Food & Drink

by Monique Reilly

Variety is the spice of San Juan Capistrano at the Mission Grill. Located a stone’s throw from the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Train Depot and cornerstone Camino Real Playhouse, the newly renovated space offers patrons a wide sampling for the palate and a full bar. From authentic Mexican fare to burgers, salads and sandwiches. The Mission Grill aims to please by leaving customers fully satisfied with fresh and tasty dishes, quality service, a unique family-friendly atmosphere and affordability.

I met owner John Gillotti for a tasting on a warm Saturday afternoon. The first order of business was deciding where to sit — a street vibe out front overlooking the Mission, the outdoor bar area, or an intimate back patio with a view of San Juan’s rolling hills and the historic train station. Shortly after, the smorgasbord of extraordinary dishes began.

The menu has something for everyone’s taste, yet each dish is expertly crafted to marry fresh ingredients in a delicate balance of underlying flavor and presentation. I sampled Mexican inspired entrées like the Mahi Mahi tacos with mango relish to sultry pulled pork sliders topped with a chipotle cole slaw and homemade onion ring. The burgers range from a delicious Gorgonzola Bacon Burger paired with caramelized onions and a savory maple aioli to a Chorizo Burger prepared with a unique in-house patty, grilled jalapeño, bacon, and special sauce.

For those who prefer lighter fare, the salad selection with homemade dressings born from the freshest locally grown produce or the grilled zucchini topped with freshly prepared hummus hit the mark. And don’t miss the San Juan Sweet Fries, a dessert that can only be described as “naughty”— sweet potato fries and melted marshmallows drizzled with maple syrup.

In addition to a menu boasting farm-fresh, locally sourced produce, bakery products and tap beer, the Mission Grill entertains its guests with live music on the outdoor patio from Friday through Sunday. Looking for a caterer for your next private party, special event or banquet? The restaurant can accommodate groups of up to 150 or will gladly bring the food to your location.

Mission Grill
31721 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano
(949) 240-8055
MissionGrillSJC.com

Patsy’s Celebrates 30 Years!

A mainstay in Laguna Niguel since 1984, Patsy’s Irish Pub will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary with a huge party on June 7th. The excitement will begin at 4 p.m., and as usual for this establishment, the good times will extend late into the night.

Patsy’s boasts “An Authentic Irish Experience.” This will truly be evident on their 30th birthday with imported Irish musicians and bagpipers. Eamon Carroll will perform live from 4 -10 p.m. Belly up to the huge bar and enjoy flashback food and drink prices from 1984, with $2 Shepherd’s pie, $2 on select beers and champagne, and $1 corn beef tacos. If you haven’t stopped in to Patsy’s in the last few years, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The interior of the establishment has been completely renovated, with hardwood floors, stone and natural wood walls, and many upgrades. It definitely has the feel of a pub you’d find in the heart of Ireland, conveniently located here in South Orange County.

A brief history of Patsy’s:
Patsy Donahue Wagoner and her husband Don Wagoner opened the original Patsy’s Seafood at this location in 1984. On the corner of Crown Valley and Golden Lantern Parkway, Patsy’s was the first occupant in the new shopping center. Back then Laguna Niguel hadn’t even been incorporated, Golden Lantern extended 100 yards from Crown Valley, and the hills behind Patsy’s were a favorite track for local dirt bikers.

In 1986, the seafood restaurant started selling beer and wine, and they decided to change their name to Patsy’s Irish Pub. In 1991 they expanded and nearly doubled the size of the restaurant. Don and Patsy put years of hard work into their business, and transformed it into one of the best pubs in Orange County.

Today the family tradition continues with MaryAnn Bremer, one of Patsy and Don’s daughters, now running the restaurant with her husbandJack. If you’ve ever spent time in Patsy’s Irish Pub over the past 30 years, then mark your calendars for June 7th and come down to join in the celebration! See you there…Erin go Bragh!

