900 GAINSBOROUGH DRIVE | NEW LISTING Laguna Beach | $10,995,000
207 MILFORD DRIVE Corona del Mar | $6,495,000
This year, celebrate the season on an award-winning Caribbean or Mexican Riviera vacation, and leave the holiday hassle in your wake. Escape to breathtaking places—like St. Thomas, Tortola, Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, and Grand Cayman—on a ship that’s a destination itself. We’ll take care of every festive detail on board. Savor delicious holiday meals with menus crafted by our Michelin-starred chef. Enjoy stunning decorations and entertainment that will get the whole family in the spirit. Ring in the New Year at a ship-wide champagne gala. And the best part? You don’t have to do a thing but relax.
OUTDOOR LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
46
BLURRED LINES
Local interior designers discuss the ins and outs of creating spaces that seamlessly bring together a home’s indoor and outdoor living areas.
BY ASHLEY PROBST AND NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE STAFF
52
CUSTOM CREATIONS
Bespoke furniture can help enhance a home and make it stand out from the rest.
BY TANYA A. YACINA AND NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE STAFF
FEATURES
38
BUILDING A MASTERPIECE
Orange County Museum of Art prepares to reopen this fall in its brand-new home at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
BY SHARON STELLO
44
SERVING UP SUCCESS
Chau Dang, whose family owns the successful Vietnamese restaurant group, Brodard, in Orange County, attracts Newport Beach diners with creative fusion cuisine at Bamboo Bistro.
BY QUYEN DÔ
58
FIND YOUR ZEN
Enhance relaxation and tranquility in the home by creating healing spaces that elevate overall wellness.
BY ASHLEY RYAN
64
REAL ESTATE SHOWCASE
Tour some of the city’s top homes on the market.
72
BRINGING ALOHA BACK
As the Pride of America sets sail in Hawaii once more, travelers are eager to explore the lush rainforests, breathtaking beaches and towering volcanoes found on the islands.
BY ASHLEY RYAN
The epitome of indoor-outdoor living, with design by Newport Beach-based Brooke Wagner (page 46)
EDITOR’S LETTER
OUT & ABOUT Charity pursuits and coastal happenings
BUZZ
All the latest news and notes from around Newport Beach
From Western-inspired to over-the-knee silhouettes, fashionistas are falling for on-trend footwear. ON THE COVER:
30 GOURMET
From garden to plate, discover local restaurants that work hard to remind us that eating the rainbow is good for us. 32 ACTIVE
Take to the water and let the wind propel you in a hands-on class that covers boating basics. 36 CHARITY
Children and young adults with special needs build bonds with local volunteers as part of the Friendship Circle.
76
TASTE OF THE TOWN
Explore this restaurant resource for dining out in Newport Beach.
82
MY 24 HOURS IN NEWPORT
Brian Dirk, owner of award-winning olive oil company Pasolivo, offers insight about the business of making liquid gold and shares his favorite places in town.
When I asked him to reschedule, he asked how he could help.
I’ve never been the best at remembering dates. My wife jokes that I would forget my own birthday if she didn’t write it down for me. In fact, it wasn’t until I saw her reminder next to my morning co ee that I realized I had forgotten to pay our insurance. After calling our provider, I learned that our coverage had been cancelled and could not be reinstated. When I asked my wealth advisor, Jim, if we could reschedule our meeting given the circumstances, he responded with: “We’ll handle it”. Within a few days he had secured us new policies for our vehicles, home and investment properties. I found out later that he had even put down his company card to expedite the process. Jim isn’t in the insurance business. He just wanted to ensure we had coverage. For us that was monumental, but for Jim, he was just taking care of the little things.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR ADVERTISERS. PLEASE SUPPORT THEIR BUSINESSES WHENEVER POSSIBLE!
A Perfect Fit
Angelus Block Co. Inc.
Arbor Real Estate - Alison McCormick
Canaday Group - RE/MAX Fine Homes
Celebrity Cruises
City of Hope Orange County
Coldwell Banker - Tim Smith Group
Compass - Carter Kaufman
Compass - Danielle Wilson
Corrective Choice Dental Implant Group
Crown Cove Retirement Community
Crown Reconstruction Services Inc.
Dignity Memorial
Gold Coast Aesthetics
J. Kramer Corp
Jerome’s Furniture
Julie Laughton Custom Homes
Keck Medicine of USC
Laguna Playhouse
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Selective Search
Terranea Resort
The Agency - Ann Metzger
Turtle Bay Resort
Villa Real Estate - John Stanaland
Villa Real Estate - Kim Bibb
Villa Real Estate - Steve High / Evan Corkett
Wabby’s Enterprises LLC
Whittier Trust Co.
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino
TO OUR READERS: Newport Beach Magazine invites you to share your reactions to our latest stories. Send your correspondence to Editor, Newport Beach Magazine, 900 Glenneyre St., Ste. B, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, or to edit@newportbeachmagazine.com. The magazine accepts freelanc e contributions; however, unsolicited materials cannot be returned, and Newport Beach Magazine accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited materials. ADVERTISERS: For inquiries, please contact Scott Sanchez at scott@firebrandmediainc.com. Newport Beach Magazine, 900 Glenneyre St., Ste. B, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 | 949-715-4100 | newportbeachmagazine.com
As I prepare to move into a new house, this issue’s Home & Design special section takes on new meaning for me. With more space to decorate, expert tips and tricks for making the most of each room will prove particularly useful.
In “Find Your Zen” (page 58), I learned that my new front door is not facing the optimal direction when it comes to feng shui principles, however the article offers many more ideas for things that I can change. From adding green accents (think potted plants) and ambient lighting (we’re having recessed lights added in a few rooms), there are several ways to bring balance and calm to the space.
When it comes to indoor-outdoor living, I’m lucky to be gaining a large backyard complete with a fire pit for friends and family to gather around, although the grand designs in “Blurred Lines” (page 46) offer much to aspire to. And, while I may not be adding any bespoke furniture immediately, the handcrafted pieces in “Custom Creations” (page 52) offer plenty of options for the future: From live-edge coffee tables to bookcases tailored to fit your space, the only limit is your creativity.
Indeed, this edition of Newport Beach Magazine offers inspiration to truly make any house a home that fits your personality and lifestyle—and that’s just as unique as you are.
Sharon Stello Group Editor sharon@firebrandmediainc.com
Water features are just one way to add a sense of calm to the home, like in this design by Brion Jeannette Architecture.
Story: page 58
Photo by: Eric Figge Photography
CITY OF HOPE OPENS THE MOST ADVANCED COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER IN ORANGE COUNTY
City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, has opened its visionary comprehensive cancer center in Orange County, California, creating a national model for delivering breakthrough research and pioneering treatments. The academic cancer center ushers in a new era of hope for people with cancer.
At City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer, a team of some of the world’s most acclaimed physicianscientists — with expertise in lung, breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, genitourinary, blood cancers and more — leads next-level cancer treatment and research.
DISTINGUISHING CLINICAL SERVICES WILL INCLUDE:
Acclaimed cancer expertise: Access to City of Hope’s 575 physicians and more than
1,000 researchers and scientists who only focus on cancer.
Lifesaving clinical trials: Access to nearly 1,000 innovative Phase 1-3 clinical trials being conducted at City of Hope each year — more cancer-focused clinical trials than anywhere in the area — to provide patients with promising new treatments long before they become the standard of care.
“I’ve been waiting for this day ever since City of Hope announced its plans for an Orange County campus,” says Leslie Bruce Amin, a grateful patient at City of Hope Newport Beach Fashion Island. Now, right here in our community, people with cancer have the highly specialized and compassionate care they need — all in one place.”
The comprehensive cancer center will be seamlessly connected to Orange County’s only specialty cancer hospital exclusively
focused on treating and curing cancer, opening in 2025.
City of Hope’s Orange County cancer care network currently includes four regional clinics — two in Newport Beach, one in Huntington Beach and one in Irvine. The cancer center, the regional clinics and the planned hospital will create Orange County’s largest network dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment and cures.
For more information or to become a volunteer or philanthropic partner of City of Hope Orange County, go to CityofHope.org/OC.
As we open our cancer center’s doors, our highly committed teams join the community in celebrating the delivery of tomorrow’s lifesaving treatments to those who need them today.
Amrita Y. Krishnan, M.D., Director of the Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research; Professor, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
OUT & ABOUT CHARITY PURSUITS AND COASTAL HAPPENINGS
RIVALS CUP
Kure It Cancer Research held its fifth annual Rivals Cup golf tournament June 10 at Pelican Hill Golf Club, raising an estimated $300,000 to fund research at the University of Southern California and University of California, Los Angeles cancer centers. The sold-out event was attended by 149 golfers including a few celebrities: former NFL players Stephen Hauschka, Steve Beuerlein and Evan Moore, who are current sports analysts, as well as retired basketball player and coach Tyus Edney, comedian Joe Torry and actors Dawnn Lewis and Flex Alexander. The event also featured a live auction with packages such as Robb Report’s Car of the Year experience, a Duffy ride, overnight stay at The Resort at Pelican Hill and five-day trip to the Masters Tournament at Augusta with rounds of golf included. (kureit.org) —Catherine Norby
ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE CENTER GALA
Founder Robert House and board member Rick John, who planted some of the original redwood trees at the Environmental Nature Center, were honored at the organization’s gala on July 15 to celebrate 50 years of connecting the community to nature. The 100 attendees started the evening with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music on the ENC patio, then enjoyed Trailside Experiences as they walked across the nature center’s grounds to dine under the stars at the ENC Nature Preschool. There was a live auction and dancing to music performed by the All Star Trio. Executive Director Bo Glover announced during the event that an anonymous donor would be matching all of the money raised through Aug. 30 (up to $100,000). OneRoot Foundation made a second matching pledge, this one in honor of John, also promising up to $100,000—meaning donors saw their contributions tripled. (encenter.org) —C.N.
Wendy Tenebaum, Linda Young
Drew and Jaime Hoeven
Stephen Hauschka, Burton Young
Karen Lamb, Melinda Seely, Susan Seely, Hall Seely
Jennifer Koranda, Kim Grimm, Kate Conard
John Ursini, Paul McDonald, Bill Peters
Jim and Marianne Nahin
Hayley McDonald pictured with Pancake the tortoise
Stephanie and Josh Bachman
OUT & ABOUT CHARITY PURSUITS AND COASTAL HAPPENINGS
RIVALS CUP
Kure It Cancer Research held its fifth annual Rivals Cup golf tournament June 10 at Pelican Hill Golf Club, raising an estimated $300,000 to fund research at the University of Southern California and University of California, Los Angeles cancer centers. The sold-out event was attended by 149 golfers including a few celebrities: former NFL players Stephen Hauschka, Steve Beuerlein and Evan Moore, who are current sports analysts, as well as retired basketball player and coach Tyus Edney, comedian Joe Torry and actors Dawnn Lewis and Flex Alexander. The event also featured a live auction with packages such as Robb Report’s Car of the Year experience, a Duffy ride, overnight stay at The Resort at Pelican Hill and five-day trip to the Masters Tournament at Augusta with rounds of golf included. (kureit.org) —Catherine Norby
ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE CENTER GALA
Founder Robert House and board member Rick John, who planted some of the original redwood trees at the Environmental Nature Center, were honored at the organization’s gala on July 15 to celebrate 50 years of connecting the community to nature. The 100 attendees started the evening with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music on the ENC patio, then enjoyed Trailside Experiences as they walked across the nature center’s grounds to dine under the stars at the ENC Nature Preschool. There was a live auction and dancing to music performed by the All Star Trio. Executive Director Bo Glover announced during the event that an anonymous donor would be matching all of the money raised through Aug. 30 (up to $100,000). OneRoot Foundation made a second matching pledge, this one in honor of John, also promising up to $100,000—meaning donors saw their contributions tripled. (encenter.org) —C.N.
Wendy Tenebaum, Linda Young
Drew and Jaime Hoeven
Stephen Hauschka, Burton Young
Karen Lamb, Melinda Seely, Susan Seely, Hall Seely
Jennifer Koranda, Kim Grimm, Kate Conard
John Ursini, Paul McDonald, Bill Peters
Jim and Marianne Nahin
Hayley McDonald pictured with Pancake the tortoise
Stephanie and Josh Bachman
Our legendary service knows no limits.
Which means that if your final wishes specify that you’d like your dog to attend your service, we’ll see that she does. Preferential treatment is the norm here. It’s a standard we set more than 60 years ago. So if you seek the exceptional, look no further.
EBB & FLOW
KEEPING CURRENT ON THE COAST
WAVES OF GOODNESS
PAMPERED POOCHES
Dogs are often considered not only members of, but the stars of a family. With this in mind, Balboa Bay Resort has launched the Pampered Pooch Package, which more than accommodates guests’ canine companions. The lavish package includes resort-branded items and treats, all bundled in a custom swag bag, a “Paws and Repeat” photo station, a resort logo bandana or bow tie and dog menu options at the A&O Restaurant | Bar. Additionally, guests who post a photo of their pet on social media and tag @balboabayresort will be considered in the Pet of the Month contest on Instagram, with monthly winners entered into a drawing at year’s end to potentially win a twonight stay. All of the amenities in the Pampered Pooch Package start at $150 per pet, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Lovebugs Rescue, a foster-based animal rescue group. Available through December, make sure your pet doesn’t miss out on this incredible luxury package. (949-645-5000; balboabayresort.com) —Diane Geske
In collaboration with Boardriders and Waves of Impact, Miracles for Kids gave critically ill children a chance to surf and try other water sports, but, most importantly, feel like a kid again at the 11th Annual Surf & Paddle Summer Camp in Newport Beach. Irvinebased Miracles for Kids is a nonprofit that provides aid in the form of food, clothing, shelter and more to families caring for a critically ill child. In July, the organization invited Miracles for Kids member families to come have a free day of fun in the sand and surf. The camp consisted of two surfing days at the Newport Pier and a stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking day at the Newport Aquatic Center. Parents had the chance to relax, simply enjoying the beach and watching their children learn. The patients and their siblings were equally engaged in the fun, which included boogie boarding and other water sports, lunch and games, for a day that will surely be remembered long after summer is over. (714-730-3040; miraclesforkids.org) —D.G.
MUSEUMS WITHOUT WALLS
New artwork is now on display at two local outdoor areas. Phase VII of a rotating sculpture exhibition was unveiled in June at Civic Center Park, where the pieces will stay on loan for two years. Meanwhile, over in Corona del Mar, “Inspired by Nature” is the summer art exhibit at Sherman Library & Gardens through Sept. 21, featuring more than 30 original works by internationally renowned mosaicist Irina Charny. The self-taught artist, who grew up in Russia, creates collages from found pieces of glass, shells, rocks, beads, buttons, mirrors and even broken plates. For the Civic Center showcase, the list was narrowed down by the city’s Arts Commission and artists May Sun and Brian Peterson, and then the public voted for the final 10 sculptures to be installed, including Craig Gray’s A Novel Idea, which appears to be a stack of oversized books made of stone; Tim DeShong’s Cross-Section, a stone spiral or wave; and Miggy Buck’s David, which includes two giant cement feet. (City of Newport Beach: 949-717-3802; newportbeachca.gov) (Sherman Library & Gardens: 949-673-2261; thesherman.org) —D.G.
From left: a colorful floral mosaic by Irina Charny at Sherman Library & Gardens; Cross-Section by Tim DeShong, part of Phase VII of the rotating sculpture exhibition at Civic Center Park
Balboa Bay Resort is now offering a Pampered Pooch Package.
Children tried water sports during Miracles for Kids’ 11th Annual Surf & Paddle Summer Camp.
GLORIOUS GONDOLAS
Many dream of an Italian adventure—sipping wine in Tuscany, wandering ancient destinations in Rome and floating down the canals in Venice. But, for Newport Beach-based Gondola Adventures, bringing a little piece of Italy back to California is the real dream come true. At the end of May, the local gondoliers welcomed two new Venetian boats named Luna and Bella. The gondolas were crafted by Roberto dei Rossi, one of only a few builders in Venice, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though makers like dei Rossi usually have a roughly five-year waiting list, the slowing of tourism during the pandemic meant he had extra boats available. Owners Greg and Elisa Mohr of Gondola Adventures heard about the excess gondolas from their Venetian oarmaker and jumped at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, bringing the first brand-new Venetian gondolas to Newport Harbor. (949-646-2067; gondola.com) —A.R.
DIGITAL DREAMS
Montecito-based painter Carin Gerard, who is a resident artist at SCAPE gallery in Corona del Mar, will release a series of NFTs—or nonfungible tokens, which are artificially scarce digital objects that can be collected—this fall. The launch will take place after “Awakening,” an exhibition that Gerard will be part of at SCAPE beginning in October. “I love painting butterflies and my idea is to animate them so they fly in and out of the canvas,” Gerard says. Each NFT will be accompanied by a physical version of the same artwork, minus the animation; because of this, Gerard says she is not creating her NFTs on a computer, but rather painting a canvas then using TIFF files to generate the animation. Her first NFT will be based on a “tondo,” or circular, painting. “The owner of the painting will be part of the blockchain and receive a percentage of royalties on the secondary market when the NFT is sold,” Gerard explains. Keep an eye on her Instagram page with the handle @carin_gerard_ art to see when and where the NFTs will be released. (Carin Gerard: caringerard.com) (SCAPE: 949-723-3406; scapesite.com) —A.R.
LIQUID GOLD
PROTECTING PARENTHOOD
With the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, access to abortion has become limited for many across the country, who are now flocking to California to get the health care they need. A recent event at Sherman Library & Gardens allowed members of the local community to contribute to this crucial cause, with the Community Action Fund of Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties hosting Protect Our Planned Parenthood at the end of July. Guests, who were encouraged to wear white, enjoyed a welcome reception and seated dinner while hearing about struggles that individuals have faced both in the state and nationwide as well as updates on reproductive and family planning services. More than 200 supporters raised $255,000, which will go toward defeating anti-abortion initiatives and electing local officials who support a woman’s right to choose what happens to her body. (714-9224100; plannedparenthood.org) —A.R.
Whether wandering beaches at sunset or perusing jewelry in chic boutiques, it’s not hard to find golden hues in Newport Beach. But few things shine quite as bright as Dani Gold Wines, an eponymous brand recently founded by a local resident. With the tag line “Life is complicated; choosing a wine shouldn’t be,” Gold offers two staples: a bright, inviting cabernet sauvignon and a vibrant, enticing chardonnay. The winemaker, who previously built a winery with her husband along the central California coastline, has been involved in every step of the process, from harvesting, blending and bottling to label design and shipping. In addition to selling wines on her website as well as at Pavilions in Newport Coast and Newport Wine & Spirits in Corona del Mar, Gold runs an Instagram page that offers wine-related tips as well as behind-the-scenes looks at the winemaking process; Dani Gold Wines also donates some of its profits to the Food Recovery Network, and has gifted bottles to fundraising events for organizations such as The Priority Center. (danigoldwines.com) —A.R.
Bottles of vino made by Dani Gold Wines
Gondola Adventures purchased two new Venetian gondolas.
Guests wore white during the Protect Our Planned Parenthood fundraising event.
Artist Carin Gerard’s NFT series will feature butterflies.
1302 SKYLINE DRIVE, LAGUNA BEACH
Nestled on the hillside overlooking forever views of twinkling city lights and the deep blue sea, the beauty of this modern farmhouse is a perfect marriage of Italian style, Spanish flair and present-day finishes. This exceptional residence captures the true essence of the California Riviera lifestyle & perfect for lavish entertaining, a relaxing sanctuary or for cherished family time. Completely redesigned and reinvented by Designer Lisa McDennon. Call for details and a private viewing.
DANIELLE WILSON
REALTOR®
danielle.wilson@compass.com
949.584.6469
DRE 01387233
COLLEEN KELLY
REALTOR®
colleenkelly@compass.com
949.274.2272
DRE 01516298
HAPPENINGS
THE ART OF FLAMENCO ONGOING; CAFE SEVILLA OF COSTA MESA
With locations also in San Diego and Long Beach, Cafe Sevilla is home to the longest-running flamenco dinner show in Southern California. The event on Saturday nights includes a three-course menu with a two-part flamenco dance show. Performers have been formally trained in Spain, bringing a taste of the culture to Costa Mesa. (949-688-1555; cafesevilla.com)
“INSPIRED BY NATURE” THROUGH SEPT. 21; SHERMAN LIBRARY & GARDENS
This exhibit features more than 30 mosaic works created by Irina Charny, an internationally renowned mosaicist from Russia. In addition to traditional mosaic tesserae, Charny also uses mirrors, found objects, beads, pebbles, buttons, handmade ceramic pieces, wire and broken plates in her work to give each piece personal meaning. (949-673-2261; thesherman.org)
“SHANT BEUDJEKIAN: ACRYLICS”
SEPT. 6 - NOV. 4; NEWPORT BEACH
CENTRAL LIBRARY
See the acrylic paintings of Shant Beudjekian, a Lebanese artist who has been practicing his craft since he was 14 years old. His landscape and figurative works—influenced by the styles of impressionism, cubism, fauvism, futurism and more—may be viewed in the library’s gallery. (949-717-3800; newportbeachca.gov)
PACIFIC COAST TRIATHLON
SEPT. 18; CRYSTAL COVE
Athletes of all skill sets are invited to participate in this year’s Pacific Coast Triathlon, where attendees will be challenged to swim half a mile at Crystal Cove State Park, bike 12 miles through a closed-loop course on Pacific Coast Highway and run 3 miles on a Crystal Cove trail. (760-713-3353; octriseries.com)
MAKERS IN THE ZONE
SEPT. 22;
BALBOA FUN ZONE
Back in May, the Balboa Fun Zone began hosting Makers in the Zone on the fourth Thursday of each month. The continuing event highlights local artisans and vendors selling clothing, gifts, drinks and more, while also presenting live music. (949-6620193; balboafunzone.com)
“HAMILTON”
SEPT. 28 - OCT. 16; SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR ARTS, COSTA MESA
“Hamilton,” based on the biography by Ron Chernow and crafted into a highly acclaimed musical by LinManuel Miranda, blends jazz, R&B and hip-hop with a modern telling of historical American events. (714-556-2787; scfta.org)
PACIFIC WINE & FOOD CLASSIC
OCT. 1; NEWPORT DUNES WATERFRONT RESORT & MARINA
The Pacific Wine & Food Classic is a VIP-only experience this year, making it a smaller, more exclusive event with access to food from some of the best local chefs, premium cocktails, wines and live music. Proceeds will benefit the Golden Rule Charity, which gives grants to hospitality industry workers affected by disasters. (949-729-3863; pacificwineandfood.com)
NEWPORT BEACH SANDCASTLE CONTEST
OCT. 2; CORONA DEL MAR STATE BEACH
Grab a pail and shovels to enter the 60th annual contest—the theme this year is California Dreamin’ and prizes will be awarded—or come as a spectator to watch the action. (949-729-4400; newportbeach.com)
NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL
OCT. 13-20; VARIOUS LOCATIONS
This popular festival has been connecting OC to the filmmaking community for more than two decades. The
Part of the “Inspired by Nature” exhibit at Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar
23rd annual event will screen over 100 feature films and 30 short films while also hosting panel discussions and parties over eight days. (newportbeachfilmfest.com)
ART IN THE PARK
OCT. 22; NEWPORT BEACH CIVIC CENTER GREEN
For the first time since 2020, Art in the Park is coming back to Newport. More than 100 artists will be featured with mediums from paintings to photography, textiles,
ceramics, wood, glass, jewelry and more, plus free art activities for kids. (newportbeachartsfoundation.org)
ARTISAN MARKETPLACE
DEC. 4; ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE CENTER
Get holiday shopping done while giving back to the community at the same time. Vendors will be selling handmade, vintage and eco-friendly items. (949-6458489; encenter.org)
NEWPORT BEACH CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE
DEC. 14-18; NEWPORT HARBOR
Mark your calendar for this festive event, which presents yachts and other boats as well as kayaks and canoes that are all decorated for the holidays. (christmasboatparade.com)
Editor’s note: Events may change. Check with organizers for updates.
Shop for special gifts at the Artisan Marketplace at the Environmental Nature Center (left) and Art in the Park on the Newport Beach Civic Center Green (right).
NEW IN TOWN
EXPLORE NEW OPENINGS THROUGHOUT NEWPORT BEACH, FROM A REFRESHED HOTEL AND SMART GYM TO MEDICAL SPAS AND RETAIL SHOPS OFFERING CLOTHING OR JEWELRY.
BY ASHLEY RYAN
FASHION ISLAND/NEWPORT CENTER
VEA NEWPORT BEACH, A MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA, formerly the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, celebrated its grand opening in June with an unveiling of the refreshed property. Luxurious, coastal-inspired guest rooms build on the hotel’s panoramic views while other updates include additional suite categories, three new dining concepts, a reimagined spa/fitness center, sprawling event spaces and more. Dynamic experiences are being offered regularly, from live music to a vibrant pool scene—and Fashion Island is just across the street. (949-640-4000; marriott.com)
Get the most out of your workout at THE EXERCISE COACH, a smart fitness studio that opened its doors in July. High-tech equipment within the gym helps tailor a person’s exercise regimen to their abilities, adjusting in real time to what it determines are your strengths and weaknesses. Owned and operated by local resident Izabela Webber, the gym has personalized programs that feature two 20-minute workouts per week; combined with the brand’s innovative technology, this schedule ensures you get the most out of each session while lowering chances of injury. (949994-9001; exercisecoach.com)
offers elevated essentials in a uniquely designed
LIDO MARINA VILLAGE
Also in late July, GOODLIFE opened its first West Coast location, bringing its elevated essentials for men and women to California for the first time. The full collection is available at the Lido Marina Village storefront, including T-shirts, sweats, jackets, bottoms and accessories. In addition to the standard Goodlife options, the Newport Beach boutique also showcases limited-edition shirts and exclusive collaborations with other brands. (773-694-9187; goodlifeclothing.com)
CORONA DEL MAR
Karina Cornejo launched GOLD COAST AESTHETICS in June, after earning a master’s degree to become a family nurse practitioner earlier this year. Specializing in nonsurgical cosmetic treatments, the boutique-style medical spa offers a number of fillers, collagen stimulators, fat dissolvers, neurotoxins and more in addition to microneedling and peels. Packages are also available to treat dark circles under the eyes, acne scarring, skin laxity and more. (949-998-0399; goldcoastaesthetics.com)
Medical professionals and sexual wellness experts come together at RISE MEDICAL, a new treatment facility handling vitality issues through integrative care. Customized plans allow patients to get just what they need, with the center offering services such as sexual rejuvenation and hormone analysis as well as remedies for chronic pain and hair loss. This is the first Rise Medical location, launched over the summer with a July 29 ribbon cutting ceremony, and the brand has since opened a second office in Tennessee. (949-270-6152; risemedical.com)
COSTA MESA
High-end jewelry atelier MAMA BIJOUX arrived at Plaza Sereno in June. Known for its matching mother-daughter bracelet sets, which feature hearts crafted out of gemstones, the brand also offers earrings, necklaces, rings and custom birthstone pieces. Founder and designer Kathryn Miller, a Newport Beach resident, also plans to highlight jewelry collaborations as well as host special events and piercing parties at the boutique. To visit, book an appointment through the brand’s website. (shopmamabijoux.com)
New to SoCo & The OC Mix is the LAZZONI showroom, which is hosting a grand opening party Sept. 22 and features furniture pieces centered around sustainability and quality craftsmanship. Many of the designs can be tailored specifically to your home, making it easier than ever to develop sofas, chairs and tables and more that not only fit your space but your style as well. (949-594-0330; lazzoni.com) NBM
Lazzoni has opened a new showroom at SoCo.
The ribbon cutting at Rise Medical
From left: an assessment during a workout at The Exercise Coach; the exterior of Vea Newport Beach, which opened after a rebranding with a coastal-inspired design
Goodlife
space.
CUTE TO BOOT
FROM WESTERN-INSPIRED TO OVER-THE-KNEE SILHOUETTES, FASHIONISTAS ARE FALLING FOR ON-TREND FOOTWEAR.
BY ASHLEY PROBST
Boots are a fall fashion staple and this season is filled with structured, flatline silhouettes with a bit of a vintage feel.
“What I’ve been seeing on the runways are very much platforms with a ’90s twist,” says Lacy Nicole, a Newport Beachbased creative director and stylist, who points to Valentino and Versace as the trendsetters for this look.
“I … love any platform boot,” Nicole says. “Versace is doing this in an ankle and an over-the-knee, depending on what type of silhouette you want for your body type.”
A couple other brands that Nicole deems noteworthy are Givenchy, for its signature shark lock ankle boot, as well as Balenciaga. She turns to the latter for more over-the-top looks like bants, a pant/boot fashion hybrid that’s been hyped by the likes of Kim Kardashian.
Another standout style is Western-inspired cowboy boots. And although they’re trending, Nicole believes these pieces will withstand the test of time.
“A well-done … cowboy boot … [is] timeless, because they can be worn so many ways and they always come back in style,” she says. “ … My mom has some Saint Laurent cowboy boots that are literally from the early ’80s and I could still rock them today, if she lets me.”
It certainly pays off to invest in quality pieces and take care of them properly so they last. “Spray those suede boots down with water repellent [and] you can wear them every year,” says Nicole, who’s had her own pair for about a decade.
Nicole says another wardrobe staple is an over-the-knee suede boot, such as those by Stuart Weitzman. She loves these pieces because of how effortlessly they can be styled. “My favorite outfit is jeans with over-the-knee boots and just a simple white T-shirt,” she says.
For those who like the combat boot look, she recommends pairing them with light wash, straight-leg Levi’s and a cute basic tee.
“Also, we’re really lucky that we’re in California and it’s hot year-round, so [you can wear] any type of flowy dress … [and] throw on a high cowboy boot or a brown over-the-knee boot or even the Givenchy [shark] boot,” Nicole says.
For a more elevated look, she suggests boots paired with black leather pants, a bodysuit and a sexy jacket, or black leather boots with a sequin dress. But no matter how you style your favorite fall footwear, there is one must-have element to top off any ensemble: confidence.
