YANKEES PITCHER GERRIT COLE SPENDS THE OFF-SEASON IN NEWPORT BACK TO HOME BASE
EAT & DRINK MICHELINMENTIONS:
2800 Ocean Front, Laguna Beach
$14,995,000 | 8 BR, 8 BA | Web# LG22031527
900 Gainsborough Drive, Laguna Beach
$10,995,000 | 4 BR, 6 BA | Web# LG22168919
2 Camel Point Drive, Laguna Beach
$11,995,000 | 6 BR, 4 BA | Web# LG23021112
207 Milford Drive, Corona del Mar
$6,495,000 | 3 BR, 2 BA | Web# LG22087314
58 A COMPLETE GAME
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole and his wife, Amy, are finding ways to give back while soaking up the California sunshine with their children.
BY ASHLEY RYAN
EAT & DRINK SPECIAL SECTION
44
HOME COOKIN’
Local chefs encourage at-home cooks to try making favorite recipes in their own kitchens.
BY TANYA A. YACINA
52
FOR THE LOVE OF BEER
Pull up a chair at one of coastal OC’s many craft breweries to kick back and enjoy a pint—and maybe some pub grub, too.
BY TANYA A. YACINA AND NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE STAFF
38
SHINING STARS
Culinary standouts in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa capture the attention of Michelin Guide.
BY CRAWFORD MCCARTHY AND NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE STAFF
FEATURES
62
TRAVEL: ESCAPE TO PUNTA MITA
Indulge in Riviera Nayarit’s “gateway to paradise.”
BY STEVE ZEPEZAUER
58
66
REAL ESTATE SHOWCASE
Tour some of the city’s top homes on the market.
All
Natural
Add some flair to your fashion game with the resurgence of fringe.
The all-new Lexus LX 600 takes on town and country.
Pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport, proves popular in Newport Beach.
Poppy Life Care offers mindfulness and nutrition services to assist people dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, sleep disorders, autism and more.
Explore this restaurant resource for dining out in Newport Beach.
Kirstie Acevedo, a leader of Sherman Library & Garden’s parent organization, enjoys Back Bay living with her family.
“When I need real estate help in OC, I turn to Leo! Leo is punctual, responsible and overly communicative. I’ve found that when it comes to brokers the best ones always over communicate with their clients. If you want a broker that will go above and beyond the extra mile, I highly recommend engaging Leo. You’ll be glad you did!”
— K.C. | Dallas, TX
GETS IT DONE KNOWLEDGEABLE
“Embarking on the journey of whether to sell our home or not and who to call, the choice was obvious after our interviews with other brokers in the Corona Del Mar area. Leo saw the vision with our home, realized its true value and even put his own money in to bring the property up to a saleable condition! By him believing in our property and having the vision, we exceeded the other brokers’ expectations by over $2 million!! 100% this is your guy without a doubt!!”
— T. & A.O. | Corona Del Mar
“I have known Leo now for many years, and he has helped our family for many years here in the coastal marketplace. Leo always tries his hardest to go above and beyond to make a deal happen while ensuring the satisfaction of his clients. He’s not afraid to do the extra steps nor go outside the box in order to get a deal together.”
— A. & D.N. | Laguna Beach
“Leo is the best of the best. I have worked with brokers in the coastal market for over the last 30 years, and if you are a buyer, he will fight for the best possible price on the home, and when selling, he will go over and above the call of duty to get you the highest return on your investment. I have been impressed how he is always trying to protect your equity regardless of the side he is representing!”
— Rick G. | Laguna Beach
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER
Steve Zepezauer
GROUP EDITOR
Sharon Stello sharon@firebrandmediainc.com
MANAGING EDITORS
Justine Amodeo, Ashley Ryan
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Crawford McCarthy, Ashley Probst, Tanya A. Yacina, Joe Yogerst
DESIGN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell
JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Ashley Littlefield
DIGITAL MEDIA
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SALES
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PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Tina Leydecker
MARKETING SPECIALIST
Taryn Metkovich
CORPORATE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & FOUNDER
Steve Zepezauer
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER
Scott Sanchez
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Tiffany Thompson
CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell
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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 freelance 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
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I needed someone to look after my interests. I found someone to help build my legacy.
My jewelry was never an investment. It was always just for me. I didn’t even feel comfortable showing it to my kids. But ever since my trusted advisor referred me to Kim, I’d felt like I could talk to her about anything. We would sit and talk about which of my kids might like which piece. We found some gems among the gems, in terms of value. But the biggest thing I took away from our chats was the realization that the actual treasure I was passing on to my kids was the memories attached to the jewelry. A big picture like that only emerges when you focus on the little things.
— Jordyn, Los Angeles
EDITOR’S LETTER
Newport Beach is home to a bevy of great restaurants, with dishes representing a variety of cuisines from French to California coastal, sushi and everything in between. There’s something to suit every taste—and it’s done well.
Indeed, diners don’t need to make a trip to LA to find a standout meal. And even the venerable Michelin Guide has taken notice, highlighting local eateries in recent years. Three restaurants in Costa Mesa have earned a Michelin star while five in Newport have received recognition, including Fable & Spirit, which is on the Bib Gourmand list of quality establishments that also offer a good value. For more about these restaurants and the culinary captains behind them, turn to page 38 to read our article, “Shining Stars.”
The feature about Michelin mentions is part of this issue’s Eat & Drink special section, which also offers an ode to home chefs. Sometimes we don’t feel like going out or we get a burst of creative energy to try whipping up a special meal in our own kitchen. In our “Home Cookin’ ” story (page 44), local experts offer tips for amateur chefs, whether they are starting from scratch with their skills or attempting to re-create a fancy restaurant dish.
This edition also showcases the wide range of craft beer that can be found at area breweries. While only one—Helmsman Ale House— actually brews beer in Newport, others in the region, from Huntington Beach to Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach, are worth a visit. Our feature, “For the Love of Beer” (page 52), explores the different types of ales and lagers for which each is known as well as the vibe of their tasting rooms: Most are dog- and family-friendly and many often host events from trivia to paint nights on a regular basis.
Now, if you’re anything like me, you’re probably feeling hungry for a good meal and a drink after reading about all of these standout spots. And the great thing is, they’re all right in our backyard, just waiting to be explored. Whether it’s food or a craft brew that you crave, enjoy sampling it all.
Sharon Stello Group Editor sharon@firebrandmediainc.com
HOPE LIVES HERE: CITY OF HOPE RESEARCHERS DEVELOP A BLOOD TEST THAT MAY SCREEN FOR EARLY-ONSET COLORECTAL CANCER
“This finding could help fill a void in the cancer prevention and early detection field.”
Scientists at City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, have developed a novel blood test that can potentially be used to detect early-onset colorectal cancer, which has been on the rise in younger adults in recent years.
“This research is a first step to noninvasively and inexpensively detecting colorectal cancer at an earlier and more treatable stage,” said Misagh Karimi, M.D., a colon cancer specialist at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center in Irvine and the director of clinical operations at City of Hope Newport Beach Fashion Island. “More research is needed, but this finding could help fill a void in the cancer prevention and early detection field.”
The findings are just one of the many research breakthroughs at City of Hope. In fact, City of Hope’s cancer discoveries impact 100 million lives around the world each year.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate of colon or rectal cancers in people younger than 50 years old has been on the rise — an alarming trend, given that colon cancer in younger adults tends to be more aggressive and found at later stages.
As a result, the recommendation to begin regular colorectal cancer screening has been moved to start at age 45.
City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Orange County’s most advanced comprehensive cancer center, offers state-of-the-art colorectal cancer screenings, including colonoscopies, stool DNA testing and genetic testing.
Here, world-renowned physician-scientists conduct breakthrough research in colorectal cancer, offer access to innovative clinical trials and provide compassionate care rooted in more than 100 years of expertise.
Patients benefit from fully integrated, multidisciplinary cancer care — from prevention through survivorship — in one convenient location. Patients have access to City of Hope’s 600 physicians and more than 1,000 scientists and researchers who only focus on cancer and nearly 1,000 innovative Phase 1-3 clinical trials being conducted at City of Hope each year.
“This all adds up to your best hope against colorectal cancer — from diagnosis to survival,” Karimi said.
For more information, visit CityofHope.org/OC. To make an appointment at any of our five Orange County locations, call 888-333-HOPE (4673)
makes cancer discoveries that are impacting 100 million lives
World-renowned physician-scientists conducting breakthrough research, the most clinical trials in Orange County, and compassionate care rooted in more than 100 years of expertise. It adds up to your best hope against cancer – from diagnosis to survival.
OUT & ABOUT CHARITY PURSUITS AND COASTAL HAPPENINGS
NAPA IN NEWPORT
The eighth annual Napa in Newport event on Oct. 29 at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point raised more than $1.5 million for the Newport Beach-based CureDuchenne organization. Funding helps support research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which affects one in 5,000 males, who are born with the condition. Worldwide, more than 300,000 individuals are living with Duchenne; most don’t live past their late 20s and must rely on a wheelchair to get around by the time they’re teenagers. To help these boys and young men, more than 400 local supporters attended Napa in Newport, which featured wine from more than 45 acclaimed Napa Valley vintners. The event included a grand tasting as well as vintner-hosted dining tables and a wine pairing dinner with cuisine by David Shim, executive chef of Cote, the world’s only Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse. An auction also offered rare and collectible wines in addition to New York City and Hamptons trips, and a day at the Porsche Experience Center. Over the years, the Napa in Newport event has helped to raise over $8 million for CureDuchenne. (cureduchenne.org) —Sharon Stello
CORONA DEL MAR HIGH SCHOOL 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Hundreds of alumni, families and former staff members flocked to Corona del Mar High School on Oct. 22 and nearly 1,200 attended the Rock the Endowment food and music festival that night at Newport Dunes to celebrate the school’s 60th anniversary. The daytime Open House and Community Jubilee featured studentled tours, a showcase of academic groups, a rally and the dedication of the William “Bill” Sumner Track in honor of the current, longtime track and cross country coach. In attendance were three representatives of the school’s first graduating class plus one of the school’s first employees, now-98-year-old Jerry McClellan, who served as vice principal. The nighttime celebration featured live music by groups including The Side Deal (three band members are CdM alums). John Ireland, who serves as the Voice of the LA Lakers and graduated from CdM in 1981, was the emcee. The CDM Foundation raised an estimated $1.3 million from the event to establish an endowment to support college and career guidance, mental health, technology, music and arts on campus. (cdmfoundation.org) —S.S.
AMBASSADOR LUNCHEON
Nearly $470,000 was raised at the 25th annual Ambassador Luncheon on Oct. 28 to benefit Orangewood Foundation, which serves current and former foster youth and others in the community. The event, which took place at Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel, honored the organization’s “ambassadors,” who are donors and volunteers that support the nonprofit’s efforts. Guests were able to tour a set of nine interactive stations designed and built by students at Samueli Academy, a public charter school and one of Orangewood Foundation’s programs; other foundation programs were highlighted at each station. During the lunch, Resource Center Supervisor Lisa Evans, who has worked at Orangewood for 25 years, was honored with the Gen. William Lyon Crystal Vision Philanthropy Award for her commitment to Orange County youth, as was demonstrated by Lyon, Orangewood’s founding board chairman. Longtime Orangewood supporter and kitchen volunteer Kelly Bozza was also recognized with the William G. Steiner Heart of Service Award. (orangewoodfoundation.org) —S.S.
FRIENDS OF CASA HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
A record-breaking fundraiser, more than $620,000 was raised at the Friends of CASA Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 8 to support the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County, which works on behalf of children who have experienced abuse, neglect and abandonment. The luncheon started as a holiday tea in 1995 and the event has garnered over $6 million since then. Taking place at Vea Newport Beach, the latest event was attended by 437 guests and began with a reception including tray-passed Champagne and a display of auction packages on the Riviera Lawn. Guests were invited to fulfill a foster child’s wish for items from school clothes to art supplies or a trip to Disneyland, displayed on ornaments on the Barclay Butera-sponsored Starfish Wish Trees. Then, attendees moved into the ballroom for lunch and a fashion show presented by Lafayette 148 New York and South Coast Plaza, with models offering a sneak peek of the label’s resort 2023 collection; a pop-up shop allowed guests to purchase some items, with 10% of sales going to CASA. A keynote address was given by volunteer Marie Crosson and her CASA youth, Amy, who shared how having an advocate can completely change the course of a child’s life. Additionally, an opportunity drawing was sponsored by Lugano Diamonds, which donated an 18-karat rose gold floral bracelet adorned with VS collection diamonds. (casaoc.org) —S.S. NBM
Collection 86 is a collection like no other. A meticulously cultivated selection of over 6,500 vintage, one-of-a-kind, and world-class spirits, wines, and champagnes from around the globe, including the largest selection of 50+ year-old scotches. And whether it’s one of our spirits by the glass, or wines by the bottle, the full collection is yours to enjoy at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel. Yaamava.com
EBB & FLOW
KEEPING CURRENT ON THE COAST
EXPANDING ACCESS
TOURNAMENT ACTION
The only official PGA Tour Champions event to hit Orange County returns this March with a week of festivities to delight golfers and sport fans alike. Hoag Classic events begin March 13 with an opening shootout and continue the next day with invitation-only celebrations: a Hall of Fame breakfast and wine pairings reception. The public, however, is welcome to attend beginning March 15, when the two-day Legends Pro-Am begins. Then, the first round of the Hoag Classic starts Friday, March 17, with a three-day tournament and, on Sunday, a champions trophy presentation will take place at the 18th green following the end of the game. Members of the armed forces will be honored on March 18 for Military Appreciation Day, with special recognition and charity presentations taking place following gameplay; the final day of the tournament is also Student Day, with an autograph arena set up for young scholars. Last year’s winner was South African golfer Retief Goosen, who also won two U.S. Opens in the early 2000s. (949-660-1001; hoagclassic.com) —Ashley Ryan
With the goal of improving access to services and opportunities for all, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability and other factors, the Newport Beach-based Orange County Community Foundation announced in February that it had launched the Orange County Social Justice Fund. In partnership with the OCCF, longtime philanthropist Keith Swayne seeded the fund with hopes that it will grow to $10 million. Initial grants, a totaling $400,000 were distributed among 25 local nonprofits whose missions align with the fund’s vision. Grant recipients included the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast; Human Options, which helps victims of domestic violence; LGBT Center OC; and more. OCCF aims to move the community toward unity, create a local impact and raise awareness that diversity is an asset by supporting grant recipients’ services, coalition building and policy advocacy. Founded in 1989, the foundation works to match donors with nonprofits that need financial support, and finds solutions to community needs. Since it started, OCCF has awarded more than $900 million in grants and scholarships, making it the third most active grant maker among all community foundations in the nation. (949-553-4202; oc-cf.org) —Sharon
Stello
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina has made some donations to local nonprofits.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, one of the first recipients of a grant from the Orange County Social Justice Fund
SITUATED ON THE UPPER NEWPORT BAY FOR OVER 60 YEARS, NEWPORT DUNES WATERFRONT RESORT & MARINA MADE A YEAREND CONTRIBUTION OF $33,000 TO ORANGE COUNTY NONPROFITS THAT PROTECT WILDLIFE AND HABITATS INCLUDING THE NEWPORT BAY CONSERVANCY, WETLANDS & WILDLIFE CARE CENTER AND PACIFIC MARINE MAMMAL CENTER, AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP UNDERSERVED YOUTHS AND FAMILIES INCLUDING LAURA’S HOUSE, CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF ORANGE COUNTY, PROJECT HOPE ALLIANCE AND MORE. (NEWPORTDUNES.COM)
OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
Kennedy Contemporary, an art gallery on Westcliff Drive, has announced the addition of a new artist on display: Senem Oezdogan, who is based in Brooklyn, New York. Oezdogan is a painter, but also works in other mediums, including drawing and fiber art. Central to her work is the creation of optical illusion through color, contrast and form. “Smooth gradients give a sense of volume to bold shapes and play with the juxtaposition of what the mind knows and the eye sees,” according to an announcement from the gallery. These elusive compositions feature distinct, clean lines, which are a signature element of Oezdogan’s pieces. “Combining concepts of structure and form with observations of content and emotion, her work turns shape into form, form into volume, and volume into emotion,” the gallery says. “This creates an anthropomorphic and biomorphic system of relationships that refer to the human body and nature, as well as architecture.” Oezdogan, who earned a master’s degree from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and also graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, has always maintained an art practice in some form, but only began exhibiting at galleries after building a comprehensive body of work. Her art has since been displayed internationally and is part of private collections around the world. (714-5196297; kennedycontemporary.com) —S.S.
PURE PARTNERSHIP
Known for its clean, coastal aesthetic, Pure Salt Interiors—a Newport Beach-based interior design studio and home goods shop—recently partnered with sustainable retailer Pottery Barn on a collection of rugs that was released in late February. The line, titled the Pure Salt for Pottery Barn Collection, is available exclusively online, showcasing designs created by Aly Morford and Leigh Lincoln, the co-founders of Pure Salt. Shoppers can choose from more than 20 different styles, each of which is handcrafted by artisans from across the globe. Some options include the stylish Caseres, a wool option featuring neutral colors with stitched stripes; the modern Parikia, made of jute material with scalloped edges; the cozy Lycia, which provides staples you can place anywhere thanks to the textured boucle and hand-woven wool; and more. The rugs come in various sizes, ranging from runners and round options to full-size pieces measuring 10 feet by 14 feet. (Pure Salt Interiors: 949-899-8143; puresaltinteriors.com) (Pottery Barn: potterybarn.com) —A.R.
DISTINGUISHED DESIGN
Newport Beach-based Raili Clasen of Raili CA Design is the interior designer behind a newly opened luxury boutique hotel, The Richland, in Orange. Clasen created a plan to modernize the buildings while retaining the historic property’s architectural integrity. Just north of the Orange Circle, the former residence has been reimagined into a hotel with 12 guest rooms and suites, an intimate living room lounge and bar, and a ballroom with indoor/outdoor spaces for events with up to 150 guests. The property includes two early-20th century structures in California Craftsman mixed with Victorian styles. The exterior facades were stripped to reveal original wood shingles and lap siding. A bay window was also uncovered. The interior was reimagined with dark wood-paneled walls, soft leather sofas and olive green, sage and mustard hues throughout. Guest rooms, each with a unique design, feature original wood flooring, handwoven rugs, patterned wallpaper ceilings and stained red oak Craftsman furniture. The Richland is part of 24 Carrots Collective, a group of exclusive event and hospitality spaces operated by 24 Carrots Catering & Events. (The Richland: 714-942-6110; therichland. com) (Raili CA Design: railicadesign.com) —S.S.
BALBOA IN COLOR
On Valentine’s Day, the Balboa Island Museum honored the life and artwork of longtime resident Dorothy “Dottie” Siemon, 96, with a special celebration. Attended by more than 100 people—including Dottie’s grandson, Caleb Siemon, a prominent glassblower—the event showcased her colorful paintings, which are well-known around the island. In addition to these works, she has long been painting the clay pots that line the boardwalk. Visit the museum to view her paintings and prints; the gallery store also offers greeting cards and decorative rocks with her designs on them. In addition, a new installation at Newport Beach Central Library, held in partnership with the museum, is currently displaying a sneak peek of life in the region in its earlier days. Historical images cover places like Balboa Island, the Balboa Fun Zone and Catalina Island, among others. These pieces are available to view during regular library hours. (Balboa Island Museum: 949-675-3952; balboaislandmuseum.org) (Newport Beach Central Library: 949-717-3800; newportbeachlibrary.org) —A.R.
GOING FULL TILT
AN ARTISTIC RETURN
Back in 1972, Italian-American painter Marco Sassone made nearby Laguna Beach his home, painting there for nearly a decade and showing his artwork at Festival of Arts in the summertime. Now, more than 40 years later, he returns to Orange County as part of a book tour for his memoir, “American Journey: My Life in Art,” which is releasing March 9 and details the artist’s life story as well as his creative career. First up, Sassone will appear at Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach on March 15 for a talk about his writing and a book signing. Then, on March 18, Sassone will visit SCAPE gallery in Corona del Mar for another signing. The artist will also display a number of paintings at SCAPE, including “Costiera Amalfitana XXXI,” an oil painting of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, as well as five watercolors depicting places like Venice and Toronto’s Rosedale Ravine. These paintings will hang at the gallery for three weeks or longer after the event as well. (Marco Sassone: 416-929-6882; marcosassone.com) (SCAPE gallery: 949-7233406; scapesite.com) — A.R.
Brewcades, an OC group that’s passionate about pinball, has installed some modern and vintage games—and started hosting pinball tournaments—at Cruisers Pizza Bar & Grill on Balboa Peninsula. There are nine machines at Cruisers, so fans can get their fill of flipper fun with games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pro, The Addams Family, Twilight Zone and Atlantis (a 1974 game) and more. In late February at Cruisers, Brewcades hosted Newport Beach’s first tournament sanctioned by the International Flipper Pinball Association. The group also has pinball machines at Four Sons Brewing in Huntington Beach and Long Beach Beer Lab; the latter features a pinball league. Laguna Beach couple Tom and Jessica Walker and Brewcades partner and technician Pete Cooley—who keeps the games in tip-top shape—are the team behind this nostalgic endeavor, with operator Gonzalo Martinez assisting in Long Beach. “We grew up playing at the Fun Zone back in the day, so it’s a pretty big deal for us,” Tom Walker says. The machines are open every day for casual play (until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays; kids are allowed in the game room until 9 p.m.) and a weekly tournament for all skill levels takes place at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Cruisers with cash and prizes for the winners as well as food and drink specials. The cost to enter the tournament is $10 plus quarters for the pinball machines. Visit the Brewcades website for a list of machines at each venue. (949-264-2462; brewcades.com) —S.S.
HAPPENINGS
“LINDA WHITE: FOUR DECADES OF PAINTING FROM GEOMETRY TO GESTURE” THROUGH MARCH 23; ORANGE COAST COLLEGE, COSTA MESA
View a survey of artwork by artist Linda White, a Newport Beach resident, in the college’s Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion. Showcasing paintings, drawings and prints created from 1972 to 2020, the exhibition highlights White’s use of bold colors, abstract style and geometrical shapes. A special artist-led tour will also take place March 8. (714-432-5738; orangecoastcollege.edu)
“GUO PEI: ART OF COUTURE” THROUGH MAY 14; BOWERS MUSEUM, SANTA ANA
Fantasy and fashion meet in this couture exhibit from Chinese designer Guo Pei. For the show, she chose more than 40 gowns that tap into her native country’s cultural heritage as well as mythology, architecture and art. Guests can also view pieces from her Chinese bridal collection, making its North American debut in this exhibition. (714-567-3600; bowers.org)
LOS ANGELES THEATRE WEEK
MARCH 13-26; VARIOUS LOCATIONS
More than 75 shows are a part of this year’s Greater LA Theatre Week, a celebration of the stage taking place throughout Southern California; affordable tickets (some priced under $20 or $30) are sold on the Theatre Week’s website to improve access to the arts. A number of OC venues are participating, with shows such as “Mean
Girls” (through March 19) at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and “Coleman ’72” (April 29 through May 14) at South Coast Repertory. (theatreweek.com)
DECORATIVE ARTS SOCIETY SPEAKER SERIES MARCH 14 AND APRIL 11; REGAL EDWARDS BIG NEWPORT
The final two presentations in this series include discussions with Frances Schultz—a writer, artist and life coach who hosts creativity and personal development retreats around the world—in March, plus an April session with Aldous Bertram, a South Carolina-based interior designer, artist and art historian who is an expert in chinoiserie. (decorativeartssociety.net)
HOAG CLASSIC
MARCH 15-19; NEWPORT BEACH COUNTRY CLUB
Part of the PGA Tour Champions, this annual golf tournament features big names and even bigger fundraising. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $20 million for OC charities. Events this year include a Hall of Fame breakfast, Military Appreciation Day, trophy ceremony and more. (hoagclassic.com)
GREEK ISLES GETAWAY
APRIL 5 AND 18; SUR LA TABLE, CORONA DEL MAR
Learn to craft cuisine from a new culture with this Greekinspired cooking class. A chef will guide students through the process of making refreshing Mediterranean fare, including lemon chicken souvlaki with tzatziki sauce, flaky spinach and feta pie and, for dessert, yogurt panna cotta with berries and honey. (949-640-0200; surlatable.com)
GENTLEMEN’S HABERDASHERY
APRIL 27; BALBOA BAY RESORT
Held annually in support of the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana, this fundraiser finances the center’s many retreats, designed for families, youths and adults. Organized as a fashion show, the event will feature 40 male executives and community leaders showcasing a full range of menswear. (949-274-1192; gentlemenshaberdashery.com)
OC MARATHON
MAY 6-7; VEA NEWPORT BEACH, A MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA
Take off from the starting line in front of the redesigned hotel, for a 26.2-mile race around OC. In addition to the full marathon, runners can opt to participate in a half marathon, 5K or kids run, in support of charity partners like the John Wayne Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society. (949-222-0456; ocmarathon.com)
“CHICAGO”
MAY 16-21; SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS, COSTA MESA
This beloved musical, inspired by the real-life 1920s murder trials of Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner, brings some razzle dazzle to Segerstrom Hall. Set during the Jazz Age, the Broadway show follows main characters Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who are locked up at a Cook County jail. (714-556-2787; scfta.org)
SPRING ART FAIRE
MAY 20-21; SHERMAN LIBRARY & GARDENS
Art and nature come together in this botanical garden this spring, with a two-day creative celebration that includes new works by local artists, instructor-led art classes and an interactive community project. (949-6732261; thesherman.org)
Editor’s note: Events may change. Check with organizers for updates.
DR. RASHA EL NAGGAR Naturopathic Doctor
MY PASSION AND MAIN MISSION:
To help patients feel a sense of balance, alignment, beauty, and liberation, including hormonal regulation, weight management, gut optimization, mental health support, and regenerative medicine.
OUR PROCESS
You will find a difference in our Clinic because we operate differently. Addressing the root cause of the disease is one of the tenets of naturopathic treatment. This approach makes us unique compared to other medical systems. We delve deeper through the collection of medical history, using cutting-edge lab tests to produce long-lasting outcomes. This advanced assessment localizes inadequacies in the body's physiological and functional operations. Once we've analyzed the subjective and objective information, we can create a comprehensive treatment plan to help you restore optimal health.
Balboa Island museum
NEW IN TOWN
SPRINGTIME IS BLOOMING WITH NEW BUSINESSES, FROM APPAREL, JEWELRY AND COSMETICS VENUES TO A VIBRANT MEDICAL FACILITY AND ENHANCED BROKERAGE FIRM.
BY ASHLEY RYAN
• Gift Store
• Historical Exhibits
•lnteractive Children's Area
• Prominent L ocal Speakers
•Fun for the whole family!
Above: Lugano Diamonds; left: the remodeled space at Surterre Properties near Fashion Island
and beverage program along with private, invite-only events.(949-6257722; luganodiamonds.com)
FASHION ISLAND
It all started with The Hooligan, a newsboy-style cap that launched the brand nearly 20 years ago. Since then, BRIXTON has opened a number of retail stores in California, with its fifth shop coming to Fashion Island this past fall. Although Brixton offers hats for both men and women in styles such as snapbacks, berets and bucket hats, you’ll also find modern, casual apparel like flannel shirts, knit tops, jumpsuits, dresses, sweatshirts, pants and more. (949524-8273; brixton.com)
Luxury jewelry brand LUGANO DIAMONDS opened a flagship salon at the shopping complex in December, showcasing its exquisite pieces in a new 11,500-square-foot space. With client service at the forefront of the company’s ideals, it was designed as a stunning yet comfortable “home-away-from-home” for existing clientele—namely, with the inclusion of Privé, a membership club within the salon that is expected to launch sometime in March and will feature a food
JOE BANANAS, an Australian brand known for its classic menswear collections, opened its doors in February. The handcrafted pieces feature luxury textiles in designs inspired by nature, ensuring that shoppers can create a unique wardrobe filled with color, texture and innovation. Find everything from Hawaiian shirts, chino pants and printed shorts to custom-fitted suits and summer jackets. (929287-8588; joebananas.com)
Although not a new opening, Newport Beachbased brokerage firm SURTERRE PROPERTIES, located near Fashion Island on Newport Center Drive, unveiled a remodeled space this winter in an effort to evolve alongside the ever-changing landscape of the real estate industry. The modernized office has eliminated some of its smaller, individual workspaces in favor of semiprivate desks and large, collaborative areas as well as a kitchen with a dedicated coffee and tea bar. With this new format, the firm’s agents are encouraged to work collaboratively to find the best new homes for their clients. (949-717-7100; surterreproperties.com)
CORONA DEL MAR
Save yourself time and money by avoiding a trip to the emergency room in favor of visiting CDM URGENT CARE, a new medical facility for nonlife-threatening treatments on East Coast Highway. With its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony in mid-February, this new business is already providing medical attention with no appointment required. Aside from urgent care, the office offers primary care and pediatric services in addition to IV therapy, COVID-19 testing and vaccines, virtual care, home visits and more. (949-2266111; cdmurgentcare.com)
In late February, cosmetics company ALCHEMY 43 opened its first Orange County location at Corona del Mar Plaza. Already a hot spot in both Los Angeles and New York, this new 1,200-square-foot studio serves as a new place in which to receive microtreatments like fillers (think Botox or Juvederm), neck peels, LED treatments and beyond. Complimentary consultations with the brand’s licensed practitioners will get you started, and there is a membership program regular clients can opt into. Make an appointment for Alchemy 43 online or visit the new venue as a walk-in. (949-8188943; alchemy43.com)
BALBOA PENINSULA
Bold color takes center stage at SUREE jewelry, a local store that launched in the fall and hosted its official ribbon cutting ceremony in late February. The newest campaign, titled Magic Potion, features vibrant jewels in six color groups, from radiant orange sapphires to brilliant, deep green emeralds. These pieces join the inaugural Opallios collection of large rings crafted with opals. The brand’s CEO and jewelry designer, Surhee, has more than 30 years of experience and each piece is created by hand by a team of artisans in Korea. The Newport shop is her first foray into the global market. (949-630-8025; sureejewelry.com) NBM
ECO-CONSCIOUS HOMES
NATURAL MATERIALS ARE TAKING OVER LOCAL DWELLINGS WITH SUSTAINABLE STYLE.
BY ASHLEY PROBST
As consumers continue to call for ecoconscious practices, it makes sense that this sustainable approach would make its way into the place where we spend the most time: our homes.
Genevieve Chambliss, owner of Newport Beach-based interior design studio Vieve Interiors, speculates that this increase of interest is based on more visibility, availability and a collective shift in our sociability.
“We’re spending so much more time in our house,” she notes. “… [People are] being a little bit more conscious about the things that we’re putting around us that we have to look at, touch [and] use every day.”
One of the biggest trends that interior designers like Chambliss have seen are homeowners who are moving away from synthetics and instead opting for natural materials and fabrics like bamboo, cork, cotton or rattan.
“I think that natural materials have always been a big draw in the beach communities,” Chambliss says, noting that Newport-esque furnishings and decor have a distinctly coastal vibe.
Some popular pieces among local residents include live-edge tables, woven rugs and cabinets made of sustainable wood.
