The Cellar
Sunday Funday
Local brunch spots in South OC to explore this summer By Rachael Mattice
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undays are celebrated in a variety of ways across different cultures and regions. To some, it may be a day of religion and reflection, to others it could be chore day—when laundry, household cleaning, gym sessions, car washing and kids clothes shopping must be checked off a to-do list. In a lot of Southern California and South Orange County “cultures,” Sunday Fun Day means sporting events, beach days and friendly outings where alcoholic beverages and savory breakfast dishes are consumed at an outdoor patio with a view. In fact, brunch has become so popular that some restaurants and eateries have popped up that cater specifically to this hybrid morning-mid-day menu. Take a look at a few South Orange County eateries that are heavyweights in this category.
Café Mimosa
243 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente 949.481.6780. www.thecafemimosa.com When you’re in San Clemente and want to do breakfast the right way, the native French-now-San Clementean Price family comes to mind. Both Antoine’s Café on El Camino Real and Café Mimosa on Avenida Del Mar are owned and operated by members of the family, but it’s the French bistro and Ole Hanson-themed atmosphere
StillWater Spirits and Sounds of Café Mimosa that takes the cake—or pancake, for that matter—and rules the brunch domain. Reinvigorating “quickly”—served quality food—the word “bistro” meaning “quickly” originating from the German language, said Price— Café Mimosa offers a variety of small plates and entrees—including the “Omelette Du Jour,” “Egg White Frittatas,” “Tartine” and “Roasted Vegetable Panini”—as well as nine varieties of mimosas, beer and unique coffee drinks. “We want to be the neighborhood place where you can bring your friends or motherin-law and we try to keep it fancy, but not a once-a-year-type place,” said Antoine Price Jr., owner of Café Mimosa. “We don’t want it to be out of reach.”
rated in pre-prohibition rust colors, industrial lighting, sporting an outdoor pizza oven and a speakeasy-inspired-dressed staff, it’s no surprise StillWater specializes in unique cocktails and live entertainment. Although bottomless mimosas are on the menu for guests every day, the brunch items and mixology-inspired drinks make for a decadent color display on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. “We’ve tried to incorporate some lighter fare, such as the salmon avocado toast— that’s also on our small bites menu,” said Executive Chef Steve Kling. “We want (StillWater) to be a healthy and coastal atmosphere and tailor to the people who are very health conscious, but don’t want to sacrifice flavor on top of that.”
MUST TRY DISHES
MUST TRY DISHES
Gravlax: House-cured salmon, grape tomatoes, toasted herbed focaccia and herb emulsion Eggs Benedict: Toasted brioche, smoked paprika hollandaise, house potatoes in traditional, Florentine or salmon options Crème Brulee French Toast: Ciabatta bread, custard, crème anglaise, seasonal fruit
Avocado Toast and Cured Salmon: Toasted sourdough topped with avocado, dill, baby tomatoes, red onion and house-cured salmon Craftsman Breakfast: Three eggs any way, potatoes, an English muffin with bacon, IPA brats or burger patties Spanish Chorizo Wood Fire Pizza: Spicy tomato sauce, mozzarella, garden oregano, chorizo bilbao
WASH IT DOWN WITH...
Bunny Bloodys: A mix of vodka, tomato juice, a pinch of Tabasco sauce, salt and celery Mimosas: A concoction of sparkling wine with over nine juice-based flavors, including raspberry and passion fruit Pinot Noir, McManis Family Vineyards: This pinot noir includes fresh cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavors with vanilla undertones Almond Milk Latte: An alternative twist on the traditional latte, including organic almond milk, a few drops of stevia and black coffee
StillWater Spirits and Sounds
24701 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point 949.661.6003. www.danapointstillwater.com
Café Mimosa
StillWater Spirits and Sounds is a Dana Point restaurant and bar founded on history. Formerly a live music venue and now deco-
WASH IT DOWN WITH...
