Ruin Bar Celebrates 10 Years at The LAB

Ruin, the speakeasy-style lounge known for its craft cocktails and moody, eclectic vibe, is turning 10. The Costa Mesa hot spot will celebrate its anniversary at The LAB Anti-Mall on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 5 to 10 p.m.

Expect a night full of surprises, including live music, welcome drink samples, a complimentary photo booth and tarot card readings. Flash tattoos and fresh pretzels from a pretzel cart will also be on hand for purchase.

Representatives from a few standout spirits brands will be there to pour tastes and talk shop, including Tin City Distillery, a premium spirits brand out of Paso Robles; Mijenta Tequila, a small-batch, additive-free tequila from Jalisco, Mexico; and Old Forester, known as the first bottled bourbon. Ruin will also run drink specials all weekend long.

Tucked behind discreet shutters and dressed in vintage, eclectic décor, Ruin draws its inspiration from the ruin bars of Budapest, Hungary. The award-winning indoor-outdoor bar has built a loyal following for its quirky charm, and this weekend is your chance to help it celebrate a decade in business.

Ruin Bar is located at The LAB Anti-Mall at 2930 Bristol in Costa Mesa. For more information, visit theruinbar.com 

QUA Debuts Afternoon Tea With a Chinese Twist

QUA Contemporary Chinese Cuisine is putting its own spin on one of the world's most beloved dining rituals with the debut of Afternoon Tea at QUA, a new seasonal experience inspired by the flavors of Chợ Lớn and the tradition of slowing down over tea and food with the people who matter most. The experience pairs a tiered presentation of Chinese-inspired sweets and savory bites with a pot of tea to share, available exclusively on QUA's open-air patio.

The idea comes from Kei Concepts co-CEO Ivy Ha, whose own love of afternoon tea inspired the new offering.

"Afternoon tea has always felt like permission to slow down," said Ha. "You're not rushing through a meal or moving on to the next thing. You're sitting, talking, and enjoying the people you're with. I've hosted tea at home with my friends and our kids, and those are some of my favorite memories. When we created QUA, I wanted to bring that same feeling here and express it through our food and culture."

Rather than replicate a traditional English afternoon tea, QUA's culinary team spent months developing an experience rooted in the restaurant's Chinese identity while keeping the sense of occasion tied to tea service. With no established format to follow, the team built the menu from scratch, including pastries made in house specifically for the experience, while sourcing teas and tableware and weighing each element of the presentation together. The result puts as much emphasis on the quality and craftsmanship of the food as it does on the setting.

Served on a traditional tiered stand, the menu opens with sweets including mango sago pudding, egg tarts, black sesame cookies and fresh fruit. Savory selections include vegetable crudité with whipped tofu and chili crunch, honey walnut shrimp youtiao, barbecue pork puff pastries and tea egg sandwiches, along with siu mai. Each tea service includes one pot to share, with herbal, green, black and oolong options available. Mimosas are $12 per glass.

Afternoon Tea at QUA is available Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The experience is $45 per person with a two person minimum. A children's option is available for an additional $10 and includes red bean panda bao, taro snow bunny bao and apple juice, making it something parents can enjoy alongside their kids.

The September menu marks the first version of Afternoon Tea at QUA, with the food, tea and presentation set to evolve seasonally throughout the year to reflect different celebrations, ingredients and occasions.

Each iteration offers guests a new way to gather at QUA, creating a daytime tradition that invites them to discover a new experience each season. Reservations can be made online.

16121 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley.

ENC Wine Walk Returns to Support Environmental Education

The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) is teaming up with Hi-Time Wine Cellars for an afternoon of wine tasting on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m., with proceeds benefiting local environmental education programs.

Guests will wander the ENC's scenic trails, stopping at tasting stations along the way to sample pours from more than two dozen wineries, including 1853 Old Vine Estate, Ameri, Bigi, Castello di Querceto, Domaine Bousquet, Marcelo Pelleriti, Tenuta Rocca, Wente, Gaia, Rotari, Stemmari and Val d'Oca. Small bites will be served throughout the walk, and Balboa Island guitarist Matt Hurray will provide live instrumental surf music, bringing a taste of Southern California's classic surf sound to the afternoon.

Cap off the walk at the firepit with dessert and a cup of Kean Coffee. Before the event, don't miss the online silent auction, running Sept. 22-27, featuring one of a kind experiences, local goods and more. Proceeds from both the Wine Walk and the auction go directly toward the ENC's environmental education programs for children and families.

Tickets are $115 per person and include tastings, bites and entertainment. Wines poured at the event will be available for purchase through Hi-Time Wine Cellars, with pickup at their Costa Mesa store after the event.

Tickets are limited, and this event is expected to sell out. Reserve your spot at encenter.org.

To contribute to the online auction, visit encenter.org/wine-walk-auction-donation.

Questions can be directed to Lori Whalen at lori@encenter.org.