The morning San Clemente air felt brisk as the sun shone bright. Fred & I found free public three hour parking & walked a brief couple hundred feet to our destination: Active Culture.* We opened the door & spotted a couple of women waiting to take their order. Both were dressed in head-to-toe activewear. One had fresh, chunky mud on her trainers while the other wasn't wearing any shoes at all, just a colorful pair of socks.
We chose a seat on the shaded patio outside to enjoy the fresh air. We were the only ones on the patio then, but it was nearly filled by the time we left. The busy main street created a bit of noise but didn't phase me. I like the sport of people-watching.
If you're looking for a breakfast sandwich to start off your day, opt for the Deluxe Egg-el (Egg-Bagel). It's a sprouted wheat bagel with scrambled organic eggs, melted cheese, onion, tomato, avocado, & seasoning. The topping was beautifully placed & colorful. You can't go wrong with a classic, hearty, egg ridden breakfast sandwich.
Get a pop of flavor & order Huevos Rancheros, a relatively new item on the menu. The presentation of the organic corn tortillas, organic beans, cheddar cheese, organic eggs, homemade Ranchero sauce, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, & seasoning was mouthwatering. Bonus points for perfectly cooked eggs with a runny yolk. When I punctured one, the yolk came creeping out. Loved it.
The Mushroom Soup was easily my favorite with carrots, green beans, celery, & mushrooms (of course). This soup is the ultimate comfort food; something you'd want to drink or eat on a cold rainy night or in my case a chilly San Clemente morning.
Up next: the Refresh juice. This sexy green drink is organic, vegan, & raw with cucumber, apple, spinach, mint, & lemon. It's totally something I could see myself slurping down to cure a hangover. The only qualm was that I kept tasting the Refresh a couple hours later in my burps. Odd, right?
I really liked the Mushroom Soup as well as the Bountiful Bowl, but the all-star champion was the Chocolate Bliss Shake. It was such a magical & unforgettable concoction. I'll likely dream about it every day until I can get my hands on another one. My boyfriend's favorite was the Huevos Rancheros. The friendly staff, abundant seating, & grand variety of food & drink made for a terrific experience. I would easily pay Active Culture another visit.
* Disclaimer: Everything was received complimentary from Active Culture. All opinions are 100% mine aka Carmen's. Learn more about my disclosure here. :]
Decor
The interior & outside were spacey, open, & light with minimal decorations. The San Clemente Active Culture provides ample seating to fit a great number of guests. At any given moment a new customer traipsed in to order at the counter. They received a sand-filled glass bottle with a number, so the staff could find them to deliver the food.We chose a seat on the shaded patio outside to enjoy the fresh air. We were the only ones on the patio then, but it was nearly filled by the time we left. The busy main street created a bit of noise but didn't phase me. I like the sport of people-watching.
Service
Nina took care of us & she was friendly as could be. Whenever I finished photographing one food she brought another dish. The rest of the team appeared amicable & ready to take your order or answer any questions.Food
The Bountiful Bowl came with Greek yogurt, organic açaí, organic granola, flaxseeds, banana, blueberries, strawberries, & raw, organic agave nectar. You can identify the Greek yogurt the moment it hits your mouth — it's creamy, thick, & delicious. The bowl is enormous & so satisfactory with all the fruit, flax, & granola. A good choice for anyone at any time.If you're looking for a breakfast sandwich to start off your day, opt for the Deluxe Egg-el (Egg-Bagel). It's a sprouted wheat bagel with scrambled organic eggs, melted cheese, onion, tomato, avocado, & seasoning. The topping was beautifully placed & colorful. You can't go wrong with a classic, hearty, egg ridden breakfast sandwich.
Get a pop of flavor & order Huevos Rancheros, a relatively new item on the menu. The presentation of the organic corn tortillas, organic beans, cheddar cheese, organic eggs, homemade Ranchero sauce, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, & seasoning was mouthwatering. Bonus points for perfectly cooked eggs with a runny yolk. When I punctured one, the yolk came creeping out. Loved it.
The Mushroom Soup was easily my favorite with carrots, green beans, celery, & mushrooms (of course). This soup is the ultimate comfort food; something you'd want to drink or eat on a cold rainy night or in my case a chilly San Clemente morning.
Drink
Nina surprised us with a couple of drinks. She brought a Chocolate Bliss Shake, which is organic, vegan, gluten-free, & soy free. The shake is made with their homemade raw organic almond milk, organic frozen coconut base, fair trade organic dark chocolate, raw cocoa powder, & organic vanilla. This was one of the best drinks I've ever had in my entire life & well worth the price. No joke. It's so indulgent, so marvelous. It's no wonder why "Bliss" is already included in the name.![]() |
H&M coat (similar) // Cotton On dress (similar) // Italia Deluxe lip liner (similar) |
Up next: the Refresh juice. This sexy green drink is organic, vegan, & raw with cucumber, apple, spinach, mint, & lemon. It's totally something I could see myself slurping down to cure a hangover. The only qualm was that I kept tasting the Refresh a couple hours later in my burps. Odd, right?
