VIII by Selanne Unveils Summer Tasting Menu

VIII by Selanne, the intimate tasting-menu restaurant next to Selanne Steak Tavern, has introduced a new summer menu celebrating California's seasonal harvest through a multi-course dining experience.

Available for a limited time, the menu highlights premium seafood, locally sourced produce and expertly prepared meats, with each course designed to capture the freshness of summer and reflect VIII's contemporary approach to fine dining.

Executive Chef Vince Terusa and his team open the experience with an assortment of canapés, including king crab tartelette, beef tartare and pomme dauphine, before moving into California Coastline, a seafood trio of bay scallop, bluefin tuna toro and Misty Point oyster. Inspired by VIII's oceanfront setting, the opening courses pay homage to Laguna Beach's coastline and Southern California's abundant seafood.

Seasonal produce takes center stage in the Summer Vegetables course, featuring Jimmy Nardello peppers with labneh and house-baked focaccia. The menu continues with California seabass, charred fennel and preserved apricot, followed by handkerchief pasta with sweet summer corn, squash and ricotta.

Entrées include pork secreto with pineapple, Anaheim romesco and guajillo jus, and dry-aged rib loin with cherry, torpedo onion, celeriac custard and pepper jus. The tasting concludes with a peach profiterole featuring champagne caramel, raspberry gel and almond anglaise, a bright finish inspired by California's stone fruit season.

Each course is paired with VIII's signature wine selections, curated by Advanced Sommelier Vito Pasquale. Highlights include Klein Constantia Blanc de Blanc from South Africa, a Riesling tasting, Reverdito Pelaverga 2023 from Italy, Granbazán Albariño 2025 from Spain, La Rioja Alta Reserva 2020 from Spain, a special Judgment of Paris tasting and Miles Madeira 1988 to close the evening.

Together, Terusa's seasonal cuisine and Pasquale's wine pairings reflect VIII by Selanne's philosophy of showcasing exceptional ingredients through globally inspired cuisine, all while celebrating the coastal beauty of Laguna Beach.

VIII by Selanne is located at 1464 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. 949-715-9881.

VEA Newport Beach Debuts Chef Angelo Sosa Summer Menu

VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa, has partnered with chef, restaurateur and "Top Chef" alum Angelo Sosa for a limited-time summer collaboration running July 14 through Sept. 30.

The partnership brings two concepts, Beso Burger and Taqueria Amada, to dining venues across VEA Newport Beach, the coastal resort known for its sweeping Pacific Ocean views.

Beso Burger

Available at Edge Bar (Monday through Thursday, noon to sunset; Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to sunset):

Beso Burger, $28: a single smashed prime beef patty with Beso sauce, American cheese, pickles and crinkle-cut fries on a toasted brioche bun

• Beso Shake, $12: a signature French fry vanilla shake
• Beso Combo, $36: the Beso Burger, crinkle-cut fries and a signature shake
• Imayo Tsukasa Artesian Junmai, Niigata, $14 by the glass or $28 by the bottle

Taqueria Amada

Available at VIEW Restaurant & Lounge (lunch 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., dinner 5 to 10 p.m.):

Tacos and tostadas

Fish taco, $24: grilled rockfish, chipotle mayo, crisp cabbage, pickled red onion, salsa macha, salsa verde and micro cilantro

Elote tostada, $18: corn puree, charred esquites, elote spice mayo, feta, salsa macha and micro cilantro

Tuna tostada, $24: yellowfin tuna, guacamole, Persian cucumbers, red onion, jalapeño, citrus ponzu and salsa macha

(Salsa macha contains peanuts.)

Sweets

• Vanilla bean flan, $16, with Manchego cheese

Drinks

• Jamaica and piña mezcalita, $18: Manojo mezcal, hibiscus, pineapple, citrus and clove
• Jamaica and piña agua fresca, $12: hibiscus, pineapple, citrus and clove

Summer events at VEA Newport Beach

The resort will also host a lineup of summer events, including:

A summer concert series, with Daniel Bonte & The Bonafide on July 16 at 5:30 p.m. and Teddy Robb on Aug. 20 at 5:30 p.m.

The Second City Goes Coastal, Sept. 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Pacific Wine & Food Classic: Wine Down, Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets and details are available on VEA Newport Beach's Eventbrite page.

Image courtesy VEA Newport Beach

Life Time Opens Resort-Style Athletic Club in Brea

North Orange County's wellness scene just got a serious upgrade. Life Time has opened its Brea Athletic Country Club at Brea Mall, marking the brand's first location in North Orange County.

The club spans more than 85,000 square feet across three acres of indoor and outdoor space. It's designed as a one-stop destination where fitness, recovery, family time and social life all live under one roof, setting a new standard for healthy living in the area.

Members can enjoy a resort-style "Beach Club" experience complete with a lap pool, leisure pool, waterslides, cabanas and outdoor dining and bar service. Pickleball players have five courts to choose from, two outside and three indoors, and the fitness floor is outfitted with top-tier cardio and strength equipment along with open space for functional training and personal training sessions.

Group fitness fans can dig into signature programs like GTX, Alpha, Ultra Fit and the increasingly popular CTR (Core Tone Reform) athletic reformer workout. For recovery, there's a dedicated Recovery Zone with HydroMassage and CryoLounge chairs, Normatec compression therapy and Hyperice vibration tools, plus a full-service LifeSpa offering hair, nail, massage and skincare treatments.

The club also includes LifeCafe, a nutrition-focused cafe and lounge for grabbing a bite or catching up with friends, and a Work Club Lounge for members who want a community-style coworking space. Families are covered too, with a Kids Academy offering programming, camps and supervised care for children ages three months to 11 years. Luxury locker rooms come equipped with hydrotherapy suites, including sauna, steam, whirlpool and cold plunge, and members looking for pain relief can book appointments through LifeClinic with licensed chiropractors for an additional fee.

Life Time Brea is located at 1600 Brea Mall Road, Brea.

Image Courtesy: Life Time