October 20, 2016 – OC Weekly by Duncan McIntosh Company

BEST OF 2016 × OCTOBER 21-27, 2016 × VOLUME 22, ISSUE 08 × #OCSPEAKLY × OCWEEKLY.COM

VOTED

Christopher Glew

BEST LAWYER 2016

Christopher Glew

DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Winning groundbreaking trials in the field of medical marijuana in the state of California. Called “The hottest criminal defense attorney in Orange County,” he has been recognized as one of the 2015 Top Lawyers in California by American Lawyer Media, and one of the Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers Southern California by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Best Of winner • 2016 •

CRIMINAL LAW All Drug Offenses, DUI, Felonies, Misdemeanors

LAW OFFICES OF GLEW & KIM MEMBERS: OC NORML

NORML Legal Committee

GLEWKIMLAW.COM • CALL FOR FREE CONSULTATION TOLL FREE (866) 648-0004

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CALL AND SCHEDULE YOUR TEST RIDE TODAY!

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La Santa Cecilia

best Of 2016

Perla Batalla • Quetzal Pacifico Dance Company November 2

RENÉE AND HENRY SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL

Perla Batalla

La Santa Cecilia

Join us for FREE festive pre-show activities and food trucks starting at 6pm! Meet the Skeleton Lady La Catrina herself, and get a selfie! Quetzal

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Dia de los Muertos Concert

ORDER TICKETS TODAY! 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

(714) 556-2787 Group Services (714) 755-0236

SCFTA.org

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SEGERSTROM HALL

NOVEMBER 10

RenÃ©e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

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Connect with us: facebook.com/SCFTA

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NOVEMBER 9

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BECOME A MEMBER TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $25 A YEAR VISIT US AT NEWPORTBEACH.SURFRIDER.ORG LIVE MAGNIFICENTLY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Â©2014 Finlandia Vodka Worldwide Ltd., Helsinki, Finland. Finlandia Flavored Vodkas, 37.5% Alc./Vol. Imported by Brown-Forman Beverages, Louisville, Kentucky USA.

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EVENING PERFORMANCES | THE COMPLEXCON ARENA

SKRILLEX KID CUDI — TRAVIS SCOTT VIRGIL ABLOH

DAYTIME PERFORMANCES | PIGEONS & PLANES STAGE

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Thanks OC Readers f o r v o t i n g Ya r d H o u s e

BEST BEER SELECTION IN ORANGE COUNTY F I V E O R A N G E C O U N T Y L O C AT I O N S

LONG BEACH Shoreline Village

IRVINE The Irvine Spectrum

COSTA MESA The Triangle

NEWPORT BEACH Fashion Island

BREA Brea Downtown

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calendar best Of 2016COUNTY | CONTENTS FILM | | FOOD || fOOd | | contents | CALENDAR | FEATURE | THE | |

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inside » 10/21-10/27 » 2016 VOLUME 22 | NUMBER 08 » OCWEEKLY.COM

BEST OF O-SEEEEEEA!

ver just want to get away from it all, steal a boat, and throw your luck in with the sea? Sure, the waves and typhoons and kraken will be ready to send you to the deep, but better water than Donald Trump, you know? Thankfully, we at OC Weekly have a fleet ready should the worst happen thanks to our newish owner, boat-show-and-mag magnate Duncan McIntosh. He’s assured us an ocean-worthy dinghy in case of catastrophe or any subpoenas we need to escape—HELL YA! That’s about all I got as an intro for the theme of this issue (besides the awesome full-page cartoons of Weekly cartoonist Luke McGarry), but what I’m especially excited about—besides the loads and loads of blurbs highlighting all the wonderful, amazing things available in Orange County (and Long Beach, and Pomona, and even Whittier—hey, we’re in a conquering mode at this infernal rag)—is that we’re publishing photos of some of the winners for the first time in a decade. The old owners always handcuffed us to specific themes, forcing every illustration or photo to reflect a year’s particular theme (that’s why in 2007, we had a cowboy slam-dunking—um, okay). Now, we’re thrilled to show and not just tell you the musteat spots, the must-visit boutiques, the must-hike canyons and the must-smoke dispensaries. Gracias as always for reading us, and start patronizing these places and second-guessing us at ocweekly.com and Facebook/Snapchat/Twitter/Instagram/MySpace/ LiveJournal/Western Union! —GUSTAVO ARELLANO

With contributions from Dustin Ames, Gustavo Arellano, Dave Barton, Joel Beers, Lisa Black, Isabella Cano, Mary Carreon, Matt Coker, Denise De La Cruz, Mercedes Del Real, Robert Flores, Edwin Goei, Angel Grady, Taylor Hamby, Nate Jackson, Dave Lieberman, Patrice Marsters, R. Scott Moxley, Aimee Murillo, Sophia Perricone, Gabriel San Román, Cynthia Rebolledo, Nick Schou and Christopher Toland.

Sports &

RECREATION page 20

Food & DRINK page 32

Arts &

ENTERTAINMENT page 74

Shopping & SERVICES page 92

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AMERICA’S

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The Market Place (714) 665-4257

HUNTINGTON BEACH Next to Sport Chalet (714) 861-4047

NORTHRIDGE Nordhoff Plaza (818) 700-0130

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TUSTIN

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inside» OCWEEKLY.COM/SLIDESHOWS

A CELEBRATION OF TACO MARIA’S THIRD ANNIVERSARY YOU NEED THIS UNI

in back

Culture

146 | THEATER | District Merchants

Calendar

views 2016 through an 1870s lens via Shakespeare. By Joel Beers 146 | TRENDZILLA | Find out where dames can get dresses for Dapper Day. By Aimee Murillo 148 | UNDER THEIR SKIN | Rob Galvan of Pharos Ink. By Josh Chesler

122 | EVENTS | Things to do while

getting ammo ready. Best of 2016

Food

132 | REVIEW | Can Anaheim’s Cross Roast adapt Cantonese barbecue to the Chipotle model? By Edwin Goei 132 | HOLE IN THE WALL |

Taqueria Ayutla Oaxaca in SanTana. By Gustavo Arellano 134 | EAT THIS NOW | Meatloaf en croute at Grits Fullerton. By Anne Marie Panoringan

Music

Tequila-Barrel-Aged Imperial Pilsner at Karl Strauss Brewing. By Robert Flores 136 | LONG BEACH LUNCH | KBQ is North Long Beach’s home for quick Korean. By Sarah Bennett 138 | ON THE LINE | Trevor Kotchek of the Original Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store. By Anne Marie Panoringan

Film

142 | PREVIEW | Fall films to

watch—or not. By Matt Coker 143 | REVIEW | The Lovers and the Despot: More The Mouse That Roared or The Interview? By Matt Coker 144 | SPECIAL SCREENINGS |

Screw Netflix, and go see something in a local theater! By Matt Coker

CYNTHIA REBOLLEDO

ORANGE FEATHERS »

EDITORIAL

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134 | DRINK OF THE WEEK |

BOB AUL

EDITOR Gustavo Arellano MANAGING EDITOR Nick Schou ASSOCIATE EDITOR Patrice Marsters SENIOR EDITOR, NEWS & INVESTIGATIONS R. Scott Moxley STAFF WRITERS Mary Carreon, Matt Coker, Gabriel San Román MUSIC EDITOR Nate Jackson WEB EDITOR Taylor Hamby CALENDAR EDITOR Aimee Murillo CLUBS EDITOR Denise De La Cruz EDITORIAL ASSISTANT/ PROOFREADER Lisa Black CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Reyan Ali, Dave Barton, Joel Beers, Sarah Bennett, Lilledeshan Bose, Kyle Cavaness, Josh Chesler, Heidi Darby, Alex Distefano, Edwin Goei, Michael Goldstein, LP Hastings, Daniel Kohn, Dave Lieberman, Adam Lovinus, Todd Mathews, Patrick Montes, Katrina Nattress, Nick Nuk’em, Anne Marie Panoringan, Amanda Parsons, Ryan Ritchie, Andrew Tonkovich, Chris Ziegler EDITORIAL INTERNS Angelena Grady, Cynthia Rebolledo, Yvonne Villaseñor

also

158 | CONCERT GUIDE 160 | SAVAGE LOVE | By Dan Savage

on the cover

Illustration by Luke McGarry Design by Dustin Ames

EDITORIAL ART

ART DIRECTOR Dustin Ames CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS AlGae, Bob Aul, Jared Boggess, Mark Dancey, Rob Dobi, Jeff Drew, Scott Feinblatt, Greg Houston, Cameron K. Lewis, Bill Mayer, Luke McGarry, Kevin McVeigh, Thomas Pitilli, Joe Rocco, Julio Salgado PHOTOGRAPHERS Bridget Arias, Ed Carrasco, Brian Erzen, Scott Feinblatt, Brian Feinzimer, John Gilhooley, Eric Hood, Nick Iverson, Allix Johnson, Matt Kollar, Isaac Larios, Danny Liao, Shane Lopes, Fabian Ortiz, Jeanne Rice, Rickett & Sones, Josué Rivas, Eran Ryan, Sugarwolf, Matt Ulfelder, Miguel Vasconcellos, Christopher Victorio, William Vo, Kevin Warn, Micah Wright EDITORIAL ART INTERN Mercedes Del Real

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION MANAGER Richie Beckman PRODUCTION ARTIST/LAYOUT EDITOR Luke Dubois PRODUCTION ARTIST Casey Long

SALES

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Scott Mabry SALES DIRECTOR Ryan Whipple SALES MANAGER Jason Hamelberg SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Danny Hudgins ACCOUNT MANAGER Katie Lynch ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jordan Borchard, Jennifer Cassity, Branden Murray, Samantha Taylor, Jason Winder

ACCOUNT COORDINATORS Cesar Aguirre, Gisselle Dragan, Melissa Tomaske

MARKETING

MARKETING MANAGER Ashleigh Fleury MARKETING COORDINATOR Tiffany Romero

ADMINISTRATION

PUBLISHER Jennifer Besheer OFFICE COORDINATOR/EAT+DRINK DIRECTOR Janelle Arballo AR COORDINATOR Daniela Ortigoza

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Sports &

THOUSAND STEPS BEACH

RECREATION BEST PLACE TO GET HIGH THOUSAND STEPS BEACH

The picturesque Thousand Steps Beach is not just a place to work out at until your legs feel like Jell-O, but it’s also a great place to be stoned, especially at night. Next time you’re feeling like being one with nature and herb, head down to the gorgeous shores of Thousand Steps Beach to witness a clear night sky spotted with a sea of sparkling-white stars. If you’re faded enough and stare deeply up above, the tiny beacons of light will start to blur into vivid white streaks across the pitch-black sky to the soothing soundtrack of ocean waves crashing onto the shore. Pair this beautiful setting with some indica, and you’ve got one of the most relaxing places in Orange County. And with the city of Laguna Beach inching closer to passing a medical-marijuana initiative this November, Thousand Steps Beach may become South County’s first stoners’ paradise. NINTH AVENUE AND COAS T HIGHWAY, L AGUNA BE ACH.

BEST SUNDAY FUNDAY DOWNTOWN LA

First, drive to Fifth and Grand streets in the Financial District, find cheap parking, and rise in an elevator 1,000 feet in the air to take in a 360-degree view of Los Angeles via the OUE Skyspace LA, the tallest open-air observation deck in California. For $8 more than the usual $19-to-$25 entry fee, you can ride the enclosed slide affixed to the 70th to 69th floors of the U.S. Bank Tower. Calm your nerves across the street at LA’s Central Library, where four large murals depict different points in Golden State history. Ying your yang in the outdoor Maguire Gardens before walking half a block on South Flower Street to Public School 213, a mellow gastropub that serves pleasing appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, salads, wine, cocktails, craft beers and dinner fare, all in the $$ range. OUE SK YSPACE L A , U.S. BANK TOWER, 633 W. FIF TH S T. , S TE . 840, LOS ANGELES, (213) 800-5659; W W W.SK YSPACE-L A .COM. LOS ANGELES CENTR AL LIBR ARY, 630 W. FIF TH S T. , LOS ANGELES, (213) 228-7000. PUBLIC SCHOOL 213, 612 S. FLOWER S T. , LOS ANGELES, (213) 622-4500; W W W.PSONTAP.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MUTT LYNCH’S

BEST ELECTRONIC GAMING CENTER ESPORTS ARENA

This isn’t your average PC café, but rather America’s first facility dedicated

ROCKOGRAPHY

to e-sports. Whether your competitive game of choice is League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Hearthstone, Halo, Smash or Call of Duty, Esports Arena holds events and tournaments for every premier title. Add in special meet-and-greets and signings with pro-gamers and elite teams and gaming organizations such as Team Solomid, and you have a modern-day gamers’ paradise. 120 W. FIF TH S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 4625592; ESPOR T SARENA .COM.

BEST MARTIAL-ARTS STUDIO THE DRAGON HOUSE GYM

Self-described as “a family training center,” the Dragon House Gym lives up to the billing; many who took classes as children under Sensei Daniel Higgins now bring their own children here to learn boxing, Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu and other forms of self-defense. The Dragon House Gym also specializes in getting you in shape—fighting or otherwise— through personal-training sessions. After transforming your rocking bod, you can cover it up with Dragon House clothing, available for sale in the front. 7626 E . CHAPMAN AVE . , OR ANGE , (7 14) 516-0972; TDHGYM.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: GRACIE BARRA GARDEN GROVE

thinking that has led to more outside attention on the school. Having coordinated six consecutive Guinness World Records, Deppe generated even more international buzz by helping to establish an e-sports program that actively recruits the best gamers to major in computer game science and/or participate in live gaming competitions at the Bren Events Center. Deppe is acting director of an esports program that was mocked in some corners when it was announced in 2015. But the offering of e-sports scholarships, the opening of a state-of-the-art arena and the enrollment of the brightest gaming minds at Irvine have shot naysayers down as if they were Soap MacTavishes.

THE DRAGON HOUSE GYM

BEST COACH MARK DEPPE

After arriving at UC Irvine in 2010, Mark Deppe has specialized in out-of-the-box

ROCKOGRAPHY

BEST SPORTS COMEBACK (INDIVIDUAL) CHRISTOPHER SWIECA

The retinas in both of Christopher Swieca’s eyes becoming detached was likely caused by his severe nearsightedness, not his career as a water-polo player. But surgeries to repair the dam-

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SPORTS & RECREATION 2016 BEST OF READERS’ POLL!

The following winners have been voted the best in the Sports & Recreation category!

Best Beach

Best Nature Trail

LAGUNA BEACH

CRYSTAL COVE

Best Boot Camp

8471 Pacific Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949-494-3539; crystalcovestatepark.org

SPECTRA YOGA 2701 Harbor Blvd E-1, Costa Mesa, 714-436-0576; spectrayoga.com

Best Bowling FOUNTAIN BOWL 17110 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, 714-963-7888; fountainbowl.com

Best Casino PECHANGA RESORT & CASINO 45000 Pechanga Pkwy, Temecula, 951-693-1819; pechanga.com

Best Day Trip CATALINA ISLAND

Best Neighborhood Park MILE SQUARE PARK 16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley, 714-973-6600; ocparks.com/parks/mile

Best Place to Play Pool CLASSIC Q BILLIARDS & SPORTS CLUB 4251 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, 949-261-9458; classicq.com

Best Pub Trivia MUTT LYNCH’S

Best Golf Course

Best Sportscaster

catalinachamber.com

Best Ducks Player MONARCH BEACH GOLF LINKS 50 Monarch Beach Resort Drive N., Dana Point, 949-240-8247; monarchbeachgolf.com

VIN SCULLY officialvinscully.com

Best Surf Spot THE WEDGE

Best Gym

visitnewportbeach.com/beaches-andparks/the-wedge

24 HOUR FITNESS

Best Yoga

Multiple Locations in OC 24hourfitness.com

GRACIE BARRA GARDEN GROVE 12062 Valley View St. #101, Garden Grove, 714-655-6050; gbgardengrove.com

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Best Martial Arts Studio

RA YOGA 3077 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, (714) 708-3060 rayoga.com

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RYAN GETZLAF

2300 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach, 949-675-1556; muttlynchs.com

Congratulations to the winners of the

SportS & recreation Best of 2016

Best Of winner • 2016 •

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Sports &

MONDAY–THURSDAY.... 2pm–9pm FRIDAY......................2pm–10pm SATURDAY.......................10am-10pm SUNDAY.......................10am–8pm

WE HAVE FACILITIES FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES, TEAM SPORT PARTIES, CORPORATE PARTIES, FAMILY REUNIONS AND MORE! 5142 ARGOSY AVE., HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92649 714-916-5815 | WWW.GETAIRSURFCITY.COM

age prevented the 6-foot-4 businesseconomics major from attending UC Irvine’s June 10 graduation with his fellow students and teammates. A date was set a month later for Swieca to swing by the UCI Chancellor’s office to pick up his diploma, but he was told to wear his cap and gown so he could pose for a photograph. Little did he know he was walking into a commencement ceremony for one, with his family, friends and teammates in attendance to cheer him on.

BEST SPORTS COMEBACK (TEAM) THE LOS ANGELES RAMS FORMERLY OF ANAHEIM

After 22 years away from the Southland, the Los Angeles Rams returned to the cheers of more than 90,000 fans at the LA Coliseum for an Aug. 13 preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. Though the Rams no longer play at the Big A, they had already re-established their Orange County fan base by maintaining UC Irvine as their preseason training headquarters. But the exhibition opener started ugly when Cowboys returner Bucky Whitehead took the opening kickoff 101 yards for a score. The Rams went on to trail 14-7 after the first quarter, 24-7 at halftime and 24-14 after three. But third-string quarterback Sean Mannion threw three touchdown passes that led to a 28-24 win. A preseason-opener victory and home-opener win do not a season make, but they were a good re-introduction to our NFL-starved market.

BEST PARK COURTNEY’S SANDCASTLE UNIVERSAL ACCESS PLAYGROUND

Located within Vista Hermosa Sports Park, this park was conceived for the unbound delight of all children. The high-backed swing seats that accommodate any wheelchair-bound kids are really the only clues to this charming park’s universality. As you approach the entrance gates, a peppery smell fills the air from enormous hedges. A loud clanging may bring to mind a train pulling into the station, but it’s just a child whacking a mallet on the resonant objects situated along a musical pathway in the Sensory Garden. The jungle gyms are two spectacular structures, a ship and a castle, on which sliding, hanging and zooming of all sorts can be done. An abundance of busy boxes and shady crannies can be explored before heading off to a stunning, all-hands-in tidepool, elevated a few feet for easy access. This amazing space was

BEST DAY TRIP JULIAN

Famous for its world-renowned pies

VIP Brewer Takeover

SD Brewers Guild Festival

Friday, November 4th • 6-9PM Advance $75 • Day Of $100

Saturday, November 5th • 2-5PM Advance $40 • Day Of $50 Two-Day Pass $100

*Limited Tickets Available, this will sell out!

COURTNEY’S SANDCASTLE UNIVERSAL ACCESS PLAYGROUND

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Best of 2016 SportS & recreation

RECREATION

and hard apple cider, Julian transports visitors to a simpler time. Or at least that’s how it feels upon arriving in the Gold Rush town of 1,500 people after driving on winding Highway 78 for 60 miles east of San Diego and through the Cuyamaca Mountains. Though it’s a laid-back town, there is plenty to do, including hiking, shopping, mining for gold, viewing arts and crafts, and touring historical sites and underground tunnels. And yes, you can cap off the day by eating pie that must be washed down with hard apple cider. VISITJULIAN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: CATALINA ISLAND

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6DLM14006_FALL SEASON PRINT__OCWEEKLY__RUN:10_20_16__4.4792X10.625

RECREATION

BEST WALKING PATH PATH NEXT TO LAS BRISAS

BEST PLACE TO HOOK UP WITH A STRANGER PATH NEXT TO LAS BRISAS

BEST COLLEGE SPORTS TEAM UC IRVINE’S WOMEN’S WATER POLO TEAM

SNA! It’s all here: the sorrow and the pity, the anticipation of adventure, the mouse ears. You’ll see every sort of human dealing with the full range of emotions. People in motion; people with no time to lose or all the time in the world. The not-rich-enough-for-a-private-jet snoots, the business drones, the children playing with ashtrays . . . Oh, wait, that was the 20th century. This century, you need a boarding pass to people-watch within the terminals. But there is still plenty of action at the baggage carousels if you are meeting an arrival. Just don’t cross paths with one of those Segwayriding donkeys; they’ll ticket you for the slightest thing. (No offense to actual donkeys.) THOMAS F. RILE Y TERMINAL , 18601 AIRPOR T WAY, SANTA ANA , (949) 2525200; W W W.OCAIR.COM.

AND

OPENING DAY VETERANS DAY SALUTE FRI NOV 11

BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS* SAT NOV 12 REGGAE FEST IRATION* SAT NOV 19

FEATURING

AND

THANKSGIVING FAMILY MILE FUN RUN THURS NOV 24

FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL AND CRAFT BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL SAT NOV 26 FLEECE BLANKET GIVEAWAY SAT DEC 3 *Concerts are 18 and up shows. Pre-paid tickets, complimentary tickets and season passes will not be accepted for concert admission after the last race.

Delmarracing.com

F A L L R A C I N G N O V. 11 – D E C . 4

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UC Irvine has become a water-polo powerhouse in recent years. The women’s team had another banner season, climbing all the way to fifth place in national rankings. Backed by star goalkeeper Annika Nelson, the Anteaters frustrated their opponents all season long with a stifling defense, only allowing 6.23 goals per game, best in the Big West Conference and second-best in Anteater history. Sophomore Mary Brooks scorched the net on offense, including six goals in a single game against Long Beach State;

BEST PLACE FOR PEOPLE-WATCHING ORANGE COUNTY/ JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT

Fall just got cooler.

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A better pickup point than Las Brisas’ outdoor bar is the winding path outside the restaurant. There, you will find singles, the newly separated and looming divorcees filling up on great ocean and sunset views, the salty smell of the sea, and even the occasional tingle from sea spray. Just shoot them a wink, smile and friendly “hello,” then keep the conversation going by shuffling them a few steps to Las Brisas patio bar to juice them up. Who knows where the night will end? L AS BRISAS, 361 CLIFF DR. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 497-5 4 34; L ASBRISASL AGUNABE ACH.COM.

Mike Trout is the best player on a lousy team. Despite the All-Star outfielder’s best efforts, Red October aspirations are just a fanciful dream for the Angels. Nevertheless, Trout’s glove continues to amaze; he plucked a grand slam home run away from the Seattle Mariners’ Leonys Martin over the wall back in August. At the plate, Trout stockpiled statistics that should earn him American League Most Valuable Player honors—but won’t because of the team’s subpar record. This season, the 25-year-old phenom belted 29 home runs, 100 runs batted in and batted .315. His first six seasons in the major leagues statistically place him among baseball’s legends. Only one hang-up remains in his quest for greatness: In Trout’s time with the Halos, he has only been in the playoffs once, a regrettable three-game sweep against the Kansas City Royals in 2014. If the Angels find a way to rescue his prime, heroics in the hunt for Red October will cement Trout’s immortality. READERS’ CHOICE: MIKE TROUT

A bigger draw than the gourmet Mexican food at Las Brisas is the winding path that passes the Laguna Beach restaurant. Filled with great ocean and sunset views, the salty smell of the sea, and even the occasional tingle from sea spray, the path is also used by pleasant people in nice clothing who greet you with a wink, smile and friendly “hello.” Many of these encounters lead to full-blown conversations that can be continued a few steps away on the Las Brisas patio bar. L AS BRISAS, 361 CLIFF DR. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 497-5 4 34; L ASBRISASL AGUNABE ACH.COM.

BEST ANGELS PLAYER MIKE TROUT

SPORTS & RECREATION BEST OF 2016

designed by Richard Fisher Associates of Santa Ana, who’ve been creating parks in Orange County for three decades. VIS TA HERMOSA SPOR T S PARK , 987 AVENIDA VIS TA HERMOSA , SAN CLEMENTE , (949) 940-9246; COUR TNE YSSANDCAS TLE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MILE SQUARE PARK

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Brooks piled up the accolades for her stellar play, including making the All-Big West First Team and being named Big West Player of the Year. The Anteaters finished 19-11 under Coach Dan Klatt, placing third in the Big West Tournament and eighth in national rankings. Expect continued excellence next season, as Brooks and Nelson return to wreak havoc in the water. Zot! Zot! Zot!

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RECREATION BEST SURF SPOT THE WEDGE

If the drink-infested crowds and overzealous police activity of the U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach Pier leave a bad taste, try here. Named after the routinely 30-feet-high, wedge-shaped waves, it’s a favorite among adventurous surfers and bodyboarders. It’s dangerous (there’s a man-eating backswell) and parking is hellish (fewer tourists), but it’s clean, the surf is consistent, and the swell is intimidating enough to beginners that the pros don’t have to share the lineup. E AS T OCE AN FRONT, BALBOA ; W W W.VISITNE WPOR TBE ACH.COM/ BE ACHES-AND-PARKS/ THE-WEDGE /. READERS’ CHOICE: THE WEDGE

BEST PICNIC SPOT CRESCENT BAY POINT PARK

This is one tiny, special park. It doesn’t even have a street address—that’s how low-profile it is. But for picnics, picturetaking and sunset viewing, it has a gobsmacking impact. There’s a lush but compact lawn for your outdoor feast and a miniature Greek amphitheater for taking in the view (bring a full hip-flask for imbibing). You can see tidepools, white water flooding sea lions off jutting rocks, and an extensive coastline way down below, all just a few blocks west of Coast Highway in North Laguna. CRESCENT BAY DRIVE , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 497-07 16.

BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR YOGA FULLERTON ARBORETUM

BEST GYM RENAISSANCE CLUBSPORT

Don’t waste your time with large chain gyms when you can be part of one much better. Renaissance Club Sport is more like a resort than a gym. Here, you can enjoy more than 100 weekly group

exercise classes, plus a NCAA-sized basketball court, as well as racquetball, handball and squash courts. When the weather is warm and you want to get some exercise or simply have some fun, dive into one of the lap, exercise or recreation pools; have mimosas or cocktails while the kids jump around in the splash-and-play area. Zoning out during your cardio workout is a breeze thanks to personal televisions on most equipment. You could spend an entire day there eating, drinking and relaxing. The club staff will even do your laundry while you work out. And if one day isn’t enough, you can book a room in the attached hotel and do it over again the next day, this time with a special trip to the spa. 50 ENTERPRISE , ALISO VIE JO, (949) 6 4 3-6700; W W W.RENAISSANCECLUBSPOR T.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: 24 HOUR FITNESS

BEST PLACE TO BUY FAN GEAR SPORTS TREASURES

Whether it’s baseball, football, basketball or another professional sport that you’re interested in, visit Sports Treasures. You might find other options online, but this is the best place to walk in and out with your favorite team’s fan gear and memorabilia. While the focus in mainly on football and basketball, there are other sports collectibles for the home, garage,

kitchen, men, women, babies—even the dog. This family-owned chain only carries licensed products, and the staff is very informed, friendly and willing to take the time to help you find whatever you are seeking. W W W.SPOR T S-TRE ASURES.COM.

BEST PLACE TO GO FISHING SAN CLEMENTE PIER

As the water supply in the nearby lakes continue to deplete, people in Orange County are running out of places to fish. Not to worry: San Clemente Pier isn’t going anywhere—at least not any time soon. At the end and all along the 1,296-foot wooden pier, you can find prime spots where the fish are biting. The pier is open from 4 a.m. to midnight, but you’ll want to get there before all the beach bodies scare the fish away. Don’t have a pole, run out of bait or need more lures? Right there on the pier, you can rent poles and buy everything else, even bags of ice for your catch. And the best part is you don’t need a fishing license. 615 AVENIDA VIC TORIA , SAN CLEMENTE , (949) 361-8237; SAN-CLEMENTE .ORG.

BEST CASINO PALA CASINO, SPA & RESORT

Orange County is not known for casinos, so do yourself a favor and take a little day

trip to Pala Casino, Spa & Resort. It’s a little on the smaller side, but that creates more of a homey feeling. The fourdiamond award winner offers slots and table games of all kinds, plus Vegas-style buffets, spas and all the resort accouterments. It gets a little warm in Pala, so bring your shorts along with your wallet and positive attitude. 1115 4 HW Y. 76, PAL A , (87 7) 946-7252; W W W.PAL ACASINO.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: PECHANGA RESORT & CASINO

BEST PUB TRIVIA THE OLDE SHIP

Every bar worth its bitters seems to have a trivia night these days, but there’s one watering hole that puts the “pub” in “pub trivia”: The Olde Ship in Santa Ana. These Brits began busting our brains over beers years before the bar-trivia craze took over the county. The night is now helmed by local syndicate Pop Quiz Trivia and moors on the second Tuesday of every month. The best part is the first- and second-prize winners split a collective pot of cash—instead of

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Bow down to the divine light and connect to your mind, body and soul with the natural sounds and fresh air at the Fullerton Arboretum. Instructors Cosette Deza and Sarah Starr alternate Saturday mornings, hosting a moving meditation through the arboretum’s vibrant landscapes. Free the yogi spirit within you while embracing the warm sun and exploring various types of yoga at every skill level. Namaste! 1900 ASSOCIATED RD. , FULLER TON, (657) 278-3407; FULLER TONARBORE TUM.ORG.

JOHN GILHOOLEY

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THE WEDGE

Sports &

RECREATION

BEST BEACH TABLE ROCK

BEST NATURE TRAIL HOLY JIM FALLS TRAIL

What separates Ritual Yoga from other studios is its cozy charm. Along Pacific Coast Highway in south Laguna Beach, the studio is filled with sacred geometry on the walls, dream catchers and crystals, making for an earthy, psychedelic vibe. There are classes in a variety of meditation, healing and movement experiences. It’s the teachers, however, who make this place the best in Orange County. Profes-

BEST BOOT CAMP NO LIMIT BOOT CAMP

This is our same winner as last year, so let’s see the replay: “It seems masochistic to pay money to experience the pain of a hardcore workout. But once you’ve made it through a 45-minute session at No Limit Boot Camp, you realize the feeling of finishing it is worth every penny. Rope-waving and kettle-bell-wielding action await you at this top-notch facility in Placentia, where instructors drill you up to seven days per week on strength, speed, agility and endurance. Most important, No Limit teaches you about respect for yourself and others in the class who are all going through the same pain you are. There’s no question you’ll want to bond with one another over your

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BEST YOGA RITUAL YOGA, LAGUNA BEACH

IN ORANGE COUNTY

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If off-roading and adventuring through nature to find waterfalls is your thing, you’ll find Holy Jim Falls Trail in Trabuco Canyon thrilling. Although the waterfall isn’t exactly like what you’d see on Maui’s Road to Hana, water still cascades from a cliff, creating a consistent stream. Despite a less-than-Niagara flow, the wildlife and nature on this trail are abundant. We advise you to experience this trail sooner rather than later, though. One day, the drought will dry up this local waterfall—so get it while you can. TR ABUCO CANYON AND HOLY JIM CANYON ROADS, TR ABUCO CANYON, (858) 673-6180. READERS’ CHOICE: CRYSTAL COVE

Eric Cherniss knows bowling. Not only does he regularly watch bowling on television—even college bowling—but he can also drop the names Earl Anthony, Mark Roth and Dick Weber in a sentence without sounding insane. So he’s as authoritative a source about bowling in Orange County as you can get. And he says that while he bowls the most at AMF Carter Lanes in Fullerton because it’s the closest to his digs, that he bowls the best at Linbrook Bowl in Anaheim, and that Concourse Bowling Center in Anaheim is just swell, Lucky Strike is absolutely the nicest bowling alley in the county. Located in the Outlets at Orange, which used to be the Block, Lucky Strike is a bit pricier than your typical crack-andbowl, but with eight 42-inch plasmas, 16 projection TVs, five billiards tables and shuffleboard (!), there’s a great deal more to do here than keep trying for a turkey or a ham bone. In fact, Sunday mornings in the fall and winter are probably the best time to go because you can nurse your post-church hangover by sipping on some suds, chomping on some vittles and watching all the NFL games in between your hard-on for knocking that five pin right in its big, stupid face. 20 CIT Y BLVD. W. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 9375623; W W W.BOWLLUCK YS TRIKE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: FOUNTAIN BOWL

When you think of Southern California, beaches, perfect sets, world-class surfing and crowded shorelines are usually the first images that come to mind. But like most things in life, the best beaches are the ones off the beaten path, such as Table Rock in South Laguna. Perhaps SoCal’s best-kept secret, this intimate cove is the pearl of Orange County’s coastline. It’s the go-to spot for locals because it isn’t horribly crowded and it’s not easy for tourists to find. The climbable rocks and little cave that catches the tide as the wave roll in add to that deserted-island touch. With sunscreen, an umbrella, snacks and music, there’s no other beach atmosphere in OC that tops Table Rock. 31621 COAS T HW Y. , L AGUNA BE ACH. READERS’ CHOICE: LAGUNA BEACH

BEST BOWLING ALLEY LUCKY STRIKE, ORANGE

VOTED BEST YOGA

SportS & recreation Best of 2016

the usual bar-tab prize most other trivia nights offer. But let’s be real here: we all know we’re just going to spend the cash on a bunch of Boddington’s. 1120 W. 17 TH S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 5506700; W W W.THEOLDESHIP.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MUTT LYNCH’S

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sional sound healers, Kundalini-yoga masters and a passionate fire dancer who has become a yoga guru—Ritual Yoga makes it easy to establish a spiritual connection with yourself and the universe. 1390 S. COAS T HW Y. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 7 15-7005; W W W.RITUAL-YOGA .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SPECTRA YOGA

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soreness while sipping protein shakes after it’s all over.” 980 S. VIA RODEO, PL ACENTIA , (7 14) 342-0418; NOLIMITBOOTCAMP.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: NEWPORT BEACH FIT BODY BOOT CAMP

BEST BASKETBALL COURT CENTRAL PARK, LA PALMA

There are countless gyms in OC for ballers to lace up their sneakers and shoot some hoops. But the real action is playing pickup games outdoors. Of course, OC isn’t New York City, with its storied ball courts and legends such as Earl “The Goat” Manigault, but it has some nice spots to go after work or on the weekends. Borrowing the name of its famous counterpart, Central Park in La Palma offers three well-lit courts on which players can practice their pullup-threes à la Steph Curry, each framed by tall chain-link fences reminiscent of “The Cage” courts of Greenwich Village. And rather than white lines painted over graying asphalt, these courts are beautifully painted green and blue. It’s the perfect place in OC to say, “I got next!” 7822 WALKER S T. , L A PALMA , (7 14) 690-3350.

BEST GOLF COURSE PELICAN HILL SOUTH COURSE

SCOTT FEINBLATT

BEST GOLF COURSE FOR WORKING-CLASS STIFFS COSTA MESA COUNTRY CLUB

The name says country club, but this 36-hole, city-owned facility is open to the public. It’s affordable ($33 in peak times during the week, $47 on weekends on the 6,500-yard Los Lagos course, $26-$38 on the shorter, 5,400-yard Mesa Linda Course). It’s old-school, as both have been around nearly 50 years and one of the designers was William F. Bell, part of the legendary fatherson Bell unit, which designed scores of courses across Southern California. And it’s homey, since so many of its regular players have been playing there so long and it’s a viable part of the surrounding community. So, maybe lay off the spliffs for one afternoon and just perfect your game on one of the most authentic golf courses in the county, one that won’t break your wallet but will provide a decent amount of challenge. 1701 GOLF COURSE DR. , COS TA MESA , (7 14) 5 40-7500; W W W.COS TAMESACOUNTRYCLUB.COM.

BEST SPORTSCASTER VIN SCULLY

If you need a justification for this choice, then you must’ve thought Rex Hudler was the second coming of Red Barber. READERS’ CHOICE: VIN SCULLY

Besides the great name, this indoor playground features koalas as mascots—yeah! With slides, ball pits, a cool obstacle course, and even an enclosed toddler area so your rugrats won’t escape, We Play Loud also hosts parties, which inevitably turn into ragers— you’ve been warned. 24 350 SWAR T Z DR. , L AKE FORES T, (949) 328-9616; WWW.WEPL AYLOUD.COM.

the Pirates were able to score third- and second-place finishes in California’s community-college volleyball championships during Faitalia’s time. “He’s just a steady athlete who worked hard and did everything we asked of him,” OCC volleyball coach Travis Turner told a school publication. “He made the most of his opportunity here at Coast, and that hard work paid off for him. He’s a great example of what you can accomplish there at OCC if you take advantage of what this school has to offer.” Faitalia will play for Long Beach State this fall.

BEST BOTANICAL GARDEN FULLERTON ARBORETUM

MOST INSPIRATIONAL DUCKS/ ANGELS STORY YUNEL ESCOBAR

BEST PLAYGROUND TO TAKE YOUR KID TO WE PLAY LOUD

It’s the naturist yin to Cal State Fullerton’s brutalist yang, 26 acres of gardens and solace, with events and workshops happening throughout the year. Make sure to go to the annual VeggiePalooza, which is exactly what it sounds like. 1900 ASSOCIATED RD. , FULLER TON, (657) 278-3407; FULLER TONARBORE TUM.ORG.

BEST COLLEGE PLAYER ADRIAN FAITALIA

The Hawaii native was named by Orange Coast College as its Athlete of the Year, not just for his skills with the kills, digs and blocks necessary to excel in volleyball, but also for leading by example;

Catcher Geovany Soto broke in with the Cubs and played seven years in Chicago until being jettisoned to the American League in 2012, so it’s inspiring that he can still keep his head up while the Cubbies are tearing it up this season and the Angels have spiraled around the toilet bowl. It’s also inspiring that first-year outfielder Ji-Man Choi is choosing to ignore the spotty history of South Koreans in Major League Baseball (Chan Ho

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It’s expensive, it’s in Newport Coast, and only 1 percenters can afford to play it regularly, but according to the people who take this shit very seriously—such as Golf Digest, which annually ranks the top 100 public golf courses in the United States (and who can argue with that? It’s a DIGEST!)—Pelican Hill’s South Course clocks in at 61st on the 2015-16 ranking, seven slots better than the previous year. What makes it special? Well, the name kicks ass, since who doesn’t like pelicans? The views, both from the two par-3s perched above the Pacific Coast and the inland holes resting atop higher ground overlooking PCH, are always killer. And its designer, Tom Fazio, is one of the most heralded in the sport’s history. Though it stretches less than 6,600 yards from the tips, the course is as bedeviling as it is beguiling. Some might even say it’s worth the price of admission: $320 at peak times, $180 for twilight (four hours before sunset) and $105 for evenings (two hours before sunset). 22800 S. PELICAN HILL RD. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (8 4 4) 878-0942; W W W.GOLFPELICANHILL .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MONARCH BEACH GOLF LINKS

CENTRAL PARK, LA PALMA

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RECREATION

Sports &

SCOTT FEINBLATT

BEST MINI GOLF CAMELOT GOLFLAND

BEST PLACE TO PLAY POOL CAMPUS BILLIARDS & SPORTS BAR

With four individual courses in the park, Camelot Golfland boasts the title of our

CAMPUS BILLIARDS & SPORTS BAR

Across the street from Cypress College, Campus Billiards & Sports Bar is frequented by more than just students looking for a homework break. Dart boards, foosball, frosty cold beers and big screen sports entice folks from all walks of life. But the real secret to what makes this hangout spot great is in its name. Campus Billiards is spacious, which is perfect for the layout of Diamond Billiard tables; there are no worries about drawing back into someone with a cue stick because of cramped quarters. The pool tables are immaculately kept, with felt as green as a golf course. Poison-brand cue sticks keep the quality of the game high, and the prices are damn reasonable. 9111 VALLE Y VIE W S T. , CYPRESS, (7 14) 952-2731; CAMPUS-BILLIARDS.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: CLASSIC Q BILLIARDS & SPORTS CLUB

Although the Reserve is just a couple hundred feet from the state beach, the real view is in the opposite direction, facing the Saddleback Mountain range. It shows off the entire length of the mountains, rather than just bits and pieces, providing a panorama of the sunrise. As the sun starts peeking out behind the mountains, the scene mimics a volcano eruption, minus the smoke. The bright colors against the dark mountains are definitely worth the early wake up call. 3842 WARNER AVE ., HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (7 14) 846-1114; BOLSACHICA .ORG.

BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE SUNSET SALT CREEK BEACH PARK

Yes, the sunset looks great from almost any beach or rooftop along the coast, but it looks really great from this big,

Best Of winner • 2016 •

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FREE WEEK

MO NT H X X–XX , 2014

Park was the best of a pretty mediocre lot). But the most inspiring Halo on this year’s squad has to be third baseman Yunel Escobar. No, it’s not because he rebounded from a 50-game suspension in 2014 for testing positive for a banned substance, hitting more than .300 this year and last. It’s because he’s living proof of how MLB cares. In 2012, while

BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE SUN RISE BOLSA CHICA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE

SportS & recreation Best of 2016

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RECREATION

country’s largest miniature golf course. Yep, that’s right: country, not county. Open 365 days per year, each fairway has a different theme and is equipped with fake alligators, beach shacks and fortresses. The impressive tiki heads, towering pagodas and challenging courses distract you from the fact it’s located just a few hundred feet from the 91 freeway. 3200 E . CARPENTER AVE . , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 630-3340; GOLFL AND.COM.

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playing for Toronto, Escobar took the field with the word maricon carved in the black tape beneath his left eye. He was suspended three games, and the salary he forfeited was donated, in part, to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Escobar apologized for the affront, saying he meant nothing by it, that it was a joke, and that he has many gay friends. In other news, maricon is Spanish for faggot.

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RECREATION grassy park. Angled just a smidge toward Long Beach, it’s almost as if this hill was strategically designed to provide locals with the perfect view. Both the parking lot and the grass fill up quick, so choose a viewing spot well before sundown. Grab a blanket, some dinner and a few friends with whom to enjoy another colorful sunset. 33333 PACIFIC COAS T HW Y. , DANA POINT.

BEST ARCADE 2084 ARCADE

Tucked in a nondescript industrial complex in Anaheim is a haven dedicated to the preservation of ’80s and early-’90s arcade favorites. Here is a private collection of machines consisting of the very best of Golden-Age gaming. A $10 donation to 2084 Arcade gives you access to more than 90 classic titles, including Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Punch-Out!! and more—all set to free play. The arcade is only open to the public on select weekends, but you can join its Facebook group to stay up to date with high scores, new game arrivals and upcoming dates for play. Get ready for a nostalgia trip, and see if you have what it takes to be No. 1. 520 S. CL AUDINA S T. , S TE . C, ANAHEIM, (657) 201-9835; 208 4ARCADE .COM.

BEST BEACH VOLLEYBALL COURTS HUNTINGTON BEACH PIER

These courts are so popular that the city of Huntington Beach has a 10-point rulebook dedicated to them. Home to some of the biggest pro tournaments in the nation, all 20 courts are free, open to any level and, unlike many other sand courts, come outfitted with quality nets. At least two players must be present to claim a highly coveted court, so grab a team and arrive early. Don’t have a ball? Rent one from a beach concession or, better yet, jump in on an ongoing game. 103 PACIFIC COAS T HW Y. , HUNTINGTON BE ACH; HUNTINGTONBE ACHCA .GOV.

BEST SECRET HIKING SPOT BUCK GULLY RESERVE Hidden behind Newport Beach’s lovely communities is a world the less distinguished can also enjoy. Chirping birds, chattering squirrels and rustling leaves combine with large shady trees to transport you to a quiet place that resembles an earlier Orange County. This 5.2-mile roundtrip, moderate hike is lovely and exhilarating and humbling.

Bridges along this trail provide rest stops as well as perfect photo ops. Our current drought conditions are affecting the streams, but when you get to the top of the gully, the sight of the bright blue Pacific fading into the horizon washes away your worries. SAN JOAQUIN HILL S ROAD, NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 64 4-3151; W W W.NE WPOR TBE ACHCA .GOV.

BEST DUCKS PLAYER RYAN KESLER

It took a while to get used to cheering for Ryan Kesler instead of for whoever checked Kesler, but even the grouchiest Ducks fan came to realize he was part of the best trade Bob Murray ever made, which sent Luca Sbisa to Canada’s Cupless Team in exchange for Kesler and a third-round pick in the draft. Kesler is the faceoff king, second only to Jonathan Toews for percentage of faceoffs won. He can skate, he can block, and he can shoot. Thanks, Canucks! READERS’ CHOICE: RYAN GETZLAF

DUSTIN AMES

NEWPORT BEACH DOG PARK

BEST DOG PARK NEWPORT BEACH DOG PARK

Sandwiched between MacArthur Boulevard and Avocado Avenue, you’ll find a great place to play with your pup. Part of the same complex as the Newport Beach Civic Center, this park has separate areas for large and small dogs, sized appropriately for each. Each one is covered with artificial turf that is watered down often to keep the place clean. High and low water fountains keep you and your dog hydrated. All that along with a lot of trash cans, extra poop bags and plentiful, free parking will keep you and your companion yappy and healthy. 100 CIVIC CENTER DR. , NE WPORT BE ACH; W W W.FACEBOOK .COM/ NE WPOR TBE ACHDOGPARK .

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Food & DRINK

BEST RESTAURANT TACO MARIA

We figured Taco Maria had a nice twoyear run as the county’s best restaurant, that chef Carlos Salgado wouldn’t mind if we spread the love elsewhere, that there were a bunch of other OC spots worthy of the crown. And there are—more than at any point in OC’s dining history, actually. But we are a paper of truth, no matter how inconvenient, and the truth is Salgado’s place remains epochs ahead of nearly everyone else: He’s a chile de árbol in a sea of bell peppers. It’s not just that Salgado was a James Beard Award semifinalist this year, or that he’s increasingly getting called to cook in the motherland alongside such Mexican culinary giants as Javier Plascencia and Enrique Olvera, or that they’re doing pop-ups with him at Taco Maria. It’s not even how his staff is as precise as a phalanx of neurosurgeons, from setting cutlery to refilling your glass with water. It’s all about his food—sustainable, delicious, forward-thinking and paisa AF. What won him this award was a late-summer addition of a shrimp quesadilla served alongside a squash blossom and a green salsa—available at nearly any lonchera in OC, but nowhere near as astounding, and yet regal enough to deserve its own booth on the fourth floor of South Coast Plaza. And, being the good general that Salgado is, credit for Taco Maria’s great run also goes to his No. 2, Roland Rubalcava, the best right-hand man since William Tecumseh Sherman. 3313 HYL AND AVE . , COS TA MESA , (7 14) 538-8 4 4 4; W W W.TACOMARIA .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE RANCH RESTAURANT & SALOON

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT ANEPALCO

The original Anepalco is still the place for a quick breakfast or brunch of fine French-Mex cuisine. But it’s at Anepalco inside the ALO Hotel where chef Danny Godinez is able to oversee the philosophy that’s the subhead to the restaurant’s name: cocina del barrio. Food of the people that’s as futuristic as that Mayan spaceman glyph. We’ve long raved about Godinez’s postmodern chilaquiles, but everything here is a stunner: deconstructed tortilla soup, huitlacoche ice cream and the pan-Latin #borrachoproblems of head bartender Cesar Cerrudo. It’s a goddamn shame that Anepalco doesn’t get more regional or national love—but in the meanwhile, it’ll just be our beautiful secret. 3737 CHAPMAN AVE . , OR ANGE , (7 14) 456-96 42; W W W. ANEPALCO.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: AVILA’S EL RANCHITO

MICAH WRIGHT

BEST CRAFT COCKTAILS PIZZERIA ORTICA

Pizzeria Ortica has always attracted eaters for its great pizzas, but the entrance of Joel Caruso and his man Friday, Aristotle Alstaetter, transformed the place into Orange County’s ultimate booze factory. Caruso is a Caravaggio of cocktails, each sip detailed, dramatic, dark, thoughtful and brilliant. Alstaetter, meanwhile, is already at top-rate bartender status with creations more playful, lighter, yet just as genius—let’s call him Pizzeria Ortica’s Rossini. Are we done with the Italian metaphors? No. Together, the two are the young DeNiro and Pacino of OC bartending, wowing with every appearance. 650 ANTON BLVD. , COS TA MESA , (7 14) 4 45-4900; PIZ ZERIAOR TICA .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SOCIAL COSTA MESA

BEST FILIPINO RESTAURANT IRENIA

Despite Filipinos representing the largest Asian population in California, their cuisine has historically been resigned to cater to only Filipinos. Ryan Garlitos’ Irenia aims to change that. Whether you’re new to Filipino food or you grew up with it, Garlitos’ interpretations of classic Pinoy dishes, such as adobo and ginisang monggo, will make you fall in love with it for the first time or the millionth. This is Filipino food for the widest possible audience that’s never dumbed down or whitewashed. And for dessert, pastry chef Ashley Guzman shines with her modern spins on sweets such as a decon-

MICAH WRIGHT

structed calamansi pie and halo-halo, which are some of the best desserts in OC, Filipino or otherwise. 400 N. BROADWAY, SANTA ANA , (657) 245-3466; W W W.IRENIARES TAUR ANT.COM.

BEST SPORTS BAR KELLY’S KORNER TAVERN

Not only is Kelly’s Korner Tavern the epitome of a neighborhood bar—stumble up McCormack Lane for a minute, and you’re in the middle of a nice suburban tract—serving some of the best bar food around (and suds FOR DAYS), but the Placentia favorite also has enough flat-screens to illuminate the Carlsbad Caverns. Nearly all of them are set to dif-

PIZZERIA ORTICA ferent games, ensuring that on any given night this fall, you saw the Angels losing, the Dodgers winning, the Lakers struggling, the Galaxy hustling, the Ducks underachieving, the Kings rebuilding and Sportscenter morons braying—and that’s just one wall. 907 E . YORBA LINDA BLVD. , PL ACENTIA , (7 14) 961-9396; W W W.KELLYSKORNER TAVERN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: TILTED KILT

2016 BEST OF READERS’ POLL!

The following winners have been voted the best in the Food & Drink category! Best Bread BOUDIN BAKERY

Best Day-Drinking Bar THE ROOFTOP BAR

Multiple Locations juiceitup.com.

Multiple Locations boudinbakery.com

Best Bagels SHIRLEY’S BAGELS

Best Breakfast PLUMS CAFE + CATERING

1289 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, 949-497-2446; rooftoplagunabeach.com

270 E 17th St #1, Costa Mesa, 949-645-7877; shirleysbagels.com

369 E 17th St, Costa Mesa, 949-722-7586; plumscafe.com

Best Bakery BLACKMARKET BAKERY

Best Breakfast Burrito SANCHO’S TACOS

2937 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, 714-662-3095; blackmarketbakery.com

Multiple Locations sanchostacos.com

Best Gay Bar VLVT VELVET LOUNGE 416 W. 4th St., Santa Ana, 714-664-0663; velvetoc.com

Best Late-Night Dining HARBOR HOUSE CAFE

4470 Katella Ave, Los Alamitos, CA 90720 562-594-8611; katellabakery.com

16365 Bolsa Chica St., Huntington Beach, 714-316-5000; olivepitgrill.com

Multiple Locations in OC harborhousecafe.com

Best Dessert AFTERS HANDCRAFTED ICE CREAM

Best Happy Hour CHA CHA’S LATIN KITCHEN

Best Local Beer BOOTLEGGER’S BREWERY 130 S. Highland Ave., Fullerton, 714-871-2337; bootleggersbrewery.com

Multiple Locations aftersicecream.com

110 W. Birch St. #7, Brea, 714-255-1040; chachaslatinkitchen.co.

Best Brewery BOOTLEGGER’S BREWERY

102 Pine Ave, Long Beach, 562-435-2000; thefederalbar.com

130 S Highland Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832 714-871-2337; bootleggersbrewery.com

Multiple Locations harborhousecafe.com

Best Burger HOPDODDY BURGER BAR

Best Dive Bar GOAT HILL TAVERN

305 E. 4th St. #106, Santa Ana, 714-760-4333; wursthausdtsa.com.

Multiple Locations hopdoddy.com

1830 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, 949-548-8428; goathilltavern.com

Multiple Locations in OC creamistry.com

Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant LAZY DOG CAFE

Best Indian Restaurant TANDOOR CUISINE OF INDIA

4647 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach, 949-333-0917; bosscatkitchen.com

Best Bar to Dance THE COPPER DOOR 225 N Broadway, Santa Ana, 714-880-9989; thecopperdoorbar.com

Best Bartender CHATTERBOX AT BOSSCAT KITCHEN 4647 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach, 949-333-0917; bosscatkitchen.com

Multiple Locations lucillesbbq.com

Best Beer Selection THE YARD HOUSE Multiple Locations yardhouse.com

Best Bikini Bar GREEN GIRL SALOON

Best Boba LOLLICUP Multiple Locations lollicupusa.com

Best Chinese Restaurant P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO Multiple Locations pfchangs.com

Best Coffee KEAN COFFEE Multiple Locations keancoffee.com

Best Coffeehouse PORTOLA COFFEE LAB Multiple Locations portolacoffeelab.com

Best Craft Cocktails SOCIAL COSTA MESA 512 W 19th St, Costa Mesa, 949-642-2425; socialcostamesa.com

Best Cupcake SPRINKLES CUPCAKES Multiple Locations sprinkles.com

Best Date Night ANAHEIM PACKING DISTRICT 440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, 714-533-7225; anaheimpackingdistrict.com

Multiple Locations lazydogrestaurants.com

Best Doughnut Shop SIDECAR DOUGHTNUTS & COFFEE 270 E. 17th St. #18, Costa Mesa, 949-873-5424; sidecardoughnuts.com

Best Farmers’ Market IRVINE FARMERS MARKET 5001 Newport Coast Dr., Irvine, ocfarmbureau.org

Best Fish Taco BEAR FLAG FISH CO. Multiple Locations in OC bearflagfishco.com

Best Food Truck KOGI KOREAN BBQ 323-315-0253; kogibbq.com

Best French Fries FIVE GUYS Multiple Locations in OC 866-345-GUYS; fiveguys.com

Best Frozen Yogurt YOGURTLAND Multiple Locations in OC yogurt-land.com

Best Hot Dog/Brats WURSTHAUS

Best Ice Cream CREAMISTRY

1132 E. Katella Ave., Orange, 714-538-2234; tandooroc.com

Best Italian Restaurant MAMA D’S ITALIAN KITCHEN 3012 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, 949-675-6262; mamadsrestaurant.com

Best Lounge THE BUNGALOW (HB) 21058 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714-874-0399; thebungalow.com

Best Margarita LOLA’S MEXICAN CUISINE Two Locations in Long Beach lolasmexicansuisine.com

Best Martini THE CANNERY 3010 Lafayette Ave., Newport Beach, 949-566-0060; cannerynewport.com

Best Mexican Restaurant AVILA’S EL RANCHITO Multiple Locations in OC avilaselranchito.com

Best Middle Eastern THE HALAL GUYS

Best Japanese Restaurant KITAYAMA RESTAURANT

3033 Bristol St. #E, Costa Mesa, 714-850-1080; thehalalguys.com

101 Bayview Pl., Newport Beach, 949-725-0777; kitayamanewport.com

Best Neighborhood Bar, Central OC HAVEN GASTROPUB

Best Juice/Smoothie Shop JUICE IT UP! Multiple Locations in OC juiceitup.com

Best Korean BBQ GEN KOREAN BBQ HOUSE Multiple Locations in OC genkoreanbbq.com.

190 S. Glassell St., Orange, 714-221-0680; havengastropub.com

Best Neighborhood Bar, Coastal OC SIDEDOOR 3801 East Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, 949-717-4322; sidedoorcdm.com

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14341 Beach Blvd A, Westminster, 714-897-8612; thegreengirlsaloon.com

Multiple Locations chronictacos.com

Best Diner HARBOR HOUSE CAFE

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Best BBQ LUCILLE’S SMOKEHOUSE BAR-B-Q

Best Burrito CHRONIC TACO’S

2750 Alton Pkwy., Irvine, 949-553-0188; urban-seoul.com

Best Greek Restaurant THE OLIVE PIT

Best Deli KATELLA DELI

Best Bar in Long Beach THE FEDERAL BAR

Best Bar in Orange County BOSSCAT KITCHEN & LIBATIONS

Best Korean Restaurant URBAN SEOUL

Best Acai Bowls JUICE IT UP!

Food Best & ofdrink 2016

Congratulations to the winners of the

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DRINK

BEST BIKINI BAR GREEN GIRL SALOON

You’ve seen Green Girl’s epic ads in our dead-tree edition, marveled at how the Westminster institution is to hot bartenders what Nick Saban is to national championships. Ogle away—then go visit in the flesh, and you’ll realize Green Girl is more than just #chichischrist and #nalgamedios. The servers are friendly, the beers top-notch, and the food fine. But it’s the no-attitude atmosphere that will make a regular out of you. Now, keep looking at that Green Girl ad— we’ll wait. . . . 14 341 BE ACH BLVD. , WES TMINS TER, (7 14) 897-8612; THEGREENGIRL SALOON.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: GREEN GIRL SALOON

BEST DEEP-FRIED DISH KRAVE ASIAN FUSION

If the likes of Kyochon and BonChon sparked the Korean fried chicken Renaissance with birds double-fried so the skins are fully rendered and as crisp as a Lay’s potato chip, then Krave’s chicken wings have taken the chicken-fry arts to Sistine Chapel levels. Its mastery of the technique produces chicken that has an air gap between meat and skin. It doesn’t much matter what flavor of sauce you choose: The crust forms a hollow, crunchy, candy-like shell you could rap with a spoon—the missing link between Peking duck and crème brûlée. 2819 MAIN S T. , IRVINE , (949) 379-6075; CR AVEKR AVE .WIX .COM/KR AVE .

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BEST BOBA ZERO EXPRESS

Boba shops are synonymous with milk teas, and Zero Express has those on its menu. But it also has a selection of traditional Mexican drinks: horchata with coffee or with matcha, as well as a “watermelon slush” that tastes just like an agua fresca. There’s even a small snack menu of popcorn chicken and Cajun and regular fries. And, of course, you can add boba to all your drinks. 2323 E . CHAPMAN AVE . , S TE . C, FULLER TON, (7 14) 519-3730. INS TAGR AM: @ZEROE XPRESS. READERS’ CHOICE: LOLLICUP

BEST PLACE FOR DATE NIGHT MARCHÉ MODERNE

The best restaurant in South Coast Plaza is a great place to visit any time, but date night makes the bistro that much more natural. You see it every evening, as men wear buffed shoes and women wear pen-

GREEN GIRL SALOON

MICAH WRIGHT

cil dresses bought just for a time like this. The energy in the room is that of charged joy, not just for the magnificent meals of Florent Marneau, but also for the fun to follow for all—a flute of Veuve Clicquot to l’amour! 3333 BRIS TOL S T. , S TE . 3001, COS TA MESA , (7 14) 4 34-7900; W W W.MARCHEMODERNE .NE T. READERS’ CHOICE: ANAHEIM PACKING DISTRICT

IRENIA

BEST HAPPY HOUR THE WINERY RESTAURANT & WINE BAR

Yvone Goetz’s restaurant is old-school French, the kind of place you typically save for that promotion or milestone anniversary. But its remarkable Crush Hour makes a weekly visit to the restaurant a must. For prices that won’t get you a burger elsewhere, Goetz puts out the most thoughtful and elaborate happy hour food in Orange County. Don’t expect Buffalo wings or plain sliders. Instead, feast on the casual cassoulet that’s his pork belly lollipops on white beans or the honest-to-goodness steakand-potatoes meal in his beef tenderloin bites. On top of that, there are substantial discounts on the wine. 2647 PARK AVE . , TUS TIN, (7 14) 2587600; THE WINERY TUS TIN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: CHA CHA’S LATIN KITCHEN

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT WOK N TANDOOR

The Indian street food called chaat isn’t

JOHN GILHOOLEY

quite a meal or a snack, but at Wok N Tandoor, it can be as intricate as fancy French hors d’oeuvres or resemble what an Asian fusion food truck might have concocted. And though you could still order a chicken tikka masala, which is as good or better than what’s in most Indian joints, when you’re in a restaurant that offers a galaxy of chaat not seen anywhere else in OC, why settle for the tried and true?

1948 N. TUS TIN S T. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 7827 7 70; WOKNTANDOOR.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: TANDOOR CUISINE OF INDIA

5932 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, 714-846-5700; surfdogshb.com

214 Ocean Ave., Laguana Beach, 949-4943027; marineroomtavern. com

Best New Restaurant VACA

in OC Multiple Locations eatphillysbest.com in OC mariecallenders.com Best Seafood

Best Pizza MASSIMO’S PIZZA

22311 Brookhurst St. Multiple Locations in OC #103, kingsfishhouse.com Huntington Beach, 714-964-1888; Best Secret massimospizzahb. Dish com

Best Place to Pick Up a OneNight Stand SHARKEEZ

305 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, 714-525-5682; cellardining.com

Best OldSchool Food Truck LOS REYES DEL ELOTE ASADO S. Main St. & E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, 949-610-4426; losreyesdelelote.com

Best Organic Restaurant TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

Best Pub MACALLANS PUBLIC HOUSE

330 W. Birch St., Brea, 714-529-1224; macallanspubbrea. com

Best Punk-Rock Bar ALEX’S BAR 2913 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, 562- 434-8292; alexsbar.com

Best Ramen SHIN-SEN-GUMI HAKATA RAMEN

IN-N-OUT

Multiple Locations in OC in-n-out.com

Best Pancakes THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE Multiple Locations in OC originalpancakehouse.com

Best Peruvian Restaurant

& SALOON

1025 E Ball Rd, Anaheim, 714- 817-4200; theranch.com

Best Restaurant Ambiance THE CELLAR RESTAURANT 305 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, 714- 525-5682; cellardining.com

Multiple Locations in OC inkamamas.com

Orange, 714- 633-3760; tulsarib.com

2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, (714) 549-2584 seabirdskitchen.com

353 E 17th St, Costa leesandwiches.com Mesa, Best 949- 313-6335; facebook.com/PieSo- Vietnamese Restaurant cietyBar

Best Sports Bar TILTED KILT (ORANGE) 1625 W. Katella Ave, Orange, 714-633-5458 tiltedkilt.com

Best Steak MASTRO’S STEAKHOUSE Multiple Locations in OC mastrosrestaurants. com

Best Sunday Brunch TAPS FISH HOUSE & BREWERY

Best Sushi MATSU

18035 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, 714- 848-4404 matsusogood.com

Best Taco TACO ASYLUM 2937 S Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, (714) 922-6010; tacoasylum.com

Best Taco Tuesday AVILA’S EL RANCHITO Multiple locations in OC avilaselranchito.com

Best Pho PHO 79

Best Thai Best Rock Club Restaurant PHUKET THAI THE OBSERVATORY

9941 W. Hazard Ave., Garden Grove, 714-531-2490; Pho79.com

3503 S Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, 714- 957-0600; observatoryoc.com

GARLIC & CHIVES

9892 Westminster Ave #311, Garden Grove, (714) 591-5196

Best Waffles BRUXIE Multiple Locations in OC bruxie.com

Best WaterfrontDining LAS BRISAS 361 Cliff Dr. Laguna Beach, (949) 497-5434 lasbrisaslagunabeach.com

Best Whiskey Bar BOSSCAT KITCHEN & LIBATIONS 4647 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach, (949) 333-0917 bosscatkitchen.com

Best Wine Bar SEALEGS WINE BAR 21022 Beach Blvd #105, Huntington Beach, (714) 536-5700 sealegswinebar.com

Best Wings BUFFALO WILD WINGS Multiple Locations in OC buffalowildwings. com

Best Looking Patrons (Hottest Crowd) JAVIER’S (CRYSTAL COVE)

Crystal Cove Shopping Center, 7832 Pacific Coast Hwy, 16612 Beach Blvd H, Newport Beach, (949) 494-1239 Huntington Beach, javiers-cantina.com (714) 842-1101

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Best Ribs INKA MAMA’S PERUVIAN TULSA RIB CO. CUISINE 220 E Katella Ave,

SEABIRDS KITCHEN

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21080 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714-698-6130; tannershb.com

Best Vegan Restaurant

Best Vietnamese Best Signature Iced Coffee LEE’S SANDWICHES Cocktail Multiple Locations PIE SOCIETY in OC

Multiple Locations in OC tapsfishhouse.com 18315 Brookhurst St 451 Newport Center Best Sunday Dr., Newport Beach, #1, Fountain Valley, Funday 714-962-8971; 949-644-2400; MUTT LYNCH’S truefoodkitchen.com shinsengumigroup. com 2300 W Oceanfront, Best Newport Beach, Best Outdoor 949- 675-1556; Restaurant Dining THE RANCH RESTAURANT muttlynchs.com

TANNER’S

8082 Adams Ave, Huntington Beach, (714) 594-5730 slaters5050.com

Multiple Locations in OC 695 Town Center Dr., sharkeez.net Costa Mesa, Best Poke 714-463-6060; NORTH SHORE POKE vacarestaurant.com Multiple Locations in OC Best Old-Fashioned northshorepokeco. com THE CELLAR

RESTAURANT

Restaurant KING’S FISH HOUSE

Best Untraditional Burger SLATER’S 50/50

FOOD BEST & OFDRINK 2016

Best Neighborhood Bar, South OC MARINE ROOM

Best Pie Best Sandwich MARIE CALLENDER’S PHILLY’S BEST RESTAURANT & BAKERY Multiple Locations

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Best Neighborhood Bar, North OC SURF DOGS

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FourRosesBourbon.com

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Handcrafting has its rewards.

Food Best & ofdrink 2016

Since 1888.

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Be mellow. Be responsible.

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BEST HOT SAUCE INFINITY SAUCES

Keeping track of John Kessler’s many hot sauces is as difficult a task as counting blades of grass on a lawn. There’s the Original Infinity (hot), the Double Infinity (hotter), the Chipotle Infinity (less hot, but still hot), the Double Chipotle Infinity (damn, son!)—and those are just the easily available ones. He even has limited releases that contain everything from carrots to stout beer to Hatch chiles (called Hatch-squatch, complete with a bigfoot logo) to one that tries to condense all of his sauces into one, oakconditioned beast. Regardless of choice, however, all Infinity Sauces exhibit the same attributes: heat, flavor, consistency, wacky labels and fiery beauty. Throw out the Tabasco already! INFINIT YSAUCES.COM.

BEST PLACE FOR A ONE-NIGHT STAND DOWNTOWN FULLERTON

There’s a reason its nickname is DTF— just sayin’! DOWNTOWNFULLER TON.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SHARKEEZ

BEST THAI RESTAURANT SUMRAN THAI CUISINE

Located on the outskirts of Little Saigon, Sumran Thai Cuisine has streamlined its Thai-ness to appeal to a hipster crowd, with sleek lines and even a bar. But its core flavors are spectacular, making it one of the more underrated Thai joints in OC. You’ll see furious plates of green papaya salad, all about the funk of shrimp paste and the blinding hell of peppers. The E-San sausages, paired with peanuts and ginger, reminds of chorizo, while the tower of fried enoki mushrooms looks and tastes like chicharrón slivers. 6482 WES TMINS TER BLVD. , WES TMINS TER, (7 14) 892-1149. READERS’ CHOICE: PHUKET THAI

BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT MOUNTAIN

Short of being adopted, you won’t feel more doted upon by someone’s Korean mom than at Mountain. About five minutes after the server flicks on the gas on your tabletop stove to simmer the seafood hot pot you ordered, she comes back with scissors to snip the crab into smaller pieces and the squid into rings. When she notices you’re done with the hot pot, she returns to make fried rice for

you tableside with what remains of the broth. It must be noted that each table at Mountain is equipped with a paging system that issues a pinging sound to summon a server, but you’ll hardly need it. Mountain’s women are your surrogate aunties who want nothing more than to see you well-fed and happy. 74 46 OR ANGE THORPE AVE . , BUENA PARK , (7 14) 228-9793. READERS’ CHOICE: URBAN SEOUL

BEST CUPCAKE IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CAKE

Though these award-winning bakers specialize in custom cakes of intricate beauty, the shelf cupcakes available at any time are impressive to look at before devouring. The majestic truffle-dipped offering stands tall, with a volcano of mousse atop a chocolate or vanilla cake. That the airy mousse is covered by a truffle shell, for which we recommend a spoon to break through for a sweetly intense bite. There are buttercream classics aplenty—no spoon needed—to augment the intricate “Hello” line of minis, all of which have an open mouth containing various fillings—Boston cream pie, for one—making them look like decadent and edible Pac-Mans. 24921 DANA POINT HARBOR DR. , S TE . B100, DANA POINT, (949) 240-1700; W W W.IT SALL ABOUT THECAKE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SPRINKLES CUPCAKES

BEST DESSERT NICK’S

If a dessert could be said to be comfortable in its own skin, it’s the Warm Butter Cake at Nick’s. Who cares if there’s nothing too haute cuisine about it? Even the chocolate-obsessed will want in on this perennial favorite that comes in a perfect little round, as if sprung directly from a mini-springform pan right onto your plate. It’s hot, soft and meltingly good. Actually, beginning to melt on top is a scoop of Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream, protected from your warm butter cake by a crystallized sugar crust—the better to control every bite among the warm, sweet, crunchy, cold possibilities, augmented as you wish by the tart-and-tangy fruit compote drawn across the cake and plate. It’s perfect for sharing or holding a birthday candle. Or for no reason at all. Because cake. 213 AVENIDA DEL MAR, SAN CLEMENTE , (949) 481-2200; NICKSRES TAUR ANT S.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: AFTERS HANDCRAFTED ICE CREAM

DRINK

BEST SECRET DISH COYOTE GRILL

Tangy-spicy sauce, handmade sourdough crust so good you could eat it plain, with mozzarella from Wisconsin that stretches with your slice as you pull it away from the pie. Perfect for purists. Beach Harbor Pizza’s named pizzas include the Salt Creek, boasting clams in honor of the location, and the Chupacabras, which thrills with chorizo, onions,

BEST BARTENDER CESAR CERRUDO

The bar manager at Anepalco on Chapman and the new El Mercado next to the Yost Theater in Santa Ana doesn’t say a lot. Cesar Cerrudo doesn’t need to; his drinks speak for themselves. Just as the food at Anepalco is somehow both inventive and respectful of its roots, so are the cocktails. Cerrudo loves to play with textures and layers; an Old Fashioned might be whiskey and bitters sipped through a piloncillo foam, mixing behind your teeth, or he might create a gin drink balanced with unexpected Mexican flavors. Cerrudo is Peruvian, and his love for Pisco results in the best Pisco cocktails in all of Greater Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. ANEPALCO, 3737 W. CHAPMAN AVE . , OR ANGE , (7 14) 456-9642; W W W. ANEPALCO.COM. EL MERCADO, 301 N. SPURGEON S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 33824 46; W W W.MERCADOMODERN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: CHATTERBOX (BOSSCAT KITCHEN & LIBATIONS)

THE BEEF PALACE BUTCHER SHOP HAS BEEN STRONG IN THE SAME LOCATION FOR 46 YEARS. 5895 WARNER AVE AND SPRINGDALE IN HUNTINGTON BEACH.

KNOW THIS!

NOBODY ANYWHERE AT ANY PRICE BUYS HIGHER QUALITY THAN WE PROUDLY OFFER. IT IS OUR HONOR TO SERVE YOU AND EARN YOUR RETURN BUSINESS. ON HOLIDAYS WE MUST HAVE YOUR PERSONAL ORDER TO HANDLE THE VOLUME. WE SELL MORE PRIME RIB THAN ANYONE ELSE ON HOLIDAYS. WE WANT TO BE YOUR BUTCHER SHOP. PLEASE COME AND SEE US. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

THANK YOU!

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BEST PIZZA BEACH HARBOR PIZZA

The best bar in Orange County isn’t even really a bar; it’s a restaurant with an absolutely astounding bar program. When Playground opened in the Fiesta Marketplace (now called the East End), it was renowned for its beer selection, which was always $5 per pour; how strong the beer was determined the pour size. Years later, it’s still $5 per pour, there’s a small but extremely well-curated wine list, and now it’s added a full spirits program to the mix, with extremely talented bartenders who create innovative cocktails that nearly always work. But as with everything Playground, the cocktail and beer menus change on a whim, so order a second round while you can. 220 E . FOUR TH S T. , S TE . 102, SANTA ANA (7 14) 560-4 4 4 4; PL AYGROUNDDTSA .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BOSSCAT KITCHEN & LIBATIONS

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You could frequent this Baja-style restaurant for a hundred Mexi brunches on the patio—with its view of nothing but bougainvillea, ocean and sky—and not know of the Cove Chicken’s existence because it’s only offered after 5 p.m. When Coyote Grill opened more than 25 years ago, the locals in laid-back South Laguna Beach happily switched loyalty from the locale’s previous restaurant. But legend has it that as the tequila flowed, they’d sometimes whine about missing a special dish: the Southern fried chicken, which had been served at the Cove since 1968. So onto the menu went the deliciously homey fried chicken with mashed potatoes and grilled squash, offered along with fajitas, in-season local lobster and fish tacos. Tequila-lovers appreciate Coyote Grill’s selection of añejos, reposados and silvers, as all pair nicely with the chicken. Or so the legend goes. 31621 COAS T HW Y. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 499-4033; W W W.COYOTEGRILL .T V. READERS’ CHOICE: IN-N-OUT

BEST BAR IN ORANGE COUNTY PLAYGROUND

Located in the Anaheim Canyon industrial area, far from any residential neighbors, Bottle Logic Brewing gets better and better. Its Double Actuator, a double IPA with just 80 IBU points, is exactly what a West Coast IPA should be: long on hops flavor, short on overextracted tannic bitterness. But it also makes an East Coast-style IPA called HazeShift, which is meant to be cloudy in the glass and strong on the tongue. It even made a Japanese rice lager that imitates Kirin, except 10 times more satisfying than Japan’s national beer-flavored soda. When Anaheim’s mayor said he was throwing the gates open to breweries, Bottle Logic is just what Tom Tait must have been hoping for. 1072 N. ARMANDO S T. , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 660-2537; BOT TLELOGIC.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BOOTLEGGER’S BREWERY

Food Best & ofdrink 2016

BEST BREWERY BOTTLE LOGIC BREWING

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jalapeños and pepperoni. Eat on the patio for people-watching or inside for flat-screen viewing. Or get your order to-go: Mention the takeout-only coupon (which is substantial—and you don’t even have to print it or show it on your smartphone), then chow down on a bench or near Baby Beach. 34 473 S T. OF THE GOLDEN L ANTERN, DANA POINT, (949) 218-1920; BE ACHHARBORPIZ Z A .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MASSIMO’S PIZZA

DRINK

BEST NEW RESTAURANT SEASALT WOODFIRE GRILL

In bringing Santa Maria barbecue to OC, former Weekling Alicia Whitney imported two essential things from the region: cords of the native California red oak that fuels the specially designed grills and the ’cue masters who know how to use them. The formula has allowed SeaSalt to produce the exact kind of barbecue that the Central Coast is famous for. Everything licked by the leaping flames of SeaSalt’s open fire pits is wondrous. The sweet oak smoke permeates the pork chops, the multitude of steaks, even the veggies such as the grilled cauliflower. SeaSalt also offers an encyclopedia of gourmet finishing salts for free, but you’ll hardly need it. Trust the SeaSalt’s barbecue experts and the wood fires they stoke to turn meat into magic. 21214 BE ACH BLVD. , HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (7 14) 804-55 45; W W W.SE ASALT WOODFIREGRILL .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: VACA

BEST GAY BAR VLVT VELVET LOUNGE

OC’s gay community rallies around VLVT Velvet Lounge. During Pride, it’s jammed full of people. It was where LGBT naranjeros went after the Pulse shooting in Orlando to be with their own and mourn. It’s where everyone goes for a hell of a brunch featuring drag queens marching down the tables. The bar staff is friendly, the drinks are fast and strong, and you can safely hit on that cutie in the corner without getting side-eye from anyone except his boyfriend. 416 W. FOUR TH S T. , SANTA ANA 92701, (7 14) 232-8727; VELVE TOC.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: VLVT VELVET LOUNGE

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JOHN GILHOOLEY

BEST PUNK-ROCK BAR JOHNNY’S SALOON

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. When it comes to OC punk-rock bars, you can’t fuck with Johnny’s Saloon. It’s not just about the whiskey, the jukebox or the preponderance of badasses old and new who stick to this place like barnacles on the side of the SS Minnow. It’s the spirit of the place that starts with owner Johnny Kresmir, who, in addition to his dedication to the bar’s extensive whiskey list, is down to support any worthy cause. Then, of course, there’s the interior of the place, littered with punk-rock posters, memorabilia and discarded bras that always make for a great photo backdrop. There’s no way to come here and not be part of a good time, even if you’re just sitting on a barstool watching the show. 17428 BE ACH BLVD. , HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (7 14) 848-0676. READERS’ CHOICE: ALEX’S BAR

BEST ROCK CLUB DIEGO’S ROCK-NROLL BAR & EATS

If there was one club we’re glad to see resurrected, it’s Diego’s Rock-N-Roll Bar & Eats. Momentarily shuttered last year when Festival Hall changed hands, we thought we’d lost it for good. But miraculously, the bar made a comeback this year and has been on fire ever since. As a bar, this place was born for rock & roll, from the stark, electric-guitar logo and all-black ambience to the cozy space that forces you to sweat to acts ranging from the lo-fi garage punk of Audacity to the old-school rockabilly revelry of the SoCal Hoedown last August. The food is easy, quick and on-point (get the chipotle cheese fries!) and will go down well with a cigarette as you stand on the corner, glaring at the EDM kids piling into the

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NEW HAPPY HOUR AT RISTORANTE RUMARI

MONDAY-THURSDAY 5:00-7:00 pm

$5.00 Glasses of Wine, House Martinis $10 Small Plates PROSECCO SUNDAYS:

Enjoy $5.00 glasses of Prosecco in the bar and dining room all night.

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Yost Theater to dance to some deep house. Go have your fun, guys. . . . We’ll stay on this side, with the whiskey and the good music. 220 E. THIRD ST., SANTA ANA, (888) 8629573; WWW.ROCKANDROLLBARDTSA.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE OBSERVATORY

BEST BREAKFAST BREAK OF DAWN

Break of Dawn, which just celebrated 10 years in business, is a labor of love in the truest sense of the word. The story of Dee Nguyen and his son Berlin is wellknown, and the crowds keep packing the joint, especially on weekends, for cuisine that could only happen in Orange County: breakfast food, filtered through Mexican and Vietnamese lenses, and plated with the care of a high-end temple of gastronomy. No, you won’t get bacon, eggs and hash browns here, but once you read the menu, you won’t want to. 24291 AVE . DE L A CARLOTA , S TE . P-4, L AGUNA HILL S, (949) 587-9418; BRE AKOFDAWNRES TAUR ANT.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: PLUMS CAFÉ & CATERING

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BEST COFFEE THE AUSSIE BEAN

Enjoy authentic Sicilian and Italian cuisine where locals like to dine. Toast to someone special, watch a game, or meet someone new! SALUTI A TUTTI! ARRIVEDERCI A PRESTO! Vince Crivello, Chef Proprietor

- Since 1989 1826 South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach 949-494-0400 | www.rumari.net

The third-wave people were right: The best coffee does not need any sugar. But the Aussie Bean is not a third-wave coffee shop; it has pourovers and those fancy Japanese cold-brew bulbs, but it does most of its business in coffee with milk, particularly the flat white, a cousin of the caffè latte beloved in Oz. And unlike a certain mermaid-emblazoned coffee chain, it recommends you take your flat white as Aussies do: small. The standard size is 8 ounces, and between the roast and the textured milk, you won’t even think about sugar. 112 E . MAPLE AVE . , OR ANGE ; W W W.THE AUSSIEBE AN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: KÉAN COFFEE

BEST FISH TACO SEÑOR BAJA

What could possibly be so good about the fish tacos at Señor Baja that people would fight their way toward Corona on the 91 freeway to eat them? Start with the batter—darker and crispier than anyone else’s, but somehow still light and non-bready. The fish, which is seasoned well, is then tucked into tortillas with just the right amount of cabbage and crema. It needs more kick, though, so douse it with the spicy chile de árbol sauce and some lime juice, and try to imagine being

on the malecón in Ensenada. 701 S. WEIR CANYON RD. , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 974-8760; SENORBA JARES TAUR ANT.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BEAR FLAG FISH CO.

BEST FARMERS’ MARKET ORANGE HOME GROWN FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET What do you get when chefs, foodies, community organizers and Chapman University staff get together and decide to change how the city of Orange eats? You get a bustling farmers’ market tremendously supported by the local community; you get an education farm at which suburban children can learn where food comes from; you get the most popular place in the city on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Produce, meat, honey and eggs occupy one side of the market; the other side is prepared foods, including OC Baking Co. bread, which you can score at retail. 304 N. CYPRESS S T. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 3974699; OR ANGEHOMEGROWN.ORG. READERS’ CHOICE: IRVINE FARMERS’ MARKET

BEST DOGFRIENDLY RESTAURANT LILLIE’S Q

The Brea restaurant is doggie heaven, and not just because it’s a cascade of ’cue. Waiters will automatically bring out a bowl of water for thirsty pooches on the patio and ask owners if they can give their pup a pig’s ear to chew on. Hell, most OC restaurants don’t treat humans this well. 240 S. BRE A BLVD. , BRE A , (7 14) 4822001; LILLIESQ .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: LAZY DOG RESTAURANT & BAR

BEST MARTINI A RESTAURANT

A martini needs a sense of occasion, a setting that says, “This is where people come to drink martinis and talk business.” It calls to mind dark, smoke-filled rooms where deals are struck, long lunches that end with stepping blindly into the 3 p.m. sun and hearty American fare. In other words, A Restaurant. The bar is dark and gently lit; the servers are used to the patrons specifying exactly how they want their drink (but let’s face it, a martini without vermouth is just cold gin). Try it the classic way, and soak in the atmosphere just blocks from the water. 3334 W. COAS T HW Y. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 650-6505; ARES TAUR ANTNB.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE CANNERY

Best Breakfast Burrito in OC!

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NEWPORT BEACH

602 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, Ca. 92648

3014 W. Balboa Boulevard Newport Beach, Ca. 92663

(714) 536-TACO (8226)

(949) 723-TACO (8226)

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1101 S. El Camino Real San Clemente, Ca. 92672

5272 E. 2nd Street Long Beach, Ca. 90803

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C’EST SI BON

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BEST BREAD C’EST SI BON BAKERY

This is the place with handwritten signs keeping you posted on when the next fresh batch of baguettes will come out of the oven. But better eat a sandwich before you leave or you’ll nosh your entire baguette in the car and arrive home with a long, empty bag. Then you’ll be craving a second loaf, buttered this time, preferably by a Parisian man in his loft who’s just pushed a mask and snorkel off his face and onto his head because he’s done chopping onions. Oh, wait. That’s Diva, the wondrous 1981 French thriller that is as good as the baguettes C’est Si Bon has been making since 1979. 149 RIVERSIDE AVE . , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 645-0447; WWW.CESTSIBONNB.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BOUDIN BAKERY

BEST OLD-FASHIONED 320 MAIN

An Old Fashioned is traditionally just bitters, spirits, sugar and water—it doesn’t necessarily specify which spirit. You can make Old Fashioneds out of rye, bourbon, Cognac, even mezcal, or you can go to 320 Main and order an Oude Fashioned, which is made with genever, a wildly funky cross between gin and whiskey. And after two or three, you might even be able to pronounce it. 320 MAIN S T. , SE AL BE ACH, (562) 7996246; 320MAINSE ALBE ACH.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE CELLAR RESTAURANT

BEST FOOD TRUCK BURRITOS LA PALMA

There’s a reason why Burritos La Palma has become such a sensation in Los Angeles and is just starting to crack the OC market. It combines the best of the oldschool—the food is Mexican, specifically the delicacies of the city of Jerez, Zacatecas—with the luxe lonchera sensibilities of great social media, savvy marketing and a gleaming lonchera. More important, husband-and-wife team Alberto and Lauren Bañuelos are OC natives and some of the humblest yet fun-loving people this side of Catholic Worker. FOLLOW BURRITOS L A PALMA ON T WIT TER: @BURRITOSL APALMA . READERS’ CHOICE: KOGI KOREAN BBQ

BEST STREET FOR A BAR CRAWL BALBOA PENINSULA

Start out the night at Baja Sharkeez, with some Mexican food and a jalapeño cucumber margarita. Take a trip across the parking lot to Stag Bar + Kitchen,

MICAH WRIGHT

and grab a peach mule and a gluten-free pizza to make room for all the gluten in the beer and alcohol. Play pool, shoot some darts, and then bounce down a couple blocks to Mutt Lynch’s. Finish up the night with a walk over to American Junkie, strictly for booze, babes and boogieing. Most of the dancing happens on the second floor, so be careful with the stairs. It’s half a mile from the beach, but, men, no tank tops. Stumble home to some one-nighter’s apartment. Repeat the following day. BA JA SHARKEE Z , 114 MCFADDEN PL ACE , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 673-0292; SHARKEE Z .NE T. S TAG BAR + KITCHEN, 121 MCFADDEN PL ACE , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 673-4 470; S TAGBAR.COM. MUT T LYNCH’S, 2300 W. OCE ANFRONT, NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 675-1556; W W W.MUT TLYNCHS.COM. AMERICAN JUNKIE , 2406 NE WPOR T BLVD. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 675-4 4 4 4; AMERICANJUNKIENB.COM.

BEST BURRITO BURRITOS LA PALMA

This Zacatecas-style food truck won the Best Traditional Taco award at this year’s Tacolandia festival in LA, even though what it served was technically a burrito. But its signature dish is a burrito Orange County has never seen outside of a wedding held at the Laborers Local 652 hall in SanTana. It’s small, for starters, so you have to eat at least three before you get full. And it’s stuffed with birria de res, shredded beef in a consome that miraculously doesn’t make the tortilla soggy. And the tortilla: handmade by Alberto Bañuelos from a family recipe, it’s the

best flour tortilla in Southern California. All together, it’s a transformational burrito that will make you see the cylindrical god in the same way Thomas looked at Jesus after getting proved wrong. FOLLOW BURRITOS L A PALMA ON T WIT TER: @BURRITOSL APALMA . READERS’ CHOICE: CHRONIC TACOS

BEST OLD-SCHOOL FOOD TRUCK TACOS EL ZAGA

If you didn’t know what to get at Tacos El Zaga, you might think a taco sampler platter is the way to go or maybe a quesadilla. If you’re a little more clued-in, you’d see the enormous trompo of al pastor pork through the clear window. But look around at what your fellow diners, Latino all, are eating: suadero. This cut— so light in color—is from the navel of the steer and resembles pork belly. But one bite, dressed with some of the best salsas in the county and an expanded fixin’s bar that includes ensalada de nopales, and you’ll be glad you pay at the end—that way you can order more, four or six at a time. That each one costs a little more than a buck just makes it more alluring— and El Zaga’s open late. ON THE CORNER OF MAIN AND WIL SHIRE S TREE T S, SANTA ANA , (7 14) 553-8089. READERS’ CHOICE: LOS REYES DEL ELOTE ASADO

BEST SANDWICH STEFANO’S GOLDEN BAKED HAMS

The biggest surprise in Yorba Linda— and now Laguna Hills—is the huge punch of flavor in the panini at Ste-

fano’s Golden Baked Hams. While ham is certainly the focus, with a good Cubano and a great, simple ham and Swiss, there are two dozen to choose from, including a panini take on an East Coast-style sub (grinder, hero, hoagie, whatever). Don’t miss the tri-tip panini; it’s a full meal by itself! 18220 YORBA LINDA BLVD. , S TE . 307, YORBA LINDA , (7 14) 993-4267; 24781 ALICIA PK W Y. , S TE . A , L AGUNA HILL S, (949) 837-1426; W W W.S TEFANOSHAMS.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: PHILLY’S BEST

BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT PHO 45

Orange County’s best Vietnamese restaurant isn’t even in Little Saigon; it’s in Garden Grove’s ever-expanding Korean District. It doesn’t serve much beyond pho and a couple of appetizers, but that doesn’t stop the lines from forming. The broth is without par; you have your choice of thick or thin noodles (the thick are much more satisfying); the beef is, puns aside, a cut above; and even the service is several notches above your typical beef-noodle palace. The prices are a bit higher, but it’s worth it. 9240 GARDEN GROVE BLVD. , GARDEN GROVE , (7 14) 537-9000. READERS’ CHOICE: GARLIC & CHIVES

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BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT SAHARA FALAFEL

Sahara Falafel is one of the oldest Middle Eastern eateries in Anaheim’s Little Arabia. The secret to its longevity lies in the mesmerizing rotation of the restaurant’s spits: Succulent chunks of beef and chicken shawarma are shaved from them and served on platters or in sandwiches with a side of delicious garlic sauce. The hole-in-the-wall’s namesake offers a lemony flavor not found in other falafels around town. Sahara Falafel has also gotten into the sweets game with trays of baklava and a Palestinian affection confection called Lovers’ Dessert. Its walls are painted with awesome portraits of the Sahara Dessert, adding a nice ambience. The doors stay open until 2 a.m., perfect for late-night shawarma cravings! 590 S. BROOKHURS T S T. , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 491-0400. INS TAGR AM: @SAHAR AFAL AFEL . READERS’ CHOICE: THE HALAL GUYS

BEST ICE CREAM PALETERÍA LA FLOR DE MICHOACÁN

Cool off from global warming with handmade paletas from Paletería la Flor de Michoacán. La Flor’s Mexistyle popsicles are all-natural and cover nearly every edible fruit of Latin America Pachamama created. The guayaba one is like biting into a fresh aromatic guava, but if you’re looking for something on the milky side, try one of the paletas de crema, such as the paleta de arroz—rice gone 100. 1750 S. MAIN S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 664-0701. READERS’ CHOICE: CREAMISTRY

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Brothers Eddie and Luis Garcia opened Lola Gaspar nearly a decade ago, and the place gets better every year—something unheard of in OC dining. It’s not just the Mexi-Spanish-American grub Luis cooks up (without the use of stoves!) or the Garcias’ willingness to try bold specials (pastrami tacos are INSANE), but also the brothers’ smart bartenders. They continue to refine Lola’s alcohol offerings, a jaunt through the various boozes Latin America and Spain have to offer, but all bow down to the mastery that is the Más Fuerte: mezcal, rye, pineapple syrup and mole bitters. It’s as strong as the name implies, but also sweet and ultimately refreshing—perfect. Better yet? Lola Gaspar just expanded. 211 W. SECOND S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 972-1172; LOL AGASPAR.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: PIE SOCIETY

BEST BARBECUE BIG B’S BARBECUE

Big B’s might seem a bit of a misnomer for the tiny but mighty Fullerton holein-the-wall. It’s not much save for a few tables inside and a big picnic bench outside. But Big B’s earned its name over the past 30 years by packing a big punch when it comes to barbecue. Slabs of ribs come slathered in tangy, biting barbecue sauce. The homemade potato salad tops the list of superb sides on the menu. Big B’s is also big on sandwiches: Good things come in threes, and the pulled pork slider trio is perfection down to the pickles served on the side. The owners also own Brian’s Sports Bar next door, so you can head over and get your meal served through a tiny window while catching a game. Across the way

PALETERÍA LA FLOR DE MICHOACÁN

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BEST SIGNATURE COCKTAIL LOLA GASPAR

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from Cal State Fullerton, Big B’s is a hella titan! 1948 N. PL ACENTIA AVE . , FULLER TON, (7 14) 528-7427; BIGBSBBQ .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: LUCILLE’S SMOKEHOUSE BAR-B-Q

BEST STEAK BROADWAY BY AMAR SANTANA

While Vaca is rightfully getting all the meat love right now for Amar Santana, his best meat is still at Broadway, with his grilled, marinated prime skirt steak. Everything must be done to the liking of the head chef, lest the dish be sent back for touch-ups. When ready, the skirt steak arrives topped with roasted fingerling potatoes. Caramelized onion jus and chimichurri pool around the steak waiting to be dipped into. From there on, every tender bite will have you vowing to never watch Top Chef again. 328 GLENE YRE S T. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 7 15-8234; W W W.BROADWAYBYAMARSANTANA .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MASTRO’S STEAKHOUSE

Not even a fire a couple of years ago could keep down the legendary Cortina’s, which has provided OC with Italian cheeses, meats, cookies, sodas and nearly everything else since 1963. And every morning at 4 a.m., you can get your hands on some freshly made specialty breads from Sal from Queens—no, seriously, that’s his name. 2175 W. ORANGE AVE., ANAHEIM, (714) 5351948; COR TINASITALIANFOOD.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: KATELLA DELI

BEST FRENCH FRIES KENTRO GREEK KITCHEN

What makes these hot, crispy French fries so special is the butter made from kefalotiri, a salty-sharp Greek hard cheese. The sheep’s- or goat’s-milk cheese is blended with butter, salt, pepper and garlic, then tossed with a heap of fried potatoes and finished with a sprinkling of oregano. Addictive is an understatement when it comes to these— you’ve been warned. 100 S. HARBOR BLVD. , FULLER TON, (7 14) 278-094 4; KENTROGREEKKITCHEN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES

SCOTT FEINBLATT

BEST BAKERY TLAXCALA BAKERY

This tiny panadería is a treat for multiple senses, from the first inhale of freshly baked goods to the warmth of the oven vibrating on your skin—and then comes the taste of the actual pan dulces. For nearly 20 years, folks from all over Southern California have visited Tlaxcala for its special-occasion trés leches cakes, while working-class mamís have fed their brood with their crumbly cookies, creamy conchas, cuernitos, buttery muffins and other types of pan dulce served

fresh on a daily basis—and no doubt those children will be bringing their future offspring here years from now. 1208 S. S TANDARD AVE . , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 5 47-8265; TL A XCAL A-BAKERY.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BLACKMARKET BAKERY

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20025 Lake Forest Dr 101 Lake Forest, CA 92630 | 949.305.2800

31791 Los Rios St San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 | 949.240.0200

1534 Adams Ave A Costa Mesa, CA 92626 | 657.231.6190

hiddenhousecoffee.com

PROUD TO BE LA’S #1 BREWERY!

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1390 N Kraemer Blvd Placentia, CA 92870

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BEST CAJUN CUISINE BOURBON STREET BAR & GRILL

Sink your bones into a dark booth in this downtown Fullerton joint, then sink your teeth into the best shrimp and grits this side of Texas. (The white Cheddar cooked into the dish is what puts it into the heavenly category.) Or go with the voodoo shrimp, their buttery broth keeping the crustaceans moist and soaking into the bed of dirty rice. Or get comfortable with a giant helping of jambalaya, with its perfectly cooked seafood and andouille sausage. Whatever you choose, it all tastes better with a Hurricane or Black Magic martini. No need to book a trip to New Orleans when you can get the food here, and a well-liquored crowd awaits just outside the door. 110 E . COMMONWE ALTH AVE . , FULLER TON, (7 14) 626-0050; BOURBONS TREE TFULLER TON.COM.

BEST HOT DOG/BRATS PORTILLO’S

BEST TACO ALEBRIJE’S

BEST OUTDOOR DINING THE BEACHCOMBER AT CRYSTAL COVE

If you haven’t tried the taco acorozado (which means “battleship” in habla) at Alebrije’s—a thick, handmade corn tortilla covered in rice, milanesa, cactus, avocado, cotija cheese and lettuce that we’ve plugged in Best Of almost yearly for a decade—then we thereby ban you to a Rick Bayless restaurant FOR LIFE. ON THE CORNER OF MAIN AND CUBBON S TREE T S, SANTA ANA . READERS’ CHOICE: TACO ASYLUM

BEST WINE BAR FIVE VINES WINE BAR

At Five Vines Wine Bar, the staff is friendly and the customers aren’t drowning in a whirlpool of elitism. This is a wine bar for anti-wine-bar folk who want to revel in Dionysian desires without diving into a world of snoot. Not only does it offer quality wines from all the major regions, but it also has a secret wine cellar list—much like the way In-N-Out has a secret menu, only light years classier.

Set in a 1940s bungalow-style restaurant, the Beachcomber offers one of Orange County’s best ocean views and dining experiences. It has a great wine list and an excellent mixologist who specializes in bloody Marys. The menu offers a fine variety, with an emphasis on seafood. It’s a killer brunch spot, as well as a great place to go on a date and watch the sunset. 15 CRYS TAL COVE , NE WPOR T COAS T, (949) 376-6900; THEBE ACHCOMBERCAFE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: TANNER’S

BEST PERUVIAN RESTAURANT CENTRÁL COASTAL PERUVIAN

out; it’s assembled tableside, with the soup poured into a bowl from a carafe. And when you do finally order the pollo à la brasa, it’s exquisitely butchered so it includes the Frenched breast. But the flavors are authentic, and the aji sauce—the one unshakable reminder that proclaims more loudly than anything else that, yes, this is a real Peruvian restaurant—is nuclear strength. 361 FORES T AVE . , S TE . 103, L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 7 15-0801; CENTR ALCOAS TALPERUVIAN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: INKA MAMA’S PERUVIAN CUISINE

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT CAFÉ HIRO

After 14 years, Hiro Ohiwa continues to deftly and successfully execute his own blend of Japanese, French and Italian cuisine in Cypress. From pasta speckled with sweet oceanic pillows of sea urchin in an intense uni-cream sauce to his crisp, thick and fatty Kurobuto pork katsu with a rich deep demi-glace, each dish Ohiwa offers carries with it a soul and technique that pays tribute to his years of training in Japan and Europe.

Anna Driggs and Ana Montoya’s Centrál Coastal Peruvian in Laguna Beach is a restaurant for a moneyed crowd who may be used to fancy French sauces, but not necessarily pollo à la brasa. The aguadito, for instance, doesn’t just come

An all-beef Vienna frank topped with all the fixings on a freshly steamed poppy-

And for those who prefer barley or hops to fermented grapes, the craft-beer selection is fabulous. 31761 CAMINO CAPIS TR ANO, S TE . 11, SAN JUAN CAPIS TR ANO, (949) 800-9145; FIVE VINESWINEBAR.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SEALEGS WINE BAR

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seed bun—add a dash of celery salt and snap into the perfect bite, with a mouthful of every topping. That’s Portillo’s Chicago dog in all its glory. Now can the Cubs finally win their World Series already? 8390 L A PALMA AVE . , BUENA PARK , (7 14) 220-6400; W W W.POR TILLOS.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: WURSTHAUS

voted best hot dog

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2 years in a row!

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Best Of winner • 2016 • 2015

2016

wursthausdtsa.com | (714) 760-4333 | 305 E 4th St. Santa Ana, California

A Foodie's Paradise!

Neighborhood Bar in Coastal OC!

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RESTAURANT SUPPLY GOURMET FOOD CAFE TEST KITCHEN

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The ultimate food-lover’s destination! An unparalleled source for ﬁne imported and domestic food products and culinary items for serious food enthusiasts and professional chefs.

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AUTHENTIC

GERMAN

A FAMILY RESTAURANT WITH RECIPES GOING BACK 7 GENERATIONS IN GERMANY!

BEST JUICE/SMOOTHIE SHOP GROWL JUICE PUB

German Restaurant

Brewing Since 1040

IT'S OCTOBERFEST Everyday! COME CELEBRATE WITH THE OLDEST BEER IN THE WORLD!

M– F 7AM–9PM, SAT & SUN 8AM– 9PM 2525 East Ball Rd., Anaheim 714.520.9500

Jagerhaus.net | sandie@jagerhaus.net

Best Food Truck IN OC 2016

Nominated

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Jägerhaus

FOOD and Beers For 37 Years!

Brewing Since 1050

Food & While you’re at Café Hiro, don’t pass on dessert. The berry panna cotta would delight even the most discerning pastry chef with its hypnotic jiggle and creamy texture. P.S.: If you’re looking for a really special experience, be sure to call in advance and ask for Hiro’s omakase. 10509 VALLE Y VIE W S T. , CYPRESS, (7 14) 527-6090; CAFEHIRO.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: KITAYAMA RESTAURANT

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Although Growl Juice Pub doesn’t make your drink in front of you, the juice from this pressed juicery is pretty bomb—especially if you’re into drinking out of glass, as opposed to plastic. You can buy freshly made almond milk, smoothies and juice in a growler, too. Even though this place looks as if it would work well on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, the friendly staff, glass bottles and wonderful juice makes the trendiness worth it. 152 N. GL ASSELL S T. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 538-5338; W W W.GROWL JUICEPUB.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: JUICE IT UP!

BEST BURGER TK BURGERS

People’s palettes might have evolved this past decade to the point at which a slab of duck bacon on top of a farm-raised ostrich patty is considered divine. But when it comes to the kind of burger we crave, give us the no-frills, charbroiled taste of a TK Burger any day. It’s basically the ideal homemade burger served at the perfect afternoon cookout, right down to the cheap paper plates they’re served on. Some may chalk it up to

nostalgia for a homegrown chain that has been around for about 25 years—and maybe that’s true. Whether you believe OC has gotten better or worse with each passing decade, there’s no arguing this burger sells you a slice of classic, West Coast Americana with every bite. TKBURGERS.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: HOPDODDY BURGER BAR

BEST LATE-NIGHT DINING PAST MEMORIES

Whether you have the late-night munchies or are just looking to soak up a night out, food always tastes better when you know you shouldn’t be eating it. So for after-hours cravings, Past Memories is the midnight party. The seafood kimchi pancake is as big as a pizza, and if you’re still hungry after that, you can’t go wrong with the kimchi fried rice or budaejjigae, also known as Korean army stew, to recover from a night of desmadre. 9252 GARDEN GROVE BLVD. , S TE . 29, GARDEN GROVE , (7 14) 638-7818. READERS’ CHOICE: HARBOR HOUSE CAFÉ

BEST RIBS ROBERT EARL’S BBQ

Depending on which flavor he’s looking to achieve, Robert Earl will use hickory or pecan wood to pit-smoke his meats low and slow. And, for $20, Earl’s twomeat combo is the way to go, with two medium sides (mac and greens all the way) and white bread. We’re talking ribs here, so make sure to get his signature pork ribs and rib tips, and don’t eat for a week before and after. 703 E . AR TESIA BLVD. , LONG BE ACH, (562) 726-1116; ROBERTE ARL SBBQ .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: TULSA RIB CO.

TK BURGERS, COSTA MESA

(949) 350-6557 piaggioonwheels.com MICAH WRIGHT

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TURK’S . . . BUT TURCS IS GOOD, TOO

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, SOUTH OC TURK’S RESTAURANT

Neighborhood bars in South Orange County can be scarce, but what they lack in quantity, they make up for in old-school charm (look to Mugs Away’s Mooning of the Amtrak and the porntastic bathroom at Swallow’s Inn to see what we mean). OG spots such as the Dirty Bird and the Marine Room Tavern have been saucing up South County for decades, but none can boast the seaside charm of Turk’s Restaurant. The bar feels like an extension of the dock, and it’s easy to forget you’re not on an old ship somewhere out at sea thanks to the ocean view, ropes and buoys between booths and sometimes potent wafts of fish and sea air. The Harbor House-esque décor of old movie stills and posters have faded with sun and time. There’s even a Phil Shane CD on the analog jukebox— how’s that for old-school OC? 34683 S T. OF THE GOLDEN L ANTERN, DANA POINT, (949) 496-9028. READERS’ CHOICE: MARINE ROOM

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BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, CENTRAL OC LAS VEGAS BAR

It ain’t what you think: This SanTana dive doesn’t bother with Sin City emulation, or even with trying to get a cool crowd. It’s puro pinche pari here: working-class Mexicans who come in and out of the dank bar from morning to late night to play some pool, watch a soccer match and get borracho on beer. But pop a top before the hipsters discover it. . . . Wait, Las Vegas now stocks Blue Moon? Uh-oh . . . 2339 S. BRIS TOL S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 5 46-3035. READERS’ CHOICE: HAVEN GASTROPUB

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, NORTH OC BRIAN’S BEER & BILLIARDS

Brian Fairley has served up beer and good times since his Off Campus Pub days. Since its opening in 1981, his Brian’s Beer & Billiards has been the choice gathering spot of Cal State Fullerton students and locals alike. He sold Off Campus in 2007 to focus solely on Brian’s and Big B’s Barbecue (directly next door to the bar, which we’re also praising this year). Walk in for an ice-cold schooner, play a game of shuffleboard, and get down on Fairley’s famous Louisiana-style babyback ribs, and you’ll see why the regulars haven’t left since graduating back when

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the Titans still had a football team. 194 4 N. PL ACENTIA AVE . , FULLER TON, (7 14) 993-1401; BRIANSBEER.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SURF DOGS

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, COASTAL OC TURCS

This Hobbit house by the sea stands just steps from the Pacific Ocean, but with its ivy-covered exterior, this quaint sea shanty looks as if it’s straight outta the Shire. Though it boasts a PCH address, it’s more shabby than chic (and we mean that in the best possible way); it’s quaint and rustic enough to remind you of Bilbo’s house, but there’s enough cheap alcohol to satiate even Merry and Pippin. 16321 PACIFIC COAS T HW Y. , HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (562) 592-2311. READERS’ CHOICE: SIDEDOOR

BEST PHO PHO 79

Here, the beef is never overdone; the brisket is tender, with that thin layer of buttery fat present on every slice. The noodles are always cooked to perfection, the broth is intoxicating, and the kitchen never skimps on meat. But more than all that, you come to Pho 79 for the xí quách đuôi bò (side order of oxtail). When it arrives, it’s swimming in a combination of fragrant broth and liquefied marrow, the hunk of tail so delicate and meltingly tender that a nudge of a chopstick is enough to separate meat and bone. Add in a bowl of soup with noodles, and it’s a complete beefy indulgence. Just make sure to arrive early because the oxtail is limited and the parking is always a headache. 9941 HA Z ARD AVE . , GARDEN GROVE , (7 14) 531-2490; PHO79.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: PHO 79

BEST PLACE TO GET FRESH FISH WATERMAN’S HARBOR

Choose any table in the place; each one has a view of Dana Point Harbor to gaze upon. It’s the very water many of the fish it serves comes from. What the local fisherman don’t catch that day is delivered fresh daily and is 100 percent sustainable. There’s no freezer, so count on the ocean freshness in the wild and line- and trap-caught ahi, swordfish, salmon, cod, halibut and much more. If you’re looking for a dock to dish fish, you found it. 34661 S T. OF THE GOLDEN L ANTERN, DANA POINT, (949) 764-FISH; WATERMANDP.COM.

take refuge in the Cellar. The bar and finedining restaurant is equal parts ritzy and comfy. Get spendy and fancy by walking left and into the dining room; get sauced in style by stepping to the right and into cocktail master Rich Ohtsuka’s lair. Whichever adventure you choose, you’ll be treated to a cavernous and cool experience created by the Disney-employed masterminds behind the atmosphere of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It’s dark and dank like Pirates, but the reported ghosts will make you feel as if you’re right at home at the Haunted Mansion. Hurry back! 305 N. HARBOR BLVD. , FULLER TON, (7 14) 525-3853; CELL ARDINING.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE CELLAR

BEST RESTAURANT AMBIANCE THE CELLAR

Walk with care down the stairs, then open the heavy, ornate wooden door deep underground Downtown Fullerton and

MICAH WRIGHT

PHO 79

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BEST PIE PIE HOLE

DRINK

BEST LUNCH IN LITTLE SAIGON BRODARD RESTAURANT

We’d enjoyed Brodard Restaurant plenty of times, but it wasn’t until a wealthy friend from Philly insisted on eating lunch there on three consecutive trips to Orange County that it sunk in: This place, which is enormously popular with the local Vietnamese community, is also an undeniable attraction to East Coast Caucasians. It offers a large, relatively inexpensive menu ranging from assorted spring rolls that are always freshly made to stir-fried noodle and rice dishes, as well as a variety of soups including pho, udon and French-Vietnamese-style beef stew. Nobody in Little Saigon makes a better spicy beef salad. For dessert, don’t leave without trying the fried banana, flan custard or one of the fresh fruit smoothies. Anticipate a 15- to 20-minute wait to get a table during the rush, and don’t be alarmed that the restaurant is on the backside of a shopping plaza. 9892 WES TMINS TER AVE . , S TE . R, GARDEN GROVE , (7 14) 530-174 4; W W W.BRODARD.NE T.

Hand-crafted-daily artisanal pies are now a reality at the Orange Circle thanks to the people at Pie Hole; this is mother-and-son team Becky Grasley and Matthew Heffner’s only outpost outside LA County. On top of a stable roster that includes the famous maple custard, Earl Grey tea, Mexican chocolate, and mac and cheese, the shop also offers a handful of seasonal pies, such as this fall’s Mom’s Apple Crumble and Moe’s Pumpkin Pie. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, the crust that accompanies each slice is rich and buttery. There are even special options for those of you who cringe at the mere thought of gluten. 17 7 N. GL ASSELL S T. , OR ANGE , (657) 236-4100; W W W.THEPIEHOLEL A . COM/OR ANGE-COUNT Y. READERS’ CHOICE: MARIE CALLENDER’S RESTAURANT & BAKERY

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT DIN TAI FUNG

After two years of winning this spot, Din Tai Fung’s Costa Mesa outpost still reigns absolute when it comes to Shanghainese and Taiwanese food. Whether it’s the famous juicy pork xiaolongbao, shrimp and pork wontons with spicy sauce, or golden-crisp pork chop fried rice (bonus

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points for saving the spicy sauce and using it on those pork chops!), its offerings are as addicting and consistent as ever. Sadly, the line and hour-plus wait each weekend are also the same. 3333 BRIS TOL S T, COS TA MESA , (7 14) 5 49-3388; DINTAIFUNGUSA .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO

an encyclopedic selection of highly marbled premium cuts to more than 15 panchan options, its massive spread is only outclassed by the waitstaff’s exceptional quality of service and attention to detail—often the biggest sin of Korean barbecue. Char-coated grills and empty plates are whisked away before you even

BEST KOREAN BARBECUE MR. BBQ

Mr. BBQ does not joke around when it comes to the AYCE experience. From

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G A M E DAY H APPY H O UR SPE CIAL S

$5 SELCET DRAFT

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WATCH EVERY

NFL & NCAA GAME HERE!

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COSTA MESA TUSTIN SANTA ANA OLD TOWNE ORANGE HUNTINGTON BEACH MISSION VIEJO

(near corner of Oso Pkwy)

ALISO VIEJO 92656 oph-av@att.net (949) 643-8591

10035 ADAMS AVE. (corner of Brookhurst in CVS Center)

HUNTINGTON BEACH 92646 (714) 964-7500 oph-hb@att.net

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have the opportunity to hail your server, and they’re always there ready to bring your next order. If you choose, the staff will even cook each selection for you tableside, so you can focus on what you came for in the first place: mountains of glorious barbecued meat. 305 N. S TATE COLLEGE BLVD. , FULLER TON, (7 14) 4 41-0000; MRBBQFULLERTON.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: GEN KOREAN BBQ HOUSE

BEST WHISKEY BAR BOSSCAT KITCHEN & LIBATIONS

Work your way through a list of heavy hitters from Bosscat’s library of more than 100 whiskeys, and enjoy some Southern-inspired dishes while you’re at it. If you think of yourself as a true connoisseur of the spirit, ask to see the 18-plus-year whiskey-room offerings—full of vintage and premium finds. Cheers, and no, you can’t take the Pappy Van Winkle home with you. 46 47 MACAR THUR BLVD. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 333-0917; W W W.BOSSCATKITCHEN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BOSSCAT KITCHEN & LIBATIONS

BEST VIETNAMESE ICED COFFEE PHO JAZMINE

Ca phe da ain’t for the faint of heart, so be ready to get frazzled with Pho Jazmine’s three-layer iced coffee. The glass is first filled with a combination of condensed milk and whole milk, the drip coffee is then beaten and slowly poured onto the milks, and golden foam makes the final layer. If this is your first time having Vietnamese coffee, stir, sip slowly, and remember: It’s okay to hold your hands to stop the trembling. 16086 HARBOR BLVD. , FOUNTAIN VALLE Y, (7 14) 760-4572. READERS’ CHOICE: LEE’S SANDWICHES

BEST DOUGHNUT SHOP SIDECAR DOUGHNUTS & COFFEE Oh, we’ve tried to quit you, Sidecar. We’ve tried to eat healthier, but you

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keep tempting us back with monthly and seasonal offerings that appeal to just about all our senses. Special editions such as Concord grape, s’mores, and fig and goat cheese changed the way we viewed doughnuts, but when we really wanted an old-school treat, we headed for the sweet, perfectly airy comfort of the Madagascar vanilla twist and the muffin-like huckleberry. Further sweetening the deal is the siren song of Stumptown Coffee: The Forty Winks and Colt’s Tooth blends were created just for pairing with Sidecar’s doughnuts. We promise to never try to leave you again, Sidecar. 270 E . 17 TH S T. , S TE . 18, COS TA MESA , (949) 873-5 424; SIDECARDOUGHNUT S.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SIDECAR DOUGHNUTS & COFFEE

SIDECAR DOUGHNUTS & COFFEE

MICAH WRIGHT

BEST RESTAURANT

IN OC 2016!

Now Serving Brunch Daily 8am-3pm

2920 Bristol St. Costa Mesa CA 714.432.SOUL (7685) â&#x20AC;¢ memphiscafe.com

101 BAYVIEW PL., NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660

949.725.0777 | KITAYAMANEWPORT.COM

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Yacht Rock Brunch Sundays Drop by for our Famous Bloody Mary

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BEST SOUL FOOD ROSCOE’S HOUSE OF CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

The lines haven’t lessened at Roscoe’s first OC location, down the street from Disneyland, since it opened a couple of years ago—and for rightful reasons. Also, think what you want about President Barack Obama, but you can’t beat his namesake special: three crispy wings and a fluffy waffle for $10. 2110 S. HARBOR BLVD. , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 823-4130; WWW.ROSCOESCHICKENANDWAFFLES.COM.

BEST DAY-DRINKING BAR DAGGER BAR AT DON THE BEACHCOMBER

Not all of us can afford a trip to an exotic tiki oasis at the drop of a Panama hat, but at least we have the Dagger Bar at Don the Beachcomber. The alcove within the Bali Hai bunker that is Don the Beachcomber serves as a great substitute for an island escape. Mai tais, puupuus and pretty servers with hibiscus flowers in their hair—there’s almost enough liquid aloha in the potent signature cocktails here to make you believe you’re on the islands . . . until you cross PCH and see the nasty-ass water. We’re not in Kihei anymore, Toto. 16278 PACIFIC COAS T HW Y. , HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (562) 592-1321; W W W.DONTHEBE ACHCOMBER.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE ROOFTOP BAR

BEST BEER SELECTION CHAPTER ONE: THE MODERN LOCAL

Chapter One was one of the first bars to bring craft beer to SanTana, tapping rare, exclusive and just plain delicious brews. It may not have the largest beer selection, not even on that block, but week after week, it continues to dazzle with its selects. And on the off-chance you aren’t impressed, you can walk across the street to its sister bar at C4 Deli for another stellar tap list. 227 N. BROADWAY, SANTA ANA , (7 14) 352-2225; CHAP TERONE TML .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE YARD HOUSE

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT THE LIBRARY GENTLEMEN’S CLUB

You laughed at the thought of sushi at a strip club? Hey, we’re with you—the fish jokes kinda write themselves, don’t they? And the owners and managers of the

Library Gentlemen’s Club in Westminster aren’t ignorant of your jokes, either. In fact, they take pride in their topgrade meat selection, sourced multiple times per week. The sushi (rolls, nigiri, omasake—whatever your heart desires) comes reasonably priced and beautifully displayed. There’s even real wasabi, which is more than can be said about half the local sushi joints you try to impress your dates at. How’s that for dinner and a show? 7000 GARDEN GROVE BLVD. , WES TMINS TER, (7 14) 891-14 30; W W W.THELIBR ARYGC.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: KING’S FISH HOUSE

BEST RAMEN HOKKAIDO RAMEN SANTOUKA

Founded in 1988 in Japan by Hitoshi Hatanaka, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is one of Orange County’s OG ramen shops, located inside the Mitsuwa Marketplace of Costa Mesa. At Santouka, the tokusen toroniku ramen is king: seven pieces of superbly tender roasted pork cheek paired with a powerfully rich tonkotsu broth that you can flavor with salt, soy sauce, miso or spicy miso—or not at all. Throw in a soy-marinated egg or perhaps a bowl of rice with natto and green onion if you’re feeling adventurous. But whichever you choose, don’t lose that ramen ticket. If you do, you’ll be sad and caca out luck; Santouka takes its ticket system Soup Nazi-seriously. 665 PAUL ARINO AVE ., COS TA MESA , (714) 434-1101; WWW.SANTOUKA.CO.JP/EN. READERS’ CHOICE: SHIN-SEN-GUMI HAKATA RAMEN

BEST POKE H2O POKE & GRILL

Three things distinguish the best poke bowl shops from the mediocre: price, turnover and toppings. H2O Poke & Grill excels on all three. With one low set price for a standard bowl (with three scoops of fish), it doesn’t nickel and dime you for the essentials. The constant queue of people ensures the fish is constantly cycled out and always fresh. And while more flash-in-thepan poke shops offer crumbled Hot Cheetos, they’re nothing more than gimmicks. Instead, H2O’s array of free toppings, such as Mandarin oranges and mango, actually, you know, complements the seafood. 13262 JAMBOREE RD. , IRVINE , (7 14) 5 4 4-0066; H2OPOKEGRILL .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: NORTH SHORE POKE

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BEST PIZZERIA

FOOD BEST & OFDRINK 2016

NOMINATED

IN OC 2016

BEST FARM TO TABLE RESTAURANT IN OC

Farm to table creative American Cuisine

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Catering from full service to boxed lunches

Daily harvest from our Aquaponic farm

Visit us at

www.OceansAndEarthRestaurant.com

WEEKEND BRUNCH: 10AM-2PM SAT & SUN DINNER: 5-9PM SUN-THURS AND 5-11PM* FRI & SAT HAPPY HOUR: 4-6PM TUES-FRI LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR: 9-11PM FRI-SAT

20305 YORBA LINDA BLVD. YORBA LINDA, CA 92886

HomeMade, Fresh, & Organic 221 Main St. Unit D., Huntington Beach | 714.969.2929

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Organic & Gluten-free • Live Entertainment Wine Pairing Dinners • Chef Tastings

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BEST LOUNGE OBSERVATION BAR & ART DECO LOUNGE

Long Beach is a living museum when it comes to Art Deco architecture and design, so it’s no surprise that one of Southern California’s best lounges for Deco delights is located in the waters by Queens Highway. The Observation Bar & Art Deco Lounge aboard the Queen Mary calls back all the vintage glamour of when the ship initially sailed in 1936. It’s located on the upper decks of the bow, with a beautiful view outside the large windows and resplendent in original Art Deco paintings, shiny chrome and etched glass, so you can imbibe on the atmosphere as much as the alcohol. And it used to be the First Class Lounge, so even if you’re not a blue blood, you can still pretend. Pinky up, dahling! 1126 QUEENS HW Y. , LONG BE ACH, (887) 342-0738; QUEENMARY.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE BUNGALOW HUNTINGTON BEACH

BEST BAGELS SPIGAS BAKERY

Best of OC Italy

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This Mexican panadería makes awesome pan dulces, tortas and breakfast burritos. But its secret weapon is bagels—and we’re not just talking about the obvious jalapeño one. Whether everything, onion, plain or poppy seed, Spigas’ bagels are the bread at its zenith: dense without being dry, springy without being soft, and so absorbent you can top it with broth and it won’t get soggy. Order a bunch to go, or get a chorizo-and-egg bagel sandwich that’ll have you saying, “¡Oy, güey!” 164 3 W. CHAPMAN AVE . , OR ANGE , (7 14) 937-2972; SPIGASBAKERY.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SHIRLEY’S BAGELS

BEST DIVE BAR THE FLING COCKTAIL LOUNGE

The Fling is celebrating its 40th year of serving rowdy septuagenarians, saucedup writers such as ourselves, Phil Shane fans and everyone in between. Enter in through the heavy wooden door and be transported from a Stater Brothersanchored shopping plaza into a dank bar decked out with all the classic cool touches: blood-red velvet damask wallpaper, faux-crystal chandeliers, retro nude-lady paintings—atmosphere, baby, is the key here, and the Fling has it in spades. And though it may look like many newfangled lounges popping up here in town, the Fling has been doing it right from the start. Pair that with greaser bartender Ace and legendary lounge lizard Eddie Day, who appears weekly on Thursday and Friday evenings, ready to sex you into the weekend, and you’ve got a winning combination. Oooh, baby, oooh, baby! 2370 N. TUS TIN AVE . , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 5 47-8972. READERS’ CHOICE: GOAT HILL TAVERN

BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT GRATITUDE

Ignore the meaningless motivational psychobabble found on the company’s mission statement and take its hipster crowd with a grain of salt. Instead, enjoy Gratitude for its strongest selling point: It’s a vegan restaurant that doesn’t use fake meat. Nothing that’s reverse-engineered in a lab is used anywhere here. Instead of Tofurkey and Soyrizo, you get—wait for it—actual vegetables, grains and fruit, cooked and prepared with care and creativity. You’ll eat tostadas in which mushrooms sub in for beef, crumbly samosas

SPIGAS BAKERY

Laguna Beach Newport Beach www.gelatoparadiso.net

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Texas de Brazil

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COMING SOON TO IRVINE TEXASDEBRAZIL.COM

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OOK NO FURTHER THAN IRVINE TO experience Brazilian fare. Thankfully, the minds behind Texas De Brazil are spreading the culture and cuisine of the country throughout the United States. Taking it back to the beginning in Porto Alegre, Brazil, one of the partners who worked as a cattle rancher had a vision of bringing traditional rodizo style dining to the U.S. When dreams became a reality, they set up shop in the Lone Star State, to later expand. Specializing in authentic Brazilian barbecue, dining with them is unforgettably unique. While seated at your table, waiters come around and offer diners a parade of high quality meats to choose from off sword-like skewers. They are sliced table side, right in front of your eyes, onto your plate. Slow-roasted and always perfectly seasoned, your options seem to never end. Filet Mignon, Leg of Lamb, and Pork Loin, oh my! Compliment your meal with glass of wine from their worldwide collection as a lavish selection of 50+ seasonal sides welcome you to pick the perfect pairing for your entree. Choose from fresh vegetables, artisan breads, imported cheeses, and so much more! With plentiful options, this steakhouse caters to vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Be sure to save room for Brazilian Cheesecake & Flan or comforting classics like Key Lime Pie or Carrot Cake. Dining endlessly has never been so delectable. Still family owned and operated, Texas De Brazil takes it into their own hands to go above and beyond with impeccable taste and service.

DINE RODIZO STYLE

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stuffed with yam, and Italian “meatballs” made with chopped-up eggplant formed into spheres and draped in a marinara that tastes like marinara because, well, it is marinara! 1617 WES TCLIFF DR. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 386-8100; CAFEGR ATITUDE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SEABIRDS KITCHEN

BEST TACO TUESDAY LA FIESTA MEXICAN GRILL

Starting at 11 in the morning on Tuesdays, crunch on warm, crispy tacos stuffed with beef, chicken or potatos at La Fiesta for just $1.50 apiece (battered fish tacos cost $1.75). Each taco comes overflowing with lettuce and freshly shredded jack cheese, but make them your own with a trip to the impressive salsa bar or by requesting the houseroasted salsa. The shells are so light and airy that you’ll find yourself ordering more and more. Wash it all down with $4 lemon or strawberry margaritas and cheap beer. By the time dinner rolls around, the restaurant will be just as filled as your gut, so get there with plenty of time to spare. 224 41 ANTONIO PK W Y. , R ANCHO SANTA MARGARITA , (949) 858-0407. READERS’ CHOICE: AVILA’S EL RANCHITO

BEST HEALTHY PLACE TO EAT NEAR DISNEYLAND THUYEN VIEN VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

BEST PANCAKES FLAPPY JACK’S PANCAKE HOUSE RESTAURANT

If it seems Flappy Jack’s has stood next to the 55 freeway for decades, you’re kinda right. The building used to host a Spire’s or Carrows or Spoons or some type of crappy chain that’s now long gone that you always ignored on your mad dash to the 91. Flappy Jack’s is also a chain, but it’s just the second location for a Glendora restaurant that has long attracted eaters not only for its Route 66 spot, but also for some of the fluffiest pancakes in Southern California. The tradition continues in Orange: 14 pancake offerings, from savory to sweet to even gluten-free, all amazing. 2848 N. SANTIAGO BLVD. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 283-2800; FL APPYJACKSPANCAKEHOUSE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE

BEST SUSHI SUSHI NOGUCHI

Hiro Noguchi is a true artist whose chosen medium happens to be raw fish such as translucent Japanese icefish and golden-eye snapper with shocks of brilliant, strawberry-pink skin. Every dinner plate he crafts is a canvas splashed with the colors and textures of the sea. When you are served his masterpiece—a sashimi platter teeming with flowers and leaves that he takes several minutes sculpting, decorating and tweezing, as though it were ikebana—you can’t help taking a few pictures, even if the snapshots never seem to do it justice. 18507 YORBA LINDA BLVD. , YORBA LINDA , (7 14) 7 7 7-6789; W W W.SUSHINOGUCHI.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MATSU JAPANESE RESTAURANT

JOHN GILHOOLEY

BEST WINGS HENRY’S BAR & GRILL

As with everything else at Henry’s, the wings go above and beyond the low bar set by regular pub food. One bite into a savory, sizable wing will trigger your primal instincts until you’re gnawing your food as though you were an extra from Night of the Living Dead. Sure, they don’t come in multiple flavors like at popular chains; there’s just one finger-lickin’good Buffalo-sauce flavor, which tingles your lips with its subtle spiciness. Not too spicy for those with a low tolerance for hotness, just a slight burning sensation that will leave you gasping for a little air—but it burns so good. 105 49 S TANFORD AVE . , GARDEN GROVE , (7 14) 4 37-9884. READERS’ CHOICE: BUFFALO WILD WINGS

BEST AÇAI BOWLS BOWL OF HEAVEN

In the era of açai bowls, it’s surprisingly hard to find blends that aren’t too icy or bowls with enough toppings. Bowl of Heaven’s versions are the complete opposite: thick, creamy and filled with all kinds of fixings. The bottom of each handcrafted bowl is lined with hempseed granola, and then packed with a smooth blend of exotic super fruits. On top of the blend sits even more granola and slices of various types of fruits, all doused in honey. How can something so sweet and addicting be so healthy? BOWLOFHE AVEN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: JUICE IT UP!

BEST LOCAL BEER VALIANT BREWING CO.

#BeValiant is the mantra at Valiant Brewing Co in Orange, and looking at its roster of Belgian-style, barrel-aged IPAs and sours, it’s pouring and tapping these words 24/7. Using its very popular Alpha Drive IPA as the base, Valiant infuses pineapple and coconut to create Alpha Colada IPA (7.5 percent ABV), quite possibly the perfect OC craft beer—refreshing and hoppy, with the sweetness of the coconut and pineapple offseting any bitterness. Hey, Arte Moreno: Give these guys a cart, stat! 2294 N. BATAVIA S T. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 2040080; W W W.VALIANTBRE WING.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BOOTLEGGER’S BREWERY

BEST DINER HARBOR HOUSE CAFÉ

While most diners strive to be old-fashioned, Harbor House Café naturally is. With vintage pictures and movie memorabilia, old arcade games, and a jukebox with an impressive selection, Harbor House probably hasn’t changed much since the day it opened in 1939. Boasting a journal-thick menu and open 24 hours a day, seven days per week (including all holidays), it has a comfortable, homey vibe

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Years before they decided to launch Thuyen Vien, Loan and Si, two Vietnamese immigrants, earned a reputation as superb dinner hosts with family and friends who say they were always pleasantly surprised at the couple’s creative dishes that spanned every imaginable type of food. Nowadays, that enthusiasm is found daily at their restaurant, where they provide some of Southern California’s best vegetarian dishes in a small but clean setting, just blocks from Disneyland. Try the Buddha’s Feast: broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, onions and sautéed tofu in a broth with your choice of soy chicken, soy beef or chow mein. The lemongrass “chicken” or Thai vegetable curry are also tasty. But if you can’t decide, ask the friendly owners for advice; after all, they are the ones doing all the cooking. 1740 EUCLID S T. , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 490-0242; THUYENVIEN.WEEBLY.COM.

Once upon a time, three stupid reporters tried to eat the hottest burger ever made. It was called the Fifty Alarm Burger, and it featured some sadistic combination of ghost chile pepper-infused bacon, jalapeño and habanero chiles, and pepper jack chese. The only way to survive the experience, apparently, was to order a couple of tall glasses of milk, but two of the stupid reporters ordered beer and paid dearly for their mistake. That burger, let’s be frank, was terrible. Not so Slater’s Flamin’ Hot burger. This carne asade fire beef patty is served on a brioche bun and is decked out with nothing worse than pepper jack cheese, roasted green chiles, jalapeños, and a chipotle adobo mayo. It’s hot but delectable, and for all those lactose-intolerant alcoholics, rest assured: It goes down great with a double IPA. SL ATERS5050.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SLATER’S 50/50

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Food & DRINK

that will make you never want to leave— and with its hours, you don’t have to. Just make sure to order something more hefty than water and crackers, you know? 34157 PACIFIC COAST HW Y., DANA POINT, (949) 496-9270; ALSO AT 16341 PACIFIC COAST HW Y., SUNSE T BE ACH, (562) 5925404; WWW.HARBORHOUSECAFE.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: HARBOR HOUSE CAFÉ

BEST GREEK RESTAURANT CHRISTAKIS GREEK CUISINE

PRIME STEAKS & PRIMO VIEWS Voted Most Romantic Restaurant & Best Sunday Brunch in Orange County!

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Dinner | Happy Hour | Patio Dining Weekend Brunch | Special Events Holiday Parties | Corporate Events VISIT THE NEWLY REMODELED O BAR

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY

TheOrangeHillRestaurant.com

6410 East Chapman Avenue, Orange CA 714.997.2910 OrangeHill | OrangeHillEats

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From the blue shutters and doors to towering olive trees, Christakis Greek Cuisine is the closest you can get to the Isles without leaving the county. Whether you sit inside, surrounded by Christakis family photos, or outside, next to the peaceful fountain, you’re guaranteed a Homeric experience. The hummus has plenty of garlic and just the right amount of lemon. The traditional entrées, which come with a side of rice pilaf, green beans and wedges of baked lemon potatoes, are so filling that you might not even consider dessert—but one look at the baklava will change your mind. 13011 NE WPOR T AVE . , TUS TIN, (7 14) 7316600; CHRIS TAKISGREEKCUISINE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE OLIVE PIT

BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH SEALEGS WINE BAR

– OC Register 2016

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4.4792” x 10.625”

Within what looks like a cozy, seaside cabin is a meal you will remember—even if you forget everything else. Classic dishes such as a chicken-and-waffle sandwich, eggs Benedict, sausage-andpepper omelet, and California chilaquiles are washed down with bottomless mimosas. Your charming server will make sure your glass is never empty. And when you feel sated from chef Alexander Dale’s fabulous meal, you’ll stand up, letting all that Champagne go to your head, and forget all else. Go walk off that brunch at the Big Lots just a couple of doors down—or you could stroll over to the beach, just a mile away, if you’re sober enough. 21022 BE ACH BLVD. , HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (7 14) 536-5700; W W W.SE ALEGSWINEBAR.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: TAPS FISH HOUSE & BREWERY

BEST FROZEN YOGURT MENCHIE’S FROZEN YOGURT

Yes, the name “Menchie’s” isn’t that appealing, but what it lacks in name, it makes up for in flavors and toppings. Zesty lemon meringue will make you pucker up; spiced

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gingerbread cookie tastes like Christmas. But the smooth fro-yo isn’t even the best part. The topping bar outshines its competitors with fruits from apples to lychee and an impressive selection of candies, cookies and mini cakes. With $5 Fridays, happy hours and almost twice as many flavors than Yogurtland, Menchie’s really delivers—and with a name completely unrelated to yogurt, it has to. W W W.MENCHIES.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: YOGURTLAND

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT ALESSA LAGUNA BEACH

With family pictures plastered on the wall and dishes named after his nonna, chef Alessandro Pirozzi sweeps customers back to his hometown of Naples. At his Alessa Laguna Beach, you’ll indulge in complimentary bread and pesto before ordering from a menu featuring fresh seafood, creamy sauces and hand-made pastas all inspired by traditional family recipes. Once you’re done here, make sure to visit Pirozzi’s other excellent OC eateries—but this is the best of the bunch. 234 FORES T AVE . , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 497-8222; ALESSAL AGUNA .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MAMA D’S ITALIAN KITCHEN

BEST DRINK TO FUCK YOU UP THE BLUE BEET

Years ago, Dave Attell had a standup bit in which he imagined TV commercials for Jägermeister that would present different situations one would find themselves in after drinking the German digestif. The fake ads always ended with the announcer summing up the action by slyly intoning, “Jäger.” For instance: A little girl is sitting on the swing—not swinging. A tear rolls down her cheek. “Where’s Daddy?” . . . Jäger. Or: A guy— let’s call him me—is screwing the left eye of a pumpkin. Okay. If that pumpkin didn’t want it, why was it smiling at me? . . . Jäger. Imagine turning things up a notch by adding the cocaine of millennials: Red Bull! Head over to the Blue Beet, plop down 10 bucks for the Alpha Male (Jägermeister and Red Bull), repeat, repeat again and again and again, then stumble out the door to make your own commercial worthy of Dave Attell. 107 21S T PL ACE , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 675-2338; WWW.THEBLUEBEET.COM.

BEST BAR TO DANCE AT TOTALLY 80’S BAR & GRILLE

Advertised as Orange County’s only ’80sthemed bar and grill, Totally 80’s looks

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A Cold Beer Never Looked So Good!

2013

WINNER

Food Best & ofdrink 2016

VOTED BEST SPORTS BAR IN OC 4 YEARS IN A ROW! BEST OF

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FULL MENU UNTIL 11PM NIGHTLY FULL LIQUOR BAR UNTIL 2AM NIGHTLY

DAILY FOOD DEALS 11AM - 11PM MONDAY

HOUR HAPPY

4R–Y7 DAY

E V ESAT & SUN!

EVEN

$1 St. Tacos

TUESDAY

$1 Mini Hot Dogs $2 Baja Fish Tacos

WEDNESDAY

$4 Premiums $1 OFF All 20oz Drafts $5 La Crema Win e All DAY EVERYD AY

$.50 wings BRING A STEAK, WE GRILL IT FOR FREE! $3 Burger 1/3 lb

FRIDAY

DRINK

as if it could’ve been a Mexican restaurant in its past life. Yet don’t let its odd exterior throw you off, for the bar thrives as a cool, retro club that pops off just as much, if not more, than the nightlife found in the nearby streets of downtown Fullerton. Inside this club, which sits off Orangethorpe Avenue near the 91 freeway, hits from the 1980s are spun and the joint transforms into a foggy and sweaty Generation X dance party—get your Duckie Dale kicks ready! 2512 W. OR ANGE THORPE AVE . , FULLER TON, (7 14) 879-0108; W W W.TOTALLY80SBAR.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE COPPER DOOR

BEST LOCAL CHAIN IN-N-OUT BURGER

THURSDAY Free Fry Fridays w/ entree

Food &

Home o f 20oz pinthe t!

"TOO CO TO HOL LD D"

5300 E. 2nd St. Belmont Shore 562-433-3907 dogzbarandgrill.com

R E STAU R A N T & F I S H M A R K E T F U L L L I Q U O R BA R

F R E E APPETIZER

This was chiseled together on a soggy napkin after viewing an Orange County Business Journal compilation of local restaurant chains presented in order of total revenues. Pausing at No. 4, the chiseler realized no one before or after on the list is better than In-N-Out. However, that’s such an obvious choice that the chiseler trudged on, figuring a legitimate case could be made for someone slightly less worthy. Such bullshit; why deny In-NOut its rightful place at the top? Great service, fresh ingredients and a menu that does not change (but can include “animal-style,” if requested). Who does burgers better? Every time! Have you ever heard someone say, “Aw, In-N-Out, again?” Never happens. IN-N-OUT.COM.

in either sin at Active Culture. Everything is natural and packed with different flavors courtesy of homemade dressings, tasty seasonings and its signature OG Sauce. The bowls, salads and wraps are loaded with super foods and whole grains, while the smoothies, shakes and frozen yogurts are sweet and creamy, but just as healthy. Since every dish is made to order, you’ll probably find yourself waiting a while, so kick back and enjoy the ocean view. 1006 S. COAS T HW Y. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 7 15-5188; AL SO AT 111 S. EL CAMINO RE AL , SAN CLEMENTE , (949) 276-4625; AC TIVECULTURECAFE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

BEST WAFFLES THE WAFFLE AFFAIR

Instead of serving up plain, buttermilk waffles soaked in syrup and covered in too much butter, the Waffle Affair offers 21 made-to-order creations. With sweet and savory types (each complete with a warm, crispy outside and an even hotter, gooey inside), this spot is great for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whether you choose Madagascar vanilla bean, maple-bacon glazed or prosciutto di Parma and Gruyère cheese waffles, butter and syrup are hardly necessary—but, of course, always welcome. 1064 BAYSIDE DR. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 720-8155; THE WAFFLE AFFAIR.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BRUXIE

BEST BAR IN LONG BEACH BELMONT BREWING CO.

The oldest brewpub in Long Beach (25 years and going!), the Belmont Brewing Co. wins with quality brews, tasty eats and a beautiful oceanfront view. Make sure to try the Beer of the Month or the popular straw-

BEST ORGANIC RESTAURANT ACTIVE CULTURE

To make up for lost flavor, many organic restaurants either go heavy on the salt or force you to, but you won’t have to indulge

ACTIVE CULTURE

WITH PURCHASE OF 2 ENTREES EXPIRES 12/31/16

SUN TO WED 4-10PM | THURS TO SAT 4PM - MIDNIGHT 5374 E 2ND ST, LONG BEACH | 562-546-7110 WWW.ROESEAFOOD.COM RESERVE E THROUGH

seatme JS

ROCKOGRAPHY

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berry blonde. For the indecisive drinker, get the beer sampler, which includes six minibeers for $7. Happy drinkin’! 25 39TH PL ACE , LONG BE ACH, (562) 4 33-3891; W W W.BELMONTBRE WING.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE FEDERAL BAR

BEST PUB SILKY SULLIVAN’S RESTAURANT & IRISH PUB

What makes a pub great isn’t so much the exceptional quality and variety of the booze—as long as it doesn’t run out—but rather the food and, more important, the atmosphere. As with Costa Mesa’s Durty Nelly’s, Silky Sullivan’s is an old-school Irish pub that caters to a loyal, multigenerational clientele. In some ways, it’s like any other pub: waitresses in kilts and knee-high sports socks, lots of flatscreen televisions tuned to ESPN and Fox Sports West, lots of live music. The service isn’t just capable, but it’s also exceptionally warm. The food is its secret weapon, though: Hearty Irish soups and

traditional meals compete with surprisingly well-conceived sandwiches, steaks and burgers. Ith, Ól agus Bí sásta! 10201 SL ATER AVE . , FOUNTAIN VALLE Y, (7 14) 963-27 18; SILK YSULLIVANS.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MACALLANS PUBLIC HOUSE

BEST BREAKFAST BURRITO NICK’S LAGUNA BEACH

At $12, this isn’t the cheapest breakfast burrito around, but besides the fact that Nick’s isn’t exactly a greasy spoon, it’ll probably take two meals to consume. As with any great breakfast burritto, El Jefe has all the basics—scrambled eggs, jack cheese and hash browns—but the combination of fresh avocado, cilantro, pico de gallo and house salsa gives it just the right amount of spice. The key to this masterpiece is the smoked bacon, which is so good you might want to ask for it on the side. El Jefe will turn you into an instant burrito snob. 4 40 S. COAS T HW Y. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 376-8595. NICKSRES TAUR ANT S. COM/NICKS-L AGUNA-BE ACH. READERS’ CHOICE: SANCHO’S TACOS

BEST WATERFRONT DINING SOL MEXICAN COCINA Perched on the edge of a marina in Newport Beach, SOL Mexican Cocina offers not only an extraordinary view

of million-dollar yachts, but also an extensive menu of excellent coastal Mexican cuisine. Purists will enjoy the Baja-style fish or shrimp tacos, while the more adventurous might opt for the Taco Vampiro (a double-tortilla taco filled with serrano chiles, cheese and scallions) or the even-more-adventuresome Canarditas duck tacos (deep-fried duck legs served with a tequila-laced blackberry sauce). Wash it all down with a cocktail, especially anything made from the restaurant’s fine selection of mezcals. 251 E . COAS T HW Y. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 675-9800; W W W.SOLCOCINA .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: LAS BRISAS

BEST-LOOKING PATRONS/ HOTTEST CROWD SHANNON’S BAYSHORE

Cal State Long Beach’s hottest students gather at Shannon’s Bayshore on Thursday nights to bump and grind, play pool, and take in one another’s awesomeness. Everything from hot sorority chicks to tempting bad-boy skaters frequent the joint, so you’ll be sure to find your type. However, beware of the old geezers who typically hang out at the end of the counter, ogling the young and attractive lady patrons— then again, isn’t that the case at every bar? 5335 E . SECOND S T. , LONG BE ACH, (562) 4 33-5901; W W W.SHANNONSBAYSHORE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: JAVIER’S

BEST MARGARITA BAJA BEACH CAFE

Prefer your margarita to be stiffer than rebar and resembling a fish bowl with a skinny handle? Look no farther than Baja Beach Cafe because its giant margs will have you satisfied and wasted quick. Don’t jump in the water afterward! 2332 W. COAS T HW Y. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 673-8444; WWW.BAJABEACHCAFE.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: LOLA’S MEXICAN CUISINE

BEST COFFEEHOUSE DRIPP

For decades, the Fox Fullerton Theater stood abandoned, the promise of the movie palace returning to its former glory forever stymied by a lack of funds or forgettable tenants around it. That started changing with the debut of Dripp, which also has a location in Chino Hills. Strong coffee, great staff and a wonderful location—what else do you need in a local coffeehouse? 500 N. HARBOR BLVD. , S TE . B, FULLER TON, (7 14) 4 41-1003; DRIPP.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: PORTOLA COFFEE LAB

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There are some nights that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to last forever. This is one of those moments - making friends and mingling on a California evening as a vibrant DJ keeps the crowd upbeat all night long. Definitely a perfect time to share some CAMUS VS Elegance.

Saturday night, party in Orange County.

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SUPER DIAMOND – THE NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE NOV 18, 2016 • 8PM

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ENTERTAINMENT BEST CLUB DJ FUNK FREAKS

Funk Freaks are more than a hipster attempt at nostalgia. For the DJs who pack the dance floor at Original Mike’s every last Friday of the month, it’s a lifestyle. Since 2007, they’ve built their reps on endless crate digging, online scouring and dealing with record collectors around the world for the next song that’s destined to slap you silly. In the past few years, their brand has gone international, with chapters sprouting up and pledging allegiance to the mothership by spinning and sharing shit that YouTube doesn’t have, that Shazam can’t identify and that Pandora will never stream. Traveling and connecting with like-minded DJs, the crew’s name is showing up not only in the usual musical hotspots—San Francisco, LA, Austin, Chicago and New York City—but also in Russia, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland, places where international DJs proudly wave the Funk Freaks banner. Crowds come from all over SoCal,

BEST ACTOR DAN DONOHUE

Dan Donohue’s manic, riveting Francis Henshall, the updated Harlequin in Richard Bean’s riotous mash-up of Carlos Goldini’s 18th century commedia dell’arte work, The Servant of Two Masters, was the engine that drove One Man, Two Guvnors at South Coast Repertory. A tour de force of razor-sharp comic timing, improvisation and chaotic wizardry—all of it impeccably orchestrated by Donohue and director David Ivers—the performance channeled the frenetic brilliance of the Marx Brothers into a performance that was so good our theater critic actually PAID to see it again.

BEST ACTRESS ERICA JACKSON

It wasn’t the biggest part in STAGEStheatre’s ensemble-oriented Dog Sees God, but Erica Jackson’s turn as the worldweary pyromaniac in Bert Royal’s medita-

tion on the kids from Peanuts grown into confused, questioning teenagers was a highlight in a show that contained many. Jackson played the Lucy Van Pelt character, but rather than going the easy route and masking her character’s deep-rooted issues in an aura of bluster and crabbiness that any self-respecting Peanuts fan would instantly recognize, Jackson imbued her character with empathy, nuance and the unshakable feeling that this faux Lucy desperately wanted to be something other than who she was, but she just didn’t quite know how to get there.

revealing this musical for what it truly is: a sublimely well-crafted, real play. READERS’ CHOICE: WICKED

BEST PLAY A CHORUS LINE, CHANCE THEATER

BEST NEW PLAY ONE MORE DAY/UN DIA MAS, ORANGE COAST COLLEGE

The Chance Theater has long since emerged as the best storefront theater to emerge out of Orange County since South Coast Repertory, but with this production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning show of desperate, hungry actors attempting to get cast in the background of a Broadway play, it staked a claim as one of Southern California’s top professional companies. There wasn’t a weak link in the fantastic cast assembled by director Oanh Nguyen. That, coupled with a stellar five-person live band and Hazel Clarke’s choreography resulted in a Chorus Line that clicked on every level,

BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION A CHORUS LINE, CHANCE THEATER

All musicals are plays, but not all plays are musicals. Yet this one wins for both. Discuss amongst yourselves. READERS’ CHOICE: KAOS ROCKY HORROR, THE FRIDA CINEMA

It was a good year for new and newish plays in Orange County theaters, as a handful of producing entities rolled the die on new works, never-before-seen works on OC, or rarely seen works that might as well be new, including STAGEStheatre, Theatre Out, South Coast Rep,

FUNK FREAKS

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drawn to this crop of OC and IE-bred funk connoisseurs for their boogie and modern soul selections, as well as live performances from the old-school pioneers of the genre. READERS’ CHOICE: DJ JOHNNY KNIGHT

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Arts & Entertainment 2016 BEST OF READERS’ POLL!

The following winners have been voted the best in the Arts & Entertainment category!

Best Art Gallery

Best Karaoke

SANTA ANA ARTWALK

TOTALLY 80’S BAR & GRILLE

207 N Broadway Ave, Santa Ana, 714-547-6100; downtown-santaana.com/ artwalk

Best Art Museum BOWERS MUSEUM 2002 N Main St, Santa Ana, 714-567-3600; bowers.org

Best Club DJ DJ JOHNNY KNIGHT djjohnnyknight.com

Best Cosmetic Surgeon DR. HISHAM SEIFY

Best Punk Band

Best Live Band

Best Radio Station 93.1 JACK FM

flashpants.com

931jackfm.cbslocal.com

Best Local Celebrity

FLASHBACK HEART ATTACK

KOBE BRYANT

flashbackheartattack.com

Best Strip Joint

Best Museum (Non-Art) DISCOVERY CUBE ORANGE COUNTY

rockysrevival.com

KAOS ROCKY HORROR AT THE FRIDA CINEMA

Best Indie Film Theater

305 E. 4th St., Santa Ana, kaosrockyhorror.com

NEONDERTHAL neonderthalmusic.com

Best Nightclub TOTALLY 80’S BAR & GRILLE 2512 W. Orangethorpe Ave., Fullerton, 714-879-0108; totally80sbar.com

Best Play WICKED wickedthemusical.com

Best Theater Programming SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa, (714) 556-2787 scfta.org

Best Venue for Live Comedy IRVINE IMPROV Irvine Spectrum Center, 527 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, (949) 854-5455 irvine.improv.com

Best Venue for Live Music THE OBSERVATORY 3503 S Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, (714) 957-0600 observatoryoc.com

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@GRUB.GODDESS instagram.com/grub.goddess

Best New Band

THE LIBRARY 7000 Garden Grove Blvd, Westminister, 714-891-1430; thelibrarygc.com

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Best Indie Band

Best Instagram Account

Best Rock Band

kobebryant.com

Best Musical Production

305 E. 4th St., Santa Ana, 714-285-9422; thefridacinema.org

FACE TO FACE facetofacemusic.com

FLASHPANTS

2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714-542-2823; discoverycube.org/oc

THE FRIDA CINEMA

BERNIE SANDERS berniesanders.com

2512 W. Orangethorpe Ave. Fullerton, 714-879-0108; totally80sbar.com

20301 SW Birch St Ste 100, Newport Beach, 949-251-1502; newportplastic.com.

ROCKY’S REVIVAL

Best Politician

Congratulations to the winners of the

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BEST OF 2016

Best Of winner • 2016 •

ENTERTAINMENT the Chance and, of course, OC’s own new-play festival, OC Centric. But Tom Bruno’s choice to mount Salinas-based writer Michel Roddy’s play about the notorious Bracero program, which shed light on a remarkably underexposed slice of California history, was arguably the most important. At a time when immigration and migrant workers have been so politicized, bellowed about and shamelessly manipulated for political gain, it was refreshing to encounter a work that reminded us that the battles of today are inextricably linked to what has come before.

BEST VISUAL ARTIST TYLER SPANGLER

Although the idea of gummy-bear tears pouring out of someone’s eyes and mouth might seem a little scary, new wave Dadaist Tyler Spangler has a touch that turns wild, dark images into inviting visuals. With swirls of color atop random body parts, slices of pizza or people’s faces, Spangler’s psychedelic art is laden with anti-pop-culture themes, slicing his rainbow art with an edge. Some say his designs are Dali-esque, while others say his work resembles Warhol’s. His style, however, is unique to most everyone— and definitely what you want to look at if you’re feeling psychedelic. T YLERSPANGLER.COM.

BEST LOCAL MUSIC SHOP JIM’S MUSIC CENTER

BEST PLAY WE DIDN’T SEE THE MEDEA PROJECT, THEATRE OUT

Scheduling and availability issues prevented us from reviewing this remounting of Kristina Leach’s play this summer. But considering it won the Weekly’s Best Play award sometime back in the early 2000s, when it was originally produced by the now-defunct Hunger Artists, it had to be good, right? Plus, Leach is a highly gifted playwright, and her updating of the Greek myth—setting the tale of betrayal and vengeance in a high-stress setting of divorce lawyers—received a great review from the Orange County Register’s Eric Marchese. And who are we to argue with him?

BEST ENSEMBLE MONUMENTS, STAGESTHEATRE

Matt Tully, as ego-driven protagonist Henry Mann, factored in every scene in Steve Spehar’s riveting, kaleidoscopic play about a once-lauded theater director mounting his own death based on a dream. But the show was grounded in the exceptional work of the seven-person ensemble, which included Tully, Frank Tryon, Melisa Cole, Britt Dawson, Paul Burt, Darri Kristin and Terri Mowrey. Though some had larger roles than others, each performer carved out his or her own niche, particularly in the

Tustin isn’t typically a city that pops up on a local musician’s radar, unless they’re trying to buy some gear. But if they’re smart, the first place they’ll check out is Jim’s Music. With mom-and-pop service and competitive pricing that outdoes the

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big-box competition, Jim’s is definitely our jam when it comes to buying new or used gear. It’s also the place where most school-band musicians can go to get great deals. For the sonic perfection you seek, chances are you’ll find it here. 14061 NE WPORT AVE . , TUS TIN, (800) 64 4 6874; W W W.JIMSMUSIC.COM.

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BEST OC-REPPIN’ SONG “WELCOME TO THE JUICE”

BEST VENUE FOR LIVE MUSIC CONSTELLATION ROOM

We know it would shock no one for us to give this award to Observatory. That’s why we’re sidestepping the big room this year to give props to its little brother, the Constellation Room. Though it’s technically in the same building, to any local band or touring act on the way up, these two rooms are a solar system apart. It’s about a quarter the size of Observatory, but it has killer sound and the kind of

The family vibe is what makes this music festival the best in Orange County. Although the Dirty Beetles aren’t from OC, their recent ascent upon Silverado Canyon was the best thing that happened here last spring. With fewer than 2,500 people in attendance, art cars, live bands, DJs, crystal healers, painters, pop-up tea lounges and food trucks, this intimate camp-away festival is the place to go to make friends for life. There’s even a family-style barbecue on the last day for everyone to participate in—pretty awesome, right? Definitely the best three-day festival in the county. 2016.BOOGALOOMTNJAM.COM.

BEST THEATER PROGRAMMING THE CHANCE THEATER

All theaters stage plays. Some might even stage the occasional play for young audiences. Some occasionally let some playwriting group use their facilities for a reading or a series. But no one in Orange County, next to South Coast

There are a few indisputable rules when picking a nickname to represent a city’s hip-hop scene. It has to be a) short, b) easy to remember and c) fresh as fuck. Enter “The Juice,” the ubiquitous moniker for OC’s hip-hop landscape among many millennial rhyme-slingers. We’re not sure who came up with it exactly, but it’s probably the consortium of rappers who created the trap-heavy hometown theme song “Welcome to the Juice.” Rappers Kevin Parx (a.k.a. K Parx), C-Sharp, Matt Allenn and Kaliber rattle off a potent posse track that has a gritty luster synonymous with every OC reference they shout out in the song, from the Anas (a.k.a. Santa Anas) to Anaheim, and the “7-1-Fizzo” to MainPlace Mall. Props to these OC rappers for keeping it real, right down to the retail.

BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL BOOGALOO MUSIC & ART FESTIVAL

Arts & EntErtAinmEnt Best of 2016

long farcical scene in the second act, which demanded impeccable timing and everyone’s ability to keep his or her head screwed on straight in the middle of an existentially absurd cockfight.

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electricity that surges in a room packed to the gills. It’s also the place where the most daring booking experiments happen, whether it’s a popular local band or a genre-bending, underrated touring act. We can pop in any day of the week and find the good stuff that’s not quite mainstream enough to make it to the big room . . . yet. 3503 S. HARBOR BLVD. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 957-0600; W W W.CONS TELL ATIONROOM.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE OBSERVATORY

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Best Indie Band in O C !

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ENTERTAINMENT Repertory (which doesn’t count because EVERYONE gets paid) does it as intensively as Anaheim’s Chance Theater. Its mainstage shows—ranging from a triumphant production of A Chorus Line to plays by some of the top contemporary playwrights in America, such as Samuel Hunter, Theresa Rebeck and Amy Herzog—are usually top-notch. Last year, it began a series for young audiences, and as anyone who has ever been involved in local theater knows, plays for kids and teens spell one thing: CASH! (Most kids have lots of friends, duh!) Even better for us old farts, the Chance also regularly stages readings in its On the Radar New Works Series, many of them culled from emerging playwrights with whom the theater has built relationships. 5522 E . L A PALMA AVE . , ANAHEIM, (888) 455-4212; CHANCE THE ATER.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS

BEST ALTERNATIVE VENUE FOR LIVE SHOWS PROGRAMME SK ATE & SOUND

www.rockysrevival.com

Chris Gronowski and Efrem Schulz’s Fullerton skate shop widens its space to welcome all ages after dark to experience local and touring punk and hardcore acts on a regular basis. And the bands are consistently stellar; among these under-the-radar, underground bands, POC, female and gender-nonconforming singers are given space to wail and rage to discerning listeners, proving that punk isn’t just a white dude’s game. Though Programme is a tiny store, tucked away in a remote corner of a strip mall, it still houses a band, a PA system and a small crowd comfortably, giving youths from

BEST INDIE BAND LEATHER TRAMP

Even though they’re relatively new on the Long Beach music scene, Leather Tramp already feel like a supergroup. Let’s face it, any outfit that can organize band practice with 10 members is pretty damn super. Plus, it’s the way all of those members use their variety of strings, percussion, brass and woodwinds to create a sound self-described as folkestra (folk + orchestra). The winners of this year’s Busker Fest made a sterling impression on the roving crowd of live music fans with a backwoods sound that’s fresh, whimsical and wise. Crowd favorites such as “Strays,” “The Bear Prayer” and “Sunday Come Soon” showcase their ability to build each track from a contemplative campfire song to a lush, harmonious bloom of concert-hall perfection. READERS’ CHOICE: ROCKY’S REVIVAL

BEST LIVE BAND BAD ANTICS

A throwback to the glory days of the 1980s, OC skate-punk band Band Antics transform any placid bar crowd into an electric vortex. In other words, the kids really dig it. Snotty songs such as “Where Did I Go Wrong?” are a call to arms for any beaten-down millennial who’s had a rough week at work and one too many beers. The Fullerton thrashers have a frenetic stage presence and dexterous musicianship, which is like adding a stick of dynamite to any punk-rock bill, especially as an opening act who can

PROGRAMME SKATE & SOUND

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all over Orange County something to look forward to on a weeknight. 2945 E . CHAPMAN AVE . , FULLER TON, (7 14) 798-7565; PROGR AMMEHQ .COM.

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BEST ROCK BAND BIG MONSTA

BEST PAINT-AND-WINE CLASS CANVAS, PAINT AND WINE, OH MY!

Classes in which you paint while drinking wine are so widespread in Orange County we had to give them their own category. Whether you’re a lush who likes to pretend you’re Picasso or you’d genuinely like to take up the art form as a new skill, your best bet for a quality class is at San Clemente’s Canvas, Paint and Wine, Oh My! Held in an intimate artstudio setting, the instructor will provide the materials and walk you through the process of re-creating a stunning land-

BEST PUNK BAND BAD COP/BAD COP

Recently signed to Fat Wreck Chords, the ladies of Bad Cop/Bad Cop have been hard at work since 2011, writing personal, self-aware lyrics that have been cathartic in expressing their personal experiences. And they’re punk as fuck. Their smart, irreverent lyrics are emboldened by three-part harmonies led by vocalists Jennie Cotterill and Stacy Dee, as well as a high-energy pop/punk style infused with multiple other punk influences that caught the ear of NOFX’s Fat Mike, who produced their full-length 2015 release, Not Sorry. Unapologetically badass and charismatic onstage, their music is hard and fast, with a catchiness that has created new fans stateside and abroad in Europe. Their imminent world domination is only a matter of time now. W W W.FACEBOOK .COM/ BADCOPBADCOPBAND; BADCOPBADCOP.BANDCAMP.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: FACE TO FACE

BEST MISGUIDED EXCUSE TO VOTE FOR TRUMP ???

Wake up. There is no excuse for supporting this obnoxious clown.

VOTED BEST BAR IN LONG BEACH! ALSO NOMINATED FOR BEST MARTINI, OLD FASHIONED, BARTENDER (CHESTER GLOVER), SIGNATURE COCKTAIL, WHISKEY BAR

Thank you Long Beach and Orange Country for your support!

THE FEDERAL BAR 102 PINE AVE LONG BEACH90802 ROCKOGRAPHY

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Join us for drinks, lunch, dinner, and top live entertainment in the Federal Underground.

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Big Monsta are on a mission to scare up a sound that’s far fresher and more ferocious than that of your average three-piece power trio. Working in the template of blues rock à la the Black Keys, each song is an evolution of the style that brought the fiery vocals and guitar work of Jimmy Hua, bassist Adrian Sanchez and drummer Mike Willson to our attention several years ago. Since winning Best New Artist at the OC Music Awards in 2014, the band have continued grinding, with the help of producer Jon O’Brien, on everything from last year’s British Invasion-tinged record Monos to the hooky, pop-driven, sitcom-ready ear worm “Come Back to Me” earlier this year. READERS’ CHOICE: FLASHBACK HEART ATTACK

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keep pace with OGs including JFA and Negative Approach. In other words, the old guys really dig it, too. READERS’ CHOICE: FLASHPANTS

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scape while you imbibe wine provided by popular South County winery the Cellar. Since the wine list changes up every so often, students are emailed a week in advance of their choices and are allowed to bring in their own snacks. It’s enough to put you in the right mood to paint “happy trees,” no? 131-B AVENIDA DEL MAR, SAN CLEMENTE , (7 14) 351-3323; W W W. CANVASPAINTANDWINE .COM.

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ENTERTAINMENT BEST VENUE FOR LIVE COMEDY BREA IMPROV

Ah, the Brea Improv, downtown Brea’s least boring and actually worthwhile attraction. No matter what day of the week, you’ll see a line of anxious people wrapping around the entrance, waiting to laugh their asses off to the latest and greatest comedians to visit the famed and historic venue. And there’s no such thing as a bad show here, as even the joint’s amateur nights are guaranteed knee slappers. 120 S. BRE A BLVD. , BRE A , (7 14) 4820700; BRE A .IMPROV.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: IRVINE IMPROV

BEST COSMETIC SURGEON DR. SID MIRRAFATI

He’s not just someone who can carve your body to its desired curves and plumpness, but Dr. Sid Mirrafati is also an author who has published papers with titles such as “Possible Nerve Injuries in the Axillary Approach to Breast Augmentation Surgery” and “Scarless Platysmaplasty for Platysmal Bands”—in English and Spanish! Nice guy, too. MIR A AES THE TIC MEDICAL CENTER, 3140 RED HILL AVE . , S TE . 150, COS TA MESA , (7 14) 5 4 4-8678; MIR A AES THE TIC.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: DR. HISHAM SEIFY

BEST INSTAGRAM @ED.TEMPLETON

photo series. All manner of demographics are portrayed here: street peddlers, punks, skate chicks, couples, models, white supremacists—you name it. By capturing these weird, random, funny and ironic moments (sometimes shot so close up we wonder how he got away with taking a stranger’s photo without being noticed), Templeton’s Instagram is a

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mirror of Orange County and the offbeat people who live in it. INS TAGR AM.COM/ED.TEMPLE TON. READERS’ CHOICE: @GRUB.GODDESS

BEST KARAOKE SUNSET LOUNGE

Looking for an unassuming dive bar that isn’t trying so hard to cater to millennials and is aesthetically stuck in the 1970s (in the best way possible)? Sunset Lounge’s friendly regulars and chatty bartenders provide a welcoming atmosphere in the midst of stiff drinks and karaoke. The jukebox’s expansive song list carries everything from the most obscure indie bands to Top 40 favorites, from soulful oldies to rap anthems. Go ahead and show off your best, most drunken Jim Morrison cover here—sans the judgments. 104 3 W. OR ANGE THORPE AVE . , FULLER TON, (7 14) 525-0311. READERS’ CHOICE: TOTALLY 80’S BAR & GRILLE

BEST FESTIVAL VIVA POMONA

Slam dancing is a recreational activity

that was created for everyone to enjoy. That’s the primary reason for the existence of multicultural fest Viva Pomona. This wild party drawing bands from all parts of SoCal and Latin America is enough to break down the sonic and phonic barriers that allow punk legends such as Alice Bag to share the same stage as Los Blenders from Mexico, Latin psychrock darlings Chicano Batman or rockabilly-tinged garage punks Shannon and the Clams. Built on a raucous foundation of local psych bands since it started in 2011, Viva Pomona continues growing into a formidable festival in the heart of downtown Pomona’s Arts District. Boasting a mix of gabacho badasses and Latino bands looking to break into America, the fest seizes cultural relevancy by unifying the crowd with adventurous sounds . . . and, this year, plenty of “Fuck Trump!” chants from the crowd.

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Between updates of gallery openings and his travels with wife/photographer Deanna, OG skate-culture photographer Ed Templeton points his camera phone toward the denizens of the Huntington Beach docks with his #DailyHBPier

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Word around the locker room is that Fritz That’s It is the place to be when pro sports teams and Anaheim Convention Center attendees are in town. Your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and BlizzCon

BEST RECORD LABEL GHOULHOUSE RECORDS

Despite the vastness of OC’s garage-rock

This is Orange County’s most diverse art show by a long shot. Held at the Yost Theater in downtown Santa Ana, the show highlights a wide array of mediums including live music, dance, photography, jewelers, fashion designers, painters, graphic artists, carpenters, make-up artists, artistic hair stylists and more. The best part about RAW is that it spotlights a variety of phenomenal talent from Orange County, which not only provides a place of community, but it also gives spectators the chance to immerse themselves in a world of creativity. This high-energy event is easily the best place to get your work out for the world to see.

BEST WALL FOR ILLEGAL GRAFFITI BEST NEWSCASTER CITY DRIVE EXIT ON LEYNA NGUYEN If it seems as if Leyna Nguyen has been THE EASTBOUND on KCAL-TV Channel 9’s newscasts 22 FREEWAY If you’ve ever found yourself inching along on the eastbound 22 freeway at the 5 and 57 interchange, you’ve likely noticed the graffiti accumulating for nearly a decade on the wall adjacent to the City Drive exit (14A). Thanks to a technicality, the wall is considered private property and therefore exempt from the city of Orange’s buffing services, likely making it the longest existing haven for illegal graffiti in Orange County. Good times! DUSTIN AMES

for nominating It’s Boba Time for BEST BOBA in orange county

17901 pioneer blvd., unit i, artesia, ca, 90701 5260 beach blvd., suite a, buena park, ca, 90621

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forever, it’s because she’s just the latest in a long line of strong female anchors that dates back to when Pat Harvey sat alongside Jerry Dunphy and continued through Sylvia Lopez, with whom

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BEST STRIP CLUB FRITZ THAT’S IT

BEST ART SHOW RAW ARTISTS EVENT

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scene, there’s always going to be a crop of bands that don’t quite fit the mold of every other popular band pining for a piece of the ’70s. Whether you prefer the horror-punk persuasion, acid-trip audio freakouts or pummeling all the wrong chords in all the right ways, Ghoulhouse Records is the answer to your prayers. It started in 2013 as a collaboration between founders Sean Danson of the Nightstalkers, Paul Gonzalez of Death Hymn Number 9 and Jim Bell of Sludgehammer, who wanted to make a home for bands that didn’t quite fit the Burger Records roster. Since then, Ghoulhouse has blazed a path for the darker, freakier side of the garage scene with bands including Shirley Rolls, Octagrape, the Bad Machine and Feral Kizzy.

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nerds can’t be wrong, right? High-caliber women, decent happy-hour specials and surprisingly delicious food—it even has a Sunday buffet brunch. We’ll take topless girls over bottomless mimosas any day. 7 10 E . K ATELL A AVE . , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 978-1828; FRIT Z THAT SIT.NE T. READERS’ CHOICE: THE LIBRARY GENTLEMEN’S CLUB

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Nguyen co-anchored until Lopez retired last year. She was strong as a reporter for the station, but her grace and gravitas serves as a welcoming continuation of the KCAL9 tradition, one she’s now teaching to the station’s newest female anchor, Suzie Suh.

Never mind that FT3 Tactical is located near a crime-ridden section of Stanton; you won’t fear the drab warehouse district if you’re carrying loaded heat and are regularly perfecting your lethal aim. After all, an employee described the inside as the Nordstrom of indoor Orange County gun ranges. There are 28 lanes for 25-foot target practice, divided equally into expert and novice sections. Bring your own Dirty Harry device or rent a weapon and ear/eye protection.

BEST NEW BAND APOLLO BEBOP

“I’m the future of hip-hop and the best MC currently, bitch!” That might sound like lyrically laced braggadocio, but in the case of rapper Brian to Earth and his band Apollo Bebop, their ability to use more than just bars to control the stage makes this a reasonably true statement. Driven by furious jazz grooves, a ferocious sax and a soul rooted in hip-hop’s Golden Age, this Santa Ana five-piece consistently impressed us with their power. Their debut EP, Sushi No Rubber (released in July), splits the genome of their sound between jazz-hop, hardcore

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and the cerebral beats that provide the backdrop to some heavy and humorous tracks. It all points to the potential of a band that, on top of their raging rap fusion, still have many exciting layers left to peel back. READERS’ CHOICE: NEONDERTHAL

BEST FOLK ACT SON DEL CENTRO

Started in 2002 by Santa Ana high schoolers, Son del Centro continues all these years later with the double whammy of an irresistible sound (son jarocho, the music of the Mexican state of Veracruz that’s basically one 20,000-hour song of plucked/strummed/drummed heaven) and activist politics. Indeed, longtime member Ana Siria Urzua is now running for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3—let’s hope she turns out better than Sonny Bono, right?

BEST BEAT JOURNALIST ADAM ELMAHREK

For years, Adam Elmahrek infuriated the politicians of SanTana and Anaheim with

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HAPPY ADMISSION W/AD HOUR LIVE

Topless ENTERTAINMENT

Cold drinks & Hot girls $10 VIP Dances

4-8pm Mon/Tues/Wed/Fri & ALL DAY Thurs $3 WELL DRINKS • $3 DOMESTIC DRAFTS $6 JAGER BOMBS • $3 JACK DANIELS & Much More!

Free Admission Daily

til 7pm & open to close Mondays

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The owners—who employ a friendly, expert staff who’ll teach you how to fire weapons—brag that unlike most ranges that smell like ground zero of the Battle of Gettysburg at the height of fighting, their establishment uses a powerful airfiltration system. (Who wants to smell another shooter’s stink? Warped napalmloving Lieutenant William “Bill” Kilgore of Apocalypse Now fame would, but we’d rather inhale second-hand marijuana smoke.) They also offer a clean, comfortable lounge area in which you can watch FOX News complain about Hillary Clinton’s plot to steal your Second Amendment constitutional rights. 8320 ELEC TRIC AVE . , S TANTON, (7 14) 67 7-2841; W W W. FIELDTIME TARGE TANDTR AINING.COM.

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BEST GUN RANGE FT3 TACTICAL

BEST LIVE BAND

2 YEARS IN A ROW!

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CALL FOR booking

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, y d e m o C , e u Cirq agic, M s k n i r D & r e Dinn

his continued exposés of their shenanigans in the Voice of OC. He proved so good that the Los Angeles Times stole him away this year and let him loose on the notoriously corrupt southeastern cities of Los Angeles County including Maywood, Commerce, Industry and the like. Beware, LA politicos: Elmahrek’s chops are akin to continued cleaver hacks ridding public government of rot.

BEST PR AGENCY LEE HEALY MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Every new, buzzworthy restaurant in Orange County knows that the PR person that’ll get in all the reporters and Instagrammers who matter is Lee Healy. She’s as comfortable around Snapchatting millennials as she is with the Balboa Bay Club set, as perfectly at ease at a hole-in-the-wall as at the Ritz-Carlton. Her clients over the years have included everyone from South Coast Plaza’s restaurants to the TAPS/The Catch guys to bistros, pubs and beyond. Before launching her firm, Healy worked with legendary El Torito founder Larry Cano to popularize sit-down Mexican restaurants across the United States—now that’s pedigree.

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BEST STREET ART THAT WE ACTUALLY GET SUEÑOS REVOLUCIONARIOS (REVOLUTIONARY DREAMS)

BEST LOCAL ARTS WEBSITE CURENSEA

There’s still no cure for the paradigm that says any artistic content on the internet can and should be free. And if people want something for nothing, there’s more than a few ways to get it. But thanks to a new, locally grown website called Curensea, fans, artists and curators can cultivate their own solution. Founded by Long Beach locals Natalia Kochan and Sofia Chirico, the site is a platform designed to guide us into the Bermuda Triangle between art and commerce. People who sign up can post their own content and also tip other artists a small amount of money (with coins you can purchase on the site, each of which are worth half a penny) for the stuff other people post that catches their attention. W W W.CURENSE A .COM.

BEST PERSON WHO FLED OC MARC CHERRY

Toluca Lake resident Marc Hallon Cherry was born 54 years ago in Long Beach; his family later relocated briefly in Oklahoma, but a job transfer for his accountant father, Truman Cherry, had the brood settling in Orange County. Marc, who graduated from Troy High School in Fullerton, later wrote alongside Mitch Hurwitz on NBC’s The Golden Girls. Years after creating ABC’s longrunning Desperate Housewives, Cherry appeared as himself—and the target of a

It took U.K. artist Ben Eine four days and 100 cans of spray paint to fashion the building-sized mural on Third and Bush, directly across from the Yost Theater in

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Santa Ana. The colorful circus letters jump against a black background, suggesting that your hopes and dreams of change don’t have to be dour, musty Marxist ventures. In Eine’s bright and celebratory world, there’s also room for dancing. Emma Goldman would be proud.

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ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

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protest by George Michael Bluth’s Christian fundamentalist girlfriend Ann—on Hurwitz’s Arrested Development. Having once described himself as a “somewhat conservative, gay Republican,” Cherry accepted the Log Cabin Republicans’ 2006 American Visibility Award at a Hollywood dinner, where the Courage to Lead Award went to then-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. It could not be confirmed at press time that the Governator’s infamous extramarital affair inspired Cherry’s current project, Devious Maids.

BEST ART MUSEUM ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

In just the past 10 years, the Orange County Museum of Art has had exhibitions of work by avant-garde artists, riot grrrls, Robert Rauschenberg, Fred Tomaselli, young Chinese artists, Sandow Birk, Marilyn Minter, Richard Jackson, Jack Goldstein, Richard Diebenkorn, Sarkisian & Sarkisian, Carlos Amorales, Georgia O’Keeffe, Catherine Opie, and Dennis Hopper, among others. No other local museum comes close. 850 SAN CLEMENTE DR. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 759-1122; OCMA .NE T. READERS’ CHOICE: BOWERS MUSEUM

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BEST REVEALING QUOTE JUDGE JOHN D. CONLEY

BEST ART GALLERY SALTFINEART

If she has the time, finagle gallery director Suzanne Walsh into talking. She’s

warm and astute and knows a lot about art and her artists in particular. The work that she and owner Carla Tesak Arzente hang on the walls of saltfineart is deep, funny, moving and more thoughtful than much of the work seen around town. Focused on contemporary Latin American art, the gallery also has a smaller section—rawsalt—focusing on several local artists, with many of the pieces affordable for collectors just starting out. This is one of the few galleries in which we’ve ever been where we loved every piece we saw, almost without exception; we urge you to keep an eye open for their next grand opening on November 3. Their small storefront on South Coast Highway is dark this month as they move into a new space on North Coast Highway, right across from the Laguna Art Museum. 346 N. COAS T HW Y. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 424-7258; SALTFINE AR T.NE T. READERS’ CHOICE: SANTA ANA ARTWALK

BEST POLITICIAN ALAN LOWENTHAL

Representing 13 communities in Los Angeles and Orange counties in Congress, Alan Lowenthal is a steady progressive vote on major issues such as the environment, taxes, LGBT equality, transportation infrastructure improvements and a $15 minimum wage. Lowenthal, who launched his political career on the Long Beach City Council and in the state senate, also serves as a powerful voice for immigrants from Cambodia and Vietnam who live in his district. For example, he has insisted Hanoi communists must soften their dictatorial tendencies in exchange for increased military cooperation in that nation’s tense ongoing spat with China over water rights throughout the region. But Lowenthal deserves the most applause for advocating two simple, common-sense reforms the NRA lamely blocks: banning people on the terrorist watch list from legally buying weapons, plus ending loopholes so that all would-

be gun purchasers undergo a meaningful background check. 100 W. BROADWAY, S TE . 600, LONG BE ACH, (562) 4 36-3828; LOWENTHAL .HOUSE .GOV. READERS’ CHOICE: BERNIE SANDERS

BEST ART WALK DOWNTOWN FULLERTON ART WALK

Whatever you may think of Fullerton itself, its free, multivenue celebration every first Friday of the month is jam-packed with arty deliciousness. Every venue is open and exhibiting, there are plenty

ocweekly.com | | OCWEEKLY.COM

Confronted with evidence of systemic law-enforcement corruption to taint cases for the government in May, Judge John D. Conley—a former prosecutor— uttered two words in open court that underscore our warped criminal-justice system: “So what?”

MICAH WRIGHT

With the likely November election of Santa Ana Democrat Lou Correa to replace Loretta Sanchez in Congress, local Republican powerbrokers will essentially enjoy a DINO (Democrat In Name Only) more trust-worthy to their desires than even the outgoing Blue Dog Democrat, who is shamelessly wooing right-wingers in her U.S. Senate race against Kamala Harris.

BEST POLITICAL COUP ORANGE COUNTY REPUBLICANS

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ENTERTAINMENT of places to eat and a diversity of art to choose from—everything from figurative painting to sculpture to photography, music to poetry slams and fanzines. W W W.FULLER TONAR T WALK .COM.

BEST CURATOR TORREY COOK

We’ve only met Torrey Cook once, but she left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds, the conversation with her one of the most agreeable back-andforth, zero-bullshit art discussions we’ve had in OC. Her Artists Republic Gallery has been around since 2010, so she’s clearly not averse to making money, but within just five minutes of talking with her, it’s clear it’s not just about the money. It’s about something more important, something deeper, something smacking of change and revolution and the enrichment art brings to communities and to lives. You can see her passion in her choices: The work in her shows is vital and fresh, and her personal history as a badass in Orange County art is well . . . fucking badass. Google her. Read her artist’s statement on the Artists Republic Gallery website. Weep, hipster-trustfund babies, weep. AR TIS T S REPUBLIC GALLERY, 1175 S. COAS T HW Y. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 988-0603; AR TIS T S-REPUBLIC.COM.

LONG LIVE

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There’s nothing quite like a day spent at the beach. Whatever a beach day means to you, it fills you

BEST PLACE TO TRY STANDUP COMEDY ANCHOR BAR

a fun atmosphere, large lineups and no experience necessary, this dive is perfect for courageous newbies and those testing out new material. All it takes is a little bravery and an email reservation through Evan (evan@thecassman.com). A decent sense of humor is recommended, too. 2675 IRVINE AVE . , COS TA MESA , (949) 574-4995.

BEST MUSEUM (NON-ART) MODJESK A HOUSE

Designed by famed architect Stanford White, Helena Modjeska and her husband, Count Bozenta, Modjeska House is a comfortable Victorian cottage and grounds, celebrating the life of the Polish émigré and classical actress. Naming it after the Forest of Arden in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Modjeska considered the house her fortress of solitude away from the rigors of touring with her acting troupe and lived there until 1906. One hundred years later, it’s a cozy celebration of the Orange County pioneer, a quaint piece of history on the banks of the Santiago Creek, and it has a kind of hip exclusivity: The docent-led tours are a proletarian $5, but only a limited numbers of visitors is allowed in every month. Call for reservations, or send an email to heritagehill@ocparks.com. 29042 MODJESK A CANYON RD. , SILVER ADO, (949) 923-2230. READERS’ CHOICE: DISCOVERY CUBE ORANGE COUNTY

BEST LOCAL CELEBRITY JOHNNY BASIL

At one point, you’ve heard or seen legendary Costa Mesa DJ Johnny Basil. He can pass off as a bizarro Iggy Pop with his long golden locks, sun-kissed, buttery, leather skin and sculpted body with

Since 2011, Anchor Bar has been hosting the Anchor Bar Comedy Show on Mondays from 6 p.m. to midnight for first-timers, big-time comics and everyone in between. With great pizza deals,

ANCHOR BAR

with joy. Surfrider’s network of coastal defenders protect what we love so that the beach can be enjoyed for generations to come. Join us today and help us protect your favorite beach. Photo: Dylan Gordon

LEARN MORE AT SURFRIDER.ORG MICAH WRIGHT

ENTERTAINMENT

Perhaps it’s just our Facebook feed, but it seems as if everyone we know has a Disneyland Annual Pass or is posting pictures of themselves next to Elsa the Snow Queen. Thank God for Costa Mesa artist Jeffrey Gillette, who savages Disney in his paintings, laying waste to the park sign, killing Cinderella in a freak pumpkin-coach accident, and exposing the park as a toxic intellectual dump every chance he gets. We bow before you, sir. W W W.BER TGREENFINE AR T.COM/ AR TIS T S/GILLE T TE .

BEST PUBLIC ART DEER WARRIOR

The spindly warrior sculpture, frail muscle barely hanging on his frame, stands hunched, holding a shield and a spear. A deer skull for a head, the antlers flare into the sky, face tilting to the ground, silently guarding against something he may not even see coming. Artist Cheryl Ekstrom created the piece as a tribute to her murdered brother; she died suddenly of liver cancer last year, lending the work

BEST PROTEST FRACAS AT THE FAIRGROUNDS

Donald Trump never thought Costa Mesa to be enemy territory when he chose to kick off his California primary campaign at the Orange County Fairgrounds in April. The city hassled immigrants with its own xenophobic policies, so what could be the trouble? While Trump supporters lined up to hear the wannabe Bigot In Chief speak at the Pacific Amphitheatre, only a small crowd of protesters marched up to trade insults. But by nightfall, the anti-Trump

330 W. BIRCH ST., BREA DOWNTOWN | 714.529.1224 | MACALLANSPUBBREA.COM

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ROCKOGRAPY

Run by curator and guy-who-knowseverybody-networking-genius Kevin Staniec, small press 1888 Center hosts a yearly novella contest (The Plaza Literary Prize) and a Summer Writing Project, with the winners of each getting their books published. They host a regular half-hour podcast about keeping the creative process an honest and urgent one; have conversations with creatives in historic Eichler tract homes throughout OC; write about local history and architecture in “Small Town Short Stories”; and illuminate the process of writing with web projects such as “Routineology” and “Where Books Come From.” We suspect Staniec drinks too much coffee to make it all happen, but we welcome his sacrifice: He’s encouraging people to read. 1888.CENTER.

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DEER WARRIOR

BEST SUBVERSIVE ARTIST WHO HATES DISNEYLAND AS MUCH AS WE DO JEFFREY GILLETTE

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Arts & EntErtAinmEnt Best of 2016

nothing more than a pair of chonies on. We don’t think he owns clothes, but he gets the kids going with his spinning; Los Growlers even took him along for their 2015 tour and the kids went nuts. He has his own cult following now; you mention his name and 20-year-old girls squeal and guys are looking to see what mix he will drop the needle on next. READERS’ CHOICE: KOBE BRYANT

BEST LOCAL INDIE BOOK PUBLISHER RUN OUT OF SOMEONE’S HOME 1888 CENTER

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an even deeper, double poignancy. JAHR AUS PARK , 270 CLIFF DR. , L AGUNA BE ACH.

| contents | Arts & EntErtAinmEnt Best of 2016

Orange County’s

ENTERTAINMENT ranks swelled to about 1,000 and took over Fairview Road, making traffic miserable for all the Donald’s fans trying to exit. YG and Nipsey Hussle’s “FDT (Fuck Donald Trump)” blared from speakers everywhere. Protesters vandalized property and smashed a police car. But the definitive moment came when Latino youth spontaneously took over an intersection, waved the Mexican flag, line-danced and dodged cars doing doughnuts. The Fracas at the Fairgrounds turned from protest to party, showing that nothing beats a demagogue better than collective joy!

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BEST PROTESTING GROUP ANAHEIM ANTIFA

The Ku Klux Klan tried to reclaim Anaheim’s Pearson Park, where 20,000 people attended the Invisible Empire’s rally back in 1924. OC liberals had better things to do than protest hate that weekend in February and didn’t show up. Anaheim police didn’t bother making a uniformed presence at the park until it was too late. A loose gathering of 40 protesters, mostly punks and blacks, took the Klan seriously and waited patiently for their arrival. When a half-dozen Kluckers pulled up in an SUV, a street fight broke out, with the Klan getting their asses handed to them. The “Anaheim Antifa,” as the protesters became popularly known, turned into internet folk heroes overnight, with memes celebrating their brawl with white supremacists and online fundraisers bursting with donations to cover medical expenses. The OC district attorney’s office didn’t share in the enthusiasm, charging counterprotesters with assault.

BEST HIP-HOP ACT GREMLIN

Corporate Catering Social Catering Cooking Classes (949)365-6741 info@goldcoastcateringoc.com goldcoastcateringoc.com

By his own admission, Gremlin is a weirdo in rap circles; he even sports a snapback with the word emblazoned on it. The Santa Ana rapper has the rhymes to back up the brand, venturing into personal cycles of hell for gut-wrenching, storytelling songs, a feat without parallel in Juice County. Released in May, Gremlin’s Sprits EP brings more of the same, with harrowing song titles such as “Inner Demons,” “Mark of the Beast” and “Devil’s Curse.” Yeah, he’s definitely gone through some shit! But tortured navel gazing remains Gremlin’s signature. This year, he perfected the craft with “Real Talk Part 4,” a track about his brother’s meth addition. The supporting video even featured Gremlin’s actual brother and family. FACEBOOK .COM/GREMLINR APS.

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY CHRIS CARTER

Chris Carter went from being a founding member of the new-wave group Dramarama to becoming the host of the longest-running Beatles-centric radio show in the world, Breakfast With the Beatles, which he frequently hosts live at the Kobe Steakhouse in Seal Beach, but which you can hear on KLOS every Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon. Longtime Beatles fans may remember the show’s original incarnation on KLSX, which ended after the original host, legendary rock DJ Dierdre O’Donohue, passed away in 2001. Under Carter’s supervision, with lively trivia quizzes and news updates from Fab Four pal Jackie DeShannon, the show has obtained its highest ratings ever, and its longevity is evidence that you can never get enough Beatles in your life. BRE AKFAS T WITHTHEBE ATLES.COM.

BEST PODCAST WAKE THE FLOK UP

Wake the Flok Up started as a local hiphop podcast recorded out of a garage three years ago. More than a hundred episodes of in-depth interviews later, the podcast has grown the flok up. Hosted by Koncept, the show continues to cross off names from a wish list of coveted hip-hop heroes, most recently with his interview of Slug from Atmosphere. LA and OC rappers always have a home on the mic, with Reverie, A.F.R.O. and Edifica dropping by the studio. Wake the Flok Up holds it down in OC, but it also occasionally broadcasts live shows from iHeart studios in Sherman Oaks. Koncept also steps outside rapper interviews to speak with such guests as Leigh Savidge, a screenwriter for Straight Outta Compton, and El Compa Negro, a black dude who sings Mexican corridos. Don’t sleep on the next episode! WAKE THEFLOKUP.NE T.

BEST NIGHTCLUB FUNK FREAKS

Night after night, the Funk Freaks keep that stank going slap after slap to get that volo cracking. The collective is known for throwing it down on Friday nights at Original Mike’s in Santa Ana, but you can catch the crew all over OC, LA and the IE. So if you’re ready for that boogieslyde remix, make sure to follow them on Facebook to see where they’ll be laying down that street funk next. FACEBOOK .COM/ FUNKFRE AKSRECORDS. READERS’ CHOICE: TOTALLY 80’S BAR & GRILLE

The 340 Restaurant & Night Club drag show could be one of the most underrated shows out there. The ladies perform every Sunday at 9:30 p.m. with only seven days to prepare for each event. Somehow, they are able to put on a show that brings their characters to life. Their Whitney Houston acts make it feel as though Whitney herself is back onstage. And when it’s over, you can catch the ladies on the dance floor with the club’s guests; get ready for a nonstop, dancefilled night. 340 S. THOMAS S T. , POMONA , (909) 865-9340.

BEST RADIO STATION KCRW

Okay, so KCRW is actually based in Santa Monica, but you can hear it in Orange County, and more important, the publicradio affiliate actually cares about what’s happening here. So much so, in fact, Mexican In Chief Gustavo Arellano hosts the weekly Orange County Line,

BEST INDIE FILM THEATER THE FRIDA CINEMA

The Frida Cinema is Orange County’s only nonprofit indie art-house theater, dedicated to enriching, connecting and educating communities through the art of cinema. Founder and director Logan Crow curates screenings of foreign, independent, documentary, LGBT, experimental and often other unrepresented genres. Join us for Friday Night Freakouts at the Frida Cinema for special screenings picked out by staff writers of this infernal rag. 305 E . FOURTH S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 285-9422; THEFRIDACINEMA .ORG. READERS’ CHOICE: THE FRIDA CINEMA

BEST MURAL AMONG HEROES

Finally complete, the epic Among Heroes in SanTana’s Logan Barrio is

DUSTIN AMES

already an OC art classic. Few installations are as patriotic (the mural depicts Chicano World War II veterans from the neighborhood in all their youthful glory), street (artist Carlos Aguilar took years to complete it because he did it solely through small donations), proudly Chicano (the subject—duh), political (the mural went up in a neighborhood that’s on the highway to gentrification) and just awe-inspiring. From the wall of

two-story building, the faces of heroes will remind you of how little you’ve truly accomplished in life—and how wondrous Orange County can be.

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Valid for General Admission Tickets on Oct. 23 and 31 only. Offer valid through Oct. 23 online only at QueenMary.com. Cannot be used or combined with other discounts, offers or promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Queen Mary reserves the right to add, remove or modify items on this promotion without prior notice. Other restrictions may apply. Limited quantities per day available, while supplies last.

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ALL NEW!

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BEST OF 2016

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ENTERTAINMENT

THE FRIDA CINEMA

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about all the latest scandals and hot stories south of Long Beach. Two other major reasons to listen to KCRW are the fantastic field reports by longtime SoCal news producer Saul Gonzales and unparalleled traffic reporter Kajon Cermak. Plus, you have all your standard weekend hipster shows including The Moth Radio Hour, Serial and This American Life, everything to keep your hipster heart content. READERS’ CHOICE: JACK FM

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SERVICES

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| CONTENTS | SHOPPING & SERVICES BEST OF 2016

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FASHION ISLAND

BEST MALL FASHION ISLAND

It’s really the only mall that showcases everything Orange County has to offer: ocean views, sunny skies, expensive restaurants and lots of dogs. On top of four major department stores—Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom—Fashion Island is home to more than 100 other retailers. From affordable wear, designer goods and bodycare products to cars, furniture and electronics, this shopping haven has you covered. Not in the mood for shopping? Take a ride at SoulCycle, relax at Big Newport, or kick back and watch people nearly trip into the koi pond—it happens more often than you think. 401 NE WPOR T CENTER DR. , NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 721-2000; SHOPFASHIONISL AND.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SOUTH COAST PLAZA

BEST SURF SHOP USEDSURF

All the boards UsedSurf takes in on consignment are in excellent condition and available via an online catalog—they have around 400 at any given time and will ship nationally. Or go to the San Clemente warehouse, a.k.a. the Factory, to browse in person or order a custom design from Edit Industries. UsedSurf stocks an extensive array of board fins and offers a board-rental service, too. Ask for Mo. 216 CALLE DE LOS MOLINOS, SAN CLEMENTE , (949) 310-6602; USEDSURF.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: THE FROG HOUSE

BEST VAPE SHOP SAVAGE VAPOR OC

The name says it all, kids: SAVAGE! 3122 E . CHAPMAN AVE . , OR ANGE , (7 14) 74 4-8 482; SAVAGE VAPOR.NE T. READERS’ CHOICE: E-CIG EMPORIUM

BEST EYELASH TECHNICIAN MEGAN DUNNING

Ditch the time-consuming mess that happens daily with mascara and schedule an appointment with Megan Dunning at Luscious Lashes. Relax in a big, comfy recliner with a super-soft blanket while Dunning, who is somewhat of a perfectionist, works her eyelashextension magic. When she’s finished, be ready for all the compliments, as well as the questions as to where you got them done. The long, full lashes will last three to four weeks, and the best part is it

MICAH WRIGHT

looks as if you’re wearing make-up when you’re not. 28321 MARGUERITE PK W Y. , S TE . 205, MISSION VIE JO, (949) 422-3635; W W W.LUSCIOUSL ASHES.COM.

BEST FLOTATION STUDIO THE FLOAT LOUNGE

A thousand pounds of Epsom salts will get anyone, no matter how dense the bones, a feeling of weightlessness. You will float. In your own private room, you step naked from the shower to the tank. The water is warm, and while you float, no sound or light will distract you from a trip into a theta-wave state of mind. Claustrophobes can float with the tank door wide open and advance to it being propped open a little bit with a towel. That zero-gravity sensation isn’t only for space travelers. 1031 S. COAS T HW Y. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 7 15-5565; W W W.THEFLOATLOUNGE .COM.

BEST AUTO DEALERSHIP IMPERIO NISSAN OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

This dealership has the best doughnuts— lots of them. The sales team is likely to have a recently deployed and honorably discharged veteran on staff, someone you’d want on your grandpa’s side when buying a new or used car, whether he’s paying cash or needs financing. The dealership has switched hands a couple of times over the years while keeping the same staff, all of whom seem extremely happy about their Imperio owners. Wonder if it has anything to do with the endless supply of

SOCO COLLECTION

BEST SHOPPING PLAZA SOCO COLLECTION

From fancy kitchen stuff at Surfas to fancy home design at HD Buttercup to fancy boutiques to the ever-yummy OC Mix, SoCo Collection combines LA trends with OC ease. 3303-3323 HYL AND AVE . , COS TA MESA , (949) 760-9150; W W W. SOUTHCOAS TCOLLEC TION.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SOUTH COAST PLAZA

MICAH WRIGHT

doughnuts? Or maybe it’s that Nissan used to be Datsun? And everyone knows someone who knows someone who at one point had a Datsun B210 that was still rolling past 500,000 on the odometer. 33633 CAMINO CAPIS TR ANO, SAN JUAN CAPIS TR ANO, (888) 7 18-2419; W W W.IMPERIONISSANCAPISTRANO.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: LONG BEACH BMW MOTORCYCLES

2016 BEST OF READERS’ POLL!

The following winners have been voted the best in the Shopping & Services category!

Best Adult Store CONDOM REVOLUTION

Best Furniture Store CRATE & BARREL

Best Apartment Complex ASTORIA AT CENTRAL PARK WEST

Best Hair Removal LUNCHBOX (A WAXING SALON)

Multiple Locations conrev.com

401 Rockefeller, Irvine, 866-791-2925; astoriacpw.com

435 E. 17th St. #2, Costa Mesa, 949-209-8997; lunchboxwax.com

Best Hotel MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH

2125 E Spring St, Long Beach, 562-426-1200; longbeachbmwmotorcycles. com

30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 866-271-6953; Montagehotels.com/lagunabeach

Multiple Locations jaxbicycles.com

1851 E. 1st St. #840, Santa Ana, 714-648-0004; glewkimlaw.com

Best Bike Shop JAX BICYCLE CENTER

Best Body Shop FOUNTAIN VALLEY BODY WORKS Multiple Locations fvbodyworks.com

Best Bookstore BARNES & NOBLE Multiple Locations barnesandnoble.com

Best Car Wash FAST 5 XPRESS Multiple Locations fast5xpress.com

Best Clothing Boutique NO REST FOR BRIDGET

Multiple Locations norestforbridget.com

Best Collective SHOWGROW

1625 E Saint Gertrude Pl, Santa Ana, 92705 949-565-4769; showgrow.com

17395 Mount Herrmann St Ste B, Fountain Valley, 714-884-4701; kingslayercomics.com

Best Downtown OLD TOWNE ORANGE 714-288-2580; cityoforange.com

Best E-Juice Brand SMOKE & DAGGER

1671 W. Katella Ave. Suite #130, Anaheim, 1490 E. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, 855-665-3825;

2750 Harbor Blvd Ste A10, Costa Mesa, 714-557-4664; facebook.com/UpInSmokeSmokeShop

Best Surf Shop THE FROG HOUSE

6908 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, 949- 642-5690

Best Lawyer CHRISTOPHER GLEW

Best Tanning Salon HB TANNING

Best Liquor Store HI-TIME WINE CELLARS

Best Tattoo Parlor OUTER LIMITS TATTOO & BODY PIERCING

250 Ogle St., Costa Mesa, 949-650-8463; hitimewine.net

19883 Brookhurst St, Huntington Beach, (714) 887-0100 hbtanning.com

Best Mall SOUTH COAST PLAZA

2981 Bristol St B4, Costa Mesa, (714)241-8287 outerlimitstattoo.com

Best Manicure/Pedicure HAPPY NAILS

1313 Disneyland Dr. Anaheim, (877) 560-6477 disneyland.disney.go.com

3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 800-782-8888; southcoastplaza.com

Multiple Locations in OC happynails.com

Best Marijuana Strain GIRL SCOUT COOKIES Best Massage MASSAGE ENVY

Multiple Locations in OC massageenvy.com

Best Mechanic SOUTH COAST AUTO CLINIC

3191 Airport Loop Dr. #B, Costa Mesa, 714-557-1480; southcoastautoclinic.com

Best Place to Get Pierced BARBELLA STUDIOS 1799 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, 949-629-9999; barbellastudios.com

Best Record/CD Store FINGERPRINTS

420 E 4th St, Long Beach, 562- 433-4996

Best Shopping Plaza SOUTH COAST PLAZA 3333 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, 800- 782-8888; southcoastplaza.com

Best Tourist Attraction DISNEYLAND

Best Trend POKE Best Used Book Store CAMELOT BOOKS

18838 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, (714) 963-3122 camelot-books.com

Best Used Clothing Store BUFFALO EXCHANGE Multiple Locations in OC buffaloexchange.com

Best Vape Shop E-CIG EMPORIUM

2222 Michelson Dr #238, Irvine, (949) 833-7927 ecigemporium.com

Best Vintage Store ORANGE CIRCLE ANTIQUE MALL 118 S Glassell St, Orange, (714) 538-8160 orangeantiquemall.com

Best Wedding Venue MONARCH BEACH RESORT

1 Monarch Beach Resort N, Dana Point, (949) 234-3200 monarchbeachresort.com

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smokedagger.com

Best Evaluation Center OC 420 EVALUATIONS

Best Smoke Shop UP IN SMOKE COSTA MESA

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Best Comic-Book Store KINGSLAYER COMICS

2588 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, 949- 645-3457; atticskateshop.com

Best Auto Dealership LONG BEACH BMW MOTORCYCLES

3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, 714-825-0060; crateandbarrel.com

Best Skate Shop ATTIC SKATE SHOP

SHOPPING & SERVICES BEST OF 2016

Congratulations to the winners of the

| CONTENTS |

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BIKE RELIGION

SERVICES

BEST BIKE SHOP BIKE RELIGION

For a shop that hardcore cycling enthusiasts swear by, Bike Religion is incredibly friendly. People smile at you even if you pull up in a car. Club riders can be seen at the outside tables on a pit stop from their 80-mile rides, sipping beverages and eating snacks from Crank and Grind, the coffee bar located inside that stocks Pie-Not savory pies and pastry (including lamingtons)! Bike shoppers—newbies, families, racers, triathletes—have the option to rent a model for a day, with the cost coming off the purchase price should they buy. Bike Religion will take your old bike, if you want, relegating it to the basement until the Bicycle Tree comes by to pick up all the donated rides. 34150 PACIFIC COAS T HW Y. , DANA POINT, (855) 4 33-8806; W W W.BIKERELIGION.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: JAX BICYCLE CENTER

BEST LAWYER JOHN A. GIRARDI

BRIDGET ARIAS

There are plenty of good trial lawyers in Southern California, but few, if any, are better than John Girardi. The veteran Los Angeles-based Girardi, regularly hailed as a “Super Lawyer,” has dominated Orange County’s courthouses for more than a decade while specializing in product and government-entity liability, as well as employment law and class actions. He doesn’t fit the mold of a stereotypical pushy, obnoxious lawyer eager to find a TV news camera. He’s well-prepared and unflappable, even when taking on teams of taxpayer-funded opposing counsel prone to courtroom shenanigans and legal trickery. Police agencies here usually triumph in lawsuits, except when Girardi, whose personality and presentations endear juries, is involved. He has represented decent cops harassed by corrupt bosses in Anaheim and Newport Beach and captured damages and fees topping $7 million. Several years ago, he secured a $4.5 million settlement in a case involving a Trinity Broadcasting Network pastor who left a church meeting heavily intoxicated and caused a serious traffic collision. 1126 WIL SHIRE BLVD. , LOS ANGELES, (800) 401-4530; W W W.GIR ARDIKEESE .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: CHRISTOPHER GLEW

dunking on all those nasty aliens. SPACE JAMJUICE .COM READERS’ CHOICE: SMOKE & DAGGER

BEST E-JUICE BRAND SPACE JAM JUICE

BEST TATTOO PARLOR OUTER LIMITS TATTOO

One puff of Space Jam’s, well, jams, and you’ll believe you can fly just like Jordan

BEST HOTEL DISNEYLAND HOTEL

Yeah, the tourists remain annoying, and the Mouse has turned into a real-life welfare queen gracias to massive subsidies by the Anaheim City Council in the form of a no-gate-tax pledge and a promise to hand over tax revenue in exchange for a new hotel. But remember when the Disneyland Hotel was run-down and grungy? Probably not because y’all are young, and we’re old fuckers. The Mouse continues to do a magnificent job of tweaking its oldest hotel to keep up with the ever-growing Disnerd hordes, with themed rooms, better eats and the eternal party at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar. And with the way CEO Bob Iger keeps swallowing up pop-culture icons under the Disney brands, expect Iron Man and Darth Vader to empty your chamber pot in a couple of years. 1150 MAGIC WAY, ANAHEIM, (7 14) 7 786600; DISNE YL AND.DISNE Y.GO.COM/ HOTEL S/DISNE YL AND-HOTEL . READERS’ CHOICE: MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH

You know a shop is a tattooing Cooperstown when both Bert Grimm and Kari

Barba have been owners. But don’t mistake Outer Limits for a frozen-intime museum, even if the original Long Beach spot stands on what’s the oldest tattoo parlor in America. Barba continues to train the next generation of ink slingers to keep Outer Limits in the game and make customers happy, whether it’s a guy wanting a vivid tableaux on his chest or a Chapman pledge requesting an ugly-ass butterfly on her ass for reasons known only to her sorority sisters. 2981 BRIS TOL S T. , S TE . B 4, COS TA MESA , (7 14) 241-8287; AL SO AT 22 S. CHES TNUT PL ACE , LONG BE ACH, (562) 4 37-9121; W W W.OUTERLIMIT S TAT TOO.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: OUTER LIMITS TATTOO

BEST MANICURE/PEDICURE PRO NAILS & SPA

Whether you’re in the mood for a simple French pedicure or an intricate manicure featuring an Aztec-calendar design, Pro Nails & Spa has you. This quick, cheap and quality nail salon offers free Wi-Fi, complimentary beverages, electric massage chairs, a variety of high-grade polishes, super-fast nail-drying LED lamps, and highly skilled and friendly nail technicians who can handle any composition given to them, no matter how challenging. A gel manicure with neat designs and a standard pedicure cost us $40 before tip—not too shabby. 8876 WARNER AVE . , FOUNTAIN VALLE Y, (7 14) 848-6131. READERS’ CHOICE: HAPPY NAILS

BEST BODY SHOP FOUNTAIN VALLEY BODYWORKS AND FOUNTAIN VALLEY BODYWORKS EXPRESS

Mike Honrath, the general manager of Fountain Valley Bodyworks and Fountain Valley Bodyworks Express, takes care of you in every banged-up scenario, from sustaining major damage in an insurancecompany covered accident to finally taking care of a scratch on the hood from years ago out of pocket. With 22 of his 35 years in the automobile industry spent at the Fountain Valley shops, the Huntington Beach family man is friendly, knowledgeable and honest to a tee. You can tell from the first visit that you’re comfortable leaving your car in his hands. After you settle that bill, you know you will have no qualms about coming back again—hoping against hope you won’t have to, of course. FOUNTAIN VALLE Y BODY WORKS, 17481 NE WHOPE S T. , FOUNTAIN VALLE Y, (7 14) 751-8812. FOUNTAIN VALLE Y BODY WORKS E XPRESS, 18125 EUCLID S T. , FOUNTAIN VALLE Y, (7 14) 5 40-2111; W W W.F VBODY WORKS.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: FOUNTAIN VALLEY BODYWORKS

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A LIFESTYLE BRAND & RETAIL DESTINATION DEDICATED TO BOHO BABES, MAMAS, AND LITTLES, INSPIRED BY

California's Effortless, Bohemian Vibe

Shopping & SERVICES

BEST MASSAGE CHABA THAI MASSAGE & SPA

Chaba Thai Massage & Spa has a beautiful Southeast Asian décor that provides a relaxing ambiance while a massage therapist stretches, kneads and even walks on your body to relieve and rejuvenate muscles. Sip on complimentary hot herbal tea before you choose between deep tissue, Swedish and Thai massage options. Make sure to take advantage of the early-bird special, too: $50 for any one-hour massage before 3 p.m. 1000 BRIS TOL S T. N. , S TE . 19, NE WPOR T BE ACH, (949) 863-17 73; AL SO AT 1920 HARBOR BLVD. , COS TA MESA , (949) 7229111; W W W.THAI-CHABA .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: MASSAGE ENVY

BEST APARTMENT COMPLEX THE RESIDENCES AT BELLA TERRA

If you believe a top perk of city living is leaving the car in the garage and walking a minute or two to nearby shops, then the Residences at Bella Terra can’t be beat. Located in the inland portion of Huntington Beach near the 405 freeway and Beach Boulevard, the relatively new luxury complex is a four-story visual delight. Units contain gourmet kitchens with stainless-steel appliances, porcelain-tile showers and floor plans that expertly use less-than-abundant space. There’s also a 2-acre park, a fitness center, a pool and spa, a media room, and electric-vehicle charging stations in a multilevel parking garage. Back to the initial convenience point: A treasure trove of shopping, dining and entertainment is steps away, including Whole Foods, Costco, Kohls, Corner Bakery,

Old Navy, Cheesecake Factory, Peets, Islands, Barnes & Noble, and Century Theatres. For those in a hurry to dine, Solita, a popular Mexican restaurant/bar, is located in the building. 7521 EDINGER AVE . , HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (7 14) 8 45-4983. READERS’ CHOICE: ASTORIA AT CENTRAL PARK WEST

BEST PLACE TO DONATE STUFF THE REALLY REALLY FREE MARKET IN ANAHEIM

Leave what you want, and take what you want: That’s the gift- economy ethos of the Really Really Free Market in Anaheim. A volunteer effort of anarchist punks, the yard sale in which nothing’s for sale takes place every first Sunday of the month at an Anaheim public park (usually La Palma, Boysen or Pearson). A red banner hoisted between trees announces, “Todo Gratis” (“Everything’s Free”) and points people to the blankets on which folks can leave donated goods. All are invited to rummage through the piles of clothes, books, toys, shoes, music and appliances. The Really Really Free Market crew also puts together potlucks and workshops (all free, of course) for the hours-long pop-up marketplace. FACEBOOK .COM/RRFMANAHEIM

BEST TANNING SALON BLAZING BEDS TANNING SPA

Orange County wouldn’t be Orange County without its orange residents— bad joke? Thankfully, the melaninchallenged or those of us in need of some last-minute color can get nicely bronzed at Blazing Beds Tanning Spa, with its mix of tanning beds (high-pressure,

THE RESIDENCES AT BELLA TERRA

Unique. Free Spirited. Luxury. Lifestyle (866)545-BoMa • www.BohemianMama.com info@BohemianMama.com

@THEBOHEMIANMAMA

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BEST CAR WASH OASIS CAR WASH

BEST WON’T-BREAK-THEBANK HOTEL HOTEL INDIGO

As a worldwide travel destination for our beaches, golf courses, amusement parks and gorgeous-year-round weather, Orange County offers a wide range of hotel options. We’ve got everything from oceanfront luxury properties charging $700 per night and hosting Hollywood celebrities and the super-rich to cheap but frightening motels that proudly boast of rooms with AC, TVs and shag carpeting. Thankfully, there are places such as Anaheim’s Hotel Indigo, a medium-sized property that easily lures vacationers as well as business travelers. The rooms are always clean and feature simple, comfortable but classy furnishings you’d have in your own home. Unlike so many hotels that nowadays charge ridiculous parking fees, it’s free here. Plus, Disneyland is a 10-minute walk away. We recently checked rates and found rooms for a

You probably have your favorite neighborhood thrift store to drop off a bag of used clothing or a donation truck that picks up items you leave at the curb, but when you are in a need of refuge for a whole garage or house full of old crap, the best place for one-stop dropping (off ) is the large Goodwill complex of buildings in Santa Ana. Besides the traditional lot where you can leave boxes of (tax-deductible) donated items, there is a separate building for computer electronics and a big, covered, fenced-in area for major appliances. Once your truck bed is empty, fill it up again thanks to the Goodwill Store that’s also on-site. 410 N. FAIRVIE W S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 5 41-04 34; W W W.OCGOODWILL .ORG.

BEST OFFENSIVE GREETINGCARD SOURCE HOUSE OF HUMOR

Sure, you can hit the card aisles of Target or a Hallmark store, but if you desire greeting cards perfect for that friend or family member with a seriously sick sense of humor, get over to House of Humor. There is bound to be a card somewhere in the shop that will cause the most difficult to offend to wince. Does it appeal to you to have your boss open a card—in front of everyone at the company birthday party—that makes a loud fart sound? Then come on down

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Save some major moolah at this DIY car wash that provides everything you need to get your car spotlessly clean for just a buck per minute. Oasis Car Wash, located right off the 22 freeway, is open 24/7 and accepts credit and debit cards, which makes it not only the cheapest around, but also the most convenient. 13512 EUCLID S T. , GARDEN GROVE , (7 14) 530-0880. READERS’ CHOICE: FAST 5 XPRESS

BEST PLACE TO DOWNSIZE, THEN UPSIZE AGAIN GOODWILL OF ORANGE COUNTY MAIN CAMPUS

Shopping & ServiceS Best of 2016

turbo, standup) and a UV-free sunless spray tan that won’t leave you resembling Donald Trump. 8780 WARNER AVE . , S TE . 9, FOUNTAIN VALLE Y, (7 14) 848-4022. READERS’ CHOICE: HB TANNING

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reasonable $118 or about $40 to $80 less per night than its competitors. 4 35 W. K ATELL A AVE . , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 7 72-7 755.

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because House of Humor stocks ’em. It’s also a great place to find novelty gifts and costumes. 1215 W. BAKER S T. , S TE . C, COS TA MESA , (7 14) 5 40-3455; W W W.HOUSEOFHUMOR.NE T.

BEST LIBRARY ORANGE PUBLIC LIBRARY & HISTORY CENTER

Plenty of reading programs for kids, natch, but activities for adults?! Schedules vary, and you’ll need to check Orange Public Library & History Center’s calendar monthly to see what’s offered, but a random glance during the month we wrote this showed the following: Tech Talk Tuesdays, during which you can learn how to download free audiovisual material onto whatever electronic medium you have lying around; UKELELE SOUP!, a Saturday-morning get-together for fans of the tiny lute; Booktalk! Book Club, which gives you the opportunity to talk about something other than politics; and an author visit and signing. Best of all? Coloring for Adults, 90 minutes in which you can grab a handful of Crayolas and dump your stress in a safe place, away from the pressures of work and screaming children. 407 E. CHAPMAN AVE., ORANGE, (714) 2882400; W W W.CIT YOFOR ANGE .ORG/ DEP T S/LIBR ARY.

BEST APPLE REPAIR FAST APPLE REPAIR

BEST PLACE TO RENT A VIDEO MOVIE TOWN

We don’t know if video-rental stores will surge like vinyl records sales. But we do know that Movie Town in Anaheim is has been going strong since opening in 1993. Rows of new releases and old classics promise hours of stay-at-home entertain-

ment. Movie Town’s grandness today rivals the largest Blockbuster stores of yesteryear. Tap the cinematic knowledge of the friendly staff for suggestions while loading up on snacks—no Redbox or online streaming service can offer that. Movie Town isn’t the last place in OC to rent flicks, but none comes close. Rewind the nostalgia and enjoy the show. 618 S. BROOKHURS T S T. , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 7 78-2121.

BEST NURSERY LAGUNA HILLS NURSERY

After a couple of years of existing only in farmer’s markets, Laguna Hills Nursery has found a permanent home in Santa Ana, yet it kept its South County name. It doesn’t matter: Owner Gary Matsuoka continues to offer some of the sturdiest fruit trees, ornamentals, vegetables and succulents in Southern California. And his Gary’s Best potting formula is the horticulturalists’ version of Walter White’s Blue Sky—but for plants! 1829 N. TUS TIN AVE . , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 5 42-5600; W W W.L AGUNAHILL SNURSERY.COM.

ence? Work with others to build someone a house—with your own hands. 2200 S. RITCHE Y S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 4 34-6200; W W W.HABITATOC.ORG.

BEST TRICKS BEST MAGIC GAGS AND COSTUMES

Channel your inner Pee-wee Herman as you peruse Best Magic Gags and Costumes in Anaheim. Need some trick gum to turn someone’s tongue a funny color? Want some magic cards with which you can impress the ladies? Look no further. And there’s no better place to pick up fake vomit or magician’s kits. Don’t forget to buy

a whoopee cushion to put on your boss’ chair for when he gets back from lunch!

625 S. MAGNOLIA AVE . , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 827-64 42; W W W.BES TMAGIC.COM.

BEST USED-BOOK STORE THE BOOKMAN

A previous winner several times over, the Bookman’s longevity, the quality of the

LAGUNA HILLS NURSERY

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George at Fast Apple Repair exposes the Genius Bar as a place of idiots, not only diagnosing problems within minutes of seeing a dead anything, but also being as honest as a computer tech guy can be. No, seriously: One time, a Weekling brought in a sad-ass MacBook that was rattling like an out-of-tune Mercury and randomly blacking out. George effortlessly took the computer apart and found the problem: a plastic chip kept scraping against the fan. He took out the chip, put the computer back together and didn’t charge a thing. Take that, ghost of Steve Jobs! 18021 SK Y PARK CIRCLE , S TE . G2, IRVINE , (949) 636-665 4.

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BEST NONPROFIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF ORANGE COUNTY

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BEST BOOKSTORE LAGUNA BEACH BOOKS 714.884.4701 • facebook.com/kingslayercomics 17395 Mount Herrmann St., Ste. B, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

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This coastal institution deserves recognition not only for doing the impossible—remaining in business in an era when Amazon is Galactus and the Silver Surfer combined—but also for keeping an eclectic collection of fiction, nonfiction and local history. Plus, what other bookstore can you visit, then take what you just bought down to the beach for the ultimate summer read? 1200 S. COAS T HW Y. , L AGUNA BE ACH, (949) 494-47 79; W W W.L AGUNABE ACHBOOKS.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BARNES & NOBLE

BEST PLACE FOR MEXICAN VINTAGE LUNASOL MEXICAN VINTAGE, BOOKS & ART GALLERY

Anyone can easily find a Frida Kahlo pin, button, journal or mini-altar in Mexican artisanal boutiques throughout East LA or SanTana—but an outfit to dress just like Frida herself? LunaSol in Uptown Whittier has us wannabes covered. 67 11 BRIGHT AVE . , WHIT TIER, (562) 201-9415; W W W.FACEBOOK .COM/ LUNASOLME XICANVINTAGE .

BEST PLACE TO BUY GRAVEL BLUE RIBBON LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES

Not only can you buy rocks in sizes ranging from pellets to boulders, but the prices are good, as well. Perhaps most impressive, though, is the delivery service if you buy in an amount too large for your poor F150; a guy will come to where

BEST BUTCHER ELECTRIC CITY BUTCHER

For those looking to buy only slabs resembling what’s found on a Morton’s cart, this ain’t your place. Electric City

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Shopping & books on its shelves, and the selection make it an easy go-to. The store has the requisite shelves of mega-sellers including James Patterson, Stephen King and Nora Roberts, but a recent hunt there resulted in two books on French art history (among so many coffee-table art books we had trouble deciding), Jean Genet paperbacks, a row of Gore Vidal (all with pristine dust jackets), assorted Michael Chabon offerings, and a hardcover Susan Sontag. Prices are generally between 25 percent and 50 percent off the original, and you’re supporting the good guys. 840 N. TUS TIN S T. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 5380166; OR ANGE .EBOOKMAN.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: CAMELOT BOOKS

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COMICS • CARDS • GAMES • COMICS • CARDS • GAMES • COMICS • CA

Butcher works with some of the best ranchers in California to offer nose-totail, sustainably prepared, hand-trimmed cuts. It features beef, lamb, pork, duck, chicken and even rabbit, as well as handmade sausages and charcuterie. “We will cut to order and deliver a fresh product to each guest,” says owner Michael Puglisi, who can be seen daily hustling alongside his all-male crew in an operating theater of a shop (it’s a glass-encased corner inside Alta Baja Market, which is inside the 4th Street Marketplace). Make sure to catch the crew during First Saturday, when they’re slangin’ yakitori on the corner of Fourth and Bush. 201 E . FOURTH ST., SANTA ANA , (7 14) 4749096; ELEC TRICCIT YBUTCHER.COM.

i n o r a n g e c ou n t y

ELECTRIC CITY BUTCHER

the proper barbershop 7532 E. Chapman Ave. Orange (714) 602-7165

7950 W. 3rd St. Los Angeles (323) 272-3287

JOHN GILHOOLEY

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BEST FURNITURE STORE BLANQUEL POPULAR ART

BEST STORE FOR BORDER STUFF ALTA BAJA MARKET Besides having a great deli and the best micheladas in Orange County, Alta Baja Market & Deli (owned, in part, by our Mexican In Chief’s lovely wife) is like an amnesty program come to life. The boutique market offers curated artisanal home goods and small-batch foodstuff from underrepresented makers in Baja California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and beyond, from Oaxacan mole to

In a county in which religious leaders tend to either be pedophile protectors or homophobes, the Reverend Dr. Sarah Halverson-Cano of Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa is not only neither, but also a progressive who follows the true words of Jesus. Halverson is on the front lines of all the important causes— amnesty for undocumented folks, pickets for union causes, LGBT rallies, anti-hate marches, etc.—while making sure to take care of her flock with witty, moving sermons. Best of all? She’s OC-raised and -educated. Can’t she take over Calvary Chapel or something? FAIRVIE W COMMUNIT Y CHURCH, 2525 FAIRVIE W RD. , COS TA MESA , (7 14) 5 454610; OCFAIRVIE WCHURCH.ORG.

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BEST SNEAKER SHOP PRIVATE

3140 RED HILL AVE #150, COSTA MESA | 714.544.8678 LOCATIONS IN OC & BEVERLY HILLS | YOUNGERLOOK.COM

The sneaker game can be a difficult world to break into, between shop employees backdooring rare releases for a quick buck and fanboys setting up tents in front of stores days before kicks are for sale. At Private, the staff not only stock the latest Yeezys and Jordans, but they also keep you informed with up-to-date notifications from an app that allows

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IKEA might be everyone’s go-to for furniture, but far better is Blanquel Popular Art in downtown Fullerton. Florencio Blanquel combines creativity and sustainability while paying homage to Mexico’s traditional colonial-style furniture, using Mexican oak to construct his original creations. His love for his craft is evident in his pieces: a swooping armrest, a mighty back, dramatic legs. Walk into Blanquel Popular Art, and he’ll likely be carving away, transforming wood into a modern-day masterpiece. 109 S. HARBOR BLVD. , FULLER TON, (7 14) 4 47-4872; BL ANQUELFURNITURE .WEEBLY.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: CRATE & BARREL

BEST HOLY PERSON THE REVEREND DR. SARAH HALVERSON-CANO

Over 7,000

SHOPPING & SERVICES BEST OF 2016

you are in a massive dump truck, back up into your driveway as far as he can without scraping even a rose bush, and throw down your cargo without ever getting out of his driver’s seat. It’s a sandbox symphony. He won’t help you cart all those rocks around, though—that’s your job! 1425 N. SANTIAGO BLVD. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 633-3666; BLUERIBBONOC.COM.

Fall bac k in love

WITH YOUR BODY!

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Ensenada craft beer, from Colombian pottery made from a special clay to amaranth candy from Mexico City. The inventory is ever-changing and many offerings are one-of-a-kind, so make sure to buy whatever you have your eye on before it’s gone. 201 E . FOURTH ST., SANTA ANA , (7 14) 7832252; W W W. ALTABA JAMARKE T.COM.

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We’re open 7 days a week! Monday-Saturday, 10-6 Sunday, 12-5 Now accepting fall/winter items for consignment! Monday-Friday, 10-4

Shopping & SERVICES

you to track new drops and get a head start on scoring your favorite pair before everyone else. The app also allows you to enter raffles without having to drive to the shop. 4640 E . PACIFIC COAS T HW Y. , LONG BE ACH, (562) 498-1238; W W W.PRIVATESNE AKERS.COM.

2731 E. COAST HWY CORONA DEL MAR, CA 92625 949.675.5553 INFO@RECYCLEDRAGS.COM WWW.RECYCLEDRAGS.COM

2016 OC HOTLIST WINNER FOR BEST RESALE

BEST HAIR REMOVAL DOWNTOWN SUGAR

True to their name, Downtown Sugar’s exfoliating paste is just sugar, water and lemon juice—so tasty that they joke you can even eat it. But the ladies working the floor use their magic paste to remove every stray hair in any crevice with as little pain as possible. Beach weather isn’t going away any time soon, go give them a visit. 218 W. THIRD S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 6479338; W W W.DOWNTOWNSUGAR.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: LUNCHBOX (A WAXING SALON)

BEST RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD EICHLERVILLE

You may not think you know what an Eichler is, but you know it when you see it. Joseph Eichler designed hyper-stylized mid-century modern family homes in the 1950s and ’60s. When he came to Southern California in the early ’60s, Eichler homesteaded three neighborhoods in Orange: Fairhills, Fairmeadow and Fairview. The three tracts are now playfully referred to as “Eichlerville.” You can drive through each and pretend you’re on the set of Edward Scissorhands or Mad Men, depending on your nostalgia preference. Either way, these homes are a living testament to the hidden but

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enduring cool OC has to offer. And, yes, if there are pink flamingoes in the front yard, that means it’s tiki time inside!

BEST PLACE TO GET PIERCED SOMATIC BODY PIERCING

Needles aren’t that painful when handled by the awesome team at Somatic Body Piercing. Owned by Erika Smicenski, Somatic has clean, private rooms and informative, gentle staff who will walk you through the process from prep to after care and provide you with safe, goodquality products. As a bonus, Smicenski is an established jeweler in her own right, so you’ll see a wide selection of attractive body jewelry to choose from that she designed and/or curated. 3406 E . BROADWAY, LONG BE ACH, (562) 4 38-6406; SOMATICBODYPIERCING.TUMBLR.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BARBELLA STUDIOS

BEST TREND POKE

OC’s so poke-crazy that we’ll probably make the bluefin tuna extinct within the decade. Oh, well—keep digging into those luscious, buttery cubes! READERS’ CHOICE: POKE

BEST CRAFT STORE PURL SOHO

Joelle Hoverson opened the original Purl Soho in its namesake Manhattan neighborhood in 2002; a year later, her sister Jennifer joined the business to head up the website warehouse but didn’t want to leave California. So the decision was made to run this crafter’s paradise from Tustin. It offers everything from high-

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The self-proclaimed oldest antique mall in Orange (nearly 40 years!) boasts more than 125 vendors in its two stories. From vintage Oscar de la Renta, MAD magazines, Pendleton flannels, bottle caps, furniture, Disneyland pins, band tees, creepy old dolls and Bowie records to unopened boxes of Topps baseball cards and World War II memorabilia, it’s Storage Wars without the douchebaggery. And it’s fully air-conditioned! Stay cool, friends, and let the picking begin. 118 S. GL ASSELL S T. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 5388160; OR ANGE ANTIQUEMALL .COM.

BEST ADULT STORE PASSION CITY

While plenty of modern sex shops still carry creeper vibes before you even walk in (don’t make eye contact with any of the men you see sitting alone in their cars in the parking lot, ladies), Passion City has a distinctively feminine touch that feels welcoming from the moment you step through the flowery threshold. As the name suggests, this store is focused on passion and consensual experimenting in the bedroom—whether your tastes are vanilla or super-freak—and houses a selection of racy boudoir costumes and lingerie, including a section for plussized women (holla!). If costumes aren’t your groove, there’s a wide range of toys, tools, bachelorette gags, S&M get-ups, DVDs, and even some old VHS smut for those still living in the Reagan era. Best of all, the service is personable and friendly, with helpful employees giving advice and lube samples. Let them help you expand your vocabulary (umm . . . DP dildos?) as you expand your horizons. 17831 BE ACH BLVD. , HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (7 14) 596-4060. READERS’ CHOICE: CONDOM REVOLUTION

BEST FLIP-FLOPS RAINBOW SANDALS

All these years of disruption and hacks and all that millennial shit later, and still no one can beat Rainbow Sandals in the fiendishly difficult art of making flipflops. Seriously. 326 CALLE DE LOS MOLINOS, SAN CLEMENTE , (949) 492-3070; W W W.R AINBOWSANDAL S.COM.

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BEST SHOP CATS FLOWERDALE NURSERY & LANDSCAPING

A couple of years ago, we did a video highlighting the best shop cats in Orange County. And we’re glad to report that the two tabbies at the excellent Flowerdale Nursery remain as kick-back as ever. Indeed, we’ve never seen them actually do anything other than lie on their countertop beds, purring the days away, but we assume they earn their keep and protect Flowerdale’s vast holdings of exotic fruit trees, heirloom vegetables, and all the herbs and flowers your garden may need. Don’t forget: Petting is okay, but not if you’re a kid. 2800 N. TUS TIN AVE . , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 633-9200; FLOWERDALENURSERY.COM

new favorite garment is waiting for you here. Peep the corner by the entrance showcasing cutesy tchotchkes and goods made by local vendors. 209 N. BROADWAY, SANTA ANA , (7 14) 760-4801; MYDEELUX .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: NO REST FOR BRIDGET

BEST RECORD/CD STORE PORT OF SOUND RECORD SHOPPE

tered album cover. While there’s not much in the way of bargain bins and $1 records, you’ll find within the wellorganized shelves reissues and used records in pristine condition. There’s a hefty collection of fairly priced essential jazz, hip-hop and collectors’ items; a wide selection of new and classic rock; and an estate-sale-worthy collection of 45s, tapes and CDs. Give yourself

Bring any casual music fan over to Port of Sound, and they’ll turn into an avid vinyl junkie upon seeing just one tat-

DEELUX

BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE DEELUX

Family-owned by Dave and Dee Brown, DeeLux opened in 2002 next to Haus of Pizza in Costa Mesa before recently relocating to downtown SanTana. Most of the store’s inventory is either brandnew or gently recycled and curated to whatever new style or seasonal trend is in vogue, thus giving dedicated followers of fashion a break from shopping at Forever 21 all the time. New items come in frequently, so you never know what you’ll find, but if you fancy yourself some kind of fashionista or trendsetter, your

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quality yarns to fabrics. Go ahead and try to lose yourself in the taffeta—you won’t be the first. 15 4 31 RED HILL AVE . , S TE D. , TUS TIN, (800) 597-7875; W W W.PURL SOHO.COM.

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JOHN GILHOOLEY

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LIQUOR STORE! LIQUOR STORE!

VOTED BEST VOTED BEST

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Cheers to you, Orange County!

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at least an hour to peruse the aisles, though we know you’ll need more time than that. 1500 ADAMS AVE . , S TE . 102, COS TA MESA , (7 14) 4 4 4-2337; W W W.POR TOF SOUNDRECORDS.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: FINGERPRINTS

HICKORY SMOKE SHOP

JOHN GILHOOLEY

BEST SMOKE SHOP HICKORY SMOKE SHOP

Walking into Hickory Smoke Shop is akin to walking into a glass-blowing/pot smoker’s museum. State-of-the-art and brand-name bongs, glass pipes, bubblers and other colorful and quality smoking devices are placed behind clean, smudgefree glass. It sells an array of rolling papers, including organic unprocessed papers—for the health-conscious smoker, of course—as well as flavored cigar (or

blunt) wraps. Hickory sells vaporizers, electronic-cigarette juice, hookahs and every kind of smoking accessory imaginable—a mecca of the inhaling experience. 720 E . FIRS T S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 5 4 3-3800. READERS’ CHOICE: UP IN SMOKE

BEST COMIC-BOOK STORE COMICS TOONS N’ TOYS

Don’t let the narrowness of this small storefront fool you. Comic nerds have been coming here for more than 30 years because this place packs variety for superhero fanatics and indie readers alike. You’ve got the regulars—the latest Marvel, DC, Vertigo, Image, Dark Horse, blah, blah, blah—with rows of back issues buttressing the recent releases. But if you have a passion for the classics, there are whole books devoted to the works of Wally Wood, Steve Ditko, R. Crumb, Frank Frazetta, and plenty of EC horror archives from Creepy and Eerie magazines. There are also great selections from publishers Fantagraphics, Drawn & Quarterly, and others, as well as manga, a whole section exclusively for Superman, and, of course, collectible figurines and toys to elicit Comic Book Guy levels of joy. 135 42 NE WPOR T AVE . , TUS TIN, (7 14) 730-2117. READERS’ CHOICE: KINGSLAYER COMICS

BEST KNIFE AND SCISSORS SHARPENER KNIVES AND SCISSORS SHARPENING

Every Saturday morning at the SOCO Farmers’ Market in Costa Mesa, Arnie sets up a tent and a wheelstone, then lets the sparks fly as he sharpens knives, scissors, shearers, razors and anything that can cut. He works fast and cheap and is kind with his craft; as he’ll tell you free of charge, one doesn’t actually sharpen knives so much as straighten the blade, and you can sharpen them, too, by using a sharpening tool and rubbing against it, not at a 90-degree angle or 45, but rather at 22 degrees. See how great his service is that we can remember such minutiae? (7 14) 202-2570; KNIFE ANDSCISSORSSHARPENING.COM.

BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM Sure, most tourists come to Orange County for Disneyland, South Coast Plaza or the beach, but no single destination better captures the true spirit

12797 Beach Blvd, Stanton, CA 90680 714-893-9493

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15801 Rockfield Blvd. Unit C., Irvine, 92618 949-837-8252

NOW OPEN! IN IRVINE WAREHOUSE/SHOWROOM

Shopping & ServiceS Best of 2016

JUST GOT EVEN BETTER

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OCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BEST HYDRO SHOP

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of our fair land better than the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum. Time was, the best thing this hokey monument to our nation’s worst president until the year 2000 had to offer was a coffee mug with a photograph of Tricky Dick handing a fat Elvis Presley an honorary DEA badge. In recent years, however, the library has become not only a model of archival integrity, but also a state-of-the-art museum. It’s even fun for kids (if, by fun, you mean audio tours of Nixon highlights such as bombing Vietnam and protecting America’s silent majority). Bonus feature: Since 2006, the museum has housed Richard Nixon’s Sikorsky helicopter, which he used to flee the White House for Andrews Air Force Base in 1974, after resigning the presidency for the quiet life in San Clemente. 18001 YORBA LINDA BLVD. , YORBA LINDA , (7 14) 983-9120; W W W.NIXONLIBR ARY.GOV. READERS’ CHOICE: DISNEYLAND

BEST USED-CLOTHING STORE BUFFALO EXCHANGE, FULLERTON

Not all used clothing stores are created equally, and neither are those under the same corporate umbrella. Buffalo Exchange’s Fullerton outpost is the best in OC, with a wide array of offerings from high-end to low-, with a good amount of everything in between, plus the usual they’ll-buy-your-good-shit-for-money side business. And if fashion isn’t your thing, the store’s window and mannequin dressers are always on-point—though none have been known to come to life (sorry, Kim Catrall fans). 215 N. HARBOR BLVD. , FULLER TON, (714) 870-6855; BUFFALOEXCHANGE.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: BUFFALO EXCHANGE

BUFFALO EXCHANGE

BEST SKATE SHOP PROGRAMME SKATE & SOUND

This Fullerton buzz hut offers a wide variety of skate decks, equipment, clothing and accessories (affordable and often discounted with sales!), with a helpful owner and employees at your service, as would any venerable skate shop worth its wax. What makes Programme Skate & Sound such a gem is how much it’s a shrine to the intersection of youth and skate cultures. There are kick-ass designer enamel pins, band shirts, punk and hip-hop records, pro-skating mags, and way more, proving you don’t even have to be into skateboarding to enjoy coming here. And at night, the store becomes a cozy venue for local and touring hardcore and punk bands. 2495 E . CHAPMAN AVE . , FULLER TON, (7 14) 798-7565; PROGR AMMEHQ .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: ATTIC SKATE SHOP

BEST MECHANIC SUNTECH AUTO REPAIR

We’ve all been there: taking your car to the mechanic and getting pressured to pay more than you’d expect, or getting hassled into believing you need a new transmission when you went in for a fender scratch. Fortunately, there are good, legit mechanics out there. Vince runs Suntech Auto Repair like a well-oiled machine (or well-oiled car, if that makes more sense). This place is reliable, honest and reasonably priced, with mechanics who are knowledgeable about cars and able to diagnose problems without any bullshit or extra fees. Take comfort in knowing your set of wheels is in the hands of ASE-certified staff who’ll

SCOTT FEINBLATT

BEST PLACE TO LEARN NAHUATL EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH

Want to know how to say more than tlazocamati (thank you) in the language of the Aztecs? David Vasquez’s Saturdaymorning classes at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Santa Ana are the sole spot in all of OC to practice Nahuatl. Show up promptly at 10 a.m. and take copious notes during the two-hour sessions, as Vasquez imparts more than language. Studying Nahuatl becomes a portal into the culture and spirituality of the Mexica civilization. And all this knowledge comes at the incredibly affordable price of free! 614 N. BUSH S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 5 4 39389; W W W.MESSIAH-SANTA ANA .ORG.

BEST SWAP MEET GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE SWAP MEET

Skin care doesn’t get any less complicated or natural than with the products available from this Santa Ana-based, New Age-y, environmental brand. Featuring ingredients such as activated charcoal, peppermint, tea tree oil, patchouli, almond oil, eucalyptus, lavender, clay and rosemary (and we’d like to believe magic, too!), Occulture Shop’s soaps are good for exfoliating, detoxing, toning and unclogging pores so your skin can suffer less from the hazardous external forces lingering in the atmosphere and revel in feeling clean, soft and luminous. OCCULTURESHOP.COM.

BEST ANTIQUE FLEA MARKET LONG BEACH ANTIQUE MARKET

The Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena is awesome and iconic, but it’s only once a month and kinda far. Luckily for us, the Long Beach Antique Market is closer. Held each month at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, the open-air market is held on the third Sunday of every month (and, if we’re lucky, on the fifth Sunday) and hosts hundreds of vendors hawking awesome vintage and antique crap you never knew you needed to have. Oh, yeah, and there’s beer, too. 4901 E . CONANT S T. , LONG BE ACH, (323) 655-5703; W W W.LONGBE ACHANTIQUEMARKE T.COM.

BEST Cosmetic Surgeon

in OC

2016!

20301 SW Birch St #100, Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.251.1502 newportplastic.com JOHN GILHOOLEY

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Voted

Dr. Hisham M. Seify

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GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE SWAP MEET

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In the market for a taxidermied goat skull? An off-brand record player? An 8-track of Purple Rain? Spare motorcycle parts? That’s the beauty of the Golden West Swap Meet, which offers everything from the bizarre to the tacky to the one-of-a-kind. Find your essentials and necessary objects to live, of course, such as cleaning supplies, clothing, pots and pans, and other items for everyday use, and then seek out the vendors shilling their random thingamabobs for next to nothing. And hey—there’s food, too. Bring cash in ev-

BEST SOAP OCCULTURE SHOP

apply the proper care and attention it deserves, in record turnaround time. 105 S. S TATE COLLEGE BLVD. , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 956-1389. READERS’ CHOICE: SOUTH COAST AUTO CLINIC

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ery denomination and haggle down the price for that forgotten antique you’ve been wanting all these years. 1574 4 GOLDENWES T S T. , HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (7 14) 892-7 7 11; GOLDENWES TCOLLEGE .EDU.

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BEST VINYL-PRESSING PLANT ERIKA RECORDS

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Before there was BevMo, there was Costa Mesa’s world-famous Hi-Time Wine Cellars. Founded in 1957 in a former telephone-company building and located in its current digs since 1984, Hi-Time is to alcohol what Grant Boys was to guns— except Mr. Hi-Time is still in business. Whether you’re looking to resupply your cabinet with single-malt scotch—forget the Laguvulin or Oban, and try a Talisker or Caol Ila—or happen to be in the market for a 5-gallon keg of North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout, Hi-Time has it all. Of course, as the name implies, this is not only a liquor store, but also an actual cellar. Beneath decks, you’ll find an almost-overwhelming collection of wine from all regions and price points, everything from high-end Bordeaux and Burgundys to much more affordable Sancerres, riojas and viogniers, to name a few. Check the website for available labels, discounts and wine-tasting dates. 250 OGLE S T. , COS TA MESA , (949) 6508 463; W W W.HITIME WINE .NE T. READERS’ CHOICE: HI-TIME WINE CELLARS

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This year, Erika Records celebrates its 35th anniversary, having grown from a record label into the only female-owned pressing plant in the U.S. Liz Dunster’s company churns out about 20 to 40 new releases and 100,000 records per week for bands ranging from Orange County unknowns to major-leaguers such as Metallica, Bon Iver and Jack White. Dunster is also commited to running her shop with a grassroots mentality, valuing any band that walks through the door, big or small. And if you want your vinyl pressed in the shape of a hippo—or anything, really—and in fuchsia, chances are Dunster can have it made for you. 6300 CABALLERO BLVD. , BUENA PARK , (7 14) 228-5 420; W W W.ERIK ARECORDS.COM.

BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR OLDSCHOOL STOVE RESTORED ANTIQUE STOVE HEAVEN

Yes, this business (with the awesome acronym ASH) is based in Los Angeles. But the son of the owner graduated from Cal State Fullerton, and it does a lot of business in Orange County, leaving a trail of brilliant chromed handles in its wake. If you have a classic, ASH can make an inhouse visit for an estimate, never telling

MICAH WRIGHT

you to spend more than you have to (for instance, if you want to buy a stove clock on an O’Keefe and Merritt, ASH will tell you to just buy a wall clock instead of dropping $300). If you want to make your abode into the ranch house of your dream, its flagship shop stocks stoves dating back to the 1920s. And don’t think an antique stove is just for show; those suckers emit such heat that you can dehydrate peppers just by leaving them inside the oven and doing nothing else. 5 414 S. WES TERN AVE . , LOS ANGELES, (323) 298-5581; W W W. ANTIQUES TOVEHE AVEN.COM.

BEST PLACE FOR ROCKS AND MINERALS A-Z JEWELRY SUPPLY BY MAJESTA M

From amethyst table stands to dinosaur fossils to jewelry, A-Z Jewelry Supply by Majesta M is a mom-and-pop shop for mineral- and jewelry-lovers. Between its selection and its unheard-of prices, it’s a great hangout for geology nerds and those involved in the healing arts. The owners are involved in the local rock community—the real rock community—and host workshops to teach people how to take their jewelry creations to the next level. 6991 WARNER AVE . , HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (7 14) 292-3653.

BEST EVALUATION CENTER STEADY CARE MEDICAL

Getting a medical-marijuana license can be just as sketchy, if not more so, than

buying pot. Luckily, Orange County is blessed with reliable evaluation centers that feel as if you’re going into a medical facility—not a random, rundown office with a sketchy Skype doctor (there are so many of those!). At Steady Care Medical, you can get your cannabis recommendation from a real, in-person doctor who can also give you an overall checkup and give you tips on how to better your health. They take appointments online and over the phone and can often see patients the same day. Prices are $60 for a new patient evaluation and $30 for a renewal. 2001 E . FIRS T S T. , S TE 102, SANTA ANA , (657) 900-8611; S TE ADYCAREMEDICAL .COM. READERS’ CHOICE: OC 420 EVALUATIONS

BEST MARIJUANA STRAIN BLACKBERRY KUSH

The best thing about this beaut is that it’s not difficult to track down. You can find it at the Green Goddess in Venice Beach, at OC3 in Santa Ana and Outlier Collective in San Diego. Everything about the Blackberry Kush plant is picturesque: The dark-purple hues that highlight the greenery of each thick nug make the strain distinguishable among others. The beautifully dense cannabis flowers has bright-orange hairs that fold in between leaves and glistening tricomes that give the flower a diamond-like bling. But what makes Blackberry Kush delicious is that upon each sweet-tasting exhale, the high wipes away anxiety, stress and insomnia, making it a perfect strain for those looking for a mellow night. It’s also

one of the top strains recommended for those who struggle with PTSD. OC3, 3122 S. HALL ADAY S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 75 4-1348; OC3DISPENSARY.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

BEST COLLECTIVE OUTCO LABS

It’s hard to find a dispensary with knowledgeable budtenders, lab-tested products and a professional atmosphere. But OutCo offers all of that, plus a sparklingwhite showroom, relaxing spa music playing over the speakers and the best prices in Santa Ana. How can you beat $20 for 2 grams, $30 for almost every eighth, or $60 for a quarter of fluffy, top-shelf nuggetry? You can’t—at least not legally! 2911 TECH CENTER DR. , SANTA ANA , (949) 304-8664; W W W.OUTCOOC.COM. READERS’ CHOICE: SHOWGROW

BEST OCCULT STORE Z FABRIQUE

If you’re looking to step up your psychic game or simply learn more about the world of mysticism, Z Fabrique is your oracle. The owners are friendly and extremely knowledgeable about metaphys-

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IS COMING TO

Costa Mesa, Ca November 18 & 19, 2016 The Hangar

OC Fair and Events Center in Costa Mesa themommademarket.com Tickets:

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For Your Darker Desires Since 1989

THE

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ics; if you show them you’re interested, they will share a wealth of fascinating information with you—as well as the store’s endless supply of candles, incense, books and essential oils, plus psychics to perform readings. 191 ARGONNE AVE . , LONG BE ACH, (562) 4 39-6883; ZFABRIQUE .COM.

BEST THRIFT STORE SAVERS

With a store the size of Savers, it’s easy to get lost in the vast selection of secondhand goods. But the appeal of this mega-thrift store chain is its meticulous organization and cleanliness. Everything is neatly arranged or hung, making it easy to find treasures. There’s even a club card offering exclusive savings. It’s basically a bargain hunter’s Sephora! 2360 W. LINCOLN AVE . , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 25 4-1424; AL SO AT 9091 GARFIELD AVE . , FOUNTAIN VALLE Y, (7 14) 963-0425; AND 4852 VALLE Y VIE W AVE . , YORBA LINDA , (7 14) 85 4-9961; W W W.SAVERS.COM.

BEST WEDDING VENUE BOWERS MUSEUM

We’ve all driven past the Bowers Museum while wedding parties pose for pictures outside its mission bell entrance. But what’s the venue like inside? Orange County’s largest museum is elegant in all the right places. The Margaret and Cleo Key courtyard, framed by the missionstyle arches and immaculate landscaping, is a gorgeous place to exchange marital vows. Its historic hacienda balcony offers a wide, descending staircase that’s perfect for the bride to make her entry. Wedding guests need not travel far for reception revelry: The courtyard converts into a place of dining and dance, ac-

commodating around 350 people, leaving no need for uninvited cousins! Stringed bulb lights illuminate the evening sky, a gorgeous open-air setting in the Golden City to celebrate love happily ever after. 2002 N. MAIN S T. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 567367 1; BOWERS.ORG. READERS’ CHOICE: MONARCH BEACH RESORT

BEST SHOP FOR THE MODERN PSYCHIC MYSTICAL REALMS, CRYSTALS & BOOKS

This hermetic-supply store carries everything for the modern psychic and the spiritually curious: crystals; calming music; oils; jewelry; talismans; manuals on tarot and palm reading; meditation items; and books on paranormal activity, alternative faiths, relationships, astrology and all other matters metaphysical. Opened by psychic/medium and spiritual counselor Kelley Eckhardt, this eclectic storefront also offers classes that help budding psychics learn how to tap into their own supernatural abilities from expert mediums and healers, as well as time with Eckhardt to assist you in sorting out your own life’s uncertainties and becoming one with the universe. 307 THIRD S T. , S TE . 101, HUNTINGTON BE ACH, (7 14) 960-5200; MYS TICAL-RE ALMS.COM.

BEST BAKING SUPPLY SHOP CALICO CAKE SHOP

Since 1974, Calico Cake Shop has satisfied the needs of the county’s home bakers. You can find it all here: candy melts, cake pans, colorful sprinkles, cookie cutters, chocolate pearls, impression molds, and more. But what if you aren’t a whiz with a mixer and an oven? You can

BOWERS MUSEUM

Euro Euro Caffe Caffe Huntington Huntington Beach Beach Now Now Open! Open! Mention this ad for a free drip coffee or 20% off your meal Located in Bella Terra under the Residence Apartments 7631 Edinger Ave #1520, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (714) 372-7777

JOHN GILHOOLEY

7321 OR ANGE THORPE AVE . , BUENA PARK , (7 14) 521-2761; W W W.CALICOCAKESHOP.COM.

BEST FREE/PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES PUBLIC LAW CENTER

BEST VETERINARIAN ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER

Best Of winner • 2016 •

C R O e s a k ders! n a hT

Around 7:30 each weekday morning, short lines start forming outside this Fountain Valley pet clinic, with people coming from across Southern California to partake in some of the best, as well as affordable, care around. Animal Medical Center gladly takes these walk-ins, expediting the process by making folks type in what they need on tablets, then calling your pets by name when the doctor is ready to see them. The staff genuinely care about all the animals that come in, with a special tenderness to

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Part of the fun of a vintage store is the fun and festive names that roll off the tongue easier than the words “Elvis” or “Jimi Hendrix.” And Sneaky Tiki Boutique is as fun to say as it is to shop at. A relative newcomers to Long Beach’s famed Retro Row, Sneaky Tiki is the swizzle stick in Fourth Street’s collective cocktail of amazing vintage stores. Husband-and-wife team Nick Barnes and Jennifer Hill recently moved their wares into bigger digs, expanding their carefully curated selection of vintage finery. And dig this: The men’s selection is perhaps even larger than the women’s offerings, with exquisite Hawaiian shirts

Not many items in this bright, cleanly arranged toy store call for batteries. And to some parents, that’s a blessing. Instead, there are shelves upon shelves of wooden trains and music sets, cars made of tin or that transform into blocks, big-eyed baby dolls and tiny woodland creatures, excavation and chemistry sets, toys to play with outside and ones that are perfect for quiet corners—so much to feed the imagination that your kids won’t want to leave unless you promise a purchase and a trip to the nearby ice cream parlor. 129 N. GL ASSELL S T. , OR ANGE , (7 14) 997-8697; TIDDLY WINKSOC.COM.

BEST VINTAGE STORE SNEAKY TIKI BOUTIQUE

VOTED BEST MASSAGE IN OC

With Moxley uncovering every corrupt facet of the Orange County judicial system nowadays, it’s hard to tell who the good guys at OC Superior Court are anymore. Thankfully, the good folks at the Public Law Center are balancing out the corruption by providing free legal services to low-income residents and other nonprofits in the county. 601 CIVIC CENTER DR. W. , SANTA ANA , (7 14) 5 41-1010; W W W.PUBLICL AWCENTER.ORG.

BEST SHOP FOR OLD-SCHOOL TOYS TIDDLYWINKS TOYS AND GAMES

take classes, or let Calico do it for you. It offers custom cookies and cakes with two weeks’ notice; wedding cakes take two months. You’ll even find fresh-baked treats for your pooch!

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practically straight outta John Waters’ closet. Zzzzapppp! 2234 E . FOUR TH S T. , LONG BE ACH, (562) 4 39-2600; W W W.E T SY.COM/SHOP/SNE AK Y TIKI. READERS’ CHOICE: ORANGE CIRCLE ANTIQUE MALL

SNEAKY TIKI BOUTIQUE

For Voting Massage Envy

BEST MASSAGE In Orange County

610 N Coast Hwy # 204, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 1052 Irvine Ave. Newport Beach, CA 92660 651 E. First St. Tustin, CA 92780 SCOTT FEINBLATT

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28815 Los Alisos Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92692

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older pets. Upsell is at a minimum, and there are separate lobbies for dogs and cats because dogs and cats. 165 40 HARBOR BLVD. , FOUNTAIN VALLE Y, (7 14) 531-1155; W W W. AMCF V.COM.

BEST PLACE TO BUY CHEAP DICKIES ANAHEIM INDOOR MARKETPLACE

With seemingly all workers in Orange County now required to wear uniforms, shops selling Dickies, Wranglers, nurse’s outfits and other tools of the trade for cheap are more popular than ever. But instead of patronizing one of these places, where the customers tend to be of the neck-tattoo ilk, why not pit shopkeepers against one another? That’s the glory of the Anaheim Indoor Marketplace, where at least 10 clothing boutiques compete for your dollars. Try to find the stall with the Egyptian lady who’ll be upfront with you and say you shouldn’t buy a low-rise pair because it’ll highlight your gut—SAVAGE! 14 40 S. ANAHEIM BLVD. , ANAHEIM, (7 14) 999-0888; ANAHEIMINDOORMARKE TPL ACE .COM

Downtown SanTana is Orange County’s “it” place, whether the county wants to admit it or not. Few places carry as many historical reminders of the past as its city blocks while simultaneously hosting a lively present and showing signs of an even-brighter future. Where else in OC can you dine at critically acclaimed bars and eateries, bargain shop for vintage clothes, gaze at gallery and street art, laugh your ass off at a comedy show, witness a live theater production, watch an indie film, dance (or mosh) at a live concert, and eat at a taco truck all within a mile? Okay, maybe downtown Fullerton, but SanTana has the added benefit of the Weekly’s secret office, which hosts many a lively salon whenever we feel like it. Now, if only the area can think of a better hashtag than the weak-salsa #dtsa. . . . READERS’ CHOICE: OLD TOWNE ORANGE

came and tossed all the magazines into the trash can. Hey, bus bozos, leave that free reading material alone, and let the written word ride.

DOWNTOWN SANTA ANA

BEST PLACE TO UNLOAD USED BOOKS AND MAGAZINES ANY OCTA BUS BENCH

Word to whoever is in charge of upkeeping the benches for OCTA buses: We at the Weekly read through hundreds of magazines, newspapers and books per year. Time was when we’d toss any mags or rags into the recycling bin, then do-

DUSTIN AMES

When life gets hairy.

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Waxing men and women, bottoms and brows, cheeks and chests, a little or a lot.

COSTA MESA

435 E. 17th Street, Suite 2 Costa Mesa 949-209-8997

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Generational Shift

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2016 EDUCATION GUIDE

HOW “MILLENNIAL-IZATION” IS CHANGING THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE

WRITTEN BY

PAUL ROGERS

ast year marked a quiet but significant watershed for american workplaces. For the first time, millennials – people between the ages of 18-34 – became the largest generation in the u.S. Workforce (according to a 2015 pew research center analysis of u.S. Census bureau data). One in three american workers is now from the millennial generation, also known as Generation Y. With many millennials still in college and more baby boomers retiring, Gen Y’s workplace predominance will inevitably increase in the near future, and this “millennial-ization” will likely change the very nature of work in America. We spoke to three employment experts to find out how and why Gen Y will shake up the workplace. Millennials now make up the majority of the U.S. workforce. How is this impacting the feel and function of America’s workplaces? “It’s important to make a distinction between ‘millennial’ as a generation … and ‘millennial’ as both an attitude and influencer group,” explained Caroline Siemers, owner of Los Angeles-based employee strategies agency Corplandia. “It’s the latter that I’ve seen have the most impact on the workplace. Millennials, enabled by technology, the demise of playground competition, and rise in ‘helicopter’ parenting, have brought attitudes and abilities that are changing the nature of work, not just the workplace.” What qualities can millennials bring to the workplace which older workers often can’t? “[Millennials] aren’t biased by years of experiences and old assumptions. They only know a world that is changing at exponential speed and can adapt easily,” said Ira S. Wolfe, President of Pennsylvania-based employment testing provider Success Performance Solutions. “Despite the myths and stereotypes, they are more pragmatic and realistic about their future than baby boomers and Gen X were at the same age.” Some 3.6 million baby boomers are expected to retire this year and already more than a quarter of managers are millennials. How can we expect the latter’s leadership style to differ from that of their predecessors? “While millennials tend to be more collaborative and team oriented, they are still focused on themselves and management is about getting work done through others and developing talent,” said Joni Daniels, Principal of Baltimore-based management and organizational development consulting practice Daniels & Associates. “It’s a huge shift of focus and is not likely to be handled successfully without a lot of coaching,” It’s been said that millennials are more interested in working together rather than in more traditional “command-andcontrol” hierarchies. Would you concur?

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Siemers: “Command and control is ‘bad parenting’ to this group. It’s uncomfortable and unwelcome. Millennials want to share their special insights and expertise, and feel ‘unheard’ when that doesn’t happen. They don’t mind doing what they’re told as long as their contribution has been accounted for.” Will this mean less of a corporate “ladder” and more of a “lattice”? Daniels: “Things may get more fragmented : a manager to mentor, a manager to delegate, a manager to train, a manager to lead the team less well-rounded managers. We may see more steps on the ladder but shorter distances between rungs. Millennials like continuous growth and advancement.” If “flattening” means fewer titled management positions, how will leadership emerge, be exhibited and be recognized/ rewarded in “delayered” companies? Siemers: “Performance becomes a more discrete and important metric. Exceeding the remit will become what is recognized, even if that recognition includes ‘going for it’ in addition to ‘achieving it’. Even within millennials, there are natural leaders – these people will continue to outperform their counterparts and emerge as leaders.” Will more millennial managers mean a different attitude to life/work integration? Will the workplace now be more about results than about “in-your-chair” time? Daniels: “With the electronic leash of phone and PC, you don’t have to be in your chair to get work done. But you do have to be in the halls to be seen and develop relationships that help move your career. The skills that will become invaluable [are] the effective virtual team manager who gets things done and develops solid relationships.” Many millennials grew up in an “everyone-gets-a-prize” culture, where they were rewarded simply for participation rather than only for performance. How does this affect their attitude to the workplace? Wolfe: “Research is beginning to show the older millennials (who were at the forefront of trophy kids) are fiercely competitive yet collaborative … As millennials age, the whole narcissist, free-wheeling, socially immature stereotype seems to subside.” With more millennials in the workplace and more millennial managers, will we see the end of the annual performance review in favor of more frequent feedback, praise and appreciation, which is what many millennials were used to from their teachers and parents? Siemers: “‘Continuous conversations’ and ‘coaching’ is definitely a performance management trend. And I think it does stem from parent/teacher experiences … Because one thing I do believe is that millennials do not flourish in ‘sink or swim’ situations.” Surveys suggest that millennials expect to change jobs (and to “boomerang”) more frequently. How will this impact workplace culture and continuity? Daniels: “Constant turnover is a huge expense. You lose history, experience, cultural knowledge, and it’s more difficult to be seen as a developer of talent when your talent is always departing … Exit interviews can uncover some information about why people are leaving and organizations can learn how they might stem the tide.” How are older workers reacting to all this? Siemers: “The smart ones are using it all to their advantage: Increasing their own ‘brand’ and value, negotiating smarter, and using their vacation days! … Older workers who still fear/hate work will resent these young ‘uns and their entitled ways.” Finally, how do you see the “millennial-ization” of workplaces impacting their character and culture over, say, the next decade? Wolfe: “Millennials will impact [workplaces] more than workplaces will shape them. The only group large enough to impact the millennials is the baby boomers and they are shrinking in numbers and influence.”

calendar *

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KNOTT’S BERRY FARM

[HALLOWEEN]

SCARY GOOD

Knott’s Scary Farm

This annual sold-out show is still the attraction you need to haunt every year. Featuring awesome scare zones; the familiar cyclonic thrill rides including Supreme Scream, Sierra Sidewinder and Montezooma’s Revenge; and multiple mazes in which ghastly witches, carnivorous hillbillies, tortured specters and gunslinging werewolves await to terrorize the last ounce of fearlessness out of you, Knott’s Scary Farm is still the grand leader in getting a scream out of you, no matter your size, shape or strength of constitution. Then, of course, there are the nightly shows such as The Hanging, which, unlike what its name suggests, is actually a roast-like comedy show, as well as Elvira’s Danse Macabre, for which the Queen of Darkness herself greets you in her Gothic abode. Don’t be ashamed if you need to sleep with the lights on tonight. We won’t tell anyone. Knott’s Scary Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, (714) 220-5200; www.knotts.com. 7 p.m.Through Oct. 31. $27.99-$110.

friday›

SMILE NOW, SCREAM LATER

—AIMEE MURILLO

[THEATER]

Ghouls Night Out

Night of the Living Dead George A. Romero’s zombie classic gets a live spin at the Maverick Theater again this October—and if past reviews of the show are any indication, it’s a bone-a-fed winner. There’s just nothing like watching a group of square drama queens stuck in a house screaming while flesh eaters attempt to claw their way in for din-din. Speaking about the film years ago to the Weekly, the iconic Judith O’Dea (Barbara) recalled the grisly delight the cast enjoyed while feigning cannibalism: animal entrails dripping in chocolate syrup. She also noted that the experience didn’t put her off meat—or flesh. Regardless of how the Maverick bridges this onstage fx, it’s still probably better to eat your supper early—and fill up on plenty of beverages to make it all go down. Night of the Living Dead at Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave., Ste. B, Fullerton, (714) 526-7070; www. mavericktheater.com. 8 p.m. Through Oct. 30. $22. —SR DAVIES

sat/10/22 [DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS]

Dance With the Dead Viva La Vida!

Break out the face paint, rhinestones, glitter and flowers because it’s every Chipster’s (Chicanx hipster) favorite time of the year, Día De Los Muertos season. And what better place to celebrate than in SanTana, OC’s most chingón city. For the second year, Viva La Vida! throws a huge Day of the Dead festival, with traditional Mexican altars and artisanal goods and food! Dust off your dancing shoes and get down to local tunes from Very Be Careful, ¡Aparato!, the Hurricanes, China Woman, Watch for Horses and Mariachi De Oro. Also watch as colorful trajes tipicos swirl around in unison during a folklórico performance by Relámpago Del Cielo. Come celebrate life while “lifting up the memories of our loved ones.” Viva La Vida! Santa Ana at the Santa Ana Train Station, 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana; vivalavidasantaana.com. Noon. Free. —DENISE DE LA CRUZ

[COMEDY]

FUNNY LADY Lily Tomlin

Over the years, LilyTomlin has dazzled fans with an assortment of hilarious characters that have become essential parts of her comedic act.Though she’s known for her variety shows, performances on Broadway and being recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors, the comedian continues to dazzle on the standup stage. She’ll bring her onewoman act—which includes famous characters Ernestine, Mrs. Beasley and Edith Ann—to Costa Mesa.The show has already won praise for its seamless intertwining of all of the periods of her storied career. If that isn’t enough, following the show,Tomlin will partake in a Q&A session, giving longtime fans an opportunity to find out everything they’ve always wanted to know about the entertainer. LilyTomlin at Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, (714) 5562787; www.scfta.org. 7:30 p.m. $49-$79. —DANIEL KOHN GREG GORMAN

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sun/10/23 [THEATER]

Not Just a Girl

Best of 2016

Desdemona, A Play About a Handkerchief If you’re familiar with William Shakespeare’s play Othello, you know how a misplaced handkerchief spelled doom for the character of Desdemona. But Paula Vogel’s comedic take on the classic tragedy spins a decidedly different series of events for the

wife of the temperamental military captain; in Desdemona, A Play About a Handkerchief, the story is re-imagined through the perspective of the original play’s female characters: Desdemona, a tawdry seductress who tells tales of her sexual encounters to her confidante and servant, Emilia, who is also the scheming wife of Iago, and Bianca, the town whore. Far removed from the dainty victim in Shakespeare’s version, Vogel gives Desdemona unprecedented power and voraciousness, as well as a sense of humor. Desdemona, A Play About a Handkerchief

at STAGEStheatre, 400 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton; www.stagesoc.org. 5 p.m. Through Nov. 5. $18-$20. —AIMEE MURILLO [FOOD & DRINK]

Prost!

Oktoberfest With traditional oom-pah-pah bands, authentic German food, lederhosen and performers (including jugglers, balloon twisters and folk dancers), this family-friendly event

specializes in celebrating the German holiday with festive grandeur. Feel free to bring your own stein or any drinking vessel to refill with various fine German beers as you drink heartily (and responsibly, right?), raising your glass as you sing along to Old World songs. It’s proper bier etiquette, you know, so get those glasses clinking! Oktoberfest at the Phoenix Club, 1340 Sanderson Ave., Anaheim, (714) 563-4166; www.thephoenixclub.com. Noon. Through Oct. 30. $10; Phoenix Club members, $5; kids 18 and younger, free. —AIMEE MURILLO

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The Fourth Annual Rollerween Sk8-NScare invites roller skaters in costume to zoom around the rink among atmospheric fog machines and scary music to get into the spirit of Halloween. Visitors will get some holiday-appropriate treats, plus there’s a raffle, costume contest and the chance to hang out with other monsters from the Junior Roller Derby of Long Beach. Leave the bikes and scooters at home, though, unless you’re looking to donate blood to Count Dracula; he likes Type O the best. Rollerween Sk8-N-Scare at Bayshore Hockey Rink, 14 54th Place, Long Beach, (562) 570-1715; www. longbeachjuniorrollerderby.com. 6:30 p.m. $8. —AIMEE MURILLO

The annual Día de los Muertos is by far the most colorful, engaging occasion for celebrating our lives and mortality. Check out the offerings at Las Laguna Gallery’s “Bring UsYour Dead” show, where you’ll be startled by the work by Sara Diesel, Gary Irving and Richard Barnett.They are among the 19 artists considering and reconsidering the Day of the Dead in familiar and enduring tropes and imagery: skeletons, marigolds, papel picado, silhouettes and more. “Bring UsYour Dead: A Día de los Muertos Exhibition” at Las Laguna Gallery, 577 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 667-1803; www.laslagunagallery. com. 11 a.m.Through Oct. 29. Free. —ANDREW TONKOVICH

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Remember shock jock Tom Leykis? He of “Blow me up,Tom!” and Flash Fridays and Leykis101 and legendary listener parties at Camacho’s and the Quiet Woman? Who went off terrestrial radio in 2009 when KLXS-FM 97.1 switched formats? Well,Tom’s been on the radio since 2012 on blowmeuptom.com, and the last Wednesday of the month is when our own Mexican In Chief, Gustavo Arellano, stays on for the entire show. Hour 1 is Tom and Gustavo shooting the shit; Hour 2 is when Gustavo takes live ¡Ask a Mexican! questions (the only radio show on which he does that anymore). And Hour 3 is TheTom Leykis Show’s most popular segment, Be Funny!, in which callers do imitations, jokes and song parodies.Tune in, and don’t forget to finish your call with “Blow me up, Kobe-style”—TRUST US! ¡Ask a Mexican! On TheTom Leykis Show streams via blowmeuptom.com. 3 p.m. —GUSTAVO ARELLANO

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[CONCERT]

Every Day Is Halloween Tiger Army

Psychobilly standard-bearers Tiger Army are rested, ready and riled-up for another installment of their Octoberflame show series—this time on the heels of their recent V . . . album, which features significant contributions from TSOL keyboardist (and FIDLAR father) Greg Kuehn, with the supremely potent Tijuana Panthers and Rhythm Shakers opening the show. Much-loved locals Tijuana Panthers will be back from touring August’s Ghost Food, which fires plenty of new energy into their ’60s-garage-meets-’80s-post-punk sound, and Wild Records’ stand-out Rhythm Shakers do real-deal rock & roll led by firecracker front woman Marlene Perez. Consider it a holiday all its own—a preHalloween blow-out that might even beat the real thing. Tiger Army with Tijuana Panthers and the Rhythm Shakers at the Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 9570600; www.observatoryoc.com. 8 p.m. $30. —CHRIS ZIEGLER

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When it comes to million-dollar ideas, it doesn’t get much better than combining karate, pizza and turtles into a fantastic (weed-induced?) masterpiece. But somehow, the creators of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles did just that in 1984, and our world is all the better for it. Even today, the turtles, Shredder and Splinter have tantalized imaginations with their surfer dialogue and amazing ninja sills. Now everyone’s favorite heroes in a half-shell are coming to Discovery Cube in Santa Ana to teach us valuable lessons about teamwork, collaboration and, most important, COWABUNGA! Exercise your butt-kickin’ muscles, both physical and mental, while exploring the turtles’ sewer lair, mazes and other puzzles. Pizza (and ganja) not included. ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewer’ at Discovery Cube, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 542-2823; www. discoverycube.org. 10 a.m. Through Jan. 16. $12.95-$17.95. —AMANDA PARSONS

aMORE » ONLINE OCWEEKLY.COM

[FILM]

A HERO’S TALE The Toxic Avenger

Few movies carry the weight of The Toxic Avenger. It’s one of the best terrible movies (or the worst great movies) ever made, and it’s had a solid cult following since its release in 1984. For one night, you won’t have to bust out the old VHS tape to watch this gratuitously gory action movie. Instead, you can kick off Halloween weekend with a Q&A with director andTroma king Lloyd Kaufman himself at a very special screening of Toxie’s first adventure. Not only will you be able to watch the great American classic with the man who made it, but you’ll also get a chance to meet Toxie in the chemically disfigured flesh, be able to enter a costume contest and partake in a wide array of ’80s-centric activities for a disgustingly good time. Cinemattack presents TheToxic Avenger at the Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana, (714) 285-9422; thefridacinema.org. 8 p.m. $15. —JOSH CHESLER

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Glen Eden

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A CONCERT TO PROVIDE

Check our featured Live Bands

131

HOLEINTHEWALL

» GUSTAVO ARELLANO

OC’s Most Popular Taco Truck

Best of 2016

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MAKE IT FRENCH

TAQUERÍA AYUTLA OAXACA On Main Street, just north of Dyer Road, Santa Ana.

OctO ber 2 1-27, 2 016

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Can Anaheim’s Cross Roast adapt Cantonese barbecue to the Chipotle model? BY EDWIN GOEI

n one of his earlier standup routines, Jim Gaffigan had a great joke on how, during his time as a waiter at a Mexican restaurant in Indiana, he had to deal with clueless customer questions about the menu. They’d ask him, “What is nachos? What is a burrito? What is a tostada?” After repeating the same answer—“It’s a tortilla with meat, cheese or vegetables”— over and over, he’d say to them, “Look, it’s all the same!” Gaffigan continued by concluding that “Mexican food’s great, but it’s essentially all the same ingredients,” which led to the punch line: An imaginary scene 200 years ago in which the top Mexican cooks met in Mexico City. One of them says to the group, “I figure we can rename this one entrée seven times and sell it to the North Americans.” It’s a fantasy of mine that Steve Ells was listening to that bit, and then opened Chipotle. Because let’s face it: Even though Gaffigan’s joke is just a joke—a gross generalization of a complex cuisine—what is Chipotle if not that punch line turned into a business model? Ells’ success essentially comes from peddling all the same ingredients (yes, meat, cheese or vegetables) and stuffing them in different versions of tortilla. And the fact that his operating model works so well validates Gaffigan’s argument: The components of Americanized Mexican food are indeed as modular and interchangeable as Lego pieces, thus perfect for Chipotle’s assembly line. The trouble then comes when nonMexican restaurants try to apply this model to their cuisines. Most have struggled to make their pieces fit the mold, especially the Asian ones. In recent years,

Orange County has seen Eleven46, which tried to do a Vietnamese-style Chipotle in Foothill Ranch, and Kaya Street Kitchen, which tried to do an Indonesian-style Chipotle in Aliso Viejo. I noted in my reviews of both that if you chose unwisely at the assembly line, the different taste profiles could result in potentially awkward combinations. And it’s perhaps because of this that both restaurants never took off and have since closed. But the stalled attempts to successfully Chipotle-ize Asian food weren’t unique to them. Even Chipotle’s own Asian concept, ShopHouse, is slow on the uptake. Last year, while Chipotle added a whopping 150 new Mexican restaurants to its roster, ShopHouse opened only three. Now comes Cross Roast, a Cantonese barbecue-style Chipotle that opened a few weeks ago in Anaheim by James Leung, a third-generation restaurateur whose grandparents owned Casa de Oriente in Alhambra back in the ’80s. And though I knew asking for nachos was going to be a bad idea, I did it anyway. At my direction, the server took tortilla chips, poured on a DayGlo-yellow movietheater cheese sauce, then topped it with bits of a crispy roasted pork belly called siu yuk. But my server and I weren’t done creating this Franken-nacho. To it, I added a roasted-corn salsa, cotija cheese and, heck, “Squirt on some of that hoisin sauce and your mayo, too!” It must be noted that I’m normally a food pragmatist. If I were at a Vegas buffet and there was a Mexican-food station and a Chinese one, I would make it a point to make two separate trips with two separate plates. But here at Cross Roast, free from

the shackles of common sense, I had no such restraint. So how did the nachos taste? Predictably bad. The five-spice on the pork clashed with the nacho cheese, and the whole thing was a salty (though beautifullooking) train wreck. Yes, Cross Roast was my enabler, but I was completely responsible for the terribleness of that dish. Fact is, all the proteins at Cross Roast are expertly made but best suited for serving on top of rice and maybe only rice— the way that all those Chinese barbecue joints with hanging ducks would do it. That siu yuk, in particular, had the lovely skull-rattling crunch of chicharrones, and the ruddy char siu was the perfect ratio of fat to lean. You could even order duck here, either shredded or hacked by a cleaver into bone-attached pieces. But even if you ask for a rice bowl, I would advise against topping it with the coleslaw, the corn salsa or anything else from the condiments tray. It’s hard to say no to them, though, especially when all are free for the taking. It took a lot for me to refuse my server’s suggestion to dump cotija and shredded Monterey jack into my ramen soup. I have, however, found that no matter what I chose, it worked well inside a baguette— something I also noticed with Eleven46’s bánh mìs. Who knew the French had the skeleton key to unlock the Asian Chipotle conundrum all along? CROSS ROAST 401 S. Magnolia Ave., Anaheim, (714) 2365766; www.thecrossroast.com. Open Mon.Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Meal for two, $15-$20, food only. No alcohol.

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East Meets Ells

BRIAN FEINZIMER

or the past year and a half, Taquería Ayutla Oaxaca been OC’s most popular lonchera by far. Not since the days of Kogi and the Lime Truck has an OC taco truck inspired such a fanatical following as these guys—and fueled only by word of mouth. There are no social-media accounts whatsoever, and it’s parked in an industrial part of SanTana on Main Street, just north of Dyer Road, not far from homeless encampments. The shortest line you’ll wait in is 15 minutes; come Friday or Saturday night, no mames. You can come at midnight, and the party will be raging. Families set up lawn chairs in a patio area next to where Ayutla parks. Ice cream vendors hawk nieve from their car trunks. Other loncheras park nearby, desperately, unsuccessfully trying to poach customers. And those customers are all of SanTana’s raza: men and women just off work, their T-shirts displaying the hotels they just came from. Cholos. Paisas. Jaguars park illegally on the street, surrounded by men in suits who don’t say a word as one of the guys has everyone’s order. A handful of Asian hipsters Snapchat their adventure in the barrio. Autlya offers just tacos, burritos and quesadillas, featuring seven of the classic taqueria meats (yes on buche and tripas; no suadero, alas). The tacos are rather big for just costing a buck or so, and there’s a free bean tostada with every order—BOOM. What bothers me most about the spot, though, is that it’s false advertising: If the folks running Ayutla really are from Oaxaca, they should be serving Oaxacan food—memelitas, tlayudas, mole negro, chapulines and all the other highlights of that wondrous cuisine. We are past peak taco in OC, and it’s time loncheros start cooking the food of their homeland, you know? That said, all OC foodies should do their pilgrimage to Taqueria Ayutla Oaxaca at least once because it’s currently the king of OC’s food-truck scene. And if you don’t? Donald Trump wins #fucktrump.

M ON TH X X–X X , 2014

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1.844.GO2.BEAR | WWW.BIGBEARMOUNTAINRESORT.COM

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SOCALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SNOW CAPITAL

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food» twenty-one plus

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*infants okay

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OCTOB ER 2 1-27, 2 016

BEST OF 2016

December

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PRETTY FLOWERS!

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ANNE MARIE PANORINGAN

Oklahoma In DTF

Meatloaf en croute at Grits Fullerton

hile a solid breakfast is always a reason for us to check out a joint, Grits Fullerton happens to have a few other endearing qualities: seriously good collaboration beer dinners, a parking lot in DTF that’s never full and that meatloaf. Was it a Hot Pocket on steroids? We don’t know. We do know it’s one of the better food-porn shots we’ve managed to take. And the taste put us in a mood akin to a post-Thanksgiving, tryptophan-laden state. According to chef Cody Storts, the meatloaf en croute “was inspired by my family in Oklahoma and my love for this classic beef preparation. It features

EATTHISNOW

» ANNE MARIE PANORINGAN a Hunter sauce with duck demi-glace over Cajun-spiced meatloaf wrapped in puff pastry, served over duck fat mashed potatoes.” Move over, Hungry Man dinner: This amped-up meat-and-potatoes entrée is the comfort food we seek during sweater weather—just as soon as Mother Nature decides to change seasons. GRITS FULLERTON 133 W. Chapman Ave., Ste. 102, Fullerton, (714) 449-0939; gritsfullerton.com.

DRINKOFTHEWEEK » ROBERT FLORES

Tequila-Barrel-Aged Imperial Pilsner at Karl Strauss Brewing

ho’s yo daddy??! BOOM! Big props to OG Karl Strauss Brewing for going back, back, back to its roots (and its roots run deep!) for its new brewpub, which just opened across from the Big A. It ditched all alcoholic drinks other than the great-tasting beers it brews, rebranding itself as the premier brewery in the Big Naranja. Along with its award-winning roster—which includes Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Mosaic Session IPA and Red Trolley Ale—Karl Strauss has started a small-batch program at its new Anaheim digs, with craft beer so good they don’t last long. Beer today, gone tomorrow! So go right now in the hope there’s still some Tequila-Barrel-Aged Imperial Pilsner (10.4 percent ABV).

ROBERT FLORES

THE DRINK

There’s Sonora water in the front and the back thanks to aging in barrels of tequila reposado for 16 months. The pilsner turns nice and malty and smooth AF. Enjoy it with the place’s better-than-good pub food as you watch all the flat-screens tuned to sports. The only thing Karl Strauss can’t help: the Angels. CHAVALAS! KARL STRAUSS BREWING 2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Ste. 100, Anaheim, (714) 940-1772; www.karlstrauss.com.

| CONTENTS | BEST OF 2016

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food»

Best of 2016

A-FRAME HEAVEN

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OctO ber 2 1-27, 2 016

Nomin ated

136

BEST MA RGARITA

SARAH BENNETT

’Cue Apart

KBQ is North Long Beach’s home for Korean barbecue

& BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT in Orange County!

440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anah

714.502.0255 | www.urban

eim

aanaheim.com

he mile-long stretch of Artesia Boulevard in North Long Beach isn’t exactly known as a dining destination, but all that might be changing. Once a faceless chunk of four-lane asphalt lined with Mexican appliance stores, strip-mall churches and hair salons, its first notable restaurant resident was Robert Earl’s BBQ, which moved from a smoker at the farmers’ market into a to-go counter storefront just east of Atlantic Avenue in 2013. On the success of its Texas-tinged takes on brisket, ribs and pulled pork (still some of the best in the region!), Robert Earl’s has expanded threefold in the years since, pushing into the unit next door and, as of earlier this month, onto the sidewalk, where the street’s first dining patio sits enclosed in bright-red fencing. This shiny new area, along with the rest of Artesia Boulevard’s newly installed assets (separated bike lanes!), got a coming-out party of sorts at Activate Uptown and Village Fest on Oct. 1; the entire drag was closed to cars, and rappers such as Murs and Talib Kweli performed for free. It was at this event that I finally had the chance to appreciate another one of Uptown’s restaurants, one that is already a neighborhood institution for its take on an entirely different kind of barbecue. KBQ is North Long Beach’s only Korean restaurant, and it has made a name for itself by selling fast-food-style rice bowls and tacos topped with grilled-to-order bulgogi, galbi and spicy pork. The building itself is hard to miss—a bright-yellow A-frame with red-painted concrete out front. Until a few years ago, that location was home to a Mexican restaurant that sat empty most of the time. The smell of grilling Korean meats is

LONGBEACHLUNCH » SARAH BENNETT

also hard to miss. The family that owns KBQ is its only staff; while the mom rings you up at the counter in front, the patriarch spends his days flipping flaps of meat over fire in the backroom, letting the sweet smoke waft out of a window that faces the parking lot. Run to this window immediately after you pay the lady because as soon as you order one of the $5 mini-bowls, $7 regular-sized bowls or $8-to-$12 plates (a few extra dollars will get you a combination plate with two kinds of meat), pops starts grilling. You can watch as he turns each piece of dripping marinated meat into your meal, just as you’d watch your noodles get pulled at Chinese restaurants such as China Tasty. The finished product—the galbi short ribs are divine—is placed atop rice with a side salad and a macaroni salad à la L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (getting the meat inside three tacos with a side of fries is only $6). Bowls are Flame Broiler-style, if the chain prepared your protein fresh. It might not be the all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue joint Long Beach so desperately needs, but KBQ excels in better-than-average fast-casual Koreanmeat favorites on a side of town severely lacking in Asian-food options. Not only is it brightening up Artesia with its Wienerschnitzel-esque digs, but it’s also giving people yet another reason to cruise the boulevard in search of their next meal. KBQ 1009 E. Artesia Blvd., Long Beach, (562) 256-1337; eatkbq.com.

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BRIAN FEINZIMER

Noo Yawk In Newport

Trevor Kotchek of the Original Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store

izza is a magical food. Eat it hot, cold, meaty or with veggies only—it still tastes good. And a place such as the Original Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store has been feeding Newport Beach locals for nearly 40 years. So I had a chat with the guy who knows his dough, Trevor Kotchek. OC WEEKLY: Can you explain why you

chose a career path in the restaurant industry, despite learning from previous jobs that it’s a stressful and tedious road to go down? TREVOR KOTCHEK: I just couldn’t deny my love for it. Whenever I found myself working outside of it, all I wanted was to be back. It’s a special industry, and if you do it right, you can have a really positive effect on people. Where were you born, and how did you end up in Orange County? I was born in New York, moved around a bunch as a kid, and back to New York when I was 10. Moved out to San Diego at 23. Now I call Newport home. Orange County was never a destination of mine, but I’ve had two opportunities to open shops up here, and it’s starting to grow on me. Tell me about your first restaurant in Fullerton. It’s a long story, but an ex-girlfriend and I opened up a true mom-and-pop pizzeria in Fullerton about six years ago. It’s still

ONTHELINE

» ANNE MARIE PANORINGAN there and doing well; some may notice some similar menu items. What is the story behind the name of the restaurant? Sgt. Pepp’s is 40 years old! It was named in the heyday of the cheesy themed restaurant. Honestly, when I first heard the name, I wasn’t very excited to keep it. But when I learned the history of the restaurant and what it meant to the community over the years, we couldn’t change it. We had to to honor it. Strangest customer request—and did you do it? Pizzas with no cheese; I laugh every time. I will make the cheeseless pizzas for customer satisfaction, but one day, I’ll say no. Probably not at Sgt. Pepp’s, but a more “soup Nazi”-like concept. What do you recommend for first-timers? Meatball ricotta. It will change your life. Most undervalued ingredient: Worcestershire. I use it in a few things on our menu, and it usually adds a surprising depth to things it doesn’t belong in. What is your philosophy on pizza and the East Coast attitude? How does it differ from local pizza joints?

» CONTINUED ON PAGE 140

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PIKE RESTAURANT AND BAR

BEST OF 2016

Huntington RAMEN

Grand Opening

HAPPY HOUR

9PM - CLOSE DAILY

OPEN:

Mon-Sat 11:30AM - 3:30PM & 5:00PM - 11:00PM Sun 11:30AM - 3:30PM & 5:00PM - 10:00PM

View our menu at HuntingtonRAMEN.com

7391 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach | 714-715-3631

Available on Amazon.

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www.UntangledAndUnfrozen.com

O CTO BER 2 1 -27, 2 0 16

e Tatk he Heart e Challeng

Pike Restaurant & Bar is a neighborhood meeting place for locals and outof-towners alike, we serve our full menu â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;til midnight, 7 days a week, & feature some of the best microbrews in the us.

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Baker St Fairview Rd

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I grew up in New York, where pizza is a cultural staple. And there is at least one pizza shop in every neighborhood that’s been there for 20 years. These shops are heavily supported by the neighborhood, and a chain restaurant wouldn’t stand a chance if it moved in. Orange County loves its big, corporate restaurants, and you can see that in its restaurant culture. We had to educate our customers a bit, and now we have an amazing customer base that’s super-loyal and reminds me of Back East. That was our goal with Sgt. Pepp’s: bring back the neighborhood spot with a heart and soul. Serve high-quality food with great service, and make sure it doesn’t go anywhere. It’s more than just a restaurant; it’s a community center.

MONDAY

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7777 BEACH BOULEVARD BUENA PARK, CA 90620

714.266.0314

One stereotype about your industry, and whether it’s true: I’ve heard some of us are hot heads and short-tempered, but I’ve never experienced that. Last thing you looked up online: I’ll plead the Fifth on that. My Google app gets a lot of work. Favorite places to eat (besides your own): I like to eat at Mozza or Arc for date night. Black Trumpet in Huntington Beach has become a favorite, and In-N-Out at least

SLOW POUR PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEINZIMER

twice a week to keep up with my figure. You have a whole day to yourself: What would you do? Eat, sleep, clean. Your favorite childhood memory: Sneaking chocolate malts with my mom. Tell us something most people don’t know about you. I won my third-grade spelling bee. You’re making breakfast: What are you having? Still trying to perfect my mother’s pancakes, and I have a long way to go. Looking back on past work experience, is there anything that you do differently now than in your 20s? I’m a lot more patient. I can hear my partners and my employees chuckling while reading this, but seriously, I was a nightmare in my 20s. Hardest life lesson you’ve learned: Not to have expectations. What profession would you like to try if you weren’t in this business? I’d go back into the mental-health field or construction. I still love to build things. Tell us about your guilty-pleasure food. Bread and butter. A little ratchet, but so simple and so satisfying. Carbs and fat, carbs and fat. How do you plan to celebrate the restaurant turning 40? Ohhhhhhh, shit! We’re having an all-day rager on Oct. 22 with live music, a beer garden, bouncey castles, a dunk tank and all sorts of shenanigans. Anything else we can look forward to? We’ll be starting a Pizza of the Month, and I’m super-stoked for you guys to dig in. I’ll be bringing back some old-school stuff from New York and mixing in some more refined recipes as well. Stay tuned! SGT. PEPPERONI’S PIZZA STORE 2300 SE Bristol St., Newport Beach, (949) 852-9500; sgtpepps.com.

| CONTENTS |

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT

BEST OF 2016

34094 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point | 949.481.7734 | www.eatatcrafthouse.com

MON: CLOSED • TUES- THURS: 5PM-10PM • FRI - SAT: 5PM-11PM SUN: 10AM-4PM (BRUNCH SERVICE ONLY)

O CTO BER 2 1 -27, 2 0 16

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CLASSIFIEDS MUSIC CULTURE FILMcalendar FOOD CALENDAR ON TH X X–X X , 2014 classifieds OctOM ber 2 1-27, 2 016 music culture film food

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film»reviews|screenings

A Film Guide for the Fall of 2016

Take a peek at all the films worth waiting for BY MATT COKER

he following list of fall movie releases is based on the latest, ever-changing plans of distributors. Check your weekly cinema listings for confirmation.

HACKSAW RIDGE

OCT. 28 Inferno. After waking up in an Italian

hospital with amnesia, a famous symbologist (Tom Hanks) teams up with a doctor (Felicity Jones) to recover his memories and attempt to foil a plan tied to Dante that would wipe out half the world’s population with a virus. NOV. 4 Doctor Strange. Benedict Cumberbatch

plays Dr. Stephen Strange, the world’s top neurosurgeon, who, after being injured in a career-ending car accident, sets off on a journey of healing. Hacksaw Ridge. Mel Gibson’s film is based on the true story of U.S. Army medic Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), a conscientious objector who refused to bear arms but was awarded the Medal of Honor for single-handedly saving the lives of more than 75 comrades during the World War II Battle of Okinawa. Loving. Ruth Negga plays Mildred Loving, who—along with her husband, Richard (Joel Edgerton)—sued the state of Virginia, which had imprisoned the black woman and white man for marrying. Trolls. This 3D computer-animated musical comedy, which is based on the dolls of the same name, has two of them trying to save their village from destruction by creatures who devour trolls. NOV. 11 Almost Christmas. Writer/director David

E. Talbert’s comedy focuses on a dysfunctional family that gathers together on Christmas for the first time since the matriarch died. Arrival. Expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) leads an elite team investigating mysterious spacecraft touching down across the globe. Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. Ang Lee directs this war drama, based on Ben Fountain’s novel of the same name, about a 19-year-old Army specialist (Joe Alwyn) who, along with his comrades, barely survives a tense battle in Iraq, and then goes on a promotional tour across the country that ends with a spectacular halftime show at a Thanksgiving Day football game, where he recounts the tragedy. Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, Vin Diesel, Steve Martin and Chris Tucker co-star. Shut In. A widowed child psychologist (Noami Watts) lives an isolated existence

LIONSGATE FILMS

in rural New England. Caught in a deadly winter storm, she must find a way to rescue a young boy before he disappears forever. USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage. The World War II epic is about the Portlandclass cruiser that delivered parts for the atomic bomb that would be dropped on Hiroshima, its sinking by a Japanese submarine and the resulting court martial of Captain Charles McVay (Nicolas Cage). NOV. 18 Bleed for This . Miles Teller stars as

Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza, a two-time world-champion boxer left nearly paralyzed after a near-fatal car crash in 1991. The Edge of Seventeen. Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) feels very alone when her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson) and brother (Blake Jenner) hook up. Nadine finds a glimmer of hope through an awkward and thoughtful boy (Hayden Szeto). Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. J.K. Rowling makes her screen-

writing debut, off her own book that was spun off from the Harry Potter series. In 1926, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is in the cross-hairs of American wizarding authorities after dangerous creatures escape from a magical brief-

case, threatening to strain magical and non-magical relations. Manchester By the Sea. Kenneth Lonergan wrote and directed this drama about a man (Casey Affleck) whose brother (Kyle Chandler) dies, leaving the younger sibling to care for the deceased one’s son (Lucas Hedges). Nocturnal Animals. An art-gallery owner (Amy Adams) is haunted by her ex-husband’s (Jake Gyllenhaal) novel, a violent thriller she believes is a veiled threat and symbolic revenge tale. NOV. 23 Allied. In 1942 North Africa, intelligence

officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) meets French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. They reunite in London, only to have their relationship threatened by the pressures of the war. Robert Zemeckis directs. Bad Santa 2. Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton), baddie Marcus (Tony Cox) and even chubby cherub Thurman (Brett Kelly) are back for the sequel to the Christmastime black comedy. Moana. This musical-fantasy/comedyadventure film, the 56th Disney animated feature, introduces Auli’i Cravalho as the

voice of Moana, a young princess and navigator in the South Pacific. She searches for a fabled island of mysterious secrets. Rules Don’t Apply. Warren Beatty writes, directs, co-produces and stars in this romcom about an aspiring actress (Lily Collins) and an ambitious young businessman (Alden Ehrenreich) falling for each other in 1958 while under the employ of Howard Hughes (Beatty), who prohibits any romantic or sexual interaction between his employees. NOV. 25 Lion. Saroo Brierley (Dev Patel), who was

lost at the age of 5 and adopted by an Australian family, searches for his long-lost family using Google Earth.

DEC. 2 The Eyes of My Mother. A young girl (Kika

Magalhaes) in the country suffers a traumatic event that leaves her associating pain and death with love and friendship in increasingly dangerous ways. Jackie. Natalie Portman is already receiving raves for her portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy in this historical drama set when she was First Lady and after the assassination of her husband.

» CONTINUED ON PAGE 143

A Film Guide . . . » FROM PAGE 142

KIM JONG-IL DOING HIS BEST IMPRESSION OF HARRY COHN

Kidnap. Halle Berry stars as a single mom who sees her son get abducted upon entering a park, then sets out on a mission to get people in the city to help rescue the boy. DEC. 9 La La Land. Musical rom-com about a

musician (Ryan Gosling) and aspiring actress (Emma Stone) who meet and fall in love in Los Angeles. Success tests their relationship. Miss Sloane. Jessica Chastain stars as a lobbyist pushing a background-check bill through the U.S. Senate. Office Christmas Party. A hard-partying branch manager (T.J. Miller) and his chief technical officer (Jason Bateman) host an epic company Christmas party to rally co-workers, impress a potential client, and close a sale to stave off the office’s closure. DEC. 16 Collateral Beauty. Will Smith plays a

brilliant New York advertising executive who escapes reality after experiencing a deep personal tragedy. His friends (Edward Norton, Michael Peña and Kate Winslet) encounter three mysterious people (Keira Knightley, Jacob Latimore and Helen Mirren) who encourage the ad man to forget his past and live life again. Fences. Based on August Wilson’s play, this film was directed by and stars Denzel Washington as a former Negro league baseball player in the 1950s working as a waste collector and struggling to provide for his family. The Founder. Michael Keaton plays Ray Kroc, the Illinois businessman who met brothers Mac and Dick McDonald at their hamburger restaurant in the 1950s and bought the chain from them in 1961 for $2.7 million. Wonder whatever happened to that chain? A Kind of Murder. Patrick Wilson plays an architect by day, novelist by night, and contemplator of murdering his wife all the time. Neruda. Chile’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film in the next Oscars stars Luis Gnecco as a poet-turned-politician who went underground with a cop (Gael García Bernal) on his tail for stirring up commies. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The first stand-alone Star Wars anthology film stars Felicity Jones as a Rebel Alliance recruit who works with a team tasked with stealing the Death Star plans. The Space Between Us. It’s the story of the first human born on Mars—to a pregnant astronaut who died in childbirth because of the Red Planet’s gravity—traveling to Earth for the first time.

Kim Jong-il Conceived

MAGNOLIA PICTURES

Documentary The Lovers and the Despot plays like fiction

outh Korean actress Choi Eunhee is lured to Hong Kong to talk about a film role, but while playing with her female greeter’s young daughter on the waterfront, Choi is called over to a dock, where she is pulled onto a speedboat and whisked onto a cargo ship bound for North Korea. Cut to Choi’s ex-husband, “The Prince of Korean Cinema” Shin Sang-ok, soon arriving in North Korea under mysterious circumstances. It reads like the plot to a very thrilling—and very fictional—popcorn movie, but this really happened in the late 1970s, as shown in the compelling new documentary The Lovers and the Despot. Whether the late Shin, as he claimed, was actually abducted or willingly waltzed into North Korea has been in dispute. This has not: Kim Jong-il brought the couple back together because he loved global cinema, hated his country’s own movies and wanted them to help elevate North Korean filmmaking to world-class status. While fulfilling their captor’s dream, Choi and Shin became lovers again. Presented mostly in Korean with English subtitles, British writer/directors Ross Adam and Robert Cannan’s film begins with Choi, who is now pushing 90, recalling her happy days as a glamorous movie star in South Korea. She appeared

BY MATT COKER in her first film in 1947 and went on to star in many of Shin’s productions before they married and adopted two children. However, their reign as South Korea cinema’s “It” couple hit the skids. Shin was a talented filmmaker but a terrible businessman, and Shin Studio collapsed because of mismanagement. Meanwhile, the Choi-Shin marriage crumbled thanks to the director’s affair with a younger actress. The couple eventually divorced. With her time as a leading lady ticking down, Choi went to Hong Kong to hear a proposal to recapture her stardom. She had no idea and could not have imagined what she was walking into. Shin swore he was looking for Choi when Kim’s goons kidnapped him. But doubts about his story, his published comments that North Korea’s dictator gave him the expensive tools and artistic freedom he’d been denied in South Korea, and the couple’s happy demeanor in photographs and on film in the Communist country hung a cloud of suspicion over them. Even their children wondered if their parents had willingly abandoned them. While the kidnapping-for-cinema angle is gripping at its core, the mysteries about how it all really went down add more layers to The Lovers and the Despot. Also helping the documentarians are

the tons and tons of archival footage and movie reels that were available to them. Cameras were always present to capture Choi acting, Shin directing, and the couple appearing on red carpets or at awards ceremonies before and after they wound up in North Korea. Their disappearances from South Korea were covered internationally by news shows, and they would later appear in Kim’s propaganda films. Editor Jim Hession (Kobe Bryant’s Muse) deserves credit for expertly splicing in all that material with newer oncamera talking-head interviews to keep the tension of Adam and Cannan’s story high. Now we call on Bong Joon-ho to use the documentary as a jumping-off point for another of his excellent crime thrillers. Perhaps Bong could arrange to have Kim Jong-un kidnapped and shipped to South Korea to play his dad. MCOKER@OCWEEKLY.COM THE LOVERS AND THE DESPOT was written and directed by Ross Adam and Robert Cannan. Now available on demand via cable and satellite services and streaming on iTunes, Amazon Video and other platforms. No big-screen showings have been booked in Orange County yet, so check and recheck www.magpictures.com to see if a local theater is added.

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film»special screenings

Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart ASIP Films: Horror Special. Associated Students Inc. Pictures promises multiple scary movies through midnight. Better grab a friendly arm for the walk back home, Titans defensive linemen. Cal State Fullerton, Titan Student Union Titan Theatre, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, (657) 278-4219. Thurs., Oct. 20, 4, 7 & 10 p.m. Free. Urbanized. To cap a day celebrating downtown SanTana being named one of America’s Great Neighborhoods by the American Planning Association—events included a walking tour, a reception with food from downtown restaurants and the presentation of the APA award—the city rolls Gary Hustwit’s documentary in which the world’s foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders and thinkers ruminate about urban design. The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 7 p.m. Free. Don Giovanni. The Met: Live In HD series presents Mozart’s opera live and beamed into theaters. Simon Keenlyside makes his Met debut as the unrepentant seducer in Tony Award winner Michael Grandage’s staging of the masterpiece. Met principal conductor Fabio Luisi leads a cast that includes Hibla Gerzmava as Donna Anna, Malin Byström as Donna Elvira, Serena Malfi as Zerlina, Adam Plachetka as Leporello, Matthew Rose as Masetto, Kwangchul Youn as the Commendatore and Paul Appleby in his Live

In HD debut as Don Ottavio. Clocking in at nearly four hours, the opera does include an intermission, when cast, crew and production teams will give a revealing look at what goes into the staging of an opera. AMC Marina Pacifica, 6346 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 430-8790; AMC Orange 30, 20 City Blvd. W., Orange, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at The District, 2457 Park Ave., Tustin, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, 99 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach, (800) 967-1932; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, 1701 W. Katella Ave., Orange, (714) 5329558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, 26701 Aliso Creek Rd., Aliso Viejo, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, 65 Fortune Dr., Irvine, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, 7501 E. Carson, Long Beach, (844) 462-7342; www. FathomEvents.com. Sat., 12:55 p.m.; Wed., 6:30 p.m. (taped encore). $18-$26. The Evil Dead Trilogy. Is there a better place than a cemetery to see Sam Raimi’s trilogy featuring Bruce Campbell as chainsaw-wielding, smoothtalking hero Ashley “Ash” J. Williams in all three? (I still can’t believe how young he looked in the original!) Evil Dead of 1981 has a very familiar plot: young people meeting in a cabin to do what young people do, only to be interrupted by killers. But Raimi tosses

BY MATT COKER SOME SWORD AND SANDAL FLICK

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

out a Necromoniconic twist that has fueled all these movies and the current Starz series with Campbell back in the driver’s seat. Evil Dead II (1987) adds more slapstick comedy to the horror, as Ash battles friends, lovers, furniture and even his own hand. In 1992’s Army of Darkness, Ash is accidentally transported back to 1300 A.D., where his foes include Bad Ash! Lola’s Outdoor Retro Cinema at Sunnyside Cemetery, 1095 E. Willow St., Long Beach; www.facebook.com/lbcinematheque. Sat. DJ set by Thin Man, 6 p.m.; The Evil Dead, 7 p.m.; Evil Dead II, 8:50 p.m.; Army of Darkness, 10:40 p.m. $15 (via www.eventbrite.com/e/theevil-dead-trilogy-sunnyside-cemeterylong-beach-tickets-28129286453); $20 at the gate (cash only—and only if any are left); Frida Cinema members, free. Parking is extremely limited, so you are advised to arrive early and requested to park elsewhere if you plan to leave early. The Royal Opera House: Norma. Bellini’s classic bel canto opera gets a new production directed with a modern edge by Àlex Ollé of theater group La Fura dels Baus. The timeless tale of love, rivalry and betrayal is set against a backdrop of war driven by the extremes of a fanatically religious society. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-0446; Regency South Coast Village, 1561 Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Sun., 12:55 p.m.; Wed., 7 p.m. $14-$17. The Smart Studios Story. See the

documentary on the little indie studio in Madison, Wisconsin, that Butch Vig and Steve Marker established in 1982, then stick around to ask director Wendy Schneider all about it. The dilapidated building on the edge of town was mistaken for a crack house by many, yet it became the hub of the Midwest music scene and a driving force of alternative rock worldwide. The film includes never-before-seen archival footage of the legendary artists who recorded there as well as interviews with Dave Grohl (Nirvana), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Shirley Manson (Garbage), Donita Sparks (L7), Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) and many more. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sun., 7:30 p.m. $8-$10. National Theater Live: Frankenstein. It’s an encore screening of Danny Boyle’s 2011 stage production of Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic horror novel starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, who both won Olivier Awards for alternating the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. AMC Tustin Legacy at The District, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, Orange, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.FathomEvents. com. Tues., 7 p.m. $12.50. Worship Night In America: An Evening of Unity and Prayer for Our Country. Shortly before the presidential election, Grammy-winning Christian

musical artist Chris Tomlin holds a onenight-only event beamed into theaters across the country so the nation can “unite and pray for our country in a time of great division and unrest.” Author Max Lucado, pastor Louie Giglio, and Matt Maher, Phil Wickham, Matt Redman and Tasha Cobbs participate in the event. Calvary Chapel of Fullerton, 2311 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton; christomlin.com. Tues., 7 p.m. $7. RiffTrax Live: Carnival of Souls. Mystery Science Theater 3000 alums Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett, whose new joint is RiffTrax, riff live on a spooky 1962 cult classic about young Mary surviving a horrible car crash, restarting her life in a small Utah town and becoming haunted by a gaunt, pale figure in a nice suit. He may or may not be a Mormon because . . . Okay, I don’t really know the fellow’s religion, but he does lead Mary to an abandoned old pavilion on the shores of the Great Salt Lake, and soon she doesn’t know if she’s awake or dreaming, alive or dead, a single ready to mingle or a sister wife. . . . AMC Orange 30, (714) 769-4288; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, Long Beach, (800) 967-1932; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, Orange, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.FathomEvents. com. Thurs., Oct. 27, 8 p.m. $10.50-$15. MCOKER@OCWEEKLY.COM

| contents |

TRENDZILLA

Broke—But Not Broken

» AIMEE MURILLO

OctO ber 2 1-27, 2 016

| ocweekly.com |

ulling off a play that exists in two time periods simultaneously is rare, but possible. Consider Tom Stoppard’s 1993 masterpiece, Arcadia, which takes place in the same home in the English countryside in the early 1800s and the present day. Aaron Posner’s District Merchants, an often-hilarious piece filled with deep import, takes a similar tact. The play is set in Washington, D.C., in the 1870s, more or less, according to the program. But it’s inspired heavily by Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, uses the same basic plot and characters, and is peppered with Shakespearean flourishes, such as soliloquies and excerpts of his dialogue. We’re not in 16th-century Venice, but it certainly sounds like it. But where Posner’s play truly crosses the space-time continuum is that his work, which premiered this summer at the Folger Theatre in Washington, D.C., is rooted in today. It isn’t just that District Merchants begins and ends with actors speaking directly to the audience; it’s that its themes of economic inequality, racism, sexism and a country’s halting attempts at trying to heal itself after convulsive events can’t help resonating with anyone paying attention. Admittedly, America in 2016 isn’t trying to rebuild after a cataclysmic civil war, but the polarization, rancor and fearmongering among a great swath of the polity sure feels like it. And the feeling elicited from Posner’s play is that, just as in 1870, the country may be broke, but it’s not completely broken. And only by working through it together can anything substantive be accomplished. While that historical connection is unmistakable (such as characters musing about a day when economic inequality is truly addressed, when women lawyers and black men will run the country), you don’t need to be a news junkie to enjoy the play. A fantastic cast and spirited direction from Michael Michetti (who is the co-artistic director of Pasadena’s highly regarded the Theatre @ Boston Court) adds buoyancy and swagger to Posner’s highly articulate, if sometimes long-winded, script. That ensures an always-entertaining ride, even if the play feels a bit heavy-handed toward the ending, with its plea for Americans to come together. It’s a sincere and important point, but it’s also talking instead of showing, and showing is what Posner does solidly up to that point. The play’s counterweights are miserly Jewish merchant Shylock (a brilliant Matthew Boston, who originated the role) and Antoine Dupre (an equally strong Montae Russell), an African-American

PROTO-THE WIRE

BEN HORAK/SCR

merchant. Both have been victims of prejudice their whole lives and harbor no small strain of it themselves, but both are also determined to not settle for their lot. In fact, ambition is what drives most of the characters. Bassanio (Chris Butler) is a half-black man attempting to pass as white in order to woo the very wealthy Portia (Helen Sage Howard Simpson), an aspiring lawyer in a country where women (mostly) can’t practice law. Jessica (Rachel Esther Tate), Shylock’s daughter, yearns to break free from her father’s tyranny and thinks she may have found her escape through Finneus (Matthew Grondin), an Irish hustler who seems to have designs on her dad’s fortune. The only characters who don’t seem determined to break out of their lot are Nessa (Kristy Johnson), Portia’s loyal, if sassy, servant, and Lancelot (Akeem Davis), a recently freed black man who supplies most of the comic relief. Amid the main plotline of Shylock lending Antoine money to help Bassanio’s conquest of Portia, there are three subplots of young lovers attempting to overcome issues of race, income and religion. A half-black man wants to marry a white woman. An Irish con man wants to marry a Jew. Two black servants born as slaves are trying to figure out their place in a

world turned upside-down. Some of the romantic shenanigans seem superfluous, but each pairing allows Posner (who was part of the Teller brain trust that smushed The Tempest into a magical blender a couple of years ago at SCR) to examine today’s complicated world through the lens of the past. And what does that examination yield? Maybe, amid all the rhetoric of making America great again or what makes America great is that we’re good. Whatever narrative whoever is trying to spin, what really makes America exceptional is that we work. We work through our differences, conflicts, pettiness and, most important, our fears. But it is hard and painful work, and who knows if we’ll ever fully accomplish it? As one character muses, perhaps in 1,000 years, we’ll “beautifully merge into one unified, dignified coffee-and-cream-colored race of human beings with one religion, no religions or so many religions that it won’t matter anymore, and . . . we’ll find new reasons to hate each other.” DISTRICT MERCHANTS at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center, Costa Mesa, (714) 708-5555; www.scr.org. Tues.-Fri., 7:45 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2 & 7:45 p.m. Through Oct. 23. $22-$79.

Dapper Day Dames

apper Day—the day of the year when Disnerds dress in their classiest oldschool, pinup-y best—has always brought me the same dilemma: where do these lovely ladies get their amazing dresses and vintage-looking gowns? Even in my late teens, when I went all out for the rockabilly look, I could never find anything beyond my thrift-store pencil skirt and cardigan sweater, and actual vintage clothing never looked flattering on me—not at all. But I have since discovered curated retro clothing website Unique Vintage (www.unique-vintage.com). Here, you’ll find a mother lode of classic garments and accessories from Art Deco flapper to Barbie doll at the beach, all designed by contemporary retailers to fit modern proportions (plus sizes included!). You can shop by any 20th-century decade from the 1920s through the 1980s and find form-fitting, alluring outfits that look authentic to their era. So whether you wanted to resemble Ginger Rogers in Swing Time or a 1940s pachuca, you won’t find a better online marketplace—and it’s pretty damn affordable, too, with dresses priced as low as $40. Beyond its regular inventory, Unique Vintage has released a special Dapper Day collection, with vintage-inspired Disney princess looks and classic Mouseketeer full skirts, mouse ears and saddle shoes. Special-edition, 1950s-style, high-waisted swing skirts include printed designs honoring Disneyland rides such as the Haunted Mansion, the Carousel and the Matterhorn. There’s a pair of clear-vinyl-and-glitter heels resembling Cinderella’s glass slippers, as well as a plush purse shaped like Alice In Wonderland’s White Rabbit. Cocktail, railene and wiggle dresses; formal gowns; buttonup shorts; sailor pants; jumpsuits; and pumps round out this fun and classy set that Dita Von Teese herself would covet. Dapper Day may be two weekends out of the year, but who wouldn’t want to wear one of these killer outfits any day? In any one of these pieces, you’ll look— and feel—fucking fabulous. AMURILLO@OCWEEKLY.COM

UNIQUE VINTAGE

ONLINE » aMORE OCWEEKLY.COM

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BY JOEL BEERS

M ON TH X X–X X , 2014

Best of 2016

Aaron Posner’s District Merchants views 2016 through an 1870s lens

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From home tattooer to shop owner, Rob Galvan keeps things true to his hometown

efore he ever considered tattooing, Rob Galvan made an investment. “I paid one of my buddies for a tattoo on my ribcage, and he used that money to get a tattoo-machine kit from a magazine,” Galvan says. “About a year later, I was still watching him tattoo, so he gave me the kit because I could draw really well. That same day, I started tattooing.” For the next handful of years, Galvan packed his weekends with tattooing friends and family out of his own home. Although he loved the art form and saw a possible future with it, the young artist wasn’t quite ready to make it something more than a part-time gig. “I was working a lot with a full-time job in construction, so I couldn’t tattoo very much,” Galvan says. “I’d be tired when I got home, so I was just tattooing on the weekends. I started making more money on the weekends than I was doing 40 hours at work during the week, so I just said, ‘Fuck that’ and quit.” After two more years of tattooing on his own, Galvan took his skills to a shop. “Working at a shop is better because you get to learn from other artists, too,” Galvan says. “Everybody pushes each other. You can see something that somebody else is doing and take it to put your own spin on it. You see somebody do a badass piece, and then you want to do a badass piece.” Five years later, Galvan opened his own spot, Pharos Ink in SanTana. The nononsense shop—named after Galvan’s late cousin, a fabled graffiti artist—is home to the same team the artist has been traveling with to tattoo conventions around the country. “We’ve been trying for so long to make this happen, and so many people

UNDER THEIR SKIN » JOSH CHESLER

have turned us down,” Galvan says. “Nobody wanted to have a tattoo shop. There was this one guy in Orange who made us [wait] three months to get all of the permits and get approved, and then this guy said the neighbors didn’t want us there. We tried everywhere and finally found this spot.” Now that Galvan has his own place, he can finally run things exactly the way he wants them for the first time since he was inking out of his own kitchen. He wants to keep the crew within his small group of professional friends (at least until they franchise out to other locations), but Galvan knows he won’t be able to go forever without bringing in some fresh meat. As someone who learned the hard way, the experienced artist knows just how valuable learning to tattoo in a friendly environment can be. “It takes you a lot less time to learn with an apprenticeship,” Galvan says. “If I’d started taking an apprenticeship and doing it the right way, then instead of taking me five extra years to work in a tattoo shop, I could’ve done it in two. You don’t have to figure out what the right way to do something is; somebody just tells you what the right way is.” PHAROS INK 13912 Ponderosa St., Santa Ana, (714) 6055903. Follow Rob Galvan on Instagram: @rob_galvan_tattoos.

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Beach Goth Goes Big City

TAYLOR BONIN

The Growlers’ sound and lineup may have changed, but their spirit hasn’t

ust when I think I’m beginning to understand the Growlers a bit, the band find another way to confuse the hell out of me. For the past eight years, the mixture of members, photographers, filmmakers, producers and engineers that has saddled up to the Growler camp has constantly swirled, but the wild stallion forges forward. Lead singer Brooks Nielsen and guitarist Matt Taylor are switching up the group’s sound, image and creative direction yet again. This time, the stakes are a bit higher, since they recently signed with the cult indie label led by the Strokes’ Julian Casablancas, the aptly titled Cult Records. Scott Montoya and Anthony Braun Perry are no longer part of the Growlers, and fans seem to be split about that fact, as well as the overall sound of their new album. Love it or hate it, the band are moving in a somewhat new musical direction with their new full-length, City Club, released Sept. 30. If you stop to judge the album strictly as its own entity separate from anything the Growlers have done and been before, the compositions, lyrics and tones certainly stand strong with a unique personality. Once you shake off that first listen—which usually involves a little confusion, a little judgment, followed by a minor feeling of betrayal—there is something happening that is quite catchy. When listening again, you realize that everything changes in order to survive; but then again, what

BY KIM CONLAN Nielsen is saying in his storytelling hasn’t really changed. Then, you think, maybe they’re actually onto something, and you’re just lucky enough to experience it as it’s happening. “The production really wasn’t that crazy,” Nielsen says. “We made the record first with [producer Kyle] Mullarky, and then pretty much copied and pasted the thing and built off it. It was pretty simple. It was just that beginning with us, and then handing it off to someone else to play the drums on, or play synthesizer, or saxophone, or whatever, and seeing it come to life in a way that I’ve never seen it before, Matt and I finally got to hear songs get close to what we envisioned them as being.” Unlike 2014’s Chinese Fountain, which has traces of their next album’s direction, City Club is rough in texture, but very cleanly produced. The mixing and mastering give the dynamics a depth that resonates deep when listening, with slight hints of the Strokes’ own production efforts. As for the role of Casablancas in the studio, Mullarky explains, “Julian was the producer and a great one at that. He would always push us harder trying to make the songs better, helping with melodic hooks or taking songs into different styles. I think he helped the band expand their writing capabilities.” The results are synth rock made to sound like old rock, stuck in a space that is maybe somewhere out in the far reaches of the future. It leads me to think of whether the

genre of beach goth is changing or being left behind on City Club? “If you’re not growing as a musician, the band can’t grow either,” Mullarky says. “I feel like sometimes people get down on the Growlers for changing, but then, eventually, everybody comes around, and they’re like, ‘Oh, this song’s pretty cool!’ I think that’s going to be a big deal with the new record, too. People might look at it and think, ‘This sounds crazy!’ It’s another one of those things, and it’s another big change for the band, but I feel it’s necessary for all of them, and it’s better, and it sounds great. You’ll see.” Hearing this, Nielsen remarks, “I love that you talked to Kyle because Kyle has always really been a big behind-thescenes figure in the Growlers. From the beginning, we were influenced by his band, and seeing someone leave Dana Point and try something and becoming a musician and an engineer, and through these records, Mullarky’s been writing on the last three.” The Growlers’ famed Beach Goth returns this weekend even bigger and better than any rendition that came before, thanks to talent buyer Jeffrey Schuman of the Observatory. The festival is so much bigger, in fact, that it’s moving from the Observatory’s urban grounds to Oak Canyon Park in Silverado Canyon. The lineup is filled with an eclectic mix that includes King Krule, Patti Smith, Violent Femmes, Future Islands, Grimes, Unknown Mortal

Orchestra and Gucci Mane. “I don’t think I had the vision to see it being where it is now,” Nielsen says. “But like anything in this business, I’ve learned that nothing comes overnight, and still, I know there’s a big amount of luck involved—and, of course, talent—but it’s also just really persevering and doing it until people have faith in you.” The Growlers’ influence on the new generation of Orange County musicians is undeniable, and there are so many upcoming bands trying to follow in their footsteps. “The Growlers weren’t a very energetic band, but the ideas were really exciting, you know?” Mullarky says. “So that was an exciting part of being around them and being at their shows ’cause it was like a whole scene and a whole time to be in.” Trading the beach for the city might not be a permanent change of pace for the band, Nielsen says, but choosing to do what feels good for them in the moment and creating their own path is what made the band special to begin with. “I think going in and bringing some bigger musicians to play on this record kind of pushed us into another chapter,” Nielsen says. “It just feels like I’ve got good new blood going through my body.” BEACH GOTH featuring the Growlers, at Oak Canyon Park, 5305 Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado; www. beachgothfest.com. Sat.-Sun., noon. $99$275; parking, $20.

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GO BEFORE THE JOSHUA TREES ARE EXTINCT

Best of 2016

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MOON BLOCK

152

Far-Out Family Affair

Desert Daze delivers the homemade festival experience

“W

e’re coming from a similar place as a grandma who makes you pasta sauce and wants you to eat it and really enjoy it,” says Phil Pirrone, the founder of Desert Daze music festival, with a laugh. “We’re like the festival equivalent to an Italian or Jewish grandmother. . . . The music festival is the meal, and we just want you be full and to feel good.” Held at the Institute of Mental Physics in Joshua Tree, Desert Daze has been rocking various parts of the high desert for five years. But within that small window of time, the tiny, DIY festival has experienced substantial growth and critical praise for it’s “anti-mega fest” attitude. “It’s the festival for people who really love music,” Pirrone says. “You know, the people who’ve made live music their philosophy— Desert Daze is for those kinds of people.” Although Pirrone and the Desert Daze posse—better known as Moon Block— have always maintained that ethos, their first music event wasn’t exactly polished. Back in 2008, in Pirrone’s hometown of Chino, he noticed a seemingly untouched stage in the middle of a shopping center’s vacant courtyard. He was determined to figure out a way for his band JJUUUJJUUU, as well as his friends’ bands, to take advantage of this open space. So he hunted down the center’s management company and discovered the stage periodically hosted jazz guitarists. On a lark, Pirrone asked if it would allow bands to play an all-day, mini music festival, and, he recalls, the shopping center manager said he thought it’d be great. “That was something that, like, never happens,” Pirrone says. “People don’t just agree to have bands and a bunch of kids around. But that mini festival led us to Desert Daze.” In 2011, Pirrone started his company,

BY MARY CARREON Moon Block, and hosted its flagship event, Moon Block Party, the prototype for what would become his annual desert festival. At first, these events weren’t much more than a bunch of bands playing outside, but the vibe that was created was magical beyond just the effects of Grade A hallucinogens. Everyone involved with the Moon Block events—from Pirrone’s wife, Julie (who drums for rock duo Deap Valley), to the site manager to the head of food and beverage—are family or friends Pirrone has known for most of his life. “It’s like a family restaurant almost,” Pirrone says. “I mean, the dynamic is a little bit different than your normal work zone. . . . It’s go time right now [for Desert Daze], and we’re moving at a very high pace, but we’re excited to make it all happen.” Boasting a lineup with rock & roll heavy hitters Primus and ’70s influential rock outfit Television, the bill also features Orange County bands including the underrated Kiev, based out of Orange. According to Pirrone, it’s only a matter of time before people pick up what Kiev have been throwing down. “They’re a band that’s already the size of the universe,” he says. “They have no boundaries, man. They don’t really make bands like that anymore.” Not much can beat stellar jams against a desert landscape and a night sky encrusted with twinkling stars. “The venue [for Desert Daze] is beautiful, unique and totally otherworldly,” says Pirrone. “We are very lucky to have our event there. I can’t wait to share its beauty with everyone.” DESERT DAZE at the Institute of Mental Physics, 59700 Twentynine Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, (760) 365-3880; www.desertdaze.org. Fri.Sun. Visit website for times. Single-day tickets, $25-$199; three-day tickets, $75$340. All ages.

