Rancho Santa Fe Bistro owner spruces up village planters, courtyard

Mozy Jahanguiri, owner of Rancho Santa Fe Bistro, has brought new life to an under-utilized courtyard in the center of the RSF village. In the back of the Bistro, through an archway he built and nestled in between real estate offices, Jahanguiri has created a pleasant spot overflowing with flowers, succulents and greenery. The courtyard conversion includes tables and chairs for people to gather.

After Stump’s closed, he saw a village need and opened a small kitchen in the back of his restaurant. Informally called The Kids Café, it serves up quick hits such as hot dogs, paninis, milkshakes and smoothies for the after-school crowd. Nothing on the menu is more than $8.

In the mornings he serves up coffee and pastries and hopes to add an omelet station.

“Everybody loves it,” he said, noting that his restaurant sales have more than doubled in the last two years. “People who live and work here are really happy.”

The menu at RSF Bistro is always evolving, he is also hoping to add a tapas and wine component to the back patio.

When Jahanguiri purchased the restaurant, formerly the Pantry, in January 2013 he created a lush garden around his eatery, complete with a variety of birds. In 2014, on his own time and money, he turned his attention to the dried-up planter boxes on Paseo Delicias and the corner of La Granada. The boxes are now filled with water-saving plants, succulents, cacti and bright colorful blooms.

He finished work on the last of the planter boxes on Paseo Delicias two weeks ago.

“I do it because I like it, I want to create a real village feel,” Jahanguiri said. “I have loyal customers who have become friends and I’m so happy to have a special relationship with all the people here.”

The Rancho Santa Fe Bistro is located at 6024 Paseo Delicias, Suite C, Rancho Santa Fe, 92067. For more information, visit www.ranchosantafebistro.com or call 858-756-1221.