“I think if you feel confident, you should rock whatever you feel best in,” Nicole says.
For a versatile look that can translate between work and play, the BARCELONA BOOT is made with black herringbone fabric and accented with a studded sole for a splash of personality, $160, at Charleston Shoe Co. (949-503-0500; charlestonshoeco.com)
FALL FOOTWEAR
EMBRACE THE SEASON WITH THESE FABULOUS STYLES, WHICH OFFER AN AUTUMNAL AESTHETIC FIT FOR THE 2020s
Made in Brazil, the MARY METALLIC STILETTO BOOTS by Schutz make a striking statement and add a bit of shine to any ensemble, $248, at Neiman Marcus, Fashion Island. (949-759-1900; neimanmarcus.com)
For a modern cowgirl look, slip on the metallic Billini DANILO WESTERN BOOT, which is sure to turn heads with its pointed toe and intricate embroidery whether you’re on country roads or city streets, $130, at Love Lola. (949-612-8075; shoplovelola.com)
One of fashion stylist Lacy Nicole’s favorite pieces, the SHARK LOCK PANT BOOT by Givenchy, features an almond toe, covered wedge heels and metallic detailing, $2,395, at Givenchy, South Coast Plaza. (714-545-2185; givenchy.com)
The YURISA BOOT from Bed|Stü features a Western-inspired design with a sleek, structured silhouette and a bit of rustic charm, $235, at Stevie Sister, Fashion Island. (949-640-5477; steviesister.com)
With platform soles, chunky heels and a total ’90s vibe, Dirty Laundry’s GO GIRL SMOOTH BOOT is made for walking, dancing and everything in between, $99.95, with advance order at Nordstrom, Fashion Island. (949-610-0700; nordstrom.com)
These Wal & Pai WEST booties feature a sleek, chic design made out of genuine Brazilian leather in a snakeskin pattern with block heels and square toes, $395, at Covo, Crystal Cove Shopping Center. (949-715-6900; shopcovo.com) NBM
VIBRANT VEGETABLES
FROM GARDEN TO PLATE, DISCOVER LOCAL RESTAURANTS THAT WORK HARD TO REMIND US THAT EATING THE RAINBOW IS GOOD FOR US.
BY DARICE SEBRING
In health-conscious Newport Beach, you’ll find that most local restaurants offer veggie-forward dishes. And now, these innovative plant-based creations are making their way to the center of the plate.
Local chefs are diving into the assortment of seasonal vegetables available by visiting local farms or farmers markets, collaborating and experimenting with their teams to create exciting new dishes while finding innovative ways to layer the flavors. Read on to explore the vibrant world of veggies and remember how good they are for your health.
FARMHOUSE AT ROGER’S GARDENS
The cauliflower steak with chimichurri sauce at Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens has become a fan favorite, as it has a divine flavor. The sweet cauliflower from Tamai Family Farms in Oxnard is thickly sliced, seasoned with salt and pepper, grilled, then roasted in the oven and served with a savory chimichurri sauce and topped with pine nuts. The sauce—made with garlic, shallots, jalapeno, sage, rosemary, thyme, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper—is colorful, fragrant and perfectly complements the vegetable. Adding sliced avocado on top can be a nice touch; salmon, chicken, steak or shrimp can also be added. According to chef-owner Rich Mead, the dish was inspired by the eatery’s atmosphere. “A restaurant is an experience where you create a community,” he says. “You can see how important it is for people to get together, have a meal and a conversation.” The cauliflower then evolved with collective ideas from the staff, as Mead took new ideas from his team into account while experimenting during the creative process. (949-640-1415; rogersgardens.com)
SOL MEXICAN COCINA
Whether it’s Tuesday or any other day of the week, everyone loves tacos—and a certain signature option at Sol Mexican Cocina is perfect for those looking to stick with veggies. The spice-roasted butternut squash taco is a wonderful introduction to fall, with a blend of paprika and cumin used to season the squash. The vegetable is then roasted and nestled into warm corn tortillas before being topped with black beans, avocado, cheese and crispy onions. The finishing touch? A housemade roasted green chile salsa, which adds a smoky flavor to the dish. “It’s a unique taco,” says chef Christian Salazar. The eatery has a number of other vegetable-centric tacos as well, including poblano, mushroom and corn; sweet potato and black bean; and spicy popcorn cauliflower varieties. (949-675-9800; solcocina.com)
The spice-roasted butternut squash taco is one of several vegetable-centric options at Sol Mexican Cocina.
A cauliflower steak topped with chimichurri sauce at Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
LIDO BOTTLE WORKS
The seasonal vegetables at Lido Bottle Works will get you excited about eating healthy. As one of the restaurant’s best-selling dishes, you will find the presentation is a show-stopper—full of color that speaks to the heart of every season. This beautifully displayed, all-vegan dish of marinated, roasted, cooked, grilled and pickled ingredients arrives in a wreath formation atop a wooden board. A decadent, freshly made pistachio butter lies beneath a gorgeous bounty of both red and golden beets, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, purple broccoli, cauliflower and turnips. The final touch is a sprinkling of fennel frond, white pomegranates, almonds and sea salt, which makes it more like a salad than a simple plate of vegetables. While this is a vegan dish, guests can also add protein if they desire. (949-529-2784; lidobottleworks.com)
GRACIAS MADRE
While Justin Haefler, executive chef at Gracias Madre, is not vegan himself, he rekindled his love affair with cooking by exploring new dishes for the plant-based restaurant. Haefler embraced the venture with open arms, bringing a 16-year background in crafting Mexican cuisine to the table, and stepped into the world of vegan cooking; he immediately felt an enormous hug back. One of his favorite menu items on the lunch menu is the mango broccoli taco, which contains a surprising blend of ingredients. The broccoli is either battered in rice flour and fried crispy, or roasted with olive oil, garlic and salt. It’s then layered atop a corn tortilla with cabbage, dressed in mango-habanero sauce and topped with mango salsa, pickled onion and a sprinkling of microcilantro. It’s a bright, vibrant dish that can take you outside your comfort zone and allow you to experience a parade of flavors—plus, it’s just a great taco. (949-386-8100; graciasmadre.co)
TRUE FOOD KITCHEN
Tangy teriyaki and nutty quinoa come together with an array of fresh veggies in a bowl available at Fashion Island’s True Food Kitchen. The restaurant delivers a delicious blend of quinoa, broccoli, rainbow carrots, green beans, bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, snap peas and Asian herbs, all stir-fried in a teriyaki sauce atop brown rice in the teriyaki quinoa bowl. The sauce is an irresistible mixture of sweet and salty, full of flavor from pineapple, Fuji apples, ginger, green onion, orange juice and tamari—the perfect complement to this textured entree. “I love this dish, because it has more vegetables than any of the other entrees or bowls,” says Matthew Padilla, the brand’s culinary innovation chef. “It has a full 7 ounces of fresh vegetables, and the substitution of quinoa in place of the classic rice with teriyaki makes this dish an icon for the food we try to create at True Food Kitchen—wholesome, healthy, nutrient-packed and delicious.” (949-644-2400; truefoodkitchen.com) NBM
Surprising flavors come together in the mango broccoli taco at Gracias Madre.
A rainbow of marinated, roasted, grilled and pickled produce can be found in the seasonal vegetables dish at Lido Bottle Works.
This stir-fry dish is packed full of veggies and flavor at True Food Kitchen.
SET SAIL
TAKE TO THE WATER AND LET THE WIND PROPEL YOU IN A HANDS-ON CLASS THAT COVERS BOATING BASICS.
BY SHARAEL KOLBERG
We’ve all seen sailboats of various sizes with colorful sails gliding across the water in Newport Bay. With the right gust of wind, the sailors tack, gybe and make their way back and forth along the harbor, passing by lively Lido Isle and Balboa Island, and skimming the shores of bustling Balboa Peninsula. If you’ve ever wished you were on board one of those boats, but don’t yet have the skills, you’re in luck.
The School of Sailing & Seamanship, operated by Orange Coast College, offers year-round sailing classes to the public at its Waterfront Campus in Newport Beach. Students learn basic sailing skills through dockside lectures that cover everything from sailing theory and points of sail
to tacking, gybing, knots, docking and safety skills. Hands-on learning takes place on Lido 14 dinghies. We caught up with Waterfront Campus Director Sarah Hirsch, an experienced sailor, to find out more about the program for those who want to learn the ropes.
NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE: WHAT MAKES SAILING SO MUCH FUN?
SARAH HIRSCH: People want to be outside and try something new. The OCC Waterfront Campus provides access to the harbor. It allows people to take that first step onto the water and participate as sailors. We help people learn to sail for the first time.
NBM: WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS NEED IN ORDER TO TAKE CLASSES WITH THE SCHOOL OF SAILING & SEAMANSHIP?
SH: For the Beginning Sailing class, you need to be at least 14 years old. You do need to know how to swim, have physical stamina, good balance and be capable of moving about safely in the boat. Life jackets are required.
NBM: WHAT SHOULD SOMEONE EXPECT IN THE BEGINNER’S CLASS?
SH: Students will work with an instructor who has a lot of experience teaching sailing. Classes are taught outside on the dock. There is an orientation, lecture of sailing theory, safety information [and] instructions about how to get the boat on and off the dock. Life jackets are worn on the dock and boat. Students are … [partnered] with two to three [other] students per boat.
NBM: WHY IS NEWPORT BEACH A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN?
SH: There is a long history of sailing in Newport Beach that brings a pride in seamanship and the sailing legacy here. We want to continue the tradition of having sailboats on the water, compared to other watercraft. It’s interesting to sail around the man-made islands [and] fun to sightsee—[the area has many] other boats and amazing homes. Plus, the wind and weather are fairly predictable. We can sail almost every day and rarely cancel classes due to weather.
NBM: WHAT OTHER RESOURCES ARE OFFERED AT THE OCC WATERFRONT CAMPUS?
SH: In addition to the Sailing Center, we also have a professional maritime program, mariner continuing education and [an] intercollegiate rowing center. We also have a beautiful nautical library with maritime reference books and charts.
Sarah Hirsch, director of Orange Coast College’s Waterfront Campus in Newport Beach
PORTSIDE PRODUCTS
GET READY TO TAKE TO THE WAVES WITH THESE ON-THE-WATER ESSENTIALS.
Prevent your hands from getting rope burn while still keeping a firm grip thanks to Gill’s which offer simple yet effective protection, $25.95, at The School of Sailing & Seamanship. (949-645-9412; occsailing.com)
Closed-toe shoes with a nonmarking sole are a must when out on the boat, so consider the Sperry WOMEN’S 7 SEAS 3-EYE SNEAKER, which is made from hydrophobic materials that resist water and dry quickly—plus it has enhanced traction to prevent slipping on both wet and dry surfaces, $89.99, at West Marine. (949-673-9700; westmarine.com)
Clear vision is essential for sailing, so keep your eyes focused and protected from both the glare and the elements with the Maui Jim WORLD CUP POLARIZED SUNGLASSES, $262, with advance order at Macy’s, Fashion Island. (949-6408333; macys.com)
Avoid sunburn while out on the water in the MEN’S PFG TERMINAL TACKLE LONG SLEEVE SHIRT by Columbia—the apparel provides extra protection with Omni-Shade UPF 50 fabric that also boasts moisture-wicking properties to keep you cool and dry, $40, at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fashion Island. (949-640-1107; dickssportinggoods.com)
The wide brim of the sailing school-branded NO FLY ZONE HAT by Burlington will help keep the sun off your face and neck while its adjustable lanyard ensures that it won’t blow off in the wind, $39.95, at The School of Sailing & Seamanship. (949-645-9412; occsailing.com) NBM
YAAMAVA’ RESORT & CASINO AT SAN MANUEL :
Home to Luxury Experiences and Prizes
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, voted Best Casino multiple years in a row by visitors in Southern California, has expanded and elevated their resort offerings to become the most luxurious casino in the area.
Since the summer of 2021, Yaamava’ has transformed by adding new restaurants and bars, retail boutiques and thousands of new-to-market games to their expansive casino floor. Now with over 150 table games and 7,000 slots, Yaamava’ has the most slots in the Western U.S. In December 2021, Yaamava’ Hotel opened with more than 400 luxury rooms and suites, a full-service Serrano Spa, and indoor and outdoor pools.
The last phase of the expansion was the 2,800-seat Yaamava’ Theater, which opened in the spring. Setting the stage for performances by some of the world’s biggest names in entertainment, Yaamava’ Theater provides an intimate theater experience and connects the fan with top-tier
musicians and comedians. World-renowned L-Acoustics sound system, immersive video technology and in-suite catering provides for the ultimate night out.
In addition to gaming and entertainment, the 15 dining venues at Yaamava’ offer one of the finest food and beverage selections in Southern California. Due to the exquisite wine list at The Pines Modern Steakhouse, ranging from rare Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignons to Château MoutonRothschild 1986, the restaurant has been honored with Wine Spectator’s 2021 and 2022 Award of Excellence.
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel has continuously been recognized as Southern California’s premier gaming and entertainment destination.
Visit yaamava.com to plan your visit today.
LUXURY HAS A NEW NAME
Discover Southern California’s mecca for gaming, dining and entertainment. Discover Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel. Experience delicate cuts of authentic Japanese Kobe beef paired with rare and vintage bottles from the largest collection of 50-plus-year-old scotches, cognacs, international whiskeys and wines from around the globe.
For the discerning player, elevate your limit in any of the five high-limit gaming lounges, the most in the country. Take a $5,000 spin on one of the 6,800 slot machines, or place up to a $25,000 bet on one of the 150 table games. Yaamava’: Southern California’s true definition of world-class gaming.
A LITTLE HELP FROM A FRIEND
CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BUILD BONDS WITH LOCAL VOLUNTEERS AS PART OF THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE.
BY SHARON STELLO
Sometimes, making friends is hard. Luckily, Friendship Circle is ready to lend a helping hand, partnering teens and other volunteers with children and young adults who have autism or other special needs. Through fun activities from sports to cooking, they develop close connections.
Founded in 2006, the Newport Beach group is part of an international organization that started in 1994 in Detroit and now boasts 81 chapters from the U.S. to Canada, the U.K., South Africa, Australia and beyond. The goal is to foster friendship and inclusion for those with special needs through social, recreational and educational programs, and to offer support for their families.
The Newport chapter has more than 325 volunteers and over 500 participants with conditions ranging from autism to cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and social anxiety. A wide range of programs include winter and summer camps, soccer and basketball classes, Birthday Club and Friends at Home, where teen volunteers spend time with a child at their own home—the environment that’s most comfortable for the kids—either playing games, baking cookies, doing art projects, singing or reading stories.
“It’s incredible to see the progress and improvement of the children with special needs as well as the impact it makes on the teen volunteers,” says Chani
Mintz, director of the local Friendship Circle nonprofit, which is funded by donations and a few grants. All of the programs are offered for free, except for the camps, but scholarships are available if needed.
A building for the Friendship Center for Special Needs, located on the edge of the Back Bay, was acquired in 2014 and underwent extensive renovations to create therapy rooms including an art studio, instructional kitchen, teen lounge and multisensory space, which was completed last August.
