After a nice stroll on San Clemente Pier we happened on this elegant little restaurant by chance. What a great find - warm comfortable surroundings, a great view and charming staff. The place is owned by a couple she is the hostess and she sparkles around the room - he is the chef and boy what a treat. Each dish is carefully prepared (we have already been back twice with friends !) and the menu changes every two months and so does the art. We started with a Tapas of smoked scallop with a basil oil, conch fritters and a red chili dip and roasted imported chorizo - fantastic - washed down with an inexpensive rioja. It was served with home baked ficcaccia and a rosemary olive oil and balsamic. After tapas we were surprised with a small taste of fennel and corn soup - then the entrees I was not feeling adventurous and had a Chargrilled Fillet Mignon with Bearnaise - the best steak I have had in my 20 years in the OC !! My wife had the Roasted Sea Bass serevd on a Tomato and Olive concass a great combination topped with crispy parma ham - she absolutely adored it - fresh tasty moist and perfection. We sampled three desserts each fantastic and each only $4 - yes $4. We have been back since and continue to discover both the wine and the dinner menus - what a treat and not overpriced. The only drawback is my wife won't let me go every week !! Oh it has a fantastic salt water aquarium with a shark and manta rays - amazing !
I read the other reviews and although they were dated two were on the money but vrsmith must have been on the wrong planet - I can't wait for the next menu ! Also I feel that the food was more ecclectic than just mediteranean - certainly not a sign of it having an English pub vibe which is very misleading.
Pros: Too many to mention
Cons: My wife won't let me go every night
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