From Coast to Toast

Laid-back coastal living doesn’t always satisfy the pursuit of pleasure. Fortunately for South County citizens, the quiet beach town of Dana Point has something to woo the extroverted too: the Capo Beach Bar & Grill.

Owner Mike Amato took over in March and decided to add a different zest to the grogshop. Inspired by his former hangout, the dearly departed Stag Bar in Costa Mesa, Amato quickly expanded the entertainment docket to satisfy a broader crowd.

Capo Beach B & G presents live entertainment--country, blues, ska or reggae--almost nightly, beginning about 9. The May lineup includes performances by the power blues band X-LA, the Buster Smith blues band and the reggae band Fresh Roots. “Roadhouse rock” from the Jeff Huber Band can be caught this Tuesday.

The highlight on Thursdays is the talented all-female band the Homewreckers, formerly known as the Big Fat Mamas. This Hollywood-based group (by the way, band members don’t even come close to resembling their old name) covers blues, rock and alternative music.

Black lights and mirrors add visual pleasure around a decent-sized dance floor, giving the tropical stamping ground a nightclub feel.

Those lacking the energy and motivation for bumping and grinding can head toward the back of building for a game of darts or pool. If that doesn’t do the trick, try the “Twilight Zone” pinball machine.

Vegetating is OK. Partying doesn’t necessarily mean exertion: Plenty of seating allows for this sport-of-all-sports.

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Food specials include mini pizzas ($4) from 4 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Meat lovers can get a hamburger-and-French-fries meal ($3.95) Fridays. Especially popular is the Sunday Blues Buffet ($4.95), with such munchies as fried mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers and hot wings, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The grill, open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, offers an array of sandwiches, chicken, steaks and seafood. Teriyaki, Italian or barbecue chicken breast sandwiches (each with a choice of steak fries, potato salad or coleslaw) are only $6.95 at lunch (11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.). The management prides itself on a dinner menu (3:30-9 p.m.) featuring an $11.95 farm-raised Alaskan salmon dinner and a $19.95 steak and crab leg combo. The budget-conscious will appreciate the $7.95 Monday Nite Prime Rib Special.

Cheers, too, to the moderately priced beer and cocktails ($3-$5)--though patrons won’t want to miss the drink specials. On Thursdays, there are $1.50 draft beers; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays feature $2 Banzai Kamakazis, $2.50 martinis and $3.50 magnum margaritas, respectively.

A full bar provides an array of spirits to savor while watching a band or gazing at the wall murals. Gorgeous island scenes painted throughout Capo Beach B & G enable dreamers to pretend they’ve traveled the extra two miles to the beach.

BE THERE

Capo Beach Bar & Grill, 34235 Doheny Park Road, Dana Point. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. 21 and older. (714) 487-2787.