Best Of OC: Week Of November 10
With a season of pumpkins and ghouls behind us, Orange County is ready to jump into the holiday season. Ready for the holidays? Get that feeling started by attending a festive tree lighting or ice-skating outdoors on a cool evening. Restaurant openings and a luxe spa remodel highlight the rest of the week in the OC.
Holiday Ice Skating
Holiday Ice Rink
Irvine Spectrum Center
71 Fortune Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
www.skatespectrum.com
The popular Irvine Spectrum Center Holiday Ice Rink has officially opened for the season, available now through February 16, 2015. The 47 ft. by 72 ft. winter wonderland utilizes 2,500 gallons of water, coupled with 275 gallons of propylene glycol to keep it frozen. Skating sessions are available for adults and children, with special rental prices for toddlers. Season passes are available.
Restaurant Opening: LYFE Kitchen
LYFE Kitchen
407 Irvine Spectrum Dr.
Irvine, CA
(949) 727-1208
www.lyfekitchen.com
LYFE Kitchen, armed with a mission to promote sustainability and serve local ingredients, has just opened its first OC establishment, at Irvine Spectrum Center. Top Chef Masters acclaimed chef Art Smith and executive chef Jeremy Bringardner developed their mostly-plant based (and fewer than 600 calorie and under) menu so that OC residents can feel good about eating. Don't miss the Quinoa Buttermilk Pancakes served with fresh berries, Art's Unfried Chicken with a choice of grilled chicken or Gardein chick'n, or Tal's Grain Bowl which includes stir-fried vegetables and Gardein beefless tips served over quinoa, black rice and cilantro with sweet chile-ginger sauce.
Spa Remodel: Spa Gregorie's Newport Beach
Spa Gregorie's Newport Beach
200 Newport Center Dr., Ste. 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 644-6672
www.spagregories.com
In the need for some relaxation? Don't miss Spa Gregorie's Newport Beach, fresh off of their "Urban Tiffany" interior top-to-bottom remodel. The award-winning day spa, which features a variety of treatments including massage, facials, manicures, and more, now boasts an uber chic, ultra luxe theme that adds to the ambiance of sophisticated relaxation and pampering.
Gala Truffle Dinner
Michael's on Naples Ristorante
5620 East 2nd St.
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 439-7080
www.michaelsonnaples.com
Partnering with ARPEPE winery from Valtellina, Italy, Michael's on Naples will host a decadent six-course tasting menu celebrating the "tartufo d'Alba," or Italian white truffle from the city of Alba. The Alba White Truffle Fair, running currently in northern Italy, celebrates this highly regarded culinary ingredient. At the gala, guests will enjoy authentic Italian courses and wine, and they will also receive their own Alba White Truffle to shave onto their dishes as desired. $300 per person.
Fashion Island's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 721-2000
www.shopfashionisland.com
Don't miss Fashion Island's annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony taking place this weekend on both Friday and Saturday night. More than 10,000 guests are anticipated for this family-friendly event, including Mickey Mouse and his famous pals that make the snow covered, Christmas song-singing evening an especially joyful one for the youngest of guests.
"Pippin"
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787
www.scfta.org
Don't miss "Pippin," gracing the Orange County Segerstrom stage for just 12 nights this fall. The Tony Award winning visually-stimulating tale follows a young prince in search for the meaning of life. Combining traditional musical theater with acrobatics, dexterity, showmanship, and Bob Fosse styled choreography, the show is a feast for the eyes.
Restaurant Opening: Babette's
7962 East Coast Hwy.
Newport Coast, CA 92657
(949) 715-9915
www.babettesoc.com
One of East Hampton's most iconic restaurants, Babette's has opened its first West Coast location at the Crystal Cove Shopping Center in Newport Beach. The restaurant's longstanding commitment to locally sourced ingredients served in a welcoming environment will continue with Zach Layton, son of Babette's founder Barbara Layton, at the OC helm. Signature dishes include Lacinato Kale toasted barley with granny smith apple, cerignola olive, and marcona; Vaduvan Scented Sweet Potato Gnudi brussels sprouts; and Pan Roasted Wild Steelhead Salmon manila clams with braised fennel.
