Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
295
Tips
The Ramos House Café
If you're anywhere near San Juan Capistrano you
have
to stop for breakfast or
lunch at the Ramos House Café, a petite restaurant within an adorable little old
house in the historic Los Rios district of San Juan Capistrano. Chef John Hum-
phreys' swoon-inducing menu changes daily and everything—from his roast tur-
key hash scramble with apple cider gravy to his corn and buttermilk crab cakes
and Southern fried chicken salad—is made from scratch (even the ice cream is
turned by hand). And if that's not the best Soju bloody mary you'll ever have,
send me a better recipe. The cafe is located at 31752 Los Rios St.—the oldest
remaining residential street in California—near the train depot, and is open for
breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30am to 3pm (
&
949/443-
1342;
www.ramoshouse.com).
and ingredients. The restaurant has a minimalist, almost-industrial decor that 's brightened
by a friendly staff and splendid cuisine. M enu selections r un the gamut fr om tea-smoked
filet mignon topped with Roquefort cheese and candied walnuts to a hot Thai-style mixed
grill of veal, beef, lamb, and chicken stir-fried with sweet peppers, onions, and mushrooms
in curry-mint sauce. The menu changes daily, but you can always find the house specialty,
whole braised catfish.
328 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach.
&
949/497-4955.
www.fivefeetrestaurants.com. Reservations recom-
mended. Main courses $18-$49. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm.
Roy's of Ne wport B each
HA WAIIAN REGIONAL/P ACIFIC RIM Any
foodie who's been to Hawaii in the past decade kno ws the name Roy Yamaguchi, father
of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine (HRC) and the islands ' answer to Wolfgang Puck. Roy's
empire expanded to S outhern California in 1999 with the opening of this dinner-only
restaurant on the fringe of Fashion Island shopping center. Yamaguchi developed a menu
that r epresents his gr oundbreaking East/W est/Polynesian cuisine but can be r eliably
executed by chefs in far-flung kitchens. Most of each night's specials are fresh Pacific fish,
given the patented HR C touch with J apanese, Thai, and ev en Latin accents. S ignature
dishes include island-style
ahi poke,
spicy Mongolian-glazed rack of lamb, and blackened
yellowfin tuna in so y-mustard-butter sauce. The bar whips up “ vacation” cocktails in
tropical colors, and there's a to-die-for chocolate soufflé desser t.
453 Newport Center Dr., Fashion Island.
&
949/640-7697.
www.roysrestaurant.com. Reservations sug-
gested. Main courses $18-$32. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm.
11
Moderate
Crab Cooker
SEAFOOD Since 1951, folks in search of fresh, well-prepared seafood
have headed to this bright-red former bank building. Also a fish market, the Crab Cooker
has a casual atmospher e of humble wooden tables, uncomplicated smoked and grilled
preparations, and meticulously selected fr esh far e. The place is especially pr oud of its
Maryland crab cakes; clams and o ysters are also part of the repertoire.
2200 Newpor t Blv d., Newpor t Beach.
&
949/673-0100.
w ww.crabcooker.com. M ain c ourses dinner
$10-$25, lunch $8-$19. AE, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm.