In the new kitchen, cooking classes are offered. Participants learn to make everything from a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to pizza as well as covering food safety and how to use a knife. After preparing their dishes, the group enjoys eating together. The organization is also preparing to offer a culinary academy to help train the students for restaurant jobs.
The Snoezelen Multisensory Room includes colored bubbles moving inside clear columns, a ball pit, colored light ropes and a bean bag that vibrates to the beat of music. This technology helps children with special needs to achieve a calm state of mind that’s needed to absorb cognitive and other types of therapy. Time spent in this space also has been found to drastically increase their focused attention span. One piece of equipment allows projections to be displayed on the floor where a seated child can interact with the images, activating sounds and
pictures with the slightest gesture, which encourages new movements and boosts muscle strength, especially for kids with cerebral palsy.
“Many of our children have increased their functionality and some higher functioning kids have been mainstreamed into regular schools and other programs as a result of the various Friendship Circle programs,” Mintz says.
During the pandemic shutdown, Friendship Circle quickly moved programs online with Zoom sessions offered all day. Now, with in-person sessions back in full swing, kids may come for a partial or whole day of activities, providing enrichment and social time for them and a break for moms and dads. Support programs help parents connect with each other, too.
Volunteers also find the program worthwhile. Many sign up to satisfy a community service requirement for school, but often make lasting friendships and learn a lot. Mintz says some volunteers choose a local college to stay near their buddy in the program and some even go on to work in special education. “It’s a real connection, and the difference they’ve made is unbelievable,” Mintz says, adding that the teens use what they learn back at their own campuses.
Through Lunch Buddies, the teens invite those who seem lonely to join their table for lunch. “Our goal is to make inclusion a normal thing—not just at Friendship Circle,” Mintz says. NBM
Friendship Circle matches volunteers with children and young adults with special needs for a variety of activities, including outings for higher-functioning participants.
COURTESY OF FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
LASTS A LIFETIME
Students are able to explore, discover and learn so much and are so well supported here because they have a world of interests, natural talents and exciting paths to pursue. Vigorous academics, expert faculty, boundless opportunities and choices, engaging, vibrant learning environments, leading technology and resources. A spirit of excellence and innovation fuels a transformative experience that nurtures our students’ development, well-being and character, and challenges them to their fullest potential.
Imagine the lifelong impact of what our everyday would mean for your child.
2023-2024 ADMISSION APPLICATION OPENS: OCTOBER 1
For Fall Open House dates and registration, please visit: smesopenhouse.org
The Orange County Museum of Art’s new building, which was designed by award-winning architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis, will open in October at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
This rendering of OCMA’s new building shows the terrace and grand stairs plus a 24-foot-wide by 16-foot-tall sculpture, Of many waters…, by Sanford Biggers.
BUILDING A Masterpiece
ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART PREPARES TO REOPEN THIS FALL IN ITS BRAND-NEW HOME AT SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS.
BY SHARON STELLO
After being closed for more than two years, the Orange County Museum of Art is poised to finally reopen this fall in a brand-new building at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. Designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winner Thom Mayne of Morphosis, the structure is considered the final piece in the buildout of this arts campus, which already includes three theaters, a concert hall, ballet school and more.
“I think the proximity of visual and performing arts within steps of each other is unprecedented in the U.S. and almost anywhere in the world,” says OCMA Director and CEO Heidi Zuckerman. Previously the director of Aspen Art Museum, Zuckerman came to lead the Orange County museum during its pandemic-era closure and has been patiently waiting for the new building to open.
“The idea of being able to bring an incredible cultural experience to this community is such a privilege and an honor,” she says.
Admission will be free for the first decade, thanks to a generous donation from Newport Beach-based Lugano Diamonds. And a 24-hour grand opening is set for Oct. 8 starting at 5 p.m. with art workshops, film screenings, performances by the Pacific Chorale and more. In the coming months—with some programs not starting until early next year— the museum will begin to regularly host artist lectures and panel discussions, school tours and camps for kids, art-making sessions for adults and yoga on the roof deck as well as film and music presentations.
The 53,000-square-foot building doubles the size of the museum’s former location in Newport—the city where this institution began 60 years ago, in 1962, first as the Balboa Pavilion Gallery and then the Newport Harbor Art Museum before assuming its
current moniker, OCMA. From fall 2018 until closing due to the pandemic in 2020, the museum was housed in a temporary location at South Coast Plaza Village in Santa Ana.
With more than 4,500 works in its collection—including 80 (surpassing its goal of 60) added in honor of its anniversary this year—OCMA focuses on modern and contemporary pieces mostly by artists living in California. The institution has aimed to present and preserve groundbreaking artwork created in the Golden State with major holdings representing early and mid-century modernism, Bay Area figuration, assemblage, the California light and space movement, pop art, minimalism and installation art.
MODERN MUSEUM
Looking across the front of the museum, its profile undulates in a seemingly continuous— but perhaps more modern—set of curves from the Reneé and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall next door. OCMA’s facade is covered with white terra cotta tiles, each weighing 70 pounds and requiring two people to install in the specific place it was crafted to fit.
“One of the things that’s cool about the terra cotta is that it’s outside, then it’s inside and then it comes back outside again,” Zuckerman says, adding that, on one of the upper levels, “you get up close and personal with the terra cotta—you can touch it.”
Among the building’s iconic elements are these tiles and two cantilevers, including one that houses the educational pavilion and another that serves as a planter on the rooftop terrace and the end of a “window gallery” that juts out from the main structure. A grand staircase that winds through the building is fashioned after the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Those who don’t take the stairs can ride up in an
elevator or choose the translucent walkways. Large windows let in plenty of light. And the landscaping takes an eco-friendly approach: Several living walls feature plants growing on the building’s exterior, and rainwater falling into the cracks between terrace tiles is captured to irrigate the California live oaks and palo verde trees.
“I think that our overall goal is really to build the museum of the 21st century or the museum of the future,” Zuckerman says. “… And a big part of that is to make people feel welcome. We’re doing that not just through the free general admission, but also through the way we’re thinking about programming.”
Zuckerman explains that all of OCMA’s exhibitions fall into at least one of three categories.
“One is this idea of looking back to look forward,” she says. “And so, I think it’s really important to acknowledge where we’ve been as a culture, as an institution, but also as people, and where are we now? And then, where do we hope to go?
“… The second is this notion of space and place and really acknowledging that Orange County is a specific place,” she says. “… It’s about the weather, it’s about the quality of light, it’s about the ease and grace of the people who live here. And I think Orange County is a really innovative place … where people basically built something out of nothing. … So I think it’s really right for contemporary art—the art of our time. Because that’s basically what artists do is create something out of nothing.”
And the third category is the concept of sharing and caring. “Empathy is really important for me and something we started exploring in Aspen, whether we could kind of create this center for empathy at the museum, and using works of art as a way of getting people to think about things
or people that they might not otherwise have any connection to—in a nondidactic way, just creating the possibility for those conversations,” she says.
LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
The museum will open with five exhibits that draw from the past while also examining the influence of these artists, works and ideas on the present day and possibly the future.
The first one, “13 Women,” Zuckerman curated as a nod to the visionary women who founded the museum, then called Balboa Pavilion Gallery. It’s not about those 13 women, but it’s about the idea of the power and influence that women can have when they come together, she explains. The diverse works, ranging from older pieces in the collection to new ones created for this exhibit, will rotate to showcase up to 100 mostly female artists—some living, some deceased—over the course of a year, through Oct. 1, 2023.
Another exhibit, “California Biennial 2022,” is on display through Jan. 2 and highlights emerging and underrepresented California artists who have gone on to shape the region’s artistic landscape. This show revives the museum’s signature exhibition, “California Biennial,” which debuted in 1984 and defined OCMA’s spirit for years. “It’s a really important part of our institutional history, so it was important to me that we look back at that and we update it,” Zuckerman says. She invited back Elizabeth Armstrong, one of OCMA’s former chief curators, to curate the show along with Essence Harden, visual arts curator at the California African American Museum, and Gilbert Vicario, chief curator at the Phoenix Art Museum. New this time around, the biennial also explores the intersection of art, craft, social activism and marginalized histories.
On the museum’s mezzanine, the “Fred Eversley: Reflecting Back (the World)” solo show will examine five decades of the sculptor’s career and his innovations with cast polyester resin, from lenses to reflective forms that encapsulate his study of energy, optics and perception. His background as an aerospace engineer helped pave the way for him to make unique contributions to the light and space art movement in Southern California. In fact, OCMA (then called Newport Harbor Art Museum) presented a groundbreaking exhibition of Eversley’s work in 1978. “The [new] show is based on a work made for that show … and kind of punctuates his career, I would say,” Zuckerman adds.
Meanwhile, the landing gallery will feature an exhibit (through Jan. 15) on landscape architect Peter Walker, who designed the geometric-shaped hedges in front of Segerstrom Center for the Arts. “The bushes over by the theater are like his rookie card,” Zuckerman says. “They’re the first thing he
ever did.” Walker would go on to help design the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site in New York City with architect Michael Arad: Twin waterfall pools are surrounded by bronze walls inscribed with victims’ names, all in a plaza with more than 400 swamp white oak trees. “Some of the works in our collection have influenced his practice, so it feels exciting to open by honoring this notion of place and where we are,” Zuckerman says.
Up on the rooftop terrace, a 24-foot-wide, 16-foot-tall sculpture by Sanford Biggers will command the attention of visitors. “I curated his first one-person museum exhibition 20 years ago and so it’s also about celebrating curatorial history,” Zuckerman says. Commissioned for the space and on view through Feb. 5, the sculpture titled Of many waters … brings together a European-style reclining male figure and a 19thcentury Baule double-face mask, incorporating references to antiquity and non-Western cultures, including the sacred geometry of Buddhism. The piece combines Biggers’ ongoing “Chimera” and “Shimmer” series into a new form that the artist considers “objects for a future ethnography,” encouraging historical objects to be not only studied, but continuously reconsidered.
Zuckerman explains that the front of the sculpture is covered in black-and-silver metal sequins, which will reflect light and make a sound as they move in the wind. The back of the artwork will have a built-in bench, she says, “so you can sit there and listen and look and think.”
This 1976 piece, “Untitled,” by Fred Eversley, is part of OCMA’s exhibit that will highlight five decades of the sculptor’s career and his innovations with cast polyester resin.
Roasted carrots with Thai curry, shimeji mushrooms and coconut, on the menu at OCMA’s cafe, Verdant
CULINARY CREATIONS
OCMA WILL NOT ONLY BE HOME TO PAINTINGS, PHOTOS AND SCULPTURES, BUT CULINARY CREATIVITY, TOO.
On the building’s upper floor, a plant-forward cafe called Verdant will serve a menu of California cuisine filled with organic, locally sourced ingredients for lunch six days a week (the museum will be closed Mondays).
Verdant and a coffee bar on the museum’s first floor are being developed by Executive Chefs Ross Pangilinan and Nicholas Weber, who are behind new Cal-French bistro Populaire at South Coast Plaza. Pangilinan also owns and operates Terrace by Mix Mix at South Coast Plaza; Mix Mix Kitchen Bar in Santa Ana, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation in 2019 and is now only open for special pop-ups; and ReMix Kitchen Bar in Long Beach. Weber most recently served as executive chef of 24 Carrots, a top catering company in OC.
Among the dishes on Verdant’s menu are roasted carrots with Thai curry, shimeji mushrooms and coconut. In addition to food service, the cafe will offer gourmet coffee and tea including ceremonial-grade matcha, as well as craft cocktails and a curated wine list at the expansive bar. Both indoor and outdoor seating will be available as the restaurant opens to the rooftop terrace. The dining room will feature a sleek, minimalist design with long, family-style tables and round tops, plus velvet and macrame textiles and hints of greenery from indoor trees and other plants.
A WELCOMING PLACE
Along the eastern side of the building, where the school buses will pull up for field trips, a “window gallery” provides a glimpse through floor-toceiling glass at the art inside including a vibrant mural. “One of the things I love about the building is its transparency,” Zuckerman says.
From the first moment that visitors arrive, the OCMA team wants everyone to feel welcome above all else. “We want it to feel like a personal invitation to enter into a moment of relaxation. … They can experience art and they can experience people in this really beautiful space that’s like an oasis,” says Meagan Burger, the museum’s director of learning and engagement.
Staff members stationed at the front desk and in the galleries will be able to answer questions or engage in conversations, helping to guide each visitor through their experience and tailor it to
the individual. “So instead of a sign, there will be a person there that you can interact with and … you can start a conversation with,” she says, noting that they can share a story about the artist or some insight about the texture or the fabric in a piece, for example. “Or, if you want to just kind of commune … and connect with the art, that’s also available.”
In addition to strolling through the museum at your leisure, some special programs will be offered, like family art-making events starting in November or December. “Part of our focus will be on connecting families, strengthening this quality time together through art and creation,” Burger says. “And in January, we’ll have programs including a monthly family day, where we really invite families to come together and experience the museum and explore in creative ways.”
In January or sooner, there will also be monthly
late nights for adults to come to the museum to peruse the artwork, listen to music, nosh on food and enjoy immersive experiences as well as some surprises, such as a person writing poems for guests, special cocktails or a dish or flavor inspired by a piece of art or an artist.
Burger says the OCMA team wants to make visitors feel comfortable to experience both the artwork and their response to it.
“Art can be, for some people, very intimidating. So the lesson, if anything, that we hope to share is that your own ideas are … the core of the experience,” she says. … We have no judgment. We really just encourage you to stop and take a moment to look closer because we are saturated today with thousands of images … [on] social media [and] TV. It’s really bombarding and it can be overwhelming.”
And with instant access to information on our smartphones just a Google search away, sometimes there’s “a level of discomfort if people are not immediately able to get what they consider an answer to their question.” And there may be lots of questions, she says, since contemporary art is often more than beautiful pictures: It can be messy or conceptual and take many different forms.
“The museum … is an incredible, rare space where you can take a moment and look [at the art] for yourself and pause and really value your own reaction to it and connect to it in a very personal way. And if you love it, great. If you hate it, fine. We want to make sure that, whatever your reaction is, … you feel comfortable in the space.”
The OCMA team is also reworking its curriculum for student field trips, talking with school principals and district superintendents to understand what will work best for the children as well as better align with education standards and integrate more social and emotional learning opportunities. Notably, OCMA will also offer free lunches to every student who visits on a field trip, to provide a fuller and more inclusive experience.
But, of course, the museum is not only for students; it’s open to all. “We want people to know that you don’t need to do anything to prepare to come into the museum,” Burger says. “You don’t need to know art movements or wear any particular kind of clothing. … All you need to do is bring yourself and a little curiosity if you like.”
Zuckerman reiterates that the staff really just wants everyone to know they’re welcome.
“It’s not just words, it’s deeds,” she says. “With the free admission, with the window gallery, with all the places to sit, with the idea of this progressive menu [at the plant-forward restaurant]. … Our goal is an intergenerational experience so people can come with the people that they love, however they define that.” NBM
This 1989 “Untitled” gelatin silver print by Barbara Kruger is part of the “13 Women” exhibit as a nod to the visionary women who founded OCMA six decades ago. The exhibit will feature mostly works by female artists, but also some pieces by men, with up to 100 different artists to be shown in rotation throughout the year.