An example of the latter would be the teak and white oak used by local designer Erica Bryen, owner of her eponymous design studio, in a recent Newport Beach project. She also utilized natural materials like woven seagrass and beaded cocoa shells for different light fixtures, linen for window shades, rattan barstools and more.
“I’m definitely a person that cares about layers and one of the ways to get that is with natural materials,” Bryen says. “… And I think it can be in all aspects of design.”
One thing that’s often on homeowners’
minds is the cost, since eco-friendly alternatives are known for being expensive.
“[It’s about] sharing with the client what the value is in that and the durability factor … [and having] less need for maintenance,” Chambliss says. “… Sometimes [they need to] spend a little more to get something that they’re not going to have to replace in a couple years.”
Bryen also points to furniture and decor made of synthetic leather, which often peels and falls apart because it’s made of polyurethane. “You’re saving and you’re getting this cheap [product], … but you’re also just breathing in something that’s made of horrible stuff all day long,” she says. “… Quality is what you pay for.”
It’s also worth it to know that when you focus on environmentally friendly materials and ethical sourcing, you’re supporting a sustainable business model and the future of this industry.
Chambliss also aligns these principles with her home designs by utilizing repurposed materials whenever possible, which helps reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing new products. One example is an ongoing project that will incorporate reclaimed white oak and may also include outdoor furniture that’s constructed out of recycled metal.
“Another thing that I always think about is sourcing locally and using decor or artwork from local artists or handmade stuff,” she says. “That is very popular and definitely a sustainable way to go instead of importing or shipping things, [which] … then incurs the cost on the environment from all of that travel.”
If you’ve set an intention to make your home more eco-conscious, locally sourced natural materials are an excellent way to weave these values into your sustainable space.
THIS ECO-FRIENDLY FURNITURE AND DECOR WILL BRING LIFE TO SUSTAINABLE SPACES.
1) These stackable MERWIN NESTING SIDE TABLES are made of recycled pine and available in white wash or medium brown finishes, $990, at Tiffany Hunter Home, Fashion Island. (949-718-1476; tiffanyhunterhome.com)
2) Handmade using natural materials like a black bamboo frame and hand-knit cotton, the BAMBOO & COTTON PENDANT LIGHT casts an eco-conscious glow on any room you place it in, $1,500, with advance order at Juxtaposition Home. (949715-1181; juxtaposition.com)
3) For all-natural appeal, the LILY LOUNGE CHAIR features a hardwood frame, pole rattan and a wrapped rattan peel detailing, and comes with two cushion options, $5,144 (with the Flax Linen cushions), at Pure Salt Interiors. (949-791-8021; shoppe.puresaltinteriors.com)
4) A durable go-to for floor decor, this best-selling CHASE TEXTURED HAND-TUFTED WOOL RUG is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory using hand-tufted wool and recycled cotton, from $399, at Pottery Barn, South Coast Plaza. (714966-2482; potterybarn.com)
5) Design your living space how you want it—or move pieces around when guests visit—with the MAXWELL CUSTOMIZABLE SECTIONAL, which features a modern silhouette and can be ordered with natural linen upholstery in a variety of colors and weaves, from $3,095, available online or may be ordered at RH, South Coast Plaza. (714540-1445; rh.com) NBM
FRINGE BENEFITS
ADD SOME FLAIR TO YOUR FASHION GAME WITH THE RESURGENCE OF THIS STYLISH EDGING.
BY ASHLEY RYAN
Fringe isn’t new. In fact, it has been featured prominently in apparel from ancient Mesopotamia to the tribes of North America. Later incorporated into flapper dresses in the 1920s, leather motorcycle jackets in the 1950s and hippie-style vests and bell-bottoms in the 1960s and ’70s, this trending trim has traversed decades, and is making a resurgence once more—this time on the runway.
“We’ve seen fringe make a huge comeback in the past year,” says stylist Molly Downing, who splits her time between Newport Beach and New York and is one South Coast Plaza’s personal shoppers.
“The [2022] Met Ball’s theme of Gilded Glamour embodied the grandeur … of America, which really rang in our belated emergence … to the Roaring 2020s.”
There are a number of ways to wear this style, ensuring that you can incorporate it into outfits for every occasion. Dress it up with silk fringe on a dress or skirt or layer feather fringe for an effortlessly chic look, or go for a more casual look with a suede jacket adorned with fringe edging. “Silk fringe can give off an opulent, Gatsby style while leather fringe is laid-back and can be worn every day,” Downing explains.
A classic suede jacket is perfectly paired with denim cutoff shorts or a white LoveShackFancy skirt or dress; vintage sweatshirts paired with fringe skirts are also trending right now. Finish off these outfits with cute sneakers or structured leather boots.
For dressier occasions, make a fringe dress the centerpiece of your look or consider pairing a silk fringe top with matching bottoms for a textured monotone style—and don’t forget the heels for added style. “Heels elevate every look,” Downing notes, recommending a black option with a pointed toe.
Put simply, fringe pairs best with denim, leather or white hues. And don’t shy away from matching pieces that both have this fierce edging. “Right now, the fashion trend is ‘anything goes,’ so layer everything,” she says. “Think fringe-on-fringe.”
Don’t forget to accessorize as well. Though it may sound intimidating, accessorizing with fringe can be rather easy, especially when dressing down. Grab a cowboy hat, some boots and an oversize bag and you’ve got a stylish, on-trend outfit with minimal effort.
Another option is to incorporate the trend itself in your add-ons, with designer brands like Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent producing fringe-adorned handbags and other fashion houses, such as Givenchy and Dolce & Gabbana, adding it to both ankle and knee-high boots. Elsewhere, the edging can be found on belts, hats and even jewelry.
The movement this type of trim presents is especially alluring for parties or dinners, Downing says. “I think the fringe trend just makes every occasion more fun,” she adds. Whether you’re going for cowgirl or glam, this style will likely be hanging around for a while.
ON THE EDGE
ENHANCE YOUR LOOK WITH A TRENDING TRIM, INCORPORATED EXPERTLY INTO THESE LOCALLY AVAILABLE ITEMS.
1) Turn heads in the vibrant CYNTHIA DRESS, a lime green mini sheath that features a layer of ostrich feathers along the straight neckline; head online to grab the same dress in a more subtle coral color, $795, at elysewalker, Lido Marina Village. (949-612-2646; elysewalker.com)
2) For a look that’s a little more Western cowgirl than
flapper, opt for the DV by Dolce Vita NEMILY FRINGE BOOTS, which feature fringe detailing down the outer side and come in a rich mahogany color to complement any outfit, $78, at francesca’s, Fashion Island. (949-272-9420; francescas.com)
3) Layer Mod Goddess’ DENIM FRINGE JACKET with any look for a pop of texture; the neutral ivory color makes it
easy to mix and match while the suede fringe detailing along the front and shoulders adds character, $124, at Stevie Sister, Fashion Island. (949640-5477; steviesister.com)
4) With flirty bubble sleeves, a chic square neckline, classic floral print and off-white feather fringe covering the body of the BERYL MINI DRESS, it’s a beautifully romantic option for
incorporating this stylish trend, $695, with advance order at LoveShackFancy, Lido Marina Village. (949-432-5136; loveshackfancy.com)
5) The perfect accessory to add some class to your ensemble, the FRINGE CLUTCH features trim in the form of pink and green glass and acrylic beads, paired with a slip pocket and snap closure,
$98, with advance order at Anthropologie’s The Terrain Pop-Up!, Fashion Island. (949720-9946; anthropologie.com)
6) Crafted with sleek silk in a bold green hue, the KLARA TOP and KLARA SKIRT by Cinq à Sept make the perfect matching set for a fun yet elegant look, $295 each, at Neiman Marcus, Fashion Island. (949-759-1900; neimanmarcus.com) NBM
A first for Lexus vehicles, the LX 600 features a stylish DASHBOARD with three electronic screens, including the driver display behind the steering wheel as well as a 12.3-inch upper screen and 7-inch lower screen that enable a more comfortable driving experience with their variety of views, instrumentation and control adjustments.
Powering the LX 600 is a high-output, high-torque 3.5-liter V-6 twin-turbo gasoline ENGINE, upgraded with all-new, 10-speed automatic transmission.
The second row of REAR SEATS in the Ultra Luxury version features large, leather-trimmed reclinable “captain’s chair” seats with massage function and embossed headrests, a dedicated infotainment system and electronic retractable table, ottoman and armrests.
Whether you’re racing across the desert, cruising through thick snow, crawling across bare rock or creeping through mud, the LX 600’s diverse MULTITERRAIN SELECT driving modes create a vehicle for all seasons and reasons.
The reworked front end revolves around a bold, upright GRILLE with merging floating bars that creates a threedimensional shape that integrates easily into the hood for an innovative and powerful solid look that’s sure to turn heads.
DEALERSHIP INFO NEWPORT LEXUS 3901 MacArthur Blvd. 949-477-7107; newportlexus.com
BEAUTY AND A BEAST
THE ALL-NEW LEXUS LX 600 TAKES ON TOWN AND COUNTRY.
BY JOE YOGERST | PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEXUS
Beauty and a beast is an ideal way to describe the new LX 600, the latest and so far greatest iteration in a family of luxury Lexus SUVs.
The sleek styling—including a much more robust front end—is complimented by performance that makes the vehicle a perfect choice for town or country driving. And by “country” we mean offroad capability suitable for deserts, mountains or other rugged terrain.
A Lexus spokesperson says the fourth generation of the LX features “a full optimization of nearly every component,” including a 20% more rigid and 441-pound lighter platform, a cabin redesigned for both comfort and usability, and a sophisticated Lexus Interface for easy, intuitive interaction and connectivity with both the vehicle and outside world.
Powered by a twin turbocharged, 3.4-liter V-6 engine—the most powerful Lexus LX engine of
all time—the 600 generates 409 horsepower, 479 pound-feet of torque and enough oomph to pull 8,000 pounds of boat or trailer. For a vehicle this size, it’s also quick off the line: zero to 60 in a swift 6.1 seconds.
The downside, if there is one, is gas mileage, which averages an EPA-certified 17 mpg on urban roads and 22 mpg on the open highway. Still, that’s pretty good compared to others in the large, luxury SUV league.
It has also got all the creature comforts that one expects from a vehicle that ranges from $90,660 for the basic style to $104,870 for the F Sport Handling edition and a whopping $130,750 for the super tricked-out Ultra Luxury model.
Leather-trimmed heated seating, artisan-crafted wood trim, three dashboard display screens, heated steering wheel, an all-new infotainment system with the latest multimedia technology plus “Hey Lexus!” voice assist are standard on all models.
But you’ll need to spring for the Ultra Luxury for features like reclining, massage-capable captain’s chairs in the second row; power retractable ottoman and rear center table; a “cool box” for beverages; thematic ambient illumination; digital rearview mirror; embossed headrests; and beautifully engraved Takanoha wood trim from Japan.
Yet it’s the offroad features that really make the LX 600 worth the big bucks, starting with a rugged frame, suspension and powertrain borrowed from its safari-worthy corporate cousin, the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser.
In addition to full-time four-wheel drive, the vehicle boasts electronic power steering, electronically controlled braking, a Crawl Control system that ensures slow, steady and safe advancement over difficult terrain, an under-vehicle camera that let drivers see exactly what they’re moving over, and a Multi-Terrain Select feature with six modes: Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow and Rock. NBM
A PASSION FOR PICKLEBALL
AMERICA’S FASTEST-GROWING SPORT PROVES POPULAR IN NEWPORT BEACH.
BY NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE STAFF
What do seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady, comedian Will Ferrell and millions of Americans have in common? The answer is a passion for pickleball.
The nation’s fasting growing sport—and possibly the fastest growing exercise activity on the entire planet—has raced across the U.S. during the past few years, consuming underused tennis courts (you can fit two pickleball courts onto a single tennis frame) and drawing attention from a host of high-profile athletes, entertainers and corporate sponsors.
It was started back in summer 1965 by Joel Pritchard to entertain his family; he later became a politician, serving as a Congressman and as Washington state’s lieutenant governor. The Pritchards’ property had an old badminton court and they were going to play, but couldn’t find enough rackets, so he improvised, grabbing some table tennis paddles and a whiffle ball. And, thus, a brand-new racket sport was born by accident.
It wasn’t until recent years that the pastime really took off. The sport’s growth is truly astounding. According to various sources, the number of Americans playing the game has spiked from around 5 million in 2021 to more than 36 million today.
One of the nation’s top facilities is The Tennis
and Pickleball Club at Newport Beach, which added pickleball to its name in 2022 and hosts tournaments, private and group lessons, specialty camps and a wide variety of charity-driven events in addition to casual play on 31 dedicated pickleball courts; the club also has 15 tennis courts.
Here, club owner and founder Sean BollettieriAbdali shares his love of the sport.
NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE: WHY DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY PICKLEBALL?
SEAN BOLLETTIERI-ABDALI: I love playing pickleball because I can play with my young kids, my wife, clients and anyone willing to pick up a paddle. It is a great time for all levels of individual skill. I have to add, tennis is my life passion, but it’s a game that takes many years to become good enough to even rally compared to pickleball.
NBM: HOW DID IT GO FROM A TENNIS CLUB TO HAVING SO MANY PICKLEBALL COURTS AND PLAYERS?
SBA: I’m proud to report we are the nation’s largest private pickleball club with the largest pickleball community in the country. However, our tennis club is also very successful. In fact, we have a long waiting list of one year for
tennis membership. Today, we not only host some of the most important professional and amateur pickleball tournaments, but we are also the world’s largest tennis tournament venue with over 30 UTR—[Universal Tennis Rating]—$25,000 purse tourneys per year. Tennis and pickleball complement each other and are best when they co-exist. That being said, many will disagree.
NBM: WAS THERE MUCH PUSHBACK FROM TENNIS PLAYERS WHEN COURTS WERE CONVERTED FOR PICKLEBALL?
SBA: Yes, being first at anything, you will get your share of pushback. That being said, I had many conversations surrounding which courts to allocate, when to put courts in and how to get the game [to] be accepted in a private club setting with membership. I worked with my now passed father, Nick Bollettieri, and Steve Shulla from IMG [Academy] along with pickleball ambassadors and my first appointed pickleball director to launch.
NBM: WHY DO YOU THINK PICKLEBALL HAS BECOME SO POPULAR IN RECENT YEARS?
SBA: The pandemic created a huge demand for the sport and was undoubtedly a huge factor in the game’s rise in popularity. During the pandemic, people where desperate to recreate and find a social channel, activity, community and healthy lifestyle. Pickleball offered a game that was played outdoors, [was] relatively easy to learn, unlike tennis, and offered safe social distancing. It was … easy to become completely addicted. It is truly the peoples’ sport—[whether you are] athletic or not.
NBM: WHAT KIND OF A WORKOUT DO YOU GET FROM PLAYING PICKLEBALL?
SBA: Surprisingly, although the court is [a] quarter [of the] size of a tennis court, you get more cardio in an average 25-minute game compared to a 90-minute tennis match. You have to always be ready to react and you get to hit many more balls in pickleball.
GEAR TO GET YOU STARTED
WITH THESE PRODUCTS, YOU’LL HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR FIRST PICKLEBALL LESSON.
