Greer's OC

The Umami wait is over. After much speculation as to where the first Umami Burger would open in Orange County, on Saturday at 11 a.m. Umami opens at the Camp in Costa Mesa.  The hot Los Angeles-based gourmet burger concept will roll out two more locations in the coming months at the Anaheim Brewery, then followed by a Laguna Beach location.

To simplify the meaning of Umami or fifth taste, it’s a sensation from meaty or savory tastes. It goes like this,  sweet, sour, salty, bitter and then umami. The menu at Umami is solely focused on delivering this umami taste through fancy burgers like the truffle burger with house made truffle cheese and truffle glaze ($12); or the Umami Burger with shiitake mushroom, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, Parmesan crisp, and umami ketchup ($11); and the Manly Burger with beer-cheddar cheese, smoked salt-onion strings, and bacon lardons ($11). Even non red meat eaters can enjoy the greenbird, a Shelton Farms turkey burger with crushed avocado, green cheese, butter lettuce, sprouts, and green goddess.

We’re thinking it’s best to go with the Kombu Meal #1, which is an Umami burger, with thin fries, and a Singha Lager ($17). Umami’s sides won’t disappoint either, you can choose from sweet potato fries ($4); and Malt liquor tempura onion rings ($3) and don’t forget the house pickles ($5). Umami’s sauces also receive rave reviews, including its Umami ketchup, house spread, roasted garlic aioli, kombu relish, jalapeno ranch, or diablo sauce. Even dessert lovers and beer fans will find a sweet selection of both.
Umami Burger is at 2981 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa.

Treat Yourself on Easter

Celebrate Easter with an extra special experience, book a luxurious room on April 7 or 8 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach and receive a $150 resort credit so you can enjoy the famed St. Regis Monarch Beach Sunday Champagne Brunch.

The brunch features a myriad of international dishes, as well as all of classic favorites, including omelet, pancake, seafood and carving stations.  You can also enjoy the Signature Bloody Mary Bar – a signature St. Regis drink  ($10 per Bloody Mary), sip unlimited Champagne and delight in breathtaking ocean views. Guests of the hotel can enjoy a complimentary egg hunt at 10 a.m. and at noon – with a winning gift basket opportunity. 

Call 1.800.722.1543 to reserve your memorable Easter celebration today. St. Regis Monarch Beach is at One Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point.

Bubblefest

When we think bubble extravaganza, we only think about the Bubblefest at Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. It’s Orange County’s most impressive spring break bubble festival complete with an inflatable play zone, water spheres, interactive science zones and more. 

Bubble “scientist” Deni Yang will be performing his "Mega Bubble Show" recently shown in New York City featuring a bubble carousel, bubbles within bubbles, smoking bubbles, spinning bubbles, bouncing bubbles and bubbles in all shapes and sizes.

Tickets cost $19.95. The Bubblefest runs March 31 to April 15 at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. And on April 16 to April 22 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Discovery Science Center is at 2500 N. Main St., in Santa Ana. 714.542.2823.  Tickets can be purchased here