Karina Cornejo Founder and Board Certified Nurse Practitioner
SERVING UP SUCCESS
CHAU DANG, WHOSE FAMILY OWNS THE SUCCESSFUL VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT GROUP, BRODARD, IN ORANGE COUNTY, ATTRACTS NEWPORT BEACH DINERS WITH CREATIVE FUSION CUISINE AT BAMBOO BISTRO.
BY QUYEN DÔ
It’s a typical Thursday afternoon at Bamboo Bistro, a charming Vietnamese restaurant nestled on the corner of a residential street in Corona del Mar. A short queue forms as guests wait to be seated in the packed eatery with hanging bamboo lamps, gold Asian-themed art, slate floors and large windows that flood the room with sunlight.
Chau Dang, the chef-owner, has been in the kitchen creating some new dishes for fall and she’s excited about a new seafood rice dish. “Our diners are sophisticated. They want flavor, but healthy dishes to complement their beach lifestyle,” says Dang, a Newport Beach resident since 2010.
As a licensed dietician and mom of two sons, Jack, 13, and Preston, 11, health and nutrition have been the guiding principles of her food. In addition to her own creations, Dang offers some dishes from her family’s two other restaurants: Brodard Chateau, managed by her sister, Lisa, in Garden Grove, and Brodard restaurant and bakery, overseen by her mother, Diane, in Fountain Valley. The result is a menu with more than 100 beguiling items, from Vietnamese and Thai classics to fusion dishes from different Asian cultures, all with a “Newport Beach twist” that sings of healthy cuisine.
The house special chicken noodle soup, or “pho ga,” is the ultimate fall comfort food: steamed chicken breast and rice noodles are added to a base of pure bone broth infused with ginger and onion. Meanwhile, the buttery morsels of Chilean sea bass in spicy red curry sauce with grilled eggplant and mushroom melts in your mouth. The shining star is the eatery’s famous Brodard grilled pork “nem nuong” spring rolls, filled with fresh herbs and wrapped in rice paper with a special house dipping sauce. The Brodard restaurants and Bamboo Bistro together sell more than 10,000 of these wildly popular rolls every day. At Bamboo Bistro, Dang puts a healthy spin on these rolls with fillings such as seared ahi tuna, tender roasted duck, soft shell crab and vegetarian rolls.
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Chau Dang, owner and chef of the popular Bamboo Bistro restaurant in Corona del Mar
FAMILY LEGACY
Dang grew up in an affluent family with her own nanny in the coastal town of Nha Trang, Vietnam. Her mother, Diane, was the heir to her family’s popular boulangeries called Hoa Binh. Their idyllic lives abruptly ended when the communists took control of Vietnam in 1975.
The family immigrated to California in 1989, and her father, Thuong Dang, worked for a small bakery in Westminster’s Little Saigon. By 1992, they saved enough money to open an eatery, but her father suffered a paralyzing stroke in 1996. They nearly went bankrupt until Diane stepped in, used her family’s recipes and transformed the struggling Brodard eatery into one of the most successful family-owned restaurants in OC.
This led to Bamboo Bistro, which Dang opened more than two decades ago. Dang reminisces that when she first saw the 2,000-squarefoot bistro, it was “so adorable” and she bought it with all her savings in 2001. Within six months, the air conditioning broke, the plumbing failed and it became a nightmare. But undaunted and inspired by her mother, Dang forged ahead and turned an unknown eatery into a place buzzing with diners.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, she swiftly pivoted to a fully takeout operation, a system they already had in place from years of phone orders. Once indoor dining rooms were allowed to reopen, it was like a reunion with regular customers.
“I’m just grateful to see everyone again,” she says.
Read on to learn more about Bamboo Bistro, Dang’s family and some of their favorite places in Newport Beach.
NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE: WHEN YOU FIRST OPENED BAMBOO BISTRO, WERE THERE MANY VIETNAMESE OR ASIAN RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY? HOW DID YOU ATTRACT DINERS?
CHAU DANG: There was only one Thai restaurant a few blocks south from us. I was so excited to have the opportunity to introduce our Vietnamese cooking, which is quite healthy with an array of fresh herbs and vegetables and unique spices. I thought it was a right fit in this coastal community. In 2000, Thai cuisine was on trend, so we created our menu with Vietnamese dishes and popular Thai dishes to bring customers to our door.
NBM: WAS YOUR MOM INVOLVED IN BAMBOO BISTRO WHEN YOU FIRST OPENED THE RESTAURANT, AND IS SHE STILL INVOLVED TODAY?
CD: My mom helped me tremendously for the first year. She was my mentor and supporter financially and emotionally. She shared many delicious recipes that are still on our menu today such as sizzling sole, Hanoi-style pork vermicelli and sole noodle soup. I still check in with my mom and my sister, Lisa Dang, and ask for their input to this day.
NBM: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT NEWPORT BEACH?
CD: I love my neighborhood surrounded by wonderful, kind neighbors. I love my clients who are very loyal and supportive. l love the neighborhood schools for our sons, Jack and Preston. The weather is so desirable here and the neighborhood is surrounded with many wonderful, local ethnic restaurants.
NBM: WHAT ARE SOME SIMILARITIES BETWEEN NEWPORT BEACH AND THE COASTAL TOWN, NHA TRANG, WHERE YOU GREW UP?
CD: I was born in a small beach town surrounded with kind and genuine people. Nha Trang is known for fresh seafood, therefore I became a seafood lover when I was a child. Here in Newport Beach, I often walk with a group of my friends to the Newport Pier to buy fresh seafood and cook for family and friends. It reminds me of my childhood.
NBM: IF YOU KNEW BACK THEN WHAT YOU KNOW NOW ABOUT THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS, WOULD YOU STILL OPEN AN EATERY TODAY?
CD: Yes. I love the dynamic and energy of the restaurant industry. I love the creativity of my role, being able to create new dishes [and] incorporating a trendy ingredient to our Vietnamese cooking technique. I love interacting with my customers. NBM
Above: Bamboo Bistro’s dining room; below: some of the eatery’s Vietnamese, Thai and other Asian fusion dishes
Home & Design
BLURRED LINES
LOCAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS DISCUSS THE INS AND OUTS OF CREATING SPACES THAT SEAMLESSLY BRING TOGETHER A HOME’S INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIVING AREAS.
BY ASHLEY PROBST AND NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE STAFF
Homeowners looking to expand their space have likely heard of indoor-outdoor living. This trending design concept is an amalgamation of indoor comforts as well as natural beauty. Southern California residents are in the ideal locale for incorporating this type of layout, and local interior designers often receive requests for such projects.
“Newport Beach is a lifestyle,” says Susan Thiel, owner of her eponymous interior design firm, Susan Thiel
Design. “We live in the U.S. Riviera, which offers beautiful ocean views, mountain views, harbor views, gorgeous sunsets—the outdoors are what really make Newport Beach special and it is important to clients to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.”
Thiel also notes that this type of design is great for entertaining, as it allows guests to easily move through the main house to any outdoor spaces. Raili Clasen, owner of Raili CA Design, echoes that idea.
“In California, the weather makes it very fun to be able to travel through all [of] your different spaces without opening doors [or] closing doors,” Clasen says. “… It’s very cool to walk into a home and feel like you’re outside, but you’re still protected.”
SPACIAL AWARENESS
The home itself plays a big role in deciding what is possible for these designs: Someone who is building a new house can get a bit more creative, whereas those who are renovating an existing structure have limitations on what’s possible.
In the latter scenario, when the home doesn’t have a natural flow, Clasen recommends adding a new outdoor space. “Create a pergola or an additional room that becomes your indoor-outdoor [area],” she explains. For both designers, some of the most common types of indoor-outdoor spaces are kitchens, bars, living rooms and dining areas.
“Most clients request an outdoor living room, which is great for parties or conversation,” Thiel
says, noting her team has even installed TVs in these spaces. Another popular build-out is a full kitchen, often complete with barbecues and pizza ovens.
Designer Brooke Wagner adds that clients have also been requesting fire pits surrounded by deep lounge seating and even indoor-outdoor game rooms for watching sports or playing foosball and ping-pong.
OPENING UP
Thiel says that 90% of the homes she’s worked on have featured large sliding doors that open to an outdoor living area. “This creates an invitation for guests to enjoy the outdoor landscape design and the extra space,” Thiel says, noting her team often
Bars are perfect additions for indoor-outdoor spaces, creating a place for gathering and entertaining, like this one with design by Brooke Wagner.
RYAN
GARVIN
installs these to make for a seamless flow.
Her team also recently installed a sliding window that opens at the sink to create a buffet-style bar. “It makes it easy to prepare food and serve without having to go inside and outside to replenish and clean up,” Thiel says.
Clasen says a couple of her go-tos are passthrough windows and nano-doors, such as the bifold ones by LaCantina Doors. “You can just literally open them up and talk to your guests like they’re sitting at your kitchen island, but they’re outside,” Clasen says. “Those are a big ask these days when we’re doing new builds and big remodels.”
Clasen incorporated these windows in her own indoor-outdoor home bar, which she uses to serve guests refreshing cocktails such as tequila soda
with muddled fruit.
“When we’re entertaining out on the deck, we just slide those open and, if I’m washing dishes or I want to bring the platters outside, the countertop goes straight from my kitchen all the way to the other side of the LaCantina windows,” she explains. “… It’s just awesome to be able to have those open and be part of the party outside while you’re inside.”
OUTDOOR-FRIENDLY FEATURES
Certain precautions must be taken when furnishing and decorating a space that is even slightly exposed to the elements.
“Outdoor furniture needs to be able to withstand temperature changes and clean easily,” Thiel says, noting that some common materials for
durable furniture include iron, wicker, teak, rope, stone and aluminum.
Though Clasen loves teak, she isn’t a fan of metal furniture because it gives off too much of an outdoor vibe, which defeats the purpose of designing these spaces to feel like you’re indoors.
Advancements have also made it possible to manufacture washable outdoor fabrics that can withstand the elements—there’s no reason to sacrifice comfort.
“The fabrics are now very soft and thick, which can mimic regular indoor upholstery,” Thiel explains. She often uses outdoor fabrics on indoor sofas because of the easy maintenance, which makes them ideal for indoor-outdoor furniture.
Wagner adds that she often incorporates solution-dyed acrylic rugs and textiles by Perennials
Fully opening the indoor areas to the outside can make the space feel larger. Brooke Wagner, the desginer behind the spaces in the top row, suggests adding throw blankets, pillows, coffee tables and plants to warm up outdoor spaces like you would for interiors. This approach is also seen in Susan Thiel’s designs (bottom row).
and the Great Plains collection by Holly Hunt.
“There are amazing ones on the market now that look and feel like indoor … linens, but have the durability to withstand stains, weather, fading, etc.,” she says.
A few accessories and other decor that Thiel adds to these spaces are outdoor rugs, stone vases, faux succulents and flowers, glass jars and shells. TVs are also highly requested and she enjoys adding a fire or water feature to any home.
Wagner also suggests throw blankets, pillows, coffee tables and plants. “Add touches to warm up outdoor spaces like you would for interiors,” she says.
One thing Clasen believes these spaces lack is artwork. “No one ever puts art outside and, these days, you can print photography and art on aluminum and it looks like it’s painted on canvas,” Clasen says.
Additional elements that are imperative for a successful indoor-outdoor space are good lighting, music and shade. “There are a variety of options to create shade: wood structures, roof structures, trees and umbrellas can shield guests from the sun and glare,” Thiel says.
Thankfully, technology has made this type of design concept easy to create and maintain. “Outdoor music and lighting can withstand the elements along with fabrics and fixtures,” Thiel says. “… Today, there are so many different styles of outdoor furnishings and fabrics that can create a really unique and welcoming space for you and your guests. We can create beautiful outdoor living spaces that will withstand the test of time.” NBM
Fresh-air spaces that blend interior areas with the outdoors—like these with design by Raili Clasen—are particularly inviting in Newport Beach, with its year-round temperate weather.
TOP: KAREN MILLET; BOTTOM: DAVID TSAY
Custom-made furniture pieces by Lazzoni
Home & Design
SPECIAL SECTION
CUSTOM CREATIONS
BESPOKE FURNITURE CAN HELP ENHANCE A HOME AND MAKE IT STAND OUT FROM THE REST.
BY TANYA A. YACINA AND NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE STAFF
Ahome’s design is a reflection of personal taste and style. Whether you are creating the aesthetic from the ground up or selecting furniture and decor to suit the size or look of an already established space, custom pieces can add an extra layer of sophistication and individuality. Far from the cookie-cutter items that can be found in big-box stores, tailor-made furniture is handcrafted to a client’s exact specifications.
Anna Shay, principal at Solanna Design & Development, is one of a few local designers who make one-of-a-kind furniture. “I don’t want to reproduce what anyone else is doing,” Shay says. “I love the process of creating a new piece—something that’s completely unique.”
Clients can be proud to display these custom items and treasure them for years to come.
“It’s a wonderful gift to be able take some rough bits of lumber and turn them into something that means so much to someone, that was made specifically for them, that they will own for decades and maybe even pass down to their kids,” says Newport Beach furniture maker Max Isles.
DESIGN ON DEMAND
Isles has joined forces with his wife’s interior design business, Isles Interiors. He began lending his talents to the firm when his wife, Maria, began needing custom furniture for her projects.
Often, interior designers and other customers have an idea of what they want, or see something in a store or catalog, but their desired piece doesn’t come in the size or number needed for their project, he says. For example, a client may have found an antique chair and wants eight of them to go
around a dining table, but they aren’t mass-produced or the right size for the table. This is where Isles come in to either design a new furniture piece or re-create an item that fits the area, as well as the personal taste of the client.
“Usually, by the time I get involved in this, the designer or customer has already decided they want a custom piece and have a general idea of what they want it to look like and where they want it to fit,” Isles says.
Notably, in the last couple of years, demand for custom furniture has spiked due to supply chain issues that have reduced stock and increased wait times at traditional furniture stores.
“During and since the start of COVID, the lead time to get furniture supplied has become long and created shortages, which has also propelled the custom business,” Isles says.
However, Isles says he believes that most furniture makers are “not doing it to get rich.”
“It’s a passion. It’s a challenge,” he says. “You are always learning and improving. There’s great sense of achievement and, when a client cries because they love what you have quite literally put blood, sweat and, very nearly, tears into, there is no price you can put on that.”
He recalls a client who did cry when he delivered a walnut dining table that was reminiscent of a piece by George Nakashima. At first, Isles thought the client didn’t like the table, but soon realized these were tears of joy. After much time discussing plans for the details of this table—the design, dimensions, thickness of the legs, table top and finishes—it was exactly as she had envisioned, and this was just what she needed during the chaos of an extensive home remodel.
