Easter Dining at South Coast Plaza

Dining options are plentiful at South Coast Plaza on Sunday, April 5. A dozen restaurants will offer brunch and dinner, with menus ranging from contemporary cuisine and steakhouse classics to Asian favorites. The center’s retail boutiques will be closed in observance of the holiday.

At Seasons 52, brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with dinner available all day. Guests can choose from individually priced brunch dishes or opt for the Easter Green Box to go. VIEW MENU. MAKE RESERVATIONS. 714.437.5252.

The Capital Grille will offer a two-course menu featuring chef-created selections, along with classic brunch cocktails and Champagne. The dinner menu will also be available all day. VIEW MENU. MAKE RESERVATIONS. 714.432.1140.

Morton’s The Steakhouse will serve an Easter three-course dinner from April 1 through April 5, with Easter Sunday hours from noon to 8 p.m. VIEW MENU. MAKE RESERVATIONS. 714.444.4834.

Several South Coast Plaza restaurants will also be open with à la carte menus throughout the day.

Outpost Kitchen will offer its popular Aussie-inspired weekend brunch with Easter specials, along with a full bar featuring creative cocktails and coffee beverages. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are available by calling 714.852.3044 or visiting OpenTable.

At Vaca, Chef Amar Santana presents a Spanish-inspired menu of tapas, paellas and wood-grilled steaks, along with Easter specials, craft cocktails and a Spanish-focused wine list. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Reservations are available through Resy or by calling 714.463.6060.

Water Grill will feature a wide selection of fresh seafood, including seasonal specialties such as live wild Dungeness crab, local spiny lobster and California spot prawns. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable or by calling 949.208.7060.

Caló Kitchen + Tequila will serve Mexican classics and contemporary dishes made with high-quality ingredients, along with a curated selection of tequilas and cocktails. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Reservations are available on Yelp or by calling 714.462.1445.

Anqi Bistro will offer seasonal Easter specials alongside signature dishes from the House of An. Hours are noon to 8 p.m., with an à la carte menu. Reservations are available by calling 714.557.5679 or visiting OpenTable.

Din Tai Fung, known for its handmade soup dumplings, wontons and noodles, will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are available on Yelp or by calling 714.549.3388.

Paradise Dynasty will present bold flavors from eight regions of China, with hours from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable or by calling 714.617.4630.

Le Shrimp Noodle Bar, a Singapore concept inspired by Japanese noodle soups, will serve its signature ramen and other savory dishes from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 714.884.4693 for more information.

Darya Fine Persian Cuisine will offer an upscale dining experience with authentic Persian dishes in a spacious dining room and patio setting. Hours are noon to 8:30 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable or by calling 714.557.6600.

Easter Brunch and Dining in Orange County

Easter Sunday falls on April 5, and restaurants across Orange County are offering everything from coastal brunch buffets to refined tea service and dinner experiences. Here is a look at where to celebrate the holiday this year.

Driftwood Kitchen in Laguna Beach hosts its annual seaside Easter brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chef Rainer Schwarz’s menu includes made-to-order omelets, fresh seafood, carving stations and desserts. The experience is priced at $135 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under, with younger children dining free.

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar will offer a two-course prix-fixe Easter brunch at both its Newport Beach and Tustin locations from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The $65 menu features seasonal dishes, with optional add-ons such as seafood towers and champagne.

In Costa Mesa, Knife Pleat celebrates Easter weekend with an afternoon tea service on Saturday, April 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The experience includes tea sandwiches, pastries and premium teas, with optional caviar and champagne. Reservations, here. 

The Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach presents a festive Easter brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The coastal celebration includes a buffet, bottomless champagne, live entertainment and family-friendly activities such as a petting zoo and Easter Bunny visits. Pricing is $125 for adults and $50 for children ages 5 to 12.

For dinner, ILYA offers a Mediterranean-inspired Easter evening from 4 to 9 p.m. The menu highlights wood-fired dishes, fresh seafood and house-made breads in a light, coastal setting.

Georgia’s Restaurant serves a Southern-style Easter brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring favorites such as chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits and cinnamon-apple waffles, along with brunch cocktails.

In Newport Beach, Sushi Roku offers a different take on Easter with its Japanese menu featuring fresh fish and globally inspired dishes, paired with sake and craft cocktails.

Finally, Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar in Old Towne Orange will serve Easter brunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with seasonal specials and house favorites alongside mimosas, Irish coffee and its signature Bloody Mary.

Reservations are recommended at most locations, as Easter brunch remains one of the busiest dining days of the year.

Newport Beach Goes for a World Record at Balboa Pier

Visit Newport Beach is inviting the community and visitors to Balboa Pier on Sunday, April 19, for an attempt to break the Guinness World Records title for the World’s Largest Swing Dance Lesson.

The free event takes place at Peninsula Park Athletic Field on the Balboa Peninsula, just steps from where the Balboa Swing style was born at the legendary Rendezvous Ballroom in the 1930s. To set the record, more than 391 pairs, or 782 people, will need to take part in a single lesson together.

Check-in begins at 10 a.m., with the official record attempt scheduled from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. Instruction will be led by Atomic Ballroom, with live music from Jonathan Stout Orchestra featuring Hilary Alexander. A certified Guinness World Records adjudicator will be on site to verify the attempt.

Participants can attend solo or with a partner, and those arriving alone can be matched on site. No dance experience is required, and the event is open to ages 13 and up. After the lesson, guests can stay to enjoy live music, food trucks, giveaways and more.

The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are encouraged here for those who want to be part of the record attempt.

Peninsula Park Athletic Field, Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach.