LOOKING AHEAD CONT. FROM PAGE 22
referred to as “Orange County’s best res- taurant,” yet despite the accolades, chef and owner John Q. Humphreys feels his success has as much to do with his innate culinary talent and tight-knit team of employees as it does the commitment he made when he first opened in 1994 to protect the past. He doesn’t just talk the historical preservation talk, he walks the walk. In the heart of the Los Rios Historical
District of San Juan Capistrano (across the tracks from the Capistrano Depot) the Ra- mos House Café sits on the oldest remaining residential street in California, which dates back to 1794. Te charm of this beloved part of San Juan Capistrano is that so much of it remains the same as it was in the early days of California. After acquiring the property, John tried to keep it as original as possible, gently restoring dilapidated portions of the quaint but ancient
Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge is among three new-vehicle dealerships, and one used-vehicle lot, that opened in Capist- rano in recent months. Photo: Danielle Johnson
home, adding a commercial kitchen and constructing a welcoming patio around the property’s century-old mulberry shade tree. Ten he moved in and got cooking. Not only does he reign supreme in the kitchen, he also calls the restaurant home, literally. He lives, works, plays on Los Rios, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I feel like the luckiest guy in the world,”
John says casually. “I get to live where I work, I love my customers and I have a crew that is super close, just like family.” He continues, “I have deep respect for this
Ron Hanson. Photo: Danielle Johnson
Sycamore Trails Stables, 33 years in Capistrano
We basically decided we were
going to please a very deep seated tendency that many people in San Juan Capistrano have to own horses. We’re now up to 476 horses at Sycamore. We’ve got three covered rings, which means we have acres of grounds under roof, which means people can ride when it’s raining, or they can ride in the shade when it’s sunny. Our tack lockers, right outside the stalls and the stall walls, are wood instead of steel, so they’re softer when horses kick them. We’re the most expensive but we’re unique.
—Ron Hanson, owner
street and its history. I care about every little thing that happens here and know every single person from end to end. We’re a tight neighborhood.” All the hype of his chef celebrity doesn’t
faze him. His focus is on keeping his business authentic and feels it has been a major part of his key to success. Tough he’s been ap- proached by Oprah’s producers and had other food show opportunities come and go, he doesn’t want to head in that direction. “I’m not into the hype. I love my crew and my customers, and that’s enough for me. Te one time I agreed to have cameras follow me around I ended up kicking them all out. It’s just not me.” Indeed, as his cats, Mrs. Chubs and Mr.
Pickles, stroll through the doorway like they own the place, stretching lazily on the front porch in a stream of afternoon sunlight, the idea of any kind of Hollywood take on Ra- mos House is unthinkable. John doesn’t even own a television. Not only is he the furthest thing from Keeping up with the Kardashians, he could care less if any of them ever set foot in his restaurant. When asked about the future of doing
24 San Juan Capistrano Business Directory & Visitor Guide Amir Zagar. Photo: Danielle Johnson
Mother Earth Flowers, 25 years in Capistrano We emphasize our service and quality. I have a partner, Masoud Badie, and we have a wholesale flower shop that we sell to our flo- rists. Diversifying and emphasizing quality and service, that’s kept us in business for 25 years. You never say no to any charity. I gave out three scholarships to San Juan Hills High School this year -- $500, $250 and $100 for their first graduation. So giving back to the community is important. It comes back to you.
—Amir Zargar, owner.
business in San Juan Capistrano, he waxes philosophic, “Tings don’t have to be perfect. Tere’s perfection in flaw.” After a pause he adds, “I would like to see things – on this street at least—stay the same forever. Te future… is our past.”
THE END
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52