Blog

Last Minute Valentine’s Gifts from OC’s Best
02.09.18
For the sweet-tooth:
B.Toffee, a handcrafted, luxury toffee brand based out of Orange County. Crafted with premium ingredients (savory butter, fine domestic sugars, premium Guittard & Callebaut chocolates, all topped with superior quality pecan nuts) and that can be found in specialty retailers such as the A Market in Newport Beach, Where’s the Party? In Costa Mesa, gourmet grocers and through their e-commerce website.

Pastry chef Elyssa Fournier of Mixed Bakery is easily one of the most talented bakers we know. She bakes from home in Corona del Mar and there’s nothing she can’t create—although fan favorites are her banana and chocolate chip muffins, and her chocolate saussicon is to die for. Choose from meringue kisses, scones, baked doughnuts, tarts, cookies, breads, bars and much more. You can place an order at 949.903.BAKE or elyssa@mixed-bakery.com.
For those who love style and comfort:

The local luxury cashmere designer, Oats Cashmere makes luxury travel wraps in an array of colors. Free shipping in the U.S. and every package comes nicely gift wrapped. This season is all about color, and you can also find the perfect styles for him!
For the health-focused:

In Laguna Beach – Secret Menu Item for Project Juice: For a limited time, Project Juice Laguna Beach is serving up a super cute Valentine’s Day themed gluten-free waffle. For an extra V-day treat, guests can ask for theirs with “Extra Love” for something extra delicious on theirs. This decadent-feeling toasted waffle is perfectly crunchy on the outside, and soft in the middle, topped with silky dairy-free red velvet almond “cream cheese,” berries, vegan probiotic chocolate sauce and almonds.
For the out-of-the-box idea, Project Juice subscription:
Project Juice’s newest product would be perfect for a busy man or woman (and great for the kiddos) – Sub-Zero Superfoods brings the Project Juice smoothie bar into home kitchens. It’s no fuss, no mess, and done in 60 seconds, leaving plenty of time for smooching on V-day. The DIY at-home subscription smoothie/superfood bowl program comes frozen with specially curated recipes that take the time, hassle and work out of daily smoothies. Just pour into a blender, blend, drink/eat. And they are super tasty, and great for sneaking that great nutrition into an everyday routine.
Organic cold-pressed juice deliveries: A sustainably focused company, Project Juice is perfect really for anyone who can appreciate a good dose of health – from the Paleo Crossfitters and weekend warriors, to ultrarunners fueling up for their next race, to the gym-obsessed. Project Juice gift certificates can be purchased online or in-store, and redeemed for 100% certified organic, non-GMO cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, and food items to bolster their everyday health.
E-gift certificates can be purchased online. Available in increments ranging from $25 to $1000 (for online purchase and redemption only). Gift cards are available at in-store locations throughout the Bay Area, Laguna Beach and San Diego.

Wine Pairing dinner with bottles from Bianchi Winery:
Bianchi Winery based in Newport Beach, with a Laguna Beach native/resident at the helm, and winemaking and tasting room facilities in Paso Robles. Bianchi Winery creates amazing premium whites and reds that can fit anyone’s palate. Bianchi also has a couple of amazing proprietary reds that are super unique. It’s GSM Geste is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre that is complex on the palate, with notes of fresh red raspberry, red plum and blackberry. It finishes long on the tongue with a hint of pepper and sweetness of lavender. Bianchi’s Syranot is a unique blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir that is ruby red and pairs perfectly with an amazing charcuterie or cheese plate. Plus, wine is always a great gift for someone, especially as part of a specially curated wine pairing dinner, because it’s a shared experience!

Or how about getting away for a long weekend in Paso Robles?
Experiential gifts are always amazing, and what better one than a weekend away. Really wow your honey by taking her/him out to Bianchi’s beautiful property in Paso Robles. Its exquisite Vineyard House, overlooking a waterfall-fed lake is what romantic dreams are made of. Plus, the house is equipped with an awesome outdoor BBQ, so he can grill up steaks while you get to gaze at the countryside of undulating hills and vines. The state-of-the-art tasting room is gorgeous, and gives some fun, on-site. The staff also makes recommendations of what to do around town, as well as can curate really special experiences at request.
Tickets to OCWineFest: Wine, Craft Beer and Charity for the win. Something to look forward to.

