14
10th annual Best of San Clemente People’s Choice Ole Awards
Best Restaurant for a Date/ Romantic Evening
• Inka Mama’s • Italian Cravings • Iva Lee’s Restaurant • Izza Pizzeria •Jimmy John’s • La Colombiana • LaRocco’s Pizza • La Siesta Mexican Restaurant • Little Thai Hut Restaurant • Molly Blooms Irish Bar & Restaurant • Mongkut Thai Restaurant • MRK Public • New Mandarin Garden • Nomads Canteen • Pedro’s Tacos • Pierside Kitchen + Bar • Pizza Port • Poche Burger & Kitchen • Poke + Roll 808 • Rice Temptation • Romano’s Pasta and Pizza • S.C. Café • San Clemente Wine Company • Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria • Sonny’s Pizza and Pasta • South of Nick’s • Sundried Tomato American Bistro • Sunrise Café • Surfin’ Chicken • Surfside Pizza • Taka-O Japanese Restaurant • Tequila’s Chophouse & Cantina • The Cellar • The Grill • The Rider’s Club Café • Village Mediterranean Rim • Zebra House Coffee 2014 WINNERS: Gold: The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar; Silver: Nick’s San Clemente
Best Spot to Cure a Sweet Tooth
GOLDEN OLE
Vine Restaurant & Bar 211 N. El Camino Real, 949.361.2079, www.vinesanclemente.com
Whether you spend your evening at the bustling bar (watching mixologists craft some of the most popular cocktails the city has to offer), the softly lit and cozy dining and wine rooms or out on the patio amid the on-site garden that grows fresh ingredients for the itc n in pro i t fin t tting an service for an intimate outing with your special someone. The 48 selections of wines, 11 different hand-crafted cocktails, eight craft brews on tap and a variety of menu favorites like pumpkin ravioli and lemon and honey duck wings are the perfect pairings or o an o r ignificant ot r
GOLDEN OLE
Schmid’s Fine Chocolates 99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com
Schmid’s Fine Chocolates has been curing the sweet tooth of San Clemente residents for the past 14 years. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the store will at it i t ar ro n c to r favorite that is especially Valentine’s Day friendly: Schmid’s Strawberry Heart, which i a c ocolat art fill it tra rr cr a ll c ocolat i a on it owner Kim Maya who trained with famed Swiss chocolatier Hermann Schmid.
S I LV E R O L E
Nick’s San Clemente 213 Avenida Del Mar, 949.481.2200, www.scnicks.com
NOMINEES: 9 Style Sushi • Adele’s at the San Clemente Inn • Antoine’s Café • Beach Fire Restaurant • Brick Pizzeria • Café 207 • Café Mimosa • Carbonara’s Trattoria • Cassano’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant • Hapa J’s • Iva Lee’s Restaurant • LaRocco’s Pizza • MRK Public • Nick’s San Clemente • Pierside Kitchen + Bar • Pizza Port • Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria • Sonny’s Pizza and Pasta • South of Nick’s • Sundried Tomato American Bistro • Taka-O Japanese Restaurant • Tequila’s Chophouse & Cantina • The Cellar • Village Mediterranean Rim • Vine Restaurant & Bar • Zona’s Italian American Cuisine 2014 WINNERS: Gold: The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar; Silver: Vine Restaurant & Bar
Best Overall Restaurant GOLDEN OLE
Nick’s San Clemente 213 Avenida del Mar, 949.481.2200, www.scnicks.com
Nick’s San Clemente offers casual dining it fin ining tan ar ociat
S I LV E R O L E
(TIE)
Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop 107 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.0099, www.roc etfi .com
KIM MAYA, OWNER, SCHMID’S FINE CHOCOLATES
manager Michelle Guerrero said they strive to be “one of the best in the industry.” The kitchen staff is led by head chef Omar onzal z co orta l an r la environment is critical to Nick’s atmosphere. “Our attention to detail sets us apart,” Guerrero said. “We change our menu seasonally. Our chefs are always coming up with a product they think our guests will enjoy.” To view their full menu online, check out Nick’s website.
S I LV E R O L E
Vine Restaurant & Bar 211 N. El Camino Real, 949.361.2079, www.vinesanclemente.com
NOMINEES: 9 Style Sushi • Active Culture Natural Foods Café • Adele’s at the San Clemente Inn • Antoine’s Café • Avila’s El Ranchito • Banzai Bowls • Beach Fire Restaurant • Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club • Big Helyn’s Saloon • Billy’s Meats Seafood & Deli • Board & Brew • Brick Pizzeria • Café 207 • Café Del Sol • Café Mimosa • Café Rae • Captain Mauri’s Counterculture • Carbonara’s Trattoria • Cassano’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant • China Well Restaurant • Chronic Tacos • El Jefe Café • El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant • Ellie’s Table at North Beach • Fratello’s Family Italian Restaurant • Guicho’s Eatery • Hapa J’s
S I LV E R O L E
(TIE)
Ellie’s Table at North Beach
120 Avenida Pico, 949.361.1042, www.elliestable.com NOMINEES: Active Culture Natural Foods Café/Velvet Yogurt • Antoine’s Café • Avila’s El Ranchito • Banzai Bowls • Baskin-Robbins • Beach Fire Restaurant • Café Calypso • Café Mimosa • Cassano’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant • Cinnamon Productions • Dreamy Sweets Pastries • Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt • Iva Lee’s Restaurant • La Galette Creperie • Menchie’s Plaza Pacifica • Nick’s San Clemente • Panera Bread • Rite Aid • Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory • S.C. Donuts • Sensitive Sweets • South of Nick’s • Sugar Blossom Back Shop • Sundried Tomato American Bistro • Surfin’ Donuts • The Cellar • The Donut House • The Kultured Kitchen • Vine Restaurant & Bar • Yogurtland • Zebra House Coffee 2014 WINNERS: Gold: Active Culture Natural Foods Café/Velvet Yogurt; Silver: Schmid’s Fine Chocolates