Irons in the Fire
The Fire Continues to Burn

It all started from a history and desire to bring people together in an inviting and self-expressed environment. San Clemente residents and entrepreneurs, Dave and Allison Donaldson, created BeachFire and Irons to celebrate the California coastal lifestyle and the good times and great food that come with it.

On the night of Summer Solstice 2002, the fire started burning and hasn't let up since with the opening of BeachFire Bar & Grill in downtown San Clemente. In May 2006, things heated up with the second location in Ladera Ranch across from the Town Green. In December 2007, their third restaurant, Irons in the Fire, opened at the historic San Clemente Municipal Golf Course.

The restaurants' leadership teams are the driving force of success in a typically tough business. Pictured above; (left to right) Chris Turner of San Clemente BeachFire, Chris Johnston of Ladera Ranch BeachFire, Mark Donaldson of Irons in the Fire and Executive Chef, Cathy McKnight (not pictured). The managers lead and develop their staff; drive profitability; help in company growth and anything needed to provide an exceptional experience for their guests.

When you walk into BeachFire and Irons, the vibe and energy pull you in. Smiling guests of all ages; beautiful and friendly staff, art from floor to ceiling, aromatic smells, and smooth live music invite you to enjoy your experience for all the senses. Frequently you will catch Dave standing on the bar leading a toast to acknowledge and thank our guests and employees. Dave encourages everybody to introduce themselves to someone new and a community is sparked.

Creativity, community and celebration are the kindling to this fire.

Dave had the creative vision for the restaurants and ensured they reflected his passion for art, music, surfing, connecting with people and living like you're always on vacation! The design is organic. The bars in San Clemente and Ladera are made from driftwood and recycled picnic tables from the San Clemente State Park Campground and the Rancho Mission Viejo barn - with original carvings in tact. If you look close enough, you will find many treasures tucked in nooks and crannies. The recycled corrugated metal and wood from an old chicken ranch in Orange County finish off the look. The fireplaces are artistic masterpieces built from beach rock and boast burning driftwood logs.

Every inch of the walls are covered with more than 400 pieces of original art by local artists. Even the floors are art! The 2002 San Clemente High School art students, designed and laid the mosaic art on the floor in San Clemente. The Tesoro High School Special Education students created the LOVE floor mosaic in Ladera Ranch.

Irons boasts a classic Spanish colonial-style restaurant with clean lines, modest decor and beautiful plein air paintings. A perfect complement to the classic 1920s public golf course known as the Jewel of the Pacific. The wrap-around patio with a fire pit and live music, six-hour breakfast event, and in-house smoked meats for lunch and dinner make Irons the best clubhouse restaurant in Orange County!

Something many people are not aware of is that not a dime of taxpayer money was used for the new Irons clubhouse and golf facility. BeachFire LLC invested nearly one million dollars and the city invested nearly six million dollars. The city-owned golf course earns a profit every year and contributes roughly $400,000 to the city's general fund. Not a bad deal. BeachFire LLC is in a sense, in partnership with the city given their lease agreement where a percentage of the sales goes directly to the city. Community members are encouraged to book an event at Irons to help pay down the personal debt and contribute to the City's general fund at the same time. Everyone wins! Especially you, with such a beautiful facility and our great food and staff at your service.

The artistic approach also extends to all of their menus. BeachFire and Irons offer high quality and good value with all the ingredients, including the fresh fish and premium meat from local purveyors all prepared with respect to the Earth's valuable resources and served with love by an exceptional staff.

The public recognition and awards have been firing since the day this restaurant company launched its first location! BeachFire was named Top 10 Dining Experiences by the Orange County Register and a Hot New Concept by Restaurant Industries magazine their first year in business. Executive Chef and Celebration Artist, Cathy McKnight, was named one of Top 10 Female Chefs of Orange County in November 2007 by OC Metro Magazine.

The energy and passion for growing their business and spreading the love, is what inspires Dave and his team. They know, without the love and support from family, friends, employees and guests, it wouldn't be possible. Dave and his team offer a sincere thank you to the community for being a part of their lives and restaurants.

Irons in the Fire
150 Avenida Magdalena
San Clemente, California 92672
www.ironsinthefire.biz
(949) 542-3900

Cheers!

All in the Family

Dave and Allison are Orange County natives married 20 years with two daughters, Paige, and Isabel. Dave's brother, Mark Donaldson, is an exceptional plein air painter and General Manager of Irons in the Fire. Mark recently moved to San Clemente with his family, relocating from Puerto Rico. Dave's other brother, Robin, is a successful architect in Santa Barbara and helped design the Ladera Ranch restaurant. Allison's brother, Scott Blaydes, is the official BeachFire Ambassador spreading the love and sharing with guests what we're all about. It's a family affair, which includes all of our exceptional staff members, that makes BeachFire and Irons vibrant and unique establishments.