PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS - Orange County Register

PLACES TO GO + DO | SHOPPING & SERVICES| LUXURY LIFESTYLE | FOOD & DRINK | HOME & GARDEN

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

SEPTEMBER 2019

OCREGISTER.COM/BEST

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THE ORANGE COUNTYREGISTER

PUBLISHER

RON HASSE

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

FRANK PINE

SENIOR EDITOR

TODD HARMONSON

INFORMATION CORRECTAS OF PRESS TIME

In an era when technology has made it, seemingly unnecessary for anyone to leave their home, The Orange County Register en-courages you to “get out there!” From locally owned shops, to best-in-class performance venues and postcard-perfect beaches; there’s so much more

that awaits us when we venture out — especially in Orange County.

With opportunities to boat, surf, mountain bike and explore trails on horseback, we live in a mecca for outdoor activities. And for those craving urban appeal, we can enjoy world famous shopping destinations, music, theater, and a thriving local restaurant scene with two establishments that were recently awarded Michelin stars.

Downtown areas of Fullerton, Anaheim, Orange and Santa Ana draw students and hipsters to their clubs, eateries and nightspots. Irvine, the county’s third-largest city, is known for its safe tree-lined neighborhoods and excellent schools, but also is a major sports and cultural draw with the Great Park and its adjacent amphitheater and sports facilities.

With such an array of incredible places to experience, the greatest challenge is where to begin. The Orange County Register’s 26th annual Best of Orange County magazine is a great place to start.

Every year, thousands of readers cast votes to choose the county’s best activities, shops, restaurants and businesses. The biggest vote-getters are reviewed in this special publication. As you search for dining, entertainment and places to do business, consider Best of Orange County to be your go-to

guide.The magazine is divided into five

engaging chapters: Places to Go + Do, Shopping & Services, Luxury Lifestyle, Food & Drink and Home & Garden. Within each chapter, you’ll recognize some “best of” favorites and discover new places to explore.

Congratulations to the businesses, organizations and activities featured in this year’s Best of Orange County. Your good work lays the foundation of what makes our county great.

And to our valued readers, we hope that you find the Best of Orange County to be an informative read and a compelling resource throughout the year, whether you’re looking for a place to hold a child’s birthday bash or planning to upgrade your outdoor living space.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the Best of Orange County magazine, but not for too long — there’s so much out there for you to experience.

RON HASSEPUBLISHER,

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

EDITOR

JEFFREY MILLER

COVER ILLUSTRATION

AMY NING

COVER DESIGN

HELAYNE PERRY

DESIGNERS

LAILA DERAKHSHANIANKAY SCANLON

PHOTO EDITOR

MICHELE CARDON

» WELCOME TO THE BEST OF ORANGE COUNTY

THE BEST OF ORANGE COUNTY • SEPTEMBER 2019 • 3

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CHAPTER 1

PLACES TO GO + DOEssay ..................................................................................................... 8Best Amusement Park Ride .......................................................... 10Best Beach ........................................................................................ 12Best Bowling Alley ........................................................................... 14Best Dog Park ................................................................................... 15Best Downtown ............................................................................... 16Best Fair/Festival ............................................................................. 18Best Farmers Market ..................................................................... 20Best Golf Course .............................................................................. 21Best Kids’ Birthday Party Venue .................................................. 22Best Live Theater............................................................................. 24Best Movie Theater ......................................................................... 26Best Museum .................................................................................. 28Best Music Venue ........................................................................... 30Best Run/Race .................................................................................32Best SoCal Casino .......................................................................... 34

CHAPTER 2

SHOPPING & SERVICESEssay ....................................................................................................36Best Auto Repair ............................................................................... 37Best Bank ...........................................................................................38Best Car Dealership ..........................................................................40Best Credit Union..............................................................................42Best Dental Group ............................................................................44 Best Financial Services Provider ...................................................45 Best Fitness Center .........................................................................46 Best Grocery Store ........................................................................... 47Best Hospital .....................................................................................48Best Medical Group ..........................................................................50 Best Pet Clinic/Veterinary Hospital ..............................................52Best Shopping/Dining Destination ...............................................53Best Thrift Store ...............................................................................54Best Tutoring Service ......................................................................56Best Wine Selection ........................................................................58

CHAPTER 3

LUXURY LIFESTYLEEssay ....................................................................................................62Best Cosmetic Surgeon ................................................................. 64Best Day Spa .................................................................................... 66Best Jeweler/Jewelry Store .......................................................... 68Best Luxury Real Estate Agent .....................................................70 Best OC Resort ...................................................................................71Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion ......................................72

CHAPTER 4

FOOD & DRINKEssay .................................................................................................... 76Best Bakery .........................................................................................77Best Barbecue ................................................................................... 78Best Breakfast .................................................................................. 79Best Burger ........................................................................................80Best Craft Brewery ...........................................................................82 Best Doughnut Shop........................................................................84Best Family Friendly Restaurant ...................................................86Best Frozen Yogurt/Ice Cream ......................................................88 Best Happy Hour/Cocktail Bar .......................................................89Best Italian Restaurant ...................................................................90Best Mexican Restaurant ...............................................................92Best Pizza ...........................................................................................94Best Romantic Restaurant .............................................................95Best Seafood Restaurant ...............................................................96Best Steakhouse ...............................................................................98Best Sunday Brunch ........................................................................99Best Sushi ........................................................................................100

CHAPTER 5

HOME & GARDENEssay ..................................................................................................102Best Apartment Community ........................................................104Best Appliance Store .....................................................................106Best Blind/Shutter Store .............................................................. 107Best City to Live In .........................................................................108Best Door/Window Company .......................................................110Best Furniture Store........................................................................112Best Garden Center/Nursery .........................................................113Best Home Builder ..........................................................................114Best Home Improvement Store ....................................................115Best Kitchen/Bath Remodeling Specialist ................................116Best Mattress Store ........................................................................118Best New Home Community .......................................................120Best Outdoor Furnishings Store ...................................................121Best Place to Buy Carpet/Flooring .............................................122Best Real Estate Company ...........................................................124Best Senior Living Community ....................................................126Best Solar Contractor ....................................................................129

» INSIDE

4 • THE BEST OF ORANGE COUNTY • SEPTEMBER 2019

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PLACES TO GO+DO» Amusement Park Ride

» Beach

» Bowling Alley

» Dog Park

» Downtown

» Fair/Festival

» Farmers Market

» Golf Course

» Kids Birthday Party Venue

» Live Theater

» Movie Theater

» Museum

» Music Venue

» Run/Race

» Southern California Casino

BOC_Places-Go-Do_v2_jm.indd 7 8/23/19 3:37 PM


It seems that every year Orange County has some new attraction to serve locals and visitors alike, but in 2019 there’s an 800-pound Wookiee in the room that has to be addressed.

Disneyland, the area’s most popular man-made attraction since it opened in 1955, debuted the largest expansion in its history, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, on May 31. The 14-

acre themed land set in a distant world inspired by George Lucas’ space adventure franchise sets a new bar for immersing guests in an alien landscape, complete with signs printed in the Star Wars language of Aurebesh and cast members using otherworldly phrases such as “bright suns” to welcome visitors.

The new land, which expands the park’s publicly accessible areas by 20 percent, does not emphasize Disneyland’s staple attraction — theme park rides. Millennium Fal-con: Smugglers Run — an E-ticket attraction, no doubt — was the only ride operating at the land’s opening. A second, Star Wars: Rise of the Re-sistance, may be open by the time you read this.

Instead of rides, much of the land is made up of “experiential” enterprises such as Oga’s Cantina — the first place in the original park to sell alcohol to the public — Droid Depot and Savi’s Workshop — Handbuilt Lightsabers, along with food concessions selling items with inter-galactic names. All of these experiences involve visitors paying more than the $129-$149 daily admission or annual pass cost that it took to get into the park.

Disney’s expansion is not over yet. A new land at neighboring Disney California Adventure themed around characters from the Marvel uni-verse will open in 2020.

Up the road, Knott’s Berry Farm unveiled a “new” ride — Calico River Rapids. It’s a re-themed version of BigFoot River Rapids that in-cludes the addition of 20 animatronic wilderness creatures, including an actual Sasquatch.

Orange County’s original go-and-do attractions weren’t theme parks, but the beaches dotting its more than 40 miles of coastline. In recent years

a couple of these stretches of sand — Huntington State Beach and Doheny State Beach in Dana Point — have taken on new roles as the venues for a burgeoning number of music festivals.

Events such as the ska-infused Back to the Beach, the punk-centric Surf City Blitz, the music, beer and taco celebration Sabroso and the musical cornucopia of Ohana (curated by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder) pack the beaches with thousands of visitors.

This year, radio station KROQ moved its annual Weenie Roast daylong fest to Doheny after two years at the stadium formerly known as

StubHub Center in Carson, where it relocated following the demolition of Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in 2016. The event sold out after rapper Snoop Dogg and revived nu-metal act Limp Bizkit were add-ed to a bill that included 311 and the Lumineers.

Of course, festivals aren’t limited to the shoreline. The Real Street Festival, featuring artists such as Future, Rae Sremmurd, Meek Mill, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky and Miguel, attracted 40,000 fans to the Honda Center parking lot in August.

FivePoint Amphitheatre, the temporary replacement for Irvine Meadows, is hosting its second

full season of shows, which kicked off with Brad Paisley in June and featured shows by Beck, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and Elvis Costello with Blondie over the summer. The music will continue into the fall, with upcoming gigs by Greta Van Fleet, Morrissey with Interpol and the season closing How The West Was Won with Snoop Dogg, The Game, Xzibit, Tha Alkaholiks, Sas, Warren G, Dj Quik and others. The amphi-theater will return with another slate of concerts in 2020 while plans to build a permanent venue continue to take shape.

The spectrum of places to go in Orange County also encompasses luxury movie theaters with re-cliners and food cocktail service, world-class golf resorts, top-notch museums and a full slate of fairs and festivals. Despite the convenience of life in 2019, it’s always worth your while to get out of the house and sample what’s out there.

Orange County attractions take an intergalactic leap

J E F F R E Y M I L L E Rby

» CHAPTER 1 PLACES TO GO + DO

Disneyland, the area’s most

popular man-made attraction since it op ened in 1955,

debuted the largest expansion in its

history, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.



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2. IncredicoasterDisney California Adventure

3. Soarin’ Around the WorldDisney California Adventure

A new look, theme and name vaulted the former California Screamin’ looping roller coaster into the top ranks of the best amusement park ride category.

The rethemed Incredicoaster reopened in 2018 as the marquee attrac-tion in Pixar Pier. The coaster makeover was part of a major renovation to the former Paradise Pier that added a Pixar theme to existing and relocated rides.

The original California Screamin’ coaster opened with the debut of Disney California Adventure in 2001.

The Incredicoaster adds a storyline based on the exploits of The Incredi-bles superhero family. Riders see the story unfold on the scream tunnels that enclose the coaster track on the hills of the ride. The backstory is based on the 2005 Pixar short “Jack-Jack Attack” with Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Violet and Dash trying to catch baby Jack-Jack as the baby unleashes his superpowers throughout the ride.

The Soarin’ hang-gliding flight simu-lator ride in the Grizzly Peak section of Disney California Adventure combines a mechanical lift system with three rows of seats and an 80-foot-tall concave domed movie screen.

The five-minute IMAX “Soarin’ Around the World” film visits 13 plac-es around the globe, flying so close you wonder how the filmmakers got permission to capture the footage. The camera flies through towering buttes in Monument Valley and within feet of the Eiffel Tower.

The short film makes many subtle nods to Disney films and history, includ-ing “Cars” (Monument Valley), “Rata-touille” (Paris), “Finding Nemo” (Sydney Harbour), “Moana” (the South Pacific), Disneyland’s castle (based on Neus-chwanstein) and the park’s Matterhorn bobsled coaster (Switzerland).

The film employs several clever tran-sitions from scene to scene, including a scary seaplane barreling toward you, a playful kite that swoops across the screen and an eagle with wings spread.

The original Soarin’ Over California returned to Disney California Adven-ture for a limited run this summer.

» BEST AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE

While it’s no surprise that Dis-ney dominates the best amuse-ment park ride category, the top three attractions feature a few new additions to the lineup.

Space Mountain holds the top spot once again this year. The 1977 indoor roller coaster takes riders on a high-speed journey through the dark with many twists, turns and dips.

After more than four decades of thrills, the popular coaster consis-tently has one of the longest lines in Disneyland.

This past summer the ride was in Hyperspace Mountain mode, with a Star Wars overlay that was first introduced during the 2015 Season of the Force event. Scenes of X-Wings, Starfighters and even

the Millennium Falcon flash on the interior walls of Space Moun-tain as riders race through the dark aboard the indoor coaster.

During Halloween, a Ghost Galaxy overlay fills the ride with paranormal activity with the help of projections, lighting and sound effects.

Riders walk through a futuristic space station before boarding the coaster train in a mission control center. NASA Mercury and Gemini astronaut Gordon Cooper helped design Space Mountain so the ride would feel like an actual space flight. Through the years, the coaster has introduced onboard audio, added new ride vehicles and undergone a complete retracking.

— Brady MacDonald

1. Space MountainDisneyland

Space Mountain, an indoor rollercoaster at Disneyland

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Perhaps no other stretch of sand in Southern California better encapsu-lates the region’s beach culture ethos than the 3.5 miles of oceanfront that earned Huntington Beach the moniker Surf City.

Stroll along the 1,850-foot pier from its base at the end of Main Street and you’ll see beach volleyball courts on either side with competitors ranging from weekend enthusiasts to touring pros. From there you’ll progress to the seashore, where tends of thousands of visitors on a summer weekend picnic, sunbathe and frolic in the shore pound. A bit farther down you can gaze down either side at the intrepid surfers shredding the waves. On the pier’s outer reaches dozens of fisher-men cast off over the railings and haul in their catches.

Running perpendicular to the pier is the Huntington Bike Trail, a thorough-fare of beach cruisers, joggers, strollers

and skaters that at peak season can resemble the 405 at rush hour. If you’re ambitious you can take it to the two neighboring beaches — Bolsa Chica to the north and Huntington State Beach to the south. At its north end the beach has an area specially set aside for four-legged beach-goers and their bipedal companions.

Beyond the day-to-day amenities that draw people year-round, Hun-tington City Beach also regularly hosts major events, including the Surf City Marathon on Super Bowl Sunday, the largest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi in July and holiday festivities that include lighting snowflakes on the pier in early Decem-ber. Happen by in late July and early August and you can experience the U.S. Open of Surfing, a huge gathering that confirms the beach’s status as the capital of surf culture.

— Jeffrey Miller


A man walks along the Huntington Beach Pier as the Super Snow Moon sets.

2. Main BeachCoast Highway, Laguna Beach

1. Huntington City BeachPacific Coast Highway between Beach Boulevard and Seapoint Avenue, Huntington Beach

3. Crystal Cove State Park8471 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

In the heart of a city best known for its summer arts festivals is a thin stretch of beach that offers its own kind of visual masterpieces. The crescent-shaped sliver of sand packs a lot of things to do into its limited real estate.

Numerous volleyball courts, two basketball half-courts and a playground for the kids fit snugly into its confines. Of course, there’s still enough room on the sand to put down beach chairs, read a book and enjoy a picnic lunch or venture in the surf. It’s also a very short walk to the shops, galleries and restaurants of downtown Laguna.

The only downside to Main Beach may be its popularity. Parking in the area can be very hard to come by, but free shuttles are available to ferry you if you need to leave your car in a less congested area north or south of the center of activity.

Distinct from the state beaches found in Huntington Beach, Corona del Mar and Dana Point, Crystal Cove is a true state park. On the inland side of Coast Highway are 2,400 acres of brush with trails for hiking and mountain biking, along with a campground.

The park’s shoreline offers some respite from more crowded beaches in the area, in part because it’s a longer hike in some sections to get from parking lots down to the sand.

Don’t want to leave this idyllic place when the sun goes down? You don’t have to — if you plan ahead. The park’s rustic cottages are available to rent but they’re highly in demand. Go online this morning and you’ll have a brief opportunity to secure a unit six months from now. But if you’re successful, the bliss when that time comes will be well worth it.

» BEST BEACH



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the wonder you seek


Bowling may be the hook, but it’s only part of the offerings at the Concourse Bowling Center, which proclaims itself as the “the largest entertainment center and go-to bowling alley in the Orange County area.”

In business since 1990, it supplements its core business with all manner of entertainment, including a full-service bar, billiard tables, plasma screen televisions and even a live DJ on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Kingpins Bar & Grill provides

a popular eatery and a place to relax and tip a jar. Food choices range from typical bowling center staples such as chicken fingers, burgers and corn dogs to fresh-grilled paninis.

The alley also plays host to kids’ parties, adult parties and corporate events and cosmic bowling and other youth-geared games.

And if old-fashioned bowling’s your game, there are more than a dozen leagues to choose from at any given time.

— Greg Mellen

KEVIN SULLIVAN, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A bowler throws his ball at the Concourse Bowling Center in Anaheim. The Concourse Bowling Center was voted the top bowling alley by Orange County Register readers.

2. Fountain Bowl17110 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley; 714-963-7888; fountainbowl.com

1. Concourse Bowling Center3364 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim; 714-666-2695; concoursebowling.com

3. Irvine Lanes3415 Michelson Drive, Irvine; 949-786-9625; irvinelanes.com

Old school remains a key feature of the Fountain Bowl. Which is a good thing for those who still appreciate the sport as a game of skill and something more than cosmic bowling, although the lanes have that too.

Fountain Bowl is the only place in the O.C. where you’ll have a chance to see the likes of Norm Duke, Pete Weber and Walter Ray Williams Jr. play this year, when the PBA50 tour comes to town. It also played host to the Profes-sional Women’s Bowling Association this year.

“I think it’s important to bring celebrities to town and to support the professionals,” said General Manager Rusty Hanna. “We don’t make money (on the tournaments) we lose money. We do it to support the men and women in the sport.”

At 60 lanes, Fountain Bowl has the size of the big buildings in the sport’s heyday. And it’s the only local alley that leases its pro shop to a 10-time PBA Champion, Hall of Famer and rated one of the 50 Greatest Bowlers in PBA History — Barry Asher.

Breaking into the top three this year is 40-alley Irvine Lanes, which shares its parking lot with the Boomers of Irvine. The lanes, which have been family owned for more than 30 years, have invested and reinvested in the property to keep it fresh and meeting the “boutique” desires of the modern bowling public, according to sales and marketing director Becky Sigmond.

Couches have replaced traditional hard-backed chairs, fluorescent lights taken out, iPads installed at lanes and new carpeting is on the way.

With the decline of league play, Irvine Lanes has expanded its offer-ings to make itself a destination for birthdays, family events and holidays. One innovation being tested is Hyper-bowling, which takes gutter guards to a new level with electronics, lights and sensors that turn the guards into bumpers and make bowling more like a pinball or video game.

» BEST BOWLING ALLEY



My 4-year-old golden retriever, Grace, has never met a pool, spa, fountain or even puddle that she didn’t jump in given the chance. So Huntington Dog Beach, with its mile-plus stretch along the ocean, is the ultimate place to let her play in water to her heart’s content.

Dogs are allowed off leash here, with the bluffs (once you get west of Goldenwest Street) acting as a natural barrier to keep the dogs on the sand and away from Pacific Coast Highway.

This is not the place to wear white or expect privacy. The communal nature of romping, wet dogs demands that you set aside the expectations that you will stay clean or escape without interaction. Sand will be kicked, balls and other toys will be shared, and friendly pups likely will get up close and personal with you.

The beach is maintained by the nonprofit Preservation Society of Huntington Dog Beach, which relies

on donations. There is an established list of rules (no aggressive dogs and don’t let your dog chase the wildlife, for example) on the website. It also organizes weekly beach cleanups and offers dog beach-themed merchandise online or at its tent at Goldenwest Street and Pacific Coast Highway.