“The table was delivered and what had been an empty space was now, in her opinion, the perfect
CLOCKWISE
A live-edge walnut and oak coffee table (above) and walnut canopy bed and nightstands (below), both by Max Isles
Local furniture maker Max Isles partners with his wife’s interior design business, Isles Interiors.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
In addition to her work with custombuilt furniture, Anna Shay, principal at Solanna Design & Development, is currently developing a line of lighting that utilizes traditional materials like leather. Inspired by the braiding and handwork on saddlery, her lighting uses large-scale braiding in the design.
space to gather with family and friends in her new house. The table pulled it all together,” Isles says.
DOWN TO THE DETAILS
Isles prefers to use fairly natural materials—he doesn’t “mess around” with the wood too much, and the furniture he creates isn’t super modern or even midcentury modern. He describes his creations as clean and straightforward with a contem porary twist on cottage or farmhouse style. Often, he allows the grain of the wood to shine through and, sometimes, he’ll make a live-edge table, preserving the natural edge of the piece of wood and showcasing the tree’s beauty.
Shay makes it a point to design and create pieces that are symbiotic with the environment, often opting for a bruised or naturally aged finish or choosing a type of wood that’s more conducive to the place where it will be used, rather than heavily lacquering the furniture as she may have done on custom pieces in the 1990s.
And when it comes to turning the material into a cherished bedframe, armoire or table, she works with the client to bring their vision to life. Even if the client isn’t exactly sure what they want, she’s able to pull inspiration from their likes and dislikes.
“When I get the feeling someone wants to express themselves, I become the conduit for that and help them create something that reflects them,” Shay explains. “Be it their style, unique requirements or even their personal family history, custom furnishings give a client a piece [that’s] unique for their project. Everything I produce reflects the client and what they have been brave enough to share with me about themselves.
“In an era of HGTV over-worked fads, being able to provide a look that is defined by the client, and not by mass media, is what has fueled me
Shay’s concepts tend to be large and she’s always looking for custom fabricators who are passionate about their trade and want to create these types of pieces. She feels strongly that “development of all arts is a significant barometer of a society’s health and growth” and the support of craftspeople is key “if our creative culture as a nation is to survive.”
“… Elevated civilizations produce art—it’s an indication of a rising culture,” she adds. “It’s important that people who have dedicated their lives to art be supported. Custom furniture, lighting and the decorative arts is a meaningful way for people, who can afford to, to give back through commissions with artists who create these pieces.”
Anna Shay designs one-of-a-kind furniture, working with clients to make it a special piece for their family.
From top: A chair, stone-top table and designed by Anna Shay
Lazzoni, which has a showroom at SoCo in Costa Mesa, offers one-of-a-kind items designed from the ground up as well as customizable options on pieces in its collections.
[interior] designer, draw up … plans and determine the correct size needed for the space,” he says. “I get an idea of what they want and offer insight on what can be produced while we develop an idea.”
Whether it’s a unique creation or a reproduction made to fit a certain space, choosing custom furniture means opting for high-quality pieces that stand the test of time and can even become family heirlooms, passed down for children to enjoy in their own homes.
MADE TO ORDER
A few local stores also offer customizable furniture, from made-to-measure bookshelves to chairs and sofas draped in your choice of fabric.
Based in Istanbul and founded more than a century ago, the Lazzoni company opened a showroom this past spring at SOCO in Costa Mesa. From sleek, modern furniture to effortlessly elegant pieces, Lazzoni offers items that are uniquely designed with professional guidance and expert craftsmanship—not to mention seemingly endless customization options. Choose from bedroom furniture to sofas, entertainment centers, desks and bookshelves that can be tailor-made to fit in your space, even wrapping around corners if needed.
For truly one-of-a-kind items designed from the ground up, sometimes a minimum number must be ordered, but there’s no minimum required to customize products within the collection. For example, a customer could change the dimensions, seat fill or leg style of the brand’s Mix sofa.
“We tell our clients that they can think of Lazzoni as their personal artisan atelier, with the know-how of 125 years of experience and 500,000 square feet of manufacturing facility,” says Os Berke Kababulut, a fourth-generation owner of Lazzoni and the company’s U.S. coordinator.
Another SoCo store, Gather Home Furnishings offers made-to-order services for most of its upholstery with more than 500 fabric options. The business is also developing a new line of casegoods that will be customizable. And all of these custom pieces are made in the greater LA/ Orange County area.
for over 30 years. I tell clients all the time, ‘Don’t come to me if you want to copy something you see everyday on HGTV. We won’t be a good fit.’ The enjoyment of this journey is something that produces a meaningful and beautiful project.”
Shay combines accents from her clients’ personal culture and history into her design, like symbols from their childhood, materials relative to where they grew up or personal details that tell their story. She also says that sometimes the request for
custom furniture is more practical—she can’t get a piece in the right size or finish and an alternative has to be created.
Isles also works closely with his customers to come up with the perfect solution. Ultimately, a lot of planning and craftsmanship goes into custombuilt home furnishings, which tend to cost more than items manufactured by a traditional company due to the time and artistry involved.
“I take time to sit down with the client or
Also at SoCo, Room & Board has collections that can be customized, from cabinets available in a wide range of sizes with materials from white oak to cherry wood or maple with a charcoal stain to sectionals with more than 250 fabrics and 30 leather options as well as multiple leg styles and finishes. Customers may also choose the size, color and pile height of rugs as well as the size, shape and frame color of mirrors for unique decor to pair with custom furniture and create a space that’s as unique as you are. NBM
In addition to bookcases and cabinets, Room & Board offers more than 250 fabrics and 30 leather options to choose from when customizing sectionals. Customers may also choose the size, color and pile height of rugs.
Home & Design
SPECIAL SECTION
FIND YOUR ZEN
ENHANCE RELAXATION AND TRANQUILITY IN THE HOME BY CREATING HEALING SPACES THAT ELEVATE OVERALL WELLNESS.
BY ASHLEY RYAN
Whether you’ve put in a long day at the office or were simply out running errands, there’s something magical about coming home to unwind in a space that’s all your own. But that sentiment rings true tenfold when each room offers a sense of peace and tranquility.
As people seek out new ways to calm the mind, body and spirit, wellness activities are on the rise. But few things are more impactful than designing a healing home—one where you can rest and recharge in a setting that provides safety and comfort.
“The home should be a place of relaxation, peace and a place to recuperate,” says Dawn Sumerford, founder of Feng Shui by Dawn.
Finding peace at home is pivotal to living a healthy lifestyle. Dora Brigham, who owns Dora Brigham Interiors and earned a degree in psychology, says that there can be psychological benefits as well. “Relaxation and decompression are usually supported by a release of pressures from our mind and body,” she explains. “That release allows our mind to evaluate those pressures and decide
Adding greenery (above) and water features (below) can enhance the tranquility of both indoor and outdoor spaces.
on a course of action to repair or correct them. It therefore allows our mind to find that stability and balance needed to continue daily life.”
Discover how to turn your house into a Zen-like oasis with these tips from local experts.
THE BUILDING’S BONES
Not everyone will have a say in the structure of their space, but those who do can create calming homes right down to the building’s bones. According to Brion Jeannette, lead architect at Brion Jeannette Architecture, the orientation of the house is just as important as what’s inside.
“The art of feng shui is really letting nature become part of the balance of your life,” he explains. “… Start the day off with sun coming in the kitchen and family area. You don’t want to have those spaces on the evening, or north, side of the house; you want them on the east side.” The entrance? Face it south, he says.
But there are a few things that should be avoided as well: Don’t point the stairs toward the front door, as your wealth will escape, and ensure there are no nearby roofs pointing at the windows like daggers.
Do, however, consider a zigzag entryway, which takes guests on a little trip when approaching the front.
Once you venture inward, Jeannette recommends creating quiet, pensive spaces that you can retreat to by adding landscaped areas for a natural touch. Courtyards can also be relaxing, in addition to rooms designed for yoga or meditation.
“Living our busy lives in a loud world, our home is often the only space [where] we can relax and exhale,” Brigham says. “No matter what your responsibilities at home, everyone should have a space that is tranquil to the senses.”
But save these calming spaces solely for rooms where that type of atmosphere is needed. “Home gyms and … offices should give us energy and not necessarily tranquility,” Sumerford notes.
SERENE SCENES
When it comes to decorating, interior design plays a pivotal role in the feel of the home. One of the most important choices you’ll make is selecting the color scheme. Sumerford suggests calming colors, from lavender or baby blue to soft gray, peach or white.
Jeannette agrees: “The light greens and blues that are not in your face seem to be the colors that are most comfortable; [they] tend to be the ones that support the concepts of feng shui really nicely.”
As far as materials, he recommends using natural substances, like different types of wood, to both decorate and build the interior space, adding that mahogany and cherry woods are always a hit. “These evoke—right off the bat—a warm feeling,” he notes.
Breathable, versatile fabrics can be used to add life to the space as well, with soft cottons, bamboos and linens being ideal options for Sumerford. Add some texture to give yourself something to focus on while unwinding or meditating as well, with silky suede or smooth velvet pillows and blankets.
Once the base is in place, begin layering in furniture and decor. “Zen spaces should be minimalistic, comfortable and functional,” Sumerford notes. Try to avoid hard lines; rounded corners are ideal. Soft chairs or sofas with footstools can offer a place to kick back with your feet up. Or, Brigham says, opt for furniture that is comfortable in width and depth, such as a chaise lounge or chairs that you can curl up in.
A zigzag entryway can take guests on a journey as they approach the front door.
House plants, nature-filled art and candles can also help you breathe deeper. “Well-designed, clutter-free spaces with these types of pieces are excellent ways to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere,” Sumerford says. When adding artificial lighting, she recommends soft lights that are also dimmable so you can alter the atmosphere in the room at will. Pendant fixtures are a good option aesthetically, though she says fairy lights can also add to the mood. “These types of lights … can help reduce anxiety,” Sumerford says.
Jeannette, however, recommends skipping light fixtures in favor of indirect lighting systems. “When we design houses, … we create a layering of light so that you can have just a soft, moody, indirect light— where you see the glow of the light, but you don’t see the fixtures,” he explains. This can be done with recessed lights or lighting under a cabinet, which adds ambiance without in-your-face brightness. Then, he says, add in table lamps or wall sconces as accent pieces. “Don’t put a light in that’s going to be harsh,” he adds. “Let’s put a light in there that’s going to be very soft and maybe almost subliminal.”
And sometimes, if you’re going for a refresh, remember that you don’t have to change it all. “I’ve gone into a client’s home and they share … feelings of anxiety with me, [then] I look around and ask if I can change some artwork that may be too energetic,” Sumerford reveals. “… And voila—after making these simple changes, they felt more calm.”
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
Feng shui dictates the flow of energy through a space, but it also focuses on essential elements. “When considering spaces, all five feng shui elements should be incorporated: fire, earth, metal, water and wood,” Sumerford says.
And the words themselves—feng and shui— mean “wind” and “water,” revealing just how crucial these elements are to the foundation of the practice.
Fresh air, greenery, fire elements and natural lighting can all make a space feel more serene, ensuring that it is ideal for optimizing wellness in—and outside of—the home.
WATERFALL EDGE
Made with reclaimed pine, the Merwin is crafted to give the table a unique continuous waterfall appearance from the top to the sides. Available in dining and counter height options, plus with designer-curated chairs that are meant to be mixedand-matched to create a look that’s all your own!
ANAHEIM, LAGUNA HILLS, FOUNTAIN VALLEY
“Water … is very soothing,” Jeannette says. One way he often incorporates it in the home is through the use of fountains with natural rock stones. “We like to backlight it so you get a nice glimmer off of it,” he reveals.
Fire is another ingredient that Jeannette likes to add to the mix, noting that it’s like water in that you want to keep it calm and soothing. “Keep it low flame, don’t get too aggressive and let it provide both warmth as well as visual stimulation,” Jeannette says. “… I’ve actually done fountains where I have a ring of fire with bowls of water above it that kind of cascade [down].”
But air and light play roles as well. “When you look at the passive aspects of architecture and sustainability, the wind aspect is something that we use a lot,” he says. “… You [can] create convection currents, [which] … are automatically going to cool the house down. So in that case, the wind aspect is creating an environment that’s more comfortable.” Sumerford adds, “Meditating, yoga and unwinding spaces should be open and airy so ‘chi,’ [or life energy,] can flow.”
Homeowners should also strive for as much natural light as possible. “That morning sun is going to warm you up [and] it’s going to feel right from the beginning,” Jeannette says of the mood in the home. “… One of the worst spaces is a space without windows. Then you’re sort of stuck in a box.”
Natural light can transform nearly any room into a relaxing one, according to Jeannette. Consider the bathroom. “Put a skylight … in the bathroom, because you want that to be the part of the house where you get the morning sun.” Connecting the bathroom to an outdoor space with a garden, hot tub or sauna can let in natural light while creating an extension of the interior space.
Whether you consider the fundamentals of feng shui or simply do what looks good, using these tips will transform your home into a space that elevates your wellness and feels good, too. NBM
• ROOFING REPLACEMENTS/REPAIRS
• BALCONY DECK STRUCTURAL RECONSTRUCTION
• ROOFING WATERPROOFING
• EXTENSIVE DRY ROT/TERMITE REPAIRS
• SHEET METAL FOR HARSH COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS
• IN DEPTH SPECIFICATION/STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
• INTERIOR DAMAGE REPAIRS
• BALCONY RAIL SYSTEM DESIGNS/GLASS/CABLE
• PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES
• DOOR & WINDOW REPLACEMENT
• STUCCO/PLASTER RECONSTRUCTION
• RAIN GUTTERS/CHIMNEY CAPS
• SKYLIGHTS/ATTIC VENTING SYSTEMS
Water features set in front of a view can keep you focused on staying present.
Originally from Southern California, Alex moved to Sun Valley after experiencing the Wood River Valley and falling in love with its pristine natural beauty and the promise of outdoor adventures. Serving both the local community and out-of-towners looking for their ideal backcountry vacation home, Alex services buyers and sellers addressing all types of property needs.
Give Alex a call at +1 949-903-6918 to start your mountain home search.
13439 State Hwy 75 Blaine County, ID 83340
Welcome to Camp North Fork! The Ultimate Adult Summer Camp! History & luxury blend seamlessly in this three structure Sun Valley Legacy Estate. Modern Craftsman Main Res. is perched in the tops of surrounding aspens, while the fully renovated North Fork Store’s rustic luxury & new spacious Party Barn with pond and stunning grounds, anchor the lower parcel to provide endless entertaining options.
8 Beds | 10 Baths | 9,434 sq. ft. | Offered at $15,995,000
Listed with Jones • Grover Team Engel & Völkers Sun Valley | Photos by Halsey Pierce
REAL ESTATE SHOWCASE
With close proximity to the sand and sweeping ocean views, Newport Beach offers some of the best homes in Orange County. On the following pages, we bring you a special section that highlights a handful of the nicest neighborhoods and most spectacular homes on the market today. All of the properties are represented by Orange County’s top Realtors and real estate agents dedicated to sharing their extensive knowledge and providing exemplary customer service.
PICTURED ON THIS PAGE: 1210 Kings Road, Newport Beach LIST PRICE: $12,500,000
AGENT INFO: Tim Smith 949-478-2295
tim@timsmithgroup.com smithgrouprealestate.com
S howcasing a completely rem o deled in terio r, this commodious 4 BR, 3.5 BA residence is highlighted b y s tunni ng appointments throug hou t as well as priceless golf c o urse, mountain and city-light views from it s e levated location within the e x clusive guard-gated enclave of Big C anyon .
