Blog

Halloween Family Fun in OC
10.28.16
Kaleidoscope will host its 6th annual Trick or Treat Pumpkin Dance Party on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The afternoon of family fun will include trick-or-treating, dancing, games, pumpkin decorating and more.
Costumed youngsters ages 12 and under are invited to bring their own treat bag and stroll the center trick-or-treating from 1 to 3:30 p.m, or while supplies last. Kids of all ages can enjoy dancing and games with DJ Mike from Kids DJ Entertainment, free face painting, and picking and painting a pumpkin from Kaleidoscope’s pumpkin patch for $5.
In addition, children who turn in their Trick or Treat passport card, stamped by the various participating shops at Kaleidoscope, will have an opportunity to win a Grand Pumpkin Giveaway Basket filled with candy and gift cards. Local favorite Donna B.’s Bakery of Mission Viejo will also be on hand selling Halloween treats during the event.
Kaleidoscope is off the Santa Ana (5) Fwy. at Crown Valley Parkway in Mission Viejo. 949.542.4417.
Scavenger Hunt-themed Halloween Events
South County families have two fun and free Scavenger Hunt-themed events where costumed little ones can trick or treat and enjoy other Halloween fun.
At Mercantile West in Ladera Ranch, costumed youngsters can Trick or Treat at participating stores on Monday, October 31, from 3 to 5 p.m. There will also be a photo booth, a DJ to entertain families, a costumed character and balloon artist on Main Street, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and free Halloween trick or treat bags given away on the Gelson's Patio, while supplies last.
Select stores and restaurants will also offer special discounts during the event, including Poppies Boutique, which will provide glow bracelets, flash tattoos and 10% off; the new Verizon Wireless store that will offer $30 off any Samsung phone purchase; Fit Club will offer a one month special of unlimited evening classes for $59; and ZPizza will offer discounted pizza slices.
Mercantile West is at 25612 Crown Valley Parkway, at Antonio, in Ladera Ranch. www.ShopDineLaderaRanch.com.
At Plaza Antonio in Rancho Santa Margarita, the free Scavenger Hunt themed Trick or Treat event will also be on Monday, October 31, from 3 to 5pm. The family friendly event will include Trick or Treating at participating stores, balloon art, a DJ near Mizuiro, a costumed character and photo booth near Board & Brew, and free trick or treat bags given away on Pavilions Patio, while supplies last.
Select stores and restaurants featuring special discounts during the festivities will include Baskin Robbins offering $1 scoops, Paul’s Pizza and Grill will hand out samples and discount coupons, Orangetheory Fitness hand out granola bars and coupons, and more.
Plaza Antonio is at 22351 Antonio Parkway, at La Promesa, in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Dining

Water Grill Makes Waves in Costa Mesa
10.26.16
Water Grill, noted as one of the best seafood restaurants in Southern California, just opened in the former Scott's Restaurant & Bar near South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Water Grill also has locations in Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica and San Diego.
King’s Seafood’s, the company’s private seafood distribution operation based in Santa Ana provides all the seafood for Water Grill’s menu. Menus are crafted daily to account for freshly caught fish and seasonal culinary changes for Water Grill guests to enjoy. Water Grill prides itself in offering a wide variety of fin fish, oysters, crustaceans and shellfish.
The Orange County Water Grill is their largest restaurant yet, the 500-seat restaurant boasts several private dining options and multiple event spaces, ideal for intimate celebrations, business gatherings, large parties and charity events.
Water Grill’s extensive menu includes a raw bar and chilled shellfish selection of both Pacific and Eastern oyster varieties, as well as clams, scallops, lobster and crab. Available in three sizes, the Iced Shellfish Platters provide an incredible sampling of chilled shellfish.
The exhibition kitchen showcases large sea water tanks displaying the ever-changing assortment of live products including Wild Barents Sea Red King Crab, Washington State Dungeness Crab, Santa Barbara Spot Prawns and local Spiny Lobster.
The constantly evolving lunch and dinner menus feature more than a dozen varieties of fish options as well as a whole fish program. Other lunch and dinner favorites include Wild Columbia River King Salmon with lemon nage and heirloom tomatoes, Wild Ross Sea Chilean Sea Bass with cauliflower purée, lemon chutney, hazelnuts, brown butter, and the Crudo Sampler with wild Tahitian bigeye tuna, wild eastern sea scallops, wild Columbia River king salmon.
Water Grill also serves mouthwatering deserts such as Caramel Bread Pudding with alaea red sea salt, Banana Chocolate Sundae with chocolate covered corn flakes, and Warm Almond Cake with red wine poached apple, apple cider ice cream, and red wine caramel.
The weekend brunch menu features Baked Salmon Rillettes with crème fraiche, mustard, dill and tobiko, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with lemon and vanilla syrup and sweet creamed ricotta, and Crab Benedict with jumbo lump blue crab, poached organic eggs and grilled asparagus, in addition to specialty morning cocktails.
Lunch and dinner are served 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday – Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. On Saturdays and Sundays Water Grill is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Water Grill is at 3300 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa. 949.208.7060.
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