When one walks through a high school, students are commonly heard groaning about their grueling workloads. They grieve daily about finding tranquility in the middle of their unending supply of work hurled at them. For students at Palos Verdes High School, there is a solution to their difficulties: right across the street from PVHS is St. Honoré Café, a compact restaurant started by an entrepreneur named Sebastian and his wife, Veronica. Serving dozens of Sea Kings daily, it was given the nickname “PV Café”, since it constantly serves as a convenient site of relaxation for students and their friends before, during and after school.
The Café is situated in the Lunada Bay’s center at a small recreational area named Lunada Bay Plaza Shopping Center. Included here are barber shops, offices and most importantly, many landmark “PV” restaurants. Rafaellos, PV Grill, and Alfredo Garcia’s, among others, have all found homes in the area for decades, thriving off relationships with students and community members. When strolling through the area, one is certain to see citizens enjoying glistening slices of pizza or merely enjoying the day with friends. Though these shops attract their fair share of customers, the elephant in the room is the St. Honoré Café which brings in the majority of customers in the area.
While there are numerous other commodities near the Lunada Bay area, it is interesting why Saint Honoré Café in particular has found its way into students’ routines. Angela Yang, a sophomore at PVHS said, “I love the Café because it is so close and convenient- especially since I do not have my license yet. I would always go there with my friends during the tennis season, because it is within walking distance of the school.” She further explained that it not only helps in efficiently erasing the stress from her life, but it also make her exuberant for tennis practice. Other students seem to agree as well, even those who already possess their licenses and have no need to dine at the Café. When discussing the PV Café, junior Cameron Jahelka, who has already owned her license for over a year said, “It is very busy, however when I can, I love to go there. I order a special drink that I have enjoyed for years, and it always takes my mind off of school. I have been going there ever since I was born.” Even with a car and the freedom to feast wherever she wishes, she still often prefers eating at the St. Honoré Café.
While it is unquestionable that students have adopted the Café into their daily lives, it is not as obvious if adults in the Lunada Bay area also take pleasure in the restaurant. Linda Reid, mother of PVHS junior Duncan Reid, said, “Since our family moved here in 2012, [the Café] has been a convenient neighborhood spot with fresh, albeit pricey food. It is not of better quality than any surrounding restaurants in particular, but the convenient seating and fresh food render it a perfect site for high schoolers.” While she was not convinced that the restaurant possesses any special qualities in particular, she still seemed to think that the food was above average and that the restaurant was exceptionally accessible.
The general consensus of Lunada Bay adults seemed to stay unchanging. Irene Nash, mother of PVHS freshman, Austin Nash, said, “The Café is a great place to eat at, especially on Sunday mornings. Personally, I love their omelets, among other items. I have been going to the PV Café ever since it opened.” She then said, similar to the beliefs of Linda Reid, that high school students cherish the St. Honoré Café not only for its convenient, but also for its invigorating shade and fine food. As shown by the responses of the two parents, it is indisputable why high schoolers prefer the Café compared to nearby restaurants: the food is great, the area is overwhelmingly refreshing, and the location is convenient to hang out with friends. While the adults do not seem to predominantly believe that the food is the best in Lunada Bay- or even in the Lunada Bay Shopping Center- high school students regard the restaurant highly, as shown not only by the two PVHS students’ responses but also from just observing the Café’s daily overflow of joyous students.
High school is openly stressful. The pressure and tension overload is evident in students who hopelessly wish for peace in a world where leisure is a coveted gem. A solution is inevitable, and for Sea Kings, it is found in the St. Honoré Café. Students commonly seek this place habitually, alone or with a group of friends. The Café has become more than just a manageable hangout spot with a gorgeous view- it has become a culture which will be remembered as a relaxing haven in Sea King lives.