Women-owned brand pb&jelly, based in Newport Beach, offers everything you need to look stylish and sophisticated on the court, from embroidered socks to moisture-wicking hats and visors like the WHITE VISOR WITH BRIGHT PEACE, LOVE, PB, $29.50, online at pb&jelly. (pickleballandjelly.com)
A few years ago, there were virtually no dedicated pickleball shoes, but now players can choose from a growing selection of footwear, such as the line of WOMEN’S EXPRESS LIGHT PICKLEBALL SHOES from K-Swiss, which offer comfort, stability and durability in a lightweight, breathable sneaker, $104.99, at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fashion Island. (949-640-1107; dickssportinggoods.com)
Those looking for a lightweight feel combined with extra power and maneuverability should try the Onix GRAPHITE Z5 PICKLEBALL PADDLE, which features a handle like a tennis racket for proper grip and a honeycomb core for added ball control, $99, at the Pro Shop at Palisades Tennis Club. (714-478-2500; palisadestennisproshop.com)
Store your gear in the CRBN PRO TEAM TOUR BAG, another brand based in Newport; with two padded pockets for paddles, a vented shoe compartment, a large interior section for apparel plus a partition for dirty clothes and even a thermal-lined space for water or snacks, you’ll have room for everything you need to bring to a lesson or match, $139.99, online at CRBN. (949-409-1091; crbnpickleball.com) NBM
HOLISTIC HELP
POPPY LIFE CARE OFFERS MINDFULNESS AND NUTRITION SERVICES TO ASSIST PEOPLE DEALING WITH ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, ADDICTION, SLEEP DISORDERS, AUTISM AND MORE.
BY SHARON STELLO
Erica Solis, who has dealt with anxiety and depression, found that meditation, yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, music therapy and even nutrition helped her begin to heal. She wanted to share what she learned to help others and so, in 2018, she founded Poppy Life Care, an integrated holistic health group that serves families and individuals in the areas of mental wellness, behavioral health and overall well-being. While healing is a lifelong journey, she says these practices have had a profound effect.
“I’ve experienced how our holistic approach has impacted my life and the … [lives] of my clients,” Solis says. “Whether it’s overcoming anxiety, managing stress and even helping to heal gut-health issues, every facet of the human body and energetic system is interconnected. We cannot separate the mind from the body or the spirit from the body. Our programming supports healing at the energetic level along with the whole person.”
Poppy Life Care is based in Newport Beach at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living, which provides some financial support for its nonprofit arm—Poppy Life Care Foundation—and space for both offices and in-person services such as a nutrition program focusing on hormone, women’s and gut-brain health. Some in-person services are also provided at another location in Irvine and the organization is expanding digitally across the country.
A new partnership with Rocket Doctor, which provides virtual clinics in several California cities, is helping the group reach out to people around the state, especially those in underserved communities. “We plan to develop more partnerships like these to help us reach the people in need of our services most,” Solis says. Grants and donations to its foundation, as well as a for-profit side of the business, help make services free for those who can’t afford them.
Poppy Life Care works with clients—some as young as 5—dealing with conditions ranging from anxiety to depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, behavioral disorders, addiction, chronic stress, diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal conditions and sleep disorders, while also helping with weight and pain management. The organization offers yoga, meditation, mindfulness techniques, sound healing, and nutritional education.
These services are offered “to complement a person’s total overall wellness,” Solis says, noting that all are available as needed, some via telehealth and some in-person. “… Our wellness coaches are trained in integrating each facet of the dimensions of wellness with mindfulness as the keystone component to sustainability, healing and long-term lifestyle changes.”
While the organization is mostly doing one-onone, virtual wellness coaching currently, Solis hopes to pick back up with yoga and meditation sessions and even sound baths in the spring.
Research has shown that mindfulness-based stress reduction can help alleviate not only stress, but also anxiety, depression and chronic pain. And, in November, the JAMA Psychiatry journal published results of a study showing that mindfulness therapy can work as well at relieving anxiety as the generic form of Lexapro, an antidepressant often prescribed by psychiatrists. In the study, patients were divided into two groups: One took anxiety medicine and the other practiced mindfulness, which included 2½ hours of guided meditation a week plus 45 minutes a day on their own. In two months, both groups had experienced a 30% decrease in anxiety symptoms.
Science also informs Poppy Life Care’s “food is medicine” nutrition program, focused on the gutbrain axis. The vagus nerve—the main component of the body’s parasympathetic nervous system— connects and sends messages between the brain and digestive system. And, according to the American Psychological Association, about 95% of the body’s serotonin—which influences mood and gastrointestinal activity—is actually produced by bacteria in the gut, often called the body’s “second brain.”
“So it makes sense that what we put in our body is directly related to our mental health and behavioral health,” Solis says. “… Every person’s journey is unique to them. … Our programs provide the tools for managing and overcoming some of the toughest challenges life throws our way.” NBM
JULIE LAUGHTON
The designer and general contractor who specializes in building custom homes shares what makes her unique one-of-a-kind approach so helpful for homeowners and how, “It All Starts With a Good Plan.”
What is the biggest mistake that homeowners usually make when beginning their home construction project?
They don’t hire the right people or they don’t hire anyone at all. If you don’t have a good architect/ designer or hire the wrong contactor, your project is guaranteed to be a nightmare for you. In order to be successful in your remodel or building project, all players working on the job must be qualified and service your needs.
How is your approach unique for homeowners who are looking to remodel or build a home ground up?
I provide a unique one-stop shop, which entails all the architecture, design, engineering, construction phases and building of the project. It is a complete 100% turnkey service that makes dreams come true and changes lifestyles.
What are the trends in home design this Spring? Luxury living with an easy on the eye look is popular right now. Organic themes and materials along with mindfulness and energy efficiency are all important factors to be considered.
What is your philosophy for working with homeowners?
It’s all about making people’s homes better so their lives are better. The home needs to reflect their lifestyle as well as function flawlessly to match how they are living today and now. I spend an incredible amount of time upfront with the client interviewing them and getting research on how they live and what they like and don’t like. As my motto says, “It All Starts With a Good Plan.” Everything I do in the beginning is all about the details, which drive the beautiful process and enables us to complete the amazing dream home for each and every client.
Eat & Drink
Shining STARS
Culinary standouts in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa capture the attention of Michelin Guide.
BY CRAWFORD MCCARTHY AND NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE STAFF
In 1889, two brothers founded a tire company in France and, to promote automotive travel—and by association, their products—the duo developed a guide for motorists with helpful information: travel maps, how to change a tire, where to get gas (or petrol for their European readers) and, most importantly, where to find hotels and places to eat while on the road. This handy booklet was known as the Michelin Guide, for its founding brothers and their eponymously named company.
As the guide’s restaurant section started to have more influence, a team of mystery diners (now called restaurant inspectors) were put into action to anonymously visit and review the establishments. The guide began awarding stars for fine dining locations in 1926, first using a single star and then moving to a tiered system of up to three stars. Almost a century later, the guide now rates more than 30,000 establishments on three continents.
The words Michelin Guide can evoke images of silent dining rooms where nondescript waiters with white gloves deliver tiny portions of food, often wrapped in foams and gels—but those are edifices of a decadent past. The guide has evolved, and so have the restaurants that fill it. Orange County has been fighting for pole position in the eyes of Southern California diners for some time and, in recent years, several local establishments have made Michelin Guide take notice, proving they’re on par with top restaurants in big cities around the world.
Few understand this better than chef Tony Esnault and restaurateur Yassmin Sarmadi, the husband-and-wife team behind Knife Pleat, the most recent to earn a Michelin star in OC. Taco Maria and Hana re—two other Costa Mesa restaurants—also boast one star while five eateries in Newport Beach have received Michelin mentions including Fable & Spirit, which is highlighted on the Bib Gourmand list of quality establishments that also offer a good value. In 2019, Michelin expanded to include Orange County in its first California guide, and the most recent accolades were announced this past December.
Florent Marneau making a Dungeness crab dish (finished at right)
CULINARY CHAMPIONS
At Knife Pleat—situated atop iconic South Coast Plaza—the chic space showcases modern, seasonal interpretations of classic French cuisine by Esnault, one of California’s best French chefs. Think black truffle risotto, seared duck breast and leg confit, and a mango and passion fruit souffle. To him, “Michelin is about excellence” in every area. “This means consistency, quality of ingredients, discipline, creativity, technique [and] innovation,” he says. “Having all these elements show in the cooking is what exemplifies a Michelin-starred restaurant.”
Esnault and Sarmadi offer some insight into Michelin’s decision-making process. “[It’s] mainly the level of cooking,” Sarmadi says. “According to Michelin, a star is earned based solely on what’s on the plate, but a restaurant is about much more than that. Great food delivered through culinary expertise is paramount to being considered for a star, but without warm,
gracious service and a pleasant ambiance, a guest’s experience isn’t the same.”
A top level dining experience like this can seem intimidating, but Knife Pleat aims to end this stigma. “Our team works as a cohesive whole to deliver hospitality at its best,” Sarmadi explains. “We strive to create a memorable experience through attention to detail in the kitchen and the dining room without the intimidation factor that sometimes comes with fine dining.”
Like Knife Pleat, Marché Moderne—situated along the jewel that is Crystal Cove— elevates the French style to an ethereal degree. Interestingly, Marché Moderne is also run by a husband-and-wife team, Florent and Amelia Marneau, and once occupied the same South Coast Plaza penthouse space as Knife Pleat does now. Masters of their crafts, the chefs at Marché Moderne truly know how to give guests an experience unlike any other. Florent heads the kitchen, turning out dishes like coq au vin with cremini mushrooms and honey bacon, and roasted lamb rib-eye with mint and vadouvan emulsion, while Amelia’s delectable desserts range from raspberry tarts to chocolate souffle cake.
Though the guide’s roots are in France, and expertly crafted French cuisine is a hallmark of the Michelin Guide, other experiences are easily within reach. If French isn’t your cup of tea, sushi is another great option. The perfect exercise in minimalism that is a meal at Hana Re (or Sushi Ii in Newport) will have you dreaming of sushi for many nights to come.
Hana re, tucked into The LAB Anti-Mall, specializes in omakase (chef’s choice) dining at a 10-seat counter with chef Atsushi Yokoyama at the helm. According to the Michelin Guide, “It feels like a neighborhood secret, hidden in the back of a shopping mall, yet this gem is indeed worth seeking out.” In addition to highlighting the masterfully-cut fish and dishes such as cuttlefish dashi and house-cured salmon roe with uni petals, Michelin notes that “the almond panna cotta with macerated strawberries is swoon-worthy.”
Sushi Ii, on West Coast Highway, features the masterful work of chef Susumu Ii, who started at age 18 as an apprentice in traditional Japanese cuisine and has honed his skills over
a nearly 30-year career in Orange County. Michelin notes that the “kaiseki-style menu, complete with Japanese-imported fish and local ingredients, is a tribute to the seasons,” calling out dishes like tofu topped with bafun uni and yuba as well as nigiri made with hagashi toro and baby sea bream. “These plates are meticulously prepared and enjoyably nuanced,” Michelin says.
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
Chef Carlos Salgado’s Taco María was among the first in Orange County to earn a Michelin star. It is, by the very definition of the Michelin Guide, a fantastic restaurant. However, it’s more than simply a place to eat: Taco Maria changes you. It takes the history, culture and flavors of Mexican cuisine and translates them in a way that transforms preconceived notions and challenges expectations. It is more than Mexican food—it is heritage.
Taco María earns its star by going beyond the plate and challenging diners’ very notions of not just a dish, but a cuisine. Consider the smoked albacore taco, the “callo gratinado” with scallop, uni cream and squid ink, or the “tamal de pataca” with white corn, sunchoke, tomatillo, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. A meal here is a conversation with
tradition, and a beautiful one at that. In doing this, Taco Maria has proven itself not just as one of the best restaurants in Orange County, but also one of the most important.
Bello by Sandro Nardone is similar in the unconventional way it has found the eyes of the guide. Essentially two restaurants in one, Bello presents Italian cuisine that defies tradition and trades the conventional “red sauce” mentality for technique and an approach to seasonality in its food. Owner Sandro Nardone is from Atina, between Rome and Naples, in Italy. Growing up in a family of chefs, he quickly gained a passion for the culinary arts. His parents ran a small chain of restaurants, his mother produced olive oil from family trees, created charcuterie from pigs raised by an aunt, and her polenta was so popular that Rome’s most important politician would visit the house for it. Meanwhile, Pope John Paul II was reportedly a loyal customer of an aunt who made a beloved scamorza cheese. Nardone studied cooking in Italy and worked at the famous Al Mulino outside of Rome then came to the U.S. in 2012 and founded Angelina’s Pizzeria in Dana Point before opening Bello in 2019.
In addition to regular seating in the dining room, a chef’s table is offered Thursday through Saturday for groups by reservation at Bello, where Chef de Cuisine Zach Scherer and Sous Chef Drew Adams present 12- to 14-course seasonal tasting menus that challenge diners’ taste buds to shockingly delightful degrees. A meal at Bellow is surprising and, at times, provocative in the best way possible. Take, for example, the “pollo crocante,” a crispy free-range chicken with pea and pistachio pesto, or the “acqua pazza” with branzino, fish stock, baby heirloom tomatoes, lemon and chopped parsley.
LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD
Stars are hard to earn, which is why Michelin expanded its offerings to diners by adding the Bib Gourmand list and other recommendations. Mind you, while these restaurants may not have stars, they are still phenomenal all the same. The reaction to even this degree of recognition from Michelin is enough to make professionals do a double take. Ali Coyle, the sommelier at Fable & Spirit and daughter of owners Darren and Jean Coyle, remembers the moment her family’s Via Lido restaurant was praised by the guide, first as one of 25 California “Inspector Discoveries” in 2020—a year after the eatery opened—and then making it on the Bib Gourmand list for the next two years.
“It was unreal,” she says. “When we first opened, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the wine list for the restaurant. Then we got recognized and you realize people are watching, and it just reaffirmed my commitment to the approach to my wines and our wine program.”
Her commitment to the wine list is well noted and Fable & Spirit boasts an astounding kitchen to match. Consider dishes like rabbit fricassee with truffle potato puree, beet agnolotti with chevre espuma, chicken confit, 12-hour kurobuta porchetta and fish and chips with curry remoulade. As Michelin says, ”With its elegant design and backdrop of the sparkling sea, this ‘fabled’ spot doesn’t have to try very hard to win fans. And yet, it never rests solely on its good looks. The room is packed with an unmistakable hum of happy diners diving into delicious pub grub.”
Around the block in Lido Marina Village sits another Michelin favorite: Lido Bottle Works—a tiny space that serves up alarmingly delicious food with seasonal changes. From burrata with heirloom carrots and gremolata to a crispy Jidori chicken sandwich with coconut-lime aioli, octopus with mole negro and escabeche, pork belly bao buns, and the LBW Burger with manchego, smoked chile aioli and garlic turmeric pickles, there’s something to wow every palate. Even the house-made fries come with a nontraditional condiment: pomegranate ketchup.
“It’s definitely a great honor to get recognized and be listed with other restaurants at the top,” says Executive Chef Joel Gutierrez.
“Personally, for me as a chef, now, it’s just about continuing to keep doing what we did to get here. If anything, it forces you to look even deeper at the small details that you wouldn’t have seen before to stay in the conversation.”
Lido Bottle Works and Gutierrez’s feelings about the Michelin Guide are proof that excellent dining is not hard to find in Orange County. You simply need to look around, and, if need be, consult a guide. NBM
Local chefs encourage at-home cooks to try making favorite recipes in their own kitchens.
BY TANYA A. YACINA
Discovering a favorite dish at a restaurant can be a divine experience, often encouraging a patron to revisit the establishment that created it again and again. It’s also a nice option to try re-creating that meal at home, in the comfort of your own kitchen with your own tools and tricks—maybe even making it better with a few additions.
But where does one begin to become an at-home master chef?
Luckily, several local restaurants offer cookbooks while a few kitchen supply stores host workshops to get budding chefs started. Angel Lara, resident chef and instructor at Sur La Table in Corona del Mar, suggests taking one of the shop’s many cooking classes to help inspire culinary creativity, as well as learn essential skills and techniques to prepare favorite recipes in the comfort of your home.
