levainbakeryyy

Sweet Arrival: Levain Bakery Opens First Orange County Location at Fashion Island

August 29, 2026

Levain Bakery opens its first Orange County location at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Friday, Sept. 4, at 8 a.m. The New York bakery, known for its six-ounce cookies, will bring its full lineup of cookies, breads, pastries and coffee to the fourth Southern California shop in its growing footprint. For longtime Levain fans and anyone with a soft spot for a good cookie, this is a big one. The wait for a taste of the cult favorite right here in OC is almost over.The first 100 people in line Friday will get a custom Levain Bakery Newport Beach…

Continue Reading
bettertaste26

OCAPICA’s Tastemakers of Orange County Celebrates 10 Years of Community-Driven Cuisine

August 26, 2026

Tastemakers of Orange County returns for its 10th anniversary on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.The annual event, produced by and benefiting the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA), brings together more than two dozen distinguished Orange County chefs to showcase Asian and Pacific Islander-inspired cuisine. Proceeds support OCAPICA's programs in mental health and health services, youth development, housing assistance, policy education and protecting immigrant communities.“Ten years ago, OCAPICA faced an uncertain future due to the financial crisis and…

Continue Reading
teleferic

Telefèric Barcelona Brings Spanish Flavor to Fashion Island

August 24, 2026

Newport Beach has a new spot for tapas and paella. Telefèric Barcelona, the family-owned Spanish restaurant group behind eight other California and Arizona locations, has opened its ninth U.S. restaurant at Fashion Island.The Padrosa family, siblings Xavi and Maria, trace the concept back to their original restaurant in Sant Cugat, Spain, which opened in 1992. The brand made its U.S. debut in Walnut Creek in 2016, and 2026 marks a decade of growth stateside, with recent openings in Scottsdale and La Jolla leading up to Newport Beach.The menu, led by Executive Chef Óscar Cabezas, leans into family-style sharing. Expect patatas…

Continue Reading
pacificfoodandwine26

Pacific Wine & Food Classic Returns to Newport Beach in September

August 20, 2026

One of Southern California's most beloved culinary events is back, and it's stepping into an exciting new chapter. The Pacific Wine & Food Classic returns Saturday, Sept. 12, to Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in Newport Beach.This year's festival is produced under the leadership of Tricia Cook, a longtime member of the event team who has helped shape it since day one and has now taken the reins. Cook brings a deep understanding of the event's legacy along with a fresh vision for where it's headed, and she's committed to keeping the elevated food, wine and hospitality experience that has made…

Continue Reading
bestDream_Glow_Image_2

Dream Glow Festival Returns to Celebrate the Beauty of Chinese Culture

August 18, 2026

This holiday season, Dream Glow Festival returns to Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine, bringing even more dazzling lantern displays and authentic Chinese cultural experiences to Southern California. Running nightly from November 5 through December 30, the festival invites visitors to immerse themselves in a spectacular celebration where ancient traditions meet breathtaking artistry. Created in partnership with Wcreative, Dream Glow Festival will feature more than 1,000 handcrafted illuminated lanterns, designed and built by skilled artisans from China. Inspired by the renowned lantern-making heritage of Zigong, these larger-than-life displays transform the park into a glowing world of vibrant colors, legendary creatures, seasonal scenes,…

Continue Reading