries.

The runners always have a good time, with several dressing in costumes appropriate to the season. The result is a holiday parade of plume-bedecked runners, a throng of turkey-masked, brown-shirted gobblers with their bellies appropriately stuffed and an occasional trotting Santa Claus pushing a double baby jogger.

This year’s theme focuses on the rich history of this international event, which has contributed to putting Dana Point Harbor on the map. While the fun-filled event officially marks the beginning of the holiday season in this seaside city, its goal is to help raise money for a great cause. Turkey Trot organizers hope to raise $30,000 to $50,000 for the food bank.

“The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is proud to once again be a beneficiary of the Turkey Trot event for the ninth year in a row,” said Joe Schoeinigh, Director of the food bank. “We hope to raise awareness of the hunger issue in Orange County and raise significant funds for our neighbors in need. The public is welcome to stop by our booth during the event and learn more about volunteering and other ways to get involved in the fight against hunger in Orange County.”

There’s still time to register for this year’s race. Fees are just $40 if you register by November 21st and $45 thereafter. Please note that race day registration is not available for the 10K event. For information about volunteering or participating in the 2010 Dana Point Turkey Trot, visit www.turketrot.com or contact the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce at 949.496.1555. You can also text TURKEYTROT to 44264 for race updates, discounts and chances to win prizes.

Lewis & Clark a Journey to Explore

A couple of adventurers named Meriwether and William set out more than two centuries ago to explore the West, only you probably know them better by their surnames: Lewis and Clark.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their journey to explore and map the American West in 1804. Now, more than 200 years later, their remarkable journey can be examined and revisited at Mission San Juan Capistrano’s museum exhibit, “Lewis and Clark Expedition Across America,” starting with its opening on November 1st and running until March of 2011.

Lewis and Clark were initially accompanied by a crew of men, and later, by the Shoshone Indian guide and interpreter, Sacajawea, and her infant son. They traveled by river and by land from St. Louis, Missouri to the Oregon coast, and back again. The very trail Lewis and Clark traversed is the focus of a special added photography exhibit, “Lewis and Clark Revisited: A Trail in Modern Day.”

This secondary exhibit is an immersive educational experience, offering visitors a chance to become the original corpsmen of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Visitors of all ages will find something in the exhibit to enjoy from the photo exhibit for adults to the interactive stations for students. The engaging stations will bring students along the trail’s highlights, allowing them to explore animal and plant life of the prairies, encounter Native American nations, leaving them with a better understanding of the challenges the Corps of Discovery met on their journey. “There’s something for everyone in this exhibit,” says Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, Executive Director of the Mission.

THE “LEWIS AND CLARK REVISITED:
A Trail in Modern Day” exhibition tour was organized by Greg MacGregor and the California Exhibition Resources Alliance (CERA). CERA is a network of professionally operated museums and cultural organizations that collaborate to create and tour smaller, affordable, high quality exhibitions that enhance civic engagement and humanunderstanding. CERA is supported by generous grants from The James Irvine Foundation and The William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

Enne Cucina
By Amelia Winslow

Boldly printed right across the front of Enne Cucina Italiana’s menu is the line: “The good things in life are illegal, immoral or make you fat.” While the first two sentiments may be debatable, Nicola Bellazzi creates and cooks such good food at his new San Clemente restaurant, that I have to agree with the last.

You may not expect to sit down to truly authentic Italian food in Talega of San Clemente, but at Enne Cucina, that’s exactly what you’ll find. Nicola (“Nick”) was born and raised in Italy and spent much of his childhood watching his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. He then attended culinary school and proceeded to cook in a wide variety of restaurants all over the globe before opening his first restaurant in Southern California in 1998.

The menu at Enne Cucina is a combination of classic Italian dishes, Nick’s mother Lina’s family recipes and his own new creations. After whetting your appetite with an order of Nick’s twist on bruschetta or Caprese salad, you might dig in to a rich, cheesy helping of Mama Lina’s meatball lasagne, or perhaps a plate of the house-made ravioli, stuffed to the brim with spinach and ricotta and served in brown butter with fresh sage and raisins. In the mood for something lighter? They offer plenty of lower calorie options, like spaghetti with zucchini, tomato and fresh mint or pillow-soft gnocchi with shrimp, anchovies and cherry tomatoes in a white wine sauce.

Just make sure you save room for dessert, as the warm bread pudding with velvety brandy sauce, the chocolate truffle mousse or Mama Lina’s soft tiramisu, are not to be missed.

Whether it’s for lunch, dinner, happy hour or Sunday brunch, Nick and his friendly staff at Enne Cucina are waiting to welcome you to the heart of Italy, right here in South Orange County.

Enne Cucina
831 Via Suerte • San Clemente • 949.492.1089 • www.ennecucina.com

The Vintage at The Mission
By Jennifer Pham

Take a short drive to the Mission San Juan Capistrano and enjoy The Vintage, a “Celebration of Good Taste,” on Saturday, October 16th from 6 p.m. to 10p.m. This 14th annual evening of gourmet food and fine wine is brought to you by top local restaurants and surrounding wineries. The Vintage Silent Auction, gaming tables, dancing and live musical performances from Steely Jam, Tim Robert Johnson and Douglas Roegiers will keep you entertained throughout the night. Proceeds from the event support the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce to benefit the local business community and the Mission San Juan Capistrano and its various programs.