Casarita: A mix of Patron tequila fresh lime, agave nectar and orange essence Angie’s Secret Bloody Mar: Jalapeñoinfused Svedka vodka, house-made bloody mary mix, seasoned pickled accoutrements Kissed By a Rose: Ketal One botanical vodka grapefruit and rose, solerno, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, champagne and soda water Latin Coffee: Patron XO tequila, Rumchata, coffee
Sol Agave Restaurant
31111 Rancho Viejo Rd., San Juan Capistrano 949.218.1158. www.solagavesjc.com When Sol Agave President and CEO Jesus Galvez and Executive Chef Manny Velasco first envisioned the future of the Sol Agave brand in 2014, they didn’t expect the two
food trucks would transform into the fullblown kitchen and restaurant that it is today. God had other plans for them, Galvez said, and the duo were driven to change the way guests perceived Mexican food. “We wanted it to be more complex, more enjoyable and healthy,” Galvez said. “There’s so many layers to Mexican food and Manny and I would often go out together and see big gaps in what Mexican food really should be.” The city of San Juan Capistrano and Marbella Marketplace have really embraced Sol Agave, said Galvez, and adding a brunch menu to their specialties of carnitas, seafood and steak was about cultivating more Mexican culture Sunday traditions with locals and residents alike. “In our culture, we always look forward to Sunday because it means going to church and everybody meeting at a restaurant to talk about everybody’s week or upcoming events,” Galvez said. “Sunday is really when we can embrace the family and come together as one and we wanted dishes that would be inviting and motivate family members to congregate here and have a great time.” According to Velasco, some of the most popular dishes, and his recommendations, would be to try the “Tampiqueña,” “Chilaquiles Rojos” or “Huevos Rancheros.” For beverages, one of the “top 10 Mexican” drinks offered at Sol Agave is Café de Olla, or the cocktail that comes with a flaming presentation. MUST TRY DISHES
Sol Agave Restaurant Chilaquiles Rojos: Crispy corn chips, salsa roja, eggs, onions and avocado Filet Mignon Eggs Benedict: Two filet mignon eggs benedict, hollandaise sauce, jalapeño potatoes and avocado Tampiqueña: 7-ounce skirt steak, cheese enchiladas, guacamole and caramelized onion Trio De Sopes: Crab and shrimp meat, short rib or carnitas with lettuce and cabbage, queso, aioli and pico sauces WASH IT DOWN WITH...
Raspberry Chipotle Margarita: Maestro Dobel tequila, agave mix, fresh raspberry, mint and a sugar chipotle rim Grilled Piña Margarita: Maestro Dobel tequila, muddle grilled piña jalapeños, agave mix and a chili rim Mexican Coffee/Café de Olla: An artisan cinnamon-based coffee without cream or sugar, Kahlua or Bailey’s and tequila Spicy Paloma: Milagro silver, ancho reyes, agave mix and a tajin rim served on the rocks
Moscato d’Asti, 2017, Castiglione Tinella, Italy • Cremant D’Alsace, 2016, Hubert Meyer, Alsace, France NV • Vigneto Cialdini Lambrusco, Cleto Chiarli, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Emilia-Romagna, Italy NV
Stop and Smell the Rosé
SUGGESTED PAIRINGS
Truffle Popcorn, Burrat & Greens salad and Lock Duart Salmon for rosés. Fried Buttermilk Chicken Butty sandwich or Sidewinder Fries for sparkling wine.
We Olive & Wine Bar
31760 Camino Capistrano, Ste. B, San Juan Capistrano. 949.441.7279 www.weolive.com/san-juan-capistrano/
Refresh your thirsty taste buds this summer with these rosé, sparkling wines in South OC By Rachael Mattice
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ophisticated wine tasters used to have to travel to popular wine meccas such as Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles or even Temecula to test their palettes, but Orange County’s approximately 12 vineyards and countless wine bars are giving the behemoth wine regions and massive production companies a run for their money. The latest trend that a few of these OCbased wineries are promoting for the hot summer season is Provence, France-originated rosés and the wedding season favorite sparkling wines. Here are a few of their featured and favorite picks suitable for both the seasoned and newbie wine taster.
