Cabrillo Playhouse

Getting Out
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Restaurant Spotlight El Adobe de Capistrano
By Jonathan Volzke
RATE IT!
31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1163, www.eladobedecapistrano.com
Have you eaten
at this restaurant?
MOST POPULAR DISH: The Presidents Choice, a dish of chile relleno, chicken enchilada and taco
BEST KNOWN FOR: Said to be President Richard Nixon’s favorite restaurant
History fills the air at El Adobe de Capistrano, mixing with the aroma of enchiladas, tamales and steaks at
the eatery. The history is everywhere: The restaurant is housed in two adobes, built in 1797 and 1812, and
even has an exclusive table in a hidden jail cell, now used as a wine cellar. El Adobe was also a favorite of
Richard Nixon’s during his tenure as U.S. president. Local lore is that it was Nixon who persuaded the chef
to prepare Mexican food, ultimately leading the restaurant to change its menu. But enough with history: As
the weather warms, there’s few places better for lunch or dinner than El Adobe’s patio, where guests can
watch the world pass by on Camino Capistrano. General Manager Reyes Gallardo often greets guests, and if
you’re lucky, the attentive Sequoia Girodano will be your server. Don’t miss the guacamole, made tableside.
Photo by Heidi Mefferd
PRICE RANGE: $11–$31
RESERVATIONS: Accepted
PAYMENT METHODS: Cash and all major credit cards
HOURS: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Go to www.sanclementetimes.com
and rate your overall experience.
We’ll post the results in next
week’s issue of the SC Times.
Last week:
Online voters gave
Cafe Mimosa
¾
ABOUT OUR REVIEWS: In each issue we’ll highlight universally critical points including “Most Popular Dish,” “Best Known For” and “Price Range.” But most importantly, we’re inviting you to participate each
week and rate the restaurant based on your experiences. Go to www.sanclementetimes.com and under “Restaurant Guide” rate it from 1 to 5 then share your thoughts on the SC Times forums.
(Cont. from page 20)
JAYAR
9 p.m. R&B and soul music at BeachFire. No cover.
204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232,
www.beachfire.com
ANTIQUE SHOW
9 a.m.–3 p.m. The San Clemente Woman’s Club presents its
ninth annual benefit featuring estate jewelry, an appraisal
clinic and prizes at the Community Center. Admission $5.
100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.481.5357
SIN SUNDAYS
8 p.m.–1:30 a.m. Service Industry Night offers 50 percent off
cocktails to all patrons at Ole’s Tavern. 127 S. El Camino Real,
San Clemente, 949.498.9400, www.olestavern.com
“CATCH A RISING STAR”
6 p.m. The Capistrano Valley Symphony Pop Series presents
Julliard-trained cellist Victoria Bass in a dinner concert in the
courtyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Tickets $20–$75.
26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.240.8584,
www.missionsjc.com, www.capovalleysymphony.com
ART OPENING
11 a.m.–5 p.m. In the Land of Retinal Delights: The Juxtapoz
Factor, an exhibition presenting the work of 150 artists featuring lowbrow, surrealistic, pop and narrative work, opens at the
Laguna Art Museum. Admission $8–$10. 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna
Beach, 949.494.8971, www.lagunaartmuseum.org
monday23
forecast: sunny • high: 71° low: 60°
MOMMY MOVIE MONDAY
10 a.m. Special screening of the movie Get Smart for parents of
infants at the Krikorian, tickets $6.75. 641 Camino de los Mares,
San Clemente, 949.661.7469, www.kptmovies.com
KARAOKE
8:30 p.m. Karaoke nightly at Taka-O. 425 N. El Camino Real,
San Clemente, 949.498.7111, www.taka-orestaurant.com
HAPPY HOUR & OPEN MIC NIGHT
3 p.m.–close. Eat and drink for half-price in the lounge at BeachFire and enjoy half-priced selected bottles of wine in the dining
room. 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232,
www.beachfire.com
tuesday24
forecast: sunny • high: 71° low: 60°
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT
6 p.m.–10 p.m. A special four-course menu for ladies at
The Melting Pot. $28 per person. 647 Camino de los Mares,
San Clemente, 949.661.1966, www.meltingpot.com
GO SEE DO
EARLY BIRD DINING
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Special $15 menu available Tuesday through
Thursday and Sunday at White Horses Restaurant.
