Greer's OC | The latest in Orange County fashion, dining, and trends.

QUA Debuts Afternoon Tea With a Chinese Twist

By Greer Wylder

September 21, 2026

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…

ENC Wine Walk Returns to Support Environmental Education

By Greer Wylder

September 21, 2026

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…

Get RELISH Ready: OC’s Premier Food and Wine Weekend Returns to Newport Beach

By Greer Wylder

September 18, 2026

RELISH is back for its second year, and this three-day celebration of food, wine and spirits at VEA Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa, runs Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4. The event was created by celebrity chef Jamie Gwen and celebrity event planner Nicole Hirsty of Cobalt Events.Friday's Opening Night Cocktail Party & Grand Tasting runs 5 to 8 p.m. and brings chef-curated hors d'oeuvres, interactive food and drink pop-ups, hand-crafted cocktails and award-winning wine. On hand this year: Geoffrey Zakarian, Scott Conant, James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Sherry Yard, Kat Turner, maitre fromager Afrim Pristine, sommelier…

Willem Dafoe to Headline “The Process Unlocked” Premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival

By Greer Wylder

September 16, 2026

The Newport Beach Film Festival will host the taping of the pilot episode of "The Process Unlocked" at Witte Hall on Sept. 19, with veteran journalist Jenelle Riley sitting down for an in-depth conversation with actor Willem Dafoe.The new series is a response to a shift in audience appetite. Red carpet interviews built around trivia and games have their place, but viewers are increasingly hungry for something slower and more substantive: real conversation about craft. "The Process Unlocked" delivers that. Rather than a broad career retrospective, each episode digs into specific creative choices, the instinct behind a scene, the vision…

Newport Beach Film Festival Turns 27, and the Lineup Is Stacked

By Greer Wylder

September 16, 2026

The Newport Beach Film Festival celebrates its 27th year this October, screening more than 100 feature films and 250 shorts from 21 countries, once again making it the largest international cinema event on the coast. Running Oct. 15-22, 2026, the festival has tickets on sale now, with the full lineup available at newportbeachfilmfest.com.The Centerpiece selections alone are worth clearing your schedule for. James Gray's "Paper Tiger" pairs Adam Driver with Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller. Danny Boyle brings "Ink," starring Jack O'Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy. And Martin McDonagh's "Wild Horse Nine" brings together John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve…