Roger's Gardens has opened its much-anticipated Halloween Boutique, and this year's theme, Moonlight Masquerade, transports guests to Venice after dark. The free, immersive experience is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and welcomes the public.

Guests begin the journey beneath the Bridge of Sighs, then follow candlelight into the Palazzo of Whispers, where each room unveils a new chapter of the masquerade. Gilded masks, veiled figures, winding serpents and fluttering monarchs fill elaborate installations that turn Halloween shopping into theater.

The boutique builds on Roger's Gardens' more than 50 year legacy and marks over three decades of theatrical retail design. Vice President of Merchandising Hedda Staines and Holiday and Home Decor Buyer Crystal Pittman led the concept, drawing on Venetian artistry and global design trends. Their year-round work with artisans and manufacturers results in custom, collectible decor found only at Roger's Gardens.

Director of Design Christopher Nichols and Senior Visual Coordinator Emily Morgan led the Visual Merchandising Team in bringing the vision to life across six distinct environments. Each April, the team begins designing and handcrafting original props for the year's theme. Many of those pieces, from dramatic masks to gilded relics, are available for purchase, giving guests the chance to take home a piece of the experience.

The Crystal Atrium also features a limited collection of exclusive arrangements handcrafted by the Roger's Gardens Original Designs Team, led by Nichols. Each piece is one of a kind and available in limited quantities.

More than 500 curated products fill the boutique, ranging from traditional to whimsical to wicked. A team of 10 visual designers staged every detail over two and a half weeks ahead of opening. Roger's Gardens draws more than 100,000 visitors during September and October, with guests traveling from across Southern California and beyond.

Six environments to explore:

The Gilded Vestibule — A life-size gilded mask greets guests at the entrance, surrounded by silver and gold oddities

The Serpent's Soiree — A dramatic serpent winds overhead above entertaining pieces and artisan creations built for gathering.

The Veiled Gallery — Seven-foot veiled stone figures stand guard among masks, hats and wearables for choosing a new identity.

The Monarch Salon — Towering columns and a fireplace anchor a room where monarch butterflies flutter amid festive decor, watched over by one grumpy little pumpkin.

The Hall of Relics — A gilded bone archway leads to a chamber of dramatic paintings, skeletons and serpents.

The Crystal Atrium — The finale unfolds beneath shimmering crystal webbing, showcasing extraordinary arrangements and exclusive Original Designs.

Moonlight Masquerade runs through the end of October at Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar.

Roger’s Gardens is at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona del Mar.

RELISH is back for its second year, and this three-day celebration of food, wine and spirits at VEA Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa, runs Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4. The event was created by celebrity chef Jamie Gwen and celebrity event planner Nicole Hirsty of Cobalt Events.

Friday's Opening Night Cocktail Party & Grand Tasting runs 5 to 8 p.m. and brings chef-curated hors d'oeuvres, interactive food and drink pop-ups, hand-crafted cocktails and award-winning wine. On hand this year: Geoffrey Zakarian, Scott Conant, James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Sherry Yard, Kat Turner, maitre fromager Afrim Pristine, sommelier Rebecca Rose Phillips, author and TV personality Katie Chin, and co-founder Jamie Gwen.

From 8 to 10 p.m., RELISH After Hours offers a smaller, more intimate setting with an exclusive meet and greet with the talent. Tickets are limited.

Saturday is packed. It opens with Fashion + Food at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, where an exclusive luncheon at ANQI brings guests together with Zakarian and Conant. From there, The Park Club hosts The Art of Cheese & Wine with Afrim Pristine and a hands-on knife class from Wolfe Cutlery. The day closes with the RELISH Culinary Icons Dinner and Sip & Savor Cocktail Hour, a one-night-only multicourse dinner from Zakarian, Conant and Yard.

Sunday returns to VEA with the Burgers + Bubbles Brunch, pairing Chefs Sherry Yard's and Kat Turner's takes on the classic burger with Veuve Clicquot. The weekend closes with RELISH in Wellness, built around mindfulness, nourishing food and guided wellness activities.

This year's partner list includes Visit Newport Beach, Travel Costa Mesa, South Coast Plaza, Bloomingdale's, Veuve Clicquot, Belvedere Vodka and Le Creuset, among others.

Tickets and event packages are available at RelishFoodWine.com. 

RELISH Event Schedule

Friday, Oct. 2

• 5-8 p.m. | Opening Night Cocktail Party & Grand Tasting at VEA
• 8-10 p.m. | RELISH After Hours* at VEA

Saturday, Oct. 3

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Fashion & Food at ANQI at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza with Chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and Scott Conant

• 2:30-3:30 p.m. | The Art of Cheese & Wine with Cheesemaster Afrim Pristine at The Park Club
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Master the Art of the Perfect Cut with Wolfe Cutlery at The Park Club
• 5:30-10 p.m. | RELISH Culinary Icons Dinner + Sip & Savor Cocktail Hour at The Park Club

Sunday, Oct. 4

• 10 a.m.-noon | RELISH Burgers + Bubbles Brunch at VEA
• Noon-2:30 p.m. | RELISH in Wellness at VEA

*Limited tickets available

The Newport Beach Film Festival celebrates its 27th year this October, screening more than 100 feature films and 250 shorts from 21 countries, once again making it the largest international cinema event on the coast. Running Oct. 15-22, 2026, the festival has tickets on sale now, with the full lineup available at newportbeachfilmfest.com.

The Centerpiece selections alone are worth clearing your schedule for. James Gray's "Paper Tiger" pairs Adam Driver with Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller. Danny Boyle brings "Ink," starring Jack O'Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy. And Martin McDonagh's "Wild Horse Nine" brings together John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Tom Waits in one film. "A Talent for Murder," "Josephine" and "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York" complete the slate.

"As we celebrate our 27th year, the Newport Beach Film Festival is thrilled to once again unite audiences with some of the most talked-about films of awards season and an extraordinary group of filmmakers from around the world... We look forward to sharing these impactful films with our incredible Orange County community and celebrating the artists behind them," said Gregg Schwenk, NBFF's CEO and executive director.

The festival's International Spotlight section adds 17 films from Japan, Ireland, Iran, Germany, Spain and beyond, including Hirokazu Koreeda's "Look Back" and Pawel Pawlikowski's "Fatherland." There's also a strong documentary bench this year, with films on Carl Sagan, Giorgio Armani and Kenny Loggins.

Opening and closing night films haven't been announced yet, and NBFF Honors is still to come.

More than 50,000 people are expected to turn out, and over 60 culinary partners will be pouring and plating at events throughout the week. It's still one of the best excuses in Orange County to see a great film and run into half the people you know while you're at it.

Tickets and more info at newportbeachfilmfest.com.

A new tropical-inspired cat lounge is settling into The CAMP in Costa Mesa, and it wants you to come hang out.

Purrs in Paradise celebrates its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, with a day built around relaxing, meeting cats and supporting local animal rescue. Every cat in the lounge is available for adoption through the lounge's rescue partner, Friends of Normie Rescue.

Thirty-minute lounge visits are $10 during the celebration, down from the regular $22 admission. Visits are walk-in only throughout the day.

The party also brings a DJ, raffles, giveaways and face painting. The first 50 guests choose a complimentary sweet treat from a lineup that includes fresh gourmet cookies, crispy rice treats and ice cream.

Beyond the lounge, Purrs in Paradise has a curated retail area and a treats counter, and the space will host birthday parties, private events and other community gatherings.

Friends of Normie Rescue oversees the adoption process for the cats at the lounge. Together, the two hope to give more adoptable cats a relaxed, social setting to meet their future families.

Purrs in Paradise is at The CAMP, 2937 Bristol St., Suite B3, Costa Mesa.

The dining lineup at Katella Commons just keeps getting better.

OCVIBE, the 100-acre development wrapping around Honda Center, announced five new dining concepts joining the 50,000-square-foot market hall set to open in early 2027. This latest round brings a genuinely exciting mix of Mexican, Filipino, Chinese and Italian flavors, and several of the operators have deep roots right here in Orange County.