Tim Robert Johnson, solo finger guitarist and Founder of Lord of Strings Concerts, will entertain guests in the Mission front courtyard. The smooth sounds of Douglas Roegiers will open for the Vintage’s final performance from Steely Jam. Roegiers, who has focused his work in “great American Crooning,” will be singing the best tunes of Frank Sinatra. Steely Dan’s most faithful tribute band, Steely Jam, will dip into R&B, Soul, Rock and Jazz with musicianship and style to complete the sounds of the evening. Steely Jam will recreate the artistry of the “thinking man’s band.”

Guests at this year’s Vintage will sample sweet treats and savory eats from many premier local restaurants including Bad to the Bone BBQ, El Adobe De Capistrano, Marbella Country Club, Mahé, Ricardo’s Place, Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot, Sundried Tomato American Bistro & Café, The Derby Deli & Dueling Piano Bar and The Vintage Steakhouse. Local wineries will also participate at the event, showcasing some of their finest selections.

An area of the Mission’s courtyard will be transformed into “Little Italy,” celebrating San Juan Capistrano’s sister city in Capestrano, Italy. The section will be full of fine Italian wine and food, honoring Capestrano, Italy from Banfi Wines, Frankies Biscotti, Brio Tuscany Grille, Casa Torelli Wines, Dolce Gelato, San Pellegrino Sparkling Water and Trader Joe’s of Laguna Niguel among others.

The Vintage Silent Auction will feature over 100 gift baskets that have been donated by various sponsors. Auction items range from health and beauty certificates and sporting goods to vacation packages and other services. A live auction will also take place that evening with three exclusive packages being presented to the highest bidders.

General admission tickets are $75 and include admission, food, wine, beer, entertainment, dancing and $25 in complimentary chips for the casino area. VIP table seating can also be purchased for $900 and accommodates up to 10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visitwww.thevintagesjc.com or stop by the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce at 31421 La Matanza in San Juan.

Renaissance Home Furnishings – A Desire To Inspire
By Shelly T. Hudson

Equal parts family business, warehouse showroom and design boutique, Renaissance Home Furnishings in historic San Juan Capistrano’s Home Center earns its reputation as South OC’s go-to home decorating resource. That reputation hasn’t come easily—owner Dennis Penman and his staff of designers have been known to help their crew offload containers at all hours of the day and night to keep a delivery deadline.

Penman and company’s dogged pursuit of customer satisfaction has won over a loyal following of discerning customers. Although he jokes that Renaissance is “the best kept secret in San Juan,” because of its tucked-away location, Penman knows that his 14 years in the home furnishings business have landed his store on the short list of both design professionals and savvy homeowners alike.

It helps that Renaissance provides 11,000 square feet of pure inspiration. Customers can stroll through the showroom and plop down on a squishy sofa while they flip through fabric samples or decide on the perfect lamp or artwork. From Old World European to contemporary to beach cottage-chic, the design staff works with each customer to determine his or her own version of “affordable luxury.” Since repeat customers (and their referred friends and neighbors) make up the bulk of the business, the staff and crew at Renaissance develop a familial relationship with them. In fact, it’s not unusual for a customer to stop by with homemade cookies as a thank you.

Now for the best part: because of the high volume of business Renaissance provides its manufacturers, the overhead and margins are kept low. Customers reap the benefits of the “40% off every day” philosophy and keep coming back. The instant gratification of purchasing items right from the selling floor combined with quick turn around times—even for custom pieces—solidifies the relationship.

In addition to offering beautiful home furnishings at reasonable prices at a quicker-than-average lead time, Renaissance Home Furnishings provides complimentary design services at every level. Louise Vincent and Robin Earp lead the design team, and they provide both in-store and in-home consultations. So whether you just need help choosing a rug or your house is an empty shell needing warmth and comfort (and paint, and flooring, and window treatments…), Louise and Robin are waiting to scramble. This hard-working staff has been known to furnish an entire home from ceiling to floor in two weeks! Louise describes this unusual service as “completion oriented.” With 27 years in the design business, she knows a thing or two about getting things done.

Another design service option offered at Renaissance is their “shop at home” program. This commitment-free home visit allows customers the opportunity to see and feel the furniture in their homes before they purchase. The designers arrive with everything—furniture, rugs, lighting, accessories. Once set up is completed, the client can select any or all of the design. It’s truly a stress-free, no obligation shopping experience for the customer.

These in-house services are more than a convenience; the one-stop shopping is a time saver and a budget saver. The one-to four-week turnaround on custom furnishings makes it easy to change your look seasonally. If it’s your turn to host the holidays this year and your home could use a little style boost, stop by the store or have a designer meet with you at home to put some ideas together. It’s easy and it’s free!