Giracci Vineyards and Farms/ A Stone’s Throw Winery 29943 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano 949.364.2063 www.stonesthrowwinery.com
Planting their vineyard of 250 vines of each variety in 2008, Giracci Vineyards and Farms in Silverado has become a growing staple for smaller production, and later acquired the Hamilton Oaks name and tasting room in San Juan Capistrano that is now called A Stone’s Throw Winery. Joined, A Stone’s Throw/ Giracci produce an assortment of vintages, most recently, a completely dry rosé blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, pinot noir and primitivo, or a combination of everything Giracci makes on their property. “We try to concentrate all of our wines to get a deeper color and better extraction from the red wines,” said Chad Kearns, owner of Giracci Vineyards and Farms and A Stone’s Throw Winery. “A lot of winemakers in California used to throw (those contents) away, but I started making rosé out of it and then the (rosé trend) really hit and it became big in California.” Totaling between $20-$25 a bottle, all of the vintages at Giracci are cost effective, Kearns said, and most of the wines include higher alcohol content at about 15 percent. The top tier quality is important to Kearns and Giracci winemaker Sébastien Noel who educated guests on high-end characteristics of rosé such as clarity, aromatics, acidity and balance.
Giracci Vineyards and Farms/A Stone’s Throw Winery
“Rosés are not typically meant to be sweet,” Noel said. “They are fermented dry and we only have a few (rosés) that we’ve left with sugar just because we are getting requests for that kind of thing.” FEATURED WINE
Giracci Dry Rosé, 2017 blend of syrah, pinot noir, primitivo, cabernet sauvignon and white wine. SUGGESTED PAIRINGS
Lean meats such as turkey or chicken.
The Cellar
156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente 949.492.3663. www.thecellarsite.com The Cellar in downtown San Clemente is one of the many bubbling wine bars and restaurants in South OC, featuring a broad assortment of sparkling wines as well as at least three rosé wines available by the glass, bottle or in a flight. “Our Triennes rosé is super light with flavors of strawberry and melon,” said Monica
Little, sommelier for The Cellar. “It’s on our happy hour menu and what people typically lean toward first. Our Ontañón is a style of Rosado and a blend of Viura, a white grape, and two different red wines, Tempranillo and Garnacha. It has a bit of pepper but is also really light. Although most people are familiar with sauvignon blancs from New Zealand, Spy Valley’s rosé is really refreshing with notes of grapefruit.” According to Little, the only way The Cellar is able to offer three rosés by the glass for wine tasters is because of their drastic variations stylistically. The three rosés are available in a flight for $14. Champagne flights—including a Crémant, La Perle and Lambrusco— is also available. FEATURED WINES
Sparkling Rosé Perle de ma Mère La Perle Crémant de Bourgogne, Chassagne-Montrachet, France NV • Rosé, Ontañón, Clarete, 2017, Rioja, Spain • Rosé, Spy Valley, 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand • Rosé, Triennes, 2017, Nans-Les-Vins, France • Cascinetta Vietti,
We Olive & Wine Bar’s San Juan Capistrano location is conveniently located within walking distance of the city’s historic landmarks and specializes in offering unique wines unavailable in major retailers like Costco or BevMo. Owner Ed Szubielski also said of the 57 wines he wanted to feature by the glass, eight or nine would also be from his other company EB Winery. One EB Winery staple is the 2016 Rosé of Grenache, a distinct change of pace from the typical pinot noir-based rosé. “The rosé grenache we made by mistake initially since we only get one shot at the fruit each year,” Szubielski said. “It turned out well for us because we wanted to bring in a rosé because they are hot right now.” We Olive & Wine Bar now has a Thursday summer special on their featured six rosé wines, including happy hour prices all day. FEATURED WINES
Rosé of Grenache, EB Winery, 2016, Alta Mesa, California • Rosé Des Amis, ALC/ VOL Des Amis Wines, 2017, Carmel, California • NV Folktale Sparkling Rosé, Folktale Winery and Vineyards, Carmel, California SUGGESTED PAIRINGS
Watermelon Salad: Watermelon bites, feta cheese, bacon and a balsamic vinaigrette drizzle.
Vine Restaurant & Bar
211 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2079, www.vinesanclemente.com Frequently anointed the perfect romantic date location by San Clemente locals, Vine Restaurant & Bar prides itself on providing high quality wines at valued prices. “We want our guests to come in and enjoy our food and have plenty of options of wine to choose from,” said Gabe Whorely, partner at Vine Restaurant & Bar. “We’ve never been a big fan of being a happy hour spot. We want to give you the best price no matter what.” JCB, No. 21 Brut Crémant de Bourgogne, is one of the top selling sparkling wines at Vine, or the “classic champagne” option, according to Whorely. At only $12 a glass, it has toasted almond flavors and a crisp finish. FEATURED WINES
Sparkling Prosecco, La Marca, DOC, Italy • Sparkling JCB, No. 21 Brut Crémant de Bourgogne, Burgundy, France • Rosé, Famille Perrin, 2016 Côtes du Rhône, Réserve, France We Olive & Wine Bar
SUGGESTED PAIRINGS
Market Fresh Oysters on the Half Shelf, Jumbo Lump Crab & Roasted Heirloom Beets.