First up is Don Churros Gomez, a third-generation family churro business led by brothers Jaime and Ricky Nuñez Gomez. Their grandfather, known simply as "Don Churros," created the family recipe back in 1969 in Yahualica, Jalisco. Guests at Katella Commons can expect traditional thin-style churros along with other authentic Mexican desserts that honor generations of craftsmanship.

Then there's MFK | Modern Filipino Kitchen, and this one's a real comeback story. Chef Henry Pineda and his wife, Panda, first opened MFK in Anaheim back in 2017, only to lose the restaurant to a fire. They regrouped with Lola's by MFK, a Filipino brunch concept, and now, a decade later, they're bringing MFK back with a modern menu built specifically for Katella Commons. If you know their story, you know this one is personal.

Chef Guoming "Sam" Xin, known around the food world as the "Noodle Man," is bringing his hand-pulled noodle expertise to the market hall with Mojo and Pull & Roll. Xin's culinary journey started in Zhengzhou, China, where he opened his first restaurant, Noodle City, before earning certification as a Senior Noodle Technician in Beijing. More than two decades of experience later, he's ready to show OC what real Northern Chinese noodle craft looks like.

And for dessert, Newport Beach's own Gelato Paradiso is joining the roster. Founded in 1999, this local favorite has been scooping authentic Italian gelato for more than 25 years, with roughly 80% of its ingredients imported directly from Italy. Expect classics like pistacchio, stracciatella and bacio, plus rotating seasonal flavors made fresh daily in small batches.

This new group joins an already stacked lineup announced earlier this summer, including Amiga Amore, Burritos La Palma, Evil Cooks, Manaao Thai Comfort Food and two new concepts from DARKROOM's Chef Zach Scherer: OC Pizza Cult and Wanderfowl. Add in the news that chef Roy Choi is bringing his acclaimed Best Friend restaurant to OCVIBE, and it's clear this district is shaping up to be one of the most exciting food destinations in the county.

Katella Commons opens to the public in early 2027, following the debut of OCVIBE's 5,000-capacity concert hall in March. The Weave, the district's commercial office building and future home of co-working operator Kiln, along with the first phase of OCVIBE's public art program, is also slated to open in 2027.

Musco Center for the Arts turns 10, and it's celebrating the way it knows best: on stage, with the artists who built its legacy.

The 10th Anniversary Jubilee! takes place Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., bringing together Chapman University alumni, returning professional artists and current students for a night that traces a decade of performance at the venue.

The program spans music, theater and dance, reflecting everything Musco Center has represented for the performers and audiences who have filled its seats since opening. Highlights include choreography by Dwight Rhoden performed by Chapman dance students, scenes and songs pulled from past Musco Center productions, brass fanfares from Chapman's Trumpets Ensemble and performances by the Chapman University Singers.

Guest and alumni artists round out the evening, including Backhausdance, Intuitiv Artship, the CoPA Alumni String Trio, Ashley Faatoalia and Kyla Stone, all veterans of the Musco Center stage.

The show runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.

Tickets start at $28. For tickets and more information, visit muscocenter.org.

415 North Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866 | 714.997.6812

Get ready, Costa Mesa. Maleza, the modern Mexican kitchen and mezcal bar that made its name inside Drift Palm Springs, is opening its first standalone restaurant right here at The CAMP. Dinner service starts September 12-13, then September 16 -20, with full lunch and dinner starting on September 23.

For Irvine-based owner and operator TMC Hospitality, this one feels like coming home. Executive Chef Marco Arreguín is running the kitchen, and Maleza Palm Springs has already picked up recognition from the Los Angeles Times and Food & Wine since it opened in 2023. The Costa Mesa location builds on that with dishes and cocktails made just for this opening.

Arreguín grew up as a first-generation immigrant in Santa Ana, one of Orange County's most vibrant Mexican food communities, and that upbringing pushed him to master traditional techniques and understand the soul of a dish before he ever started putting his own spin on things. That foundation carried him through Michelin-starred kitchens and some of the region's most respected concepts. As Chef de Cuisine at Taco Maria, his work helped lay the groundwork for the restaurant's Michelin star in 2019, and he's also cooked alongside Michael Cimarusti at Best Girl and Wes Avila at Kateen, MXO and Hecho Libre. At Maleza, he's putting Mexican cuisine on a pedestal without ever straying from its roots.

