Blog

Newport Beach Restaurants Giving Back
04.23.20
Despite this crisis, Newport Beach restaurants are finding ways to give back, even as they struggle to stay in business. Here is a roundup of restaurants that are doing good in our community with their incredible philanthropic endeavors, from starting grassroots campaigns to donating and delivering meals to essential and frontline medical workers.
AVILA’S EL RANCHITO
Avila’s participated in the Frontline Foods OC, the orange county chapter of the COVID-19 clinician meal support program. This initiative brings meals to frontline staff and Avila’s brought a feast to UCI Health’s medical team who are essentially working in wartime-like conditions.
ATOMIC CREAMERY
Atomic Creamery teamed up with University High School Irvine’s #GirlUp chapter to launch their “Pay It Forward” campaign. For every three pints of ice cream purchased, Atomic Creamery will donate a pint of ice cream to support local woman-owned businesses impacted by COVID-19.
BEAR FLAG FISH CO.
Bear Flag Fish Co teamed up with Frontline Foods OC to bring a lunch of fish burritos and clam chowder to the front-line staff at UCI Health.
BUDDHA’S FAVORITE SUSHI
Buddha’s Favorite has joined forces with a wonderful idea from Jennifer Scheumann and her #drivetothrive campaign. Simply purchase a gift card at any price (10% discount on gift cards still applies) and the gift card will be donated to the Environmental Services (EVS) at Hoag Hospital. They encourage you to also provide a handwritten note to our unsung heroes of Hoag Hospital.
JUICEMI
Juice Mi launched “JuiceMi Grams” for the public to purchase bundles of coffee, juices, wellness shots and acai bowls to send to frontline hospital staff. Or you can make a donation and JuiceMi will drop off free organic juices, ginger shots and acai bowls to health care professionals.
JUICEMI, HOOK AND ANCHOR, Z PIZZA, NEWPORT RIB COMPANY AND MORE:
Partnering with OC Feed the Frontline, a collection of local dining establishments raised over $3,500 in just four days to feed approximately 500 healthcare workers at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach.
MALARKY’S IRISH PUB
In March as owner Mario Marovic closed the doors to the locally-loved Malarky’s Irish Pub, he set up a one-day-only drive-thru toilet paper shop selling 4,000 rolls of toilet paper at cost to the public. He also teamed up with Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill to deliver 1,100 rolls to the Oasis Senior Center for distribution to low-income senior facilities.
NEWPORT BEACH DINING ESTABLISHMENTS PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL KITCHEN + CRAFT BAR’S SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE”
Sgt. Pepperoni’s, Olea Newport Beach, Chronic Tacos, Miss Mini Donuts and many more local restaurants participated in Social Kitchen + Craft Bar’s program “Serving Those Who Serve” whose mission is to feed unemployed or furloughed hospitality workers for free.
OLEA NEWPORT BEACH
OLEA Newport Beach partnered with Front Line Food OC to help feed the nurses and doctors at UCI Health.
PANINI KABOB GRILL
Panini Kabob Grill is giving back with #PKGCares and donating and delivering fresh, healthy Mediterranean food to local hospitals and first responders.
Blog

“Death, Discovery and Carne Asada”
04.23.20
My friend Thomas Curran walked across America last year all by himself (well his dog Wink accompanied him for a good part of the trip) to raise funds for Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.
And that’s not all, he also wrote a book, but it’s not what you are thinking. It’s called “Death, Discovery and Carne Asada” and the opening line is “I didn’t plan on killing people when I walked across America.” Thomas says there are plenty of great books already written about walking across the country, so he wrote something much different, “I wrote a fiction novel using my life prior to my journey and everything about my walk as the backdrop for a snarky, irreverent, kinda low-brow murder mystery.”
After being a chef for 25 years, a father for 23, walking 3,235 miles across America, and acclimating back to real life for nearly 6 months his book is finally done! And, it’s coming out on Tuesday, April 28 on Amazon - mark your calendar and check it out at thomascurran.com
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from the blog
- 08.17.25 – Buena Vista Orchestra Live in Costa Mesa
- 08.17.25 – Award-Winning Chef Ralph Estrada Joins IL Girasole in Costa Mesa
- 08.05.25 – Puesto Unveils Flavor-Packed Summer Menu Across SoCal Locations
- 08.03.25 – One Night in Asia – An Immersive Culinary and Entertainment Experience
- 08.01.25 – MoonGoat Coffee Roasters Opens Fifth and Largest OC Location at Pacific Arts Plaza
- 08.01.25 – Fritz and Friends Set for One-Night Show in Orange County
- 07.29.25 – A Botanical Bug Spray That Smells Like Summer
- 07.27.25 – Hotel Maya Celebrates 50 Years as a Long Beach Icon
- 07.24.25 – darkroom Pop-Up: Spanish AF
- 07.16.25 – ABT’s ‘Giselle’ Returns to Segerstrom Center This Summer
- 07.16.25 – Hotel del Coronado Unveils Restored Victorian Building
- 07.07.25 – Bardega to Open in Laguna Hills with Bodega-Style Market and Custom Cocktails
- 07.04.25 – Fit Bodies by Amanda Marks 15th Anniversary With Pop-Up Celebration
- 07.04.25 – Puesto Debuts Protein-Packed Bowls and Summer Specials
- 06.29.25 – Celebrate the Fourth from Offshore 9’s Rooftop in Huntington Beach
- 06.27.25 – Luciana’s Ristorante in Dana Point Wins 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
- 06.24.25 – Luxury Designer Pop-Up in Tustin: Up to 90% Off Now Through June 29
- 06.24.25 – Where to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Orange County
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- 06.18.25 – Tender Greens Unveils Seasonal Summer Menu Inspired by Local Harvests
More Daily Doses
- 08.16.25 – Stone Groove Stillhouse Brings World’s First Audio Distillery to Anaheim
- 08.14.25 – An Evening at The Lido Theater to Benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
- 08.14.25 – Harvest Restaurant Showcases Seasonal California Cuisine
- 08.06.25 – ClubSport Aliso Viejo Debuts Recovery Upgrades and New Friends Membership
- 08.05.25 – A Taste of Japan in Irvine: Izakaya Osen
- 08.01.25 – Bubble Blast Brings Summer Fun to The District
- 07.24.25 – Exciting Additions at Anaheim Hills Festival: Egg Tuck, Story Bar + Kitchen, and More!
- 07.21.25 – Gala of the Stars Returns to the Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 07.17.25 – Beats & Brews: Outdoor Concert Series at The District at Tustin Legacy
- 07.12.25 – Studio Mediterranean Debuts at Montage Laguna Beach with Reimagined Coastal Dining Experience
- 07.12.25 – World Taste Returns to Anaheim Packing District July 16
- 07.11.25 – Pacific Waters Spa Introduces Innovative Wellness Therapies at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
- 07.11.25 – Chef Jason Yamaguchi Debuts Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar
- 06.30.25 – Sip Into Summer at The District Tustin’s Cocktail Tour
- 06.25.25 – Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Orange County
- 06.22.25 – Surf & Sand, Laguna Beach Unveils Property-wide Transformation
- 06.17.25 – RELISH Food, Wine and Spirits Experience Debuts in Newport Beach June 27-29
- 06.15.25 – Sweetgreen Welcomes 5th O.C. Restaurant To Laguna Niguel
- 06.15.25 – Casa de Onda Brings Modern Mexican Fusion and Coastal Cool to Triangle Square
- 06.10.25 – Step inside California Kinship at Langson IMCA