Orange County’s coffee culture just took a giant leap forward with the arrival of Portola Coffee Lab at OC Mart Mix in Costa Mesa. It seems like just yesterday that artisan coffee roasters were elevating our coffee experience. Then came Jeff Dugan, founder of Portola Coffee Lab, a self-admitted “coffee geek” who took the time to research what really makes the perfect cup.
“Brewing is just as important as roasting,” Dugan says. “If it’s not fresh or brewed properly, we’re cutting the process short. Our approach is that we represent quality from seed to liquid that ends up in your cup.”
Before he and his wife Christa opened Portola Coffee Lab, Dugan took a tour of the country’s best coffee houses and found that San Francisco is on the cutting edge—even more than Seattle.
“The city’s brew method technology and inventiveness is far advanced,” Dugan says.
At Portola he’s drawn elements from several shops to bring Orange County’s first coffee lab that offers three different brewing styles for coffee: one for espresso, and two methods for iced coffee.
Stop by from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and check out this new coffee experience in Orange County. Plus, if you’re hungry Wicked Wiches offers fresh, local and sustainable sandwiches.
Open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. 3313 Hyland Avenue at OC Mart in Costa Mesa.
Passport to Luxury
Fashions, fun, and shopping to benefit the CHOC Foundation are rolled into one Friday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Fashion Island, thanks to Riviera Orange County’s 3rd Annual Passport to Luxury.
The complimentary event features special offers, tastes and drinks, entertainment and more.
Check in at the Gazebo in the Neiman Marcus-Bloomingdale’s Courtyard to pick up a complimentary passport, then collect at least six stamps by visiting participating stores and return to the Gazebo by 9:30 p.m. to enter to win luxury prizes, including a $1,000 Fashion Island gift card.
Take advantage of special offers and events at participating stores, including Bloomingdale's, Carrol Boyes, Elie Tahari, Ever, Neiman Marcus, the Newport Colony Company, Nordstrom, Room Service, Splendid, Trina Turk and Vince.
And enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks from Brasserie Pascal, Canaletto Ristorante Veneto, El Torito Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Nordstrom Cafe Bistro, Roy ’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine and True Food Kitchen.
The festive evening will include four DJ’s and a photo booth, as well as a face painter and balloon artist. For more information on Passport to Luxury, call 949.721.2000.
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from the blog
- 12.03.25 – Wrap Yourself in Luxury at Oats Cashmere’s Annual Event
- 12.02.25 – French Florist Opens New Boutique in Mission Viejo
- 12.01.25 – Holiday Cheer at North Italia
- 12.01.25 – Coastal Holiday Magic at Paséa
- 11.30.25 – Pouring Joy: Blue Hummingbird Welcomes Its Newest Café
- 11.28.25 – Puesto Goes Seed-Oil Free and Launches New Winter Menu
- 11.27.25 – American Ballet Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Returns to Segerstrom Hall
- 11.26.25 – A New Chapter for Lido House in Newport Beach
- 11.25.25 – The Nutcracker Returns to Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 11.24.25 – HAVEN Honors Taco Asylum with New Taco Tuesday Menu
- 11.24.25 – Festive Holiday Dining at Paseo, Céntrico and Naples in the Downtown Disney District
- 11.23.25 – Musco Center Welcomes Soweto Gospel Choir: Peace
- 11.22.25 – A Luxurious Thanksgiving at The Mayor’s Table
- 11.20.25 – Thanksgiving Getaways: Where to Celebrate, Relax, and Feast in Southern California
- 11.19.25 – Uncle Fluffy Opens Soon at Triangle Square
- 11.19.25 – Thanksgiving Dining in Orange County
- 11.17.25 – Costa Mesa Welcomes Sweetgreen’s New Sweetlane
- 11.17.25 – Sip, Savor, Repeat: Better Buzz Expands in Orange County
- 11.16.25 – A Thanksgiving to Savor at Allegretto Vineyard Resort
- 11.13.25 – McG, Nancy Silverton, and Rick Caruso Team Up for Spacca Tutto at Palisades Village
More Daily Doses
- 12.03.25 – Celebrate the Holidays at Discovery Cube Orange County
- 12.02.25 – Fire & Lights Festival Returns to Newport Dunes
- 12.02.25 – Chef Charbel Hayek to Open ILYA in San Clemente
- 12.01.25 – Family Holiday Celebration This Saturday at The District
- 11.27.25 – QUA Brings Contemporary Chinese Cuisine to Fountain Valley
- 11.25.25 – Holiday Packages to Help You Look and Feel Your Best
- 11.23.25 – Winter Fest OC Returns November 28 With Expanded Experiences
- 11.21.25 – Wellness That Works: Vida by VTL Boutique Spas + Wellness
- 11.17.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
- 11.16.25 – HOTWORX Costa Mesa Courtyards Offers 24-Hour Infrared Sauna Workouts
- 11.13.25 – Prairie Opens in Mariners Square: A New Home for Refined, Relaxed Interiors
- 11.11.25 – Mother-Daughter Duo Launch Eugénie Boutique in Newport Beach
- 11.09.25 – You’re Invited to South Coast Plaza’s Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
- 11.03.25 – Culinary Dropout Opens in Old Towne Orange
- 11.02.25 – Super Irvine International Market Opens in Irvine
- 11.02.25 – Prime Pizza Opens First Orange County Location in Mission Viejo
- 10.30.25 – Zara Man Opens First U.S. Store at South Coast Plaza
- 10.27.25 – Jack Johnson Headlines Two-Night Coast Film & Music Benefit Concert
- 10.20.25 – Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria Brings Elevated Flavor to Costa Mesa
- 10.19.25 – Fall Fun at The District: Halloween Boo Bash and Cocktail Tour