28971 Golden Lantern • Laguna Niguel
(949) 249-2604
PatsysIrishPub.net

Inka Mama’s Peruvian Cuisine
By Samantha Hammer

Inka Mama’s, in San Clemente’s Talega Village Center, is proud to share their Peruvian fare and heritage. Stavros Lozano, born in Lima, Peru is the Managing Partner. This family restaurant was founded by his mother, Martha, and his aunt Angela. They bring the indigenous spirit of their land and take great pride in serving their customers savory, authentic dishes.

The menu offers an array of true fusion cuisine and includes delicacies from Latin America influenced by Europe, Asia and even Africa. The recipes are brought forth from generations of ancient Inkan culture and traditions and are a part of Inka Mama’s current success.

My dining journey began with a Pisco drink called Peruvian Maid, hand crafted with mint, cucumber and cane served over ice. A true complement to the special green dipping sauce called Aji, which is served with French rolls. The Shrimp Ceviche is so fresh, marinated in Aji Amarillo with ginger infused lime juice, red onion and fresh cilantro.

Chicharron de Chancho, a choice from the bar menu, is a pork tenderloin seared and stacked on a potato hash. Delicious! Next to arrive at my table is Parihuela, a French style bouillabaisse. It is Inka Mama’s most popular item on the menu. The bowl is filled with shrimp, calamari, white fish and New Zealand green lip mussels. The broth is spicy yet delicate and prepared with homemade Peruvian cooking wine, tomatoes, potatoes and cilantro. One might feel compelled to pick up the bowl and sip every last drop of this incredible soup!

Sweet Francesca is the dessert of choice – a warm crepe filled with dulce de leche and fried plantains. The crepe is topped with creamy rich ice cream and drizzles of chocolate and caramel sauce… this must be heaven!

Inka Mama’s offers Happy Hour 7 days a week. Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and all day Sunday. Hand-crafted cocktails, beers and wine varieties are available daily. Kids eat free on Mondays with each paid entrée.

821 Via Suerte #104, San Clemente
(949) 369-6262
InkaMamas.com

Izza Pizzeria
By Bonnie Small

Top-shelf toppings will never make a pizza great unless they sit atop a fabulous foundation. Depending on where you’re from, you may have been raised on the purity of a Neapolitan style thin crust or the high rising Chicago style pie, but either way, when it comes down to good pizza, it’s all about the crust.

San Clemente’s Izza Pizzeria is branching out from its singular focus on Neapolitan style pizza to embrace dough diversity. New owner, and Chicago native, Ron Gelet has upped the ante and now offers New York Style crust and his own signature deep dish Numero Uno pizza alongside the super simplicity of the Neapolitan style.

The individual-sized Numero Uno pizza is the house specialty and one bite will reveal the reason – the thick, sweet crust is dabbed with a light tomato sauce, cheese, and two additional toppings of your choice. Fresh from the oven to the table, this compact pizza proves that the best things do come in small packages. I recommend taking an extra one home for a midnight snack by the glow of the refrigerator light.

The sky’s the limit for New York or Neapolitan crust lovers – you can design your own creation or choose one of the chef’s artisan creations like the Rugula (prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula, and tomato sauce) or step outside the pizza box and try the Cal Italia – Croatian fig preserves, mozzarella and blue cheeses, prosciutto, shaved parmigiano, nicely finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Chef Remiel showcases his pasta skills with daily specials like Shrimp Ravioli with gorgonzola cream sauce or the portobello mushroom ravioli with a rich demi-glace. And save room for dessert because the cheesecake and caramel budino topped with freshly whipped cream are both house-made and home runs.

Izza loves supporting local schools and organizations by hosting fundraising events and donating a portion of meal prices to their causes. Wine lovers can treat themselves and stop in on Thursdays for 50% off bottles of wine!