610 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, 949.429.1800,
www.whitehorses.us
Jazz Musician to Play Benefit Concert at Cabrillo
SOCALPAPA EXHIBIT AND SALE
8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. The last day to see the Southern California
Plein Air Painters Association exhibition featuring 60 plein air
landscape paintings at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Admission
$5–$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300,
www.missionsjc.com, www.socalpapa.com
COUNTRY MUSIC NIGHT
9 p.m. The concert hall at OC Tavern features live countrywestern bands and dancing every Tuesday. $5 cover.
2369 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.542.8877,
www.octavern.com
Robert-O will play shows June 27–28 to help raise money for renovations
at the playhouse. File photo
wednesday25
By Tawnee Prazak
San Clemente Times
forecast: sunny • high: 78° low: 60°
THE DANIMALS
7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Eclectic rock at Renaissance.
24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003,
www.renaissance-danapoint.com
KRIKORIAN KIDS SERIES
Kid’s Pick
10 a.m.; 12:30 p.m. The special kids summer movie series
starts today and features the family-friendly movie Surf’s
Up at the Krikorian. Admission $1; the series continues on
Wednesdays through August 27 featuring a different family
movie each week. 641 Camino de los Mares, San Clemente,
949.661.7469, www.kptmovies.com
MARILYN CHIN & J. MARK SMITH
7 p.m. The monthly reading series continues at Casa Romantica
Cultural Center and Gardens with the authors of Rhapsody in
Plain Yellow and Notes for a Rescue Narrative. Admission free,
refreshments served. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente,
949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org
Upcoming: Thursday, June 26
“BETWEEN THE LINES”
Worth the Drive
7 p.m. Hansen Surfboards hosts an outdoor screening
of the documentary that tells the story of surfers and
the Vietnam War. Tickets $10–$35. 1105 S. Coast Hwy.,
Encinitas, 800.480.4754, www.betweenthelinesfilm.com
*For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar”
at www.sanclementetimes.com.
Have an event?
Send your listing to editorial@sanclementetimes.com
www.sanclementetimes.com
PAGE 22
SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
JUNE 19–25, 2008
P
reserving San Clemente’s historic character—the Spanish style city founder Ole Hanson envisioned—is a high
priority in town. Over at the Cabrillo Playhouse, that
sentiment is no different. And June 27–28, the playhouse is
holding a benefit concert featuring veteran musician Robert
“Robert-O” Vergara to raise funds for renovations. “We’re
trying to preserve the historic charm of the playhouse,” said
Cabrillo Marketing Director Amy Gratteau. “Robert-O has
donated his time, and all proceeds will go to building funds.”
For $25 each, guests can fill the 66-seat theater to hear
Robert-O, a jazz saxophonist who plays American classics,
Latin songs, salsa and originals. “It will be sensual and
happy,” said Robert-O, a tenor, alto and soprano who also
plays flute and keyboard. “I’ll be presenting a wide variety;
music people know and originals.” Robert-O will be accompanied by a singer and a drummer, and said he’s “honored to
do the concert.”
The musician, who’s soon moving to San Clemente, plans
on opening a local restaurant this summer called Romance,
which will serve high-end Spanish/Latin cuisine. But for
now he’s looking forward to helping the playhouse reach its
goal of $3,000 at this event for renovations—which include
sidewalk improvement, replacing the corner marquee, landscape and wall renovations, refurbishing the deck, painting
windows and repairing the outside electrical system. “There
are a lot of summer concerts, but ours is a benefit concert to
preserve that historic downtown charm,” said Gratteau.
Starting at 8 p.m., Robert-O will play two sets each night.
During intermission, guests can enjoy complimentary wine
and refreshments in the outdoor patio. To buy tickets or to
make a donation, call 949.492.0465. 202 Avenida Cabrillo,
San Clemente, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org,
www.smoothlatinsax.com