| Eye on SC |
San Clemente Business News: New Restaurants, Ways to Exercise
 Vol. 4, Issue 45, November 5–11, 2009
By Tawnee Prazak
San Clemente Times
News and updates on San Clemente’s business community
NOW OPEN
• Restaurateur Mark Norris and his wife, Aileen, simply needed some milk after returning home from a trip to Mexico. Little did they know their trip to Stater Bros. would result in a whole new business venture. “We were fortunate enough to stumble across the empty Bakers Square,” said Norris. “We found out the building was available… we made a deal.”
Fast-forward and that old building situated right off Interstate 5 has transformed into the ultimate family eatery called Crispins. Norris, who is well-known in the community as the longtime owner of White Horses, has worked tirelessly to create a restaurant environment that he feels doesn’t exist yet, and it’s quite different than the fine-dining experience of his former restaurant. “Crispins is an American family eatery with affordable comfort food but in a place with nice décor—a place where you can have a glass of wine with an inexpensive meal,” said Norris. “It’s bloody expensive to eat around here. Maybe a $3 breakfast is where it’s at—couple of eggs, hash browns, toast and bacon or sausage.”
Call it a classy diner. Norris’ vision is to bring cheap but quality food to a place that is anything but tacky. Inside, the décor is warm and welcoming with old family photos of Norris’ relatives on the walls—Crispins is named for his mother’s side of the family. The inside also features a computer and game area with Rock Band and fish tank, while outside there’s a grassy play area for kids. Meanwhile, TVs throughout the restaurant will be streaming live feed from the kitchen, outside play area, as well as showing sports. “You can watch the food being prepared or your kids playing outside, and if there’s an important game on, we’ll be watching it,” said Norris.
The menu consists of everything from deluxe breakfasts and burgers to meatloaf and mashed potatoes and even culturally diverse items—always at an affordable price. “Comfort food means different things to different people, so we’re bringing that all together and will have interesting food from around the world—goulash, paella, paninis,” said Norris. “Or a burger for $5 with a big patty—add to it what you want. And have a nice beer.”
Adding to the family-friendly environment is Norris’ “family meal deal” where a multiple-course meal is laid out on the table. “Appetizer, entrée, dessert served family-style for a group of four for $40 to $50,” he said. “Every night we’ll do something different.” They’ll also sell food to go and will have pies and desserts available for purchase.
Meanwhile, Norris said he’s excited to see the old White Horses transform into a new restaurant featuring Northern Italian cuisine, called OltreMare. “I’m excited, it gives me a new place to eat in town, and this will be real Italian food,” he said. Look for our feature on OltreMare in the next Business Beat.
Hours: Daily 6 a.m. to midnight; 610 Camino de los Mares
• A new pastry shop recently opened in San Clemente’s Old City Plaza. But don’t expect just the typical fare of cakes and cookies. The Mediterranean Sweet Spot offers Middle Eastern delicacies such as baklava, dried fruits, imported stuffed dates and some equally delightful non-sweet items.
The baklava—layers of filo dough filled with sweet nut mixtures—is Sweet Spot’s specialty, and owner Fred Hanna’s wife, Raghida, uses an old family recipe from Lebanon to prepare the authentic treat. “My wife knows how to cook very well,” said Hanna. There are several varieties of baklava offered, and all are currently “buy one get one free.”
But Sweet Spot is not just about sweets. Hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves and pita chips are some of the tasty—and healthy—items that can be found at the shop. “It’s all healthy,” said Hanna. “Our grape leaves are very popular.”
In fact, Hanna emphasized that they use healthy cooking methods for everything they sell. “Everything here is all organic,” said Hanna. “Most of it is vegetarian, and we use olive oil.”
The Hanna’s have been in the Mediterranean pastry business in Orange County for five years and moved their shop to San Clemente because they love the area, the people and the tourism. On top of offering freshly prepared food right from the shop, Sweet Spot does catering and online orders. Also, Hanna plans on selling his treats at San Clemente’s Sunday Farmers Market.
Hours: 1 p.m.–6 p.m. Sunday–Monday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday; 111 Avenida Palizada, Suite 15A, 949.492.8700, www.medsweetspot.com.
• We all know exercise is good for us.
But sometimes it’s not always fun. Guess what: It can be. Just ask wellness consultant Stephanie Donlon. The San Clemente resident is getting the community involved in the new craze of hoopdancing with her business Hoopify! (Yea, it’s hoola-hooping, and it isn’t just for kids.)
“It’s a really fun form of exercise, and it brings a lot of joy to people,” said Donlon. “It’s also a great method for stress relief and helps unlock shoulder and neck tension.”
On top of being a good calorie-burner, Donlon said hoopdancing is a way to help people become more comfortable in their own skin. She is well trained in yoga and has always been active—rock climbing, backpacking, kayaking—but she said at one point even she had to face her own fears with the hoola hoop. “It’s about overcoming that fear of ‘How am I going to look to others?” She said. “But life is too short. Who cares what other people think? I’m seeing people transform through the hoola hoop—of all things.”
