THE HISTORY
The Beginning
The property at 4005 Burton Drive in Cambria, California was built as residence, approximately 125 years ago. The historical records are sparse and the accuracy is questionable. The documented history begins in The Cambrian newspaper back in 1956 when the English couple of Norma and Holland Vaughn began a small coffee shop, known as Brambles by the Bridge. The name derived from the wild blackberry bushes that grow along the Santa Rosa Creek, otherwise known by the English as bramble bushes. The Vaughn's owned and operated Brambles by the Bridge until approximately 1964, when another English couple, Bryan and Sylvia Hume purchased the property and business. The Hume's changed the name to The Brambles Dinner House™ and took one year to update the kitchen and redecorate the dining room before reopening in 1965. The Hume's carried on the Vaugn's motto of "good food, served right," and enhanced the menu by offering the English tradition of Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding and cult favorites like mulagatani soup and oyster chowder. In 1976, the Humes decided to sell the property that the restaurant was located to a group of investors called Ansun Enterprises. The Humes leased the property back from Ansun to continue their business The Brambles Dinner House™. Then after a successful run of seventeen years, the Hume's were facing difficulties. The short and not so sweet story goes like this: Bryan was shot by one of his kitchen employees, thankfully not fatal. The employee was sentenced to time in jail, and the employee served the time and was released between the later 1970's, early 1980's. Bryan was in fear of his safety when this former employee was released, and he no longer wanted to own or be present at The Brambles Dinner House™. The Hume's sold the business known as The Brambles Dinner House™ to Nick and Debbie Kaperonis in 1982. Once the sale was complete, the Hume's decided to operate a gift shop across the street and the Kaperonis' took over the Hume's lease of the property with Ansun Enterprises. This was the beginning of the Kaperonis' twenty-five year legacy owning The Brambles Dinner House™.
The Legacy
The Kaperonis family was five strong in 1982. Nick, a Greek native, his wife Debbie, a Chicago native, and their three children Tony, Demetra and George, a new born. Nick was no stranger to the hospitality industry. He was born into a family of bakers from the Peloponnese region of Greece. From there he immigrated to the USA at the age of twenty. He worked in many established institutions in Chicago, polishing his talents and gathering the skills to one day own his own restaurant. Debbie was also from a family of food and hospitality. Her father owned a diner in Chicago for many years, where she worked growing up. The Kaperonis family grew, Nikki was born in 1984, then Rosie in 1986. When the children were grown, they all were trained and worked at the restaurant, a truly Greek experience.
Back in 1982, The Brambles Dinner House™ was just that, a place to have dinner. The Kaperonis Family has been credited for evolving the restaurant over the years, including the additions of a full bar, banquet facilities and a beautiful creekside patio. The menu expanded, most notably with the presence of Greek cuisine and the award winning wine list. A wonderful Sunday brunch was offered for many years, where people enjoyed bottomless glasses of fine champagne and the best of homemade classics.
Nick's passion for food and wine was most apparent. Not only did his menu feature the best steaks on the central coast, but he always offered the freshest fish and finest local ingredients for all entrees. To compliment the menu, he built a 5000 bottle wine cellar to match, featuring the local Paso Robles wineries and the best from Napa.
Nick's passion for food and wine was strong, but his greatest enjoyment came from being able to provide the best hospitality. Nick was present at the restaurant nightly, sharing stories, recipes and laughs with all who dined. He took great pride in organizing special events for guests, whether it be a private birthday party or his annual appreciation dinner for the local fire department. He was also an avid community supporter, member of the Cambria Rotary Club and devoted member of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Nick and family have taken great pleasure in serving the community and those visiting it for the past twenty five years. As the lease ended on March 31st, 2008, The Brambles Dinner House™ closed and the family is looking forward to opening a another restaurant, where we hope to see many familiar and new faces. To the many who dined at The Brambles Dinner House™, the Kaperonis family offers their sincerest gratitude and wishes the best to all.
The New Beginning
To be announced