Verdict
Active Culture is a hip, popular spot in San Clemente. Anytime I mentioned I took a visit there, I was met with groans of jealousy. Even my friend said, "I saw your photo of Active Culture. That place has some yummy food as I’m sure you experienced!" Yes, indeed. I did experience that!I really liked the Mushroom Soup as well as the Bountiful Bowl, but the all-star champion was the Chocolate Bliss Shake. It was such a magical & unforgettable concoction. I'll likely dream about it every day until I can get my hands on another one. My boyfriend's favorite was the Huevos Rancheros. The friendly staff, abundant seating, & grand variety of food & drink made for a terrific experience. I would easily pay Active Culture another visit.
How does Active Culture look to you? Which item looks the yummiest? :]
* Disclaimer: Everything was received complimentary from Active Culture. All opinions are 100% mine aka Carmen's. Learn more about my disclosure here. :]
Uh these dishes all look so yummy! They kind of made me hungry a bit ;)
ReplyDeletexx, Carmen - http://www.carmitive.com
Oh my word this all looks so delicious! You look gorgeous too :)
ReplyDeleteHayley-Eszti | www.hayleyeszti.com
Oh, wow. All of that sounds so lovely and yummy! Also a vegan and soy-free chocolate shake sounds like heaven to me!!
ReplyDeletexx Lisa | Following Lisa
Love the photos! Everything looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteAnika | anikamay.co.uk
Oh wow all this food looks absolutely incredible! I'd love to try the Huevos Rancheros x
ReplyDeletebrigittehayley.com | youtube.com/brigittehayley
I wish we had something like this in the UK, it looks and sounds amazing! Going to try and make my own version of the Bountiful Bowl at home! x
ReplyDeletewww.alwaysalice.co.uk
This place sounds and looks amazing. From the décor, servers, food and menu items. Besides, brunch on a Wednesday sounds way better than being at work any day.
ReplyDeleteThe runny yolk was the best. I wish I could go there for breakfast right now! haha // conundrumofcoitus.com
ReplyDeleteseems like a great place! everything looks sooo delicious wow x
ReplyDeletewww.darcia.pl
yum! everything looks so delish! :)
ReplyDeletePam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥
Yummy! NIce photos ♡
ReplyDelete♡ Avon Incandessence ♡
Oh my goodness, this looks delish! I guess the store doesn't have a "no shoes. no shirt. no service" sign hahaha.
ReplyDeletewww.lindseyginge.com
Omg this looks so good!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Hannie Arden from missingwanderer.org.
This breaky looks amazing! You really can't beat a good breakfast/brunch. Avacados with egg on muffins is like my faaaaaav thing ever. Looks super yummy! Nice post! <3
ReplyDeleteThe Dazzle Guide
That breakfast sandwich looks to die for! I'm going to try to make one like that at home I love avocado! All of this food looks amazing especially the soup, now I'm hungry haha xo
ReplyDeleteMy Lovelier Days
I really like the way you write! Active Culture seems like the loveliest place!
ReplyDeletexx
Ana
Indie Suns | Bloglovin' | Instagram
That shake looks goooood! What a fun little spot!
ReplyDeleteShe Likes to Shop
OMG that food looks perfect!
ReplyDeletehttp://anna-alina.blogspot.com/
This place sounds seriously amazing! I am really into the food photography here too! Great post! :)
ReplyDeletexx Annie
http://www.somethingswellblog.com/
Love your coat!! The food looks so yummy indeed. I added you on Snapchat x
ReplyDeleteWould you maybe want to follow each other on GFC, Bloglovin and Instagram? Let me know by leaving a comment on my blog and I'll follow you back right away! Thanks x
Lina / lina-khalifa.blogspot.com
Everything looks so delicious here, it all just looks so nutritious and tasty!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a fabulous time, wouldn't mind a chocolate bliss shake right now!!
What Raj Wants
I love the sounds of the shakes! The Chocolate Bliss shade sounds delicious! Great post and thanks for sharing, this place looks lovely and some really tasty treats :)
ReplyDeleteLaura xo
www.shehearts.net
Ugh, that food looks so good!! I barely ate today because I was so busy and that's just making me hungrier.
ReplyDeleteVia Sora
Oh wow, this food looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteTiffany Tales – A British Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
The food looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you! :]
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks. :]
ReplyDeleteI know!! I want one right now! :]
ReplyDeleteThanks Anika.
ReplyDeleteIt was a hit with my boyfriend! :]
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can come to San Clemente for a visit then. :]
ReplyDeleteBrunch any day sounds good to me! :]
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is the best. :]
ReplyDeleteSoo good. Kind of want the breakfast sandwich right now. :]
ReplyDeleteIt WAS! :]
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I guess not! :]
ReplyDelete:]
ReplyDeleteYou really can't. Brunch is so satisfying. :]
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ana. :]
ReplyDeleteAvocado is heaven sent! I'm hungry now too. :]
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely worth a try. :]
ReplyDeleteWhy thanks, Annie! Gotta get pictures of the food to articulate its looks. :]
ReplyDeleteOh cool. Thanks! :]
ReplyDeleteI did have a great time. It was fun & filling. :]
ReplyDeleteSo delicious. :]
ReplyDeleteAmazing indeed! :]
ReplyDeleteAh. You have to eat! :p
ReplyDeleteThis place and the food looks so nice and delicious! I would LOVE to go there!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing xoxox
~ Nicole
www.nicolevaidosa.com
www.instagram.com/nicolevaidosa
I love your description of the place...I really think places that I love are not only about great food but the atmosphere, service, other patrons, vibe, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the egg sandwich is making me so hungry!!!!