Izza Pizzeria
376 Camino de Estrella • San Clemente
949.248.4925 • IzzaPizzeria.com

Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar
By Bonnie Small

For more than a decade, Tannins Restaurant has been a fixture in San Juan Capistrano. The menu has certainly evolved over the years, but the emphasis on the simplicity and complexity of wine and food pairing remains central. Tannins does a remarkably good job of making wine approachable as evidenced by Sommelier Jesse Clanton’s Weekly Wine Flight, which highlights one winery at a time (Kuleto Estate during my visit) and offers a perfect way to expand your wine horizons.

Tannins’ cheese platter makes all others look like 98-pound weaklings! A selection of five cheeses is presented with a generous array of fresh fruits and berries along with nuts and honey-drizzled crostini.

Chef Abraham Nava creates a short list of weekly specials made with seasonal ingredients and during our visit the Watermelon and Cantaloupe salad grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let it go! A mound of spring greens, jicama, and carrots is tossed in a light pomegranate vinaigrette and kicked up with generous spears of prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe and watermelon wedges sprinkled with Cajun spices: genius+scrumptious. With a little luck, this salad will migrate over to the regular menu!

I’d heard that people come from miles around for Tannins’ Butternut Squash Ravioli and, after one bite, I knew exactly why. These al dente pasta pillows are stuffed with butternut squash and drizzled with browned butter kissed with truffle oil, toasted hazelnuts, and frizzled sage.

Another dinner winner is the Chicken Marsala. The kitchen turns out expertly executed chicken escalopes gently sautéed to juicy perfection served with a woodsy mushroom Marsala sauce that is magical when paired with either the linguine or garlic vegetables on the side.

Along with wonderful wines and an equally super menu, Tannins sweetens the deal by offering 2 for 1 dinner entrées seven days a week (with The Local Dish coupon), as well as Wine Wednesdays (½ off any bottle of wine with the purchase of 2 entrées). Cheers!

27211 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano
949.661.8466
TanninsRestaurant.com

Patsy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant
By Bonnie Small

Everyone’s a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, but in South OC we can enjoy some Irish warmth and comfort food year round at Patsy’s Irish Pub in Laguna Niguel. In the same location (at Crown Valley and Golden Lantern) since 1984, Patsy’s has been the go-to spot to catch the day’s games and enjoy the wee luxury of a Guinness or Smithwick’s on tap.

Get started with any one of several great appetizers like the shrimp on toast (think petite Texas toast with an enormous prawn nestled under a layer of crunchy golden parmesan shavings). The crab stuffed mushrooms are brimming with a savory filling made from King Crab and finished with a tasty cheesy sauce. Also fantastic are the fire roasted artichokes, which are served with a yummy dill sauce and drawn butter.

If you’re a corned beef lover, Patsy’s is the real deal! The meat is nicely trimmed, braised for hours, and served with a wedge of steamed cabbage and an outrageously tasty horseradish sauce (which also accompanies the corned beef tacos that I confess to having a minor addiction to).

As the experts say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Patsy’s Irish Breakfast is one of the best things on the menu and it’s served all day! Fried eggs are surrounded by rashers (Irish style bacon made from pork loin), traditionally spiced Irish bangers (sausages), sautéed mushrooms, broiled tomato slices, and house-made corned beef hash.

On Saturdays and Sundays, you can get creative at Patsy’s Bloody Mary bar. A hand-crafted concoction of tomato juice, Worcestershire, and fresh horseradish arrives at the table as a blank canvas, and off you go to the condiment station to personalize the garnishes with supplies of celery sticks, gherkins, sweet chili peppers, pickled onions and blue cheese stuffed olives, just to name a few.

Make Patsy’s your St. Patrick’s Day celebration destination this March 17th!