Special events include the annual Surf City Surf Dog (“the world-fa-mous premier event on the dog surf-ing circuit,” according to the website) in late September and a Halloween costume contest. Cleanup days, free photo sessions through Fly Dog Photography, specific breed meetups, pack walk events and other activities are scheduled throughout the year. Paid street parking is available along Pacific Coast Highway; there are two paid parking lots along the stretch as well, open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Open daily, dawn to dusk.— Kathie Bozanich

NICK AGRO, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sofie the dog splashes into the ocean to catch her frisbee at the Huntington Dog Beach.

2. Central Bark Dog Park6405 Oak Canyon, Irvine, 949-724-6600; cityofirvine.org/parks-facilities

1. Huntington Dog BeachGoldenwest to Seapoint streets, Huntington Beach, 714-841-8644; dogbeach.org

3. La Paws Dog Park25100 Felipe Road, Mission Viejo, 949-470-3045; cityofmissionviejo.org

The Central Bark Dog Park is wedged into an industrial area near the Oak Creek Golf Club. It offers 3 acres with a mix of lawn and dirt for dogs to roam, with separate fenced areas for large dogs and smaller or frail dogs.

Mature trees provide shade, with lots of bench seating, and a couple of can-opies as well. It’s not the easiest place to find, and the parking lot is small. Parking on Oak Canyon is available on weekends and other peak hours.

Visitors say there’s often a great mix of dogs that are well socialized, and owners tend to be conscientious about picking up after their pets.

There are plans to move the dog park if and when the Irvine Animal Care Center is expanded in the future. The proposal calls for the dog park to move less than a mile down Sand Canyon Avenue to Oak Creek Community Park.

Open 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, except Wednesdays.

La Paws Dog Park, which opened in 2014 after years-long efforts, features three dog play areas amid a picturesque setting of rolling hills. The area for larger dogs is 1.5 acres and the small-dog area is half an acre. Another very small area, dedicated for single-owner use, is exceptionally popular and visitors often have to wait their turn.

This well-planned park has benches along its tree-lined fence that give visitors direct view lines to the open area to watch the dogs play. Tipoffs that this was built in recent years specifically as a dog park include the decent-sized parking lot and a landscaped entrance area that can play host to special events.

Beyond the amenities of real grass and big play spaces, it’s the park’s surroundings that draw visitors to the site. There is a walking trail right outside the fence for those who want to check out the arroyo views.

Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily except Thursdays, when it’s open 1-8 p.m.

» BEST DOG PARK



A recently designated “Great Place in America” by the American Plan-ning Association, the city of Orange prides itself on conjuring up images of Main Street, USA.

For Mayor Mark Murphy, the most remarkable part of downtown Orange is Plaza Square Park and the history behind it.

“If you are from Orange (or even just visited!) you immediately recog-nize the fountain in the plaza and are within walking distance of hundreds of historic structures to enjoy,” Mur-phy said. Our residents and friends enjoy gathering at the plaza multiple times a year for special events which contribute to the ‘small town’ feel and sense of community.”

The fountain is actually not the first built in the plaza.

“The original fountain,” Murphy recounted, “originally provided by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (for $585 in 1887) still proudly stands adjacent to the library 3 blocks

east on Chapman.”Murphy also said the historic

Hemphill & Morse real estate building, built back in 1888, recently returned to the Old Towne Orange area. Urth Caffé co-owners Shallom and Jilla Berkman — who, according to a press release, have long been smitten with Orange — helped spearhead the restoration. “We’d come and stroll around, enjoy the restaurants, cafes and, of course, I think the best antique stores in the county,” Shallom Berkman said.

Although the architecture for their business has roots in the 19th centu-ry, the Urth Caffé adds a 21st century flavor to downtown with its heir-loom-grown organic coffees and teas.

Yet, as Murphy pointed out, Orange visitors have no shortage of places to go for a variety of food and drink.

“With over 50 restaurants down-town alone, you could visit every day for almost two months and not eat at the same place twice!” he said.

— James Anderson


Visitors enjoy the the fountain at the Old Towne Orange Plaza in Orange.

2. Huntington BeachMain Street off Pacific Coast Highway and nearby areas; 714-536-8300; hbdowntown.com

1. OrangeMile-square area with Plaza Park at Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue at its center; cityoforange.org

3. FullertonArea bounded by Chapman Avenue, Highland Avenue, the train tracks and Santa Fe Train Depot and Lemon Street; 714-738-6300; cityoffullerton.com

From the annual Chili at the Beach event held in June to the regular Surf City Nights on Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. that convert the downtown area into a giant street fair and certified farmers’ market, Huntington Beach has a number of festivities to keep Orange County entertained.

That entertainment comes courtesy of the Huntington Beach Downtown Improvement District, a non-profit organization established in 2004 that seeks to improve the business environ-ment of the city’s downtown.

Follow the HBDID on social media — @hbdowntownusa on Twitter and Instagram — for updates on all the local events in the beach city, such as the National Cartoon Society Festival and the Miracle on Main Street special during December that gives families the opportunity for photo ops with Santa.

It can be hard to ignore the public art collection in downtown Fullerton. The restored “Pastoral California” artwork, dating back to 1934, adorns the exterior of Plummer auditorium. A more recent-ly added mural, “A City Rich in History,” by Cal State Fullerton fine arts graduate Jun Blanco, uses the south-facing wall of Capri Shoes off Commonwealth Av-enue to depict California’s agricultural and industrial past.

Other downtown attractions include the South of Commonwealth district along Santa Fe Avenue; Fullerton Pla-za, where market festivities run from April through October; and the Ful-lerton Museum, which has featured exhibits on the art of hip-hop and on the evolution of Leo Fender’s business from a small radio repair shop in town to a music instrument empire.

Downtown Fullerton features more than 70 historic buildings and in excess of 350,000 square feet of retail, accord-ing to the city’s website, which also features a 3D model of downtown for download in Google SketchUp© format.

» BEST DOWNTOWN



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gold coastthe good life on the


There’s a certain rhythm to Orange County through the late spring and summer: Schools let out, Fourth of July comes and goes, and then it’s OC Fair time. Everyone has their favorite memories and what brings them back year after year — for 23 days and nights from mid-July through mid-August, it’s the center of all the action, and again the top vote-getter in this category.

Nearly 1.5 million people visit the OC Fair each year, getting hurled about on carnival rides and checking out the livestock exhibits, contests, competitions and concerts, but there appears to be a unifying factor among visitors, according to Roxanne Ancona, communications associate at OC Fair & Event Center.

“Fairgoers rave about our competi-tions and community entertainment, or Pacific Amphitheatre’s lineup and our great themed exhibits, but they often end up saying, ‘And of course, the food!’ ” Ancona said. “The OC Fair

is perfect for the ultimate cheat day, with crazy fried foods and sweet treats people can only enjoy at the fair.”

This year’s theme “Acres of Fun” was the last in a three-part series focusing on agriculture and farm-ing, Ancona said, and “many of the exhibits and activities (had) a theme of sustainability and re-use.”

“The exhibits team is always looking for new ways to engage, entertain and educate fairgoers,” she said. For exam-ple, the culinary building this year was “jam-packed with celebrity chef demos, cooking how-to’s, tastings and more.”

The OC Fair’s lineup of concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre is set up to draw a wide mix of fans, including “Happy Together Tour’s oldies-loving crowd to the young popstars Why Don’t We” this year, Ancona said. The Hangar also features acts and com-munity entertainment can be found on various stages throughout the fair.

— Kathie Bozanich


Two fairgoers snap a selfie as they take in the sights from the Sky Ride at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa.

2. Orange International Street FairOld Towne Orange; 714-633-4816; orangestreetfair.org

1. OC Fair88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa; 714-708-1500; ocfair.com

3. Festival of Arts650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach; 949-494-1145; foapom.com

Irish banger sausages and breakfast burritos, Kalua pork sliders, carne asa-da tacos, bratwurst, Danish doughnuts, orange chicken egg rolls, all-American corn dogs and tater tots … hungry yet? Bringing together the world through cuisine, the Orange International Street Fair is a Labor Day weekend tradition.

The food booths are broken down into 16 types of cuisine along themed “streets.” The booths are all operated by local nonprofit organizations as fundraisers.

For the younger crowd, Children’s Street featuring games and crafts along with snacks for purchase is on north Orange Street at east Chapman Avenue.

Beer and wine are sold during limit-ed hours at the fair, and several stages offer continuous live entertainment.

About 50 Arts and Craft Booths featuring high-quality, handmade items are found around Plaza Park.

The Festival of Arts, held each year for most of July and August, has two major components: the Pageant of the Masters and the Festival of Art Show.

The unique Pageant of the Masters — with its “tableaux vivants,” or living pictures — debuted in 1933. Classical and contemporary works of art are faithfully recreated on stage by real people made up, costumed and posed to look exactly like their counterparts in the original works.

“When paired with live orchestra, lighting, narration, and set under the starlit night sky in Laguna Beach, there is truly nothing like it,” said Tori Elder of Victori Solutions, which handles the festival’s public relations.

The juried fine art show is one of the best-known and lauded such events in the country, as well as one of the oldest, dating back to 1932. It features the works of 140 Orange County artists working in such mediums as painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, handcrafted wood and furni-ture, ceramics, glass and more.

» BEST FAIR/FESTIVAL



Amaranth leaves, chrysanthemum greens and Kyoho grapes. French pastries, gluten-free doughnuts, and grass-fed beef. And don’t forget Mama Musubi’s rice balls.

The Irvine Farmers Market, the big-gest in Orange County, is a bountiful spread of farmers’ produce and arti-san food. The market features more than 100 vendors weekly, according to Casey Anderson with the Orange County Farm Bureau, which manages the event, held 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at Mariners Church in Irvine.

Spread across the church parking lot along Bonita Canyon Road, the market offers shoppers a variety of vegetables and fruit, from the exotic to the more mundane. All vendors are certified by the county and state. The farm bureau also ensures vendors are selling produce they grew and not

something they picked up from an-other market or the back of a pickup.

Among the 100-plus vendors, the split is usually 50-50 farmers to craft food makers, Anderson says.

John Bienvenida of Irvine is a reg-ular. He recommends chatting up the vendors to better understand the pro-duce’s provenance and how to use it.

“Ask about how to properly select produce, flavor profiles, textures, favorite uses for their different prod-ucts, farming practices, and whatever else interests you,” he says.

Other shopping tips: Get there early for the best of the best or come late, closer to closing time, to score a deal.

Mariners also provides a play area for kids and a mini-train for rides to give distracted tots something else to do while parents shop.

— Karen Levin


The Irvine Farmers Market was voted the best in Orange County by readers of The Register.

2. Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market303 W. Palm Ave., Orange; orangehomegrown.org

1. Irvine Farmers MarketMariners Church, 5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine; 949-769-8262; ocfarmbureau.org

3. Fullerton Certified Farmers’ MarketIndependence Park, 801 W. Valencia Drive; 714-871-5304 (Wednesdays only); cityoffullerton.

Life in Orange got sweeter in 2011 when the certified Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market sprang to life in Old Towne.

The market was created through a grassroots effort by a small group of Orange residents, says Megan Penn, Home Grown’s executive director.

Shoppers every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. can sip a free cup of coffee provided by the market while noshing on fresh pastries made by Dean Kim’s OC Baking Co. The market hosts some 45 vendors weekly who bring fresh seafood, herbs and the usual mix of seasonal produce to the parking lot on Chapman University’s extended campus.

Every fourth Saturday the mar-ket invites local artisans to sell their crafts. There are also a regular cook-ing demonstrations, a kids club, free dog-sitting, free coffee and live music.

For the shopper who can’t wait for fresh produce on Saturday, there’s the Wednesday market in Fullerton.

With a wide array of fresh produce, tamales, baked goods and flowers, the Fullerton Certified Farmers’ Market, open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., offers a lit-tle of everything for the local shopper.

Fans call the market a simple affair but one with all the basics for good food. The “Avocado Whisperer” is a favorite; he sells the classic Hass and varieties of large, hybrid avocados. The Bread Man from Rancho Cucamonga hawks sweet and savory loaves in banana, lemon, sweet pepper and corn varieties.

Other fresh finds include quail and duck eggs, a broad array of Asian pro-duce such as bok choy, exotic squash, bitter melon, Thai eggplant and basil.

The market is situated across the street from the DMV, so if you’ve had a stressful day trying to renew your registration, buy some food and go sit in Independence Park and relax.

» BEST FARMERS MARKET



When legendary golf architect Tom Fazio was approached by the Irvine Co. in the mid-1980s to build a golf course and was given an aerial photo of the coast above Crystal Cove he famously said, “I thought it was Ireland.”

More than 30 years later, there is no mistaking the Emerald beauty that is the Pelican Hill Golf Club: two 18-hole resort courses splayed over prime Orange County real estate.

Originally built in the early 1990s and “reperfected” in 2007, the two Fazio-designed courses — North and South Ocean Course — continue to be fixtures on the go-to lists of golfers and resort-goers.

The courses consistently rank at the top of annual lists published by Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, Golfweek and

LINKS Magazine.“Aside from the spectacular seaside

setting, it’s service that distinguishes the Pelican Hill golf experience,” said General Manager Robert Ford.

Set in the shadow of the spectacu-lar, Roman-themed Resort at Pelican Hill, which spans 500 acres, including the courses, and adjacent to the 3.5 miles of Crystal Cove State Beach, it is an unmatched location.

“Golfers play in harmony with wild-life, including coyotes, bobcats, rabbits (and coastal birdlife),” Ford said.

The golf club features a 44,000-square-foot clubhouse, men’s and women’s locker rooms, forecad-die services, a practice area and the Pelican Grill and lounge and Caffé II Italian coffee bar.

— Greg Mellen

LEONARD ORTIZ, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Pelican Hill Golf Club was voted the best golf course in Orange County by Reg-ister readers.

2. Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club26722 Avery Parkway, Mission Viejo; 949-305-5100; arroyotrabuco.com

1. Pelican Hill Golf Club22800 S. Pelican Hill Road, Newport Beach; 844-878-0942; golfpelicanhill.com

3. Monarch Beach Golf Links50 Monarch Beach Resort Drive N., Dana Point; 949-248-3002; monarchbeachgolf.com

Golfers can almost lose themselves at Arroyo Trabuco, a vast 240-acre, par-72 circuit set amid The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.

“We’re on one of the few (local) courses with no homes around it, which is unusual,” Club Manager Geoff Cram said of the public course that opened in 2004.

Designed by Casey O’Callaghan and PGA Tour Pro Tom Lehman, the course can play anywhere from about 5,000 to 7,000 yards depending on the tee boxes used.

At the shorter distances, newer golfers can play without being intim-idated, but the course can be plenty challenging and has hosted champi-onships, such as a recent Southern California Golf Association qualifier.

The course features the namesake Trabuco Creek as a hazard on seven holes and lakes are involved in three other holes.

With two holes fronting scenic Monarch Beach and ocean views throughout, the par-70 Robert Trent Jones II-designed course scores points on the “wow” factor. And for aficiona-dos of the game, “water features come into play on 11 holes and the course is very well-bunkered with undulating greens,” said Eric Lohman, general manager of Monarch Golf Links.

“Daily our staff provides genuine customer service and we have created a fun and comfortable atmosphere for our guests to enjoy,” Lohman said.

Golf Magazine gave it a gold medal in its 2016-17 list of Premier Golf Re-sorts. Golf Digest rated it at 4.5 stars out of 5 and the Golf Channel named it the No. 1 Buddies Trip for female golfers.

Later this month, the course will play host to the Southern California PGA’s Ladies Section Championship featuring the best female club profes-sionals in Southern California.

» BEST GOLF COURSE



Chuck E. Cheese has certainly proved its place in history as it has been around since 1977 when it opened its first location in San Jose. Today, there are eight Chuck E. Cheese restaurants alone in Orange County, meaning there is a convenient location close to every resident.

Yes, Chuck E. Cheese himself has undergone a bit of a facelift in more recent years, but the notion of this mouse being a fun friend at children’s birthday parties certainly hasn’t changed.

Chuck E. Cheese offers birthday party options that cater to every age, party size, and budget as

it boasts three different party packages full of fun. Kids are welcome to play games with the tokens they are given and there’s also an “all you can play” option. Beyond the birthday staple of pizza, there are tasty options to select such as Dippin’ Dots to be handed out as treats.

Picking a theme is no longer a problem thanks to Chuck E. Cheese. The Chuck E. theme features everything Chuck E. from a show by the titular mouse to helium balloons to the paper plates and tablecloth. Kids can also have a princess or superhero party, too.

— Jessie Dax-Setkus


Chuck E. Cheese was voted the top kids birthday party venue as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Boomers!Fountain Valley, Irvine; boomersparks.com

1. Chuck E. CheeseMultiple locations; chuckecheese.com

3. Pump It UpMultiple locations; pumpitupparty.com

Hosting a birthday party is easy for everyone involved because Boomers! will take care of everything from setup to cleanup. That means parents need not worry about messes brought on by a large handful of pre-teens running amok, which is a big deal for a child’s birthday. There are four party packages that all offer pizza, balloons, a personalized sign, games and invitations.

The reason why kids gravitate to Boomers! is because of the 13 attractions the fun center has to offer. Kids have the option to do things like collect tickets in a spacious video arcade, play miniature golf, hit in the batting cages, splash around at Buccaneer Cove, race the go karts and climb a rock wall. It’s the selection of activities that makes Boomers! so unique and keeps kids coming back for more.

Who doesn’t like running through an inflatable playground? At Pump It Up, kids are encouraged to let loose and play like crazy in the indoor play place. Ride down large slides and crawl through tunnels while bouncing around the entire room.

The thing Pump It Up really prides itself on is its birthday party offerings as they are easily customizable depending on what the birthday child is looking for. There are three packages that also offer add-ons that parents can select for their party. These include Bubble Bash, in which bubbles are blown all over the venue, Glow Mania where kids wear glow- in-the-dark accessories, Laser Blast where kids are set up with a fun game of laser tag, and Character Visit at which a princess or superhero can be added to the party.

When party time is over, Pump It Up employees can even take the birthday child’s presents out to the car. Parents can also opt for the staff to take pictures during the party so they don’t have to worry about the stresses of missing photo opportunities.

» BEST KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE



Learn more at StCatherinesAcademy.orgor call 714-772-1363

Give yourson the bestTransform his life meaningfully…creating an intelligent, self-reliant,disciplined, and spiritually centeredyoung man…ready to lead.

2019

4 2 N D A N N U A L


It’s a long way from Broadway to Orange County but the Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents touring productions of hit shows from the Great White Way. The past two sea-sons have brought Tony Award-win-ning fare such as “Hamilton,” “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Come From Away” to 3,000-seat Segerstrom Hall.

The 2019-20 season kicks off Oct. 1 with the return of the 1991 Broadway hit “Miss Saigon.” Also on tap are “An-astasia” in November, “A Bronx Tale” in March, “Les Misérables” in May, “Mean Girls” in June and “The Band’s Visit” in August. In addition to the main Broadway Series, the center also presents the Curtain Call Series, which this season features Blue Man Group on its Speechless Tour, the Jimmy Buf-fett musical “Escape to Margaritaville” and the classic “Chicago.”

For a more intimate encounter with Broadway stars, take in the Cabaret Series, in which performers sing songs from their most famous shows and the Great American Songbook, plus maybe tell a few stories along

the way, in the supper club-like Sam-ueli Theater. Stars this season include Betty Buckley, Laura Benanti, Lillias White, Patti LuPone and Megan Hilty.

And theater at the Segerstrom is not just for grown-ups. Younger audi-ences can enjoy productions tailored to their interests and attention spans, including shows such as “Beep,” “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and “Sugar Skull! A Día de los Muer-tos Musical Adventure.”

Of course, the center is more than just a theatrical showcase. It presents an acclaimed Dance Series that this season boasts the Mariinsky Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Teatro Alla Scala Ballet. It serves as the home of the Pacific Symphony and the Phil-harmonic Society of Orange County, which brings in top-flight orchestras and soloists from around the world. It also features its Distinguished Speak-ers Series, which in upcoming months will feature Jane Fonda with Lily Tomlin, Anderson Cooper and former President George W. Bush.

— Jeffrey Miller

PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY

A touring production of “Miss Saigon” will be at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa Oct. 1-13.

