Moulin — Restaurant in San Clemente

I do love French styled breakfast and the vibe. Their pastries look pretty yummy. However this place is run with mediocrity. Service was alright. Cleanliness was good.

Few non pastry, healthier based items.

The La Salade Chèvre I had was poorly created- on a plate, should be a bowl and dressed properly, sloppy on presentation, salad itself had too much dressing, too sour on various parts of the pear, a fat round goat cheese on overly drenched bread covered in balsamic reduction.

The coffee was not allowed to be served in a ceramic cup, only if you ordered a cappuccino. Come on- you can spare a coffee cup on request when dining in.

We pay all this tip for minimal service.

Very little space and difficult to get seating during peak times. The tables are way too short, should be a bit higher.

But in a pinch this place works. Plenty of other breakfast places to try like Cafe Mimosa, Stacks, and...

About two weeks ago, my mother-in-law invited me to this place she likes. We arrived around 1 PM, and they were almost sold out of most items, but it was fine since they close around 3 PM. We ordered our food, and my mother-in-law paid while chatting with me and looking at the pastries. Interestingly, the cashier didn’t pull up the tip option on the iPad.

When we sat outside, my food was served, but she waited about 20 minutes for hers. When she went to check, it was sitting there, ready, but no one had brought it to her. She asked for napkins, and the server tossed them over the bushes, causing some to fall on the ground. He said, "My bad," and my mother-in-law replied, "It’s okay," then picked up the clean ones to use.

My point is, you can’t complain about not getting a tip if you don’t even offer the tipping option. And honestly, what is she tipping for? The...

If you’re anywhere near San Clemente, you have to stop at Moulin. It’s like stepping into a little slice of Paris—cozy, charming, and full of incredible food. The pastries are unreal: buttery, flaky croissants, rich pain au chocolat, and desserts that look like literal artwork. Think glossy fruit tarts, elegant mousse domes, and delicate layers that are almost too pretty to eat… almost. They’re as delicious as they are beautiful.

The sandwiches are just as amazing—fresh, packed with flavor, and served on the kind of crusty baguette that makes your whole lunch feel special. The staff is super friendly and helpful, and the upbeat, happy vibe just makes you want to stay a while (especially if you grab a table out on the patio).

Between the food, the energy, and those jaw-dropping desserts, Moulin is hands-down one of my favorite spots. Go for one thing, leave with...