“My favorite classes to teach are the family-fun classes,” he says. “It’s rewarding to watch a family connect and it’s beautiful to be a part of that experience. … We teach the skills needed in class and families can put their own creative spin on what they’ve learned [when they re-create a dish] at home. The date night classes are also a fun way for couples and friends to spend time with one another while learning something new and unique.”
Gracias Madre Executive Chef Diana Briscoe says her personal inspiration for culinary creations comes from the traditions and love of her family, especially her grandmother who taught her how to cook when she was a young girl. She says dishes on the menu at Gracias Madre focus on gluten-free, organic and high-quality ingredients, and serves those with different dietary restrictions while providing a unique dining experience.
“Our menu is easy to do, but of course, some items involve more technique than others,” Briscoe explains. “I recommend checking out our new ‘Gracias Madre Cookbook’ for tips and tricks on how to make our dishes at home. A few items to try would be our ceviche, pastor cauliflower tacos, oyster asada mushrooms tacos, ‘crab’ cakes (pastelitos de palma) and tortilla soup.”
COOKING ESSENTIALS
Clockwise, from top: “The Gracias Madre Cookbook” offers plantbased inspiration for home chefs; Gracias Madre Executive Chef Diana Briscoe; Madre Ceviche from the cookbook
An at-home chef should be set up with the essentials needed to whip up delectable dishes. Lara recommends investing in good quality saute pans, including some that are nonstick. Other items to have in a properly equipped kitchen are a stockpot with steamer basket, high-temperature spatulas and sharp knives as well as a stand mixer, food processor and quality blender.
“This list of basics helps the home chef create incredible dishes at home and the tools make it fun and easier than doing everything by hand,” Lara explains. “Some of our favorite items that are a must for every kitchen are a zester, garlic roller, a bench scraper and a good cutting board. These are simple tools that are essential to make cooking easier.”
Briscoe recommends using nonstick tools, like plastic or Teflon saute pans, and wood—not metal—spoons with this type of equipment. She says to always have a nice cast-iron pan or wok, which helps intensify the flavors. Also, a handheld immersion blender helps to make salsas, emulsify dressings and puree soups.
“Keep your place organized and clean. Start with the basics of a recipe and clean as you go. It’s not only easier, but also prevents accidents,” she explains. “Lastly, be patient. Some of the best dishes take time and attention.”
“CRAB” CAKES
SERVINGS: Makes about 8 cakes
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup corn
2 teaspoons minced onion
2 teaspoons minced red bell pepper
4 shredded whole hearts of palm (in place of crab)
3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs, plus more for breading
1 1/2 teaspoons vegan mayonnaise
1 teaspoon crushed nori (dried edible seaweed)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Spicy mayo, for garnish (see recipe below)
Lemon wedges, for garnish
To make the crab cakes, heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high
heat. Add corn, onion and red pepper and cook for 5 minutes, or until just tender. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse to form a coarse puree.
In a large bowl, combine corn mixture, hearts of palm, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, nori, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, mustard powder, salt and pepper.
On a large plate, place a generous layer of breadcrumbs. Line another plate with parchment. Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup, scoop out portions of the crab cake mixture, flatten slightly and dredge in breadcrumbs. Add a thin layer of oil to a large nonstick or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat, and fry crab cakes until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
Top each crab cake with a tablespoon or two of spicy mayo (see recipe below) and sprinkle cilantro on top. Serve with lemon wedges.
SPICY MAYO
SERVINGS: Makes about 1 cup
1 cup vegan mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons salsa negra (see recipe below)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, garlic, salsa negra, lemon juice and salt until smooth and combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
SALSA NEGRA
Servings: Makes about 1 1/2 cups
25 habanero peppers
4 ounces garlic cloves (about 40 cloves)
1/2 medium onion, cut into wedges, layers separated
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon Himalayan salt
Preheat broiler and line baking sheet with aluminum foil. To make the salsa negra, arrange habaneros, garlic and onion pieces in an even layer on the baking sheet. Broil on the rack closest to the broiler for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn vegetables as they char, then return to the broiler. Broil until fully blackened on all sides, about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a highspeed blender and add oil, vinegar and salt. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to one week. —CourtesyofGraciasMadre;adapted from “The Gracias Madre Cookbook”
GNOCCHI WITH BROWN BUTTER SAGE SAUCE AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH SERVINGS: 4
GNOCCHI
2 pounds russet potatoes
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving
Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce potatoes all over with a fork. Place potatoes onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake in the oven until tender, about 1 hour. Carefully peel potatoes and immediately process with a potato
ricer or food mill. Spread evenly on a clean flat surface.
Using a fine-mesh strainer, dust potatoes evenly with flour. Drizzle eggs and salt over potatoes and knead for about 2 minutes, or until you have smooth, cohesive dough. If the dough feels sticky, incorporate up to another 1/4 cup of cake flour. Cover with a kitchen towel and set aside to rest for 20 minutes.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Place dough on a lightly-floured work surface and cut into quarters with a bench scraper. Roll each portion into a long rope, about 3/4 inches in diameter. Using the bench scraper or a knife, cut the rope into 3/4-inch pieces. Set the cut gnocchi on a lightly floured baking sheet and cover with a kitchen towel as you form the rest.
Add gnocchi in batches to simmering water and cook until they float to the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer cooked dumplings to a skillet with the sauce (see recipe below), gently stirring to coat with butter and sage. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Transfer dumplings to warmed shallow pasta bowls or a large-rimmed serving platter; garnish generously with grated cheese and serve immediately.
BROWN BUTTER SAUCE AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 2 cups cubed (1/4-inch pieces) butternut squash
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh sage leaves
To prepare the sauce, add 2 tablespoons of butter to a large skillet set over medium-high heat. When butter melts, add squash, season with salt and pepper, and saute until caramelized and tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer squash to a plate. Return skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining butter. Melt butter, stirring occasionally, until the milk solids turn golden brown and the butter takes on a nutty aroma. Stir in the sherry vinegar and sage. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Fold in squash and reduce heat to low. Serve sauce on the gnocchi.
—Courtesy of Sur La Table
For some recipe ideas, consider flipping through a cookbook from local restaurants. In addition to the one from Gracias Madre, Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store offers four: “Flavors of the Southern Coast,” “Flavors of Aloha,” “Flavors of California” and “The Marlin Bar” cocktail book. And the chefs behind other local restaurants, Rick Bayless of Red O and Deborah Schneider of Sol Mexican Cocina, also have their own cookbooks. Try Schneider’s “Baja! Cooking on the Edge,” “The Mexican Slow Cooker” and “Amor y Tacos,” or sign up for her on-demand cooking video series on craftsy.com. Bayless has six cookbooks available, from “Mexican Everyday” to “Mexico—One Plate at a Time.” And Zov’s, which has a Newport Coast location, offers two cookbooks by chef Zov Karamardian: “Zov: Recipes and Memories From the Heart” and “Simply Zov.” And in addition to the in-person classes at Sur
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store also offers cookbooks for those seeking flavors from the islands or the Southern coast.
La Table, another cooking supply store, Williams Sonoma, offers some cookbooks as well as virtual courses and occasional in-person sessions for step-by-step guidance.
TIPS FROM THE CHEFS
“To be honest, [cooking] … takes a lot of practice. Learn how to cook by taste and not just reading a recipe,” Lara says. “Recipes are more of a guideline at the home level. This is like anything else in life: It takes practice and experience. Equipment will help and expedite things, but unless you know what it should look, feel, smell, taste or even—at times— sound like, equipment can only help so much.”
Lara says be willing to experiment. Tackle one item that is interesting, but intimidating, and focus on completing it. You’ll learn in the process of making it and know how to improve the next time you make it. He also says to remember cooking is a
fun and creative process.
Basic techniques are the most important things to learn—and frequent practice will help build those skills. Briscoe says anyone can cook and offers these tips for success: Always buy quality ingredients and remember less is more. Both chefs recommend using fresh ingredients and herbs when cooking at home as the fresh flavors are more intense and extra condiments won’t be necessary.
Briscoe also suggests opting for a recipe that involves roasting. “It’s an easier way to cook, without sacrificing flavor, because you can prepare other dishes while items are in the oven roasting to perfection in their marinade and juices,” she says. “I always like to make the most out of my time in the kitchen. Whether that’s involving the kids, family [or] friends to cook together, or taking time to myself to relax and cook alone with a nice song and glass of wine.” NBM
for the Love
of BEER
Pull up a chair at one of coastal OC’s many craft breweries to kick back and enjoy a pint—and maybe some pub grub, too.
BY TANYA A. YACINA AND NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE STAFF
Breweries abound in Southern California, including more than a dozen that have popped up in coastal Orange County. From the beach towns of Newport, Huntington and Laguna— and inland to Costa Mesa—there’s no shortage of curated craft beer for aficionados to taste and try. Whether you’re looking for the latest small-batch craft creation or a favorite from one of the larger brands like BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Golden Road Brewing and Karl Strauss Brewing Co., which have local brewpubs, Newport Beach and the surrounding area doesn’t disappoint.
For more than two decades, Newport Beach Brewing Co. was the only craft brewery in town. After it closed in 2018, Helmsman Ale House took over the Balboa Peninsula space and began making its own beer the next year. From India pale ales like Double Down and Hop Comedor to Blackfin Lager and even some hard seltzers, Helmsman gets creative with what it puts on tap. But there’s a lot that goes into making these sought-after sips.
“The art of brewing wouldn’t be possible without a good understanding of the science,” says Juan Higuera, Helmsman’s head brewer. “There is a lot of reading and studying before a brewer can start to be an artist, but the art is what makes craft breweries so special—the creativity and passion is on full display. That is something macro-breweries can’t match.”
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CHIHUAHUA CERVEZA
NEWPORT BEACH
Although it’s not made in Newport, Chihuahua Cerveza’s Primero, a premium Mexican-style lager, is served at its Balboa Peninsula taproom (which opened in 2018) along with several guest taps. Chihuahua Cerveza brews its beers in Buellton, California, including lagers named Rico, Limón and a guava-lime variety, all available for purchase in bottles and cans elsewhere. Deemed “The Original Mexican American Beer,” the Chihuahua Cerveza brand seeks to highlight Mexican American culture through stories of those who represent the Mexican spirit historically and inspire the next generation. The beer pairs well with Chihuahua’s cantina vibe and street-style food, including nachos and tacos with mahi mahi, carnitas or other proteins. The taproom also offers a large mezcal and tequila selection on-site and hosts classic car shows and cruises every Sunday at 9 a.m. (chihuahuacerveza.com)
FOUR SONS BREWING
HUNTINGTON BEACH
With more than 20 different beers on tap and frequent new releases, the family- and dog-friendly Four Sons Brewing taproom on Gothard Street has something for all tastes. A unique option is the CocoNutorious, a coconut amber, but the most popular brew is a smooth and malty imperial IPA called The Great One. The brewery has won multiple awards, but its most decorated beer is O’Sonset, an Irish red ale. Four Sons also offers sours and hard seltzers including flavors like passion fruit and Blue Raz Lemonade. Several events are also hosted at the taproom, such as comedy and trivia nights, and a rotating lineup of food trucks can be found on-site. New and vintage pinball machines can be played in the barrel room, when not closed for private events; check out the current selection at brewcades.com. Since starting in 2014, the brewery has added a second taproom on Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach and HB Hot by Four Sons Brewing, a beer and hot chicken sandwich outpost at Bella Terra shopping center. Four Sons also has a distillery and operates a craft cocktail bar next to the Gothard Street taproom; reservations are required for the intimate space that’s only open Friday and Saturday nights. No matter which location you choose, Four Sons has a way
Helmsman Ale House is a family-friendly, full-service eatery (even hosting trivia nights on Tuesdays, game nights on Thursdays and occasional paint nights), and is touted as the only craft beer spot that brews in-house in Newport. All of Helmsman’s beers are brewed either at the Newport location or at its sister site, Babe’s BarB-Que and Brewery in Rancho Mirage.
Helmsman focuses on making quality brews with flavor profiles that guests will enjoy whether ordering a pint or a plate of food to go with it. While Helmsman also serves wine and cocktails, it’s well known for its beer, particularly the Hazy IPA; Brett Newton, the company’s certified cicerone (like a sommelier for beer) and a bartender at Babe’s, suggests trying a pint with CBR Crispy Tacos on the menu because the citrus in both pairs well and the juicy, tropical flavors in the beer add to the flavor of the tacos, which feature savory, marinated chicken, topped with crisp bacon bits, cotija cheese, lime and a chile-ranch sauce in a hard shell.
When making a new beer, Higuera and Rydelle Hall, director of brewery operations at Helmsman, discuss the flavors they would personally enjoy and get input from Newton and owner Lucky Callender. From there, they research ingredients and techniques that will achieve the desired taste and say that, for them, it’s really about what they would enjoy drinking. “We take a lot of inspiration from beers and drinks we like,” Higuera says. “It’s not necessarily creating new flavors, but creating the flavors we want.”
It can take two to four weeks to make a beer, depending on whether it’s an ale or a lager. Grain is milled and mixed with hot water to convert the starch to sugar. This liquid is strained into another vessel, where it’s boiled for an hour and hops are added. Next, it’s cooled and put in the fermenter with yeast—and then they wait the allotted amount of time for it to be finished and they can finally taste the results. Hall and Higuera agree that attention to detail is an important part of their process—everything matters, from what goes into the brew to how you develop those ingredients.
“Either something is well-made or it isn’t,” Hall explains. “The best thing about large-scale commercial beers is the consistency they can achieve. With small craft breweries, you get more of an artist’s approach in comparison— creativity at its finest.”
To support local brewers and find your favorite beers in the area, head to Helmsman (helmsmanalehouse.com) or visit one of these other breweries in the region.
of bringing people together. “We love that we’ve made so many new friends and that others have made friends while hanging out at our place,” says owner Duke Dufresne. “It’s especially gratifying to see people meet at the brewery and then [even] end up getting married.” (foursonsbrewing.com)
LAGUNA BEACH BEER CO.
LAGUNA BEACH
Founded in 2014 by Laguna Beach natives and childhood friends Brent Reynard and Mike Lombardo, who started the venture in their garage, Laguna Beach Beer Co. names its brews after local landmarks and history. Best known for its flagship West Coast IPA called Thousand Steps (named after a Laguna beach), this particular beer is dry-hopped with aromas of citrus, tropical fruit, blueberry and pine coming through. LBBC makes a wide range of beers plus a peach-mango sour and a hibiscus lemonade hard seltzer currently on the menu. Enjoy a brew with a flatbread pizza, soft pretzel, sandwich or wrap at the Laguna Canyon tasting room and kitchen, which boasts a large, shaded outdoor area and 20 taps including other brands of cider and hard kombucha as well as a full selection of wine and nonalcoholic beer. “We’ve just recently introduced a deli-style sandwich menu that has received resounding praise from our locals and visitors alike,” says Christian Emsiek, the brewery’s co-owner and chief operating officer. “In my opinion, the Thousand Steps pairs incredibly well
with our Italian sub served on fresh baked Dutch Crunch bread from our good pals at Bread Artisan Bakery.” To pair with the food and drink, trivia is on Tuesday nights and a spring/summer concert series kicked off March 4 with Burritos, a Sublime tribute band. (lagunabeer.com)
FLASHPOINT BREWING CO. HUNTINGTON BEACH
After celebrating its second anniversary over the summer, Flashpoint Brewing Co. won a bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the fall for its Churchill Browns, a Kenucky common, which is a dark-colored but light-flavored and maltaccented beer. But Flashpoint also brews everything from a coconut IPA to a mango hefeweizen and Mexican lager. Consider also Purple Tears, a Belgian golden strong ale; Endless Variants, a West Coast IPA; Amberdexterous, an American amber ale; and Too Much Sun, a brown porter. Hard seltzer fans will rejoice, too, with choices like strawberry lemonade, raspberry, blood orange or grapefruit. With indoor
and outdoor seating, the family- and dogfriendly locale has also hosted events like trivia and paint nights as well as karaoke. And Orange Pig Smokehouse can often be found serving up brisket, tri tip tacos and more on weekends while food trucks are typically there on other days. (flashpointbrewingco.com)
RIIP BEER CO.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
With Riip Beer & Pizzeria located in the inland part of Huntington Beach and a dog-friendly brewery and taproom on Pacific Coast Highway with a large patio, views of the beach and trivia every Wednesday night, Riip Beer Co. has beer lovers covered for any type of gathering. Riip plans to also open a pizzeria in fall 2023 within the same strip mall as the taproom, giving visitors more choices for food to bring in and pair with their pint. At the taproom, “we brew on-site so you can see all the production happening while enjoying your beers,” says Ryan Rasmussen, who co-founded the business in 2014 with his brother-in-law. He says Riip’s most popular beers are the hoppy ones like IPAs. The brewery has won several awards at the Great American Beer Festival including four over the past five years for a black IPA called Black the Riipper, and two in the most impacted category (American IPA) for Super Cali in 2016 and Dankster Squad in 2022. At the San Diego International Beer Festival, Riip was crowned Champion Brewery of the Year in 2022. And Riip turns out a hard seltzer called Black Fang,
Above: Riip Beer Co.’s most popular brews are its hoppy India pale ales. Its Dankster Squad (shown) won an award at the Great American Beer Festival in 2022.
