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

Christmas Dumplings at Paradise Dynasty

By Greer Wylder

December 17, 2021

Dumpling lovers can get into the holiday spirit with a basket of red & green xiao long bao aka juicy soup dumplings at Paradise Dynasty. These colorful dumplings get their vibrant hues from all-natural ingredients such as beet juice and spinach juice and they aren't purely for show, they represent different unique flavors, too. The red dumplings yield a Szechuan flavor, with Kurobuta pork and hints of tongue-tingling Szechuan peppercorn spices. The green dumplings are filled with small-diced luffa gourd with Kurobuta pork -- (psst, luffa gourd is a type of squash related to the cucumber). These seasonal dumplings will be…

Burnt Crumbs Holiday Souffle Pancakes

By Greer Wylder

December 17, 2021

Chef-owner Paul Cao of Burnt Crumbs is back at it with a new special holiday flavor of his famously fluffy souffle pancakes: PEPPERMINT OREO! A stack of the chef's signature jiggly pancakes are blanketed with Oreo whip + crushed candy canes and a drizzle of chocolate and paired with a scoop of Peppermint Oreo ice cream from locally-beloved ice cream shop Han's Homemade. Warm cloud-like pancakes with crushed Oreos + cold minty ice cream? Yes, please. The souffle pancakes are only available at the Irvine location of Burnt Crumbs at Los Olivos Shopping Center, 8549 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine.

Newport Beach-Based Chef & Baker’s Special Christmas Panettone

By Greer Wylder

December 15, 2021

Newport Beach-based chef and baker Kaustubh Mahamuni is baking up Panettone (traditional, Raspberry Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry, and Mini Sourdough Panettone) that make a wonderful gift for family and friends. Panettone is baked the traditional Italian way - with naturally leavened sourdough packed with candied lemon, orange, and ginger, raisins, and walnuts. This sweet cake-like bread is rich and buttery, a scrumptious start to your day!Each Panettone has a shelf life of 3 weeks, contains no preservatives, and comes in a custom-designed box. Order online at any time at cheftrustme.com to reserve your favorite Panettone, or reach out to order…

Seasonal Tamales and Pozole Return to Miguel’s Jr. for the Holidays

By Greer Wylder

December 10, 2021

Miguel’s Jr. welcomes back its famous tamales and heartwarming pozole to celebrate the holiday season. Founder and Chief Recipe Officer Mary Vasquez’s tamales and homemade pozole will be on the winter menu through December 31, and tamales will be available for online pre-order by the dozen, while supplies last.“Growing up in Central Mexico, the holidays were always a special time for me,” said Mary Vasquez, Founder and Chief Recipe Officer of Miguel’s Jr. “I relished in the comfort of the kitchen, the art of hand-rolling masa for our tamales packed with flavor and love, and the magic of the perfect…

Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dinner Eve and Black Friday Whiskey Special

By Greer Wylder

November 22, 2021

At Lido Bottle Works in Newport Beach, Executive Chef Joel Gutierrez is celebrating Thanksgiving with a Thanksgiving Eve Gnocchi Special. The dish features turkey confit, handmade sweet potato gnocchi, braised chard, pickled cranberries & brown butter jus!Available 4 p.m.- closed Wed., Nov. 24 only!Reservations: LidoBottleWorks.comHappy Hour: 4 to 6 p.m. Lido Bottle Works is at 3408 Via Oporto #103 in Newport Beach. 949.529.2784LIMITED BLACK FRIDAY WHISKEY SPECIAL at CRAFT HOUSE, Dana PointCraft House will have a unique Black Friday offering on Friday for whiskey lovers! The restaurant, with over 160 bottles of whiskey in its collection, will have 50 available bottles of…