Southern Californians can take advantage of this super thoughtful gift (that both can enjoy, hello!) of tickets to the upcoming OCWineFest, held on the historic grounds of A Stone’s Throw Winery in San Juan Capistrano. March 10 and 11. This is great for either the wine or beer lover, with unlimited wine and beer tastings, fun games, chance to relax and hang out at a beautiful outdoor winery .
There’s also a an amazing cause to support – OCWineFest’s charitable partner is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, so you can prove to your date that you have a soft heart for philanthropy as well. More about OCWineFest: After 12 successful years with the LAWineFest in Los Angeles, wine expert and author Dr. Joel M. Fisher brings his festival south, for a laidback event that is open to anyone over 21.
Learn about and sip (unlimited) award-winning wines from around the globe – including from producers out of Israel, Croatia (hello, aged at the bottom of the Adriatic), Hungary, Greece and France, as well as those you might be surprised to learn were grown and made right here in Orange County. Beer lovers need not fret, as the OCWineFest team has specially curated some tasty craft breweries into the mix as well. OCWineFest blazes the trail to bring wine and people together – from the newbie to the aficionado ready for that blind taste – in an enjoyable and accessible way, balancing fun, exploration and education with wine tastings, food pairings, and talks led by sommeliers and winemakers.
The beautiful outdoor space provides elegant surroundings to welcome the incoming spring season with some of the world’s most interesting and vibrant wineries, breweries and luxury goods.
Blog

Side Deal performing at Coach House
02.08.18
Side Deal will be performing with Skunk Baxter on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Side Deal is a brand new band from Grammy winner Charlie Colin, of Train, multi-platinum artist Stan Frazier of Sugar Ray, and features Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers.
The band also includes Joel and Scott Owen of PawnShop kings, named Rolling Stones Magazine’s “New Bands to Watch 2016.” Side Deal also shares the stage with founding members of other bands and musicians you love creating the ultimate, one of a kind experience of unforgettable music.
Tickets are $25 and are available here.
Coach House is at 33157 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano.
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from the blog
- 11.05.25 – Dolly Parton’s Songs Come to Life with Pacific Symphony
- 11.05.25 – Savor the Season by the Sea at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
- 11.05.25 – Shucked Musical Comedy Heads to Segerstrom Center November 11–23
- 11.05.25 – Philz Coffee Debuts Holiday Menu and Launches First-Ever Rewards Program
- 11.04.25 – McG, Nancy Silverton, and Rick Caruso Team Up for Spacca Tutto at Palisades Village
- 11.04.25 – Ice at Santa Monica Returns for the Holidays
- 11.03.25 – ZAFFRE Fine Linens Celebrates Two Years in Costa Mesa
- 11.02.25 – North Italia Debuts Seasonal Fall + Winter Menu in Irvine and Beyond
- 10.30.25 – An Evening with John O’Hurley at The Lido
- 10.28.25 – Día de los Muertos Rooftop Brunch at Top of the V
- 10.27.25 – Sip & Shuck Returns to Laguna Beach Nov. 2 to Benefit CASA
- 10.26.25 – A Crystal Cove Takes Mimosa Brunch to the Next Level
- 10.26.25 – Rose Bakery Café Opens in Orange
- 10.21.25 – Last Chance to Dine at 608 Dahlia Before Oct. 26
- 10.20.25 – Irvine Barclay Theatre Announces Fall and Holiday Season Lineup
- 10.20.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival 2025: ‘Blue Moon’ Shines on Opening Night
- 10.19.25 – Wahoo’s Marks 38 Years with Free Community Celebration in Costa Mesa
- 10.15.25 – Pumpkin Palooza Returns to Discovery Cube OC This October
- 10.14.25 – Irish Spotlight at the Newport Beach Film Festival
- 10.09.25 – The Jill Foundation’s Annual Opportunity Drawing Is Now Open
More Daily Doses
- 11.07.25 – Mother-Daughter Duo Launch Eugénie Boutique in Newport Beach
- 11.03.25 – Culinary Dropout Opens in Old Towne Orange
- 11.02.25 – Super Irvine International Market Opens in Irvine
- 11.02.25 – Prime Pizza Opens First Orange County Location in Mission Viejo
- 10.30.25 – Zara Man Opens First U.S. Store at South Coast Plaza
- 10.27.25 – Jack Johnson Headlines Two-Night Coast Film & Music Benefit Concert
- 10.20.25 – Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria Brings Elevated Flavor to Costa Mesa
- 10.19.25 – Fall Fun at The District: Halloween Boo Bash and Cocktail Tour
- 10.16.25 – Luxury Wellness Meets Concierge Medicine at Coastal Wellness MD
- 10.16.25 – Chiang Rai Thai in Tustin Serves Up Michelin-Recognized Northern Thai Cuisine
- 10.16.25 – Chili Chutney Brings Authentic Afghan Cuisine to Lake Forest
- 10.15.25 – Tales of Wonder and Imagination: Alexander Shelley Leads Pacific Symphony in ‘Scheherazade’
- 10.14.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 17 - 18
- 10.13.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
- 10.08.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Honors
- 10.05.25 – Fashion Meets Film: StyleWeekOC Returns to Fashion Island October 15–19
- 09.29.25 – Pacific Airshow Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 3-5
- 09.26.25 – Mastro’s Brings Its Iconic Dining Experience to Irvine Spectrum
- 09.25.25 – San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein Comes to Segerstrom Center
- 09.19.25 – 26th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Lineup
