Blog

Honda Center’s New Schedule
06.26.20
All events scheduled at Honda Center through July 12 have been postponed or cancelled. And, yet they just released their programming. Let’s hope these shows can all take place. In the event that everything reopens, this is the upcoming schedule:
THE WEEKND
Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 7:00 PM
Ticket Prices: $29.75-$475.75 (subject to change)
AVENTURA
Friday, August 14, 2020 at 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices: $500.00, $225.00, $159.50, $99.50, $79.50, $49.50
JANET JACKSON
Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices: $49.95-$499.95 (subject to change)
PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS
Friday, September 11, 2020 at 7:45 PM
Ticket Prices: $429.00, $304.00, $179.00, $131.00, $89.00, $75.00, $60.00, $50.00, $38.00, $28.00, $19.00
Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 6:45 PM
Ticket Prices: $429.00, $304.00, $179.00, $131.00, $93.00, $81.00, $63.00, $51.00, $41.00 $33.00, $24.00
MARCO ANTONIO SOLÍS
Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices: $404.00, $194.00, $154.00, $124.00, $94.00, $74.00, $59.00
AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL BUBLÉ
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices: $153.50, $93.50, $69.00
ANDRÉ RIEU
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices: $143.00, $123.00, $103.00, $93.00, $83.00, $73.00
GEORGE LOPEZ
Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices: $80.50, $70.50, $53.50
A MODERATED CONVERSATION WITH MICHELLE OBAMA - POSTPONED
Date TBA
Ticket Prices: $499.00, $249.00, $179.00, $139.00, $99.00
NICK CANNON PRESENTS: MTV WILD ‘N OUT LIVE - POSTPONED
Date TBA
Ticket Prices: $299.99, $129.50, $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, $49.50, $29.50 (subject to change)
OZUNA - POSTPONED
Date TBA
Ticket Prices: $303.99, $203.99, $163.99, $123.99, $83.99, $63.99, $43.66
20qs

Chef Andrew Gruel
06.25.20
Meet Andrew Gruel, the founder and CEO of Huntington Beach-based Slapfish Restaurant Group. Known as a modern seafood shack serving fresh, sustainable seafood in a casual setting, Slapfish has six locations in Orange County (Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, and Brea), as well as Raw Bar by Slapfish in Huntington Beach, and Two Birds Chicken and vegetarian concept Butterleaf in Irvine. He's appeared on multiple television series, including as a judge on Food Network’s “Chopped Junior” and “Food Truck Face Off.” I wanted to check in on him to see how he's managing the pandemic and find out what's new with this local celebrity chef.
1. The restaurant industry was heavily impacted by Covid-19; how did Slapfish adapt during the shutdown?
We immediately pivoted and focused on our take-out packaging and products. We put a ton of R&D into making our food more delivery worthy. We have set up protocols and procedures to make sure our employees are distancing as much as possible within the kitchen.
2. Now that OC restaurants are reopening, what does dining look like moving forward?
I have a feeling the storm isn’t even close to over. Restaurants should still focus on delivery and take-out. Hopefully, alcohol to-go remains the norm.
3. Slapfish is one of Orange County’s most popular casual seafood eateries. How does your concept differ from similar restaurants?
We offer the quality of fine dining in a quick-service setting. We are always trying to walk the line between high-quality but approachable.
4. It’s hard to believe Slapfish was a food truck in 2011 and just a year later you opened a brick and mortar Slapfish in Huntington Beach, which is now just one of the multiple locations. At that time, you’ve also become a family man and father of three young children. Do you have any tips for husbands and dads on how to balance it all?
Once you become a family man, business should always take a back seat. If your family life is strong it will shine through in your business.
5. What are you most proud of with Slapfish?
I am most proud of the team members who have come through Slapfish - those that are still team members and those that have moved on. The people within are what have made this brand.
6. If you had to begin a different career, what would you do?
I would join the military in culinary arts. We traveled with the US Army last summer teaching young cooks how to be stronger in the kitchen. Our soldiers need to eat better.
7. What’s your most prized possession?
Any old photos I have of my parents.
