Bear Flag Fish Co. is marking two decades in business in a big way, with its most elevated location yet now open in Costa Mesa. The restaurant and fish market has taken over the former Santa Monica Seafood space on East 17th Street. Each Bear Flag has its own character, but this one finally gives the team room to show everything they do.

The Costa Mesa location is the company’s fourth, joining two in Newport Beach, including one at Crystal Cove, and one in Huntington Beach. It is also the first stand-alone location. The company was founded by fisherman Thomas “Thos” Carson. Steve Jones, founder of the design firm bettershelter, has worked with the brand for years. He has designed the interior of each location with its own distinctive Bear Flag Fish Co. look: classic nautical details with a playful, retro twist. The new location has a full bar and offers indoor, counter and patio dining.

Sustainability is a priority for Bear Flag, which says protecting the fish supply is good for both the environment and the company’s future.

The menu is part fish market, part taco shop and part sushi bar. Fan favorites include the Bear Flag taco and burrito, made with panko-crusted white fish, plus poke bowls, ceviche and seafood salads sold by the pound. Diners can build their own seafood plate from the market case or choose a grilled seafood sandwich or a lobster roll. More exclusive menu items will be added to this location.

Starters include shrimp cocktail, calamari fries and sauteed clams and mussels. Chowder, cioppino and miso soup round out the menu.

The sushi bar offers nigiri, sashimi, signature rolls like the Bear Flag roll with Cajun seared tuna, and an omakase.

The seafood market carries more than 20 varieties, from halibut and swordfish to white sea bass and uni, along with premium picks like Chilean sea bass, black cod and toro.

Bear Flag Fish Co. is at 154 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 949-396-2800.

Go Greek Yogurt is celebrating the grand opening of its Irvine Spectrum Center location on Saturday, Oct. 24. The festivities begin with a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. The first 50 guests will receive a free bowl,* and there will be exclusive merch giveaways and plenty of photo ops.** Yopp, the brand’s mascot, will also make a special appearance.

Rooted in traditional Greek recipes and the philosophy of meraki (creating with passion), Go Greek Yogurt is known for its artisanal approach. Its yogurt is made using traditional straining methods perfected over centuries.

Signature flavors include Plain Tart, Greek Honey and Chocolate, along with rotating monthly and seasonal options. Guests can top fresh and frozen yogurt with Greek spoon sweets (traditional Greek preserves) in flavors such as sour cherry, rose petal and grape. Other toppings include nuts, seeds, fruit, chocolate and Greek honey.

The menu also features sweet and savory Greek bowls, plus smoothies for guests on the go. All are available in customizable and pre-made combinations.

More than a yogurt shop, Go Greek Yogurt is a Mediterranean lifestyle brand that celebrates intentional living, nourishing ingredients and the joy of slowing down. It invites guests to reconnect with their bodies, their communities and their culture, one delicious bite at a time.

Go Greek Yogurt Irvine Spectrum is located at 611 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 611, Irvine, near The Cheesecake Factory.The 800-square-foot shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers outdoor seating.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s has officially arrived in Orange County. Tiffany & Co. and chef Daniel Boulud just opened Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, the brand’s first West Coast location and its second worldwide.

The café sits beside the new Tiffany & Co. boutique, which draws its inspiration from the Fifth Avenue Landmark in New York. The dining room carries the iconic Tiffany Blue throughout, setting the tone for an elevated experience built around seasonal menus.

Like its New York original at The Landmark, the South Coast Plaza café blends charm, sophistication and a sense of celebration, with a distinctly California touch. Guests can linger over breakfast, afternoon tea or lunch in a setting that feels refined but welcoming.

The menu features Blue Box Café favorites, including Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Tea at Tiffany’s, along with all-day seasonal dishes from Boulud and his culinary team. Inspired by California’s produce, the dishes pair timeless elegance with a lighter, modern approach.

Seasonal standouts include the Tomate et Pastèque with burrata, heirloom tomato and basil pistou, the Tartine d’Avocat with grilled focaccia, whipped ricotta, avocado, radish, fennel and lemon, and the Spaghettini au Caviar, a lemon-glazed pasta topped with ossetra caviar.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s highlights include the Parfait Framboise, layered with Hampton’s Grocer granola, raspberry coulis and organic yogurt, the Oranais, an apricot danish, the Carpaccio de Melon with cantaloupe, watermelon, lime and micro mint, the Madeleine, a French butter cake, and the Oeuf et Caviar, a scrambled egg served in a shell with ossetra caviar.

Tea at Tiffany’s offers a classic afternoon spread of tea sandwiches such as egg and watercress, cucumber with dill and cream cheese, and chicken curry with mango chutney, alongside traditional scones served with jam and double cream. Sweet bites include a chocolate caramel tart, a hazelnut financier, a blackberry cheesecake and a vanilla passion fruit choux, along with shortbread and a coconut rocher.

Les Desserts is equally indulgent, with the Soufflé Glacé aux Framboises, a raspberry frozen soufflé with red fruit compote, the Tarte aux Fruits Exotiques with mango cream, frangipane, passionfruit and lime, and the Tarte au Chocolat, layered with vanilla mousse, flourless biscuit, ginger and dark chocolate cremeux. Cheese lovers can also choose the Fromages, a selection of comté, afterglow goat, moses sleeper and tête de moine.

Whether you’re marking a milestone, gathering with friends or simply treating yourself, the café offers gracious hospitality and thoughtful details meant to make every visit feel special. Together, the store and restaurant bring Tiffany’s heritage of artistry and inventiveness to Southern California.

Reservations are available now on Resy. 

3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa.
 

Beer lovers in Orange County, mark your calendars. Ambitious Ales, the Long Beach craft brewery known for its handcrafted lineup and small-batch and seasonal releases, is opening its first OC location at The LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa on Oct. 24 and 25.

Opening weekend runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Expect a full tap list, limited-edition merchandise and DJs spinning vinyl. Smoked & Salted Barbecue will be on hand with food Saturday, and Hamburgers Nice takes over Sunday.

The brewery and tasting room will have indoor and outdoor seating, and families and pets are welcome. It’s shaping up to be an easygoing spot to catch the game, join in community events and enjoy a world-class pint.

For co-founder Danny Karpinski, The LAB was an easy choice.

“As an independent craft brewery, we couldn’t be happier to open at The LAB Anti-Mall, which is based on fostering small businesses and creative brands,” Karpinski said. “We know Orange County, and Costa Mesa specifically, is full of craft beer lovers who will appreciate our approach to beer, creativity and our strong sense of community.”

The feeling is mutual. LAB owner Linda Sadeghi said the brewery is a great fit for the center’s small business collective.

“We’re excited that the Ambitious Ales guys are also becoming LABsters. They are ‘ambitious’ for sure,” Sadeghi said. “They will add great craft beer, energy and an awesome patio experience to the LAB.”

The brewery’s roots are in OC. Five high school friends founded Ambitious Ales in 2012 after a trip to the Oregon Brewers Festival sparked a passion for craft beer and inspired them to try brewing their own. They spent years tinkering with their process before opening the first Ambitious Ales in Long Beach’s Bixby Knolls neighborhood in 2019.

The hard work has paid off. The brewery took home a gold medal at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival for its hazy IPA, Professional Human Being, and a bronze medal at the 2019 festival for its coffee beer, Central Perk. It has also earned multiple awards at the California Brewers Cup, cementing its place among the best breweries in the state.

Ambitious Ales is in The LAB Anti-Mall at 696 Randolph Ave. in Costa Mesa. For more information, visit ambitiousales.com, email info@ambitiousales.com.

Ambitious Ales co-founders from left to right: Jon Cuthbert, Juan Carrillo, Jerome De Leon, Garrett Carroll, and Danny Karpinski. 

FARM Rio, the Brazilian fashion and lifestyle brand, recently opened its first Orange County boutique at Southern California’s premier open-air destination, designed as an indoor tropical garden with handcrafted artistry from Miami and Mexico City.

