Chasing Down The Muse: A new spring in her step

Editor’s note: Catharine Cooper is filling in for Cherril Doty, who is ill.

There’s a change in the air.

Aside from the fact that today it isn’t raining, and the wind isn’t threatening to carry me skyward and plop me someplace in Baja (wait, maybe not a bad idea), something in the local energy has shifted.

It might be hints of spring that have begun to show off their colors and scents. A bank of sweet yellow freesias beckons from my neighbor’s slope. Buster and I pause on our morning walk and inhale the intoxicating fragrance. When I hold a flower up to his nose, he looks at me sideways with his piercing gold eyes and chomps onto the petals. What can I say? He’s a dog.

Apple blossoms, apricots, coral trees, pines, lemons, oranges and grapefruits. Everywhere flowers announce the change of the seasons. Spring bears new life, new hope and new dreams.

Maybe it’s the season that’s contagious, but the downtown nightlife seems also to have shifted. Restaurant crowds are back, and it’s fun to be out and about. There’s a return of vibrancy sneaking through the alleyways and the city streets.

There are still empty buildings, but behind some of the facades, the sound of hammer and saw blades hint at opening dates. Lower-priced menus and extended happy hours have been part of the impetus to yank us out of our homes and back into Laguna’s nightlife. But something else is afoot.

Could it be we are exhausted from financial pressures? Maybe too many nights of cost-conscious staying home? I love my kitchen, love to cook and love to have friends over for dinner. But while guests can fill the house with great conversation and laughter, it isn’t the same as heading out for a night on the town.

This isn’t New York or Los Angeles or even Newport Beach. Blue jeans and flops sidle up to the few coat and ties that appear in the midst. You don’t have to be made up or faked up. Your hairdresser won’t care. Just be your Laguna you. That’s another of the myriad reasons we live here. We like ourselves and we like each other. We love to chat town politics, environment issues, real estate values and the latest City Council debacle.

With so many great places to choose from, it’s hard to pick exactly where to go.

One of the favorites is Nick’s. The U-shaped bar — whether you drink or not — is inviting and creates its own ambience. It’s perfect for people-watching and people meeting. The food is good. The bartender’s friendly.

Next door is the Saloon, a great bar, and the newest player in town, the Watermarc, which has added a bit of elegance to the Paseo.

K’ya still has my vote for sunset Happy Hour. It’s hard to beat sitting outside watching surfers and passing whales with the sky as a rooftop. Youngsters mingle with oldsters, work-wear with beach-wear, and table-sharing is a favored art.

Downtown, 5’ still gets my vote for the most innovative cuisine. Period. Michael is a master, and his small plates — for someone my size — are huge plates. His creative blending of ingredients, sauces, colors and flavors has no rival.

Sorrento Grill, 230, Sundried Tomato, Zinc, Anastasia, Nirvana, Pomadoro, the White House, the Lumberyard, Hennessey’s, Ocean Avenue Brewery, Hapi Sushi, Laguna Sushi, Romeo Cucina, Peony, Thai Bros, the Greeter, BJ’s Pizza, Las Brisas, Brussels Bistro, the Hotel Laguna, etc … The list of places all within walking distance of a downtown parking spot is incredible.

Where else can you find the expanse of these choices in a charming and safe downtown environment?

Not be excluded, with a bit of a walking (depending on where you live) or a short car hop, we’ve got Zulu, French 75, Sapphire, Rumari, Mozambique, Coyote Grill, Vienne Café, Eva’s, Ti Amo, Picayo and Mandarin King.

For those eateries I’ve forgotten to name, forgive me — I’m feeling overwhelmed by food choices. My gosh we have a lot of restaurants!

I’m glad to see our eateries taking a brighter turn. We’ve weathered a long down spell, and with the promise of spring, I believe we can embrace the promise of growth and stability.

If you haven’t been out in a while, maybe it’s time. Dust off your people-watching skills and join the party.

CATHARINE COOPER is a local designer, photographer and writer who thrives off beaten trails. She can be reached at cooper@cooperdesign.net or (949) 497-5081.