Alzheimer’s OC: The Jewel of OC

OPENS JAN. 28

“NEXT TO NORMAL”

This musical, which won the Pulitzer Prize and three Tony Awards, looks at a suburban American family struggling with mental illness: Though everything appears normal on the outside, Mom has been fi ghting bipolar disorder for 16 years. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 714-777-3033, chancetheater.com

JAN. 30

AN EVENING WITH JOHN LEGUIZAMO

The Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor has appeared in more than 75 fi lms and multiple TV shows. He has also written, produced, and performed several one-man shows on Broadway, including the Tony-winning “Latin History for Morons.” In this show, he talks about his life and the lessons he’s learned. Musco Center for the Arts, One University Drive, Orange, 844-626-8726, muscocenter.org

JAN. 31

FRAN LEBOWITZ

The social commentator has been in the limelight lately because of her Netflix series, “Pretend It’s a City,” directed by Martin Scorsese. She brings acerbic wit, strong opinions, and pointed observations to the stage in this engagement. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org

MORE ONLINE! orangecoast.com/events

PROMOTION

O.C. Scene PEOPLE | PARTIES | EVENTS | OPENINGS

ALZHEIMER’S ORANGE COUNTY: THE JEWEL OF OC

More than 300 guests attended the sold-out Alzheimer’s Orange County: The Jewel of OC fundraising soiree. Guests walked into a virtual jewelry case replete with sapphire, emerald and diamond rooms, leading to a huge vault door that gave them access to the gourmet dining, live auction, and live entertainment space inside The Hanger at the OC Fair & Event Center. The event raised over $1,000,000 to fund critically needed, life-changing programs and services for the 84,000 local Orange County residents affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Photo Credit: John Watkins

STYLE HOME

LET IT SNOW

THE FIND It snows once a day in the snow room at Canada Goose so customers can test products. Reaching minus 10 degrees, the room is unique to the brand’s Orange County location. GOOD TO KNOW The Thermal Experience Index ranks each of Canada Goose’s items on a scale from one to five to indicate the temperature it can withstand. WHERE Canada Goose, South Coast Plaza, 949-503-9022

HOT SHOP

MAXINE

The Newport Beach clothing boutique sells handmade, bespoke hats. by Chelsea Raineri

Bea Birdsong met her husband, Newport Beach native Phillip Birdsong, in 2018 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she owned a hat store. After they started dating, she and Phillip took a millinery course in Mexico City with a family who have been making hats for more than a hundred years. In 2020, the couple came to visit Phillip’s family in Newport Beach, making their stay permanent once the pandemic hit.

After hosting successful custom hat pop-ups with their brand Creatures of Love, Bea and Phillip opened a storefront in Lido Marina Village in November 2020. “The space was much bigger than we originally thought,” Bea says. “We decided to display more brands and products besides the hats.”

The pink interior of Maxine gives a sense of the bright, colorful pieces available. There’s an assortment of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories made by designers from countries including Mexico, Colombia, France, Italy, Greece, and more. You’ll also find Orange County-based artists such as Alrik Yuill, who made the sur oards that stand at the entrance. At the back of the store, customers can design their own felt hats.

Bring in a group of four to 10 guests for a hat party—two hours of hat designing, Prosecco or mezcal, and a 15 percent discount storewide.

SOLE MATE EYES ON THESE CHERRY ON TOP

Maxine 3412 Via Lido Newport Beach 949-220-9352

Local Find!

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FINDS

BACK TO THE OFFICE

Look chic while suiting up. by Chelsea Raineri

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1 Westwood tote, $155, Kestan, Irvine Spectrum Center, 714-694-8181 2 Jacket, $1,865; top, $565; pants, $695, Max Mara, South Coast Plaza, 714-754-7900 3 Mila leather belt, $79, AllSaints, South Coast Plaza, 714-824-4743 4 Gates pant, $698, Lafayette 148, South Coast Plaza, 714-868-3131 5 Wander loafer, $790, Alexander McQueen, South Coast Plaza, 657-205-4477 6 Nanushka Hathi vegan leather tailored blazer, $895, Neiman Marcus, Fashion Island, 949-759-1900

Jacket, $1,865; Mila leather belt, Gates pant, $698, Wander

ON THE MARKET

HOUSE PARTY

$11.9 million Laguna Niguel

13,083 square feet 7 bedrooms  9 bathrooms  The two-tiered pool features a beach entry, waterslide, waterfalls, and more.  Of note: Host a Superbowl or awards show party and watch from the outdoor lounge area, family room, theater, or game room.  5 Upper Vintage Road  Robyn Robinson, 949-295-5676 and Arlen Raubach, 949-945-4855

WISDOM FROM

an event planner Natalie Good, owner of A Good A air Wedding and Event Production in Tustin, shares tips on planning a gathering at home.

WHERE TO START …

First, consider your guest size and then create a menu. For a Superbowl party, is it going to be casual, potluck style? Are you going to cook everything? You want to enjoy the game, so come up with a menu of things you could just set out. I think it’s important as a host to really be with your guests; that’s something I think often people don’t get to enjoy because they’re so busy in the kitchen.

EXTRA ATTENTION …

Think about your guests in the sense of dietary needs. There are so many allergies these days, so think about what your guests can have. You don’t want a guest to show up with a gluten allergy and everything you’re serving has gluten in it.

DO’S AND DON’TS …

Make sure you have plenty of alcohol because you don’t want to have to run out during the event. Don’t create an overly complicated menu. I think sometimes people do so many different types of things, and it can be overkill. Keep it simple and pick something that is good for the group you’re serving, and keep it concise.

AT HOME WITH...

