Community Corner
Patch Picks: Best Places to Find a Special Strawberry
You may have missed the big Strawberry Festival last weekend, but it's not too late to find this little fruit around town. Packed with antioxidants, sweet enough to stand on its own and at the peak of its season, the strawberry has earned its reputation.
22342 El Paseo #D, Rancho Santa Margarita
The warm weather is just around the corner (so they say!) and what better treat on a sunny day than a cool, refreshing smoothie? You can get your strawberry fix with the Strawberry Wave smoothie, a simple mixture of strawberry juice blend, non-fat yogurt, bananas and strawberries. Watching your carbs and calories? Try the Strawberry Delight smoothie, complete with juice, no-sugar added yogurt and strawberries. If dairy isn’t your thing, you might like the Verry Berry Thrive smoothie, made of Wildberry longevity tea, ice, fresh strawberries and raspberries. Pricing ranges depending on size.
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30481 Avenida De Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita
Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Like your strawberries plain and fresh? You won’t find them any fresher than at the local Farmer’s Market, put on every Friday from 1-6 p.m.at the Santa Margarita Marketplace. Local growers of various fruits and vegetables bring their goods to share with the community. Scoop up a basket (or five!) at a price that’s right and eat them whole or throw them into a strawberry pie.
22195 El Paseo #110, Rancho Santa Margarita
If it’s a posh strawberry you want, try the Spring Bellini from Hanna’s Steak House’s Champagne Cocktail menu. Muddled strawberries, St. Germain Elderflower, premium gin and chilled champagne make up this refreshing, sophisticated drink. At $12, it may be a bit of a splurge, but life is short, right?
22342 El Paseo #B, Rancho Santa Margarita
If it’s a sugar sweet strawberry you’re craving, Coldstone’s Strawberry Passion cake just might do the trick: Strawberry ice cream on a graham cracker pie crust, layered with red velvet cake and strawberry puree, wrapped in fluffy strawberry frosting. (Is your mouth watering yet?) A 6-inch round cake runs $29.99; divvy it up with friends or keep this delectable treat for yourself.
30642 Santa Margarita Parkway #E104, Rancho Santa Margarita
Steering toward the healthy route? Then you won’t want to miss Tutto Fresco’s Fitness Wrap, inspired by John Spencer Ellis, fitness guru and coach to the Real Housewives of Orange County. It sounds more like something stretchy you’d wear to work out, but it’s actually a delicious (and nutritious!) menu item at this popular Italian restaurant. Turkey or chicken breast, avocado, strawberries and blueberries, carrots, pine nuts, fresh ginger, artichoke, spinach, sun dried tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette are all wrapped into a whole wheat tortilla for an unforgettable meal. Served with the Ellis salad, the wrap is $8.95.