The brand, known for its vibrant prints and “Dress in Happiness” spirit, just opened the shop at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. It joins neighbors including Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Anthropologie. For local fans, the colorful dresses, prints and accessories that have built a devoted following are now available close to home, with no trip to Los Angeles or New York required.

Shoppers can expect FARM Rio’s signature clothing, along with shoes, bags and accessories, all rooted in the brand’s celebration of Brazilian color and nature. The 1,075-square-foot boutique gives fans a place to browse the full spirit of the label in person.

A few handcrafted details set the space apart. The storefront features a mosaic sign with the FARM Rio logo, and inside, a glass mosaic mirror by Italian artist Pamela Canestrini of Miami-based Violita adds an artisan touch. The entrance door handle was designed with Mexico City studio Lørdag & Søndag.

FARM Rio began in Rio de Janeiro in 1997, when founders Kátia Barros and Marcello Bastos opened a small stall at an independent designers’ market. The brand opened its first U.S. flagship in SoHo, New York, in 2019 and has since expanded to Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. It now operates more than 130 stores in Brazil.

Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 

 FARM Rio Fashion Island is at 401 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. 

 Photo Credit: Gabriella Noelle Photography

Russ Bendel, the Orange County restaurateur who has launched one beloved concept after another, has opened his eighth restaurant. Creekside Restaurant & Bar in Rancho Mission Viejo is a relaxed neighborhood spot serving thoughtfully prepared American fare. The dinner-only restaurant opened Monday, Oct. 12.

Located in Sendero Marketplace, the 3,000-square-foot space seats 120 between the dining room, bar and patio. The covered patio holds up to 60 for private events.

Bendel and his partners drew up a long list of possible names, but none felt right. “We started observing the nature reserve that surrounds the center, which generated new ideas,” Bendel said. “San Juan Creek runs directly behind the restaurant and that sparked the conversation that led to Creekside.” He knows Mission Viejo well, having grown up in the community and bought his first home there.

The menu reflects chef-partner Jared Cook’s decision to elevate approachable classics to the standard of the group’s other restaurants. “We see this becoming a neighborhood staple where guests might frequent Creekside several times a week, or stop off on the way home from work for an order to go. Our focus is on high quality and value pricing,” Bendel said.

Cook points to his chili, made with whole beef brisket and pork butt simmered with fresh ingredients rather than powdered spices. It also appears as chili cheese fries made with fresh potatoes. Entrees range from pan-roasted rainbow trout, cioppino and Creekside fish and chips to prime short rib roast and double-cut heritage pork chop. A signature Jidori chicken pot pie, served with organic mixed greens for $23, is available in limited quantities on Mondays only. Sandwiches include a barbecue chicken breast sandwich and a prime short rib dip. For dessert, Cook offers a Nutella banana split made with Neapolitan ice cream, Chantilly cream and bourbon caramel sauce.

I attended the soft opening last week and came away impressed. Two dishes stood out: the tuna tartare with hearts of palm, orange, cherry tomato, cucumber, avocado, scallion ponzu, tobiko caviar and cilantro sprouts, and the pan-roasted trout with grilled sweet corn, blue lake beans, toasted almonds and tangerine-tarragon gastrique. The meal confirmed that Bendel and his team have another winner.

Beverage director and partner Gabe Whorley created the spirits program, which features local touches. Every drink on the craft cocktail list is priced at $17, and one nods to the historic Ortega Highway. Ortega Falls blends papaya tea-infused vodka, orange liqueur, limoncello, cucumber and lemon. It is named for a swimming spot off the highway where Whorley and other teens hung out. Mono Sentero, which roughly translates to “Monkey Trail,” is a bourbon drinker’s cocktail. Whorley said the crème de banana, bourbon and Lillet make a perfect play on an Old Fashioned.

Among the beers, Webb’s Coast IPA, a West Coast IPA from Webb’s Grain Works in Aliso Viejo, will be a featured draft. It comes from Whorley’s friend Jeremy Webb, the brewery’s founder and head distiller.

Creekside accepts reservations through OpenTable, at creeksidermv.com or by calling 949-247-7924. Free parking is available in the Sendero Marketplace lot and near the restaurant.