Below: Beachwood Brewing has both a taproom and Beachwood Pizza & Beer (shown) in Huntington Beach; right: Beachwood’s beer and Benny Blanco pizza
Gunwhale Ales serves a variety of beer such as Old World-inspired farmhouse ales at its Costa Mesa taproom (right).
COURTESY OF RIIP
playing with different flavor combinations such as Tiger’s Blood (a mix of coconut, strawberry and watermelon). The inland pizzeria—complete with arcade games, 18-inch pizzas and some options by the slice as well as sandwiches and wings (not to mention beer and wine)—is a family-friendly place that often hosts Little League celebrations and occasionally presents live music. (riip.beer)
BEACHWOOD BREWING HUNTINGTON BEACH
An independent brewery since 2011—started as an offshoot of Beachwood BBQ restaurant in Seal Beach, which closed during the pandemic—Beachwood Brewing has several locations in the region including both a taproom and Beachwood Pizza & Beer in Huntington Beach, serving up everything from IPAs to sours, an imperial porter and even some hard seltzers, so there’s something for every taste. Co-owner and brewmaster Julian Shrago says the brand’s most popular beers are its West Coast IPAs, but most notably Amalgamator due to its aromatic and flavor intensity, yet high drinkability. “Amalgamator pairs perfectly with one of our 16-inch, handcrafted sourdough pizzas, either a classic pepperoni pizza or our Benny Blanco with black garlic, mozzarella, ricotta, lemon juice, black pepper and Parmesan,” Shrago says. The company also has a sister project, Beachwood Blendery, a small-batch producer of tart, funky brews inspired by the lambic-style beers of Belgium, with some available at the local taprooms. Tip: Steely Jam, a specialty West Coast IPA collaboration with Urban Roots Brewing in Sacramento, was set to release March 9. (beachwoodbrewing.com)
GUNWHALE ALES COSTA MESA
Gunwhale Ales is an independent brewery, blending house and taproom in Costa Mesa, located near The Camp and The LAB AntiMall with two large outdoor patios that are dog- and family-friendly. The brewery was cofounded in 2016 by friends Justin Miller,
JT Wallace and Bobby Fitzgerald, who grew up surfing, fishing, camping and boating together. Inspired by the spirit of Old West pioneers, the untamed coastline and expansive ocean, the brewery’s founders aim to preserve the region’s wildness through craft food and drink. Gunwhale’s most popular brew is Bait Ball, an unfiltered West Coast IPA. Miller says this is one of the first beers the company brewed and it has been a staple of the community for six years. “[Bait Ball] is a low bitterness, tropical IPA with lower body, making it easy to pound,” Miller says. “We are a small-batch brewery that serves many different styles of beer in our taproom. We do not serve food now, but we are thinking about adding a kitchen very soon—stay tuned.” Check out happy hour on Wednesdays and events like kids skateboard lessons every other weekend as well as comedy shows. (gunwhaleales.com)
BREWING RESERVE OF CALIFORNIA
COSTA MESA
With names like If You Cake It, They Will Come and Hell Hound imperial stouts to Magnificent Beard barleywine and Good Day for a Wheat Wedding, the creativity abounds at Brewing Reserve of California. “Our most popular beer on tap is the OC Tropical Blonde,” says Brian Nolan, one of the owners and operators. “It is brewed as a traditional blonde ale, then steeped with Hawaiian tea to give it a sweet flavor and reddish color. Our customer base enjoys pairing our delicious craft beers with just about any food type.” The establishment hosts food trucks that change every week from Vikings Burgers & Wings to Vinegar & Smoke, as well as tacos, pizza and more. Special events include game nights on Wednesdays, trivia nights on Thursdays, Bend & Brew yoga sessions every other Saturday
Top row: Brewing Reserve of California’s tasting room in Costa Mesa (far left) hosts food trucks, game nights and Bend & Brew yoga sessions to enjoy while trying its variety of beers (left).
and Brushes & Brews paint nights once a month. (brcbeer.com)
GREEN CHEEK BEER CO.
COSTA MESA
Green Cheek Beer Co. is a small, independent brewery owned and operated by friends Evan Price and Brian Rauso, who share a love for good beer. The company, started in 2017 in Orange and expanding to Costa Mesa and Sunset Beach in recent years, has won awards for its West Coast IPAs and is also known for its hazy IPAs, but doesn’t follow the traditional model of consistently brewing the same types and flavors. Instead, the brand’s leaders choose to make different styles of beers all the time with slight tweaks to the recipes to keep things fresh and show off their brewing creativity. Consider varieties like Pet the Tiger, a California IPA; Skeleton Wings, a double dry-hopped West Coast IPA; and the Birdhouse Pilot, a collaboration with Bottle Logic Brewing that’s a Tiki cocktailinspired sour aged in rum barrels. There’s even a Lavender Lemonade hard seltzer. The establishment’s most popular food item is The Double Smashburger, which pairs perfectly with Green Cheek’s IPAs. Wings, sandwiches and vegan options are also offered as well as wine by Green Cheek Wine Co. (same owners as the brewery)—and there’s usually a cider on tap, too. Comedy nights are scheduled every other month plus a number of paint nights and some live music at the Costa Mesa tasting room and kitchen, which has a large patio and event room. Other locations are in Orange and Sunset Beach, which has an ocean-view rooftop patio; both have a few free retro arcade games. All locations are dog-friendly. In addition to the traditional Oktoberfest, watch out for Marchtoberfest coming soon. (greencheekbeer.com)
BOOTLEGGER’S BREWERY
COSTA MESA
Started in 2006 in Fullerton, Bootlegger’s Brewery has created a familylike atmosphere in its local tasting rooms—including one at The LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa—in the hopes of bringing new people through the door while keeping the regulars coming back again and again. Bootlegger’s brews about 7,500 barrels a year, with at least 10 different beers in tanks at any given time for a constantly rotating variety. This also allows the tasting rooms to offer as many as 30 different brews on tap including sours and
hard seltzers. Some of the year-round brews include Far Out, a West Coast IPA; Golden Chaos, a Belgian-style ale; and Rocco, an American red ale. But co-founder and CEO Aaron Barkenhagen says the brewery’s most popular beer is El Chango, a Mexican-style lager that the company has been making for well over a decade. “Easy drinking lagers are seeing a resurgence in popularity, especially Mexican-style lagers,” he says. “El Chango is locally-brewed in Fullerton and is an approachable beer that is light and refreshing—perfect for the Southern California weather.” (bootleggers.beer) NBM
A COMPLETE
NEW YORK YANKEES PITCHER GERRIT COLE AND HIS WIFE, AMY, ARE FINDING WAYS TO GIVE BACK WHILE SOAKING UP THE CALIFORNIA SUNSHINE WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
BY ASHLEY RYAN
rom spring training to—hopefully— a postseason run in the month of October, baseball players are a slave to the game, spending the better part of the year on the field training, traveling the country and playing games. They sacrifice their time for their love of the game: time with their families, time enjoying their hobbies, even time just relaxing.
But in the offseason, time is plentiful. For Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees, that means heading west to Newport Beach—where he was born and spent time surfing in his youth—to enjoy the endless sunshine, warm weather and picturesque beaches with his family in tow. We caught up with him and his wife, Amy, to learn more about their history, what they like to do in town and the Gerrit and Amy Cole Foundation, which the couple launched during the pandemic.
A STORIED START
After graduating from Orange Lutheran High School in Orange in 2008, the Yankees were eager
to draft him, but Gerrit ultimately decided to attend college instead. He went to UCLA on a baseball scholarship, studying political science and theater.
As fate would have it, that is where he first met Amy, also a student as well as a member of the university’s softball team. “We were friends for about a year and, the more I got to know Gerrit, the more I appreciated about him,” Amy says. “He’s always been a little bit of an old soul. He used to cook for our friends in college with Frank Sinatra playing.”
Their friendship eventually evolved into a relationship and they’ve been together ever since. “He’s always made me laugh and he’s got the biggest heart of anyone I know,” she adds.
Gerrit played at UCLA for three years—including the 2010 season, when he and former Los Angeles Dodgers player Trevor Bauer helped give the university its best season in the school’s history—before entering the 2011 draft, where he was the first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Amy, however, stayed in California after
accepting a job in business-to-business sales before transitioning to become a career coach for Athletes to Careers (then called Athletes to Business).
“I worked for schools in Southern California,” she recalls. “… I met with the seniors that were graduating, as they were approaching graduation, and helped them connect with different businesses that they might be interested in.”
Responsible for setting up interviews for the students and prepping them, as well as recruiting, Amy says the job was very rewarding as she got to be a part of their first jobs out of college and see them succeed in a new career.
But working on separate coasts didn’t do anything to stop the couple’s love and commitment to one another. In 2015, after his first appearance in the MLB All-Star Game, Gerrit proposed to Amy and they were married at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara in November of the following year.
ON THE FIELD
Throughout their engagement, Gerrit continued to pitch for the Pirates, putting up impressive stats each year. His rookie season, he was voted Rookie of the Month for the National League in September, ending the year with a winning record and a postseason run that ended in the divisional series.
Playing in the MLB was a major win for Gerrit, who grew up playing baseball nearly his entire life. “Just like any kid, I played a lot of sports growing up [in Southern California]—not having a harsh winter, you can play all year round,” he notes. “I just kind of fell in love with baseball specifically.”
After starting out with Tustin Western Little League, Gerrit went on to play for St. John’s Lutheran School in Orange before playing travel ball at campuses like Foothill High School. “I was pretty good at it and just had a passion for it,” he
explains. “I think it was a game that I understood right away and had some initial success in, so both of those things kind of sparked my interest.”
Gerrit remained in Pittsburgh until early 2018, when he was traded to the Houston Astros. He was once again selected for the MLB All-Star Game, this time as a player from the American League, and finished his first of two seasons in Texas with a career-high 276 strikeouts—61 of those in his first month as an Astro.
In both 2018 and 2019, Gerrit and the Astros achieved more than 100 wins and advanced to the playoffs. The second year, they made it all the way to the World Series before losing to the Washington Nationals.
After his second year in Houston, Gerrit’s dreams came true when he signed a nine-year
contract with the New York Yankees, a team he had rooted for since childhood. The $324 million deal was the largest ever signed by an MLB pitcher. Following his opening day start, which took place in July due to the pandemic delaying the 2020 season, he went on a 20-game win streak that led the team to a playoff run.
The team has returned to the playoffs in the years since, but has yet to win a World Series since Gerrit joined the team. “My biggest goal is to win a World Series with the Yankees,” Gerrit notes. “[That’s] kind of where all my chips are right now. I haven’t thought a whole lot past that.”
It’s been more than a decade since Gerrit started playing for the MLB, but he says his most memorable moments were while playing in, and ultimately losing, the World Series with the Astros. “That was
“WHEN I FIRST SIGNED MY CONTRACT WITH NEW YORK, THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME WHERE WE TOOK OUR CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AND TRIED TO … TURN IT INTO SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO LAST FOR A LONG TIME.” - GERRIT COLE
my favorite part of my career, I think. That’s what I look back on the fondest.”
GIVING BACK
Now that Amy and Gerrit are living on the same coast, they’ve been able to channel their time, energy and financial gain into good with the launch of the Gerrit & Amy Cole Foundation in 2020.
“When I first signed my contract with New York, that was the first time where we took our charitable activities and tried to … turn it into something that was going to last for a long time,” Gerrit explains. “I felt really fortunate and grateful to be able to help
out people in our communities, especially in New York with COVID, and just being able to watch that evolve over the last couple years … has been really awesome and really rewarding.”
The couple initially focused on helping those in need during the pandemic, supporting humanitarian charity Direct Relief as well as local food banks in the New York City area. But now, they have been able to expand their efforts into the things that matter to them most: education, pediatric cancer, childhood hunger in America, culture and arts education, and athletic opportunities for children.
“The main theme is we work with kids and the needs in our communities,” Amy explains. “You can make a big impact with kids when you set up a good foundation for them, and we believe it’s important for kids to have a chance at a positive future no matter what their circumstance is. So our mission is that every child has an opportunity to be healthy, educated and safe.”
Before officially launching the organization, Gerrit and Amy hosted some one-off fundraising events in Pittsburgh and Houston to support local children, but the creation of the foundation has helped them expand their work. In fact, Amy now works full time to run the charity and has found the experience extremely rewarding.
The Future of Fitness
THE BEST TRAINING STUDIO FOR 40+
Now open in Costa Mesa, The Smart Fit Method is not just another fitness studio, but a revolutionary concept designed to increase your health span and achieve your fitness goals. Combining cutting-edge fitness technology with personal training, this unique methodology involves just three, 20-minute workouts per week. Using Artificial Intelligence and exercise robotics, the method replicates 5 to 7 hours of conventional forms of exercise in just one hour a week! This approach is not only more efficient and effective, but also much safer thanks to the smart technologies!
“One of the schools that we support in the Bronx had a hard time with attendance after 2020,” she says. “… We were able to be involved this past year with some incentives to attend and to see some of the changes that the school made to increase attendance. And this past year, … they actually ended up having a 100% graduation rate, which is incredible. So just seeing that progress [and] being able to make a difference, no matter how small, [has been great].”
The Gerrit & Amy Cole Foundation also hosted A Culinary & Musical Experience at The Ranch at Laguna Beach on Feb. 4, raising more than $400,000 for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. Taking place on World Cancer Day, the fundraiser held special meaning for the couple, as their friends Joanna and Mike Irwin lost their 8-month-old son Will to an undiagnosed cancer in 2019. “They’ve done a lot of great work with PCRF and we’ve seen the impact they’ve made, but it’s still so underfunded,” Amy adds. “So we really just wanted to support them and support pediatric cancer research in general.”
In the future, they hope to grow and evolve based on the community’s needs. Amy says they’d like to expand into making their own donations as a way to fund research or support families directly. And it likely wouldn’t be possible without
The Smart Fit Method builds strength and muscle mass, improves cardiovascular health, and enhances hormone function to improve longevity.
The Smart Fit Method is the FUTURE OF FITNESS. We invite you to experience a free workout and body scan ($150 value) at our Costa Mesa studio today. Our trainers are committed to providing the best possible training experience to support you in achieving your fitness goals! We look forward to welcoming you in!
