Summer ended, Time to Shop and Dine

Now that summer is over, you may have more time to check out new places that just opened—especially if you’re a mom with school age kids like me.

Last month, The Market Place in Irvine and Tustin on Jamboree Road opened a new giant Nordstrom Rack packed full of on-trend apparel, accessories, and shoes at 30% to 70% off regular prices. The Rack carries merchandise from Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com and specially purchased items from top brands sold at Nordstrom. Nordstrom Rack is on the Tustin side of The Market Place, near REI and Best Buy. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. 2882 El Camino Real in Tustin. 714.689.3550

And, if you’re hungry, there’s no shortage of eateries at The Market Place. The latest openings include Wokcano’s for fresh sushi and creative maki rolls, as well as a modern twist on classic Asian dishes. Wockano’s restaurant and lounge offers a sushi bar, a full menu of modern Asian cuisine and a cocktail bar. Exclusive new menu items include housemade xiao long bao or soup dumplings (with pork or chicken), as well as an extensive raw seafood bar. Wokcano is next to California Pizza Kitchen. Open 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. 3015 El Camino Real in Tustin. 714.508.4411.

Austin-based Hopdoddy Burger Bar, also just opened on the Irvine side of The Market Place. The fresh burger and beer eatery uses the freshest, all-natural ingredients available and grinds hormone-free, antibiotic-free Black Angus beef in-house. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 3030 El Camino Real in Tustin. 714.505.2337.

The new California Fish Grill specializes in fresh fish from around the world, prepared just the way you want. You can have your fish grilled, charbroiled or fried—offered in a taco, wrap or on a plate. Seafood offerings include scallops, salmon, catfish and ahi—and are perfect for anyone’s palate. California Fish Grill is on the Irvine side of the center. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. 13780 Jamboree Road in Irvine. 949.386.1980.

Not new, but worth noting---The Market Place boasts the largest REI in Orange County, and the country’s largest See’s Candies.

The Market Place is at 2961 El Camino Real in Tustin.