Creekside is the eighth restaurant for Bendel and his partners: chef Jared Cook, operations vice president Kyle Simpson, and beverage directors Gabe Whorley and Mike Alvarez. Together they run the RJB Restaurant Group, which began in 2013 and includes Vine and Parlor in San Clemente, Ironwood in Laguna Hills, Olea in Newport Beach, Sapphire and The Pantry in Laguna Beach, and Bloom in San Juan Capistrano.

Open 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

30865 Gateway Place, Suite E6, Rancho Mission Viejo.

Mark your calendars, film lovers. The Newport Beach Film Festival announced Thursday that Oscar-nominated director and writer Tony Gilroy's "Behemoth!," starring Pedro Pascal, will close the 27th annual festival on Thursday, Oct. 22. The festival runs Oct. 15-22.

In "Behemoth!," Pascal plays Alex Serian, a gifted cellist who returns home to Los Angeles after 20 years on the road. Music, the constant, all-consuming river that has carried Alex his entire life, pulls him into an adventure that will change him forever. Featuring an unprecedented nine composers, the film is a love letter to movie scoring and to the dizzying power music holds over our memories and imaginations. Gilroy and production designer Jade Healy will attend Closing Night and join a conversation before the screening.

"We couldn't have picked a better way to celebrate 27 years of Newport than closing with a filmmaker as exciting as Tony Gilroy," said Gregg Schwenk, CEO and executive director of the festival. "This film has a deeply personal story about what music demands of the people who live inside it, and having Tony and Jade here in person for Q&A is exactly the kind of up-close experience that makes Newport unlike any other festival in the country."

Other highlights of this year's lineup include "A Talent for Murder," "Ink," "Josephine," "La Bola Negra," "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York," "Paper Tiger" and "Wild Horse Nine."

Drawing more than 50,000 attendees to Orange County, the Newport Beach Film Festival is the largest international cinema event in coastal Southern California, connecting audiences with the best in independent and international films. Beyond the screenings, the festival hosts nightly parties and events featuring more than 60 culinary partners serving up their finest tastings.

For the full lineup and tickets, visit newportbeachfilmfest.com. Festival honors and additional films will be announced at a later date.

Soft, delicious and popular at every location, the Monster Cookies at Wild Strawberry Cafe have earned local recognition, are trending on TikTok and sell out daily. Flavors include chocolate chip, strawberry matcha and gluten-free peanut butter. They are available at all three Newport Beach locations and the Laguna Beach location.

National Cookie Month is a great time to treat yourself, and the cafe is offering an easy way to save. Buy one Monster Cookie and get the second 50% off.

Wild Strawberry Cafe is a family-owned business built on love, hard work and community. The team is dedicated to serving clean, high-quality food made with care, in a space filled with positive energy. That same care goes into every Monster Cookie, which makes them a treat worth sharing with family and friends. Their goal is to serve great food, create a welcoming environment and build strong connections with the community they call home.

Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday 
610 Newport Center Dr. in Newport Beach. 949.423.2066.

Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. 
240 Newport Center Drive. 949.706.0462.

Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday. 
400 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. 949.704.2162.

Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Sunday.
1440 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. 949.704.2122.

The 27th Newport Beach Film Festival opens Thursday, Oct. 15, with "Frampton," an intimate documentary portrait of rock icon Peter Frampton. The screening begins at 7 p.m. at Big Newport, Screen 1. Frampton and director Rob Arthur will take part in a live Q&A afterward.

The film follows Frampton from the stadium-sized success of "Frampton Comes Alive!" in the 1970s through the long road of rebuilding his career and the personal cost of fame. It also looks at his diagnosis with Inclusion Body Myositis, a degenerative muscle condition that threatens his ability to play guitar. Rare archival footage, candid interviews and concert moments tell the story of an artist determined to make every performance count.

After the screening, the celebration moves to Fashion Island with live entertainment, food and specially crafted cocktails. The gala is for guests 21 and older. Cocktail attire is strongly encouraged, and since the event is outdoors, bring a coat or jacket.

