Iva Lee's

Iva Lee's Restaurant Review:

Owners Lisa and Eric Wagoner are area natives who have created a charming place to hang out in downtown San Clemente. The menu by chef Christopher Starr puts a spin on Southern and Creole specialties. Start with the bourbon-infused French onion soup or the spicy andouille, crawfish and chicken gumbo. Entrées are just as innovative, like grilled pork chop with bacon corn succotash, fried chicken with smoked chicken gravy, and blackened salmon with lemon berry gastrique. Sweets such as Key lime pie and bread pudding are classically prepared. The special Mardi Gras menu each Tuesday is worth exploring if you want to save a few bucks. The wine list is extensive, with mostly topnotch California varietals, while the cocktails are highlighted by Southern concoctions like hurricanes and mint juleps.