Donlon teaches hoopdancing on the beach by the pier for $10 and out of Asana Fit for $15 to $20 per class. She also does team-building work, is available for parties, plans on teaching a hoopdancing class at UCI and hopes to expand her classes all around Orange County. “It’s fun and a great ice-breaker, but it’s also about building a skill, and it takes practice,” she said, adding that there are hoop troops across the U.S. and the art of hoopdancing is becoming increasingly popular form of exercise.
And don’t worry about bringing your own hoop; Donlon actually makes the hoops herself and has a variety of sizes for all body types, including kids. “They’re collapsible and I have one for any size person,” she said.
Classes at the pier are 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday for $10. More info: 949.485.0727, www.hoopify.com.
NEW OWNERSHIP
• It’s back! Edible Arrangements is officially reopened and under new ownership. “I firmly believe our service will be better,” said new co-owner Sung Park. “We have a year’s worth of experience, we rehired old employees and an owner will be in the store every day.” Park and co-owner Choy Chew own Edible Arrangements in RSM and took on the San Clemente location because they both deeply believe in the product. “Flowers wilt away and die—why not send a fruit basket set up as a floral arrangement?” said Park, adding that it was “a no-brainer to take over the San Clemente store—we love this area.”
Park noted Edible Arrangements has a new phone number: 949.361.3333, but it’s at the same location on El Camino Real.
Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday, delivery only on Sunday; 305 S. El Camino Real, 949.361.3333, www.ediblearrangements.com.
• Even if your eyesight is perfectly fine, a visit over at Seaside Eyecare is likely to brighten your day. The optometry office is under new ownership, and the friendly staff is clearly enjoying life in the eye business. “You don’t have to buy anything, just stop by and say hi,” said Wally Lim, whose wife, Dr. Jean Lim, is the new head optometrist.
Dr. Lim has been practicing eye care business since 1997 and has worked at Seaside for more than a year. She replaces former head optometrist, Dr. Lee Luque, who is retiring from her full-time position to focus on motherhood and her family.
With the ownership change, Seaside is also working on revamping the place a bit by adding new equipment, a bigger variety of frames and lenses and new staff members.
Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday; 638 Camino de los Mares, Suite A120, 949.493.2269, www.seasideeyecare.com.
IN THE NEWS
• When Rick and Debbie Dunning say goodbye for work in the morning, they don’t have to worry about being far apart. They’re practically a stone’s throw away from one another—Rick in Paradise Jewelers on El Camino, Debbie in Paradise II on Del Mar.
Two jewelry shops, two very different specialties. “I’m the diamond guy,” said Rick Dunning, “and my wife is the one with sterling silver, high-end costume jewelry and designer items. We worked together for 28 years, but she always had a vision for her own store.”
It’s been nearly a year since Debbie’s “vision” became a reality with Paradise II. And as the shop approaches its first anniversary next month, it continues to be a success.
“The inventory has nearly tripled since it first opened,” said Dunning. “90 percent of the store is sterling silver, but there are a lot of other items offered now too [such as watches and purses]. A new shipment comes in every week, so what’s in there is always changing.”
Whereas the original Paradise attracts those looking for fine jewelry and special-occasion items such as wedding bands, Paradise II is a hit for it’s less expensive but high-quality jewelry and accessories. “The best-selling items at [Paradise II] come from the Anne Koplik line—non-allergenic costume jewelry plated in silver or brass,” said Dunning.
All of the sterling silver at Paradise II is top-quality 925 silver from Italy, guaranteed. Plus, they import a lot of the other items from Europe, Bali, and many of the accessories—such as watches and purses—are also imported from Paris.
Rick and Debbie were longtime jewelers in Ohio before moving to San Clemente several years ago. And although Dunning said they “retired to San Clemente,” with they’re respective businesses they’re busy offering the full spectrum of jewelry to the community.
210 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6662.
When posting comments please be courteous. No bad language, vulgarity or racial slurs.
|
|
Add A Comment
Crispins is terrific. My wife and I love the ambiance, the food and the good service. Yes, this same stuff left something to desire when the restaurant first opened and was swarmed by people before the staff and chefs were fully trained. But now, Crispins is a great example of good food and great prices at a time in our economy when such offerings are rare. Yes, someone who think they got the short end of the stick in a business deal has gotten friends to write reviews smearing Crispins and we think this is a vile, petty, small-minded nasty, coward's way of disgruntlement. They are doing more than 300 meals a day and how could they be doing that after three months if they were bad? It just does not make sense. Mark Norris was courageous to take a chance in a bad economy and open a new restaurant with a new concept (great food and low prices) and created over 30 new jobs in the process. We ought to be praising him. The food is great. The $3 breakfast is two eggs to order, bacon, sausage, hash browns to order and toast to order. We have it 2-3 times a week with their oversized cup of Italian coffee. Go try it and we will likely see you there at Crispins.
