Welcome to the first edition of South OC Good Eats!

THE FOOD SCENE IN SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY is a standout in Southern California, and we’re celebrating some highlights. Some may be places you’ve certainly heard of and helmed by award-winning chefs. We’ll provide insight into what makes them great. Some others may be under the radar and could open your eyes to something new. From the great side, we profile the three chefs who were named Best Chef in our latest “Best Of” awards in San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano. Get to know what shaped their careers and their menus. From the under-the-radar, we spotlight cultural restaurants in our town that showcase the cuisines of Hawaii, Polynesia and Mexico. Find something new to test your palate. Plus, we give a rundown of all the newest local eateries to add to your going-out options, highlight ice cream shops with non-dairy alternatives to indulge your sweet tooth and feature the area’s farm-to-table restaurants to give you the freshest bites around. We hope this section opens your eyes and fills your stomach with the best food South Orange County has to offer.