Descanso Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Four Days of Food, Cocktails, and Festivities

Descanso Restaurant, the modern taqueria known for its lively Plancha-style cooking and bold Central West Mexican flavors, is kicking off an extended Cinco de Mayo celebration at both its Costa Mesa and Los Angeles locations.

From Friday, May 2, through Monday, May 5, guests can enjoy festive specials including signature margarita pitchers, appetizer platters, takeout cocktails, and all-day happy hour on Cinco de Mayo.

Perfect for sharing, Descanso’s margarita pitchers ($48–$62) come in flavors like El Descanso, Cucumber + Sal, and Bad Hombre. Pair a pitcher with a street food-inspired appetizer platter—Costa Mesa’s version ($35) includes Chips, Salsa Frita, Clásico Guacamole, Elote Asado, Chicken Taquitos, and Ceviche Campechano, while the Los Angeles platter ($40) features Birria Empanadas in place of the taquitos.

For those celebrating at home, takeout margaritas and cocktails ($25) serve four to six and are available in flavors like Hibiscus Smash and Cucumber + Sal.

The party wraps with an all-day happy hour on Monday, May 5, featuring drink and appetizer specials for lunch, dinner, and everything in between.

Descanso Restaurant Locations
Costa Mesa: 1555 Adams Ave., Suite 103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Los Angeles: 5773 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

For more information, visit descansorestaurant.com.

Monaco Italian Kitchen Brings Neapolitan Pizzas and Housemade Pastas to Irvine

Monaco Italian Kitchen, the fourth concept from local restaurateur Tony Monaco, is officially opening Friday, April 25, at Eighteen Main in Irvine. Located at 2000 Main St., Suite 300, Monaco’s newest spot blends his Italian heritage with a modern approach to Italian cooking—serving lunch and dinner daily in a beautifully designed indoor-outdoor space.

The menu focuses on traditional Italian flavors with a fresh twist, including housemade doughs, specialty pastas, and sauces from scratch. Expect Neapolitan-style pizzas like the Bianca, Margherita and Diavola, all crafted after the team completed intensive training in Naples, Italy. They’re also serving Panuozzo Napoletano—pizza dough sandwiches filled with premium ingredients like pistachio pesto, bufala mozzarella, and ’nduja.

Pasta fans will love the selection of dishes like housemade Cappelletti en Brodo, Saffron Risotto, Cacio e Pepe, and Lamb Bolognese. The menu also features standout entrées like filet mignon, branzino, and braised lamb shank, along with fresh starters including arancini, beef tartare, grilled prawns, and a classic Caesar.

Drinks are just as thoughtful, with a cocktail list curated by Jason Friedman. Highlights include a fresh-pulled Espresso Martini, a bold Blue Cheese Martini with housemade olives and brine, and the Il Decision—a pear lemon drop. A full lineup of martinis, spritzes, aperitifs, and zero-proof options round out the bar program.

Monaco Italian Kitchen’s 4,500-square-foot space draws inspiration from Italian trattorias and Milan cafés—with warm wood details, a wraparound bar, and a stylish black-and-white tile floor that nods to classic Italian design.

Open daily for lunch and dinner: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Happy hour is launching soon.

Located at 2000 Main St., Suite 300, in Irvine.

Mother’s Day Dining and Experiences in Orange County

Mother’s Day is almost here, and some of Orange County’s best restaurants and hotels are ready to help you celebrate. From festive brunches to creative activities, these standout experiences offer something for every kind of celebration — whether you’re planning a big family gathering or a relaxed afternoon with Mom.

Roses and Nonalcoholic Mimosas at Mint Desi Kitchen
25381 Alicia Parkway, Suite C, Laguna Hills

Mint Desi Kitchen, an upscale halal destination in Laguna Hills, is offering complimentary nonalcoholic mimosas and roses for all moms on Mother’s Day. Known for its elevated Indian and Pakistani cuisine, Mint reimagines Desi fare with a chef-driven approach in a sleek, artful setting. The menu highlights flavor-packed dishes like Bandar Buns — a decadent take on monkey-style pull-apart bread with mango-garlic chutney — and Goat Karahi, presented tableside in a traditional wok. As a 100% halal restaurant, Mint also offers a creative craft nonalcoholic beverage menu, including complimentary mimosas made with N/A prosecco.
Mint will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 12. Reservations can be made here.

Mimosa Flight and Brunch Board at Calaca Mamas Cantina
1550 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim

Turn Mother’s Day into a fiesta at Calaca Mamas Cantina in Anaheim. Founded by two moms, this vibrant Day of the Dead-themed eatery is offering an exclusive Brunch Board and Bottomless Mimosas deal for two, priced at $55. Available Saturday and Sunday, the festive board includes conchas, buñuelos, vanilla sweet cream, berry compote, veggie frittata, potato taquitos, salsa, pickled veggies, fresh fruit, chicken chorizo, and Calaca Mamas’ beer bacon—plus two bottomless mimosas.
Reservations can be made here.

Celebrate Mom at Hilton Irvine
18800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine

Hilton Irvine is celebrating Mother’s Day with a fun and festive event at Aura Bar & Grill from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 12. Guests can create their own custom floral bouquet with local vendor stems.XO with the purchase of a $12 mimosa.

For an elevated afternoon, private poolside cabanas are available for rent from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each cabana accommodates up to four guests and includes plush seating, towel service, access to the hotel’s pool and hot tub, and poolside food and beverage service.
Advance cabana reservations are required and can be made here.

Mother’s Day Brunch at The Market by The Meat Cellar
31904 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano

The Market by The Meat Cellar in San Juan Capistrano is offering a special Mother’s Day prix-fixe brunch on Sunday, May 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Known for its chef-driven menu and boutique butcher counter, the coastal concept will feature shareable dishes like roasted bone marrow, glazed bacon with hot honey, breakfast quesadillas, and biscuits and gravy, along with sweet favorites like Nutella crepes, fluffy pancakes, and French toast.

Guests can also enjoy elevated brunch staples, including gourmet benedicts, breakfast sandwiches, and Steak & Eggs with premium cuts like Japanese A5 Wagyu and Australian tomahawk.
It’s a delicious way to celebrate Mom with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and bold, memorable flavors.