2. South Coast Repertory655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa; 714-708-5555; scr.org

1. Segerstrom Center for the Arts600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa; 714-556-2787; scfta.org

3. Laguna Playhouse606 Laguna Canyon Road; 949-497-2787; lagunaplayhouse.com

From its humble beginnings as a 75-seat storefront on Balboa Peninsula in 1965, South Coast Repertory has grown into one of the nation’s top regional theaters and a leading incubator of new plays and emerging playwrights. Plays it has commissioned, developed and/or premiered include Pulitzer Prize-winners “Wit” by Margaret Edson and “Dinner With Friends” by Donald Margulies.

Its 56th season is the first under David Iyers, who arrived from Arizo-na Theatre Company to become only SCR’s second artistic director after founders David Emmes and Martin Benson. It kicked off earlier this month with “American Mariachi,” José Cruz González’s comedy about trail-blazing female musicians in the 1970s.

Other highlights include two world premieres: Adam Bock’s “The Canadi-ans,” the tale of two small-town friends who see the great big world on a cruise, and Kate Hamill’s “The Scarlet Letter,” a female-centered take on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic.

One of the oldest continuously operating not-for-profit theaters on the West Coast, Laguna Playhouse was founded in 1920. Nearly a century later it presents an eclectic array of dramas, one-person shows, classic comedies and tributes to classic rock acts.

The diverse 2019-20 season includes “The Lion in Winter,” chronicling King Henry II’s decision for an heir to the throne, “One of These Nights,” a re-cre-ation of a classic Eagles concert, “To Sir, With Love,” an adaptation of the classic 1967 Sidney Poitier film and Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park.” Hershey Felder, whose one-man performanc-es as famous composers are always popular in Laguna, returns with “Anna & Sergi,” in which he delves into the complex life of Sergei Rachmaninoff.

The season ends with the California premiere of “Ann,” writer and actress Holland Taylor’s no-holds-barred por-trait of the colorful late Texas governor Ann Richards, with Emmy Award-win-ning actress Jayne Atkinson (“House of Cards”) portraying the politician.

» BEST LIVE THEATER



Location, location, location is just one of the things that helps the Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 top the charts annually as a favorite cinema for Orange County residents. For the 12th time in 13 years, it has claimed the top slot in the Best of Orange County rankings.

As an anchor to the Irvine Spectrum Center entertainment complex, the theater features all the amenities of modern high-end theaters and because of its popularity is often at the front of the list for the next wave in in-theater technology.

“Coming soon is 4DX, an immersive cinematic experience featuring special effects, including motion-synchronized seats, wind, fog, rain, lightning, snow, bubble, vibration and scents,” said General Manager Jacob

Pasqualetto.Also available are “screen

formats such as IMAX & RPX, or the completely immersive world of ScreenX, offering 270-degree panoramic visuals,” Pasqualetto said. There’s even a Regal app you can use for added fun in the lobby.

With 21 screens, 5,153 seats, a luxury wing with recliners, reserved seating, seat-side service, with hand-mixed cocktail and craft beers, and a lounge, the theater is able to serve the wide span of cinema experiences expected by modern movie-goers.

“The main ingredient for high-end experiences and luxury is service, and our service standards are top in our industry,” Pasqualetto said.

— Greg Mellen


The Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 IMAX & RPX was voted the top movie theater as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. AMC Tustin 14 at The District2457 Park Ave., Tustin; 714-258-7036; amctheatres.com

1. Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 IMAX & RPX500 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine; 844-462-7342; regmovies.com

3. Edwards Aliso Viejo 20 & IMAX26701 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo; 844-462-7432, regmovies.com

Heated recliners? Now there’s some-thing you don’t see every day. But it’s one of the features at the AMC Tustin 14 at The District.

Located in the heart of The District, where Highway 261 transitions into Jamboree Road, the AMC theater is in prime position to attract eager mov-ie-goers. And the theater delivers on that in the view of Register readers.

From Dolby sound, to 3D to its trademarked PRIME screening, the the-ater has the high-end viewing options patrons seek. Plus all the Hollywood blockbusters.

There are also reserved seats and recliners, including comfy heated num-bers in some of the auditoriums.

The MacGuffin’s bar features “hand-crafted cocktails, and extensive beer and wine lists.”

Food offerings range from traditional theater fare to sliders, flat pizza, Bavari-an pretzels and gourmet popcorn.

While many theaters owe their success and popularity to proximity to popular entertainment districts, that’s not always true. Case in point is the Edwards Aliso Viejo 20 & IMAX.

Doug Hawrysz, deputy general manager, says what makes his theater different is that it “is a neighborhood theater. We get to know our clientele on a more personal basis as we see many of them multiple times a year, quite a few even weekly.”

With 20 screens, the theater brings in the big studio hits with all the bells and whistles including digital IMAX.

This is particularly true, “when the right movies play in there, like ‘Aveng-ers: Endgame.’ ”

The theaters have a seating capac-ity of 4,200 with 415 and 350 in the IMAX theaters.

And, of course, there are the now staple reclining chairs and food and drink service, including domestic and craft beers, wine and sangria, flatbread pizzas, specialty sandwiches, soft tacos and Bavarian pretzel sticks.

» BEST MOVIE THEATER



The Bowers Museum has earned its place as a must-see in Orange Coun-ty with its extensive collection that promotes the understanding of world cultures through the arts.

“Bowers Museum visitors often say they love that they don’t have to go far to experience treasures from around the world,” said Kelly Bishop, the museum’s associate director of communications and branding. “They appreciate the personal approach and feeling the museum maintains while hosting world-class exhibitions on a grand scale.”

In the past 15 years, the museum has produced more than 50 special exhibitions, including the West Coast premiere of “Guo Pei: Couture Beyond” this last year, with the works of the renowned fashion designer on view.

This fall’s featured exhibitions high-light the works of “two modern mas-ters,” according to Bishop: “Dimensions of Form: Tamayo and Mixografia” and

“Arthur Beaumont: Art of the Sea.”Bowers’ decorative art collection,

featuring pieces that date to the muse-um’s inception and collected from the founding families of Orange County, give visitors a taste of local history with costumes, furniture, dolls and toys, tools and housewares. Also included in its permanent collection are nearly 30,000 artifacts such as newspapers, photographs and artworks that detail Orange County’s past.

“While we honor the past, the Bowers is continually striving to grow alongside our Southern California community and we believe visitors will see a lot more of this reflected in our featured exhibitions and programs in the coming years,” Bishop said.

The museum is active within the community, offering classes, tours, workshops and lectures, as well as playing host to musical performances, seasonal events and special occasions.

— Kathie Bozanich


The Bowers Museum was voted the top museums in Orange County as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Orange County Museum of Art1661 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana (temporary); 714-780-2130; ocmaexpand.org

1. Bowers Museum2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana; 714-567-3600; bowers.org

3. Discovery Cube Orange County2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana; 714-542-2823; oc.discoverycube.org

Now in temporary digs at South Coast Plaza Village, the museum is set to open in 2021 at the Segerstrom Center of the Arts in Costa Mesa.

The new museum, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne, will make use of its unique location and find ways to bring the outside in and vice-versa over its esti-mated 52,000 square feet of space.

The museum has its roots in Newport Beach, where it opened in 1962 as the Balboa Pavilion Gallery. It moved and changed its name a couple of times in that city before opening in October 2018 at the temporary site. Its focus is on contemporary art and modern art and design, with particular attention to local relevancy, reflected in its choices of exhibitions and programs.

Its permanent collection includes more than 3,500 works of art, includ-ing paintings, sculptures, photographs, video, digital and installation art.

It’s the interactive nature of Discov-ery Cube Orange County that makes it such a hit. Whether it’s experiencing an earthquake in the Shake Shack, creating cloud rings or feeling hurricane-force winds in a simulator, there are plenty of exhibits in which kids (and adults) get to “do” instead of just “see.” Visitors can take a virtual Helicopter Tour of inland to coastal Orange County, immerse themselves in Mission Control and compete in an ecologically oriented Discovery Market shopping game.

Discovery Cube piques curiosity with rotating temporary exhibits featuring kid-familiar characters and themes, such as DC Super Heroes, Doc Mc-Stuffins, dinosaurs and rainforests. Its Bubblefest in the spring and Winter Wonderfest, complete with outdoor snow play area, are annual events.

The Discovery Science Foundation also operates Discovery Cube’s Ocean Quest at Newport Beach’s Balboa Fun Zone and Discovery Cube Los Angeles.

» BEST MUSEUM



O9.21.19 — O1.19.2OO9.21.19 —

b o w e r s m u s e u m2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA | 714.567.3600

BUY TICKETS AT BOWERS.ORG

Dimensions of Form:Tamayo and Mixografia isorganized by the BowersMuseum in conjunctionwith Mixografia®.

Image: Rufino Tamayo workingon Dos Personajes Atacados PorPerros, photograph taken byShaye Remba and providedcourtesy of Mixografia®


What impresses first-time visitors to the Observatory is that the Santa Ana venue is essentially two music clubs under one roof.

There is the larger theater-styled setting known as The Observatory, while the more intimate Constellation Room offers up performances from up-and-comers and special event performances. The Observatory has hosted a diverse array of memorable shows featuring the likes of British Invasion-spawned Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Zombies and ground-breaking L.A. punk heroes X to modern day greats First Aid Kit and alt-country standouts the Old 97’s.

In his review on Yelp, concertgoer Kris H. of Long Beach noted: “Your venue is the perfect size. No matter

where you’re standing, you’re close to the stage. We have been here three times to see different types of music.”

What may come as a surprise is that those planning on coming to The Observatory can enjoy VIP table service. There is a special area that offers premier views, and guests are assigned a dedicated server and VIP host for the night.

“This is a very cool venue,” said Yelp reviewer Greg E. of San Clem-ente in discussing the Constellation Room. “Located in The Observatory, it’s my favorite because it’s nice and tiny. A 200 maximum capacity and they get some good acts through there including Halsey, Two Feet and lots more.”

— Robert Kinsler

PHOTO BY DAVID LOPEZ

Morrissey walks on stage at The Observatory in Santa Ana in 2014. The Observatory was voted the top music venue.

2. House of Blues, Anaheim400 W. Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim; 714-778-2583; houseofblues.com/anaheim

1. The Observatory3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana; 714-957-0600; www.observatoryoc.com

3. FivePoint Amphitheatre, Irvine14800 Chinon, Irvine; 949-988- 6800; livenation.com/venues/ 33640/fivepoint-amphitheatre

Since House of Blues, Anaheim opened at the Anaheim GardenWalk in February 2017, it has distinguished itself as one of the most popular live music venues in Orange County.

“Our motto of Unity in Diversity really shines through in our enter-tainment schedule. We are fortunate to welcome artists from every genre and the wide range of fans who come to see them,” said La Neisha Young, director of marketing & promotions for House of Blues Entertainment.

While concert events take cen-ter stage, there are reasons to visit beyond seeing artists such as Social Distortion, Santana, and Billy Idol.

“We also have our smaller perfor-mance space — The Parish — where guests can experience more intimate shows. There is also our upscale VIP Lounge — Foundation Room — avail-able for pre-show enjoyment, af-ter-show nightlife, and private events.”

FivePoint Amphitheatre was built as a 12,000-seat interim music venue, a welcome development with the loss of Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in 2016. Located a short distance from the Irvine Transportation Center, Five-Point Amphitheatre opened in late 2017 but has already hosted a number of high-profile concert events. This year’s diverse lineup included a bill featuring Beck and Cage the Elephant, as well as headlining shows from the Zac Brown Band and Rascal Flatts.

“I really enjoyed this new venue seeing Hootie and the Blowfish,” said Yelp reviewer Erika R. of Costa Mesa, noting she saved on the price of tick-ets by purchasing them directly from the box office. “It was super easy to get in and out, no traffic.”

Other recent online reviews praise the venue’s helpful security staff for helping direct concertgoers to their seats, the top-tier sound system and good food and drink choices.

» BEST MUSIC VENUE



2019-20 SeasonCelebrating Music Director Carl St.Clair’s 30th Anniversary

PacificSymphony.org • (714) 755-5799

ON SALE NOW!

Hal & Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series

CLASSICALAaron Diehl • Augustin Hadelich • Vadym Kholodenko • Alain Lefèvre • AlexanderRomanovsky • Conrad Tao • Joyce Yang and more...

Beethoven’s Piano Concertos • Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” • “Otello” • “Rhapsodyin Blue” • Beethoven’s Seventh • Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand” and more…

Pacific Symphony

POPSSondheim & Lloyd Webber • Christmas with Marie Osmond • Valentine’s Day withChris Botti • Pink Martini • The Texas Tenors • Music of the Rolling StonesStar Wars vs. Star Trek

Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa

Pacific Symphonyproudly performs at:

Marie OsmondAn Evening ofSondheim & LloydWebber

Principal Pops ConductorRichard Kaufman

Chris Botti

Joyce Yang

Music Director Carl St.Clair

Conrad Tao

Carl Tanner

OpeningWeekend • Sept. 26-28

Carmina BuranaPlus, Beethoven’s “Choral” Fantasy


It really is all about the kids at this popular annual event that serves as a major fundraiser for the Pediat-ric Cancer Research Foundation of Irvine.

“What our runners talk about over and over again is that we really have the feel-good vibe locked down,” said Erin Arreola, director of special events at the Pediatric Research Center.

“The kids are front and center in this event unlike any other event we do,” said Jonathan Pauley, race director and owner of Renegade Race Series, which stages the race along with dozens of other races, runs, triathlons and other sports across the Southland.

For 21 years, the event, which includes a half marathon, 10- and 5-ki-lometer and kids runs, a 5-kilometer walk and a variety of bike routes, has been a community staple.

While many running events support charities, Arreola said funds from Reaching For the Cure are focused on the best, cutting-edge cancer research.

And, “organically, when you see the kids you’re helping right there, it’s not just another run to get your miles in,” she said.

Each year the event draws about 5,000, with 3,500-3,700 runners, plus about 200 for the kids’ run, and raises $250,000 to fund the fight against cancer in children.

Particularly popular is the finish line area which features a large kids zone with rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, obstacle course and games and activities.

Another element that sets the event apart is the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. Many of the teams sign up for the event, bring tents and other gear and “adopt” a child who is either suffering from cancer or recovered.

“They really rally around the kids and it’s a huge social event,” Pauley said. “It a real hopeful and heartstrings event.”

— Greg Mellen

MINDY SCHAUER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Thousands take part in the Reaching for the Cure Half Marathon and 5K race at Irvine Valley College in 2015.

2. Surf City USA MarathonHuntington Beach; 562-795-8900; motivrunning.com/run-surf-city

1. Reaching for the Cure Half MarathonIrvine, 800-354-7273, pcrf-kids.org 3. Dana Point

Turkey TrotDana Point; 949-496-1555, Ext. 101, turkeytrot.com

Orange County’s oldest full marathon is certainly among its most picturesque. Runners can take in views of surfers, long stretches of Surf City’s famed beach and pier, the dog beach, and Bol-sa Chica wetlands and state beach.

“It’s definitely one of those iconic races,” said Dan Cruz, event spokesman, “not only in California but worldwide.”

“It’s 26 miles of scenic beauty,” he added.

Cruz said last year a group of about 100-150 runners from Chicago came in part to escape the polar vortex and Jap-anese distance sensation Suguru Osako, holder of that country’s record in the marathon, ran this year.

The course is flat and fast and with a half marathon, 5-kilometer run, a Satur-day 1-mile sand run, an obstacle course on the beach for kids and a three-day expo. Participants can fill up a weekend with activities.

The race is traditionally held on Super Bowl Sunday morning, which has become a popular and enduring feature of the event.

Turkey trots can be found scattered across Southern California on Thanks-giving day. But to Orange County Reg-ister readers, Dana Point is the best.

As scenic as any race in Orange County, the Dana Point Turkey Trot meanders along the shores of the city’s famed harbor area and Doheny State Beach and has been a holiday tradition for 41 years. The flat, scenic race features 10- and 5-kilometer runs and a kids Gobble Wobble.

Presented by the Dana Point Cham-ber of Commerce and a perennial winner of local Golden Lantern awards, the secret is now out. The race began as a fundraiser with 300 people and pizza and beer waiting at the finish line. Now upwards of 10,000 flock to the seaside town to get their run on before sitting down for their turkey comas.

Also, not to be missed is the costume contest, which draws some wild wear.

» BEST RUN/RACE



Pechanga Resort Casino is one of the larger Southern California casinos and boasts amenities comparable to what you might find at a Las Vegas resort.

In 2018 the casino put the finishing touches on its $300 million expansion, which added a 14-story hotel tower with 568 additional rooms as well as 40,000-square-foot events center Pechanga Summit, 4.5-acre pool com-plex The Cove and restaurants The Lobby Bar and Coveside Grill.

The Pechanga Summit, which can comfortably seat up to 3,000 people, is the larger of two venues where concerts and entertainment events are held. The more intimate 1200-seat Pechanga Theater is the other.

The Cove boasts four pools — a main pool; family pool with two water slides and a splashpad; and

two cabana pools. The main pool, for guests 21 and up, has a swim-up bar with 18 submerged stools and “Baja” style ledges that let guests relax in shallow waters.

Though The Lobby Bar and Cove-side Grill are the two newest restau-rants to scope out, there are more than 13 in total. There’s Italian eatery Paisano’s, Asian seafood restaurant Umi and fine dining concept Great Oak Steakhouse among others.

This year also saw the opening of a new bar, The Corner Bar, which is across from Pechanga Theater. The modern and chic looking bar spe-cializes in cocktails made with dark spirits such as bourbon. There are several other bars located throughout the resort.

— Alex Groves

COURTESY OF PECHANGA RESORT & CASINO

The Round Bar at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. Pechanga Resort & Casino was chosen best Southern California casino by voters.

2. Pala Casino, Spa & Resort11154 Highway 76, Pala; 877-946-7252; palacasino.com

1. Pechanga Resort Casino45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; 877-711-2946; pechanga.com

3. Harrah’s Resort Southern California777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center; 760-751-3100; harrahssocal.com

The casino, located in Northern San Diego County, has a 507-room hotel, an RV camping area, a gaming floor with more than 2,000 slots and 70 table games and nine restaurants, including a very popular buffet.

The casino caters to a mixture of guests from the local area as well as elsewhere in Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties and its rural loca-tion is one of its draws, according to Advertising Manager Coley McAvoy.

“Guests like the feel of Pala that when they come here they are sur-rounded by the Palomar Mountains and they’re not dealing with a city-scape,” McAvoy said.

Pala last year opened an 18-plus pool area, The Tourmaline Pools, which holds pool party events at least once monthly and also recently made upgrades to its fine dining concept, The Oak Room, and its Center Bar where bands and artists perform.

Harrah’s Resort Southern California has a casino floor with 1,652 slots and 61 table games, 11 restaurants and a hotel with 1187 rooms.

Their pool area, Dive, has a main pool, a 400-foot lazy river and a swim-up bar for guests who want to grab a beer or cocktail. There are also themed cabanas for rent ranging from $150-$175.

One of the most recent additions to the resort is a Topgolf Swing Suite where guests can play virtual golf and dodgeball games. Another recent edition is brewery SR-76 Beerworks, which offers several in-house beers.

Harrah’s Senior Vice President General Manager Darrell Pilant said that one thing he thinks draws people to Harrah’s is how it tries to find new and “differentiated experiences” such as the Topgolf for its guests.

“They can get things and experienc-es here that they just can’t get at other casino resorts in the area,” Pilant said.

» BEST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CASINO



» Auto Repair» Bank» Car Dealership» Credit Union» Dental Group» Financial Services Provider» Fitness Center» Grocery Store» Hospital» Medical Group» Pet Clinic/Veterinary Hospital» Shopping/Dining Destination» Thrift Store» Tutoring Service» Wine Selection

SHOPPING & SERVICES

PAUL BERSEBACH, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

BOC_Shopping_2019-KS.jm.indd 35 8/23/19 5:47 PM


In an attempt to entice consumers out of the comfort of their own homes and away from the ease of delivery services like Amazon and GrubHub, Orange County shopping centers and strip malls are getting even more creative and clever with their shopping, dining and entertainment options. It’s hard to compete with the nearly instant gratification of hitting a few buttons in an app on a smartphone

from the couch, however, in the digital age a lot of these centers continue to expand and thrive.

The MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, for instance, is slated to undergo a $300 million renovation that would include more dining options, an upgraded movie theater, interac-tive and educational play centers for kids, a grocery store and 1,900 resi-dential units. A similar idea was also pitched with the Brea Mall, though nothing has been approved there.

It’s become commonplace for large apartment and condo buildings to be erected near shopping centers — such as Bella Terra in Huntington Beach — however, the construction is beginning to move inward, bring-ing all of the amenities of a mall to the front doorsteps of hundreds of thousands of Southern California residents.

To get folks of all ages out and shopping, some of the biggest centers in Orange County have added attractions like water features that kids can play in during the hot summer months, bowling alleys, craft breweries, unique fine and casual dining concepts, arcades, comedy clubs, concert venues, pop-up exhibitions and virtual reality experiences.

Simon Malls, which runs The Outlets at Orange, Anaheim Town Center, Westminster Mall, The Shops at Mission Viejo and the Brea Mall, is in partnership with the “Pokémon Go”-like augment-ed reality mobile app game, “Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.” Though the game can be played anywhere, mall patrons will be able to discover sponsored inns and fortresses that give an advantage over other non-sponsored locations. Some of the malls will also host live events and QR assignments for the game players. The thought behind that partner-ship is simple: Get them in the door and hopefully they’ll spend their money.

Downtown Disney in Anaheim is home to The

Void, which currently features “Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire,” an immersive VR experience in which patrons become stormtroopers and fight lava monsters while on their mission. The Void was made to be able to change themes and is ru-mored to next become an experience based on the “Frozen” films. Just down the street, the Anaheim GardenWalk has the Go VR Gaming and Mission Escape Games, where groups work together to get out of an escape room in 60 minutes or less.

Pop-up experiences are also a big deal since they usually have a wacky theme with a cult following — ice cream, tacos, Mickey Mouse, horror movies

and more — and most of them are interactive, but all are highly Insta-gram-worthy. It’s like free publicity every time someone visits one of the pop-ups and posts it with the coinciding hashtag. The District at Tustin Legacy has the BubblePop! experience for kids who love bubbles and fans of Hello Kitty can relax and take pics inside the Hello Kitty Café at the Irvine Spectrum Center. The Spectrum also has a Ferris Wheel and a carousel for kids while the Outlets at Orange has train rides and Those Animals, motorized scooters

disguised as stuffed bears, giraffes, lions and leop-ards that you can ride around the shopping center.

Not everything is designed specifically for kids. Downtown Disney now includes the Ballast Point Brewing Co. and the Splitsville bowling alley and Bella Terra is home to The Public House by Evans brewing Co. South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and Fashion Island in Newport Beach still offer higher-end shopping and fine, multicultural dining suitable for just about any palate.

Several locations also now offer adult paint nights that are usually paired with a wine or beer tasting. Most of the movie theaters have been upgraded to include reclining seats, adult beverages and gourmet food that can be ordered right from your chair inside the theater. A bulk of the eateries that serve alcohol also offer ex-tended and even late night happy hours.

All of these bonus amenities are curated to get people to walk by the shops and hopefully stop inside to pick up a few things as they make a full day or evening of the center, rather than just a quick trip.

» CHAPTER 1 SHOPPING & SERVICES

Malls offering creative options to attract shoppers

K E L L I S K Y E F A D R O S K Iby

To get folks of all ages out and

shopping, some of the biggest centers in Orange County have added attractions.



Since readers voted ExperTec Au-tomotive the top auto repair shop in Orange County last year, the business earned another notable accolade.

The city of Huntington Beach and the California Green Business Network designated ExperTec a Certifiable-Sustainable Green shop. According to office manager Emma Naranjo, the shop is the first and only auto repair facility in Southern Cali-fornia to receive that designation.

“Becoming Certified Green was the clearest way we could set a positive example and could show both our community and our customers that we care about the environment and we are fully committed to conserving resources and preventing pollution in both our facility and operations in order to sustain a healthy planet for many generations to come,” Naranjo said.

Customers who not only care about

the environment, but who also want peace of mind when they take their vehicle in for repairs, have found a local shop that can put them at ease.

The ExperTec crew is so confident in the work it does, Naranjo said, that it backs it all with a three-year/36,000-mile nationwide warranty.

“We want our customers to rest assured knowing that they’re receiv-ing the best automotive care that Orange County has to offer,” she said. Knowing that more than 35,000 other repair facilities across the country will honor the warranty can assuage the fears of those who like to travel, and it keeps clientele coming back to the same shop they count on to innovate without sacrificing quality of service

“Certain things may change,” Naranjo said, “however our integrity does not.”

— James Anderson


Mechanic Angel Munoz works on a car at Expertec Automotive in Huntington Beach. Expertec was voted the top auto repair business in Orange County.

2. Star Motors26181 Avenida Aeropuerto, San Juan Capistrano; 949-443-1970; star-motors.com

1. ExperTec AutomotiveCosta Mesa, Huntington Beach; expertecautomotive.com

3. Coastline Imports225 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana; 714-973-2039; santaanamercedes.com

This past year Star Motors reached a milestone. The independent auto repair shop had been operating for 10 years under the ownership of Chris Knuth and his wife, Emma, and local readers voted the business one of the Best in Orange County for 10 years in a row.

Star Motors specializes in repairing Mercedes Benz, BMW, Porsche, Jaguar and Land Rover — as well as exotic brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, not to mention Euro diesel vehicles and high-tech hybrids.

Within the last year, the business moved to a new location that Chris Knuth calls “bigger and better,” as it enables the shop to serve clients more efficiently.

“We also opened the Star Auto Spa where we take same day ap-pointments for full vehicle detail-ing,” he said. Star Motors started a new technician apprentice program to mentor and create career paths for entry-level personnel as well, Knuth added, and the business became a completely paperless shop in February.

Stu Urquhart says that when he took over at Coastline Imports three years ago he intended to bring dealer-quality service to the Orange County community

“We’re very family-based. We treat everyone who comes in the door as if they’re a member of our family,” Urqu-hart said about his shop, stressing his crew’s emphasis on honesty and fair prices.

No matter what vehicle problem you have, the Coastline Imports team is confident it can almost surely fix it.

The team consists of Urquhart, his wife, a good friend of some 14 years, and an apprentice.

“All of us are ASE Master Certified and actually Mercedes-Benz certi-fied as well,” Urquhart said, adding that he is formally qualified with Maybach and AMG models, among others.

» BEST AUTO REPAIR



The Best of Orange County title holder for six consecutive years, Cali-fornia Bank & Trust continues to be a reader favorite.

“We take great pride in creating long-lasting relationships with the people and businesses that make Orange County so special,” the com-pany has said of its popularity in the annual reader poll. “Thank you for your continued support.

More than six decades after its inception, California Bank & Trust maintains close to 100 branch loca-tions — nine of which are in Orange County. After a merger orchestrated by Zions Bancorporation in October 1998, the institution has extended its roots to nearly 500 financial centers, both domestically and internation-ally.

Known for its deep ties to the community, California Bank & Trust prides itself on creating longstanding professional relationships on person-al and business levels.

“With CB&T, you have a bank that

provides financial solutions based on a detailed understanding of your goals, whether personal or business,” the company’s website reads. “That understanding is gained by work-ing and collaborating with you and providing guidance to help you make informed financial decisions.”

In addition to basic banking and financial management services, the bank also offers programs targeted specifically to neighboring citizens. It selects and awards a number of grants through its Communi-ty Development Grant Program, which aims to grow and enrich local organizations. Also, CB&T takes special care in providing options for female-owned and minority-owned business that strive to celebrate excel-lence within the community.

As the future nears, California Bank & Trust will continue to be the forefront of assisting generations of Orange County residents in financial growth and prosperity.

— Kenya Barrett

JOSHUA SUDOCK, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

California Bank & Trust was voted best bank by readers of The Register.

2. ChaseMultiple locations; chase.com

1. California Bank & TrustMultiple locations; 800-400-6080; calbanktrust.com

3. Bank of AmericaMultiple locations; bankofamerica.com

One of the four “big banks” in America, Chase currently owns and operates more than 16,000 ATMs and 5,000 branches throughout the nation.

Chase provides several options for clients to keep up to date on their finances as well as their credit scores. Financial services that the bank provides include mortgages, auto financing, investments, credit cards and prepaid cards. In an effort to remain innovative, Chase has increased its accessibility over the years, so clients aren’t limited to visiting branches and/or ATMs.

The Chase Mobile App now allows customers to deposit checks, view their credit scores, and sign up for Chase Offers — which enable cash-back options when money is spent with certain businesses such as Star-bucks, Supercuts, and Airbnb.

With roots from one of its branches that extend back more than 200 years, Bank of America currently services more than 66 million clients across the globe.

Recognized by its American flag logo, Bank of America has more than 40 branch and ATM locations scattered throughout Orange County alone. Pro-viding an array of banking services, the institution also seeks to use the newest of technologies for its clients.

“Our commitment to clients re-mains steadfast,” the bank’s website reads. “We deliver everything we can for our clients by deepening our relationship with each, ensuring we are helping each individual and each business, through the power of every connection we can help them make.”

Understanding that mobile bank-ing is becoming an important aspect of financial management, Bank of America offers Zelle — a peer-to-peer payment service which allows clients to transfer funds to other institutions outside of BoA. Additionally, custom-ers are able to try out Erica — an AI banking assistant accessible through the bank’s mobile app — perhaps the first of its kind in the banking industry.

» BEST BANK



California Bank & Trust once again has been voted among the best inThe Orange County Register’s Annual People’s Choice Poll for Best Bank.

It’s an honor we take seriously. As always, we will continue working with ourvalued clients to help achieve their goals while providing an exceptionalcustomer service experience. Thank you to all who voted.

1-800-CALIFORNIA | calbanktrust.com

A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC© 2019 Zions Bancorporation, N.A.

Named a top Orange Countybank 6 years running.


At Fletcher Jones Motorcars, customers can see $25 million worth of new details that resulted from a recent remodeling project of nearly two years.

Expanded showroom space features a new Mercedes-AMG showroom, said Dave Gonzalez, general manager of Fletcher Jones Motorcars. In the service department, there are more bays.

One space in particular can sur-prise and delight. When car shopping shifts into buying — and at Fletch-er Jones Motorcars, it does, as the dealership sells close to 10,000 cars a year — there’s a camera-worthy space devoted to the occasion. The Newport Beach luxury car retailer includes a new “delivery experience center,” where customers can see their chosen cars unveiled, Gonzalez said.

The big reveal can make the purchase more special, one example of a detailed approach to customer service at the dealership that ranks as the nation’s No. 1 Mercedes-Benz Center in new car sales. Other details are apparent in the dealership’s suite of preferred owner benefits, from free car washes to airport shuttles for John Wayne Airport and Ontario International Airport.

The dealership is more focused on customers “having an experience than just selling them a car,” Gon-zalez said. “We want them to know that we care about them. We want it to be a consultative approach versus a sales-y approach. And we want to make sure that the experience after the sale is even better than the expe-rience during the sale.”

— Kiali Orshoski

JOSHUA SUDOCK, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Fletcher Jones Motorcars was voted the best car dealership in the Best of Orange County reader survey.

2. Tustin Mazda28 Auto Center Drive, Tustin; 888-319-3506; ocmazda.com

1. Fletcher Jones Motorcars3300 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach; 949-397-2118; fjmercedes.com

3. Toyota of Orange1400 N. Tustin St., Orange; 714-907-4742; toyotaoforange.com

Tustin Mazda is not simply a dealer-ship. It’s an origin story.

Before John Patterson assumed the titles of president, owner and founder, he worked for Toyota as a factory representative for about 11 years, he said. Numerous dealers told Patterson that he “was on the wrong side of the desk,” he said. “I decided to make a run at it and be-come a dealer myself. And about 16 years ago, I got my first store.”

Today, Patterson’s 5.5-acre Tustin dealership doubles as the headquar-ters for his OC Auto Team, a portfo-lio of four dealerships and two other car makes in Orange County. (The other sites are Huntington Beach Mazda, Tustin Hyundai and Mission Viejo Acura.)

Above all, Tustin Mazda is where Patterson wants people to feel wel-come.

“We want to treat every customer as if they’re a guest in our home and make sure that our home is a place people want to be,” Patterson said.

You could look to buy a berry-col-ored car at Toyota of Orange. But the logo and tagline say it all: Lemons are not in the picture.

The dealership’s website features a virtual showroom, enabling car shoppers to peruse the store’s inventory before setting aside time to visit for a test drive. For shoppers who want to purchase a car exclusively online, there’s the Express Store service, which allows for searching new and pre-owned inventory based on “instant upfront pricing” and other criteria, according to the dealership’s Express Store website.

The online service accommodates leases, financing and cash transac-tions, as well as trade-ins. If ques-tions arise, a sales consultant is on hand to troubleshoot. Purchased vehicles can be delivered to the homes of buyers who live within 50 miles, or owners can head to Toyota of Orange, which is located near the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway.

» BEST CAR DEALERSHIP



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Established in Santa Ana in 1934 by 126 school employees who pooled together $1,200, what was originally called the Orange County Teachers Credit Union became the largest teachers’ credit union in the nation by the early 1980s and had 600,000 members by 2014, according to the financial institution’s timeline.

Run by and for educators, SchoolsFirst FCU offers a no-in-terest Classroom Supplies Loan for those who need materials and tools beyond what their classroom budgets allow. Member benefits do not end there.

Drawing on information from the Credit Union National Associ-ation, the National Credit Union Administration and the interest rate website Datatrac, SchoolsFirst FCU says members who use the credit

union’s service save an average of $1,923 per year when compared to banks in California. The consummate pedagogical institution, SchoolsFirst FCU also offers appointments with financial advisers as a free benefit for all members.

Current and retired school employ-ees are eligible for membership, as are the immediate family of Schools-First FCU members. A once-a-mem-ber, always-a-member policy applies, provided you maintain a $5 mini-mum balance in your Share Savings account.

Although SchoolsFirst FCU has opened branches beyond Orange County, it continues to expand locally. In May, the credit union held a grand opening celebration for its new San Clemente location.

— James Anderson

CINDY YAMANAKA, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union was voted the top credit union as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Wescom Credit UnionMultiple locations; 888-493-7266; wescom.org

1. SchoolsFirst FCUMultiple locations; 800-462-8328; schoolsfirstfcu.org

3. Orange County’s Credit UnionMultiple locations; 888-354-6228; orangecountyscu.org

A member-owner base of almost 200,000 and about $3.5 billion in assets does not keep one of the self-identified largest credit unions in the country from stressing the importance of indi-vidual attention to those who join.

Throughout its 26 locations in Southern California, Wescom Credit Union offers savings, checking and money market accounts, as well as IRAs and a variety of financial ser-vices, such as retirement planning.

Wescom Credit Union can help a family foster fiscal responsibility and fi-nancial security from a young age with several youth account options. The Pig-gyBankers Account for those up to age 10 offers rewards to encourage healthy spending habits among kids, according to the Wescom website, while Fortune Finders gives those 11 to 14 the chance to open their first checking account.

Teenagers ages 15 to 17 who become Gen Edge Account holders can get a debit card and — with a qualifying co-borrower — they can obtain a Wescom Visa credit card as well.

A Santa Ana-based not-for-profit financial services provider can claim to be in the top 3% of credit unions nationwide based on assets.

Orange County’s Credit Union re-ports having more than $1.6 billion in assets. Given that it is owned by mem-bers — not shareholders — the money the credit union earns goes back to its 106,000-plus member-owners “in the form of fewer fees, lower loan rates, and enhanced products and services,” a press release says.

Staples such as mobile banking and both auto and small business loans — and new mortgage options including a zero-down offering — cater to its Orange County membership.

In addition to ensuring ongoing customer satisfaction, in 2019, Orange County’s Credit Union received the Peter Barron Stark Companies’ Award for Workplace Excellence for its commitment to outstanding company culture as determined by feedback from employees.

» BEST CREDIT UNION



800.462.8328 | SCHOOLSFIRSTFCU.ORG Insured by NCUA

IT’S OUR PRIVILEGE TO SERVE SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIESYour dedication to making a difference by helping to build the future for

others inspires us to do the same.

one of the best credit unions in Orange County!for voting us


The breadth of Western Dental & Orthodontics’ network is matched by a long history — one that began in Southern California. In 1903, founder Dr. Curtis Beauchamp opened his first office in Los Angeles, according to the company’s website.

Today, there are approximately 3 million patient visits each year at the company’s 319 affiliated offices, which operate in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Alabama, accord-ing to Bill Halldin, a spokesman for Western Dental.

From its home base in Orange County, Western Dental aims to create what the company describes as a “dental home” for patients across those five states.

The dental provider, which is headquartered in Orange, delivers a full scope of services: general

dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and endodontics.

This comprehensive approach means people “can get all of the ser-vices they might need at one provider,” Halldin said. In Orange County, resi-dents have access to 10 of the compa-ny’s affiliated offices, Halldin said.

Statewide, there are 228 locations. The company also is the No. 1 provid-er of services for adults and children in the Medi-Cal Dental Program.

The combined services of Western Dental’s affiliated offices in Orange County cover needs as varied as emer-gency dental care, implants, general dentistry, root canals and orthodon-tics. Locations are in a variety of cities, including Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Irvine and Costa Mesa.

— Kiali Orlowski


Western Dental & Orthodontics was voted the top dental group as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Bright Dental Care320 Bristol St., Suite H, Costa Mesa; 714-546-7595; brightdentalcare.com

1. Western Dental & OrthodonticsMultiple locations; 800-579-3783; westerndental.com

3. SC Dental Care22972 Moulton Parkway, #106, Laguna Hills; 949-770-3010; scdentalcare.com

Reviews on Yelp shine a positive spotlight on Bright Dental Care, and the overall star rating is, indeed, bright.

The Costa Mesa-based dental prac-tice features a team of two clinicians, Drs. Koroush Bassiri and Parisa Beh-roozi, according to its website. Califor-nia schools — including two Orange County campuses — were a consistent theme for the two dentists’ education (Cal State Fullerton and University of the Pacific’s dental school for Bassi-ri, and UC Irvine and USC’s dental school for Behroozi).

Bright Dental Care’s menu of ser-vices covers a range of preventive and restorative treatments, according to its website. The practice also offers digital imaging and flexible hours, with services available by appoint-ment on Saturday and Sunday.

For patients who have insurance coverage, Bright Dental Care accepts all PPO plans and most HMO plans. And new patients can easily download key, initial forms from the practice’s website.

Making time for medical appoint-ments can be a hassle, but certain conveniences help streamline the trip.

Patients who visit SC Dental Care find a practice that has close proxim-ity to the 5 Freeway, as well as restau-rants and stores in Laguna Hills.

Led by a team of four clinicians, SC Dental Care provides general and cos-metic dentistry, and is “a mercury-free practice,” according to its website. Listed services range from dental seal-ants, to dental implants, to dentures.

The practice also offers teeth whiten-ing and Invisalign treatment, a series of clear aligners that enables gradual straightening of a patient’s teeth. To aid in patients’ treatment, the practice uses digital imaging. According to 2012 guidelines published by the American Dental Association and the FDA, digital imaging reduces radiation exposure.

Scheduling an appointment with SC Dental Care can be done over the phone or by filling out an appointment request form on the office’s website.

» BEST DENTAL GROUP



Founded in 1971 by the American investor Charles R. Schwab, this investment and banking compa-ny serves as the leading choice for Americans today. With about 345 branches in 46 states, Charles Schwab has five locations in Orange County.

Charles Schwab offers a plethora of services covering everything related to wealth management, including electronic trading, retirement and IRA planning, and even insurance options. The corporation prides itself on transparency and truly adhering to its clients’ needs and investment goals.

“Our purpose is to champion every client’s goals with passion and integrity,” the corporate site reads.

“This purpose drives us to help our clients take ownership of their financial futures, helping people at all levels of income and every stage of life, because investing for the future is one of the most important things people can do for themselves and their families.”

With more than $1.69 trillion in cli-ent assets, the corporation continues to service its customers through the work of its 2,000 employees.