Loyal Renaissance customers, Kelly and Rob Hammons, describe their experience as “highly recommended and so easy.” The Hammons are transplants from the furniture capitol of the country—North Carolina. Kelly was most impressed with the follow-through of the design staff. She said she was kept informed of her custom order status and was surprised that the delivery estimates were right on. Her husband Rob echoed her sentiments. “The prices are highly competitive and the customer service is first-rate. I can’t say enough about the staff. They truly go the extra mile.

Fiendish Fun For All
By Shelley T. Hudson

DANA POINT
A fun-for-the-whole-family event is Dana Wharf Sportfishing’s annual Halloween Kids Boo Cruise. Each 20-minute harbor cruise leaves from Dana Point Harbor and features a costume contest, candy and more. This popular event is free and always draws a crowd, so come early and be prepared for a boatload of fun on Friday, October 29th from 5 to 7 p.m. For further info, call 949. 496.5794.

The Ocean Institute continues its Halloween tradition with the Tidepool of Terrors providing fun and learning for all ages. Interactive “spooky science labs” including Vampires of the Deep and Ghastly Goo encourage hands-on participation and trick-or-treating throughout the aquarium keeps those busy little legs moving. Critter crafts and a story-telling pirate round out the activities. Regular admission is $4.50 for children and $6.50 for adults, but kids in costume are free and eligible for the costume contest. This event takes place on Saturday, October 30th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is a fun, easy introduction to ocean sciences and marine life. Call 949.496.2274 for details.

Little ghosts and goblins can also enjoy the Haunted Campground event at Doheny State Beach on Saturday, October 30th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Each year the campground is transformed into a carnival with crafts, booths and a special “kid fun zone.” Children are encouraged to wear costumes and to bring along a non-perishable food item to donate. Admission is free. Phone 949.496.6172 for more information.

LAGUNA NIGUEL
The 10th Annual Haunted Trails in Laguna Niguel runs for three nights and promises to be scarier than ever! This year’s theme is “Niguel-o-polis: Urban Terror.” The outdoor walk-through maze will lead you through frightening cities of the year 2050 including New York City’s subway system and Central Park and San Francisco’s Chinatown. Special guests will include New Orleans zombies and various other nefarious characters. Your 15-minute guided tour will end in a swampy graveyard—if you make it that far. This event is best for thrill-seekers aged eight and older. Remember to wear comfortable shoes to walk (or run!) the trails. Admission is $10 at the onsite Parks & Rec building. Event dates and times are Thursday, October 28th from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, October 29th from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 30th from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Call 949.362.4351 to learn more.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
The Haunted House of Illusions at Zax Studios in San Juan Capistrano is billed as “a magic show with a haunted twist.” This unconventional haunted house features professional magicians performing scary tricks that fool the eye and send shivers down the spine. Each elaborate scene is another terror-fying performance! Proceeds benefit the CARE Foundation and the local school district. Great for gremlins eight and older. Tickets are $8 and may be purchased at Zax Studios, participating costume stores and online. Check it out Friday, October 29th from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 30th from 4 to 9 p.m. For additional information, call 949.388.5802 or log on towww.hauntedhouseofillusions.com.

The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society’s Walking Ghost Tours are offered at 6:30, 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 30th. Each tour begins at the O’Neill Museum and the haunting ghost tales of California’s oldest neighborhood are told while you wander down Los Rios Street. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 949.493.8444. Bundle up, because the Ghost Tour is chilling!

The Next Door: Only Two Words… Lobster Nachos!
By Amelia Winslow

I am tempted to write about one of San Clemente’s newest restaurants in only two words: Lobster Nachos. This pile of wonton chips, melted Manchego cheese, tropical mango salsa, hunks of sweet lobster meat and drizzle of crème fraiche is enough to entice a visit to The Next Door. Awaiting your arrival is a fantastic local spot serving gourmet yet unpretentious food at phenomenal prices.

I suspect, however, that the innovative and enthusiastic Chef Tony, the creative mind behind the food at The Melting Pot’s next-door neighbor, would like it if I clued you in to a few more of the gems his menu has to offer. Having enjoyed every morsel that touched my tongue during lunch at The Next Door, I’m happy to elaborate on some of their other successful dishes.

The Next Door has something for everyone, but they certainly don’t offer generic food. Each component of their California-inspired cuisine is made in-house, from the sauces to the mayonnaise to the house-ground sirloin and bacon in their burger. The result of this extra care is extremely flavorful food that sets this eatery apart from others.

Besides the delectable nachos, my friend and I enjoyed a variety of small plates. The grilled artichoke, served with a Meyer lemon aioli full of lemon zest and fresh herbs; the hearty pulled pork sliders, braised in amber ale and served with a tangy BBQ sauce and crispy onion strings; and Chef Tony’s unique take on Bruschetta: toasted baguette loaded with melted Brie, diced tomatoes, fresh herbs, and avocado – were all highlights. I’m glad we saved room for dessert, because the mini mud pie with homemade toffee fudge and the warm apple crisp with bourbon caramel sent us home happy.

My advice to you: visit The Next Door, be it for lunch, dinner, or the weekend brunch with $9 bottomless mimosas and a live Bluegrass band. Do come in!