Food & Drink

The Vintage Steakhouse
By Amelia Winslow

Step into The Vintage Steakhouse and you’ll be transported to another era. This romantic and charming restaurant, located in downtown San Juan at the 1894 Capistrano Depot, has ambiance and history built-in. Want to dine in a 1927 fully-restored Pullman Car or have a cocktail in an 1887 Freight House Bar? No problem; just climb aboard.

At The Vintage Steakhouse, they do things a little differently, which is why you might have a more enjoyable experience there than at a conventional steakhouse. First, they prepare all of their meats and seafood over an open-fire, mesquite char-broiler, so every dish has a distinct and flavorful taste. Their entrées also come with vegetable and potato sides at no additional charge, so you won’t have to order a bunch of extras just to feel like you’ve had a complete meal. Best of all – besides the quaint setting in which you’ll experience your food – are the prices, which somehow remain low despite the impeccable quality of the food and service.

We sampled so many delicious items at The Vintage Steakhouse that it’s hard to highlight just a few. The featured mushroom appetizer, Abalone mushrooms in wine sauce, was mouth-wateringly good, as were the mesquite goat cheese-stuffed tomatoes. The bone-in smoked pork chop with a red currant demi-glace was also memorable, as were the sweet potato fries and perfectly cooked veggies that accompanied it. For the true meat-lover, the Tomahawk rib eye steak is a must-order if it’s available, as the presentation alone was quite a treat.

Do hold back enough to save room for dessert, since Vintage’s sweet offerings should not be missed. Though we intended to merely taste the warm chocolate cupcake, it’s extraordinarily creamy mint whipped cream and refreshing peppermint ice cream caused us to devour the entire dessert in a matter of moments.

Whether you go for a cocktail, dinner, or decide to host your next event at The Vintage Steakhouse, you’ll be on the right track.

The Vintage Steak House
26701-B Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano • 949.661.3400 • www.TheVintageSteakhouse.com

Luxe Restaurant and Bar
By Bonnie Small

Dana Point’s dining and nightlife scene has just stepped up a notch! With the opening of Luxe, on the corner of Del Prado and Violet Lantern (in the former location of Purple Feet), your decision about where to go for cocktails, dinner and happy hour has become immeasurably easier.

Luxe’s sophisticated vibe is a welcome addition to the local landscape. A horseshoe shaped bar anchors the center of the restaurant with plentiful bar stools and a full selection of libations. In addition to the tables around Luxe’s perimeter windows, a somewhat more intimate lounge area in the back is furnished with low tables and sofa-style seating, providing the perfect place to catch up with friends and share Luxe’s small plate offerings. For those seeking an al fresco experience, patio seating is also available.

We started with a tasty eggplant flatbread drizzled with garlic aioli and mint. The swordfish brochette was primo – skewered with hunks of red onion, mushrooms and yellow pepper. We also enjoyed the Luxe Ahi Tartare – a yummy stack of finely diced cucumber, ultra-fresh Ahi, topped with an avocado mousse.

Some friends recommended the Jumbo Meatballs and one bite told me they would be on the table every time we visit! Served in a light garlic marinara sauce, these house-made beef spheres were melt-in-your-mouth tender and perfectly seasoned with fresh herbs. We also loved the Stuffed Shrimp (full of lump crab meat and drizzled with a lemony butter sauce) and the petite Filet Mignon served with a duo of fingerling potatoes and braised onions.

In addition to their selection of small plates, Luxe offers sandwiches, salads and dinner portions as well as a cheese plate with fruit and nuts and a bento-box-style Mediterranean Sampler of hummus, roasted eggplant & garlic dip, feta cheese and Kalamata olives.

Luxe’s happy hour is 3-6 p.m. daily, including selected wines at $5-$6 per glass and small plates priced at 2 for $12. If you’re in the mood for a cocktail, I’d suggest the Pomegranate Mojito which is swirled with fresh mint and the perfect touch of tart ruby juice.

24582 Del Prado Ave • Dana Point • 949.276.4990
LuxeDanaPoint.com

Riptide Rockin’ Sushi & Teppan Grills

For early risers, there’s no better way to start off a Sunday than to have a big beautiful breakfast, but if sleeping in is your idea of starting the day off right, then brunch is your meal. Riptide Rockin’ Sushi has put together some new twists on brunch that will have you coming back for more (and more).

Located in Kaleidoscope Center and convenient from any South OC locale, Riptide is serving up their “Champagne & Punch Family Brunch” every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ve never seen so many options before noon. The Eggs Benedict, Applewood smoked bacon, house-made corned beef hash and biscuits & gravy are all go-to favorites. Make a stop at the omelet bar for eggs your way, or to customize some pancakes, French toast, or Belgian waffles to fit your mood.

Carnivores will be immediately drawn to the prime rib carving station where the perfectly roasted beef is sliced to your liking and served with horseradish and au jus. The tasty chicken enchiladas were also a hit at our table.

From here the buffet goes a whole other direction with an entire section devoted to the sushi and cut rolls that Riptide is famous for. My favorite were tiger shrimp lettuce wraps – a soft leaf of Bibb lettuce wrapped around sushi rice, tempura shrimp and other goodies. Don’t forget to sample the spicy tuna on crisp wonton chips – yum!

Riptide takes good care of the youngsters in the crowd with pizza slices, mini-corndogs, tater tots and their famous PB&J pizza. To entertain the little tykes while they enjoy their meal, the amazing “balloon engineer” and his mesmerizing creations will do just the trick!

As the name implies, brunch includes champagne (or fruit punch for the kids). Enjoy the bubbly, but definitely save room for the chocolate fondue with marshmallows and picture-perfect strawberries for dipping!

RIPTIDE ROCKIN’ SUSHI & TEPPAN GRILLS
Kaleidoscope Center
27741 Crown Valley Parkway * Mission Viejo * 949.282.0182
www.riptidesushi.com

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

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 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!