“Today’s consumers expect great value, a great experience, and a refund if they aren’t satisfied,” says chief executive officer, Walt Betting-er. “We believe a modern investing experience should deliver on these expectations — period.”

— Kenya Barrett


Charles Schwab was voted the best financial services provider as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Fidelity InvestmentsMultiple locations; fidelity.com

1. Charles SchwabMultiple locations; schwab.com

3. Wells Fargo AdvisorsMultiple locations; wellsfargoadvisors.com

Initially founded by businessman Edward C. Johnson III, Fidelity Invest-ments began as Fidelity Management & Research in 1946. By 1969, its U.K. subsidiary, Fidelity International Limit-ed, was established to cater to non-U.S. markets. Today, there are approximate-ly 140 investment centers domestically, with five in Orange County.

The corporation not only operates as a brokerage firm, but provides assistance in fund distribution and investment advice, mutual funds management, and specialized educa-tional planning options such as the 529 College Savings Program. What sets Fi-delity Investments apart from the rest, the company says, is its digital presence.

Clients now have the option to use Fidelity Go — a robotic assistant that assists customers with investment portfolios online through simple and effective strategies. Although the customers are interacting mainly with the AI service, the adjustments are still monitored and managed by the Fidelity professionals.

A subsidiary of one of the nation’s largest banks, Wells Fargo Advisors serves investors through 14,000 trained professional financial advisors. With several physical locations through-out Orange County, the management company is also accessible through financial centers that are not directly owned by the parent company.

Wells Fargo Advisors embraces its clientele and aims to create longstanding professional relationships by understanding their needs. For every life change that may occur, whether expected or unexpected, the organi-zation offers services to ease the tran-sition. Options exclusive to the brand include personalizing Social Security payouts and tax planning.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the organization actively contributes to the community through volunteer and philanthropic endeavors. Dedicated to the growth of local businesses, Wells Fargo Advisors has partnered with oth-er organizations such as United Way to promote economic empowerment and development.

» BEST FINANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDER



Aspiring fitness enthusiasts hoping to hit the gym to shed fat and build muscle can find solace in one Cali-fornia-headquartered gym open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

24 Hour Fitness has some 150 locations throughout Southern Cali-fornia. In early 2019, the health and fitness giant opened a new location in downtown San Juan Capistrano. The new gym — like the franchise’s other Super-Sport gyms in cities such as Or-ange and Huntington Beach — features an indoor lap pool, a sauna and steam room, a whirlpool, a pro shop and TRX suspension training equipment, among other amenities. San Juan Capistrano residents now have access to GX24 and cycle rooms, which hold classes such as Zumba, BodyPump, RPM and bootyba-rre, all available at no additional charge to members.

Select 24 Hour Fitness facilities,

like the one in Huntington Beach, offer the 24 Hour Fitness signature Training Club 24 program. According to the company website, the program uses coaches and team workouts with the aim of progressively challenging gym-goers to push beyond their limits.

Members of 24 Hour Fitness Ultra-Sport gyms — like the Lake-shore Towers facility in Irvine — have access to additional amenities, which include a Pilates studio, a racquetball court, rock climbing, squash courts, a full-sized basketball court, volleyball and a sun deck.

Rows of cardio and strength equip-ment are standard at 24 Hour Fitness gyms. Multi-functional Olympic training rigs are common at myriad locations, as are kids clubs, which can make it easier for families to fit fitness into their busy schedules.

— James Anderson


24 Hour Fitness was voted the top fitness center as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County1 Federation Way, Suite 200, Irvine; 949-435-3400; jccoc.org

1. 24 Hour FitnessMultiple locations; 888-243-5002; 24hourfitness.com

3. LA FitnessMultiple locations; 800-LA-FITNESS; lafitness.com

For those in search of greater fitness and greater community, there is an oasis in Irvine referred to by members as the JCC or just simply “the J.”

The Merage Jewish Communi-ty Center of Orange County offers programming that fosters health, celebrates family, expands cultural horizons and embraces tradition, according to Julie Holdaway, assistant executive director of the JCC.

“The JCC fitness center features programming for young and not-so-young, for individuals, couples and families,” she said. “From Itty Bitty basketball and soccer for our toddlers to Gentle Yogalates and Gold Zumba for seniors, there is fitness program-ming for every age and capability.”

She said the youth and adult sports leagues — as well as pick-up games — bring the community together for fitness and fun. So does the array of programs and amenities.

For more than 30 years, one gym has arguably done the most to make fitness synonymous with Southern California. Since opening in SoCal in 1984, LA Fitness has expanded to include more than 675 clubs across the country and in Canada.

Orange County residents looking to sculpt the elusive beach bod are free to try the complimentary fitness assessment offered by the club, and members can pay for Pro Results certified personal training — which includes Studio Zone access via the LA Fitness mobile app — if they want help customizing workouts.

LA Fitness gyms offer group fitness classes ranging from Boot Camp Conditioning to Hip Hop, to Kickbox Cardio, to Latin Heat dance, to SilverS-neakers total-body workouts designed specifically for seniors.

The company launched a Living Healthy podcast in 2018 to comple-ment its Living Healthy blog, a project started in 2012, all to inspire individu-als working toward fitness goals.

» BEST FITNESS CENTER



Trader Joe’s, which again takes the top spot in this year’s voting, tends to make people think they didn’t know what had been missing from their lives until they went up and down the aisles.

The variety of quality, affordable products makes it easier to try something new, the sample station serves as inspiration for recipes and even that night’s dinner, and the staff is noticeably knowledgeable and friendly.

The store focuses on its private-la-bel products as a way to keep costs — and thus prices — low, with shoppers reaping the benefits.

The Trader Joe’s origin story involves the high seas, Disney-land’s Jungle Cruise … and granola. Founder Joe Coulombe, inspired by his reading and the theme park ride, opened the first store in 1967 in Pas-adena with a nautical theme and the concept that it was run by “traders on the high seas.” It really took off five years later when Trader Joe’s pri-

vate-label granola went viral, to use a modern-day term.

Today, Trader Joe’s pays homage to the cult status of its favorites with its annual Customer Choice Awards, now in its 10th year. The frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken again took favorite overall honors, the frozen Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip was voted favorite appetizer, the Danish Kringle was the favorite bakery item and Pea-nut Butter-Filled Pretzels the favorite snack, among others.

There are 20 stores currently in Orange County, with one set to open soon on Imperial Highway in La Habra. From its Southern California roots, Trader Joe’s now has about 490 stores in 41 states and the District of Columbia and counting. Committed customers who move to an area of the country without one reasonably close by are known to lobby the company to end their “Trader Joe’s desert” status.

— Kathie Bozanich


Trader Joe’s was voted the top grocery store as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. SproutsMultiple locations; sprouts.com

1. Trader Joe’sMultiple locations; traderjoes.com

3. Whole Foods MarketMultiple locations; wholefoodsmarket.com

The Sprouts Farmers Market chain is built on the belief that healthy food should be affordable, and it has gone out of its way to provide thousands of attribute-based items, such as organic, gluten-free, vegan and plant-based, that are also budget-friendly.

Sprouts has nearly 20 stores in Orange County, including its latest in Lake Forest.

An estimated 50 percent of Sprouts’ business is in produce, according to an industry expert, and you will find that section front and center at each store. Stores also include a butcher shop and fish market, bulk foods and more. For quick meals, Sprouts’ Market Corner Deli offers made-to-or-der sandwiches, a salad bar, prepared entrees and side dishes, sushi made in-store and fresh juice.

Sprouts was founded by Boney fami-ly members who were longtime grocers in San Diego. The first store opened in 2002 in Chandler, Ariz.; today, there are more than 300 stores in 22 states.

Organic food now may be main-stream, but Whole Foods Market was a game-changer when it opened its first store in 1980. Its popularity is based on customers’ trust in its quali-ty-based standards.

“We are the only USDA-certified organic grocery retailer out there and our standards prohibit over 100 preservatives, flavors, colors and other ingredients commonly found in food to meet our goal of satisfying and delighting our customers,” says Frank Scalzo, associate store team leader at Whole Foods Market in Tustin.

“We have a very wide demographic,” Scalzo says. “Whether more fami-ly-oriented or a mix of young and old, all of Whole Foods Market stores offer new lower prices to serve the wide array of customers.”

The effects of the now 2-year-old Amazon-Whole Foods deal are especially apparent to Amazon Prime members, who can take advantage of special deals and delivery offers.

Since that first Whole Foods store opened nearly 40 years ago in Austin, Texas, the chain has built up to about 500 stores in 42 U.S. states.

» BEST GROCERY STORE



MemorialCare Orange Coast Med-ical Center houses the expertise and technology to be a hospital. Through an array of outreach efforts and class-es, the facility also can be a gathering place.

The nonprofit hospital’s calendar of events for the community is stocked year-round. Expectant parents can join classes on topics like childcare basics, said Sarah Mitchell, the hospi-tal’s director of marketing and public relations.

And the public can attend regular screenings, including an annual Fall Festival for Life, “an educational and screening event that provides infor-mation about our cancer services,” Mitchell said. This year’s event is scheduled for Nov. 2.

At MemorialCare, the focus is on “the delivery of compassionate and innovative health care to our commu-

nities,” according to Marcia Manker, CEO of Orange Coast Medical Center and MemorialCare Saddleback Med-ical Center. “One example at Orange Coast is our newly unveiled Emer-gency Pavilion. With double the size and space, we now have new private treatment bays, a spacious lobby and waiting area, and are therefore able to increase access to our high quality care for patients.”

For patients needing surgical ser-vices, robotic-assisted procedures are widely available at the 218-bed hospi-tal. The minimally invasive approach, which Orange Coast Medical Center has been providing for about 10 years, “benefits patients with less scar-ring, quicker recoveries and greater comfort,” said Debra Culver, executive director of marketing for the hospital and Saddleback Medical Center.

— Kiali Orlowski


MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley was voted the top hospital as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center24451 Health Center Drive, Laguna Hills; 949-837-4500; memorialcare.org/saddleback

1. MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center18111 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley; 714-378-7000; memorialcare.org/orangecoast

3. Hoag HospitalNewport Beach and Irvine; 949-764-4624; hoag.org

As a full-service hospital, Memorial-Care Saddleback Medical Center’s care spans generations.

One new tool serves the youngest patients and their parents. Using NICVIEW, a secure video monitor sys-tem, families of newborns in the neo-natal intensive care unit now have 24/7 live-stream access to check on their little ones, said Tiffany Atabek, director of marketing and communications.

The hospital also recently debuted a second Irvine location of its Memo-rialCare Breast Center services, now available at four South County sites. And the 248-bed hospital added new radiation technology that pinpoints tumors more precisely.

The hospital “continues to invest in the latest technology and services,” according to CEO Marcia Manker, who also leads MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center.

At Hoag Memorial Hospital Presby-terian, a survey of the numbers shows some of the milestones of the past year.

The 500th transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure was completed at Hoag’s Jeffrey M. Carlton Heart & Vascular Institute. The procedure is a key alternative to open-heart surgery.

Hoag Hospital Irvine expanded its emergency department to nearly five times its original size. The state-of-the-art facility offers increased care for complex patient conditions.

Two Brain & Spine Fully Integrated Operating Room Suites opened as part of Hoag’s Pickup Family Neuro-sciences Institute.

Hoag is committed to “providing the highest quality care when and where people need it, throughout Orange County,” said Robert Braithwaite, president and CEO of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. “The care and compassion our nurses, physicians, support staff and volunteers exemplify every day is why our community has embraced Hoag for nearly 70 years.”

» BEST HOSPITAL



We’re here providingaward-winning healthcare.

Explore our services800-MEMORIAL (636-6742) | memorialcare.org

Orange Coast Medical Center | MemorialCare Medical Group | Saddleback Medical Center

We’re proud to be recognized as the “Best of Orange County” because it means

we’re continuously achieving our mission of improving the health and well-being

of our community. You motivate us to innovate our procedures, expand our services

and create accessible points of care. No matter the need, we’re here to be your

lifelong healthcare partner. Thank you for granting us the honor of providing

Orange County with simply better care.


At Edinger Medical Group, person-alized care and efficiency go hand in hand. Through the launch of its Well app this year, the physician-owned medical group is making it more con-venient for patients to communicate with the office. The new digital tool is a secure, confidential platform that, among other features, allows patients to connect with the medical group via text messaging, Marketing Director Lara McKenna said.

For a patient who didn’t have time to call the office during business hours, the app enables the patient to send an appointment request after hours. Patients also can communicate about appointment confirmations and receive general notifications, such as a reminder of a holiday closure, McKenna said. Plus, the app integrates with the medical group’s health records software.

“It really is helping to deliver care in a simple and fast manner,” McKen-na said.

Hospitalist care is another form of personalized service at Edinger Medical Group, which specializes in internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics. Physicians at the medical group complete weeklong hospitalist rotations at Memorial-Care Orange Coast Medical Center to treat the medical group’s hos-pitalized patients there, McKenna said.

“So the person who’s seeing you in the hospital already has that familiar-ity with you,” McKenna said.

The medical group also provides continuity of care through urgent care services at the Fountain Valley location and the convenience of 24/7 on-call physician coverage.

— Kiali Orlowski


Edinger Medical Group was voted the top medical group as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. MemorialCare Medical GroupMultiple locations; 866-276-3627; memorialcare.org/ memorialcare-medical-group

1. Edinger Medical GroupFountain Valley and Huntington Beach; 714-965-2500; edingermedicalgroup.com

3. Kaiser PermanenteMultiple locations; 800-464-4000; kp.org/orangecounty

A short trip or phone call can be all it takes to access services through MemorialCare Medical Group.

For timely convenience, there are urgent care centers, which are open 365 days a year, and Telephone Advice Nurses available 24/7, according to the medical group’s website.

A network of 17 medical group offic-es, 15 of which are in Orange County, provides extensive geographic cover-age. Most locations feature on-site lab and X-ray services.

Family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics are among Memorial-Care Medical Group’s primary care services.

Athletes, as well as “individuals who wish to become active or start a new exercise program,” also can turn to the medical group’s primary care sports medicine specialists, according to the website. Other services include radiol-ogy, a diabetes program, gastroenter-ology and women’s care.

As one of the largest not-for-profit health plans in the U.S., Kaiser Per-manente serves 12.3 million members. Health plan membership exceeds 4.6 million in Southern California, where Kaiser Permanente provides “access to 6,000 doctors, 14 medical centers, and 209 medical offices,” according to the organization’s website.

In Orange County, Kaiser Permanen-te’s presence is seen in a comprehen-sive range of services, from primary care to specialties in pediatrics, cardi-ology, neurosurgery, and more.

Prevention and wellness programs also are available through the Orange County Center for Healthy Living. Members can participate in work-shops across the county to learn about a balanced lifestyle, breastfeeding, techniques for quitting tobacco usage, heart health and other topics, accord-ing to the website.

In September 2018, Kaiser Perma-nente Orange County announced the award of more than $600,000 in grants to area nonprofits.

» BEST MEDICAL GROUP



Edinger Medical Group would like to give a huge thank you to all of ourpatients, family, and colleagues for helping us achieve

Best Medical Group in Orange County.

Receiving these awards demonstrates our continuous dedication toproviding compassionate and quality healthcare to all of our patients.

www.edingermedicalgroup.com714-965-2557

Internal Medicine Family Medicine Pediatrics

Serving Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley


When it comes to pet health care, the industry is booming because more people are rallying around finding not only great care for their pets, but the perfect mix of doctor, staff and services. At Alicia Pet Care Center, the animal’s comfort is the first priority of the staff.

The clinic is ahead of the curve when it comes to laparoscopic surgery for a more pain-free, less invasive form of surgery for pets. It also has a significantly sized boarding facility, which is run by medically trained staff members and vets in case of an emergency as opposed to letting pets in the care of a facility that might not have the

medical know how.As for the culture of the facility,

Alicia Pet Care Center believes that a pet should have the perfect fit for a doctor when it comes to its health care as there are seven highly skilled doctors available to choose from. The staff also works very hard on its internal culture in that making the clinic a great place to work will affect the experience of both the customer and the pet being treated. Lastly, the clinic has all the state-of-the-art equipment pet owners could ever ask for when it comes to the safe care of their best friends.


PHOTO BY JOSH BARBER

Lily receives attenton as she recovers from surgery during Ford Petersen Spay Day at Alicia Pet Care Center. Alicia Pet Care was voted the top pet clinic/veter-inary hospital as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Friendly Animal Hospital6832 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach; 714-845-5722; friendlyah.com

1. Alicia Pet Care Center25800 Jeronimo Road, #100, Mission Viejo; 949-768-1313; mypetsdr.com

3. Imperial Highway Animal Clinic17455 Imperial Hwy., Yorba Linda; 714-996-7610; imperialhac.com

When it comes to friendliness in the pet health care service, it is literally in the name of Friendly Animal Hospi-tal. The convenient location provides customers a great shopping center to explore as they are waiting for any procedures a pet is undergoing. Friendly Animal Hospital provides a one-stop shop for everything from routine services like spaying and neu-tering to minimally invasive surgery.

It is normal to think that the staff is compassionate, caring, knowl-edgeable, and trustworthy as every doctor at the facility puts the pet first and includes loving care with every appointment. The hospital also has invested in laparoscopic surgery so animals heal faster with less invasive procedures as well.

Friendly Animal Hospital is dedi-cated to helping every animal in need, and prides itself on finding a solution to pet health care needs all year round.

The Imperial Highway Animal Clinic is more than a typical vet’s office. This one-stop shop allows customers to bring their pets in for the very best care without being referred elsewhere. The clinic can perform anything from a CT scan to major joint surgeries and endoscopy with ease.

The clinic it says it can accomplish everything a specialty vet can do. It also boasts 24-hour emergency care for animals in need.

State-of-the-art equipment meets a small family feel when coming to Imperial Highway Animal Clinic as it has all the best equipment. The clinic is also a staple in the commu-nity as it has been in operation since 1983. The clinic has been said to be generational as parents refer their children and friends to visit this three-doctor practice. Since it has been around for so long, people and animals bond with the vets and trust them with their animal’s care.

» BEST PET CLINIC / VETERINARY HOSPITAL



Irvine Spectrum, which attracts about 17 million people annually, always has been about more than shopping since it opened in 1995. To-day, its myriad dining and entertain-ment options have helped inoculate it from the online shopping boom that changed the retail landscape.

With the Giant Wheel, carousel, 21-screen movie complex and Improv comedy club, as well as its many dining establishments, the center is a destination point that requires visitors to be physically, not virtually, present.

And the center continues to build on this concept. It completed an ex-pansion in 2018, which included con-verting a closed Macy’s anchor store into 30 new spaces with such tenants as the largest H&M store on the West Coast, Hello Kitty Café, the first of its kind for the pop culture brand, and sock couturier Stance. Sephora joined

them in July of this year.That expansion, the biggest since

the center’s 1995 opening, was part of a $200-million total renovation, which saw improvements to many of the common areas with new fountains, canopies and shade trees, lounge furniture and other updates. In-ground misters in one of the lounging areas are welcome relief on hotter days, as is the pop-jet fountain, which adds the bonus entertainment of watching kids, dogs and even some adults get surprisingly splashed.

Near the pop-jet fountain is the eye-catching Luckey Climber, added during the renovation that carries through on the Irvine Spectrum as destination theme. The kids’ play structure encourages exploration and socialization, much as the center does as a whole.

— Kathie Bozanich


Black Friday shoppers carry bags of goods at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine. The Irvine Spectrum was voted the top shopping/dining destination as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. South Coast Plaza3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa; 800-782-8888; southcoastplaza.com

1. Irvine Spectrum670 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine; 949-790-4871; shopirvinespectrumcenter.com

3. Fashion Island401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach; 949-721-2000; shopfashionisland.com

With a renowned international reputation, South Coast Plaza attracts about 24 million visitors annually who want to experience shopping among its high concentration of ultra-luxury brand boutiques and diverse dining options. Many high-end brands specif-ically choose the center as one of the few or only store locations.

South Coast Plaza is a destination unto itself whether visitors are there to spend or window shop, with its marble floors and travertine-sur-rounded water features through sever-al wings and the pedestrian Bridge of Gardens connecting additional stores across Bear Street.