SC FURNITURE AND MATTRESS

The furniture and home decor store marks its 65th anniversary this month. by Chelsea Raineri

In 1957, Eric Ross’ grandfather built a secondhand furniture store in San Clemente. Today, that building stands next to two more that have been added to the storefront over the years. Eric and his wife, Sophia, took over the family business in 2018. Keep an eye on the store’s Instagram for updates on an anniversary event.

How did SC Furniture and Ma ress start?  Eric: My grandfather (Richard Ross Sr.) started out selling salvaged building supplies in the yard area and secondhand furniture items in the store. My dad took over in the mid-’70s, and he ran it for almost 30 years. He acquired the building next door and started selling new furniture. My grandmother had a mattress store in San Clemente. They bought the other building next to (our store) in the early ’80s, which is where we sell mattresses. We’ve been the longest-running mattress store in the area. What do you remember from being at the store when you were a kid?  Eric: I was born in 1978, and I was down here from day one. I ran around here as a kid building stu and cleaning and just learning the business from watching my parents run it. I worked for my dad all through high school; then when he retired, my uncle took over and I continued to learn through him. It just evolved from there. Tell us about the items you carry.  Eric: The main building, which is in the middle, is our new-furniture section that has sofas and furniture for your living room, dining room, and home o ce. The twostory building is all new mattresses and bedroom furniture. We have a whole building full of secondhand items, and we also do a lot of patio furniture. We’re always looking for unique and fun items to put outdoors.

FOR THE FINEST FIT IN BRAS

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WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY 11AM-6PM CALL FOR APPOINTMENT SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY CLOSED

SO CAN YOU.

Living room furniture and decor at SC Furniture and Ma ress

Where do you find your secondhand items? Ú Eric: I’m always scouting for deals at estate sales and auctions. Lately, we’ve been taking pieces in on trade. If a customer comes in and wants to buy a new couch and get rid of their old one, I’ll o er them a discount on the new one if we can take in the old one. We’ll deliver the new item and pick up and resell the old one. Ú Sophia: A lot of times, people who are needing to clean out their home are in a position where they’ll have to pay to have pieces taken away. But if we’re interested, we’ll just take it for free so it’s a win-win. What sets you apart from bigger stores? Ú Eric: We’re mostly all family here—my brother works here, my cousin works here. We’ve grown up with our sales ladies and have known each other for more than 40 years. Ú Sophia: Not only do we deliver, install, and set up, but we’ll help people find products for a space and create a mood board. I think a lot of people resonate with the presence of a third-generation San Clemente (family business).

111 Calle de Los Molinos San Clemente 949-492-5589

NEW SEASON TUESDAYS 8PM

FOOD DRINK

AREPAS DE BIRRIA

THE DISH Two cheese arepas topped with pinto beans, birria, pico de gallo, cilantro, and onions. THE DETAILS Arepas originate from the northern region of South America and are typically served fried and a ened. THE PRICE $18 THE PLACE Sueños in Laguna Beach TURN THE PAGE for our review

MAIN COURSE SUEÑOS

Laguna Beach newbie boasts inventive kitchen. by Gretchen Kurz

Early in our meal, the diplomatic waiter explains the fare at Sueños “is di erent than Mexican food.” Clearly, folks have been asking about chips and salsa. Fair enough. Mexican food is beloved in Orange County, and we’re in Laguna Beach, sitting an easy walk from seven Mexican spots. But here, the fare blends the foodways of Mexico with those of Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Puerto Rico for a contemporary view of Latin cuisine.

Born in Mexico City, executive chef Alan Sanz has a worldly resumé. His early career involved top kitchens from Chile to France to Spain. Most recently and most locally, he saw action at Gracias Madre and Puesto. His kitchen horsepower is further boosted by culinary director Yen Wu, who also oversees the cuisine at Costa in Costa Mesa.

Retooled for Ocean at Main, which closed in 2020, the village venue’s conversion to Sueños is mostly cosmetic. Dreamscape murals by local artist Carlos Roda loom large over the dining room, and two mega flat-screens dominate the bar. Hues of weathered gray and lavender update the lovely patio with its vintage fountain, though it’s engulfed by a tight mass of fourtops. The dining room is quite roomy, rather bright, and nearly empty on my visits when diners clearly opted for the cramped patio. Until Sueños, I have never known a spot where the dining room is busy only when other options are taken.

The menu is succinct and novel—starters and entrees total 14 dishes plus three desserts.

LEFT Black riso o with lamb chops and tallarin verde pasta RIGHT The patio with its vintage fountain There isn’t a dedicated bar menu, but there’s a fine Cuban sandwich stu ed with pork belly, pickles, and black mint aioli that begs for one of several craft beers. It includes yucca fries and seems ideal for a game night dinner.

Starters lean toward bold flavors and layered textures. Take the blue corn masa gorditas filled with black beans, chicharrón, chopped octopus, cashew cream, cotija, and bright-green salsa. They sound overdone but deliver a modern, harmonious take on octopus. Arepas are winners, too—two hefty corn cake pockets oozing cotija and Parmesan cheese under savory, saucy slowcooked birria. Lighter, zippy options include a mango-jicama ceviche with a tame leche de tigre, and an upmarket red and golden beet salad. Crisp fennel, crunchy hazelnuts, and togarashi jazz up the greens mixed with sweet orange and tart grapefruit.

Entrees are amply portioned and often

½

222 Ocean Ave. Laguna Beach 949-715-8155

5 BEST DISHES

’Gordita de pulpo y chicharrón ’Arepas de birria ’Blackberry mole duck ’Tallarin verde ’Coconut passionfruit dessert

PRICE RANGE

Starters, $14 to $18 Entrees, $25 to $39 Desserts, $15 Cocktails, $15 FYI Live music on most nights