Blog

BoD Pop-Up in Memory of Fifi Chao
11.15.17
OC’s culinary community is coming together to host a benefit dinner in remembrance of one of its most prolific food writers and supporters of the local food scene, the beloved Fifi Chao, who recently lost a battle with cancer. Break of Dawn in Laguna Hills will host FIFI’S BEST on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. The restaurant, which serves breakfast and lunch, will host 66 guests for this special 8-course pop-up dinner for $200 per guest with 100% of the ticket price donated to Fifi’s husband, Patrick, and his family.
Break of Dawn Chef/Owner Dee Nguyen will be joined by the following local OC Chefs: Greg Daniels, Haven Gastropub; Yvon Goetz, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar; Joel Harrington of Lido Bottle Works; Dean Kim of OC Baking Company; Amar Santana of VACA; Rainer Schwarz of Hendrix & Driftwood Kitchen; and Tarit Tanjasiri of Crema Artisan Bakers.
“Fifi was the center of our OC culinary universe - there isn’t another person with a more thorough understanding and appreciation of the local food scene," explained Chef Nguyen. "We want to show her family the same support she always showed to us.”
Those interested in attending can email Chef Dee Nguyen directly at dee.breakofdawn@gmail.com. Special thanks to Sysco Foods for their product donation for this dinner.
24291 Avenida De La Carlota in Laguna Hills. 949.587.9418.
Blog

A Snail’s Pace, The Best Runner’s Store and Resource
11.14.17
Orange County-based A Snail's Pace Running Shop is easily the best running enthusiasts resource and store in OC. It’s known for its popular 5-Step fit process for finding the perfect running shoe; and for its running academies, clubs, creative events, and valuable running resources. It’s involved in the community by giving back to local high schools, races, organizations, police departments, and running clubs. Its selection of running shoes and apparel by the best shoe brands available is hard to beat.
If you’re interested in joining their Academy, they’ll help you prepare for upcoming races for all skills and distances. A Snail's Pace also suggests goal races for each member of the academy, based on their location, preferred timing, and running distance. From the Surf City Half Marathon to the Los Angeles Marathon which runs the full 26.2 miles, committing to one of these incredible events keeps the runner on track and motivated to be confidently prepared. More information is available here asnailspace.net/academy.
A Snail's Pace currently has 4 OC locations including their original in Fountain Valley and a recently opened a shop-in-shop inside New Balance at South Coast Plaza/Crystal Court in Santa Ana. A Snail's Pace has also been named one of the 50 Best Running Stores in America 10 of the past 11 years.
1040 E Imperial Highway in Brea. 714.529.6313.
8780 Warner Ave. in Fountain Valley. 714.842.2337.
24451 Alicia Parkway in Mission Viejo. 949.707.1460.
New Balance at 3333 Bear St. at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. 714.434.9405.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 06.27.25 – Luciana’s Ristorante in Dana Point Wins 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
- 06.27.25 – Celebrate the Fourth from Offshore 9’s Rooftop in Huntington Beach
- 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
- 06.23.25 – New Chapter for Sushi Ii: Acclaimed Chefs Join MICHELIN-Recognized Kitchen
- 06.18.25 – Tender Greens Unveils Seasonal Summer Menu Inspired by Local Harvests
- 06.17.25 – Strickland’s Ice Cream Marks One Year in Costa Mesa
- 06.15.25 – Catalina Museum for Art & History Presents Work by Sonia Romero
- 06.14.25 – RJB Restaurant Group Expands Parlor and Olea Footprints
- 06.14.25 – Jan’s Health Bar Expands to San Diego, Introduces New Smoothies and Summer Menu Favorites
- 06.11.25 – Taste of Japan Brings Food, Culture and Entertainment to Anaheim GardenWalk
- 06.09.25 – Topside Roof Deck Launches Sunday Brunch Club
- 06.09.25 – Ninth Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival to Celebrate Stories of the Sea
- 06.09.25 – Anaheim Hills Festival to Host Bubble Poppin’ Fun Event June 14
- 06.08.25 – Father’s Day Weekend at The Ranch: Steak, Lobster, Bourbon
- 06.03.25 – VEA Newport Beach Partners with Orlebar Brown for Stylish June Pop-Up
- 06.02.25 – Coming Soon: Miami City Ballet’s Swan Lake June 20–22 at Segerstrom Hall
- 06.02.25 – Open Studios at Cannery Artist Collective This Weekend
- 06.01.25 – Celebrate Juneteenth at Musco Center
- 05.30.25 – Newport Beach TV Fest Awards ‘Landman’ Outstanding Drama
More Daily Doses
- 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
- 06.09.25 – E-Commerce Favorite Dressin Launches First OC Store
- 06.03.25 – Hilbert Museum and Pageant of the Masters Partner for 2025 Celebration of California Art
- 06.02.25 – Anaheim’s World Taste Serves Up Culture and Cuisine
- 06.02.25 – Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO in Laguna Hills – Free Kids Tickets This Week
- 05.26.25 – Chef Jason Yamaguchi to Debut Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar This Summer
- 05.25.25 – Lido House Launches ‘La Dolce Vita’ – A Taste of Europe in Newport Beach
- 05.21.25 – A Catalina Day Trip: Ocean Views, Island History, and Memorable Stops
- 05.20.25 – Pendry Newport Beach Kicks Off Summer with New Experiences
- 05.15.25 – Cinq à Sept Opens First California Boutique at Fashion Island
- 05.14.25 – Meet Atome Bakery: Sourdough Without the Stress
- 05.14.25 – Newport Beach TV Fest Launches June 5-8, 2025
- 05.11.25 – Cozy Earth Opens Flagship Store in Corona del Mar
- 05.09.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Wild Strawberry Café in Newport Beach
- 05.08.25 – Mom-Worthy Dining in Orange County