The story of how the Segerstrom family in 1967 converted a lima bean field in Costa Mesa off the 405 Freeway into what would become a world-famous retail mecca is a key part of Orange County lore. The mega-mall is still owned by the family, making it a rarity among the many investor firm-led center operators.

Each time I ride the escalator from the parking lot near Macy’s at Fash-ion Island, I turn around at the top to take in the ocean view. This open-air shopping center takes advantage of its distinct location with its Mediter-ranean-inspired architecture and chic coastal vibe. The ocean breezes make it a nice place to stroll, checking out the fountains, carp pond and other features along the way.

With more than 150 stores and restaurants, the trendy and luxury brands you would expect in Newport Beach are here, as well as anchor stores Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and the only Neiman Marcus store in Or-ange County. Recent additions include trendy eyewear retailer Warby Parker, urban athletic apparel store RYU and gelato shop Bacio di Latte.

Also recently added is the Lot, a social hub adjacent to the movie the-aters, with restaurants, fire rings, long tables and plenty of sofas to relax, eat and drink with friends.

» BEST SHOPPING / DINING DESTINATION



This is the era of Marie Kondo, the author and queen of declut-tering the home. As closets and garages were stripped of their dusty, long-abandoned wares, local thrifts were the beneficiaries of the mass purge, including Orange County Goodwill.

The fan favorite has found a unique niche in the secondhand industry, turning the traditional store model on its head by separating your best secondhand treasures and selling them at stylish boutiques.

With locations in Tustin, Anaheim, Huntington Beach and San Juan Cap-istrano, the trendy shops are filled with designer and vintage goods in a modern atmosphere with brick ac-cents, vinyl record listening stations and Instagrammable vignettes.

“These updated stores have enticed new shoppers, many who have not previously shopped in secondhand stores, to give Goodwill a chance,” says Corrine Allen, the nonprofit’s

chief operating officer. “The resound-ing response has been, ‘Wow, is this really a Goodwill?’”

Overall, the nonprofit credits its ability to read retail trends and adapt accordingly. “Instead of fight-ing the change, we are embracing it,” Allen says.

Clothing is always a top seller, she says. “Customers love the sustainabil-ity impact of wearing used clothing. Buying clothing items at Goodwill of Orange County ensures that each piece is given a second life versus being wasted.”

The nonprofit employs 2,100 in the county and has 24 thrift stores. Last year, Goodwill of Orange County served 27,400 people in the county, a record for the organization.

As for what’s ahead, Allen says the staff is preparing for its busiest sea-son: Halloween. OC Goodwill will be unveiling a retro-themed Halloween campaign this month.

— Karen Levin


Nicole Suydam, president and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County, left, gets pointers in clothing organization from Graciela Gonzalez at Goodwill’s Santa Ana store. Goodwill of Orange County was voted the top thrift store.

2. Salvation Army Family StoresMultiple locations; satruck.org

1. Goodwill of Orange CountyMultiple locations; ocgoodwill.org

3. SaversFountain Valley, Yorba Linda; savers.com

Stop by a Salvation Army Family Store and you’ll almost always find something for everyone at home.

Household goods, furniture, books, clothing, and even camping gear await the eagle-eyed shopper looking for a deal on a secondhand item.

The shops, which help fund the or-ganization’s evangelical Christian ser-vices, carry a wide variety of furniture, vinyl records, toys, jewelry, household goods and apparel.

Thrift hunters have been known to scour the Salvation Army stores for vintage furniture that can be upcycled into a new piece and sold for premium dollars. The donations typically over-flow the parking lot zone designated for all the Marie Kondo-inspired rejects.

With its roots in England, the non-profit was created by a former Method-ist minister who preached to the poor in London. The organization came to the U.S. in 1880. That red kettle cam-paign you see at Christmastime? It’s one of the longest-running fundraisers in the world, the nonprofit says.

Take your regular thrift store and double it in size. Then stuff it full of good-quality castoffs. This is Savers.

The for-profit model partners with a local nonprofit, such as the Boys & Girls Club, which collects secondhand goods and delivers them to Savers. The for-profit company, with more than 300 locations nationwide and two in Orange County, then sells the goods at reasonable prices.

Savers merchandise is hand-selected and ranges from clothing to books to a limited supply of household items. The savvy, regular shopper might luck upon designer apparel such as Gucci shoes and vintage Pyrex kitchenware.

Women’s clothing is the biggest seller, according to company representatives. In the fall, the store will create a special section of the store for a Halloween cos-tume display. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their creativity to Savers.

Items that don’t sell within three weeks are distributed to developing na-tions. The business model helps keep tons of trash out of landfills yearly.

» BEST THRIFT STORE



949.426.8544 • [email protected]

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With the pressures of school, stan-dardized testing and the weight of selecting the right college to attend, students today can experience a lot of stress. Strive to Learn in Costa Mesa is a tutoring center that helps students wade through the morass of myths surrounding learning, de-stress and recover a sense of agency regard-ing their own education, says founder Josefine Borrmann.

“It’s really important to us that we foster empathetic, curious and critical individuals so that our students can take on their future — their young adulthood — with confidence and courage,” Borrmann said.

Her center offers subject tutoring, test prep for assessments such as the ACT, SAT, and GRE, as well as college admissions counseling. Most other tutoring companies only focus on one or two of the three.

Strive to Learn also offers free work-shops at local high schools in Orange County. Borrmann said any school can reach out and her team can come to the campus to explain the standardized testing process to students.

“We really want to not only contrib-

ute to individuals’ growth, but really to the growth of the community as a whole,” she said.

Another way Borrmann intends to do that is with Strive to Learn’s new “buy one, give one” program. The aim is to assist disadvantaged youth in a county that, as the OC Register reported in 2017, now has more than a quarter of its youngest children living in poverty.

“We’ve always had pro bono stu-dents,” Borrmann said, “but we decided we really want to formalize the educa-tional services that we want to provide our community with, and we want to make sure that everyone has access to our services instead of only people of higher socioeconomic status.”

With the new program being read-ied to roll out in full for fall 2019, a client can, for example, buy a package of 10 hours of test prep, and Strive to Learn will in turn provide two hours of free test prep for a student in need. It is just one more way the staff at Strive to Learn are helping students overcome challenges.

“We want learning to be a joyous pro-cess, not a vexing one,” Borrmann said.

— James Anderson


Founder Josefine Borrmann’s Strive to Learn in Costa Mesa was voted the top tutoring service in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Stowell Learning Center1150 Main St., Suite C, Irvine; 949-477-4133; stowellcenter.com

1. Strive to Learn474 E. 17th St., Suite 103, Costa Mesa; 949-873-6807; strivetolearn.com 3. Kumon

Multiple locations; 800-822-6284; kumon.com

The Stowell Learning Center opened its doors some 35 years ago to serve the dyslexic population. Today, the center still works with students with-learning and attention challenges.

Named after owner and director, Jill Stowell, author of “At Wits End: A Parent’s Guide to Ending the Struggle, Tears and Turmoil of Learning Disabili-ties,” the center uses programs created by its founder, who also oversees all students’ initial programming. Unlike other tutoring services, the Stowell Learning Center uses the term “thera-py” to refer to the services rendered.

“It’s therapy because we’re actually really working to change the brain,” said Lauren Ma, the center director. “We’re changing the way the brain functions and operates.”

Ma said the one-on-one “cognitive ed-ucational therapy” provided at the SLC is therapeutic because it goes beyond just teaching a task or process. It also involves cultivation of underlying skills.

Children who enroll in one of the Kumon centers across Orange County learn by way of a now-famous method.

As the Kumon Institute of Educa-tion explains, the “Kumon method” is based on the philosophy of Toru Ku-mon, a high school math teacher who developed a worksheet-based system for tutoring his son, Takeshi, in the mid-20th century.

Tutoring programs at Kumon Math and Reading centers still use worksheets to help students master concepts, learn new skills on their own and to progress incrementally.

With Math and Reading centers throughout the area, Orange County kids as young as 3 can receive guided assistance from certified instruc-tors, who also work with teenagers throughout their high school years.

Kumon advertises its programs as being designed to build on previous levels, so that by expanding founda-tional knowledge, kids can continue to apply new skills through guid-ed-yet-independent learning.

» BEST TUTORING SERVICE



“If You Have a Smart Child WhoStruggles in School, You Needto Hear my Story.”I’m Jill Stowell, and as a public school specialeducation teacher, I got extremely frustrated.Bright students were struggling and it was my jobto change it. But I couldn’t. And I was a really goodteacher. I had a master’s degree in special educa-tion. I was teaching smart kids with very supportiveparents. But none of that made any difference.

Some really smart kids were still finding school andhomework harder than it should be. As difficult asit was for students, the toll it took on parents wasalso heartbreaking!

I knew what it wasn’t—It wasn’t that the kids werelazy, or that they had bad parents, or that the class-room teachers somehow weren’t doing their job. Istarted looking for answers in 1984.

Here’s what I found—There is a continuum of skillsthat must be in place, strong, and working efficientlyin order for learning to be “easy.” Research tells us

these skills seem to develop naturally in 70% of people. The other 30%, no matterhow smart, may struggle.

The very good news—These skills can be developed. Permanent changes can bemade. Missing skills can be built, strengthened, and made efficient by using pro-gramming tools and techniques not used in schools or traditional tutoring.Since 1984, I have been studying the research and then using that knowledge tohelp bright but struggling students transform into comfortable, independentlearners.

The result? Over the last 35 years we’ve beenable to change the lives of over 10,000 studentsand their families through our learning centerlocations.

Are you one of the 15 million families thatlive with the frustration of school struggles,despite having a child who is smart? Do youjust knowmore can be done, but you haven’t found the right answers yet?

Call us today. 1-877-774-0444www.StowellCenter.com


For a selection of thousands of different wines from ostensibly every wine-producing region, plenty of customers seek out “America’s Wine Superstore” — and for good reason.

Whether you want red, white, dessert or kosher wine, Total Wine & More is more likely than not to have you cov-ered. With more than 8,000 different wines to choose from, the store func-tions as a one-stop-shop for even the most discerning in Orange County.

Total Wine & More also offers regular in-store tastings, classes and events. In May and August of this past year, the company held a “Wine 101: In Vino Veritas” event in Laguna Hills where novice drinkers could come to learn how to get the most out of Total Wine & More’s signature product. The “Vive la France” event, held during the summer at locations including El Toro Road in Laguna Hills and at

the Brea Plaza Shopping Center, is styled as an exploration of the finest winemaking regions in France — from Loire Valley to Burgundy — that can help attendees master those sophisti-cated restaurant lists.

This autumn, aspiring connoisseurs can check out the Total Wine & More “Left Bank, Right Bank: All About Bordeaux” festivities at participating Laguna Hills, Tustin and Hunting-ton Beach stores to “learn about the famous cabernet sauvignon-heavy red blends of Bordeaux Left Bank, and the merlot-based reds of the Right Bank,” as the event description explains.

Interested in enjoying “the two soulmates of the culinary world,” as “America’s Wine Superstore” would have it? Then “Total Wine & Cheese: A Guide to Perfect Pairings” is the popular fall event for you.

— James Anderson


Total Wine & More was voted the top wine selection in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. BevMoMultiple locations; 877-772-3866; bevmo.com

1. Total Wine & MoreMultiple locations; 855-328-9463; totalwine.com

3. Hi-Time Wine Cellars250 Ogle St., Costa Mesa; 949-650-8463; hitimewine.net

BevMo! entered into a partnership with the e-commerce marketplace Dri-zly in early 2019 as part of an ambi-tious West Coast expansion effort. The partnership brought on-demand al-cohol delivery to 45 BevMo! Stores in California, according to the company.

Kelly Durcan, who handles pub-lic relations for BevMo!, confirmed that two of the company’s 12 Orange County stores — one in Huntington Beach and the other in Costa Mesa — are part of the partnership. Adults of drinking age in either city can now use Drizly.com or the Drizly app to se-lect from BevMo!’s always-expanding array of wines and get their drink of choice delivered in 60 minutes or less. Traditional online ordering remains an option at bevmo.com.

BevMo! also confirmed the company has expanded its imports, including old-world wines, and that customers in Orange County now have a larger selection of local California wines from the Central Coast and from San-ta Barbara from which to choose.

Chuck Hanson, the brother of Hi-Time Wine Cellars co-founder Fritz Hanson and the original California wine buyer for the business, used to drive up to Napa to purchase wines for the store back in the 1950s, ac-cording to Toby Sharp, the company’s long-time creative director.

Fritz Hanson’s family still owns and runs Hi-Time, Sharp explains, and many family members still work there.

Sharp said the Hanson family’s business is now home to what is likely the largest climate retail wine cellar on the West Coast — a 3,500-square-foot underground temperature-con-trolled cellar, with approximately 10,000 different labels in there. “You know, everything from First Growth Bordeaux to rare Burgundy, to the best California cabernets. We have wines from Morocco. We have wines from Israel ... New Zealand, Australia, Greece — all over the world,” he said.

While the selection is large, he said Hi-Time remains focused on quality and diversity across price ranges.

» BEST WINE SELECTION



Newport Beach | Beverly Hills949-706-2277 | 310-299-0677

www.faceologymd.com | [email protected]

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Best Cosmetic SurgeonFACIAL REJUVENATION

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» Cosmetic Surgeon» Day Spa

» Jeweler/Jewelry Store» Luxury

Real Estate Agent» O.C. Resort

» Restaurant For A Special Occasion

LUXURY LIFESTYLE

BOC_Lifestyle_2019_jm.indd 61 8/23/19 6:10 PM


» CHAPTER 1 LUXURY LIFESTYLE

You’d think with somebody like Rambod Mirhossein around, there would be no good reason to leave your house, like, ever.

Or, in this case, your Newport Coast mansion. Maybe your Lido Isle estate.

Mirhossein is the project manager for EGI, a property management/luxury concierge service provided

exclusively in Orange County. EGI literally (yes, here the word is being used correctly) handles all the minutiae of daily life so the ultra high net worth individual doesn’t have to.

Ordering Hanebisho toilet paper (touted as the world’s best, at about $17 a roll) straight from its manufacturers in Japan? Making sure your sophomore’s $39,130 tuition at Sage Hill School is on autopay? Getting your $2.4 million Pagani Huayra detailed by Italian supercar specialists? Never fear, EGI is here. “Nothing is off of the table,” says Mirhossein.

But as it turns out, having the means to have specialists deal with life’s prosaic details has the exact opposite effect of making you stay at home, no matter how well appointed that home may be: It means freedom to go and do, and the power to make things happen.

It means hopping on Latitude 33’s private jet excursion for a 16-day West Coast “safari” (pricing starts at $150,000), a customizable journey starting at John Wayne airport to Santa Barbara and Napa Valley, through Jackson Hole, British Colombia and back down to Los Cabos, Mexico (additional stops to Hawaii will be available in 2020 because, well, Hawaii).

Or speaking of safari, maybe take time to work on your memoir in Botswana and Victoria Falls, on a writing retreat headed by Newport Beach’s Sona Marsh of Holden Safaris — a steal at around $4,800.

Of course, that doesn’t include international airfare, and international flights mean LAX, which means inconvenience and hassle, and that

means you really need to get a membership to The Private Suite at LAX (www.theprivatesuite.com/membership).

For your $4,500 yearly membership, you’ll enter LAX through a special gate to a compound adjacent to the main runways, where an eight-person team will be dedicated to your every need, from private TSA screening, on-site customs and immigration processing and the convenience of direct transportation across the tarmac to your aircraft in BMW 7-Series sedans. But as you wait for your flight, relax in your

suite, which features a private bathroom, bed, meals, massages, manicures, haircuts and a video-conference studio if you must get in that last board meeting. Members can even arrange for a concierge doctor to attend to them in their suite.

Lest we give the impression that ultra wealth means ultra leisure, let us recall the county’s vibrant gala culture, which relies on people of means, creating personal connections while raising multi-millions that bolster the county’s social safety net, arts, culture and more. There are about 95 major philanthropic events held in OC every year that depend on the county’s most wealthy signing on (not counting lunches, breakfasts, conferences, fun runs and other events for good causes).

Take one of the premier events of the year, for example: Segerstrom Center for the Arts Candlelight Concert is considered the kick-off to the holiday season, raising upwards of $2 million each year

that underwrites the education and community engagement programs enjoyed by thousands across our region. So pony up the $3,000 for an individual ticket ($125,000 for a presenting sponsorship, or $30,000 for a table for all your friends), pull out the b.spoke custom tuxedo for him and the Versace couture for her, and prepare to dance the night away.

Don’t worry, Mirhossein (or someone like him) will handle the details.

A life of ease, whether you stay at home or venture out

S A M A N T H A D U N Nby

But as it turns out, having the means to have specialists deal

with life’s prosaic details has the exact

opposite effect of making you stay at home, no matter

how well appointed that home may be: It means freedom to go and do, and

the power to make things happen.



» BEST COSMETIC SURGEON

One transformation inspires more. For Dr. Kevin Sadati and his team in Newport Beach, this year marked the debut of a newly expanded Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic Lounge.

“Doubling the size of our practice allowed us to bring more aesthetic providers, various nonsurgical ser-vices and the latest technology,” ac-cording to Dr. Sadati. At the practice, which is located near Fashion Island, new services range from laser skin resurfacing to CoolSculpting for fat reduction, among other offerings.

For patients, arriving at the prac-tice can feel like a welcome step away from the norm.

“Our mission is and always has been to provide top-notch customer service in a luxurious environment

so we stand out in our community,” according to Dr. Sadati.

A marquee element in the office’s layout is a spiral staircase. On the second floor, patients arrive at the Aesthetic Lounge, the practice’s luxe medical spa, where “providers use the latest, nonsurgical devices, injectables and fillers,” according to the practice’s website.

For patients who are seeking cos-metic surgery, Dr. Sadati offers a vari-ety of procedures. The Orange County facial plastic surgeon has dedicated himself to creating “the vision for my luxury plastic surgery and med-spa practice. It culminates my passion for art, while also addressing my patients’ need for facial rejuvenation and other aesthetic methodologies.”

– Kiali Orlowski

PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. KEVIN SADATI

Dr. Kevin Sadati, of Newport Beach, was voted the top cosmetic surgeon.

2. Dr. Raymond LeeNewport Beach and Beverly Hills; 949-706-2277; faceologymd.com

1. Dr. Kevin Sadati359 San Miguel Drive, Suite 200, Newport Beach; 949-706-7776; galleryofcosmeticsurgery.com

3. Dr. Jeffrey Joseph180 Newport Center Drive, Suite 158, Newport Beach; 949-424-3524; ococuloplastic.com

At FaceologyMD, treatments span varying patient ages and complexity. A unifying goals at the center of it all: facial rejuvenation.

“Patients are coming in with some knowledge, having done their research, and theywant definitive results,” Dr. Raymond Lee said. “And they’re seeking surgical rejuvenation in a natural way.”

Dr. Lee, who established his practice in Orange County in 2006, provides surgical rejuvenation through proce-dures such as the Faceology Lift, a low-er face and neck lift that is performed under local anesthesia.

Lee has performed more than 4,000 facial aesthetic surgeries, he said.

Nonsurgical treatment options, “from lasers to radio-frequency skin tighten-ing to light therapy,” also are available, Dr. Lee said.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for skin rejuvenation and for hair loss is a service that has gained popularity in the past year. For at-home care, there are Faceology Skincare products, which range from cleansers to serums.

Dr. Jeffrey Joseph specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries for “the eyelids, the surrounding facial structures, the lacrimal or tear drainage system, and the orbit or ‘eye socket,’ ” according to his practice’s website.

As an oculoplastic surgeon, he per-forms an array of cosmetic procedures, including eyelid surgery, brow lifts and mid-facelifts. He also provides recon-structive surgical procedures such as eyelid surgery revision.

Patients who desire “a minimally invasive answer to cosmetic concerns” can find many options at Dr. Joseph’s Newport Beach-based practice, accord-ing to the website.

Nonsurgical treatments such as Botox, eyelash-related needs and in-jectable fillers are among the available services.

Dr. Joseph’s practice is affiliated with the Skin Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery Center in Newport Beach, according to his website.



