944/951guy

Hey Fellow Rennlisters!!!

Im going to Dana Point, CA for vacation in a couple weeks and I am going to be driving there because I want to see the state. I am going to be driving through San Francisco, Sacramento, LA, Ect Ect..........
On my way I wanted to stop by and eat at diffrent famous Places that you guys might know.
So anyone that knows of a awsome place on my way or in Dana Point please let me know what its called and the city its in, Address will help also.

THX EVERYONE!!!

Ten Years

Try these spots:

1. French 75 (Laguna Beach)

http://www.culinaryadventures.com/restaurants/f75/

2. The Bungalow (Corona del Mar)

http://www.thebungalowrestaurant.com/

3. Javier's (Downtown Laguna (original location) and Crystal Cove (new location))

http://www.javiers-cantina.com/



These are a few of my favorite places along the coast here in southern Orange County. They are all within a short driving distance of Dana Point, which is a few miles further south of Laguna and Newport Beaches.

Let me know if you have a specific type of food in mind. Good luck!

944/951guy

Nice, Thx. No really specific type of food.
Whats your favorite and is there a dish you recommend since you have been there?

whatyoutalknaboutwillis

Not famous but a great lunch or breakfast in San Juan Capistrano (5 min from Dana Point) is Ramos House Cafe on the rail road tracks in the historic area--Los Rios. Great food. You can stop by the Surf and Sand in Laguna and have lunch or dinner by the sea. (on PCH) The Montage is great by the pool there is a cafe over looking the pacific. The Ritz was just re-done in Dana Point. With validation valet is $5 and they regularly park cars that cost as much as homes. In Capistrano Beach you have the origional Olemendes. San Clemente has Fishermans on the pier. I am assuming that you want to stay close the water line.

whatyoutalknaboutwillis

Those others mentioned are excellent too. BTW, the Montage has the $5 valet with lunch not the ritz.

Ten Years

My mouth's watering just thinking about these places. I'm working half-way around the world right now and miss being able to just drive down the street and "enjoy the good life."

Well, The Bungalow's great for steaks and lobster. Their mussels are amazing. Always a nice pour from the bar. At French 75, I often start with the mushroom ravioli and foie gras, followed by oysters and a nice steak. I believe, the last time I was there, my girlfriend had the coq au vin and said it was fantastic. I remember them having a Napoleon stack a while back, but I think they no longer serve it. Javier's is "upscale" Mexican, done in their unique style. I'm an enchilada guy mostly, but everything seems good there - especially the margaritas!

BTW, I also second whatyoutalknaboutwillis's suggestion of going to The Montage in southern Laguna. I've said it before, but it's easily one of the most beautiful spots in the world... http://www.montagelagunabeach.com/

Hope that helps. Sounds like a good time.

Ed_M

All the places mentioned above are excellent. You might also try the very small Tabu Grill in Laguna beach (highest Zagat rating in OC http://www.ocregister.com/articles/t...aurant-wilhelm).

For a drink, also try the very scenic outdoor patio at Las Brisas (Laguna Beach). Skip the food.

Enjoy California

CP

These are not in So Cal, but these are some of my favorite spots when you are driving south from Portland:

House of Prime Ribs in SF. Reservation a must.
http://houseofprimerib.ypguides.net/

Stillwater Bar and Grill, Lodge at Pebble Beach, in Carmel. Do their Sunday brunch. Absolutely fantastic. One of my absolute favorites.
http://www.pebblebeach.com/page.asp?...nts_Stillwater

French Laundry, Yountville.
http://www.sterba.net/yountville/frenchlaundry/
This one is FAMOUS. I don't even know if you can get reservations to this guy. But perpetually top-rated by virtually all fine-dining magazines.

OK, that's enough for a while. Have fun.

CP

chris walrod

Sonny's in San Clemente -- great little cozy Italian place. Packed on weekends.

Don Plumley

Famous or great food? Not always the same.

Cool to say, "had lunch at Spago." But if you are talking culinary focus, might be better to had dinner at Fraiche or XIV.

+1 on Bungalow

Stonehill Tavern in OC is nice. Marche Moderne in OC is great Bistro food.

SF has more amazing restaurants per square mile than anywhere other than NYC. Coi, Michael Mina, Perbacco, Range, Quince, Slanted Door, etc., etc. Avoid the tourist traps, consider resources like Michelin Guide, SFGate Top 100, Open Table, Yelp.

Rhino

If your end up driving down through Santa Cruz and down Route one to SCAL, you have to stop at the Whole Enchilada. It got voted as one of the top 5 Mexican restaurants in the Bay area. You will love it. It will put you in a comatose for the rest of the day. Here is a link.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um...10005159072813

Canyon56

Michael Mina owns the Stonehill Tavern in Dana Point. It's at the Regis. His chef there is Adam Keough.
Only been there once, but it was decent.

Lots in LA, of course (although SF still has the best.) In LA, there's Hatfield's, Melisse, Anisette, Lucques, Comme Ca.

944/951guy

Awsome Guys THX. I will definatly take a print out of these and check some of them out!

Laura

If you are staying in Dana Point and happen to be around on Saturday June 6, there is a Porsche Club of America Orange Coast Region breakfast at Original Mikes in Santa Ana. Always lots of cars 80-100 Porsches and good people. Food not so great. I usually attend and would have liked to introduce you around but will be at the track for a POC event. But if you are available, I'm sure a Rennlist groupie would step up and meet you there. Just a thought...

And another thought, if you are in Dana Point the weekend before Sat. May 30, the PCA is having a Concours in Dana Point at the Mariott Laguna Cliffs Resort, just off Pacific Coast Highway overlooking Dana Point Harbor. Party Friday night at the hotel. (This group has the most entries in 'Wash N Shine' or 'Party n Park')

hal m

Moss Beach Distillery just north of Half Moon Bay - they have a patio with firepits overlooking the ocean

Nepenthe - perched on the cliffs of Big Sur half way to San Simeon. - just burgers and sandwiches but BILLION dollar views