Beer lovers in Orange County, mark your calendars. Ambitious Ales, the Long Beach craft brewery known for its handcrafted lineup and small-batch and seasonal releases, is opening its first OC location at The LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa on Oct. 24 and 25. Opening weekend runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Expect a full tap list, limited-edition merchandise and DJs spinning vinyl. Smoked & Salted Barbecue will be on hand with food Saturday, and Hamburgers Nice takes over Sunday.

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Russ Bendel, the Orange County restaurateur who has launched one beloved concept after another, has opened his eighth restaurant. Creekside Restaurant & Bar in Rancho Mission Viejo is a relaxed neighborhood spot serving thoughtfully prepared American fare. The dinner-only restaurant opened Monday, Oct. 12. Located in Sendero Marketplace, the 3,000-square-foot space seats 120 between the dining room, bar and patio. The covered patio holds up to 60 for private events.

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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.

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The dining lineup at Katella Commons just keeps getting better. OCVIBE, the 100-acre development wrapping around Honda Center, announced five new dining concepts joining the 50,000-square-foot market hall set to open in early 2027. This latest round brings a genuinely exciting mix of Mexican, Filipino, Chinese and Italian flavors, and several of the operators have deep roots right here in Orange County.

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