Banker and
Coldwell Banker logos
Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of
415.5 38th Street, Newport Beach
115 Kings Place, Newport Beach
2226 Port Aberdeen, Newport Beach
14 Channel Vista, Newport Coast
303 Carnation Ave, Corona del Mar
43 Linda Isle, Newport Beach
60 Golden Eagle, Shady Canyon
452 Mendoza, Corona del Mar
3620 Ocean Blvd, Corona del Mar FOR LEASE
It’s exceedingly rare that a combination of pedigreed architecture, perfect views, and walkability to town comes available. This offering is just that. Designed by famed architectural designer, John O’Neill, with a premier view orientation, this Tuscan revival home stays true to its European provenance while incorporating modern amenities and an open floor plan. With high-end, imported fixtures and finishes throughout, this home is a vessel that transports you to somewhere overlooking the Mediterranean.
2020 AIA OC PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER
2022 GOLD NUGGET BEST ONE-OF-A-KIND HOUSE AWARD WINNER
PHOTO: CHAD MELLON
BRINGING BACK
AS THE PRIDE OF AMERICA SETS SAIL IN HAWAII ONCE MORE, TRAVELERS ARE EAGER TO EXPLORE THE LUSH RAINFORESTS, BREATHTAKING BEACHES AND TOWERING VOLCANOES FOUND ON THE ISLANDS.
BY ASHLEY RYAN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF NCL
There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on travel, but few industries were impacted quite as much as cruise lines. Virtually a hotel on the water, infection rates soared aboard ships during the first wave of the outbreak, triggering long-standing closures on the high seas.
But Norwegian Cruise Line has since made its return to the ocean, with each of the 17 ships in its fleet back in operation. One of the most in-demand, the Pride of America, offers an interisland trip around Hawaii, leaving from Honolulu, Oahu, and stopping at various ports of call on Maui, Hawaii (also known as the Big Island) and Kauai. Already sold out through most of October, this trip is at the top of many peoples’ bucket lists and, given the uncertainty in recent years, they are flocking to the islands in full force.
Time spent aboard the Pride of America is exactly as dreamy as you’d imagine. Whether relaxing aboard the ship, enjoying its selection of pools, dining and entertainment or heading off on an excursion, there is plenty to see and do to keep you busy all week long.
ALL ABOARD
Regarded as one of NCL’s smaller ships, the Pride of America is also one of the most exclusive, making it the company’s most profitable as well. It’s easy to see why, when you consider the fact that it’s the only cruise that both starts and ends in Hawaii as well as the only one to sail around the islands year-round. Once patriotic-themed, with red, white and
blue everywhere, the boat was freshened up with more contemporary hues in 2016 (with additional touches incorporated during the pandemic). While interior rooms and solo studios are available, you’ll want to spring for an oceanview stateroom—or even one with a balcony—to truly soak up everything this adventure has to offer. From within your room, you’re likely to spot scenery and wildlife from waterfalls and dolphins to early-morning rainbows in addition to sprawling views of the islands themselves in the distance.
Although issues with staffing have kept NCL from opening up every single amenity on board the ship, there is still a lot to do during the day. Head to the South Beach Pool for some excitement—and frozen sips, as the Ocean Drive Bar is right next door—or relax at the Oasis Pool, a more serene spot to spend the day. Guests can also unwind in one of five hot tubs located near the pools. For further relaxation, visit the onboard Mandara Spa & Salon, which offers everything from seaweed or bamboo massages to cleansing salt scrubs, hot stones, collagen treatments and more.
If retail therapy is more your speed, you’ll find a number of shops on board as well, including Na Hoku jewelry store, SoHo Art Gallery, Island Treasures souvenir shop and more. Plus, Pride of America is home to Perspectives Studio, where creative portraits can be taken of you and your loved ones so you won’t forget a moment of the magic.
By night, the ship is a little light on the entertainment right now, but the current schedule does allow
for some live music, trivia sessions, comedy shows and dance parties. Expect this to ramp up later this year as well.
Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention the dining scene on the ship. Although only about half of the restaurants are currently operating, there are a number of solid options to enjoy, as long as you make reservations as soon as you step aboard the boat. When seeking fine dining, Cagney’s Steakhouse has plenty of delectable offerings, from premium cuts of beef to lamb chops, lobster tail and house-made crab cakes. Another popular spot is Jefferson’s Bistro, an elegant French restaurant serving up traditional treats like côte de veau rôtie, or roasted veal, and filet de boeuf Rossini, or beef tenderloin.
There are a number of complimentary dining experiences as well, the nicest of which is Skyline Restaurant. This traditional dining room has an evolving menu filled with impressive dishes—think shrimp fettuccine alfredo, New York strip steak, breaded flounder and rotisserie chicken—all in a classy setting with top-notch service. The Aloha Cafe buffet, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is more laid-back but still has many different options, including themed dinners with unique entrees nightly. Or, for burgers and fries, head to Cadillac Diner, a casual, 24-hour eatery with large portions of comfort food, milkshakes and beyond.
EXCITING EXCURSIONS
Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline-filled adventure or a more restful way to wander, NCL’s shore
excursions are a fantastic way to see the Hawaiian islands without having to worry about doing any planning: Simply book and go.
You’ll have a few different options depending on which island you’re docked at, but all of these excursions have one thing in common: You will be picked up and dropped off at the port, making it a simple way to explore during the cruise. After leaving Honolulu, your first stop will be Maui, where you can snorkel at Turtle Arches, head up to the volcanic Haleakala Crater or venture north to explore the rainforest along the Road to Hana. Another way to explore is with the Best of Maui excursion, which whisks guests to the Maui Tropical Plantation to see crops being grown on the island and the beautifully lush Iao Valley before ending at the Maui Ocean Center, where visitors can view an innovative 3D show that’s part of the “Humpbacks of Hawaii Exhibit & Sphere.”
On the Big Island, there are two ports of call: Hilo and Kona. Easily the most popular experience at Hilo is the Volcanoes National Park tour, though other adventures allow for viewing lava fields, waterfalls or memorable sights such as the Liliuokalani Gardens, the Panaewa Zoo and Gardens, Big Island Candies and the King Kamehameha statue. Utterly unique is the Volcano Wine Tasting trip, where the vineyards are placed atop volcanic terrain; you’ll sip varietals such as pinot noir, cayuga and Maréchal Foch.
The other port, Kona, requires a tender boat to go ashore so leave some extra time for that before enjoying excursions on a submarine, glass-bottom boat, fishing vessel or high-speed Zodiac watercraft. Here, there are also a number of snorkeling and historic experiences as well as a wide range of culinary excursions to introduce you to local coffee, chocolate and more.
When you reach Kauai, the Garden Isle, you’ll find the excursions center around being outdoors, from kayaking, zip lining and riding in a utility task vehicle, or UTV, to hiking and searching for waterfalls. On the Best of Kauai excursion, you’ll visit Opaekaa Falls before heading up Wailua River on a locally owned boat, enjoying music and stories along the way. Once you arrive, you’ll make the short journey to Fern Grotto, a stunning natural respite filled with tropical plants, flowers and caves, now known as a famed wedding location. This experience also includes a trip to Waimea Canyon, also called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, for stunning views of the green ravines.
Or, set out on Kauai—The Director’s Cut, which showcases the island’s best movie locations. Kauai is also the only destination where travelers can venture out at night for a luau excursion, where you’ll get your fill of Hawaiian foods, culture, music and dance. Plus, don’t miss views of the rugged Napali Coast from the boat before you make your way back to Honolulu.
Don’t skip over the activities offered on Oahu once you return; after disembarking, guests can experience a more somber side of the island’s history at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and neighboring USS Missouri battleship, or visit the North Shore to catch the perfect wave. The Grand Circle Island Tour is another option, as it takes you all around the full island with a stop at the Dole Plantation.
ON YOUR OWN
The shore excursions arranged by Norwegian Cruise Line are a great way to ensure you see everything you’re hoping to with ease. But they aren’t your only option. Cruisers are free to come
and go as long as they’re back by a set time, so don’t be afraid to try planning some exploits of your own as well.
While you can venture down to the southern part of Maui to snorkel with turtles on a guided tour, you’re also likely to find these majestic creatures at Hookipa Beach Park in Paia—not far from where the ship docks in Kahului. Viewable both on the sand and in the water, these gentle giants are usually out midday to sunset, but remember, they’re protected so be sure to keep a safe distance.
Staying overnight at the dock in Maui enables you to head off the ship for dinner. If you can find proper transportation (Uber may not always be reliable on the island due to limited drivers), venture over to Montage Kapalua Bay on the northwestern shore. Everything at this luxurious property—cuisine, cocktails and especially the sunsets—are unrivaled. Enjoy modern Hawaiian fare at the resort’s Cane & Canoe or stop by The Hideaway for a casual, intimate setting with delicious local dishes.
On the Big Island, wander the downtown Hilo area to find a number of shops and art galleries; this is the perfect spot to buy gifts for loved ones back home or snacks for the rest of your journey. The Hilo Farmers Market offers everything from lychees, apple bananas (small, sweet bananas grown on the islands) and bouquets of fresh tropical flowers to jewelry, clothing and other crafts. On the other side of the island, you’ll find Kona is very walkable. Trendy shops galore offer fun gifts and souvenirs of your trip, but you’ll also find a few historic places right near the spot where your tender boat arrives. Hulihee Palace, formerly a vacation home for Hawaiian royalty, has been turned into a museum that can be toured. Down the
Left to right: Excursions include a variety of activities including the opportunity to swim under a waterfall.; Kalapaki Beach on Kauai
street, a replica of King Kamehameha I’s final residence from the 1800s sits in the water, just above a cozy beachside snorkeling spot. Head over to The Fish Hopper to have some fish tacos, ahi tuna poke, oysters, or kalua pork sandwich for lunch, then follow it up with dessert at Scandinavian Shave Ice before heading back to the boat.
Nawiliwili—which has a port within walking distance of the town—on Kauai has a few special things to offer as well. Kalapaki Beach is a short distance away, with gentle waves and gorgeous views of the pristine cove. Also nearby is Duke’s restaurant, serving up Pacific-inspired cuisine with a view and a spectacular atmosphere. If you have time to go further south on the island, consider dinner at the Beach House Restaurant. Located near Poipu Beach, this is a great spot to look for sea turtles in the water while you wait to be seated. A sprawling lawn sits just adjacent to the crashing waves for beautiful views that expertly complement the locally caught seafood and other fresh dishes.
And, since the cruise begins and ends in Honolulu, you can extend your trip—either before or after the journey—to hike the Diamond Head summit trail, wander the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, sip a mai tai at a nearby bar, discover local culture at the Polynesian Cultural Center or book a stay at one of several beachfront properties like the historic Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, which first opened in 1901, and swim in the waters of Waikiki. NBM
Top: a performance of “Hawaiian Wedding Song” at Kauai’s Fern Grotto; bottom: a sea turtle from a Maui snorkeling trip
Sushi Ii offers sake pairings on the 23nd of each month.
SUSHI II has introduced sake pairings and seasonal additions to its “omakase” (chef’s choice) menus, crafted by master chef Susumu Ii, who is also the eatery’s namesake. The seasonal experience is influenced by Ii’s “washoku” (classic Japanese cuisine) training in Osaka, Japan. This instilled in him an understanding of how the changing seasons traditionally affect the art of sushi. Named after types of Japanese pottery, the Oribe, Bizen and Karatsu make up the three omakase options that can be selected by diners. Seasonal appetizers could include conch tossed with tofu as well as “chawanmushi,” a savory steamed egg custard. Hyperseasonal matsutake mushrooms will be included in some omakase menu dishes like “dobin mushi,” a fall broth that showcases the unique flavor and unmistakeable cinnamon aroma of these mushrooms Sushi Ii also offers tastings of various sakes from Dassai. By providing tastings, guests may sample world-class sake without having to purchase an entire bottle. These specialty sake pairings are available on the 23rd of each month. This exclusive experience requires a reservation, which can be booked online. (949-2876268; sushi-ii.com) —Diane Geske
WILMA’S PATIO
203 Marine Ave.; 949-675-5542; wilmaspatio.com
BALBOA PENINSULA
21 OCEANFRONT
2100 W. Oceanfront; 949-673-2100; 21oceanfront.com
SUSHI II has introduced sake pairings and seasonal additions to its “omakase” (chef’s choice) menus, crafted by master chef Susumu Ii, who is also the eatery’s namesake. The seasonal experience is influenced by Ii’s “washoku” (classic Japanese cuisine) training in Osaka, Japan. This instilled in him an understanding of how the changing seasons traditionally affect the art of sushi. Named after types of Japanese pottery, the Oribe, Bizen and Karatsu make up the three omakase options that can be selected by diners. Seasonal appetizers could include conch tossed with tofu as well as “chawanmushi,” a savory steamed egg custard. Hyperseasonal matsutake mushrooms will be included in some omakase menu dishes like “dobin mushi,” a fall broth that showcases the unique flavor and unmistakeable cinnamon aroma of these mushrooms Sushi Ii also offers tastings of various sakes from Dassai. By providing tastings, guests may sample world-class sake without having to purchase an entire bottle. These specialty sake pairings are available on the 23rd of each month. This exclusive experience requires a reservation, which can be booked online. (949-2876268; sushi-ii.com) —Diane Geske
WILMA’S PATIO
203 Marine Ave.; 949-675-5542; wilmaspatio.com
BALBOA PENINSULA
21 OCEANFRONT
2100 W. Oceanfront; 949-673-2100; 21oceanfront.com
630 Lido Park Dr.; 949-675-3474; bluewatergrill.com
BUDDHA’S FAVORITE
634 Lido Park Dr.; 949-723-4203; buddhasfavorite.com
THE CANNERY SEAFOOD OF THE PACIFIC 3010 Lafayette Ave.; 949-566-0060; cannerynewport.com
CHARLIE’S CHILI
102 McFadden Pl.; 949-675-7991
charlieschili-newportbeach.com
CIRCLE HOOK FISH CO. 3432 Via Oporto, Ste. 104; 949-200-9476 circlehookfishco.com
CRUISERS PIZZA BAR GRILL 801 E. Balboa Blvd.; 949-220-9414 cruiserspizzabargrill.com
THE DOCK 2816 Lafayette Ave.; 949-673-3625; dineatthedock.com
DORY DELI
2108 3/4 W. Oceanfront; 949-220-7886; dorydeli.com
FLY ‘N’ FISH OYSTER BAR & GRILL
2304 W. Oceanfront; 949-673-8400; flynfishoysterbar.com
GALLEY CAFE
829 Harbor Island Dr.; 949-673-4110
thegalleycafenewportbeach.com
HARBORSIDE RESTAURANT
400 Main St.; 949-673-4633; harborside-pavilion.com
HELMSMAN ALE HOUSE
2920 Newport Blvd.; 949-220-7599
helmsmanalehouse.com
IL FARRO CAFFE TRATTORIA
111 21st Pl.; 949-723-5711; ilfarro.com
Sushi Ii offers sake pairings on the 23nd of each month.