Here Comes
the Sun
Soak up the music at these summertime concerts, festivals in South OC
By Rachael Mattice
W
hether you enjoy two-stepping, jiving, break dancing, headbanging or just grooving, there is bound to be a festival, concert or gig that music lovers can move with the audio flow to this summer in South Orange County. Here are a few of the top picks for any kind of style, budget or vibe.
Festival Season Festival season is upon us and traveling to Europe or the Coachella Valley isn’t necessary to experience the all-encompassing festivities. San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival returns on Sunday, Aug. 12 and will take over Avenida Del Mar for a full day of free live music, salsa and food contests, a motorcycle show, action sports exhibitions, and art displays. Bands such as Tunnel Vision, The Roney Boys and Bad Hombres tore up the stages last year. This year for the 65th anniversary, festival goers can expect the same high-energy, beach-style event filled with music and shenanigans. Learn more about the festival at www.scchamber.com. Returning for its third year is Ohana Music Festival at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point from Sept. 28 – Sept. 30. The ocean-view backdrop, taco bars, açai bowl stations and local brew vendors all but add to the experience to correspond with the sets of Eric Church, Eddie Vedder, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liz Phair, Mumford & Sons and Beck. Ticket prices start at $99.75, but fortunately, the
September dates give festival goers plenty of time to save up. Visit www.ohanafest. com for more information.
Small Venue Movers and groovers looking for more traditional one-off concerts can always turn to The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano for a variety of entertainment. In addition to comedy nights, local artists and benefit shows, old-school metalheads can mosh for a night with Geoff Tate on Friday, Aug. 10, famously known as the former vocalist for progressive metal band Queensÿche. The Coach House is going to welcome Justin Hayward on Friday, Sept. 7, or as others know him, the guitarist and vocalist for British rock band The Moody Blues. To see the full summer schedule and calendar at The Coach House, visit www. thecoachhouse.com.
Free Shows South Orange County residents are blessed with the close proximity to L.A.’s music mecca, offering ample opportunities for well-known artists and quality musicians to add pit-stops in the tri-city area on their larger tours. Such is the case for Dana Point’s opening Summer Concert Series show at Sea Terrance Park with psychedelic rock band Iron Butterfly on Sunday, July 8. See a full roster of summer concerts at www.danapoint.org. Dana Point continues ruling the music landscape with a performance by The White Buffalo at Salt Creek Beach on Thursday, Aug.
16. A punk-turned-country-influenced musician, The White Buffalo’s Jake Smith has seen a lot of success in the last handful of years and brought gritty Americana into mainstream airwaves. To listen to the discography and see all upcoming tour dates for The White Buffalo, visit www.thewhitebuffalo.com. Wake up all of the senses and make summertime memories while next to one of South Orange County’s most iconic structures—the San Clemente Pier. The city will host its annual Beach Concert Series on select Thursday evenings at 6 p.m., commencing with Flashback Heart Attack on Thursday, June 21. Take a look at the rest of the San Clemente schedule: • JULY 12: Kelly Boyz at Linda Lane Park • JULY 26: Wigs & Ties at the Pier • AUGUST 16: Wheeland Brothers at the Pier • AUGUST 30: Tunnel Vision at the Pier
For more information, visit www.sanclemente.org.
local eateries In addition to the local festivals and outdoor concerts, South Orange County residents and their visitors can simply stroll through San Clemente, Dana Point or San Juan Capistrano and will stumble across multiple local eateries and bars with live music on a nightly or weekly basis.
