Coffee Pub is city’s definitive gathering spot

Glori Fickling

If there is one central meeting place where locals are known to

gather for java and palaver, the definitive hangout has got to be the

Coffee Pub Downtown on Forest Avenue.

Established almost 30 years ago in our landmark Lumber Yard Plaza,

the charming respite will celebrate a successful five-year

anniversary on Aug. 19, under the ownership of dedicated Lagunan

Trisha Harper, who first worked the property waiting on customers as

a student at nearby Laguna Beach High School.

The daughter of retired local physician, Dr. George Harper, the

gracious principal is often assisted by her businessman husband

Cameron Fraser. This is obviously a warmly happy family affair and it

is not unusual to hear vintage Lagunans likening the place to the

late Trotter’s Bakery of yore. It follows that Harper’s loyal

manager, Jill Trimble, is a former schoolmate and her enthusiastic

staff is comprised primarily of the school’s equally ambitious

scholars.

With its attractive living room-style ambience, replete with a

polished oak bar, comfortable upholstered chairs, original art

displays and the inviting al fresco patio laden with flower-decked

tables. The setting has been a constant attraction to locals who come

as much for the warm camaraderie as for the tempting array of

savories.

The guest list, in fact, is something of a who’s who of Laguna

alum, affectionately known in their private circles as “the old

guys.” At any time you are bound to find such luminaries as Dick

Jahraus of Lumber Yard renown hobnobbing with Mike Marriner of the

long-lost upper stationery store and Del Upchurch, another former

retail mogul. Renowned super pilot “Red” Carey is a constant, known

to share morning coffee with dedicated “Brit” Jackie whose English

companions Sean Kennedy and Brian Wallace are ever in attendance.

So, what’s for breakfast, for supping or snacking? Bagels

probably take priority on the morning scene, whether plain, egg-based

or flecked with onion, sundried tomato, poppy or sesame seeds. At

$3.50 to $4.90, the chewy wheels are toasted, layered with cream

cheese and lavished with tomato and Spike (called the Hobie crunch),

cheese, turkey, ham and eggs or combinations of like ingredients. Ask

faithful breakfaster Mr. Smile his favorite and he will name famed

local Matt Smith’s hearty creation featuring bacon, eggs and cheese.

Croissants come in four versions, from $3.85 for egg and cheese, to

$4.90 with a slice of ham added.

A fresh daily assortment of muffins, sweet rolls, cookies,

pastries and little surprise confections packed in jars at the front

counter rack in at $1.50 to $2.25. The dozen sandwiches built on

wheat bread, sourdough, squaw or croissants coupled with tomato

slices and lettuce are super stuffed and named for local areas. Dana

Point, combining albacore tuna, cheese and avocado, counts as the

biggest seller. Three Arch Bay rates second place featuring chicken

salad strewn with raisins and apples. Vegetarians are wooed with

three cheeses and sunflower seeds as well as Mediterranean, Cobb and

garden salads, $4.25 to $6.95.

Harper takes special pride, however, in her passion for coffees

noting that aficionados often compare her lattes and espressos to

stronger, more definitively potent European style blends. She

mentions that coffee sales recently have significantly increased,

perhaps specifically as a result of joining the prestigious Specialty

Coffee Assn. This world-renowned organization, in which she is an

active participant, is dedicated to furthering the many facets of

coffee culture and promoting the highest industry standards.

NEWS BITES

Dining dividends for cinema buffs attending the monthly series

scheduled every second Thursday at [seven-degrees] are the surprise

box dinner entrees prepared by Anastasia, co-sponsor of the event.

January’s delicious preface to the film was Spanish paella, savory

rice studded with shrimp, fish and spicy sausage accompanied by

wedges of fragrant olive bread. Post movie, guests were treated to

steaming coffee and assorted cookies. For information on the next

occasion, phone Amir at (949) 497-8903 or [seven-degrees] at (949)

376-1555.

* GLORI FICKLING is a longtime Laguna Beach resident who has

written restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be reached at (949) 494-4710 or by e-mail at [email protected].