The menu runs Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Midday brings the Barbacoa Burrito and Protein Bowl, while dinner moves through five sections, Crudo, Antojitos, Del Campo, Fuertes and Postres, where acid and smoke stay in constant, easy balance. On the Crudo side, expect a half dozen oysters dressed with housemade hot sauce and jalapeño-cucumber mignonette, Hamachi Aguachile with salsa negra, onions, serranos and sesame seeds, and Yellowtail Ceviche with tomatillo salsa, cucumber, jicama, red onion and serrano. The Antojitos lean into masa, with a Masa Cornbread made from Oaxacan green masa, smoked butter and salsa macha, and Masa Dumplings filled with adobo-braised beef, lemon and salsa verde.

Del Campo spotlights what's in season, including Grilled Maitake with blanco BBQ sauce, salsa macha and smoked trout roe, and Esquites with an unexpected pop of kumquat. The Fuertes section brings the bigger plates, like Branzino Veracruzana finished with capers, Castelvetrano olives, Anaheim chile and cilantro rice, and Eye of Ribeye with celery root mole, crispy maitake mushroom and tomatillo pico de gallo. For dessert, there are Churros with dulce de leche and espresso ice cream, and Horchata Arroz con Leche made with Oaxacan cornmeal crumble, almonds and horchata ice cream.

The bar program deserves just as much attention. Late summer produce like grilled peach, tomato and strawberry shows up in drinks like the Durazno, an egg sour built on grilled peach rye whiskey and peach amaro, and the Tomate, a gin sour layered with tomato vermouth. The Beso, a carrot-washed riff on the classic Vesper, is a fun one to try. For anyone who loves agave, the spirits list goes deep on mezcal and tequila, with a soft spot for lesser-known pours like bacanora.

Step outside and Maleza's dining room just keeps going, out onto an ipe wood patio tucked behind planter walls for privacy. Handmade Mexican wood furniture, cushioned bench seating, fire torches burning into the night. Then there are the Gravity Windows, massive ones, and when they're open the whole restaurant spills into The CAMP's communal spaces. A table for two can split indoor and outdoor seats and never lose the conversation.

Lunch: Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dinner: Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.

Bar: Sunday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

2937 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa.

Image Courtesy Phyllis Langley

Zov's is coming to Costa Mesa. The Mediterranean restaurant will open at 428 E. 17th St., in the former Playa Mesa space, in late 2026. The move follows the brand's debut in San Clemente earlier this year.

17th Street's dining choices are getting better and better, with Ospi, Oak & Coal, Tabu Shabu, Salt & Lime and many more. Zov's joins a strip already known for independent, chef-driven spots. The Costa Mesa location will carry the same family hospitality that has defined the brand since it opened nearly 40 years ago.

Zov Karamardian opened the first Zov's in 1987 with her husband, Gary, drawing on family recipes and her own background in Mediterranean cooking. The business remains family run. Son Armen is CEO, daughter Taleene oversees creative and operational work, and granddaughter Morgan handles branding and marketing across the company's locations in Tustin, Irvine, Newport Coast and San Clemente.

The menu is expected to include grilled lamb chops, house-made mezze with hummus and baba ghanoush, locally sourced seafood, flatbreads and house-made pastas, along with seasonal salads. The bar program will offer cocktails made with fresh herbs and citrus, a wine list covering California and Mediterranean producers, and craft beer and non-alcoholic options.

Zov's will be at 428 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa.

Levain Bakery opens its first Orange County location at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Friday, Sept. 4, at 8 a.m. The New York bakery, known for its six-ounce cookies, will bring its full lineup of cookies, breads, pastries and coffee to the fourth Southern California shop in its growing footprint. For longtime Levain fans and anyone with a soft spot for a good cookie, this is a big one. The wait for a taste of the cult favorite right here in OC is almost over.