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» BEST DAY SPA

Imagine a hot cup of tea, a lavender-scented blanket over your legs, and an oatmeal pillow under your neck. Steam, emanating from towels wrapped around your feet and calves, relaxes your mind and body. This is the Burke Williams “Steam Pedicure,” a treatment that uses only 1 gallon of water vs. the 25 typically used for a more traditional pedicure.

The services at Burke Williams Day Spa in Orange and Mission Viejo are eco-friendly and designed to help clients float away from the chaotic bustle of life. The setting, while just steps from busy malls, is more like a luxurious mansion than a clinical spa.

“We want our guests to be able to disconnect from the stress of everyday life and feel taken care of and pampered,” says Kayla Spencer, general manager of Burke Williams Day Spa in Mission Viejo. “Creating relationships with our guests is a top

priority and I feel that sets us apart.”Employees, about 150-160 at each

spa, undergo rigorous and ongoing training to keep them on top of trends as the industry evolves and the Burke Williams treatment menu expands, she says. Both spas have been in the county for 20 years.

Favorite services include a new anti-aging facial. Spencer says the facial utilizes medical-grade nano-needling technology. The Mission Viejo facility is stepping into plastic surgery this year, partnering with a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon to offer medical services such as Botox and Juvederm.

In Orange, the mission is to make every guest feel taken care of, says Lee Gollnick, the spa’s general manager. “Every employee learns how to understand the individual needs of each guest,” she says.

– Karen Levin

COURTESY OF BURKE WILLIAMS DAY SPA

The lobby at the Burke Williams Day Spa in Mission Viejo.

2. The Spa at Pelican Hill22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast; 888-507-6427; pelicanhill.com/spa/

1. Burke Williams Day SpaMission Viejo, Orange; burkewilliamsspa.com

3. Spa Gregorie’sNewport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita; spagregories.com

The “menu” at The Spa at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach is a philos-ophy centered on mindfulness and personalization. Therapists customize treatments for each guest’s needs, from gentle to intense, according to director Zully Cardona. “We use only the best natural products from fami-ly-owned makers.”

The staff maintains all of the proper certifications and some carry special-ties such as reiki and transformational coaching.

Among the most popular services at The Spa is the Zen Awakening Experi-ence, a 100-minute session that allows a client to completely relax.

“The therapist customizes the fra-grance and performs a gentle exfoli-ation. Then, we cocoon the guest in a skin-quenching shea butter to nourish the skin, provide a warm scalp ritual with coconut oil and top it off with a full-body massage.” Cardona says.

Other amenities include sunrise yoga or a guided beach walk.

Don’t let the simple warehouse building fool you. Step inside Spa Gregorie’s in Rancho Santa Margarita and all you see is luxury.

Follow the crystal chandeliers to the quiet room where you can shed the stress of the week. The spa, which opened in 2012, offers a variety of services from couples’ massage to a “fassage,” a 45-minute facial and back massage combo. If you want to step back in time, try the Ancient Royal Bathing Ritual, a bath that soaks you in milk and honey while an under-water hydrotherapy massage soothes your aches away.

As one client put it, “I seriously need to make this a habit for my sani-ty, health and everyone’s happiness.”

The amenities at Spa Gregorie’s in Newport Beach, established in 1998, are much the same even though the storefront spa near Fashion Island is a bit smaller than its suburban peer. The steam room, a common luxury for relaxing at most day spas, has been replaced here with an infrared sauna.



Strengthening Community

Free VIP pass

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!Contact Patty Roberts at 714.796.6961 or [email protected]

Join us as we honorORANGE COUNTY’S

2019 TOP WORKPLACES!

The Orange County Register’sTop Workplaces Gala is considered the Oscars

of the HR industry. Align with this premierbusiness event to showcase your organizationas the highest caliber company to work for,and do business with, in Orange County.

To purchase tickets or a table, visit: ocregister.com/topworkplaces

Thursday, December 12, 2019City National Grove of Anaheim

Dinner, Cocktails and Awards Celebration

201912th Annual Event


» BEST JEWELER / JEWELRY STORE

The Jewelry Box of Lake Forest has some of the best service in the area — customers not only come in for jewelry, but it is common for them to come in and visit as well. The store sells unique pre-owned jewelry so customers are guaranteed to find something beautiful and one-of-a-kind every time they visit.

For people who are nervous about where their precious pieces will end up, The Jewelry Box of Lake Forest won’t send items out for any type of repair— everything is done in-house. The company boasts two appraisers who will give an estimate on any piece of jewelry whether it was bought in the store or not. There

are also two jewelers and a master watchmaker on staff as well.

The store is also known to support the local community as it has given to South County Outreach for a number of years. Its promotion that includes bringing in a can of food for 10 percent off a repair has become so popular that the food bank picks up a full barrel of food every month. The store is also known to help out the local high schools by putting its name on the schools’ annual 5k shirts. Feel good about a purchase by giving back to the community at The Jewelry Box of Lake Forest.

– Jessie Dax-Setkus


The Jewelry Box of Lake Forest was voted the best jewelry store.

2. Jewelry Exchange15732 Tustin Village Way, Tustin; 714-542-9000; jewelryexchange.com

1. The Jewelry Box of Lake Forest21771 Lake Forest Drive #109, Lake Forest; 949-284-7983; thejewelryboxlf.com

3. Jeweler’s Touch1215 E. Imperial Highway, Placentia; 714-579-1616; jewelerstouch.com

The Jewelry Exchange in Tustin has a lot more to offer besides a quality product. The store advertised some of the best prices in town as customers would only pay 20 percent of what they would walking into a mall jewelry store. The store manufactures its own jewelry, which keeps prices more affordable for those wanting to buy a little sparkle. GIA grade diamonds are also not a problem to find here as there is a large selection.

However, one of the biggest positives of coming to The Jewelry Exchange is its custom designs and turnaround times. Bring in a drawing of what type of ring is to be made and the store can 3D print it and create it very quickly. The Jewelry Exchange can also set stones and finish a piece of jewelry the same day the customer comes in, which is virtually unheard of in the jewelry industry.

Jeweler’s Touch is no stranger to the Best Of lists; in fact, the store has won many times. Its owners believe their highly regarded position is due to the fact that they have built trust with their customers over the 27 years they have been in business. Not only do they put the customer first, but they have plenty of services to keep customers coming back for more.

Six full-time jewelers and one in-house graduate gemologist make this team one of the best when looking for a new piece of jewelry or handing over a precious keepsake for repairs. They have all updated and state-of-the-art equipment like a 3D printer and they work with CAD as well.

All of the custom design work is done in-house and customers can watch through a 16-foot window while their jewelry is being worked on. The Jeweler’s Touch also has a very large selection of loose diamonds and one of the best bridal selections as well.



Thank YouFor Voting for us!

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2. Carol Lee Group341 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach; 949-395-3994; carolleegroup.com

On his company literature, Bob Wolff is proclaimed a “super-agent.” We’re not sure exactly what that means, but it sounds cool. And Or-ange County residents agree, naming the long-time local Realtor and his agency, Harcourts, to the top spot in the luxury real estate agent category.

In the musical “The Music Man,” salesmen say, “You gotta know the territory.” That would apply to the top finishers in our annual poll.

Wolff says he lives in Laguna Niguel, works in Laguna Niguel and sells 98 percent of his homes in a 5-mile radius.”

Wolff describes his approach as “fo-cused, specific,” on strictly residential

sales and leases and he tries to know the market better than any of his competitors.

On his website, Wolff claims $1.4 billion in closings in a 42-year career.

However, according to company literature, “it is by far the number of repeat business clients that is the true measure of Bob’s success.”

Wolff is a Certified Residential Specialist with experience across sales platforms. His literature reads, “Whether the property is a beach investment condo, a luxury coastal estate or anything in between, Bob has the selling strategy that will meet your needs.”

– Greg Mellen


Homes line the beach in Dana Point at The Strand at Headlands.

1. Bob Wolff, Harcourts Monarch Beach3 Monarch Bay Plaza, Suite 100, Dana Point; 949-248-1888; bobwolff.com

3. John Stanaland1833 S. Coast Highway #210, Laguna Beach; 949-689-9047; johnstanaland.com

If you’re not a client, good luck pinning down Carol Lee. She answers just about every call in person, but she’s perennially either showing property or hustling to be on time for her next appointment. All of which makes her such a highly valued agent.

Lee pairs her boots-on-the-ground local expertise with the cutting-edge technology and data research tools of Compass real estate, to give clients a one-two punch.

According to her literature, “Carol developed a sophisticated online strategy ahead of the industry and has an in-house creative team that produces award-winning results.”

In addition to locale clientele, Lee also has an international network of buyers and sellers from San Francisco, New York, Miami, Chicago, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Dubai.

Lee lists recent sales ranging from $950,000 to $5.55 million.

The deep roots in the South County soil help make John Stanaland among the top luxury real estate agents in Orange County.

Stanaland is a fifth-generation real estate professional, whose family has worked in the OC since 1919 when Stanaland’s great-great-grandfather bought and sold property in the area.

“I was born and raised in Laguna Beach and grew up sitting in on deals and meetings,” said Stanaland, who broke from the family history of devel-opment to individual home sales.

Listing his attributes, Stanaland says honesty, integrity, putting clients first and urgency.

“My top quality is that I’m honest and diligent. I’m also straight-forward on price.”

That, along with a seven-day work ethic, has helped him sell $3.5 billion worth of real estate in a 23-year career.

His list of sales ranges from $1 mil-lion homes to the $40 million former Villa del Lago estate at 1 Pelican Hill Road North in 2017.

» BEST LUXURY REAL ESTATE AGENT



» BEST O.C. RESORT

The Montage Laguna Beach, a repeat top vote-getter in this category, marked its 16th year by completing extensive renovations to further enhance its reputation as a premier coastal retreat. Situated on a bluff in Laguna Beach, all of the 253 guest rooms at the Craftsman-style Montage offer an ocean view. Rooms available include 58 suites, beach bungalow-style rooms and multi-bedroom villas for families and other groups planning a luxury beach getaway.

“Everyone feels like an individual when staying at the resort and our guests appreciate how we focus on customizing their time with us,” the Montage’s general manager Anne-Marie Houston said. “Our associates are encouraged to create ‘wow’ moments with thoughtful and personalized gestures for our guests.”

The new entry, lobby and lobby lounge feature Brazilian cherrywood floors and California coastal lobby furniture. The new lobby includes a framed window with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop, to give guests a “we’ve arrived” moment (and also happens to look great on social media). Guests can grab coffee and pastries in the morning or cocktails at sunset while listening

to live piano music in the new lobby lounge.

The new guest rooms were re-designed with a muted palette with enhanced pops of color. They continue to include modern artwork, an homage to Laguna’s artists’ colony reputation, and contemporary photography on the walls. Polished marble floors, chrome accents and updated, sustainable amenities in the bathrooms also contribute to the California beach mansion feel of the rooms.

Spa Montage, in tandem with the renovations, began a new partnership with Swiss-made Valmont, developer of high-performance, technology-driven facial treatments. The 20,000-square-foot oceanfront spa, which also includes a lap pool that is now saltwater-based, is for resort guests, as well as the public by appointment.

Studio, the Montage’s signature restaurant, offers modern California coastal cuisine. The resort’s other main restaurant with sweeping views is the Loft, which Orange County Register restaurant critic Brad A. Johnson praised for its apple tarte tatin: “It’s the one dessert that truly haunted me all year.”

– Kathie Bozanich

PHOTO COURTESY OF MLB ARCHITECTURAL

The Spa Montage lap pool is among the amenities at Montage Laguna Beach.

2. The Resort at Pelican Hill22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast, 855-467-6800; pelicanhill.com

1. Montage Laguna Beach30801 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, 866-551-8244; montagehotels.com

3. Monarch Beach Resort1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949-234-3900; monarchbeachresort.com

The Resort at Pelican Hill, which opened in 2008, may benefit from its serene location but it also does its own part in creating a tranquil, exclusive ex-perience for its guests that sets it apart.

Its architecture evokes a seaside Italian village along more than 500 acres of terraced hillside overlooking the ocean. With 204 bungalow guest rooms and suites and 128 villas, guests can take full advantage of the Coliseum Pool, one of the world’s largest circular pools at 136 feet in diameter, as well as special access to the adjacent 36-hole golf club and world-class spa.

The two- to four-bedroom villas, in particular, cater to those seeking a high-end experience, promising on the resort’s website “every imaginable ultra-luxury appointment and amenity; the most comprehensive and innova-tive service program of special ameni-ties, personalized options, pampering and individual attention of any resort.”

The 400-room Monarch Beach Re-sort, which opened in 2001 as the St. Regis Monarch Beach, has been busy improving on its already formidable offerings to make it a memorable family getaway.

This spring, the resort’s beachfront club was renovated and reopened as the Monarch Bay Beach Club. Open to guests and club members only, it features a beach-cottage design, an enhanced bar and dining area with improved views and private access to the ocean for water sports.

Surf lessons, fire rings for s’mores making, movie nights and ukulele instruction are among the family activities available.

The pool areas at the resort recently have been updated as well. The deck area of the Monarch Pool was ex-panded to accommodate more lounge chairs and private cabanas and two in-finity-edge whirlpool spas were added. The Family Pool now has a graduated entry and new cabanas around it.



» BEST RESTAURANT FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION

While the choices for fine dining are everywhere in Orange County, it takes a little something extra for a restaurant to be chosen as a top restaurant for a special occasion.

At North Italia it can be found in one of the company’s mottos which is “the answer’s yes, what’s the question?” said General Manager Oliver West.

That simple take on the adage “the customer is always right,” helps the staff at North Italia prioritize.

“We’re focused on creating special moments for each and every one of our guests, first and foremost,” West said. “We sell hospitality first.”

That begins with an inviting dining space with high ceilings and an open floor plan.

Although a member of the Fox Restaurants group, which has

concept restaurants in 14 states, North Italia Irvine retains its own identity and vibe.

The restaurant serves up traditional Northern Italian dishes. The dinner menu features seven pasta dishes, with gluten free options. There are a variety of entrees with beef, chicken and seafood.

And of course, there is pizza, including a daily chef ’s choice.

A full bar with signature cocktails, wine and sangria round out the experience.

As West puts it, “Today’s guest is looking for more than just a great meal, and because there are so many more options, we strive to deliver on that as well as the experience they’ve come to expect from us every day.”

– Greg Mellen


North Italia in Irvine serves up traditional dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs.

2. Mastro’s Steakhouse Costa Mesa633 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa; 714-546-7405; mastrosrestaurants.com

1. North Italia2957 Michelson Drive, Irvine; 949.629.7060; northitaliarestaurant.com

3. The Ranch1025 E. Ball Road, Anaheim; 714-817-4200; theranch.com

These are heady days for Mastro’s Steakhouse, not to mentions its parent company Landry’s Inc., with its 600 worldwide ventures, including aquar-iums, hotels and theme parks world-wide. The chain’s attention to detail and discerning tastes continue to set apart places like Mastro’s, which was purchased in 2013.

According to company literature, the restaurants are led by detail-oriented teams that “strive for excellence in guest service, finest quality food and distinct ambiance — elements that set Mastro’s apart from other restaurant groups.” The restaurant stresses its upscale vibe with a dress code. If you head up from the beach in your Hurley board shorts and flip-flops you’ll likely be turned away.

The menu boasts a broad array of steaks, the famous Seafood Tower and the to-die-for butter cake. Also there is an extensive wine and whiskey menu.

The Ranch takes your average up-scale steakhouse experience and vaults it to another level for special occasions.

“As expected from an elevated dining experience, our team delivers guest service to match our food — extraordi-nary,” said Heather Heleloa, director of marketing.

The menu is deceptively simple with steaks, chicken and fish, but with “elevated interpretations of global fare” from Executive Chef Michael Rossi.

So while the tomahawk steak will overflow your plate, the cheddar scal-loped potatoes and Bordelaise sauce kick up the sophistication level. As will locally sourced, organic produce.

The Ranch staff includes 16 som-meliers to help with that special and perfect pairing, from the 10,000-bottle cellar with 500 labels.

If you want something a little stiffer, there is a huge whiskey and single malt collection, including at 25-year-old Pap-py Van Winkle and 1974 Glenmorangie Pride, if you have thousand-dollar bills burning holes in your pockets.



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FOOD & DRINK» Bakery» Barbecue» Breakfast» Burger» Craft Brewery» Doughnut Shop» Family-Friendly Restaurant» Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt» Happy Hour/Cocktail Bar» Italian Restaurant» Mexican Restaurant» Pizza» Romantic Restaurant» Seafood Restaurant» Steakhouse» Sunday Brunch» Sushi

BOC_Food_2019-KS.jm.indd 75 8/23/19 6:29 PM


Grubhub, Doordash, Uber Eats. Do you really want to consume every meal sitting on the couch in your under-wear? Think of what you’re missing. The rattle of cocktail shakers, the hum of a well-run dining room and the flirting at the bar. It’s all there amid the dazzling decor at Orange County’s top restaurants.

Oh, I forgot. You haven’t been out in years. So let us clue you in. A load of great restaurants have opened since the last installment of Best of Orange County.

The restaurateurs who brought you Dublin 4 and WineWorks for Everyone in Mission Viejo have built what is possibly the most beautiful Irish restaurant and bar in Southern California. Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach has 16-foot ceilings, peacock blue walls, a 26-foot-long bar with a marble back, and a tiny private room called a snug. The food by Chef David Shofner goes far beyond pub fare: Hawaiian Blue Prawns with citrus mojo and a smoked bone-in shortrib that will pair nicely with red wines selected by sommelier Ali Coyle.

If you love that bespoke look, make reservations at CdM. Their Corona del Mar dining room also has a high-tone look: Farrow & Ball wallpaper, oil paintings in the dining room and a secret little speakeasy downstairs. Chef Jonathan Blackford’s menu offers easygoing fare with barbecued heir-loom carrots, salt-baked branzino and shareable housemade charcuterie boards.

Would you rather have Italian? There are two new steakhouses. Get ready for sublime service at Davio’s in Irvine where the staff remembers just the way you like your ribeye or whether you’d prefer the gnocchi with wild mushrooms, basil and white truffle oil. At Louie’s By the Bay on Mariner’s Mile, two veteran restaurateurs roll out the red carpet for you. Ron Salisbury (El Cholo and The Cannery) and Piero Selvaggio (Valentino) cleared away the boats and put in windows to catch breezes off the bay. Its “Ralph Lauren meets the Hamptons” East Coast feel is perfect for enjoying a glass of Italian wine from a deep list with your La Fiorentina, a prime

34-ounce Porterhouse for two.If it’s fresh California fare you love, drop into

Ocean at Main, where the beachy decor was designed by Laurie Alter of Tuvalu Home. The softly lit patio seems to glow at night and the sound of the fountain creates a chill vibe. It’s the perfect setting for Chef Craig Strong’s farm-to-table cuisine: Signature beet salad and roasted beet tenderloin with Bordelaise will make your dinner but return for brunch because the chilaquiles are beyond compare.

And speaking of Mexican food, you’ll find dishes you’ve never dreamed of at Chaak in

Tustin where Gabbi Patrick elevates the cuisine of her Yucatecan heritage with clams and green chorizo and a thick salsa of charred habaneros that looks and pours like crude oil to add a deep heat that lingers like an ember. Stay after dinner for a nightcap under the stars, the ceiling opens up and you’ll be bathed in a magical moonlight.

We don’t have room here to tell you about every new restaurant that’s opened this year. The list goes on with Knife Pleat in South Coast Plaza, Henry’s in Hun-tington Beach and others. There

have also been refreshed restaurants with new designs and menus such as Las Brisas and Old Vine which moved into a gracious new space in the Camp.

If you’re not so much into fine dining and heavy meals, take a look at fresh casual Cultivation Kitchen in the Anaheim Packing District and the latest Urth Caffe in a lovely historic building in Old Towne Orange.

Is brunch your thing? Check out Snooze for its eye-opener cocktails and OMG French Toast or the newest location of Moulin in San Clemente for coffee drinks and croissants or Lit Cafe in Ana-heim for one of the best loco mocos in the county.

