"Acme Hospitality (Loquita, the Lark, Lucky Penny) opened a breezy new wood-fired destination called La Vaquera on October 29 in the River Street Marketplace development of San Juan Capistrano. Chef Aaron Zimmer assembles a ranchero-style menu of steaks, butterflied fish, beans, crudo, and grilled little gem greens with approachable California ingredients. The restaurant captures the heritage of rustic historic culture amid a family-friendly retail environment, featuring soaring vaulted ceilings, an airy indoor-outdoor dining room, and a spacious bar with an outdoor lounge and fire pit. Zimmer’s menu includes wagyu beef tartare, hamachi crudo, and Spanish octopus leg. An 11-foot oak grill is used for steaks, spatchcocked chicken, and whole striped bass. Sides involve ranch-style beans, cornbread with queso Oaxaca and roasted poblano peppers, and roasted cabbage with lime crema. Cocktails include La Fresca and Let’s Ride. La Vaquera is open from Sunday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. There’s a small afternoon menu from 2 to 4 p.m. served daily and brunch from Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at 31904 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92675." - Matthew Kang
