SouthCoast Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 14

C O V E R F E AT UR E Marcia Girard CEO Girard Systems My favorite choice for dining in San Clemente is Rocco’s Restaurant. This quaint restaurant is a small oasis – upscale and classy, yet casual. Rocco’s Restaurant is owned and operated by local Master Chef Rocco Carbonara who has been creating hand-crafted meals for San Clemente locals since 1992. Enjoy wonderful ambience, the freshest ingredients, diverse cuisine and wines. I enjoy it so much I return often for family celebrations, dinner with friends, and entertaining business visitors. The cuisine includes Latin, Italian and European specialties, exquisitely prepared right in front of you with only the finest and freshest ingredients. The recent expansion provides more seating and patrons will soon be able to enjoy liquor and cocktails along with wine and beer. Catering & Special Events / Three Nightly Specials Prices: $8 to $28 entrees / Open 7 Nights a Week: 4:30 to 10:00 pm 203 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente / 949.388.7766 Reservations RECIPE Bruschetta with Tomato & Basil Recipe INSTRUCTIONS Finely chop the tomatoes and place them in a INGREDIENTS • 6 or 7 ripe plum tomatoes medium bowl. Mix in the minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil and the balsamic vinegar. Stir in the thinly sliced basil and add salt and freshly ground • 2 cloves garlic, minced black pepper to taste. Note, tomatoes love salt; • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil you may need to add more than you expect. • 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar Slice the baguette on the diagonal making half- • 6-8 fresh basil leaves, inch thick slices. Brush one side of each slice w ]