Oceanfront ambience enhances historic La Casa del Camino

Glori Fickling

It well may be the best kept secret in town. La Casa del Camino has

been totally refurbished since acquisition by dedicated new

principal, Chris Keller, two and a half years ago.

What this astute entrepreneur has accomplished in so short a time,

with little or no fanfare, has taken the historic vintage hotel,

circa early 1900s, to a new level. The 36 intimate rooms have been

totally renovated. Euro studio suites, king and queen rooms are

decorated with antique-style furnishings and such upscale features as

cozy down pillows and comforters. The room rates are reasonable the

friendly staff offers down-to-earth hospitality.

There was an expansion of the sprawling rooftop deck where

cocktails and tapas have been offered since Keller acquired the

restaurant rights one month ago. This means that outsiders, as well

as guests of this charming bed and breakfast venue, are welcome to

enjoy the privilege of sipping, snacking and relishing the evening

sunset scenes on the romantic site.

Walk through the handsomely furnished lobby with its comfy couches

and glowing hearth past the hotel’s adjoining Savoury’s restaurant.

Step into the elevator and, voila! A mere three-story ride above

awaits an unparalleled view of the Pacific Ocean and a sweeping

panorama of the coastal hillside. A setting of giant parasol-topped

tables and comfortable chaise lounges is delightfully interspersed

with flowering plants and verdant trees. The refreshing, attractively

rambling ambience, beckons to vacationing sun worshippers as well as

to persons seeking a relaxing cocktail time respite. As you exit the

lift, you will immediately discover a very well-stocked cabinet of

libations near the oceanfront bar where an enthusiastic crew is at

the ready to serve your choice of beverages and snacks, all day,

every day.

The Tapas menu, designed by food and beverage director Jill

Jelley, in collaboration with chef de cuisine Brad Toles, promises

festive snacking. The nominal $5 to $12 price range includes an

octave of innovative offerings. Small focaccia pizzas are lavished

with duck confit, roma tomatoes, pesto and goat cheese or Caesar

dressing, capers and parmesan. Half a dozen succulent sauteed New

Zealand green lipped mussels are paired with crunchy garlic toasts

for sopping up the luscious garlic butter broth. Petite ciabatta

burgers sandwich havarti cheese, garlic aioli, onion and herb salad.

And for a mere $1.50 and $2.50 come yakatori bites of quail eggs,

tofu, flat iron beef, chippolini, elephant garlic and Japanese

chilis.

The libation list leaves nothing to be desired either, commencing

with such cocktails as birdbath size martinis made with Fraiis vodka

or Gilbey’s gin, sidecars composed of brandy, triple sec and lemon

juice; and the French 76 made with brandy, lemon and a champagne

splash. Moretti Italian draft on tap pridefully heads the selection

of imported and domestic beers. Ozeki “fancy” dry sake from Japan

rounds out the wine and champagne selection, ostensibly to complement

the Asian-inspired menu of the Rooftop Lounge and Savoury’s

restaurant. As elegant as ever, this main dining room is now open

every day from 5 to 11 p.m. and should be celebrating a grand

re-opening following some menu revisions, restaurant decor and

forthcoming breakfast and lunch fare.

NEWS BITES

Chalk up another smash hit for the Festival of Arts annual gala

last Sunday. Danceable music of the Larry White Band set a happy pace

for the balmy evening as guests enjoyed creative hors d’eouvres

prepared by chef Molly’s Gourmet Solutions.

The delectable array of delicacies was picturesquely displayed

against artistic frames posed along the grounds. To the further

delight of guests, gracious principal June Neptune presented another

of the elegant three-course dinners she contributes seasonally at

Tivoli Terrace. The alfresco restaurant’s striking black and white

color scheme this year handsomely enhanced the menu that featured a

pear-studded bleu cheese salad, tender chateaubriand entree

complemented with Maryland crab cakes, duchesse potatoes, carrot

sticks and a luscious grand finale of berry-topped,

chocolate-crumbled ice cream.

Good news from general manager Hanson Kamci, who announces from

Mosun that dinner prices across the board have been reduced by 25%

and Wednesday Local Night patrons will continue to get a price break

with a further 25% discount. Commencing this evening and on Fridays

following, sophisticated Club M upstairs will feature the live top

rock performances of the Just Jinger foursome followed by the club’s

resident DJ spinning hip hop and top 40. The $10 cover charge is half

price with flier and totally eliminated for dinner guests. Phone

(949) 497-5646.

* GLORI FICKLING is a longtime Laguna Beach resident who has

written restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be reached at (949) 494-4710 or by e-mail at ghoneywest@aol.com.