28971 Golden Lantern
Laguna Niguel
(949) 249-2604
PatsysIrishPub.net

Carlos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
By Bonnie Small

1972 was a big year for the budding hamlet of Dana Point, as it hosted the first annual Festival of Whales and opened the doors of Dana Hills High School. That same year, Carlos Lamas bought a burger stand at the southern convergence of PCH and Del Prado. By 1975 the restaurant had been remodeled, expanded, renamed, and with the help of his daughter Mercedes and her husband Neal Winvick, has continued to evolve ever since.

Chiles rellenos are a favorite of mine, but I try to avoid the battered & fried items on any menu these days. Lucky for me, Carlos’ version is a brilliant alternative – beautiful deep green poblano chiles are filled with cheese and cooked on the stove (not in the fryer) then draped in paper-thin scrambled egg and served in a tasty ranchero sauce. They are light and delicious and the flavor of the pepper shines through un-muddled by batter and oil.

The kitchen also has a nice touch with shrimp – the Mexican shrimp cocktail features perfectly cooked prawns in a slightly spicy (and not overly sweet) tomato sauce combined with pico de gallo and diced avocado. The shrimp mojo de ajo is nicely executed, with the prawns cooked just right and smothered in a buttery garlic sauce.

Another big plus – Carlos serves menudo and posole every day (not just on the weekends)! Both have rich, meaty broths with hominy and tender pieces of tripe or pork and are accompanied by diced onions and serrano peppers, cilantro, sliced cabbage, and lime wedges. The combination of the fresh crunchy vegetables and the steaming soup is fabulous.

Regular readers know that I am a big fan of flan and I’m always searching for my next fix. Carlos’ homemade flan is silky smooth and the caramel-bathed custard is rich and dense, a perfect portion to top off the meal.

Dana Point has come a long way in 40 years and when the weather is nice (and it usually is) the patio at Carlos is a great place to enjoy it. Stop by for Taco Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m. or savor a lobster dinner on Wednesdays from 4 to 9 p.m. for a mere $24.99!

Fiano’s Restaurant and Bar
By Bonny Small

More good news for San Juan Capistrano – Fiano’s Restaurant & Bar brings another great dining option to the heart of downtown. Owner Sid Serafini has created a go-to spot for delicious lunches, cozy dinners and, with the addition of the patio area, alfresco dining within shouting distance of the Jewel of the California Missions.

The menu, developed by Executive Chef Jaime Carachure, certainly leans to Italian classics, but incorporates a generous helping of local ingredients and California influences. The starters highlight the chef’s attention to detail, offering eight versions of Bruschett – we loved the Margherita, which was mounded with the traditional freshly diced tomatoes and basil. The Fig Jam Bruschetta topped with Point Reyes blue cheese, crispy bacon, and drizzled with red wine reduction was outrageously good.

I’m a big fan of stuffed mushrooms, which infrequently appear on menus anymore, so when I spotted Fiano’s version, petite portabellos overflowing with Italian sausage and parmesan, I was thrilled and conversation came to a full stop as we gobbled them up. Another revelation was Fiano’s Chicken Salad, which is a beautiful composition of sliced grilled chicken breast, red quinoa, dates, micro-thin apple slices, and jicama batons over a bed of baby field greens tossed in champagne vinaigrette – fabulous.

The kitchen turns out a fantastic salmon entrée, either grilled or blackened, in a light lemony sauce, rounded out with tasty rice pilaf and perfectly grilled veggies. The lasagna, made with sheets of house-made pasta and a scrumptious meat sauce, was a definite favorite at our table. Oh, and the Chicken Piccata? Delish!

For a decadent finish, I recommend ordering Fiano’s Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding – and extra spoons! Chef Carachure’s recipe is the perfect marriage of texture and taste, with warm chocolate pockets and delicate hints of orange.

The “Tasty 12,” available Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to close, features a selection of delicious entrees for just $12 each, which seems like at least a dozen good reasons for a midweek visit.