Gerrit’s baseball career. “I’m just super thankful for the opportunity that I have to play baseball to be able to do this,” he says.
AROUND TOWN
While Gerrit and Amy spend baseball season near New York, at their home in Greenwich, Connecticut, the couple happily enjoy winters at their Newport Beach house with sons Caden, who will be 3 in June, and Everett, who was born in early 2023.
“Thankfully, our toddler is just so sweet and really enjoying being a big brother and helping, so it’s been really special to see him step into that role,” Amy notes.
“Becoming a mom, watching our kids learn and grow and just knowing what a responsibility that is, has been so rewarding for me,” she says. “To bring it back to our foundation, it’s important to me to
instill in our kids the opportunity that we have as a family to give back to our community.”
The offseason brings endless relaxation and family time here in town. “I always dreamed of living in Newport Beach, so I moved here right after college and it’s a tough place to leave,” Amy says. “It’s just so beautiful. The weather’s incredible. There’s just so many ways to stay active and be outside. … It’s just a place that has always felt like home to us.”
Because Gerrit grew up in Orange County, he spent plenty of his leisure time in Newport, soaking up the sun and surfing local waves. Now, they enjoy spending time along the coast with close friends and family nearby.
“I play catch at a few of the local parks and Crystal Cove. We like hiking there,” Gerrit notes. “And the beach—we’re down at Corona del Mar with our toes in the water or we’re up at the
peninsula hanging out, catching a Duffy ride. [We’re] pretty much like all other Newporters— staying outside, enjoying the weather.”
You’ll also find them enjoying delicious fare at local restaurants, from classic French at Pescadou Bistro to sushi at places like San Shi Go and Sota Sushi. “We love Javier’s. We love … A Market, Louie’s [by the Bay], The Cannery—we have a lot. Right out of college, we spent a lot of time on the peninsula, right by 32nd Street.”
And, for shopping, Gerrit says you can’t go wrong at Jack’s Surfboards, a shop he frequents whenever he’s in town.
For now, spring training has already begun and the family is on the move, but, next winter, you’re sure to find them with their toes in the sand, enjoying the Endless Summer sunshine here in Newport Beach with their little ones in tow. NBM
Escape to PUNTA MITA
INDULGE IN RIVIERA NAYARIT’S “GATEWAY TO PARADISE.”
BY STEVE ZEPEZAUER
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS
Though I’d been here before, it still feels like a dream I’m having for the first time. As our car slowly snakes down the cobblestone road, we are engulfed by the unbelievably green and dense terrain, which offers only the occasional peek-a-boo views of the ocean and visions of what’s next to come. Our window of the world that we left only a few hours ago seems to fade away and I actively remind myself to enjoy this particular moment. As we approach our destination, reality sets in as we arrive once again at the place they call the “gateway to paradise.” Welcome to Punta Mita.
Along the pristine Pacific coastline of Riviera Nayarit, about 25 miles north of the ever-popular Puerto Vallarta, travelers seeking a different kind of getaway experience will find the more serene destination of Punta Mita.
The less-touristy Nayarit region continues to be one of the safest destinations for travelers in Mexico. Its serpentine coastline stretches almost 200 miles and is largely undeveloped, featuring
Worth a Side Trip
A couple of nearby towns worth the time to visit while staying in Punta Mita are Sayulita and San Pancho. Sayulita is about 30 minutes up the coast from Punta Mita and is known for being a chic surfer’s town with bustling cobbled streets full of vendors, shops and tourists. There’s an eclectic mix of restaurants, boutique hotels and surf hostels. It’s the kind of place where you can find yourself in a beachside palapa where the drinks flow freely and the music is loud.
Another 15 minutes up the coast is San Pancho (formally, San Francisco), a much quieter destination that is known as the cultural heart of Riviera Nayarit. The town’s main square, Plaza del Sol, is a meeting place for art and music festivals throughout the year, as well as sundry cultural events. And, for a small town, San Pancho has a diverse and impressive number of restaurants that have been attracting accomplished chefs and foodies alike.
NAVIVA, A FOUR SEASONS RESORT, PUNTA MITA
a handful of luxury resorts and dozens of seaside coastal towns. Punta Mita is one of the jewels of this coastline. Situated on a 1,500-acre private peninsula with lush landscapes and white sand beaches, this is the kind of place you think of when you want to feel like you are far away.
For world-class accommodations, there are two properties in Punta Mita: the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita and The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, as well as 17 subcommunities and two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses—which includes the famous “Tail of the Whale” hole on the Pacifico Golf Course, featuring the world’s only natural island green (only accessible at low tide).
This coastal hideaway is on the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands and enjoys the similar warm tropical temperatures partnered with comfortable sea breezes. And, since the flight is about half the distance compared to Hawaii from Southern California, more people are discovering the Nayarit region in recent years due to its easy accessibility from airports in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego.
FOUR SEASONS RESORT PUNTA MITA
The Forbes Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, our home base, offers the epitome of the Punta Mita experience with a “mi casa, su casa”
Located just five minutes away from the Four Seasons Punta Mita, the recently opened luxury tented resort, Naviva, offers a one-of-a-kind retreat set within 48 acres of jungle. Leaning on biophilic design—where the natural world is the driving force for design—15 luxury tents connect guests to the natural beauty of Mexico in a unique and immersive way. The intimate all-inclusive resort simplifies the experience by including all food and drinks plus curated community activities, mind and body practices and spontaneous moments. (fourseasons.com/naviva)
kind of attitude. There are many ways to define luxury and most hospitality companies attempt to impart their own version of it to their guests. The incomparable luxury experience at the Four Seasons in Punta Mita can’t be discussed without mentioning the incredibly trained and dedicated staff. The level of service and caring is felt immediately upon arrival and is relentlessly wonderful without being intrusive.
Set on 52 acres, the focal point of the beachfront property is the mesmerizing Nuna infinity pool. It’s the perfect place to get lost and embrace the moment and the magnificence of the place—while sipping on a margarita or local beer, of course. Two secluded beaches offer feet-in-the-sand moments for just relaxing or participating in one of the numerous ocean activities.
With 177 casita-style guest rooms and plunge pool suites, as well as 29 villas and residences, there are numerous options to accommodate guests.
For families and groups seeking an ultraluxe, more private stay, the resort also offers three free-standing oceanfront beach homes that include all of the resort’s amenities and services. The massive hacienda-style accommodations include private pools, patios and grilling areas, as well as daily access to a personal host who is dedicated to taking care of every possible
detail—creating an idyllic home-away-fromhome vacation experience.
Dining alfresco with the Pacific as your backdrop is hard to beat and this resort offers numerous options for that. And the food doesn’t get any fresher when you factor in the local fishing village that provides fresh fish daily.
A couple of the favorite eateries include the contemporary Mexican restaurant, Dos Cantrinas, and the seafood-centric beachfront grill Bahía by Richard Sandoval. Be sure to experience the edgy vibe of Mez, the mezcal-forward bar featuring more than 70 varieties of mezcal.
The property’s world-class Apuane Spa utilizes local flora and herbal ingredients to create an assortment of personalized treatments. One of the signature options, the Tequila Stone massage, is a longtime favorite. Using a combination of tequila and sage oil, the treatment is designed to both release muscle tension and improve joint mobility. And, for those who want to maintain their workout routine while spending time in paradise, the state-of-the-art fitness center is the place to go.
Overall, the resort was more than just a place to stay; it was an experience of Mexico’s natural beauty and warm hospitality. And it is truly a gateway to a memorable escape. NBM
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: 1523 Dolphin Terrace, Corona del Mar
AGENT INFO: Steve High 949-874-4724
shigh@villarealestate.com DRE No. 00936421
Evan Corkett
949-285-1055
ecorkett@villarealestate.com DRE No. 00468496
highcorkett.com
INDIAN CREEK RANCH MASTERPIECE
Alexsandra Hansel
Engel & Völkers Sun Valley
+1 949-903-6918
alexsandra.hansel@evrealestate.com www.alexsandrahansel.evrealestate.com
DRE# SP56146
201 SITTING BULL | BLAINE COUNTY, ID
$5,875,000 • 4 BED • 6 BATH • +/- 5,160 SQFT
Exquisite new luxury build in progress on arguably the finest lot in highly-coveted Indian Creek Ranch. This 1.2-acre property features stunning views in virtually all directions.
The architecture is a deliberate and strong blend of Prairie Style & Mountain Contemporary. The vision for this build was largely influenced by the lot: a one-level home, long & linear, which capitalizes on the spectacular view corridors.
Anticipated completion date February 2023
Learn more at www.201sittingbull.com
Listed by Jason Roth *Partially Realtor-Owned
2020-2023 MAGHAMI SALES
Mina brings it!
TESTIMONIAL
Mina and Joseph speedily and seamlessly coordinated a team of professionals to prepare our home for sale to its best advantage. They advertised our house to a global market, including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, and worked tirelessly to maximize its exposure in Southern California.
Mina piloted us expertly through a choppy market to a successful sale. – Marsha Stein
TASTE OF THE TOWN
EAT + DRINK LISTINGS
A WARM WELCOME
Stop by JOEY NEWPORT BEACH, and you’ll be greeted with a complimentary glass of Champagne while you wait for a table to open up, a signature move of the brand that makes diners feel right at home. Whether you dine around the fire pit on the spacious patio or inside the modern, art-filled dining room, the menu is sure to impress, filled with cultural fare from around the globe. Start out with Japanese gyoza, roasted corn guacamole, Szechwan crispy tofu lettuce wraps, Steak & Ravioli Bianco or innovative tempura prawn sushi cones before transitioning to entrees such as a hand-pressed burger, sake-glazed Chilean sea bass, Bollywood butter chicken, bone-in rib-eye, spaghetti pomodoro and more. End your meal with warm Italian doughnuts, molten chocolate cake, creme brulee cheesecake or an individually baked apple pie. Though this is the fourth Southern California location, Joey Newport Beach, which opened in January, is the first in Orange County. (949-826-5699; joeyrestaurants.com) —Ashley Ryan
AIRPORT AREA
NAVROZ MEDITERRANEAN GRILL
3601 Jamboree Rd.; 949-474-7300
navrozrestaurant.com
CURRENT COASTAL CUISINE
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel, 4500 MacArthur Blvd. 949-476-2001; marriott.com
IL BARONE RISTORANTE
900 Bristol St. N.; 949-955-2755
ilbaroneristorante.com
MOULIN
1000 Bristol St. N.; 949-474-0920; moulin.com
NANA SAN 3601 Jamboree Rd.; 949-474-7373
ORIGINAL PIZZA II
3100 Irvine Ave., Ste. D; 949-574-4995
PITA PITA
4341 MacArthur Blvd.; 949-592-0095 pitapitacafe.com
BALBOA ISLAND
BASILIC RESTAURANT
217 Marine Ave.; 949-673-0570; basilicrestaurant.com
CIAO
223 Marine Ave.; 949-675-4070; ciaoitalianbalboa.com
CROCKER'S THE WELL DRESSED FRANK
211 Marine Ave.; 949-572-9293
crockersthewelldressedfrank.com
ROYAL HEN
311 Marine Ave.; 949-873-5603; theroyalhen.com
SHANGHAI PINE GARDENS RESTAURANT
300 Marine Ave.; 949-673-3802
shanghaipinegarden.com
TRATTORIA MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
216 ½ Marine Ave.; 949-566-9525
trattorianewport.com
THE VILLAGE INN
127 Marine Ave.; 949-675-8300; vibalboaisland.com
WILMA’S PATIO
203 Marine Ave.; 949-675-5542; wilmaspatio.com
BALBOA PENINSULA
21 OCEANFRONT
2100 W. Oceanfront; 949-673-2100; 21oceanfront.com
THE ALLEY
4501 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-646-9126
thealleynewportbeach.com
ARC BUTCHER & BAKER
417 30th St.; 949-877-0190; arcbutcherbaker.com
TASTE OF THE TOWN
ENJOY THE VIEW
VEA NEWPORT BEACH HOTEL’S SIGNATURE RESTAURANT PAIRS SCENIC VISTAS WITH CREATIVE COCKTAILS AND AN ECLECTIC LINEUP OF TASTY DISHES.
BY SHARON STELLO
With sweeping golf course and ocean views, the aptly named View Restaurant & Lounge at Vea Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and light bites with friends around fire pits on the lanai or to linger over a full dinner inside.
Vea, which opened last summer following an extensive transformation from the previous Marriott property, includes three dining concepts: Elan Café & Bar (a coffee and pastry shop), the poolside Edge Bar, and View. The latter features California coastal cuisine in a sleek, cosmopolitan space with collapsible glass doors that seamlessly blend the indoor and outdoor areas. While View serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, an evening meal is the ideal time to visit and catch a striking sunset.
Start with a cocktail like the spicy margarita with a carrot twist called What’s Up Doc?, or try the Beets by EJ, made with beet-infused gin, honey, lemon, Maldon salt, walnut liqueur and bitters, to sip while sharing a few appetizers. Choose from a diverse selection of small plates including West
View Restaurant & Lounge
Vea Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa 900 Newport Center Drive 949-640-4000; viewatvea.com
Coast oysters, tuna crudo and grilled naan with green tahini hummus.
The Vea Wagyu Sliders offer a savory bite: These three mini burgers pack on the flavor with aged white cheddar, sauteed onions, pickles and aioli. And the Crispy Confit Chicken Wings are sure to be a hit with a combination of honey, mint and togarashi, a Japanese spice mix. Sushi is also on the menu, with varieties like a traditional Crunchy Roll or the Sunset View Roll, which is a California roll with salmon, hiramasa yellowtail, trout roe and green curry aioli.
While View also offers several salads, the entrees are sure to tempt diners away from the leafy greens. Consider one of the restaurant’s signature items, the lobster roll, which satiates with white cheddar, charred and za’atar-seasoned onions,
tomato and aioli mixed with baharat spice blend on a brioche bun. The spaghetti alla chitarra and meatballs is another favorite. The egg-based pasta is hearty enough to hold up to the tantalizing roasted tomato sauce, complete with basil, Parmesan and meatballs. For those seeking a steak, an Australian wagyu sirloin cap with bone marrow butter, charred greens and truffle fries is sure to fit the bill. Other options include a pork chop, panroasted salmon, roast chicken, scallops and the Lost Coast Farms Burger Royale.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the butterscotch budino, topped with whipped cream and cocoa nibs, or the cheesecake with crumbled pistachios and passion fruit caramel. Or sip your sweets with the Fire Side cocktail, which is like s’mores in a glass with vodka, Tia Maria coffee liqueur, cream and creme de cacao, garnished with a toasted marshmallow—a perfect end to the meal that will have you feeling like a kid again. Also notable: View features a DJ from 7-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for lounge-type beats to enjoy while dining or during after-dinner drinks. NBM
TASTE OF THE TOWN
AVILA’S EL RANCHITO
ZERO-PROOF SIPS
A new pop-up bar—sans the alcohol—has come to town, taking up shop inside Grounded Coffee House in Corona del Mar every Saturday evening. UNLEADED SPIRITS was unveiled at the end of January, serving up cocktails, beer and wine with 0.5% alcohol or less. “The goal is to create an inclusive social space where everyone feels comfortable,” says Brittany Rowley, founder and owner of both Unleaded Spirits and Grounded Coffee House. The menu, which will change seasonally, includes classics like the House Marg, made with 0% tequila and lime, and the French 75, filled with zero-proof Champagne and gin plus lemon and elderflower. Other options include The Godfather, a drink with a whiskey-like finish; the Key Lime Pie Gin Fizz, which blends egg white, key lime juice, simple syrup, soda water and cream with alcohol-free gin; and the Beach Bum, a refreshing beverage that incorporates coconut water. The pop-up experience is expected to run through at least the end of the summer, and those planning to attend can pre-purchase tickets to receive your first two drinks free with the price of admission. (instagram.com/unleadedspirits) —A.R.