The festival runs through Oct. 22 and features more than 100 films from around the world. Highlights include:

Festival Honors, Sunday, Oct. 18: A brunch at Balboa Bay Resort, held with Variety 10 Actors to Watch, will celebrate Taraji P. Henson (Artist of Distinction Award), Jack O'Connell (Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award), Mckenna Grace (Spotlight Award), Sosie Bacon (Breakout Award) and casting director Sarah Finn (Casting Visionary Award). The event will be filmed for broadcast on PBS SoCal in January.

Additional honorees: KJ Apa on Saturday, Oct. 17, Justin Hartley and Jonás Cuarón on Monday, Oct. 19, and Gemma Chan on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Closing night,  Documentary Feature: Thursday, Oct. 22: The West Coast premiere of "Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires" screens at 8:30 p.m. at the Lido Theater, with director Daniel E. Catullo III and members of the band expected to attend.

For the full lineup and tickets, visit newportbeachfilmfest.com.

Whether you're a Ducks fan, a concertgoer or just there for the food, Honda Center has plenty to try this season. The arena is in the middle of its $1 billion Encore transformation, and it's staying open for games and events while the work continues through 2027.

New spaces and upgrades

The Splitero Club on the Columbia Bank Club Level is the arena's newest premium space, with private booths, loge seats, a full-service bar and direct access from the new River Garage. It's the first club in Honda Center history to offer concert views. Guests will also notice renovated restrooms, and the first aid station has moved just outside Section 202. Outside, the five-story South Entrance is steadily taking shape.

What to eat and drink

Executive Chef Cesar Regalado and his team have added some fun new items to the lineup:

Schiacciata Sweet Sandwich: Nutella, banana and strawberries at Anaheim Pizza Co. (Section 203)

Buñuelos: A nearly 16-inch dessert topped with cajeta caramel and Abuelita hot chocolate ganache at Blue Line Taqueria (Section 219)

The Golden Dog: An all-beef hot dog fried in cake dough at Quack Snacks (Section 421)

Pork & Roll: A sticky bun piled with pulled pork and beer cheese at Feather and Flame (Section 426)

Fun Bucket: Fried chicken, potato wedges and corn wheels made for sharing at Arena Classics (Section 434)

On the drink side, the self-serve Draft Picks beer stands are back, including Blue Moon Draft Picks at Section 424. The Modelo Puck Drop Patio returns with $5 12-ounce Modelo beers from opening until puck drop. The Coors Light Cold Zone and Jack Daniel's Backstage Bar are set to open later in the season.

Parking and getting there

Premium parking at the River Garage is on sale through Ticketmaster for events Oct. 15 and later. Passes are limited and must be bought in advance. General parking is still included with your ticket in the Katella and Cerritos garages, but overflow lots at Arena Corporate Center and off Phoenix Club Drive are no longer available. Rideshare pickup is at ARTIC, across Katella Avenue.

Mark your calendar

Along with a full slate of Ducks home games, here's what's coming up:

•  Oct. 8: Chayanne 
• Oct. 9: SOMBR
• Oct. 15: Phil Wickham
• Oct. 17: Los Tigres del Norte
• Oct. 22: Bryson Tiller
• Nov. 6: Dan + Shay
• Nov. 7: Brand New
• Nov. 21: V-Beyond
• Nov. 24: Journey
• Nov. 28: Los Gemelos de Sinaloa
• Dec. 2: Jonas Brothers
• Dec. 5: West Coast Hoops Showdown, featuring UCLA vs. Gonzaga
• Dec. 11-14: Disney On Ice presents Jump In!
• Feb. 12: Christian Castro
• March 3: Elevation Nights
• April 2: Hans Zimmer Live
• April 29: Josiah Queen

What's next for the neighborhood

The Samueli family's 100-acre OCVIBE district is also on the way, with the first phase opening in early 2027. A 5,000-capacity concert hall arrives in March, followed by Katella Commons, a market hall with 21 chef-driven kitchens. Chef Roy Choi's restaurant Best Friend is slated to open later in 2027.

Find the full event schedule and parking details at hondacenter.com.