One Night, Five Courses, and a Top Chef Canada Champion at Balboa Bay Resort

Balboa Bay Resort is bringing something special to Newport Beach this summer. On Thursday, Aug. 6, the resort will host an intimate chef's dinner with Coulson Armstrong, winner of Top Chef Canada and Culinary Director of Toronto's Our House Hospitality. Tickets are $415.90 per person and available on Eventbrite and at balboabayresort.com.

Armstrong is one of Canada's most compelling culinary voices. He serves as Executive Chef of the celebrated Prime Seafood Palace, where he works alongside restaurateur Matty Matheson, and his Season 12 win on Top Chef Canada earned him fans well beyond the industry. But what shaped his cooking most was a decision he made at the height of his early success: he walked away from it all and spent three years traveling the world.

During that time, he staged at Noma in Copenhagen and State Bird Provisions in California, explored flavors across Southeast Asia and New Zealand, and built the relationships with farmers, fishers and producers that still define how he cooks today. "For me, this work always comes back to one idea: get the best possible ingredient, then respect it enough to leave it alone," says Armstrong. "That respect starts upstream, with the farmers, fishers, and producers I've built relationships with over years, the people who make great food possible long before I ever touch it. Each course in this menu is an exercise in clarity, technique in service of the ingredient and never the other way around, every element sourced with intention."

The five-course menu reflects that philosophy from the first bite. The evening opens with a Crab and Asparagus Tartlet and Cured Pickerel on Toast, then moves through a Shrimp Chawanmushi, an Eggplant Parmigiana with sesame crust and Thai basil, and a pasta course of Littleneck Clams with smoked bacon and chives. The centerpiece is Armstrong's Grande Tournedos Rossini, the beef tenderloin with king crab, caviar, foie gras and black truffle that became one of the signature moments of his Top Chef Canada championship run. A vegetarian option is available. The meal closes with a Maple Tart with maple custard and fresh cream, a nod to his Canadian roots. Wine pairings are included throughout.

Balboa Bay Resort is the only Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond waterfront resort in Newport Beach. An evening like this, on the water, with a chef of Armstrong's caliber, is a rare one for OC diners.

Image credit: Our House Hospitality

Amorelia Cocina Artesanal Brings the Flavors of Michoacán to Laguna Beach

Amorelia Cocina Artesanal has opened in Laguna Beach, bringing the flavors of Michoacán, handcrafted cocktails, and a vibrant gathering place to South Coast Highway.

The new restaurant features Mexican-inspired cuisine influenced by generations of family recipes from Morelia, Michoacán, paired with fresh coastal ingredients and thoughtful presentations. The dining experience is designed around great food, warm hospitality, and creating opportunities for people to connect.

Amorelia also plans to serve as a hub for culture and community, with live music on Thursday evenings, jazz nights, Latin dance events, DJ-hosted gatherings, live art activations, culinary experiences, and other community celebrations throughout the year.

For co-owner Gloria Seretti, the restaurant reflects the traditions she grew up with in Morelia, where family meals and celebrations brought people together around the table. Those memories and recipes continue to shape the menu today.

Founded by Seretti and Daniel Paniagua, Amorelia is a family-owned restaurant inspired by the culture, flavors, and traditions of Michoacán. From dinner and cocktails to live entertainment and special events, the restaurant aims to offer an experience that reflects the warmth and spirit of its heritage.

Open 4 to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

858 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach  (949) 593-0009

Via Lido Plaza Hosts Stars, Stripes & Summer Celebration July 17-18

Via Lido Plaza is celebrating summer with Stars, Stripes & Summer, a family-friendly community event taking place July 17 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The festivities begin Friday, July 17, when visitors can take advantage of in-store promotions and get a head start on completing a Via Lido Plaza Merchant Passport.

Passports can be picked up at the customer service table located next to the new mural behind Via Lido Drugs, facing West Marine. Participants who visit merchants throughout the center and collect passport stamps will be entered into an opportunity drawing for gift cards and prizes from Via Lido Plaza retailers and restaurants.

Completed passports must be turned in by 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, to be eligible for prizes, including free pizza for a year from Zpizza for two winners, a $250 Via Lido Drugs gift card in honor of America's 250th birthday, a Crew's Quarter gift basket valued at $150, a 24-by-48-inch giclee of Via Lido Plaza's new "The Sabot Regatta" mural valued at $700, two four-packs of Angels tickets and an overnight stay at Lido House. No purchase is necessary, and winners do not need to be present to win.

The celebration continues Saturday, July 18, with live music, face painting, games and family activities, along with a complimentary showing of Moana at The Lido Theater.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to meet local artist Ellen Gladis, creator of Via Lido Plaza's recently completed mural, "The Sabot Regatta." Gladis will be available to discuss the artwork and will have prints and giclees available for purchase.

The mural, which celebrates Newport Beach's sailing heritage, has quickly become a popular backdrop for photos at the center. Guests are encouraged to stop by, take family photos and learn more about the artwork. A giclee of "The Sabot Regatta" will also be awarded through the Stars, Stripes & Summer opportunity drawing.

Visitors can also complete their merchant passports by visiting participating restaurants, retailers and service businesses throughout the center. Once all passport stamps have been collected, completed passports can be returned to the customer service table near the mural for entry into the prize drawing.

Via Lido Plaza is located at 3425 Via Lido, off Balboa Blvd., in Newport Beach.