Super Irvine International Market Opens in Irvine

A new chapter begins for a beloved Orange County institution. The much-anticipated Super Irvine International Market just opened, introducing a luxury market hall experience that blends contemporary design with global culinary inspiration.

Located at Parkview Center, part of the Irvine Company Retail Properties portfolio, the reimagined Super Irvine transforms the traditional international market into a modern destination inspired by Europe’s food halls.

The new space was designed to be both elevated and inviting, encouraging shoppers to gather, dine, and explore flavors from around the world.

Beyond its striking design, Super Irvine offers an immersive culinary experience uniting Mediterranean, Asian, European, and Western influences. The upscale market features a full-service deli, butcher shop with halal and kosher options, a fresh juice and coffee bar, and aisles filled with international ingredients.

Two culinary highlights include Bella’s Bakery, known for its fresh-baked goods and event catering, and Irvine Café, a sit-down Mediterranean restaurant created by the second-generation owners.

Super Irvine’s deep commitment to quality and community continues with organic produce sourced from the family’s farm in Fallbrook, California, where herbs, eggs, and fruit are grown and harvested with care. UCI students will also receive a 10% discount, strengthening the market’s connection to the Irvine community.

The Super Irvine story began in 1983 when founder Ali Ariarad opened a small butcher shop in Orange. His dedication to high-quality products at fair prices laid the foundation for what the brand stands for today. In 1996, the family opened the first Super Irvine, followed by a Mission Viejo location in 2003—the city’s first Persian market.

Now, three years after closing its original Irvine store, the family proudly unveils a reimagined space led by Ali’s daughters, Mahta and Ana, who carry forward their father’s legacy of excellence and hospitality.

Super Irvine International Market will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Parkview Center, 5311 University Drive, Irvine.

Image Courtesy Eric Figge Photography

Prime Pizza Opens First Orange County Location in Mission Viejo

Prime]https://www.primepizza.la/">Prime[/url] Pizza is bringing its California take on classic New York-style pizza to Orange County with the opening of its first location in Mission Viejo on Monday, Nov. 3. The shop is currently open with limited hours as the team prepares for its grand opening celebration.

To celebrate, Prime Pizza will give away merch and serve free slices from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (limit one per person) on Nov. 3 at its newest shop at 24420 Alicia Parkway.

Founded in Los Angeles in 2014, Prime Pizza is known for its authentic New York–style pies made with premium ingredients. Each pizza starts with dough made fresh daily using King Arthur flour, Grande cheese, Stanislaus tomatoes, and Corto olive oil from Central California.

Guests can expect Prime’s full lineup of round and square pies, including Cheese, Pepperoni, and Vodka, along with The Grandma and Spicy Pepperoni square pies. The menu also features hot subs and baked pastas such as Chicken Parm, Vodka Rigatoni, and Meatball Parm, plus vegan and gluten-free pizzas, garlic knots, salads, and the new fan-favorite Churro Knots for dessert.

Prime Pizza stays focused on craft, consistency, and balance — not food trends or over-the-top toppings. When the team does collaborate, it’s intentional. Past limited-edition pies have featured partnerships with Jitlada, Tacos y Birria La Unica, and Bludso’s BBQ. The Hawaiian Pie with pulled pork, shaved pineapple, and teriyaki — created with Bludso’s — became so popular it earned a permanent spot on the menu.

The Mission Viejo restaurant is Prime Pizza’s first location outside Los Angeles County and ninth overall, joining Fairfax, Altadena, Woodland Hills, Santa Monica, and others. The new shop is designed for fast takeout and delivery, with outdoor seating and a standing rail for slice orders.

The Mission Viejo opening marks the start of a major expansion year for Prime Pizza, with seven more locations planned for 2026, including Brea, Valley Village, Torrance, Thousand Oaks, Northridge, and the Inland Empire.

24420 Alicia Pkwy, Mission Viejo.

North Italia Debuts Seasonal Fall + Winter Menu in Irvine and Beyond

North Italia has launched its new Fall and Winter menu at all locations nationwide, including its Orange County restaurant in Irvine where we dined this week. The seasonal update brings back fan favorites, introduces new chef-driven dishes, and adds fall twists across brunch, lunch and dinner.

New seasonal highlights include the Italian Short Rib Lumache with grana padano crema and horseradish gremolata, the Sunday Night Lasagna with braised short rib and Italian sausage, and the Prime New York Steak Tagliata served with wild arugula and shaved grana padano. Brunch brings a refreshed Morning Market Board featuring a caramelized onion frittata, burrata, shaved asparagus and arugula salad, and heirloom cherry tomatoes.

Seasonal additions join year-round favorites like White Truffle Garlic Bread and Crispy Eggplant Parmesan, handmade pizzas including Hot Honey and Smoked Prosciutto or Funghi, fresh salads like Tuscan Kale with crispy pancetta and charred grape, and house-made pastas such as Spicy Rigatoni Vodka and Bolognese. Dessert brings back the Salted Caramel Budino with espresso fudge, banana and toasted pecan toffee.

Cerritos and Topanga locations will exclusively offer house-made focaccia with wild oregano, rosemary, sea salt and aged balsamic. 

Select locations including Cerritos and Torrance will also debut the new Mini Bar, a tasting-style program offering 2- to 3-ounce pours of curated cocktails such as the Paradio with tequila, hazelnut, coconut and strawberry. Zero-proof options join the menu as well, including Faux Me Twice with nonalcoholic sauvignon blanc, strawberry, pineapple and smashed citrus.

At every North Italia, the team is dedicated to delivering handcrafted Italian favorites made from scratch daily, from fresh pasta and pizza dough to seasonal boards and entrées. Guests can enjoy brunch, lunch, happy hour, dinner and dessert.

Brunch
Saturday – Sunday | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Lunch
Monday – Friday | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Dinner
Sunday – Thursday | 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday – Saturday | 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Happy Hour
Monday – Thursday | 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Happy Hour offered in the bar where applicable.

North Italia Irvine is located 2957 Michelson Drive. For reservations, call (949) 629-7060.