Blog
Music For A Cure!
07.01.11
Check out Greer's article about Music for a Cure's founders Julie and Murphy Karges in this month's issue of Riviera Orange County Modern Luxury magazine!
We absolutely love this photo of the Karges taken by amazing photographer John Russo!
Julie and Murphy started the foundation after a young Sugar Ray fan - Murphy is the band's bassist - lost his battle to cancer nine years ago. The Costa Mesa couple has worked tireless to bring music therapy to area hospitals and hopes to expand Music for a Cure's reach later this year.
In two weeks, young OC musicians have the chance to battle it out Sunday, July 17 in South Coast Plaza's Garden Terrace from 2 to 4 p.m. The winning band will receive a music video and a professionally recorded song - and even more children will receive the healing power of music.
Dining
Katsuya by Starck Opens Soon in Laguna!
06.30.11
By Joanne Tucker
Get your chopsticks ready for a Japanese-inspired feast as Katsuya by Starck opened its doors last night for its premiere party. Located along PCH in the former hush space, Katsuya is named after Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi. This sleek, sophisticated, yet warm and comfortable restaurant was created by a world-renowned designer Philippe Starck. The restaurant opens to the public on July 8.
Starck’s all-wood bento-box inspired design was simplistic, but the backlit images of Geishas gave a striking backdrop to his Japanese décor. The dramatic use of black curtains around the robata bar highlighted what Starck considers to be a “temple” to the art of Japanese cuisine.
At the grand opening, we sampled Chef Uechi’s famous crispy rice with spicy tuna, a yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno and an albacore sashimi with crispy onion. A full sushi bar included delightful sushi and sashimi options. We loved the rock shrimp tempura roll with a dynamite sauce. The sunset roll of eel, cucumber and avocado with a sweet sauce was a winner too. The traditional robata dishes, which were prepared on a Japanese grill, come in either chicken and beef in yakitori sauce, along with rice and a finely-chopped vegetable salad.
To complement our sushi and robata dishes, we were served Katsuya’s refreshing specialty cocktails such as the Vitamin A, which was made with tequila and fresh agave juice.
Katsuya by Stark, 858 S. Pacific Coast, Hwy., Laguna Beach.
Joanne Tucker is a dining and travel writer based in Costa Mesa, California.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 05.07.25 – The Ranch at Laguna Beach Introduces Ceramic Collaboration With Isa Carr
- 05.07.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day with Brunch, Flamenco, and Champagne at Café Sevilla
- 05.06.25 – UCI Opera and Symphony Present Puccini’s Suor Angelica at Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 05.04.25 – A Weekend Escape to Catalina Island Just Got Even Better
- 05.02.25 – Bowers Museum Celebrates $500,000 Lead Gift for Terracotta Warriors Exhibition
- 05.02.25 – Hilton Anaheim Debuts Hansen’s Market
- 05.01.25 – Celebrate Mom at Casa Palmero, a Hidden Gem at Pebble Beach
- 04.28.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
- 04.25.25 – Play for Gray Charity Pickleball Tournament Returns May 17
- 04.25.25 – Trevor’s at the Tracks Launches Farm-to-Table Program with Two Local Farms
- 04.24.25 – Descanso Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Four Days of Food, Cocktails, and Festivities
- 04.23.25 – 2025 Breeders’ Cup Returns to Del Mar: Tickets On Sale Now
- 04.23.25 – Up to 80% Off at the Beach Riot Warehouse Sale in Tustin
- 04.23.25 – Score Up to 70% Off at the Zumiez Warehouse Sale in Santa Ana
- 04.20.25 – Burger Boss Introduces Halal Poultry, Salmon and Meal Deals
- 04.18.25 – Floral Park’s 32nd Annual Home & Garden Tour Returns April 26–27
- 04.17.25 – Avila’s El Ranchito in Newport Beach Celebrates 50 Years
- 04.17.25 – Easter Fun at VEA Newport Beach
- 04.16.25 – VIP Garden at LAWineFest – A Premier Tasting Experience!
- 04.15.25 – Don’t Miss the First 3rd Thursday in CdM
More Daily Doses
- 05.09.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Wild Strawberry Café in Newport Beach
- 05.08.25 – Mom-Worthy Dining in Orange County
- 05.08.25 – A Catalina Day Trip: Ocean Views, Island History, and Unforgettable Stops
- 05.07.25 – Exciting Additions at Anaheim Hills Festival: Egg Tuck, Story Bar + Kitchen, and More!
- 05.05.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style Across Orange County
- 04.29.25 – Mother’s Day Dining and Experiences in Orange County
- 04.25.25 – Cozy Earth Opens Flagship Store in Corona del Mar
- 04.24.25 – Monaco Italian Kitchen Brings Neapolitan Pizzas and Housemade Pastas to Irvine
- 04.23.25 – South Coast Plaza Celebrates 35 Years of Southern California’s Premier Garden Show
- 04.20.25 – The District at Tustin Legacy Hosts Earth Day Celebration
- 04.17.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Dana Point
- 04.15.25 – Easter Hoppenings in Orange County
- 04.11.25 – Fashion Island Welcomes a New Season of Style
- 04.10.25 – Celebrate Easter Sunday with Brunch at Top Orange County Resorts
- 04.09.25 – Savor Easter Sunday at These South Coast Plaza Restaurants
- 04.07.25 – Now Open: Vox Kitchen & Bar at South Coast Plaza
- 04.06.25 – Pacific Symphony Premieres Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” in St.Clair’s Final Season
- 04.01.25 – Chef’s Table Friendship Dinner Returns to Tanaka Farms – May 3, 2025
- 03.31.25 – Festival Ballet Theatre Presents The Sleeping Beauty at Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 03.30.25 – Pasta Sisters Expands to Costa Mesa Kitchens