2800 Newport Blvd.; 949-675-6855; avilaselranchito.com
BALBOA LILY'S
711 E Balboa Blvd.; 949-873-5455; balboalilys.com
BEAR FLAG FISH CO.
3421 Via Lido; 949-673-3474; bearflagfishco.com
THE BLUE BEET 107 21st Pl.; 949-675-2338; thebluebeet.com
BLUEWATER GRILL
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
LAVENTINA’S BIG CHEESE PIZZA
2819 Newport Blvd., Ste. B; 949-675-1980
laventinaspizza.com
LIDO BOTTLE WORKS
3408 Via Oporto, Ste. 103; 949-529-2784 lidobottleworks.com
LIGHTHOUSE CAFÉ
1600 W. Balboa Blvd.; 949-933-1001; lighthousenb.com
MALARKY’S IRISH PUB
3011 Newport Blvd.; 949-675-2340; malarkyspub.com
MALIBU FARM
3420 Via Oporto, Ste. 101;949-791-2096
malibu-farm.com
MAMA D’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
3012 Newport Blvd.; 949-675-6262; mamadsnewport.com
MINT LEAF THAI CUISINE
712 E. Balboa Blvd.; 949-675-9991; mintleafthaicuisine.com
MUTT LYNCH’S
2300 W. Oceanfront; 949-675-1556; muttlynchs.com
NEWPORT FRESH
3305 Newport Blvd., Ste. F; 949-675-5005
NEWPORT LANDING RESTAURANT
503 E. Edgewater Pl.; 949-675-2373; newport-landing.com
NOBU NEWPORT BEACH
3450 Via Oporto, Ste. 101; 949-429-4440
noburestaurants.com
THE PENINSULA LOUNGE
2406 Newport Blvd.; 949-991-3759
thepeninsulalounge.com
PESCADOU BISTRO
3325 Newport Blvd.; 949-675-6990; pescadoubistro.com
RUBY’S DINER
1 Balboa Pier; 949-675-7829; rubys.com
SABATINO’S PIZZA & SAUSAGE DELI
406 32nd St.; 949-723-1930
sabatinoschicagosausage.com
SABATINO’S SAUSAGE CO.
251 Shipyard Way, Cabin D; 949-723-0621
sabatinoschicagosausage.com
SAKAE SUSHI
123 23rd St.; 949-675-8899
sakaesushi-japaneserestaurant.business.site
SAN SHI GO
205 Main St.; 949-673-3724; sanshigonb.com
SESSIONS WEST COAST DELI
2823 Newport Blvd.; 949-220-9001
sessionswcd.com
SHOREBIRD
2220 Newport Blvd., Ste. 101; 949-287-6627
shorebirdca.com
STAG BAR & KITCHEN
121 McFadden Pl.; 949-673-4470; stagbar.com
SUPER PANGA 2110 W. Oceanfront; 949-561-1700
superpangatacos.com
TUPELO JUNCTION CAFE
508 29th St.; 949-877-0280 tupelojunction.com
WILD TACO
407 31st St.; 949-673-9453; thewildtaco.com
WOODY’S WHARF 2318 Newport Blvd.; 949-675-0474 woodyswharf.com
ZINQUÉ
3446 Via Oporto; 949-612-7259 lezinque.com
COAST HIGHWAY/MARINER’S MILE
A MARKET
3400 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-650-6515 amarketnb.com
A RESTAURANT
3334 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-650-6505 arestaurantnb.com
A&O RESTAURANT | BAR
Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 W. Coast Hwy. 949-630-4285; balboabayresort.com
BAYSIDE RESTAURANT
900 Bayside Dr.; 949-721-1222 baysiderestaurant.com
BILLY’S AT THE BEACH
2751 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-722-1100 billysatthebeach.net
CAPPY’S CAFE
5930 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-646-4202 cappyscafe.com
C’EST SI BON BAKERY
149 Riverside Ave., Ste. B; 949-645-0447 cestsibonnb.com
THE CHICKEN COOP
414 Old Newport Blvd. 949-645-6086
CUCINA ALESSÁ
6700 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-645-2148 cucinaalessarestaurants.com
EAT CHOW
211 62nd St.; 949-423-7080; eatchow.com
FUJI YAMA
4511 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-548-7200 fujiyama-japaneserestaurant.business.site
GUACAMIGOS
2607 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-650-1818; guacamigos.com
LOTUS BISTRO
325 Old Newport Blvd., Ste. 1; 949-287-6827 lotusbistronewport.com
LOUIE'S BY THE BAY
2801 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-720-1800; louiesnewport.com
MARIO’S A TASTE OF ITALY
4507 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-722-7151 mariostasteofitaly.com
ORANGE COAST WINERY TASTING ROOM
869 W. 16th St.; 949-645-0400 orangecoastwinery.com
PANDOR ARTISAN BAKERY & CAFÉ 1126 Irvine Ave., Ste. A; 949-209-5099 pandorbakery.com
BAR BITES
Whether it’s happy hour or a Sunday afternoon, there are few feelings greater than pulling up a seat around a vivacious bar, with live music playing in the background. This is exactly the kind of scene you’ll often find in the lounge at BAYSIDE RESTAURANT, where a recent remodel of the bar area saw a wall come down in order to expand the countertop further to add more seating. In addition to this enhancement—plus some fresh paint and new high-top tables—the eatery launched a new bar menu in late February. Available every day from 4:30 p.m. to close, diners will find traditional bites, including beef or short rib sliders, cheese and charcuterie, as well as innovative options like the buffalo cauliflower and NOLA fries with Cajun seasoning and lemon aioli. The menu also features a number of seafood options, from a blue crab dip to oysters on the half shell, tuna poke and shrimp ceviche. Diners can also order off of the full menu at the bar. (949-7211222; baysiderestaurant.com) —A.R.
PIZZERIA MOZZA
800 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-945-1126; pizzeriamozza.com
RUSTY PELICAN
2735 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-642-3431; rustypelican.com
SAPORI RISTORANTE (AND PIZZERIA SAPORI)
1080 Bayside Dr.; 949-644-4220; saporinb.com
SHAMROCK BAR & GRILL
2633 W. Coast Hwy., Ste. C; 949-631-5633
SOL GRILL
2400 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-287-6797; solgrill.com
SOL MEXICAN COCINA
251 Coast Hwy.; 949-675-9800; solcocina.com
SPAGHETTI BENDER
6204 W. Coast Hwy.; 949-645-0651; spaghettibender.com
STARFISH (COMING SOON)
191 Riverside Ave.; 949-570-3990
starfishnewportbeach.com
SUSHI II
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
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
TASTE OF THE TOWN
GOING GREEN
This St. Patrick’s Day, skip the green beer in favor of a drink that’s a little more Newport: BILLY’S AT THE BEACH is celebrating by making its World Famous Mai Tais green for the holiday. In addition to the verdant tropical cocktails—which are filled with Bacardi and Diamond Head rums, orange curacao and a house-made juice blend—the waterfront eatery is offering two special entrees. Billy’s will serve a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage as well as a pastrami Reuben sandwich, crafted on rye bread with Swiss cheese, house-made sauerkraut and the restaurant’s own Thousand Island sauce. While the classic Irish bites will be offered from March 14-17, the festive green cocktails will be available for one day only, on St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to these specials, diners can find lunch, dinner and happy hour menus at Billy’s as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. (949-722-1100; billysatthebeach.net) —A.R.
FIVE CROWNS
3801 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-760-0331 lawrysonline.com
FORETTI'S
NAGISA SUSHI RESTAURANT
3840 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-673-3933
PANINI KABOB GRILL
2929 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-675-2932; forettis.com
GALLO’S ITALIAN DELI
3900 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-287-6030 gallositaliandeli.com
GARY’S NEW YORK STYLE DELI
3309 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-675-2193 garysdelicdm.com
GULFSTREAM
850 Avocado Ave.; 949-718-0188 gulfstreamrestaurant.com
JOHNNY’S THE BRONX PIZZA
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
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
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
BAZILLE
Nordstrom, 901 Newport Center Dr. 949-610-1610; nordstrom.com
BISTRO 24 EXPRESS
1000 Avocado Ave.; 949-346-4014; bistro24express.us
BLAZE PIZZA
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
JOEY NEWPORT BEACH
453 Newport Center Dr.; 949-826-5699
joeyrestaurants.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. Coast 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
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
MUSTARD CAFE
21137 Newport Coast Dr.; 949-718-0707; mustardcafe.com
NEWPORT FUSION SUSHI
21135 Newport Coast Dr.; 949-721-5884
PELICAN GRILL & BAR
The Resort at Pelican Hill, 22800 Pelican Hill Rd. S. 844-443-0022; pelicangrillnb.com
ZOV’S
21123 Newport Coast Dr.; 949-760-9687; zovs.com
UPPER BAY
CHAMPAGNES BISTRO & DELI
1260 Bison Ave.; 949-640-5011; champagnesdeli.com
EDDIE V'S PRIME SEAFOOD
1370 Bison Ave.; 949-720-9925; eddiev.com
FLOWER CHILD
1302 Bison Ave.; 949-200-8141; iamaflowerchild.com
MOE B'S MUNCHIES
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina 1131 Back Bay Dr.; 949-729-3863 newportdunes.com
MUTT'S
2531 Eastbluff Drive 949-719-0635; mutts-usa.com
STACKS PANCAKE HOUSE
1330 Bison Ave.; 949-264-3677; stackspancakehouse.com
VISTA.KITCHEN.BAR
Newport Beach Marriott Bayview 500 Bayview Circle; 949-509-6071; marriott.com
WASA SUSHI & TEPPAN
1344 Bison Ave.; 949-760-1511; wasasushiteppan.com
WESTCLIFF
CAFÉ / SAKANA
1703 Westcliff Dr.; 949-287-6511 cafesakana.com
GRACIAS MADRE
1617 Westcliff Dr.; 949-386-8100; graciasmadre.com
HAUTE CAKES CAFFE
1807 Westcliff Dr.; 949-642-4114; hautecakes.cafe
KIT COFFEE
1617 Westcliff Dr., Ste. 103; kit.coffee
OEB BREAKFAST CO.
1104 Irvine Ave.; 949-438-7337; us.eatoeb.com
OLEA, CELLAR-CRAFT-COOK
2001 Westcliff Dr., Ste. 100; 949-287-6807 oleanewportbeach.com
THE PIZZA BAKERY
1741 Westcliff Dr.; 949-631-1166; thepizzabakery.com NBM
MY 24 HOURS IN NEWPORT A
A LEADER OF SHERMAN LIBRARY & GARDEN’S PARENT ORGANIZATION, ENJOYS BACK BAY LIVING WITH HER FAMILY.
BY SHARON STELLO
GARDEN DINING
“First, clearly I am in love with SHERMAN LIBRARY & GARDENS, so this is a must,” Acevedo says. “But in addition to that, 608 DAHLIA in the gardens is fantastic. Chef Jessica Roy has made … a garden-to-table experience that is culinary art—and you must get the biscuits. My kids live off of them.”
fter growing up in the Bay Area and graduating from college, Kirstie Acevedo and her fiance moved to Orange County to be near her younger twin brothers while they finished undergraduate studies at University of California, Irvine.
“I didn’t know where we would all end up after college, but I knew that this would likely be the last time we would all live in the same area and wanted to hold onto that a little bit longer,” she says. “We intended … [to move] to San Francisco after they graduated, but we fell in love with the sunshine, beaches and lifestyle of the coastal cities and decided to lay down our roots instead.”
Acevedo and her now-husband, Nick, and sons, ages 10 and 13, have lived in Newport’s Back Bay area since 2018.
“We love our neighborhood and are really lucky to have a large yard with easy access to Back Bay. The ability to roam and explore is so formative for our family,” she says. “When looking for a home to raise our boys, we were more focused on finding a tree for a tree house than a house to lay our heads. My husband and I are both architects, so we knew we could make a house a home, but it is not that easy to have beautiful, established trees. We wanted our kids to be outdoors and have the ability to explore and use their imaginations above all else.”
After working for more than 15 years as an architect for well-known firms like Gensler, Acevedo switched gears last year to become vice president of the M.H. Sherman Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sherman Foundation, which is an investment firm that oversees operation of Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar. Acevedo also serves on Sherman Foundation’s Board of Governors.
“Sherman Library & Gardens is rooted in incredible history and an inspiring connection to nature,” she says. “Our vision for the future is focused around our
ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY
“A happy place for me is getting a frozen banana (dark chocolate, coconut and salted caramel—yes please!) from SUGAR ‘N SPICE on Balboa Island and sitting on the Park Avenue dock to watch my younger son sail in his sabot from Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club,” she says.
mission to provide the public an oasis of inspiration and education for regional history, horticulture and the arts. Through the pandemic, the community support has become abundantly clear with memberships increasing more than 50%, and higher demand for quality and distinct education programs.
“We are carefully evaluating how to provide new amenities that will respect our history, increase our resources and allow us to reach beyond the walls to inspire and educate the next generation. We see the Sherman Library & Gardens as a world-class botanic garden and cultural hub for our community to enjoy. We have the ability to make this a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
When not working, Acevedo can often be found at her potter’s wheel. She’s currently working on black-andwhite porcelain pieces with a lot of unusual movement.
“I love making pottery on my wheel both individually and with my kids,” Acevedo says. “There is something very meditative and grounding about working with clay and focusing on creating a piece. I started throwing in high school, taking ceramics every semester and going nearly every lunch [break] for extra time to throw. It was an incredible artistic outlet that [has] provided me with so much peace and focus.”
She also enjoys spending time with her husband and sons as much as possible.
“I am all about my family,” Acevedo says. “That is why this hyper focus … [on] the gardens and our local community was so important to me. We refer to the weekends as ‘family days’ and spend much of this time together in the pool, using our outdoor ceramics wheel, surfing at 28th Street or biking through Back Bay. We believe being outdoors and connecting with nature is good for the soul and helps create lasting memories.”
WORKING IT OUT
“For fitness, [of] both body and mind, I love RA YOGA,” she says. “I try to go three to four times a week and find it to be so helpful to keep a healthy perspective. The classes are diverse and the teachers are incredible.”
SWEET SIPS
“KIT COFFEE around the corner is a nice treat afterward … with friends as well,” she says. “I always get the oat milk latte with one of their specialty syrups.” NBM
31319 Monterey, Laguna Beach
4 bed l 3.5 bath l 4,126 sq ft Mo Lease call for pricing
601 Lido Park Dr 6F, Newport Beach
2 bed l 2.5 bath l 1,860 sq ft Mo Lease call for pricing
Find a golden egg and exchange it for a prize. The Easter Bunny will lead themed activities, including bounce house, balloon twister, and poses for pictures.
Watch our RE/MAX Fine Homes TV show on every Saturday at 9 AM (PST) Airing on Cox & Spectrum. Orange & Los Angeles County Ch. 118, Santa Barbara, & San Diego Ch.4, Yuma, El Centro, Palm Springs, & Palm Desert Ch 27 DRE# 00560041
PRIVATE GATED ESTATE
19051 E CERRO VILLA DRIVE, VILLA PARK 10 bed l 10 bath l 12,700 sq ft l $5,250,000
9 4 9 . 2 4 9 . 2 4 2 4 L
BEACH l CORONA DEL MAR l LAGUNA BEACH L e e A n n
Watch our RE/MAX Fine Homes TV show on every Saturday at 9 AM (PST) Airing on Cox & Spectrum. Orange & Los Angeles County Ch. 118, Santa Barbara, & San Diego Ch.4, Yuma, El Centro, Palm Springs, & Palm Desert Ch 27 DRE# 00560041