TASTE OF THE TOWN
MEMBERS ONLY
A modern-day supper club, THEHOUSE NEWPORT BEACH, opened earlier this year as a members-only dining opportunity in the former space of Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails on West Coast Highway. Owners Sara and Keith Jarrett sought to create a unique dining model based upon membership dues instead of markup pricing on the food. Membership fees cover valet service for cars and boats, with access to 250 feet of unshared dock space, plus all tipping and service charges. Everything at thehouse is “cost plus 10,” meaning a guest will pay only 10% more than the club’s cost of purchasing ingredients. The menu of classic dishes with unique flair—think Australian wagyu rib-eye, caviar and black truffle tartare, short rib eggs Benedict, and flatbread with beetinfused salmon, creme fraiche and caviar—was developed by a group of culinary experts led by Anderson Clark and Brian Douglass, the owners of Common Stock in San Diego and founding partners of CS Hospitality, who also managed Hillstone Restaurant Group locations in several big cities. To become a member of thehouse, referral by a current member and approval by the owners is required. Members also have access to the Distinguished Clubs Network, which facilitates visits to exclusive clubs and other venues from yacht clubs to golf courses around the world. (949-689-5186; thehousenewportbeach.com) —D.G.
100 W. Coast Hwy., Ste. 202; 949-287-6268; sushi-ii.com
TAVERN HOUSE KITCHEN & BAR
333 Bayside Dr.; 949-673-8464; tavernhousekb.com
THEHOUSE NEWPORT BEACH
2601 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-689-5186 thehouseneweportbeach.com
TIDEPOOLE'S DELI & BREW
6310 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-270-6547; tidepooles.com
THE WINERY RESTAURANT & WINE BAR
3131 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-999-6622 thewineryrestaurants.com
ZABB THAI CUISINE
4001 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-432-5443 zabbandvegetarianthai.com
CORONA DEL MAR
608 DAHLIA
Sherman Library & Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Hwy. 949-220-7229; 608dahlia.com
AVILA’S EL RANCHITO
2515 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-644-8226; avilaselranchito.com
BAMBOO BISTRO
2600 E. Coast Hwy., Ste. 160 949-720-1289; bamboobistrocdm.com
CALIFORNIA FLAVORS
Veteran chefs Ross Pangilinan and Nicholas Weber opened the modern Cal-French bistro POPULAIRE at South Coast Plaza in June. Combining their years of culinary experience, Pangilinan and Weber have created a menu that exemplifies their take on California flavors. Choose from entrees such as Spanish octopus with koji creme fraiche, cured green tomato and hemp seed crumble, and a prime bavette steak with “au poivre” (pepper and cream) sauce, whipped potatoes and beef cheek ragout. The 3,000-square-foot space includes an open kitchen, large dining room and outdoor patio, offering the perfect ambiance to enjoy a meal as well as sake, beer or wine (mostly from France and California). A soft color palette of pastels and vintage blues is enhanced by a beautiful floral mural that sets an approachable yet sophisticated mood. Dinner, lunch and weekend brunch are provided, making Populaire the place to be any day of the week. Pangilinan also owns and operates Terrace by Mix Mix at South Coast Plaza; Mix Mix Kitchen Bar in Santa Ana, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation in 2019 and is now only open for special pop-ups; and ReMix Kitchen Bar in Long Beach. Weber has served as executive chef of 24 Carrots, a top catering company in OC, as well as Catal Restaurant in Downtown Disney, The Cannery in Newport Beach and Pinot Provence in Costa Mesa. (714-760-4555; populaireoc.com) —D.G.
BANDERA
3201 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-673-3524 banderarestaurants.com
THE BUNGALOW
2441 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-673-6585 thebungalowrestaurant.com
CDM RESTAURANT
2325 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-287-6600 cdmrestaurant.com
EL CHOLO
3520 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-777-6137 elcholo.com
FARMHOUSE AT ROGER'S GARDENS
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd.; 949-640-1415 farmhouserg.com
FIVE CROWNS
3801 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-760-0331 lawrysonline.com
FORETTI'S
2929 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-675-2932; forettis.com
GALLO’S ITALIAN DELI
3900 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-287-6030 gallositaliandeli.com
2756 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-729-9159 johnnysrealnypizzamenu.com
LA FOGATA
3025 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-673-2211 lafogataoc.com
MAMA D'S ITALIAN KITCHEN
3732 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-877-0046 mamadsitalian.com
MAYUR
2931 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-675-6622 mayuroc.com
NAGISA SUSHI RESTAURANT
3840 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-673-3933
PANINI KABOB GRILL
2333 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-675-8101 paninikabobgrill.com
THE PLACE
2920 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-644-0210 theplacecdm.com
PORT RESTAURANT AND BAR
440 Heliotrope Ave.; 949-723-9685; portcdm.com
THE QUIET WOMAN
3224 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-640-7440; quietwoman.com
RENDEZ VOUS FRENCH BAKERY & CAFÉ
3330 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-791-8730; rendezvouscdm.com
ROSE BAKERY CAFE
3536 E. Coast Hwy., Ste. C 949-675-3151; rosebakerycafe.com
Escargot at the new Populaire
TASTE OF THE TOWN
WELL-SOURCED
Jeremy Creighton and Natalie Taormina, two of the founders of Common Room Roasters— which is moving to Long Beach—have opened a new venture, FREELANCE COFFEE PROJECT, in its former space in Newport Beach’s industrial district. The roastery and tasting room focuses on high-grade, singleorigin coffees from Mexico to Colombia, Brazil, Ethiopia and beyond. Head Roaster Ryan Okko brings specialized training to the venture: He has earned diplomas from the International Barista & Coffee Academy as
ROTHSCHILD’S RESTAURANT
2407 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-673-3750 rothschildsrestaurant.com
SIDEDOOR
3801 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-760-0331 sidedoorcdm.com
SOTA
3344 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-675-0771 sotasushi.com
SUMMER HOUSE
2744 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-612-7700 summerhousecdm.com
THAI DEL MAR
2754 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-721-9220 thaidelmarrestaurant.com
TOMMY BAHAMA RESTAURANT & BAR
854 Avocado Ave.; 949-760-8686; tommybahama.com
ZINC CAFE & MARKET
3222 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-719-9462 zinccafe.com
NEWPORT CENTER/FASHION ISLAND
59TH & LEX CAFE
Bloomingdale’s, 701 Newport Center Dr. 949-729-6709; bloomingdales.com
well as a certification from the Specialty Coffee Association. In addition to the roasting operation in the back, the cafe serves up espressos, cappuccinos, mochas, flat whites and batchmade cold brews as well as noncoffee options like ice matcha tea with house-made lavender syrup or chai tea with orange syrup, also made on-site. Enjoy with a pastry from OC-based Crema Artisan Bakers or a vegan doughnut from The Caffeinated Kitchen in Long Beach. Also venturing into wholesale, Freelance coffee is available at Sidecar doughnut shops and Riviera restaurant in San Clemente. (949-877-8862; freelancecoffeeproject.com) —Sharon Stello
BAZILLE
Nordstrom, 901 Newport Center Dr. 949-610-1610; nordstrom.com
1091 Newport Center Dr.; 949-612-2749; blazepizza.com
CUCINA ENOTECA NEWPORT BEACH
951 Newport Center Dr. 949-706-1416 ; urbankitchengroup.com
EDGE BAR
Vea Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa, 900 Newport Center Dr.; 949-640-4000; marriott.com
ELAN CAFÉ & BAR
Vea Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa, 900 Newport Center Dr.; 949-640-4000; marriott.com
FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR
455 Newport Center Dr. 949-720-9633; flemingssteakhouse.com
GREAT MAPLE
1133 Newport Center Dr. 949-706-8282; thegreatmaple.com
HOPDODDY BURGER BAR
311 Newport Center Dr. 949-640-2337; hopdoddy.com
LEMONADE
987 Newport Center Dr.; 949-717-7525
lemonadela.com
MARIPOSA
Neiman Marcus, 601 Newport Center Dr.; 949-467-3350 neimanmarcus.com
MULDOON’S IRISH PUB
202 Newport Center Dr.; 949-640-4110 ; muldoonspub.com
PACIFIC WHEY CAFE
2622 San Miguel Dr.; 949-644-0303
pacificwhey.com
R&D KITCHEN
555 Newport Center Dr.; 949-219-0555; rd-kitchen.com
RED O TASTE OF MEXICO
143 Newport Center Dr.; 949-718-0300
redorestaurant.com
SHOR AMERICAN SEAFOOD GRILL
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Rd. 949-729-6162; hyatt.com
SUSHI ROKU
327 Newport Center Dr.; 949-706-3622 innovativedining.com
TACO ROSA
2632 San Miguel Dr.; 949-720-0980; tacorosa.com
TRUE FOOD KITCHEN
451 Newport Center Dr.; 949-644-2400 truefoodkitchen.com
VIEW RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
Vea Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa, 900 Newport Center Dr.; 949-640-4000; marriott.com
WAHOO’S FISH TACO
401 Newport Center Dr.; 949-760-0290 wahoos.com
WILD STRAWBERRY CAFÉ
240 Newport Center Dr., Ste. 100; 949-706-0462 wildstrawberrycafe.com
NEWPORT COAST/CRYSTAL COVE
A CRYSTAL COVE
7864 E. Coasty Hwy.; 949-714-1140 arestaurantcc.com
THE BEACHCOMBER CAFE 15 Crystal Cove; 949-376-6900 thebeachcombercafe.com
BEAR FLAG FISH CO.
7972 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-8899 bearflagfishco.com
BLUEFIN FINE JAPANESE CUISINE
7952 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-7373 bluefinbyabe.com
COLISEUM POOL & GRILL
The Resort at Pelican Hill, 22701 Pelican Hill Rd. S. 844-443-0020; coliseumnb.com
Drinks from Freelance Coffee Project
RAISING THE BAR
Balboa Bay Resort’s A&O RESTAURANT | BAR has introduced weekly themed events, which will continue year-round, plus a dedicated tequila bar that will be offered until year’s end, all on the waterfront patio with live music on most nights. Barbecue plates and smoked whiskey cocktails are offered on Western Wednesdays while oysters with accompaniments like mignonette or bourbon butter and seafood platters of shrimp, snow crab claws and oysters are served on Raw Bar Fridays. Then, come back for Sushi and Sake Saturdays. And Taco Tuesdays will start soon with birria tacos and signature margaritas. Meanwhile, the tequila bar, open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, showcases ultra-rare and hard-to-find tequilas and mezcals that are distinctive in both design and flavor. Among the offerings, mezcal flights will be served in exclusive Himalayan salt shot glasses and guests are guided through an experience that includes a variety of salts and spices like the famous agave worm salt. Tequila bar patrons may also enjoy unique house-made snacks such as caramelized popcorn with peanuts and bacon or shaved dark chocolate with tandoori masala, which both pair well with anejo and cristalino tequilas as well as mezcals. Or try dehydrated pineapple with blanco and reposado tequilas as the fruit brings out the agave plant’s sweetness. (949-645-5000; balboabayresort.com) —S.S.
JAVIER’S
7832 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-1239; javiers-cantina.com
MARCHÉ MODERNE
7862 E. Coast Hwy.; 714-434-7900; marchemoderne.net
MASTRO’S OCEAN CLUB
8112 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-376-6990; mastrosrestaurants.com
MODO MIO RUSTIC ITALIAN KITCHEN
7946 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-9770 modomiorusticitaliankitchen.com
BRIAN DIRK, OWNER OF AWARD-WINNING OLIVE OIL COMPANY PASOLIVO, OFFERS INSIGHT ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF MAKING LIQUID GOLD AND SHARES HIS FAVORITE
PLACES IN TOWN.
BY SHARON STELLO
DELECTABLE DINING
For meals that can’t miss, Dirk’s go-to place is French restaurant MARCHÉ MODERNE in Crystal Cove Shopping Center. “I frequent Marché Moderne every couple of weeks because the food is fabulous,” Dirk says.
hen visiting some Central Coast wineries over a decade ago, Newport Beach resident Brian Dirk began to mull the idea of investing in some form of agriculture. After doing a bit of research, Dirk and his family found an orchard for sale in Paso Robles, California, and decided to dive into the olive oil business.
The company, which the Dirks purchased in 2012, has required a significant amount of work, but the payoff has been great: Pasolivo has won many awards for its extravirgin olive oils, including five—four golds and a silver—at this year’s NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the industry’s largest and most prestigious contest. Overall, in 2022, Pasolivo has garnered a Best in Show, Best in Class and 11 gold medals at various competitions.
Dirk says he believes Pasolivo stands out because the brand’s primary focus is quality in all aspects of the business.
“We pick and process our 12 varieties of olives separately, giving us the opportunity to blend and produce the highest-quality olive oil possible,” he says. “Pasolivo is one of the United States’ top award winners in international olive oil competitions. We also are one of the few producers in California that allow customers to visit our ranch and watch our process at harvest time.
“… We welcome visitors seven days a week at both of our Paso Robles locations—[at the ranch and downtown]—for tastings. We also offer tours of our milling process at the ranch during harvest. Regardless of which location you visit, and what time of year, our associates can definitely walk you through the entire process of how our oil is made.”
The 45-acre orchard features 7,000 sustainably grown olive trees. Harvested by hand each fall, the olives are milled, cold-pressed and bottled in small batches on-site to ensure freshness. For the flavored oils, the company
OPEN-AIR BROWSING
When Dirk needs to get some shopping done, he heads to FASHION ISLAND “[This] outdoor mall … allows me to enjoy the beautiful weather Newport has to offer,” he says.
co-mills the olives with real fruits and herbs for a bold taste without any artificial flavorings or preservatives.
Notably, Pasolivo makes more than just olive oil, also creating vinegars, artisanal foods, and bath and body products. “Our Sparkling Citrus vinegar is extremely popular, especially for summertime salads,” Dirk says.
“The truffle salt is a standout and staple in the kitchen. Our lotions, soaps and body butters are all popular. … Pick your favorite scent and enjoy.”
A Newport Beach resident for more than 30 years, Brian Dirk is originally from Stillwater, Minnesota, but a business acquisition brought him to Orange County. In addition to Pasolivo, he is also president of the Troy Group in Costa Mesa, which focuses on print and digital check and document security options. While he also has a home in Irvine, Dirk spends most of his time in Newport.
“I like that it is clean, there is access to great restaurants and shopping, and you are close to the water,” he says.
To help get the Pasolivo brand in the hands of more Newport residents, Dirk says the company may be opening a store in town next year. Until then, it can be ordered online at pasolivo.com.
CAFFEINE BOOST
For a pick-me-up, Dirk’s go-to place is KÉAN COFFEE. “[It’s a] small, award-winning and family-owned—like Pasolivo—coffeehouse that roasts onsite,” he says. “My favorite drink is the Caffé Napoli.”
BIG-WAVE WATCHING
To get a close-up view of action on the water, Dirk stakes out a spot at THE WEDGE. “This is a great location to watch extreme body boarding,” he says. NBM
Marché Moderne Fashion Island
Kéan Coffee The Wedge
Pasolivo’s olives are harvested by hand each fall.
