Chef Jackson Kalb, known from Top Chef Season 19, has expanded his Memento Mori Hospitality group to Orange County with the opening of Ospi Costa Mesa at Paseo 17—a newly reimagined upscale center at East 17th Street and Westminster in Costa Mesa. Opened last month, this marks Memento Mori’s first Orange County location and the second Ospi outpost.
Kalb’s culinary journey started at just 13 years old as an apprentice at Melisse (2 Michelin stars) in Santa Monica. Before earning a degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, he sharpened his skills at world-class restaurants, including Joël Robuchon (3 Michelin stars), Alinea (3 Michelin stars), and Danny Meyer’s Union Square Café. Alongside his wife and business partner Melissa Kalb, he launched Jame in 2018, followed by Ospi in 2020, and most recently expanded with Jemma di Mare and Jemma Hollywood in 2023.
At Ospi Costa Mesa, the menu transports guests to Southern Italy, featuring house-made pasta, thin Roman-style pizzas, and rustic country bread toasts, all paired with an extensive wine list and craft cocktails. Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, Ospi offers a warm, inviting atmosphere that suits everything from a casual trattoria lunch to a lively dinner party or a leisurely weekend brunch.
Inspired by ospitante—Italian for “host”—Ospi blends the charm of a Brooklyn red sauce joint with Venice Beach counterculture, bringing a fresh take on Italian dining to the heart of Costa Mesa.
Hours of Operation
- Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Lunch (Monday through Friday): 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Brunch (Saturday and Sunday): 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Aperitivo Happy Hour (daily): 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Dinner (daily): 3 p.m. to close.
Ospi Costa Mesa is at 234 E 17th Street, Suite 100, Costa Mesa. 949.200.9232
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from the blog
- 11.19.25 – Uncle Fluffy Opens Soon at Triangle Square
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