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T A P I H S R E B M E M P I V ! E C I C S N U E I M R E E V I L EXP R O F E M O H W E N S ’ Y T N U O C E G N ORA

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THAN E

H! T N O M T X E N D E O W S A N N O U N C S .C O M / A N A H E IM

S H W W W .H O U S E O F B L U E

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Cosmic Headbanger LOCALSONLY

TONIGHT!

or those possessing just a passing familiarity with the abrasive genre of black metal, the first images that pop up are likely the antireligious overtones of the early-’90s Norwegian bands featured in the 2009 documentary Until the Light Takes Us. While the genre has seen a broadening of its horizons thanks to genre-bending acts such as Deafheaven, the majority of Southern California musicians plying their trade in that realm stick to the tried-and-true. Since 2011, Lake Forest musician Jacob Buczarski has been a one-man black-metal tour de force, releasing music under the name Mare Cognitum. But instead of searching for inspiration in the hell below or the earth around us, Buczarski looks to the stars above. His newest record, Luminiferous Aether, balances ambient beauty and pummeling brutality in its quest to musically communicate the gaps between darkness and light in outer space. After toiling in various bands that kept getting derailed by momentum breaks, Buczarski decided to pursue his own path, initially attempting a more traditional route. “I was trying to go for the über-kvlt evil black-metal sound,” Buczarski says. “But it felt super-forced. I wanted to focus on something that actually means something to me. I had been into astronomy since I was a kid. Space is a really heavy thing; what’s out there in space is a bit more mysterious than the woods or wastelands of this planet.” Though Buczarski is not the first musician to pursue “cosmic” black metal, the progression of his sound since his 2011 debut, The Sea Which Has Become Known, is awe-inspiring. His vocals are very much in the vein of shrieking black metal, with sweeping riffs and blistering drumming arrangements firmly rooted in the genre’s brutality. But that emotion is tempered by moments of melodic guitar and atmospheric ambiance that shroud the musical chaos in an air of spatial beauty, evoking the calm before the storm in every sci-fi movie when the mission is about to become doomed.

» JASON ROCHE

The ethereal nature of outer space propels Buczarski to compose with that balance in mind. “There’s this random struggle [in outer space] between beauty and complete mayhem,” Buczarski says. “Space can be terrifying. Someday, we are going to get consumed by the sun or get hit by a meteor. But at the same time, there’s a sense of beauty about realizing we’re a speck of dust in a vast universe.” Buczarski is not only the voice behind Mare Cognitum, but he also handled the composing, lyrics, guitars, drum programming, mixing and mastering. Even as his profile grows and his production skills evolve with every album, Buczarski is content to keep Mare Cognitum a one-man bedroom-studio project. “I have the freedom to experiment,” Buczarski says. “I don’t have to round up band members and spend time teaching them parts of songs. I have an interesting idea in my head, and I can just go for it. That’s been a really nice thing, being able to make decisions as soon as possible and move at my pace.” While other one-man black metal projects such as Panopticon have recently taken steps into assembling backing bands and performing live, Buczarski is in no rush to undertake a live presentation. “I enjoyed playing live when I was in bands, but I like making records more,” says Buczarski. “I wouldn’t want to sacrifice writing a record to take the time to perform live. I’m not even that connected with local musicians, really, so even finding people to work with would be a pretty difficult thing.” Hey, Orange County/Long Beach musicians & bands! Mail your music, contact info, high-res photos & impending show dates for possible review to: Locals Only, OC Weekly, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Or email your link to: localsonly@ocweekly.com.

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Born-Again Hardcore

DJ Dan Sena returns to the scene that raised him BY NATE JACKSON

fter his last show with hardcore band Adamantium 15 years ago at the Showcase Theater in Corona, Dan Sena thought his playing days were over. “When we broke up, that was literally the last time I strummed a hardcore riff,” Sena says. “I was burnt out on hardcore. I didn’t know what to write anymore.” Disillusioned with his own sound and the sonic direction in which the scene was headed, Sena decided to expand his musical horizons. Good friend and Dim Mak label founder Steve Aoki advised he start deejaying on the side for some extra cash, and almost two decades later, the Costa Mesa local has become a fixture of OC’s dance-music scene. But the itch to play live compelled him to start an avant-garde, proggy space-rock band called Arrhythmia. When that project stalled, out of frustration, Sena began writing hardcore riffs on guitar again. “I didn’t really have any intention or agenda of having it go anywhere,” he says. “It was just fun. I just wrote these songs as a joke or a goof.” Two EPs later, it’s clear that Precious, the chord-crunching hardcore project he started with vocalist Brian Lovro (formerly of Threadbare), was more than just a way to pass the time. Sena is tapping into hardcore music on his own terms, without the constraints of a designated scene. If anything, he says, the music simply represents the sound he was going for when he left 15 years ago. “I have no idea what’s cool in the punk and hardcore scene today,” he says. “Maybe that was an advantage because I didn’t let any of that influence me.” In its boldest moments, Precious’ new EP,

Unravelings, champions a sound that feels frozen in time. A bedrock component of the sound, aside from the guitar riffs, is Lovro’s voice, which, Sena says, he had in mind while he was writing the songs. Bassist Dustin Perry (of Snapcase) helped Sena and Lovro connect on the project, eventually bringing in Steven Miller (of Unbroken) on guitar and Matt Horwitz on drums to round out the lineup. From the machine-gun kick-drum breakdowns and catchy, melodic guitar lines underneath Lovro’s guttural vocals, Unravelings feels as if 2005 is sucking you in its rip current and smashing your body with the weight of its epic waves. The metalcore-tinged aesthetic of the early aughts comes crashing back with the opening salvo of “Head Down,” and it doesn’t let up until the title track brings the EP to a close. The energy is so palpable between the players that audiences would never suspect the band members all live a plane ride apart. (They collaborate by sending Sena their parts, and he lays them down individually, then he mixes them together in a way that captures the live essence of the band’s sound.) Recently, Precious made their OC debut at Diego’s in downtown Santa Ana. Sena says it’s fulfilling to finally play the songs live and recapture the spirit of the scene that once fed his desire to make music before his days as a DJ. “Coming back to it—not that it’s nostalgic, but it became fun again,” he says. “I had so much fun writing this music that it’s gonna be fun to play it live.” NJACKSON@OCWEEKY.COM

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Anderson Quintero keeps the beat going for PHILM BY GABRIEL SAN ROMÁN

ast month, Venezuelan drummer Anderson Quintero took the stage at Whiskey a Go Go in West Hollywood as the new drummer for PHILM. The day after the gig with the LA/OC-based experimental metal trio (which recently relocated to New York), news arrived that his work on Raul Agraz’s Between Brothers helped net a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz album. It might seem an unlikely choice for PHILM bassist Pancho Tomaselli and singer/guitarist Gerry Nestler to tap Quintero, best known for his salsa and Latin jazz percussion work, for the job of replacing departed drummer Dave Lombardo of Slayer fame. But it’s his combination of talents that makes Quintero an asset to PHILM. Quintero hits hard and masterfully executes timesignature changes central to the band’s ethereal, experimental sound.

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past. Many people may not know that PHILM is not your first rock band. ANDERSON QUINTERO: Exactly! When I was 14 or 15, I had a couple of friends who played in a death-metal band. They asked me to join the band because they knew that I was playing drums and they had no drummer. I joined the band Mantra and played with them for two or three years before moving to New York. When I moved back to Venezuela, my composer friend was doing a prog-rock recording project. He asked me to joined his band Lexestet, and we recorded an album. It was amazing music, like a fusion of WAR and prog rock. Speaking of WAR, their former bassist Pancho Tomaselli approached you to be in PHILM with him and Nestler, correct? I met Pancho two years ago; I played with a Latin jazz band, and he went to the

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concert. We started talking, and he told me stories about his projects. He asked for my phone number, and we kept in touch. A few months ago, I received a call in which he asked me to join the band. I immediately said yes! We had a couple of rehearsals with Gerry to get to know one another. The chemistry was spot-on. They liked what I did and asked me to be a new drummer. How does it feel to return to playing rock music, especially in a band as experimental as PHILM is? I’m always looking for challenges. I’m that kind of a drummer. I don’t want to be tagged as a jazz or salsa drummer; I like playing every kind of music. I love the challenge to do it the right way. It’s very exciting for me because I have to play new styles and be creative, but in keeping with the concept of the band. I experiment with new colors and dynamics. The PHILM show this week was a farewell for the band. What does it mean for the band to relocate from Los Angeles to New York? The guys are moving for personal reasons, but it’s good because they want the band to move forward to another level. I think moving to the East Coast is the best choice. We’re planning to record other songs while we are there. We were already doing another experimental project. What’s going to happen, I think, is that we’re going to put both projects together and release it as a PHILM album. But now, we’re concentrating on getting the record done. As soon as that’s finished, we’re going to start touring and promoting the new record. I can’t wait to be on tour and bring to people the new PHILM sound.

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COCO MONTOYA: 8 p.m., $15. The Coach House,

33157 Camino Capistrano, Ste. C, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 496-8930; thecoachhouse.com. CRSB, BRANDON FOX: 8 p.m., $15. Underground DTSA, 220 E. Third St., Santa Ana, (888) 862-9573; underground-dtsa.com. THE GOOD FOOT!: 9 p.m., $5-$7. Alex’s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, (562) 434-8292; alexsbar.com. KEVIN WOOD: 8 p.m., free. The Library, 3418 E. Broadway, Long Beach, (562) 433-2393; thelibraryacoffeehouse.com. THE MOTH & THE FLAME, YOUNG RISING SONS & 888: 9 p.m., $10. Constellation Room at the

Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 957-0600; constellationroom.com. NICKI I & A.D.D.: 9 p.m., $5. Mozambique, 1740 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 715-7777; mozambiqueoc.com.

OPERA CHAPMAN PRESENTS KURT WEILL AFTER DARK—A CABARET-STYLE REVIEW:

7:30 p.m., $10-$15. Musco Center for the Arts, 1 University Dr., Orange, (844) 626-8726; muscocenter.org. PRETZEL LOGIC: 7:30 p.m., $15-$30. Spaghettini Rotisserie & Grill, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, (562) 596-2199; spaghettini.com. PROOF BAR RESIDENT DJS: 9 p.m., free. Proof Bar, 215 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, (714) 953-2660; proofbar.com. RITUAL (EDM DJS): 9 p.m., free. Kitsch Bar, 891 Baker St., Ste. A10, Costa Mesa, (714) 546-8580; kitschbar.com. ROCKIN’ PIANO NIGHT: 7:30 p.m., free. Ciao Pasta Trattoria, 31661 Camino Capistrano, Ste. 201, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 496-5002; ciaopasta.net. RON KOBAYASHI: 6:30 p.m., free. Bayside Restaurant, 900 Bayside Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 721-1222; baysiderestaurant.com. SEGA GENECIDE: 10 p.m. La Cave, 1695 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa, (949) 646-7944; lacaverestaurant.com. TAKING BACK SUNDAY WITH YOU BLEW IT!:

8 p.m., $35. The Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 957-0600; observatoryoc.com. TROPICAL BROTHEL: 8 p.m. 4th Street Vine, 2142 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 343-5463; 4thstreetvine.com. WAVS WITH TWO FRESH: 9 p.m., $12. The Wayfarer, 843 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, (949) 764-0039; wayfarercm.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 22

ANDREA MILLER: 7 p.m., free. Bayside Restaurant,

900 Bayside Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 721-1222; baysiderestaurant.com.

BEACH GOTH WITH BON IVER, THE GROWLERS, JUSTICE (DJ SET): noon,

$150-$250. Oak Canyon Ranch, 5305 Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, (714) 563-9778; james-events.com/oakcanyon.html. THE BREAKFAST CLUB: 10 p.m., free. La Cave, 1695 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa, (949) 646-7944; lacaverestaurant.com. CHARLES: 8 p.m., free. Casa Costa Mesa, 820 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, (949) 877-4011; casacostamesa.com. EPIC SATURDAYS: 9:30 p.m., free. The Continental Room, 115 W. Santa Fe Ave., Fullerton, (714) 469-1879; facebook.com/ContinentalRoom. HIP-HOP HOORAY: 9 p.m., free. Kitsch Bar, 891 Baker St., Ste. A10, Costa Mesa, (714) 546-8580; kitschbar. com. JIMMY BUFFETT: 8 p.m., $39-$159. Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, 8800 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, (949) 8558095; irvineamp.com. KADIM AL SAHIR: 9 p.m., $43-$179. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, (714) 704-2400; hondacenter.com. THE MAGIC & MUSIC OF “HARRY POTTER”:

10 a.m., $15-$40. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, (714) 556-2787; scfta.org.

MAJID JORDAN: 11:30 p.m. The Observatory,

3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 957-0600; observatoryoc.com.

MONDO GENERATOR, THE SUPERBEES, PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN, SOCAL TENNIS PROS: 9 p.m., $20. The Prospector,

2400 E. Seventh St., Long Beach, (562) 438-3839; prospectorlongbeach.com.

OPERA CHAPMAN PRESENTS KURT WEILL AFTER DARK—A CABARET-STYLE REVIEW:

7:30 p.m., $10-$15. Musco Center for the Arts, 1 University Dr., Orange, (844) 626-8726; muscocenter.org. PINCH ME!: 9 p.m., free. The Rush Bar & Grill, 23532 El Toro Rd., Ste. 24, Lake Forest, (949) 916-0200; rushgrill.com. THE PROCLAIMERS: 8 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, Ste. C, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 496-8930; thecoachhouse.com. PROOF BAR RESIDENT DJS: 9 p.m., free. Proof Bar, 215 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, (714) 953-2660; proofbar.com. RACHAEL YAMAGATA: 9 p.m., $18. Constellation Room at the Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 957-0600; constellationroom.com. ROCKIN’ PIANO NIGHT: 7:30 p.m., free. Ciao Pasta Trattoria, 31661 Camino Capistrano, Ste. 201, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 496-5002; ciaopasta.net. RON KOBAYASHI TRIO: 7 p.m., free. Moulin Bistro, 1000 N. Bristol St., Newport Beach, (844) 376-6243; moulinbistro.com. THE WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE FEATURING MIA KARTER: 8 p.m., $15-$72.50. Gaslamp

Restaurant & Bar, 6251 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 596-4718; thegaslamprestaurant.com.

SUNDAY, OCT. 23

ANDREA MILLER: 6 p.m., free. Bayside Restaurant,

900 Bayside Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 721-1222; baysiderestaurant.com.

BEACH GOTH WITH BON IVER, THE GROWLERS, JUSTICE (DJ SET): noon,

$150-$250. Oak Canyon Ranch, 5305 Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, (714) 563-9778; james-events.com/oakcanyon.html. BOY BAR WITH DJ JOHN JOSEPH: 10 p.m., free with RSVP before 10:30 p.m.; online discount, $5. VLVT Velvet Lounge, 416 W. Fourth St., Santa Ana, (714) 6640663; velvetoc.com. EROTIC CITY—A TRIBUTE TO PRINCE: 7:30 p.m., $10. Gaslamp Restaurant & Bar, 6251 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 596-4718; thegaslamprestaurant.com. FULLY FULLWOOD REGGAE SUNDAYS: 3 p.m., $5. Don the Beachcomber, 16278 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, (562) 592-1321; donthebeachcomber.com. MISSILES OF OCTOBER: 4 p.m., free. The Whitehouse Restaurant & Nightclub, 340 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8088; whitehouserestaurant.com. 94.7 THE WAVE BRUNCH: 11 a.m., $25. Spaghettini Rotisserie & Grill, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, (562) 596-2199; spaghettini.com. OPERA CHAPMAN PRESENTS KURT WEILL AFTER DARK—A CABARET-STYLE REVIEW:

3 p.m., $10-$15. Musco Center for the Arts, 1 University Dr., Orange, (844) 626-8726; muscocenter.org. SUNDAY BLUES: 4 p.m. Malarkey’s Grill & Irish Pub, 168 N. Marina Dr., Long Beach, (562) 598-9431.

MONDAY, OCT. 24

COUNTRY DANCIN’ WITH DJ PATRICK: 6:30 p.m.,

free. The Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 493-3188; swallowsinn.com.

DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979, BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB, DEAP VALLY: 7:30 p.m.,

$30. The Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 957-0600; observatoryoc.com. DJ FLACO: 9 p.m., free. Kitsch Bar, 891 Baker St., Ste. A10, Costa Mesa, (714) 546-8580; kitschbar.com. DOUG LACY: 6 p.m., free. Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, 1590 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, (714) 7765200; rbjazzkitchen.com.

concert guide» LICK: 9 p.m., free. Que Sera, 1923 E. Seventh St., Long

Beach, (562) 599-6170; queseralb.wix.com.

AARON GILLESPIE & ACE ENDERS WITH VINNIE CARUANA: 9 p.m. Constellation Room at

the Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 957-0600; constellationroom.com. JAZZ NIGHTS AT ENVY LOUNGE: 8:30 p.m., free. Envy Lounge, 4647 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, (949) 287-8270; envyloungeoc.com. MIC DANGEROUSLY: 8 p.m., free. Gallagher’s Pub & Grill, 2751 E. Broadway, Long Beach, (562) 856-8000; gallagherslongbeach.com. OLD SCHOOL HIP-HOP/R&B NIGHT: 7 p.m., free. Pie Society, 353 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, (949) 313-6335; piesocietybar.com. THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS WITH BLEEKER: 8 p.m., $35. The Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 957-0600; observatoryoc.com. PUNK N TACOS TUESDAY WITH HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED: 8 p.m., $7. Blacklight District Lounge,

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26

BACK CATALOG: 9 p.m., free. Kitsch Bar, 891 Baker

8:30 p.m., $10. The Federal Bar, 102 Pine Ave., Long Beach, (562) 435-2000; lb.thefederalbar.com.

THURSDAY, OCT. 27

ANDREW BLOOM: 7:30 p.m., $5. Mozambique,

CALIENTE THURSDAY WITH DJ KABOOM AND DJ ERICKSON: 10 p.m., free with RSVP before

10:30 p.m.; online discount, $5. VLVT Velvet Lounge, 416 W. Fourth St., Santa Ana, (714) 664-0663; velvetoc.com.

THE DIRTY KNOBS, MARC FORD & THE NEPTUNE BLUES CLUB: 8 p.m. The Coach

HAVOC THURSDAYS FEATURING MODESTEP, MIDNIGHT TYRANNOSAURUS: 9:30 p.m., $15.

The Yost Theater, 307 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana, (888) 862-9573; yosttheater.com.

M.D.A. PRESENTS NOIR—HIP HOP AND HOUSE: 8 p.m., None. Holiday, 719 W. 19th St.,

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BEETHOVEN’S MISS SOLEMNIS: Sun., Oct. 30,

5:30 p.m., $25-$135. Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. BLACK SABBATH HALLOWEEN TRIBUTE: Sat., Oct. 29, 8 p.m., free. The Republic Fullerton. BOY BAR WITH DJ JOHN JOSEPH: Sun., Oct. 30, 10 p.m., free with RSVP before 10:30 p.m.; online discount, $5. VLVT Velvet Lounge. CUBENSIS: Sat., Oct. 29, 9:30 p.m., $20. Golden Sails Hotel. D.R.I.: Fri., Oct. 28, 8 p.m. The Yost Theater. DEAD MAN’S PARTY: Sat., Oct. 29, 6 p.m., $25. Gaslamp Restaurant & Bar. DIM MAK 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH STEVE AOKI: Fri., Oct. 28, 5 p.m., $20-$50. Newport Dunes. FINISH TICKET: Sat., Oct. 29, 9 p.m. Constellation Room

at the Observatory.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH & SHINEDOWN:

Sat., Oct. 29, 6 p.m., $42-$62. Honda Center.

FLASHBACK HEART ATTACK AND MADONNICA—TRIBUTE TO THE ’80S AND MADONNA: Sat., Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m., $15-$20. The

Strawberry Bowl Amphitheater.

FLEX FRIDAY WITH DJ AMAC: Fri., Oct. 28, 10 p.m.

VLVT Velvet Lounge.

FROM INDIAN LAKES, MADE VIOLENT & WILD WILD HORSES: Fri., Oct. 28, 9 p.m., $12.

Constellation Room at the Observatory.

LORD OF THE STRINGS CONCERT—LEDWARD KAAPANA: Sun., Oct. 30, 3 p.m., $30. LCA Wine. LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC: Sat., Oct. 29,

8 p.m. Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

LUCIFER’S BALL WITH SADISTIC INTENT: Sat.,

Oct. 29, 3 p.m., $20. Malone’s.

MICHALE GRAVES: Sat., Oct. 29, 9 p.m., $10.

Underground DTSA.

OINGO BOINGO DANCE PARTY: Sat., Oct. 29,

8 p.m. The Coach House.

PAPA: Sun., Oct. 30, 9 p.m., $12. Constellation Room at

the Observatory.

RELEASE THE BATS 18TH-ANNIVERSARY PARTY: Fri., Oct. 28, 9 p.m., $5. Que Sera. THE REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND:

Fri., Oct. 28, 9 p.m. Underground DTSA.

SAVOY BROWN: Sun., Oct. 30, 7 p.m. The

Coach House.

STAR BAR WITH DJ ZACH MOOS: Sat., Oct. 29,

10 p.m., free with RSVP before 10:30 p.m.; online discount, $5. VLVT Velvet Lounge. SWEATER BEATS: Sun., Oct. 30, 11 p.m., $15. The Observatory. TIGER ARMY: Fri., Oct. 28, 8 p.m., $30. The Observatory. TIGER ARMY: OCTOBERFLAME VIII: Sat., Oct. 29, 8 p.m. The Observatory. TIGER ARMY: OCTOBERFLAME VIII WITH WANDA JACKSON: Sun., Oct. 30, 8 p.m.

The Observatory.

UNIVERSITY SINGERS IN CONCERT: Sat.,

Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m., $10-$15. Wallace All Faiths Chapel of the Fish Interfaith Center. THE VILLAGE FATE: Sat., Oct. 29, 8 p.m., free. Casa Costa Mesa. YOST HAUNTED MANSION: Sat., Oct. 29, 9:30 p.m., $20. The Yost Theater. ZEPPELIN USA: Fri., Oct. 28, 8 p.m. The Coach House.

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House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, Ste. C, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 496-8930; thecoachhouse.com. DIVE CLUB: 9 p.m., free. Kitsch Bar, 891 Baker St., Ste. A10, Costa Mesa, (714) 546-8580; kitschbar.com. DOUG LACY: 6 p.m., free. Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, 1590 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, (714) 7765200; rbjazzkitchen.com. DW3: 8 p.m., $25. Spaghettini Rotisserie & Grill, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, (562) 596-2199; spaghettini.com.

Weekend Wednesdays

1740 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 715-7777; mozambiqueoc.com. BREWFISH: 8:30 p.m., $10. The Federal Bar, 102 Pine Ave., Long Beach, (562) 435-2000; lb.thefederalbar.com.

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26022 Cape Dr., Laguna Niguel, (949) 582-5909; thekarmanbar.com. MODERN DISCO AMBASSADORS: 10 p.m. La Cave, 1695 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa, (949) 646-7944; lacaverestaurant.com. RICK MARCEL: 7:30 p.m., $10. Spaghettini Rotisserie & Grill, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, (562) 5962199; spaghettini.com.

THE BABYS: Sat., Oct. 29, 7 p.m., $25-$75. Huntington

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ENCORE PRESENTED BY MANIFEST RECORDINGS: 8 p.m. Que Sera, 1923 E. Seventh St.,

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St., Ste. A10, Costa Mesa, (714) 546-8580; kitschbar.com. BLUES WEDNESDAYS: 7:30 p.m., $5. Mozambique, 1740 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 715-7777; mozambiqueoc.com. DEREK BORDEAUX BAND: 7 p.m., free. Original Mike’s, 100 S. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 550-7764; originalmikes.com.

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Waiting to pay for my groceries at the market this evening, this guy, stinking of booze, says to my 9-year-old daughter, “Sweetheart, can you put the divider thing there for me?” First, why is some leering grown man calling my child “sweetheart”? He then thumps two huge bottles of vodka down on the belt. I move closer to my daughter; he then reaches his hand over me and wraps his hand around her arm, saying, “Now, you be nice to your Mommy, sweetie.” I pluck his hand off. “Do not touch my child,” I say. My other hand is pressed against my daughter’s ribs, and I can feel her heart POUNDING. “You have a beautiful daughter,” he says. The cashier, whom we know, a guy, looks at me, eyebrows up. I roll my eyes. So pissed. We leave. “I hated that man,” my daughter says once we get in the car. “He smelled bad. I wanted to hit him. If anyone ever does that to me again, I’m going to scream.” Here we effing go: “Sometimes you have to be hypervigilant,” I tell my daughter, “because some gross men out there feel they are entitled to touch us.” And then I share my story: “When I was a little girl . . .” I don’t even remember the first time it happened to me. I don’t remember the last time some pervert rubbed up against me. But that’s what you have to deal with when you are a girl. We have to learn to brush this shit off, to make sure that this endless assault course of predators doesn’t take one bit of your pride, your confidence, or your sense of peace as you walk through this world. I am so angry. We should call this the “Trump Talk.” The depressing conversation that every parent needs to have with their little girl about revolting, predatory, entitled men. The Trump Talk. Mother And Daughter Discuss Enraging Realities I’m sorry about what happened to your daughter at the grocery store—I’m sorry about what was done to your daughter by that entitled asshole at the grocery store— but I’m glad you were there with her when it happened. The author Kelly Oxford, in response to Donald Trump’s horrific comments about sexually assaulting women, called on women to tweet about their first assaults under the hashtag #notokay. Oxford’s post went viral—more than a million women responded— and reading through the seemingly endless thread, I was struck by how many women were alone the first time they were assaulted. Oxford herself was alone the first time it happened to her: “Old man on a city bus grabs my ‘pussy’ and smiles at me. I’m 12.” A lot of women I know, including some very close friends, were your daughter’s age the first time it happened to them, MADDER, but they were alone. Tragically, many assumed they had done something wrong, that they had invited this on themselves somehow, and most didn’t go to their parents for fear of getting into trouble. And when it inevitably happened again, some became convinced they were indeed to blame, that they were bringing this on themselves somehow, because they thought it wasn’t happening to anyone else, just them. So thank God you were there with your daughter, MADDER, there to pull that asshole’s hand off her, there to protect her from worse, and there to help her process the experience. And in that car ride home, you inoculated your daughter with your message (you are a human being, and you have a right to move through this world unmolested) before gross predators could infect her with theirs (you are only an object, and we have a right to touch you). I want to live in a world where this sort of thing doesn’t happen to anyone’s daughter, MADDER, but until we do: Every little girl should be so lucky as to have a trusted adult standing by ready to intervene when it does happen. I only wish the grocery store clerk had intervened, too. Regarding your suggestion, MADDER, I’ve received roughly 10 million emails begging me to do for Donald

SAVAGELOVE » DAN SAVAGE

Trump what I did for Rick Santorum: My readers and I redefined santorum (“the frothy mixture of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex”), and some wanted us to do the same for Trump. People even sent in suggestions: trump is the streak of shit a large turd sometimes leaves on the bottom of the toilet bowl; trump is the snot that sometimes runs out of your nose when you’re giving a blowjob; a trump is a guy so hopelessly inept in bed that no woman (or man) wants him, no matter how rich he is. The suggested new meanings all struck me as trivial and snarky—and I don’t think there’s anything trivial about the racism, sexism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and violence that Trump has mainstreamed and normalized, and I’m not inclined to snark about it. And, besides, “trump” already has a slang meaning: It means “to fart audibly” in Great Britain—and that definition is already in the Oxford English Dictionary. And it frankly didn’t seem possible to make Donald Trump’s name any more revolting than he already has. If I may paraphrase the amazing letter The New York Times sent to Trump after he demanded they retract a story about the women he’s assaulted: Nothing I could say in my sex column could even slightly elevate the feelings of disgust decent people experience whenever they hear his name. Mr. Trump, through his own words and actions, has already redefined his last name. But then your email arrived, MADDER, and I set aside the column I was already working on to rush your idea into print. Because your suggestion—that parents call the conversation they need to have with their daughters about predatory and entitled men the “Trump Talk”—is just as fitting and apt as the “frothy mixture” definition of santorum. It’s not trivial, and it’s not snarky. It has gravitas, MADDER, and here’s hoping “Trump Talk” isn’t just widely adopted, but universally practiced. Because no little girl who gets groped on a bus or in a grocery store or on a subway or in a classroom should ever have to wonder if she did something wrong. Big fan, longtime reader and listener, and I need your help. How in the hell can a bipartisan relationship survive this election? Things have gotten so heated that my husband and I recently exploded in an ugly argument. I know I’m not fighting fair—calling him stupid and irresponsible for supporting Trump—and I’m being a shitty partner, and he’s being shitty in response by spouting Clinton conspiracy theories. A huge part of it is that he’s someone who lives to disagree—a true contrarian—and our current political environment has been like manna from heaven for his sense of humor. What advice do you have? We’ve been together for ages and have survived other elections and issues. But, as you know, this one’s different. Struggling After Debate Unlike your husband, SAD, I don’t think there’s anything funny about Donald Trump. I’m going to enjoy watching him lose the election, and I’m going to enjoy watching his hotels and golf courses go out of business one by one, but our politics and public life have been sickened by the poison that is Donald Trump. It’s going to take years for us to recover, SAD, and I just don’t see the humor in it. And personally, SAD, I wouldn’t be able to climb into bed with someone who was planning to vote for Donald Trump. I would be out the door. But if you can’t leave because you love him despite his moral and political bankruptcy, or because leaving isn’t an option for you financially, avoid the subject for the next three weeks, don’t take whatever bait your husband throws out and try to not gloat too much when Hillary hands Donald his ass on Nov. 8. On the Lovecast (savagelovecast.com), Dan chats with a law professor about advanced sexual directives. Contact Dan via email at mail@savagelove.net, and follow them on Twitter: @fakedansavage.

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3124 W.Lincoln Ave., Anaheim (Entrance In Rear) 714.385.7814 @topshelfanaheim3124 #TSAnaheim

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Readers’ Choice: SHOWGROW

Best Evaluation Center STEADY CARE MEDICAL Getting a medical-marijuana license can be just as sketchy, if not more so, than buying pot. Luckily, Orange County is blessed with reliable evaluation centers that feel as if you’re going into a medical facility— not a random, rundown office with a sketchy Skype doctor (there are so many of those!). At Steady Care Medical, you can get your cannabis recommendation from a real, in-person doctor who can also give you an overall checkup and give you tips on how to better your health. They take appointments online and over the phone and can often see patients the same day. Prices are $60 for a new patient evaluation and $30 for a renewal. 2001 E. First St., Ste 102, Santa Ana, (657) 900-8611; steadycaremedical.com.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 714.550.5900

It’s hard to find a dispensary with knowledgeable budtenders, labtested products and a professional atmosphere. But OutCo offers all of that, plus a sparkling-white showroom, relaxing spa music playing over the speakers and the best prices in Santa Ana. How can you beat $20 for 2 grams, $30 for almost every eighth, or $60 for a quarter of fluffy, top-shelf nuggetry? You can’t—at least not legally! 2911 Tech Center Dr., Santa Ana, (949) 304-8664; www.outcooc.com.

Readers’ Choice: OC 420 EVALUATIONS

$5 & $6 TOP SHELF GRAM SALE EDIBLE BLOWOUT SALE | 7 g for $100 HOUSE SHATTER Girl Scout Cookie 1/2oz for $120 choose one:

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Best Smoke Shop HICKORY SMOKE SHOP Walking into Hickory Smoke Shop is akin to walking into a glass-blowing/pot smoker’s museum. State-of-the-art and brand-name bongs, glass pipes, bubblers and other colorful and quality smoking devices are placed behind clean, smudge-free glass. It sells an array of rolling papers, including organic unprocessed papers—for the health-conscious smoker, of course—as well as flavored cigar (or blunt) wraps. Hickory sells vaporizers, electronic-cigarette juice, hookahs and every kind of smoking accessory imaginable a mecca of the inhaling experience. 720 E. First St., Santa Ana, (714) 543-3800.

Readers’ Choice: UP IN SMOKE

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TO ADVERTISE CALL 714.550.5900

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TO ADVERTISE CALL 714.550.5900

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| cOntents | best Of 2016

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| ocweekly.com |

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Come try us and you will be back! • 2209 S Main st /Warner Santa Ana 92707 • We open 9AM to VERY LATE 7 days a week. Call 714-549-2825 • We accept VS/MC

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COMPUTERS Business Analysts - SAP in Irvine, CA. Analyze, dsgn, configure, & test SAP SD & LE modules. Research, analyze, & evaluate bus. procedures to identify best SAP systm solutions. Recommend modifications & custom configurations. Reqs: Bachelor’s + 5 yrs exp. Apply: Fox Head, Inc., Attn: Paul Utting, Job ID# BA2, 16752 Armstrong Avenue, Irvine, CA 92606.

421 Used Auto CARS FOR CASH I’LL BUY YOUR CAR, TRUCK, RV OR VAN! Paying Cash $100-$5000 Running or Not 714-514-0886 949-375-5178

Affordable Handyman Same Day/Next Day Service Skilled Tradesman. All types Installation, Repairs & Improvements 25 yrs Serving OC Call Frank: 714-470-6195

Arturo’s Handyman Service Painting, Drywall, Tile, Electrical, Plumbing, Hauling All Home Improvements Free Estimates (949) 422-0043 BK Handyman Service Repair, Replace, Installation, Home Improvement Same Day or Next Day Job Done! Call Emilia (714) 884-5764 30 Years Experience Serving Orange County Skilled Tradesmen Martinez Handyman Indoor & Outdoor Repair Work. One Call does it all! Free Estimates (714) 461-2110 Need a Legal Handyman? We do it all! Call Johnny on the spot!! 949-300-0642 Over 30 yrs of Building & Repairing in OC Free Estimates LIC. #577982

554 Misc. Home Services BC Hauling and Demolition Let us haul away all your clutter! Appliances, Furniture, Trash, E-waste Job Site Debris, House, Yard, & Garage Clean up 949-365-6397 858-4BC-HAUL

544 Carpenters American Development Carpentry WorkDoors, Windows, Trim, Rough Framing, Plumbing Free Estimates Call (714) 296-8431Lic.# 486126

552 Handy People A to Z Home Repairs Electrical, Recessed Lighting, Plumbing Repairs, Painting, Bathrooms. Family Owned. License & Insurance (714) 898-8344

Bug Squad Protect Against Termite Swarming Season $200 off any termite work $50 pest control Orange oil treatment, Fugmigation, Repairs, Ants, Rodents, Bees, Rats, Gophers, Birds www.bugsquad-POW.com lic #PR1255-56 949-430-7203 Maria America No Finders Fee Available Right Now if you need a babysitter, housekeeper, or Elderly care Part or Full Time In or Out 30 yrs Experience Call Maria: 714-564-1747

Low Cost Remodeling Baths, remodel, Additions, Drive ways, New constructions & More Lic#841037 FREE Estimates. Call: 714-224-6221 One Time Yard Clean Up Trimming, Weeding, Planting, Drought Tolerant, Ground Cover, Landscaping, Design, & Hauling. Small/Big Jobs Welcome. Free Friendly Estimates. Visa/MC/DC/AMEX GK: 949-344-4490 Orange county hauling We Haul Away Anything! furniture, Trash, Appliance, Electronics, Construction Debris, Yard, House, & Garage Cleanout. Same Day Service. Free Estimates. Orangecountyhauling.com 949-315-0532 714-328-0720 The Air Man Heating & Air conditioning Lowest prices of the year! Free In-Home Estimates Trusted Since 1984 Call: (714) 630-5001 www.theairman.com

558 Plumbing Pronto Plumbing Carlos The Plumber Drainage Expert, Faucet Repairs, Water Heaters, Garbage Disposals, Slab Leaks Integrity & Excellence (949) 246-3589 CarlosThePlumber.com Lic# 910146 Sweetwater Plumbing Clogged Drains & Plumbing Repairs. Water heaters Free Leak Detection Free Estimates & Low Prices (714) 705-4736 Lic# 889182

Surf City Studios Recording & Rehearsals in Huntington Beach (714) 227-0790 SurfCityStudio.com

525 Legal Services Living Trust $600 Single or $800 Married Complete Estate Planning. If you’ve been to any seminar. Call now for a FREE Office consultation Fred M. Lowary, Attorney of Law 714-778-2384 Robbed by your Employer? Working overtime & called salaried? Told to clock out but continue to work? Called an independent contractor/1099 employee? Speak w/attorney Diane Mancinelli at no cost to you. (714)734-8999

530 Misc. Services Computer & Laptop Repair Installing Software, Printers, Network, Virus removal, Password Recovery, & Wireless Set Ups. 20 years Experience All Services done at Home or Office. Call Nick, 949-294-2222 Need Help Moving? Up to 3 Men and a Truck $69/Hour (2 hour minimum) Homes, Small Office Moves and Storage Units. Need Something Picked Up or Delivered? Appliances, Furniture and Pianos Fast & Reliable, Same-Day Service, 7 Days A Week (714) 858-9411 On Demand Movers

JUNK REMOVAL WE PICK UP: Trash, Furniture, Jacuzzi, Appliances, Metal/ Wood Sheds, yard/storage/garage, vacacies, patio, Construction Debris and Concrete removal/demolition. ALL unwanted items.

FREE ESTIMATES • SAME-DAY SERVICE Small Jobs welcome.• All Estimates incl. labor & Dump fees.

714-296-8281 or 714-987-8495 www.perezhauling1.com | Lic. #BUS2015-01820

Top Shelf Anaheim: $35 CAP | FTP: 4.5 Gram 8th OR $10 OFF Concentrates | Free DABS with Any Donation DOGO Deals & oz Specials 3124 W. Lincoln Ave. Anaheim | 714.385.7814 Ease Canna: FTP- All 8th will be weighed out to 5GRAMS!! | 2435 E. Orangethorpe Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831 | 714-309-7772 RE-UP: FTP Specials Choose one: 3g's Private Reserve For $30 or 7g's Top Shelf for $458851 Garden Grove Blvd ste. 105 Garden Grove 92844 714-586-1565 From The Earth: We are the largest dispensary in Orange County! 3023 South Orange Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92707 Tel (657) 44-GREEN (47336) | www.FTEOC.com OCCC: FREE .5 Gram of Wax (FTP, not valid w/other offers) FREE GRAM (FTP, not valid w/other offers) | 8th's start at $15 | Grams start at $5 | Concentrates .5 G start at $10 | 10am-10pm Daily | 714.236. 5988 | 10361 Magnolia Ave. Ste. B, Anaheim CA Hand n Hand Patient Care: Legally Permitted Collective FREE JOINT with any purchase | 20% OFF ANY EDIBLE limit 1 | 20% OFF WAX PRODUCT limit 1 | 2400 Pullman St., Suite B, Santa Ana, CA | 657.229.4464 SHOWGROW: OC'S ONLY 8 G 8TH FOR FIRST TIME PATIENTS 5 GRAM 8TH'S ON SUNDAYS | VOTE SHOWGROW BEST COLLECTIVE IN OC! 1625 E. ST. GERTRUDE PL. SANTA ANA, CA 92705 | 949.565.4769 LA MIRADA HEALING CENTER: $40 CAP | FREE DAB WITH EVERY DONATION FTP'S: 4.5 G 1/8 | $10 OFF CONCENTRATES | $3 OFF EDIBLES 15902 IMPERIAL HIGHWAY LA MIRADA, CA, 90638 | 562-245-2083 Green Mile Collective: First Time Patients Receive a FREE Private Reserve 1/8th with order. The Only Superstore Delivery Service | Call 1-866-DELIVERY or Order Online at DeliveryGreens.com

DELIVERY Rite Greens Delivery: OC's Most Trusted Cannabis Source 9AM10PM Daily | 714.418.4877 | ritegreensdelivery.com PURE & NATURAL THERAPY: DELIVERING QUALITY PRODUCT TO LB, HB, SEAL BEACH & SURROUNDING CITIES | 7 GRAMS FOR $50 ON SELECT STRAINS | 3 FREE PRE-ROLLS WITH EVERY ORDER* | 714.330.0513

DR. EVALUATIONS OC 420 Evaluations: New Patients - $29 | Renewals - $19 1490 E. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim 92805 - 714.215.0190 1671 W. Katella Ave, Suite #130 Anaheim - 855.665.3825 4th St Medical: Renewals $29 | New Patients $34 with ad. 2112 E. 4th St., #111, Santa Ana | 714-599-7970 | 4thStreetMedical.com Cali 420 Rx: PLEASE CALL FOR LATEST SPECIALS! Sundays Appointment only | 714-723-6769 | 2601 W Ball Road, unit 209, Anaheim CA 92804 | Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

PRODUCTS DANK ROCKS: Indoor OG Bud - Highly Refined Solventless Extract – Ultragold Kief. Want Dank ROCKS featured in your storefront? CALL: 855-GOT-DANK. Check out our Instagram @dankrocks

| ocweekly.com |

Art Director for Automerica, Inc. – Bachelor’s in graphic design/art direction/painting/ advertising, or related. Create visual solutions to meet specific commercial/promotional needs; determine needs of the customers and the message the design should portray; prepare layouts for marketing brochure or other materials; advise the company of cost changes for design changes; develop design patterns and prototypes using the latest computer software; coordinate the work of the professionals providing schedule to their specific roles. If interested, please send resume to Automerica, Inc. at 9872 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove CA 92841, attn.: Sandy Lee.

ENTRY LEVEL - Marketing / Advertising / Public Relations Get your foot-in-thedoor and come and grow with our young expanding firm. No experience is necessary because we are also ready to train. We are looking for Competitive Individuals to fill Entry Level positions in marketing, advertising, and public relations for our expanding firm. The right individual will love the thrill of a challenge and thrive in a high energy, fast-paced environment. We have entry level opening in Advertising, Marketing, Campaign development, Public relations and Management. Send Resumes to nic.thona@yandex.com Best Regards, Nicholas Thona

Harmon Plumbing We send out Plumbers... Not Salesmen. Drains, Water heaters, Leak Detection, Hydro-Jetting, All Plumbing needs 562-943-4399 714-870-9957 www.harmon-plumbing.com

South Coast Safe Access: FTP: Buy an 1/8, Get a FREE 1/8 | 1900 Warner Ave Ste. A, Santa Ana 92705 | 949.474.7272 | MonSat 10am-8pm Sun 11am-7pm

O ctOb er 21 -27, 2 0 16

Digital Account Executive OC Weekly is seeking an energetic and outgoing individual for a new digital sales position. In this role, you will help small, mid-sized and large businesses with an array of digital services and strategies designed to increase web and mobile presence, generate leads to expand their customer base, and deliver significant ROI & increased revenues. We develop customized digital marketing campaigns that achieve our clients’ marketing goals. Our portfolio of innovative advertising solutions are targeted and affordable. We offer a variety of digital products that are designed to get results such as SEO, PPC, Paid Media, Display Advertising, Social Media, Programmatic, Retargeting, IP Targeting, Email, Mobile Advertising, Web Design, Content Production and more. We are looking for a superstar who wants to be part of a dynamic sales team. Applicants should be motivated, smart-on-their-feet, outgoing, personable, competitive, able to thrive in a fastpaced environment and posses a strong work ethic. Candidates must also have a clean driving record and must pass a background check. We provide a portfolio of solutions for every clients needs with precision targeting, a fun and exciting work environment, base salary + commission + bonus, unlimited earning potential, ongoing sales training, a career path in sales and management, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability Insurance and 401(k). Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to smabry@ocweekly.com.

music

services

Gram Kings: DAILY DEALS | Discounts for Military, Veterans, Disabled | 10189 Westminster Ave. Suite #217, Garden Grove 714.209.8187 | Hours: Monday-Sunday 10am-10pm

services

STOREFRONT best Of 2016

CONDITIONS: All advertisements are published upon the representation by the advertiser and/or agency that the agency and advertiser are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof, that the contents are not unlawful, and do not infringe on the rights of any person or entity and that the agency and advertiser have obtained all necessary permission and releases. Upon the OC Weekly’s request, the agent or advertiser will produce all necessary permission and releases. In consideration of the publication of advertisements, the advertiser and agency will indemnify and save the OC Weekly harmless from and against any loss or expenses arising out of publication of such advertisements. The publisher reserves the right to revise, reject or omit without notice any advertisement at any time. The OC Weekly accepts no liability for it’s failure, for any cause, to insert an advertisement. Publication and placement of advertisements are not guaranteed. Liability for any error appearing in an advertisement is limited to the cost of the space actually occupied. No allowance, however, will be granted for an error that does not materially affect the value of an advertisement. To qualify for an adjustment, any error must be reported within 15 days of publication date. Credit for errors is limited to first insertion. Drawings, artwork and articles for reproduction are accepted only at the advertiser’s risk and should be clearly marked to facilitate their return. The OC Weekly reserves the right to revise its advertising rates at any time. Announcements of an increase shall be made four weeks in advance to contract advertisers. No verbal agreement altering the rates and/or the terms of this rate card shall be recognized.

| cOntents |

o classifieds

SAFE ACCESS DIRECTORY

173

1 ST LICENSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY IN ORANGE COUNTY

SCSA

SOUTH COAST SAFE ACCESS

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FTP: Buy an 1/8, Get a FREE 1/8

25% VETERANS DISCOUNT 10% DISABILITY DISCOUNT All Products 10% SENIOR DISCOUNT Lab Tested

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25% Veterans Discount

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EMAIL RESUME:

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10% Senior Discount FTP 7 Gram 1/8th

1900 Warner Ave. Ste. A, Santa Ana 92705 (Conveniently Located Off the 55 Freeway) 949.474.7272 • Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm Sun 11am-7pm

WINE ENTHUSIAST RATINGS SCORE OUT OF 100 POINTS

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