Savannah Chop House
By Bonnie Small

Savannah Chop House in Laguna Niguel has recently undergone a culinary facelift, but not the type that might leave it unrecognizable to its dearest patrons. Executive Chef Chris Tzorin and his Chef de Cuisine, Manny Velasco, have choreographed a gentle transition which honors the restaurant’s traditional offerings while injecting some swag with modern plating techniques and locally sourced accompaniments.

Of Guatemalan decent, but born in Orange County, Chris got his start at age 13 washing dishes and as a prep cook in his father’s kitchen (Chef Luis Tzorin of 21 Oceanfront fame). By the age of 20, he was running the kitchen at The Beach House in Laguna and developing his “edgy” personal style that is evident in his trademark red chef coat, multiple tattoos, and the way he rocks a plate of food.

Under Tzorin’s direction, Savannah now serves exclusively Aspen Ridge grass-fed beef and each steak is hand cut in-house. Normally a filet-kind-of-gal, I took a stab at the Chop of the Day – a bone-in Rib Eye grilled to medium rare perfection, served with Savannah’s decadent jalapeño cheddar scalloped potatoes and tender-crisp broccolini.

Chris also bangs out a divine grilled Chilean Sea Bass, topped with a luscious bruleed jumbo scallop, stacked atop a tasty vegetable ragout and a glimmering puddle of citrus beurre blanc. Have I mentioned the whipped butternut squash? Don’t miss it.

Just off his win at the OC Taste Fest in 2012, Tzorin has also been honing his skills on two Food Network shows – as a competitor on Guy’s Grocery Games (aired November 24th) and as a contestant on an upcoming episode of Cutthroat Kitchen, hosted by Alton Brown.

Chris is a dynamic guy who loves to mingle with guests and talk about what ingredients are getting his attention at the moment, so his monthly cooking classes are a must-do! Held the first Wednesday of the month at 11:30 a.m., the $35 price includes a drink, yummy lunch, and three recipes.

Savannah Chop House
32441 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel
949.493.7107

Smashburger
By Bonnie Small

Founded in Colorado in 2007, Smashburger is a nationwide sensation, and thanks to owners Ernie and Stephen Sandoval, locations in South OC are sprouting up everywhere! The newest digs in San Clemente’s Gateway Village Plaza (adjacent to San Clemente High School) has been smashing for just over a month to rave reviews.

Smashburger’s goal is to bring back the classic American burger and they accomplish their mission by using a precise method of “smashing” a ball of 100% Angus beef on the flat top grill, resulting in a burger perfectly seasoned, expertly seared on the outside, and juicy inside.

The Smashburger core menu is available at each location, but specialties like the OC burger are unique to each region. Starting with either a beef patty or chicken breast, the OC brings some sophistication to quick food with the addition of baby portabella mushrooms, baby arugula, grilled onions, aged Swiss cheese and truffle mayo. One tip – a side of flash fried green beans and carrots (no batter!) is the perfect accompaniment.

No-fuss burger lovers will love the Classic Smash – American cheese and traditional burger condiments are perfected with the addition of Smash Sauce (think Thousand Island dressing made with mustard instead of ketchup.) If you like it hot, head for the Spicy Baja burgerwhich layers fresh jalapenos, guacamole, pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayo on – wait for it – a chipotle bun!

Anyone can order off the menu board, but you can impress your family and friends by ordering from Smashburger’s secret menu, which includes fried pickles and the jackpot-worthy Sin City Burger topped with a fried egg, bacon, grilled onions, haystack onions and Smash Sauce.

Nothing rounds out a classic burger better than a classic shake, which the Smashburger crew whips up with Häagen-Dazs ice cream. For a scrumptiously nostalgic blast, try the PB&J shake made with vanilla Häagen-Dazs, strawberry syrup and Nutter Butter cookies. (PB&J is featured for a limited time, but will soon make its way to the secret menu!)

Open daily 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

806 Avenida Pico, San Clemente • 949.218.4900 • SmashBurger.com