Photographs by Amanda DeFrancis
Just across the freeway from downtown San Juan Capistrano, Marbella Plaza offers top-notch restaurants and an upscale boutique, each with a distinct style and vibe, away from the hustle and bustle of the historic district.
Harlow’s Kitchen & Craft Bar
Here, farm-to-table fare meets 19th-century European decor, and diners devour rib-eye steaks ($38), beignets ($9), and craft cocktails ($10 to $12). 31111 Rancho Viejo Road, 949-240-8100, harlowskitchen.com
Blue Eyed Girl
The vibe is exposed brick and whitewashed wood walls, but the clothes are modern: Lucy Love and Free People dresses ($96 to $148) and Hudson and J Brand jeans ($165 to $249). 31103 Rancho Viejo Road, 949-429-1361,
shopblueeyedgirl.com
The Olives Branch
Traditional Lebanese dishes such as beef and lamb shawarma ($14) dominate the menu, but there’s also chicken tawook flatbread pizza ($8) and charbroiled shrimp ($19). 31105 Rancho Viejo Road, 949-373-5633,
theolivesbranch.com
South Coast Kitchen
At this bistro, the menu changes often but usually includes seafood, steaks, and risotto prepared with seasonal ingredients, along with terrific starters. 31105 Rancho Viejo Road, 949-481-9596, southcoastkitchen.net
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