Eddie - I apologise, I meant to say "invite you back" - it wasn't meant as an instruction - just a request :-)
Eddie P I saw your comments and I would like you to come back to my restaurant and try us again. We are all working very hard to bring a new concept to San Clemente. In the first few weeks we did have operational problems but we are fixing them. I think that the $3 is good value for breakfast and we have changed the bacon, sausage and potaoes for better products. You are right the coffee refils are $1 but we do sell freshly ground Italian coffee and the first cup (which is quite large) is $1.50. A lot of our customers like the low price and prefer not to subsidize those who drink more. We could charge $2.50 and have a bottomless cup - great for those that want more than one cup but expensive for those who only want one one. Its hard to try and please everyone.
I had dinner last night and true to his word Mr Norris was there - we enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere - he seemed nice enough - I am just suprised that there is such a fuss about him - this is all about good food at reasonable prices. We will go back again soon.
Mr. Norris, I have never met you but I did eat at Crispin's. The only thing I'd say to you personally is that you seem a bit arrogant. I think there are a few personal attacks on your, for whatever reason, who cares. The fact is that REAL people who have eaten at your restaurant are writing poor reviews because there are issues that make them not want to come back. You can brag about the 500 happy customers you have each day but eventually the word gets out and people stop coming. I eat out a lot and I didn't like your restaurant at all. There are better choices and I don't recommend your place to anyone.
We have lived here in San Clemente for 20 years. We live near the new restaurant, Crispins. The food is tasty and very good value. The complaint about the $3 breakfast is not right - it is excellent. We have been 4 times in the last two weeks and everything has been very good especially the turkey dinner. Good Luck to the owners.
I am Mark Norris and I am subject to this pathetic smear campaign. Firstly I owe no one any money for White Horses - all local suppliers are paid - if not I challange you to provide an unpaid invoice. I have always been straight forward spoken and pay my bills. (except to Rick Anderson who has continually misbilled us).
Importantly I work here at Crispins 7 days a week and I ask all my customers how their food is and 999/1000 are completely satisfied and come again and again. We serve over 500 happy customers a day. We are thrilled to provide employment to 40 local people and we are the biggest local employer to open business here this year.
So come in and try it for yourselves - ignore this hateful smear campaign that has no facts or basis whatsoever.
ps there are no paid reviewers but you do have to ask yourself why is someone trying so hard to smear us - the reviews are vindictive and nasty and should be ignored.
I have been watching reviews to see if Crispin's improves from a diner's/reader's experience. Today I found that all the honest reviews on YELP from those who are not paid reviewers have been removed.
Norris should pay his vendors instead of reviewers!
i agree with sc local,dont support crispins until marc pays his past bills at white horses,the reason why the food sucks is he using the lowest quality products which he probably wont pay for them
We are frequent diners and decided to give Crispin's breakfast a try. It was a huge disappointment. It may seem that some of the value items are a deal when in fact the portions are extremely small. For example, my omelet was a tiny 2 egg portion. I ordered 4 items in my omelet ($2 additional) and got items I didn't order and didn't get items I did order. You get 1 piece of bread for toast. I have NEVER seen this before. Coffee refills are $1 each. My wife's breakfast came with one over cooked piece of bacon and another dry piece of sausage along with the obligatory one slice of bread for toast. She ordered eggs poached...soft. They were just short of hard boiled. There are many far better choices in San Clemente than Crispin's. You can buy into what Mrs. P. says and go try it for yourself. I think you will be like me and decide to not go back again.
More food for thought: our waiter told us they were slammed with customers a week ago. It was pretty slow when we were there. I think the word is getting out.
I have not one thing against Mr Norris I have no reason to. I am just writing about my experance at this resturant. Their are good and bad resturants all over. I chose to spend my money at resturants that care about the food they serve. The Dinning experance that I had at Crispins was proof enough for me that they do not care. and I chose not to ever go back, Too bad, as I was hopeing for it to be good. Good it is not.
Having just read the vitriolic spleen venting of "Richard's" post and the post by "SC local" I am moved to wonder if they are connected, and if perhaps there is some unjustifiable bitterness towards Mr.Norris and his ventures.There does seem to be an unhealthy dose of ranting. This is in direct conflict with the dining experience my friends and I have had and I would urge any readers to try this wholesome family eatery and it's welcoming atmosphere for themselves!
My wife and I had dinner here last night on 11-13-2009, and I must say, it was one of they worst dinning experance's I have ever been through, Waited over an hour for our dinner to arrive and everything was cold!!! How can this be! I complained and it just fell on deaf ears, I said something to the owner upon leaving and he could have cared less he was to busy rubbing elbows with his buddies sitting in the bar. The food really was bad and the service was not any better, I would stay away from the place save you money and eat at home, a frozen TV dinner would be better then the slop they serve here. Horrable that is all I can sayfor this other then within 6 months the doors will close.. KITCHEN NIGHTMARES!!!!!!
[THIS POST WAS EDITED FOR INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS]
Don't support anything this guy does...
Crispen's is a great and inexpensive place. Its deffinitly our new go to restaurant in town! Thanks for a great addition<:
It's about time someone offered 'proper' food in a family friendly place at prices anyone can afford. I loved White Horses, the food was to die for, so I'll be checking out Crispins this week, it sounds lie a real winner!