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!

Fall Gardening Tips from Laguna Nursery
By Ruben Flores

For those of us who reside along the coast, summer has left us wondering if we actually had one. With June gloom, July grey skies and “Fogust” behind us, we’re all looking forward to beautiful fall weather and blooming gardens.

This time of the year is ideal for planting and there are several tricks that will allow your garden to thrive and flourish. As with most things, it comes down to basic preparation and a willingness to dig in.

Tackle the soil first. In gardening, fertilizing is the key to healthy plants. Just as you would supplement your diet with daily vitamins, fertilizers provide a natural boost to plants. We recommend organic products because they are absorbed slowly each day. A well-balanced concoction of bone meal, blood meal and cottonseed meal will have your garden green and growing in as short as a month.

Now is the time to mulch. The addition of compost or a wood-based product reduces weed growth and keeps moisture in. It’s as simple and easy as spreading bags of your favorite mix to a 1” thick layer throughout your garden. Happier plants and less weed pulling will be your future!

Choose plant specimens that are indigenous to the area.Why fight Mother Nature when you don’t have to? Our local area is home to countless specimens of plants that thrive naturally with little care. Ceanothus, Salvia, Thyme, Manzanita, Cistus, Boxwood, Lavender, Rosemary, Phlomis, Bougainvillea, and Wisteria are just a few of the beautiful California natives, succulents and drought tolerant options to select from.

Seek advice from professional. Stop by Laguna Nursery and ask one of our sales assistants to answer your questions. Whether you need information about plant selection, soil amendment or want to redesign your entire garden, we’re here to help. We’re located at 1370 South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. Give us a call or check us out online…. 949.494.5200 or LagunaNursery.net.

Tall 2010 Tall Ships Festival

The Ocean Institute presents the largest annual gathering of tall ships on the West Coast the weekend of September 10th through 12th. The event kicks off on Friday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m., with The Tall Ship and Great Schooner Parade. The festival continues Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Certainly the highlight of the festival, The Tall Ships parade commences in South Laguna Beach and the flotilla slowly appear off the Dana Point Headlands. The fleet gathers in preparation for entering the harbor around sunset. From shore, watch the crews of the Tall Ships furl the sails and make preparations for entry into the harbor. All this furious activity occurs while the crews are defending themselves from the cannon blasts of renegade vessels. Participating Tall Ships and Great Schooners will include the “Spirit of Dana Point,” “Pilgrim,” “Irving Johnson,” “Curlew,” “Californian,” “Exy Johnson,” “American Pride,” and “Lynx.”

Come and explore the majesty and wonder of tall ships through the smells, sounds and sights of real working vessels. Walk aboard and tour these living museums or take a cruise to experience the sensation first-hand. Interactive living-history encampments, including knottiers, blacksmiths, scrimshaw artists and the infamous Port Royal Privateers are sure to entertain and amaze guests of all ages. Visitors can also participate in knot tying races or witness the spectacular art of traditional rope work.

Visit the Ocean Institute during the festival to explore their work protecting the local watersheds through hands-on labs and art activities and get up-close and personal with some of the ocean’s most amazing sea creatures, including rays, sea stars, jelly fish and octopuses. Travel back in time to the seafaring world of Richard Henry Dana Jr. as the Dana Point Historical Society reads aloud his famed novel, Two Years Before the Mast, and learn the history behind the city of Dana Point.

Live music concerts will take place at Baby Beach throughout the festival on Saturday and Sunday. The air will be filled with sea faring’s best music. Sea chanteys, forebitters, ballads and more will be performed, featuring nationally acclaimed musicians and storytellers. With a spectacular view of the tall ships, the grass park and Baby Beach host a fun-filled variety of activities. Check out the unique fine arts and craft show that has continued to grow each year, offering a fabulous array of creative works. Last but not least, enjoy the delicious variety of foods and tasty treats offered in the food court.

Visit www.tallshipsfestival.com for admission prices, event information and cruise tickets.

SC Open Skate & Surf Championships

Whether you love to skate, surf or just watch the action from the sideline or sand-come out and enjoy the annual SC Open Skate and Surf Championships. On September 18th and 19th, the contest will offer both male and female amateur and sponsored boarders a chance to showcase their best run, wave or both! Hosted by the Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Foundation, the San Clemente High School Surf Team and the City of San Clemente, the event promises fun and a spirited competition for all ages.

The skateboarding contest will begin at 8 a.m. at the Ralphs Skate Park on September 18th. Contestants will be divided into groups according to their age and will have two 45-second runs to show their stuff. Three judges will be on hand to assign numerical scores to each competitor–based on style, moves displayed and level of difficulty. Midway through the tournament, a “Best Trick” contest, sponsored by Lost Enterprises, will give pro skaters an opportunity to win prizes by performing their most impressive trick. 

On September 19th, contestants in the shortboard surf contest, held at the north side of the San Clemente Pier, will compete in heats of five or six competitors at a time and will likewise be scored.

First, second and third-place winners will be awarded medals, ribbons and prize packages including surf and skate products. All participants will receive a bag filled with surf and skate goodies such as stickers, T-shirts and surf wax. Some of this year’s sponsors are C1RCA, Lost Enterprises, Ralphs, Rusty, and the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce. The Skate & Surf event is also a fundraising opportunity for the Friends of San Clemente so that they may continue to promote and inspire local boarders.

Both the skate and surf contests will feature skateboard manufacturers, industry magazines, T-shirt companies, demonstrations by professional skateboarders, entertainment, music and delicious food.

“Seeing the winners receive their awards and become the champions of their community, many for the first time, in view of their peers and parents, is a beautiful thing,” said Don Kindred, chairman of the event. “If we happen to make a little money for the parks, well that’s okay, too.”

The SC Skate & Surf Contest has seen its share of famous skaters. Ryan Sheckler, an X Games gold medal winner, competed in the very first contest in 2000 and is well-remembered for jumping entirely out of the skate park.

For more information about the contest, please contact Peggy Lacayo at 949.361.8358 or email her at LacayoP@san-clemente.org. For event sponsorships, call Don Kindred, Event Coordinator for the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Foundation, at 949.492.8981. The Ralphs Skate Park is located at 241 Avenida La Pata in San Clemente. Contest entry fees are $35 for each event. On-site registration and pre-registration check-in will begin at 7:00 a.m. on each day of the event. Skaters will be required to wear protective safety equipment including helmets and knee and elbow pads.