San Clemente
IVA LEE’S RESTAURANT
555 N. El Camino Real, Ste. E. www.ivalees.com
BARNOA WINE COMPANY
831 Via Suerte, Ste. 106. www.barnoawinebar.com
ADELE’S AT THE SAN CLEMENTE INN
located at 2600 Ave Del Presidente. www.adelesanclementeinn.com
KNUCKLEHEADS SPORTS BAR & GRILL
1717 N. El Camino Real. www.facebook.com/ knuckleheadssportsbarsanclemente
Dana Point
HENNESSEY’S TAVERN
34111 La Plaza. www.hennesseystavern.com LUXE RESTAURANT AND MARTINI BAR
24582 Del Prado Ave. www.luxefinedining.com
THE WINE BISTRO & WHISKEY BAR
34091 La Plaza. www.winebistrodp.com BRIO TUSCANY GRILLE
24050 Camino Del Avion. www.briorestaurant.com
San Juan Capistrano SWALLOW’S INN
31786 Camino Capistrano www.swallowsinn.com
TREVOR’S AT THE TRACKS
26701 Verdugo St. www.trevorsatthetracks.com RANCHO CAPISTRANO WINERY
26755 Verdugo St. www.ranchocapwinery.com 19 SPORTS BAR & GRILL
San Juan Hills Golf Club. 32120 San Juan Creek Rd. www.19sportsbar.com
Trails and Tails Ortega Equestrian Center brings horse culture to South OC residents, visitors alike
By Emily Rasmussen
T
he sound of horseshoes hitting the dusty, dirt trail along San Juan Creek is complimented by sunshine slipping through cracks of bamboo sticks as a handful of horses make their way through unfeigned San Juan Capistrano. Sweets, a mild-tempered painted mare, steadily clip-clops her way through brush along San Juan Creek on a warm June afternoon, with her ears perked and eyes aimed at the trail ahead. Sitting atop Sweets, a feeling of complete bliss washes over my mind as if with each step the mare takes, there’s a hammer chiseling away at each of my mundane worries. Kathy Holman, owner of the Ortega Equestrian Center, has centered her life and career from the joy that she, and others at the center, also feel when in the presence of horses. Her
love for horses started at 5 years old and grew further when she turned 12, saving her babysitting money to buy a horse of her own. “I learn the names of horses better than I do some people,” Holman laughed, as she walks along her stables. Now, overseer of her own equestrian facility with trail rides, lessons, boarding and equine therapy (to name a few), Holman strives to keep alive the culture and lessons that cultivated her passion, and to pass it onto others. “It’s a wonderful family activity, where you can all do it together. It really works well with teaching children responsibility and hard work,” Holman said. Walking into the dusty lot of Ortega Equestrian Center, the faint smell of hay and stables fills your nostrils with a nostalgic scent of San Juan’s equestrian history. At capacity, the center holds 130 horses, two miniature horses, a goat, a donkey, chickens and two lovable Labradors. Erin Bro, who also got into the horse com-
munity at 5 years old, started out at Ortega Equestrian Center and has grown into a trail guide, in addition to helping out at the center in other ways. Bro and her daughter took a couple members of the Picket Fence Media team along a one-hour trail ride, which was comfortable and enjoyable for novice and experienced riders. Although Bro rides along the San Juan Creek trail on a regular basis, she doesn’t tire of the feeling of escaping to another world on the trail. “Every trail ride that I take people on, they always say ‘I can’t believe this is here, this is so cool,’ you are in the middle of San Juan but you have bamboo running up the creek, the birds and the ducks,” Bro said. In addition to curious journalists, Bro has taken all different types of riders along San Juan Creek, ranging from bachelorette parties to families looking for a fun outing. “It’s very much a family stable, a lot of other locations you’ll find are very competitive driven so it might not be as family-friendly
or accessible to people,” Bro said. “I’ve been coming here since I was 5 because all ages were accepted and you didn’t have to be on a competitive track.” The majority of the Ortega Equestrian Center staffers share similar backgrounds, most of them having come to the center as a child for lessons or summer camp. Now adults, they teach the next generation of Ortega cowgirls, who were at the center during the interview. All three young girls, who handle the massive animals with comfort and attentiveness as if they weren’t a fraction of the horses’ size, sport horse-themed shirts and make innocent bets on whose horse is “faster” or “better.” “It crosses demographics, it’s multicultural and at the heart of it all is a respect for Western culture and what ideals come with being a cowboy and cowgirl and I think that’s a really cool thing to see in a younger generation,” Bro said. Ortega Equestrian Center is one of the few remaining stables that offer recreational trail rides to the public, which can be made via appointment. Whether you’re a person who has never sat on the back of a horse, or an experienced rider who isn’t fortunate enough to own your own horse, taking a ride along San Juan Creek through Ortega Equestrian Center is a must-do this summer for anyone with an adventurous and open mind. Ortega Equestrian Center is located at 27252 Calle Arroyo, San Juan Capistrano. To make a trail ride appointment or to learn more, call 949.661.3130 or visit their website at www.ortegaequestriancetner.com. One-hour guided tours for one to three people is considered a private tour and is $60 per person; and for groups of four or more, it is $40 each.