The first 100 people in line Friday will get a custom Levain Bakery Newport Beach tote filled with bakery swag. All opening day proceeds go to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, continuing a practice Levain started in 2019. After opening day, unsold baked goods will be donated daily to Abound Food Care to help cut food waste and feed the community.

Founders Weekes and McDonald opened the first Levain Bakery in New York City in 1995. What began as a neighborhood bread shop turned into something bigger when they started selling cookies on the side, and those cookies sold out fast. Three decades later, Levain still bakes its breads, pastries and cookies by hand every day, using the same recipe from 1995.

The Newport Beach bakery will carry Levain's full menu: signature cookies, artisan breads, savory sandwiches, muffins and pastries, plus full barista service with cappuccinos, cold-foam drinks, matcha, lattes and the brand's Cookie Milk Latte. It joins Levain locations in New York, Washington, D.C., Bethesda, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia.

Levain also offers catering and event services for weddings, corporate meetings and private parties, with table-ready packages of its cookies, breads, pastries and sandwiches.

Once open, the bakery will run daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with local pickup and delivery available. It's located at 315 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, in Fashion Island, near Macy's and Sushi Roku.

Tastemakers of Orange County returns for its 10th anniversary on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.

The annual event, produced by and benefiting the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA), brings together more than two dozen distinguished Orange County chefs to showcase Asian and Pacific Islander-inspired cuisine. Proceeds support OCAPICA's programs in mental health and health services, youth development, housing assistance, policy education and protecting immigrant communities.

“Ten years ago, OCAPICA faced an uncertain future due to the financial crisis and limited funding. A remarkable group of chefs and restaurants came together to create Tastemakers of Orange County, celebrating our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community while helping secure OCAPICA's future,” said Mary Anne Foo, executive director of OCAPICA. “The Tastemakers event transformed our organization, allowing us to expand our impact and serve more communities in need. I will always be grateful to Tarit Tanjasiri for his leadership over the past decade and to every chef, restaurant, and business that has supported OCAPICA and our mission.”

Guests will indulge in one-of-a-kind Asian and Pacific Island-inspired tapas dishes in an all-you-can-eat setting. Between bites, they can take in live entertainment, tunes from a local DJ and an opportunity drawing featuring unique items and experiences.

2026 Tastemaker Chefs and Restaurants

Shelly Register, A Market; Shachi Mehra, Adya; Sonny Nguyen, Artisan, by 7 Leaves & Crema Bakery; Banh Mi Saigon; Sandro Nardone, Bello and Sugo; Bill Bracken, Bracken's Kitchen; Allan Tea, Cali Dumpling; Tarit Tanjasiri, Crema Cafe & Crema Artisan Bakers; Rodrigo Ceja, Driftwood Kitchen & The Deck on Laguna; Rich Mead, Farmhouse at Roger's Garden; Kristin Nguyen, Garlic and Chives; Fernando Basadre, Gavina Coffee; James Hamamori, Hamamori; Minh Phan, Hanuman Thai Eatery; Leslie Nguyen, Miss Mini Donuts; Henry Pineda, Lola's by MFK; Nokmaniphone Sayavong, Nok's Kitchen; Adam Navidi, Oceans and Earth; Paradise Dynasty; Daniel Hohng, The Park Club California; Eddie Lai, Seafood Cove 2; Max Schlutz, Sessions West Coast Deli; Winnie Yee, Smoke Queen Barbecue; Leonard Chan, Stowaway Tiki Bar; Ivan Calderon, Taco Mesita; Ross Pangilinan, Terrace by Mix Mix; Ed Lee, Toast Kitchen & Bakery; Wing Lam, Wahoo's Fish Tacos; Amar Santana, Vaca.

Event Details and Tickets

The 10th annual Tastemakers of Orange County will take place Thursday, Sept. 3, at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Julianne & George Argyros Plaza, 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Tickets are $295 for VIP, which includes early entry from 6 to 9 p.m., and $225 for general admission from 7 to 9 p.m.

More information and tickets can be found at ocapica.org/tmoc and here eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-tastemakers.