by Mary Colarik
I first found West Toast Café early final September when a pal was visiting from out of state throughout “native’s summer time.” We have been strolling alongside the seaside path and determined to cease in for a espresso and avocado toast on the new place that had simply opened within the authentic T-Road concession stand.
I used to be intrigued once I noticed an all-organic menu with a number of choices of meals that I take pleasure in, together with totally different toast alternatives, acai bowls and freshly ready smoothies. Shortly after we ordered our toast and occasional, the proprietor got here out with some samples of smoothies and chatted with us a bit. He was questioning if we appreciated the toast and defined all the things was natural and made to order, so he hoped we didn’t thoughts ready for our meals. My pal who can be a small enterprise proprietor appreciated his method, his concern for his clients and his work ethic.
This was my first introduction to Tulio Poller who owns West Toast Café along with his spouse, Eligija Stravinskaite, “Eli.” All through September, October and November I hosted a number of out of state visitors and every time we headed down T-Road to West Toast Café, inserting our orders for avocado toast, acai bowls, espresso and smoothies. Everybody totally loved sampling the menu gadgets.
Throughout this previous winter once I met briefly with Eli over a cup of espresso, she knowledgeable me that they have been hoping to get the lease renewed as they have been initially solely given a short-term lease by the Metropolis of San Clemente. Lastly, within the spring they acquired the good information that the lease had been renewed for the subsequent 5 years! Stravinskaite mentioned she is thrilled and talked about the town has been great to them and their new endeavor on the seaside.
So, how did Poller, who was born, raised and educated in Venezuela and Stravinskaite, who was born, raised and educated in Lithuania land within the Spanish Village-by-the- Sea, working a café subsequent to one of many iconic surfer’s spot referred to as T-Road seaside?
Stravinskaite first got here to America as a pupil with Work and Journey USA, a European program for college kids. She instantly fell in love with America, so after graduating in 2008 from a Lithuanian College with a level in Enterprise Administration and Economics, she relocated to Miami. Initially she labored within the restaurant enterprise, taking over totally different roles, serving to her acquire expertise with a long-term aim to ultimately open a restaurant. She additionally began her personal swimwear model. She met Poller in 2013. He had arrived in Miami in 2003 with a level in advertising and was working a telecommunications consulting firm that he nonetheless operates immediately. They have been working in the identical neighborhood and after a bit they began relationship, obtained married and commenced elevating a household.
One yr whereas the younger household was vacationing in California and driving alongside the coast from Santa Barbara to San Diego, they wound their approach to San Clemente, stopping to observe the sundown by the pier and falling in love with the “vibe of this stunning surf city.” They vowed that they might transfer to San Clemente in 5 years. In 2020 they fulfilled their dream, packing up, leaving Miami and transferring throughout the nation to San Clemente. After they arrived, Eli began in search of a spot to open a gelato store, and whereas looking out discovered that the concession stand at T-Road seaside was out there. After a number of months the town accepted their proposal and the couple determined to open a café that includes all natural wholesome meals gadgets.
Within the final yr they’ve slowly expanded their menu to incorporate breakfast burritos, and Venezuelan arepas, plus providing their already well-known avocado toast, energy toast and membership sandwich. Prospects have a selection of sourdough, multigrain or gluten free bread. Moreover, they’ve launched an providing of three kinds of burgers, Basic Cheeseburger, El Mariachi Burger and a Skinny Burger served on butter lettuce wedges, all are made with premium wagyu beef. They provide a kids’s menu together with, grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese quesadillas, gluten free waffles with fruit and a mini burger.
Poller and Stravinskaite take pleasure in “actually good” espresso and that’s why they’ve partnered with a well-known espresso store in Miami, Panther espresso. The espresso beans are single origin and are available from Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Nicaragua. They provide common drip espresso plus lattes, cappuccinos, matcha and iced espresso.
Poller’s telecommunications enterprise accomplice, Adrian Actual just lately moved to San Clemente along with his household to hitch his accomplice and pals because the chef of the café. He’s collaborating with the couple choosing the menu gadgets and including new specialties to the ever-expanding choices. He’s additionally from Venezuela and honed his cooking abilities with household recipes and cooking expertise from eating places in Orlando.
One morning in late June I had the pleasure of sitting down with Eli and Adrian, whereas Tulio watched child Sofia, the youngest of their 4 kids who vary in age from 10 months to fifteen years previous. Whereas sipping an Americano Panther espresso, the primary merchandise I wished to style was the gluten free arepa, a meals that I had by no means tried, I selected the avocado, shredded hen and cheese arepa-scrumptious. Just lately, West Toast Café was named one in all Orange County’s finest spots for arepas on the seaside. Actual additionally introduced out a ardour fruit mousse topped with sliced almonds and cacao nibs, one they serve with their Peruvian Ceviche trio and supplied as a café particular on Saturday and Sunday. I returned on a Saturday to strive the ceviche trio, very flavorful, completely scrumptious.
The three house owners have plenty of plans for his or her cafe and have already carried out a few “extras.” Presently, they provide Surf Membership Meals. Surfers or others can open a pre-pay account on the café. Earlier than heading into the water, they’ll seize a espresso and a home made nutritious vitality chew, then after their session can order a breakfast burrito, energy toast or smoothie. Sunday morning yoga can be supplied on the seaside ($25 per class) and features a drink – espresso, juice or smoothie. Different plans embrace Sundown Expertise occasions the place they might supply a prix fixe menu that includes a particular delicacies reminiscent of Italian, Greek, Brazilian and extra. Additionally they plan to ascertain a Espresso Membership for walkers alongside the seaside trail-after a sure variety of bought coffees they might get one free cup of Joe. They’re additionally engaged on having reside music on Sundays with native musicians. Plus, they’ll quickly be promoting tender serve ice cream and gelato (Eli’s authentic dream).
In case you discover your approach to this little café at T-Road, I like to recommend you come hungry; you’ll be well-fed. All three house owners say that their focus and precedence is top quality meals, consideration to element and pleasant customer support. Eli provides, “we serve contemporary meals made to order, we’re not a standard snack shack and that’s why our meals takes longer to arrange. However might you ask for a greater place and think about to attend in your meals, West Toast Café is a contented place to assemble with family and friends, take pleasure in nice meals and have an incredible time on the seaside.” Certainly!