Take a Time-Out from Adulting Activities, South OC Locations
Best Suited for a Grown-up Recess
Docent Brewing
By Daniel Ritz and Eric Heinz
I
n Southern California, especially South Orange County, a day off is often the only day busier than a day at work. The region is full of active people, looking to make the most of the opportunities provided by the abundant sunlight, beautiful natural surroundings and easy-going lifestyle. That being said, everyone needs to kick back and relax from time to time. Here are a few locations to get out but stay engaged, leave the children and responsibilities at home and bring out your own inner child.
Dana Point
the point 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com Commonly a sports bar might bring to mind locations that offer a space conducive to watch sports. At The Point, patrons can certainly do that, but also partake in a friendly game of cornhole, or enter into the ping-pong tournament while overlooking the serene Pacific Ocean below. With breathtaking views, delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere, The Point raises the bar in providing a variety of adult-friendly activities. Bocce Ball If an alcohol-free day sounds more appealing, there’s an abundance of opportunities to get that much needed weekend Vitamin D before returning to the office on Monday. The city of Dana point constructed three full-size, 13-foot by 91-foot bocce ball courts in 2014 in the shadows of the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa. Take advantage of the open space and bask in the sun while enjoying this multigenerational game.
San Clemente
Lost Winds Brewing Company 924 Calle Negocio, Ste. C, San Clemente www.lostwindsbrewing.com Lost Winds, similar to Docent Brewing, is a local brewery quickly making a name for itself in the regional craft beer community. Opening in 2004, Lost Winds has been able to grow while maintaining its San Clemente patronage. This brewery, handcrafted inside of a relatively unsuspecting industrial park, has an open-air neighborhood feel when the high back doors are made accessible and the natural light sparkles off of the brewing vats. Children playing games, and dogs reaping the benefits of food dropped from one of the regularly featured food trucks, provides a family-friendly atmosphere where people can alternate between tasting any one of the hand-crafted brews as well as keeping the little ones entertained and in the sun. “We are welcoming to all walks of life,” Lost Winds Manager Rachael Cosmakos said. “We want to be accessible, where everyone can feel like they can come and just hang out.”
Lost Winds Brewing Company
Volleyball, Beach Activities Even on an exceptionally warm summer day, the ocean breeze will keep beach volleyball players cool. Some of San Clemente’s and Dana Point’s most popular recreational activities are located on or near the beach.
San Juan Capistrano
Docent Brewing 33049 Calle Aviador, Ste. C, San Juan Capistrano www.docentbrewery.com Docent Brewing, co-founded by Brian Hendon, Joe Wilshire and Scott Cortellessa, has the sense of a schoolyard playground soaked in adult class where there’s something for everyone, and everyone is on recess. Walking into Docent Brewing, the attention to detail and emphasis on community is evident. The bar, lined with smiling locals, is surrounded by massive vats where their beer is brewed on site. Around the bar is a large sitting area, where groups gather as if patrons are visiting in a friend’s living room. After grabbing one of the more than a dozen types of beer (or wine), guests are able to challenge a friend in a game of shuffleboard, or engage in a raucous high-tension game of oversized Jenga. Founded on the pillars of craftsmanship, community and independence, Docent Brewing is one of San Juan’s finest examples of a place to spend a day reconnecting with friends or meeting neighbors. “One of the best things in life is being able to love what you do and inspire others,” a message reads on Docent’s website. “It means finding your passion, learning that skill, mastering the trade and teaching others. A craftsman honors creativity and quality above all else and wants to share their experience.” Rooted in community, the sign above the bar reads, “Eat, drink and be local.” Be sure to check into their regular trivia nights and weekly bike rides too. Docent Brewing is a great place to feel at-home, away from home.