8. What can’t you live without?
Coffee. I drink 6 to 10 cups per day, which can take the form of McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, La Colombe, and any cold brew. What I don’t drink is Starbucks.
9. What’s next on your “to-do” list?
Learn a martial art with my kids.
10. Cause that you’re most interested/involved in?
Illumination Foundation and Bracken’s Kitchen - in general, helping these great causes feed those who are hungry or have food insecurity.
11. Your dream day in Orange County?
Fishing in the morning, an afternoon Angel’s game, and Kappo Honda for dinner.
12. Favorite place for breakfast?
McDonald's - this is what happens with three kids.
13. What was the best day of your life?
The day I got married (in Las Vegas!)
14. Last concert that you went to?
Air Supply, which was my first concert.
15. Favorite vacation spot?
Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu.
16. If you had to live somewhere else, where would you like to move?
Costa Rica.
17. Other than Slapfish, of course, what are your favorite restaurants in Orange County?
King’s Fish House, Gulfstream, Taqueria Mexico, and Paderia Bakehouse.
18. Biggest accomplishment?
Being a father.
19. What’s your biggest fear?
Not being able to protect my kids.
20. A secret most people don’t know about you?
I use ladies' deodorant. Works better and it reminds me of my wife.
Candace Rock Photography
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from the blog
- 10.09.25 – The Jill Foundation’s Annual Opportunity Drawing Is Now Open
- 10.09.25 – Born in OC Book Signing at Lido Village Books
- 10.07.25 – Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill Reopens Reimagined Anaheim Hills Flagship
- 10.07.25 – Moonlit Magic to Shine at 2025 Wish Gala
- 10.05.25 – Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at Musco Center
- 10.04.25 – Puesto Celebrates National Taco Day with Golden Ticket Giveaway
- 10.02.25 – Musco Presents Complexions Contemporary Ballet
- 10.02.25 – Newport Beach Becomes Global Beach Volleyball Capital Oct. 7–12
- 10.01.25 – Laguna Cliffs Hosts Harvest Moon Sound Bath
- 09.29.25 – Pumpkin Palooza Returns to Discovery Cube OC This October
- 09.29.25 – Zov’s Debuts New Brunch Menu Inspired by Family Traditions
- 09.26.25 – Segerstrom Center Expands Feel Good, Do Good Donation Drives
- 09.25.25 – GLOW Coalition Hosts First Fundraiser for Save Newport Nature
- 09.24.25 – Ilissa Michele Jewelry: Purpose-Driven, Handmade, and One-of-a-Kind
- 09.21.25 – Your Business. Our Audience.
- 09.19.25 – Irvine Barclay Theatre Celebrates 35th Season With Free Block Party
- 09.16.25 – Seconds at PCH Food Week Returns to 2ND & PCH
- 09.13.25 – Pasta Sisters Marks 10 Years With $8 Pasta Day
- 09.12.25 – Wrap Up by Valerie Perez Unveils Luxe Robe Collection for Fall
- 09.11.25 – Sgt. Pepperoni’s Partners With CHOC for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
More Daily Doses
- 10.08.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Honors
- 10.08.25 – Chiang Rai Thai in Tustin Serves Up Michelin-Recognized Northern Thai Cuisine
- 10.08.25 – Chili Chutney Brings Authentic Afghan Cuisine to Lake Forest
- 10.08.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
- 10.08.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 17 - 18
- 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
- 09.16.25 – Tastemakers of Orange County Returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- 09.16.25 – Pacific Wine & Food Classic Returns September 20
- 09.15.25 – The Market Place Opening Celebration
- 09.12.25 – Segerstrom Center Welcomes Yearlong Karon Davis Installation
- 09.08.25 – Pacific Symphony Opens 47th Season with Rachmaninoff and Sibelius
- 09.08.25 – Roger’s Gardens Celebrates 50 Years with Halloween Boutique, Midnight Market
- 08.24.25 – An Evening at The Lido Theater to Benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
- 08.20.25 – Seafolly Opens First U.S. Flagship in Corona del Mar
- 08.16.25 – Stone Groove Stillhouse Brings World’s First Audio Distillery to Anaheim
- 08.14.25 – Harvest Restaurant Showcases Seasonal California Cuisine