Like a hearty beer? Visit the Pickled Monk in Fullerton or Brussels Bistro in San Clemente. Venture out and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with some incredible experiences you’d never have spending night after night in front of the TV. Then lord it over your friends. Tell them you’re starting a new trend because in this county, going out is the new black.

» CHAPTER 1 FOOD & DRINK

With a dazzling array of new dining, going out is the new black

A N N E V A L D E S P I N Oby

Venture out and you’ll be rewarded for your

efforts with some incredible experiences

you’d never have spending night after

night in front of the TV.



Customers continue to write rave reviews of French’s Pastry Bakery, a patisserie with a presence in Orange County for more than 50 years.

“This is our local bakery and one of the best places in Orange County,” one Costa Mesa resident wrote on Yelp about the French’s in her city. “They always have a case full of all sorts of beautifully decorated cakes ready to personalize and take home. They also have a great selection of custom cake options as well in which you can choose your cake, filling and icing flavors.”

Another self-described exception-ally “happy customer” from Newport Beach reported relying on French’s for baked goods these past two decades and expressed love for the pinwheels that can be made with chocolate chips or fresh strawberries.

A review of the French’s Pastry Bakery in Irvine seemed to suggest the fact French’s survives — and arguably thrives — in Southern Cali-fornia where even a mention of carbs

can stoke fears is a testament to the pastry shop itself.

“I have loved everything I’ve had from this place to date,” the reviewer wrote. “It all started with the wagon wheels. I have never seen these in France when I was there but not complaining. It’s a delicious way to start the day.”

One reviewer who reportedly hails from Anaheim commented on a satisfying Valentine’s Day purchase — comments to keep in mind come next February.

“The cookies were all light and airy in the middle with a nice little crisp on the outside,” the reviewer wrote about the assortment of sweets — including dark chocolate and snickerdoodle — ordered from French’s location in Orange. “I do have to say that the chocolate chip versions were my favor-ite of the bunch. If you’re taking some for a gathering, you have the option of boxing the cookies up versus bagging and it makes them look much nicer!”

— James Anderson

NICK KOOL, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

French’s Pastry Bakery was voted the top bakery in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Corner Bakery CaféMultiple locations; 972-619-4100; cornerbakerycafe.com

1. French’s Pastry BakeryMultiple locations; frenchspastry.com 3. Cream Pan

602 El Camino Real, Tustin; 714-665-8239; creampanbakery.com

This casual bakery-cum-café with a total 14 Orange County locations kicked off a national partnership that will excite not only those who like good eats, but also plenty of beach sports fans in the area.

Corner Bakery and the AVP Beach Volleyball Tour commenced their national partnership in Orange County with the tour’s tournament in Huntington Beach in early May.

“They are proud to be nourishing the incredible athletes with their arti-san-inspired, seasonal menu options made with fresh ingredients, while inviting tournament attendees to stop in and enjoy a premier bakery cafe experience at their SoCal neighbor-hood locations,” said Bailey Hughes, director of field marketing for the company, adding that it supports the community in other ways as well.

“Within the past year, the SoCal cafes have hosted several fundraisers — donating more than $5,500 back to local nonprofit organizations and schools,” she said. In 2018, area cafes pulled together to raise $355 for the Fire & Burn Foundation, benefiting the victims of the Holy Fire.

Choco horns, famous strawberry croissants, milk cream sticks, mixberry scones, orange brioches and, of course, the namesake cream pan. These are just some of the items listed on this Tustin bakery’s mouthwatering menu.

Customers who prefer fine breads to pastries have relied on Cream Pan, in business since 1988, for their baguettes, challah bread, and multigrain bread, which the bakery advertises as includ-ing ingredients health enthusiasts might recognize for their nutritional content, such as sesame seed, sunflower seed and omega-3 rich flax seed.

Others might like the butter or rai-sin rolls, or maybe the not-so-ordinary green olive bread.

Taking those options into account, it comes as little surprise that Cream Pan made Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S.” list in 2016, coming in at No. 11. That was two years after the bakery garnered a No. 31 ranking on the list.

» BEST BAKERY



Maybe it’s old news, but it’s always good news for Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, which takes home top honors, as it has since 2003, in the Best of Orange County award in the barbecue category.

“We are honored and humbled by the ongoing support of our guests who love Lucille’s barbecue,” said Brad Hofman, president of Hofman Hospitality group. “We set out to create a fun, craveable, barbecue ex-perience and winning this award for 17 straight years means our guests are enjoying what we’re serving.”

While many barbecue joints like to spin homey tales of Grandma’s cooking and secret recipes — and this restaurant chain with its namesake, the faux Lucille Buchanan, is no different — Lucille’s true origin story is a little different.

Founder Craig Hofman, whose family launched Hofman Hospitality Group in 1999, traveled barbecue shacks from Carolina to Tennessee, Missouri to Texas, to dig up authentic recipes.

While Orange County has little room for a Papa’s smoker in the backyard, Lucille’s serves up a full lineup of barbecue favorites such as St. Louis ribs, Texas brisket, pulled pork, rib tips, links, smoked chicken and burnt ends.

Rubs are applied by hand and meats are hickory smoked. Everything is available with five house sauces, along with two rubs.

The first Lucille’s Smokehouse opened in Long Beach in 1999. The chain has grown to 14 in the South-land, including five in Orange County.

— Greg Mellen

COURTESY OF LUCILLE’S SMOKEHOUSE BARBECUE

Baby back ribs is one of the barbecue favorites at Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, voted best barbecue in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQMultiple locations; gyu-kaku.com

1. Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-QueMultiple locations; lucillesbbq.com

3. Dickey’s Barbecue PitMultiple locations; dickeys.com

Barbecue doesn’t have to be just Texas, Kansas City of Carolina-style anymore. For a growing segment of the population, Korean and Japanese restaurants are go-to eateries to feed your barbecue jones.

Founded in Japan in 2001, Gyu-Ka-ku has grown to 700 restaurants and has drawn the attention of local barbecue lovers.

Restaurants feature grills at every table for self-cooking, with smokeless roasters with downdraft systems that suck smoke away from guests.

Gyu-Kaku, which means “Horn of the Bull” in Japanese, provides the authentic Japanese yakiniku (grilled barbecue) dining experience. Custom-ers grill and share premium cooked meats, such as Harami skirt steak in a miso marinade and Angus Kalbi short rib in a tare sweet soy marinade.

Beverages include sake, shochu, Japanese wine and cold beer.

Started as a single stand in Dallas, Texas, Dickey’s has grown into the nation’s foremost barbecue chain, but remains true to its family roots.

The family name is right out front and when you call the corporate line after hours and it’s Roland Dickey’s voice you hear on the message line.

“Dickey’s has and always will be a family-owned operation, because bar-becue is in our DNA,” says Laura Rea Dickey, a third-generation member of the family business. “We’re proud to say our family has grown substantially over the years and that through our expansion we’ve maintained the same quality and community values that gave us our start in 1941.”

Self-described as a “fast casual chain,” Dickey’s more than 500 locations can be found in 40 states and serves up beef brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis-style ribs, sausage links, smoked turkey and more. Sides include slaw, jalapeño beans, mac and cheese and, horrors, Caesar salad.

Dickey’s certified masters hickory smoke its meats on-site everyday up to 14 hours and make its own proprietary rubs and sauces.

» BEST BARBECUE



Bacon, eggs, potatoes and toast may still be a cornerstones of American breakfast, but they only go so far. And as our tastes change, a whole new menu of options is emerging.

So, how about macadamia nut, ba-nana pancakes with a specialty coco-nut sauce? How about Hawaiian loco moco, Korean kalbi ribs, Japanese fried rice omelettes or crepes?

These are just some of the offer-ings at the Stacks Pancake Houses and from the mind and kitchen of founder Nixon Tanuwidjaja, and his wife Ovita, who have turned their restaurants into go-to destinations for hungry Orange County breakfast fans.

Born and raised in Jakarta, Indo-nesia, Tanuwidjaja was raised amid a melting pot of influences that inform his cooking style.

He came to the United States and started working at Japanese restaurants while in college. He and

Ovita traveled to Hawaii and found a shared passion for Island breakfasts.

The Tanuwidjajas returned to California and in 2010 set up their first Stacks in Dana Point.

The outsized success of the first Stacks led to expansion into Newport Beach, Irvine and Mission Viejo. Nixon Tanuwidjaja also co-founded Plumeria by Stacks Pancake House in Laguna Niguel and the brand new Aloha Stacks Island Kitchen in Mission Viejo.

The new eatery will feature the Stacks greatest hits along with “new Hawaiian comfort foods and Island-inspired mimosas,” Tanuwi-djaja said.

Also Hawaiian-style quiche with Spam, Portuguese sausage or Kahlua pork and baked goods infused with “an island touch of ‘POG’ pineapple, orange and guava,” Tanuwidjaja said.

— Greg Mellen

KEN STEINHARDT, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A waitress delivers an order of strawberry pancakes at Stacks Pancake House, voted best breakfast in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Glee Donuts & BurgersAnaheim, Fountain Valley; gleednb.com

1. Stacks Pancake HouseMultiple locations; stackspancakehouse.com

3. Snooze, an A.M. EateryTustin, Orange; snoozeeatery.com

It never hurts to ask. That was one of the first lessons Shawn Cao learned after opening his first Glee Donuts and Burgers.

“We had all our servers ask customers to recommend us,” Cao recalls. “The power of word of mouth is incredible.”

The word is definitely out. Cao said it is not unusual for guests from far-flung locations to drop in on the recommendation of a friend.

Glee is a family operation, with aunts and cousins working as man-agers and servers. And the homey feeling is a part of the appeal, he says.

“We greet people by name,” Cao said.The restaurant’s popular and

signature breakfast burritos contain all fresh ingredients, from the tortilla and salsa which are made daily. And the hash browns are always crispy.

The rest of the innards? Almost anything goes. The restaurant has 16 iterations of burritos with stuffings ranging from bacon to soft shell crab. And if you want to suggest your own variation, they’re game.

Local residents are definitely not going to sleep on Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, the breakfast place with a social conscience. Founded in 2006 in Colorado, the eatery was built around concepts of community and sustain-ability, And, oh yeah, good food.

Although headquartered out of state, the company takes its good neighbor role seriously, donating ser-vices, goods and profits locally. It also composts, recycles and uses resources responsibly.

The menu changes seasonally and customers are encouraged to create their favorite combinations because, as they say, “This is your breakfast and lunch experience.”

If you need a little help there are plenty of suggestions, like six kinds of Benedict creations, plus scrambles, pot pies, omelettes, hash and more.

And of course, pancakes, topped with peaches, pineapples, blueberries or other seasonal fruits, plus choco-late chips, peanut butter cups, etc. Or you can go with a Pancake Flight, and choose three toppings.

» BEST BREAKFAST



Keeping to a simple (burgers, fries and shakes) and proven method has helped keep In-N-Out Burger as the most popular hamburger stop in Orange County yet again. Any locals who doubt that need only drive by any location at almost any hour and see the lines of cars stacked up in the drive-through lanes.

With two dozen locations through-out O.C., long gone are the days when one had to drive long distances and compete with cultish devotees waiting to show your cool quotient by ordering a Neapolitan shake and Whole Grilled Onion burger off the “secret menu,” because, duh, everyone knows about Animal Style. Actually, when you think about it,

except for distances, not much has changed.

The company has received kudos for its employee-centered personnel policies, such as good pay, flexible scheduling and free food. But it’s still about the meal.

The chain also gains high marks for maintaining control of the freshness and consistency of the food, due in part that the company has held off from franchising its operations or going public.

In-N-Out prides itself on using 100 percent USDA ground chuck, fresh, hand-cut potatoes and fresh baked buns. And each item is cooked fresh to order.

— Greg Mellen


The Double-Double, fries and a drink at In-N-Out. In-N-Out Burger was voted the top burger place in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. The Cut Handcrafted Burgers3831 Alton Pkwy., Suite C, Irvine; 949-333-3434; thecuthcb.com

1. In-N-Out BurgerMultiple locations; 800-786-1000; in-n-out.com

3. The Habit Burger GrillMultiple locations; habitburger.com

If you doubt the quality of his burg-ers, Steve Kim, one of the founding owners of The Cut, says you should see his food preparation bills.

“From day one at the food truck, quality and freshness were our tra-dition,” said Kim, who helped launch the business from a truck in 2014.

After the success of the truck, Kim, Andres Dangond and Alex Rubalcava took the dive and started a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Irvine.

The concept is simple — “signature handcrafted burgers made with all-natural, certified humane and free-range meats that are hormone- and antibiotic-free.”

There are numerous burger choices highlighted by an 8-ounce 60-day dry aged prime Angus ribeye patty, with two-year aged white cheddar on a black and white sesame potato bun.

While many burger joints may cut corners to maintain profiits, Kim says at The Cut standards are maintained.

“One thing I don’t do is sacrifice the food,” he said.

Orange County residents are developing a habit with The Habit Burger Grill. And you don’t have to be a nun to check it out.

Although quietly founded in 1969 in Santa Barbara, in recent years Habits have been popping up around Orange County, including two recent openings in Westminster and Anaheim.

What elevates The Habit? Simplic-ity, fresh ingredients and doing a few things really well. Do we sense a trend?

The Charburger and Double Char-burger have been the signatures of the restaurant since it opened. Portabella mushrooms, avocados, and teriyaki have been added into the mix.

Also popular, because man does not live by burgers alone, are the sand-wiches — tuna filet, chicken club and avocado and veggie — plus salads.

At the end of the day, however, even as the menu grows and the restaurant flourishes, it remains all about the basics: a really good burger and a side of fries.

» BEST BURGER



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We’re honored.

©2019 In-N-Out Burgers

Since 1948, we’ve been committed to making

great-tasting, made-to-order burgers, fries,

and shakes for our guests. It’s all part of our

dedication to quality, freshness, and service.

Thanks for thinking so highly of us.

We look forward to serving you again.

For location information,call us at (800) 786-1000or visit us at In-N-Out.com


The Beachwood Brewing empire, which includes Beachwood BBQ brewpub and the Blendery in Long Beach and a tap room and brewing facility in Huntington Beach, has racked up plenty of awards and acco-lades from the industry.

But don’t expect Julian Shrago, brewmaster and co-owner, and his team to rest on those medals from the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival — he always has a persistent question.

“Is this as good as the last batch?”“We’re never really satisfied with

what we’ve done,” he said.Beachwood’s Huntington Beach

facility and tasting room has 16 taps. While the Seal Beach location doesn’t brew beer on-site, it does offer Beach-wood’s brews (as well as some other craft favorites) and barbecue in the full-service restaurant.

And the brewery has recently expanded its presence in Orange County with an outpost at shipping

container-turned-food-hall Steelcraft in Garden Grove.

Beachwood’s core beer lineup in-cludes West Coast IPAs Amalgamator and Citraholic, the brewery’s most popular beers, but it also started brewing Hayabusa, a Japanese-style lager, year-round as of February. And 28 Haze Later, a hazy IPA, has also become part of the brewery’s core lineup.

But at any given time there are 30-40 Beachwood beers on the market with recurring favorites and plenty of experiments.

“We think of flavor first so we’re always really focused on what flavors do we really want in the beer,” Shrago said.

The experimental beers keep things interesting for the brewing staff.

“When you have creative autonomy as a business, it’s really an amazing device for energizing everybody,” Shrago said.

— Vanessa Franko

SAM GANGWER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A flight of beers from Beachwood Brewing, which has a brewery and tap room in Huntington Beach, a restaurant in Seal Beach and a forthcoming beer spot at Steelcraft in Garden Grove. Beachwood was voted best craft brewery.

2. Golden Road Brewing2210 E. Orangewood Ave., Anaheim; 714-912-4015; goldenroad.la

1. Beachwood Brewing7631 Woodwind Drive, Huntington Beach; 714-375-0949; beachwoodbrewing.com

3. BJ’s Restaurant and BrewhouseMultiple locations; bjsrestaurants.com

Since it expanded to include a full-service restaurant and beer gar-den in late 2017, the Anaheim location of the Southern California brewery has become a local favorite.

Across the street from the home of the Halos, the brewpub is often bustling before and after Angels home games.

“There’s so much energy at this loca-tion,” Brewmaster Victor Novak said.

The beer garden features 20 taps and there are another 40 inside. The loca-tion will expand the beer garden with another 20 taps and more bathrooms as well as open space for kids and dogs by the end of the year, Novak said.

On the beer front, some of Golden Road’s more boutique offerings are crafted at this location.

The location is also the site of the Brewsday Tuesday beers, where once a month, a Golden Road employee comes down to brew a new beer. Some of those experiments have stuck around, too, including the sour Mid-night Jam and black IPA Iron Wolf.

The first BJ’s opened in Santa Ana in the late 1970s as a Chicago-style pizzeria, but it first started brewing in 1996 in Brea.

Now BJ’s has brewing facilities in five states, including one in West Covina, and more than 200 restaurant locations in 27 states as of December 2018, and 10 of those are in Orange County.

BJ’s has 11 signature beers on its menu: Brewhouse Blonde, Jeremiah Red, Lightswitch Lager, Nutty Brew-nette, Tatonka Stout, Hopstorm IPA Harvest Hefeweizen, Piranha Pale Ale, Committed Double IPA, Oasis Amber and PM Porter. There is also the Berry Burst Cider.

The core lineup and experimental beers have received accolades over the years, too. In 2018, the Brea brewery took home the silver in a Flanders-style red or brown ale for Oud Jeremiah at the North American Beer awards.

BJ’s has also been releasing a new seasonal beer every month in 2019 and regularly has pairing dinners.

» BEST CRAFT BREWERY



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If you thought a chocolate glazed doughnut and a creamy cappucci-no was a diet-busting treat in the morning, you haven’t been to Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee in Costa Mesa.

Made in small batches with sea-sonal ingredients in a posh, modern setting, the gourmet concoctions made here will make your diet swoon.

Varieties include salted, malted chocolate chip cookie dough, maple bacon, the signature huckleberry, but-ter and salt, Saigon cinnamon, triple chocolate and basil eggs Benedict in a malasada doughnut.

There are vegan and gluten-free options, too. Stumptown coffee keeps the java nerds happy. And depending on the season, you’ll find monthly doughnut offerings such as straw-

berries and cream (winter berries) or Bûche de Noël (a chocolate and pistachio concoction at Christmas).

Sidecar got its start in 2012 as founders Sumter and Chi-Lin Pen-dergrast and chef Brooke Desprez launched a mission to use a “from the earth” approach. The relatively new Instagram universe took photograph-ic note, and before long, Sidecar’s luscious menu had lines forming at the modest strip mall on 17th Street. The business has since expanded to Santa Monica and Del Mar.

Their unique approach to dough-nuts means no delivery, no catering and no large orders (over five dozen). The doughnuts are made in limited batches daily, fried in palm oil.

— Karen Levin

BRAD A. JOHNSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The huckleberry donut (bottom) is one of the favorites that sells out at Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee in Costa Mesa, voted best doughnut shop.

2. Glee Donuts & BurgersAnaheim, Fountain Valley; gleednb.com

1. Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee270 E. 17th St. #18, Costa Mesa; 949-873-5424; sidecardoughnuts.com/costa-mesa

3. The Donuttery17420 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach; 714-847-7000; thedonutteryhb.com

Does a doughnut make you gleeful? We thought so.

Glee Donuts & Burgers, a family owned joint with locations in Ana-heim and Fountain Valley, dared to take two American favorites and put them under one roof. You can indulge your beef craving and top it off with a sumptuously filled doughnut.

Fans love the soft, yeasty dough-nuts made on site. Get there too late and you might miss out on the fresh blueberry, or strawberries and custard, Nutella, and mermaid (yes, mermaids with tails!) varieties. For the daring calorie-buster, there’s the Cronut, a croissant-doughnut mash-up filled with jam and topped with a lip-smacking glaze.

It’s a toss-up what customers like best here, probably because it’s a gastronomical catch-all for stacked burgers, including a version with fried soft-shell crab. Then there are the overstuffed breakfast burritos.

For Disneyland fans, the shop even offers a Dole Whip knockoff. Loyalists might be happy they don’t have to fight the resort crowds to get their fro-zen-pineapple drink fix.

A vegan, custard-filled malasada would probably have Hawaiians turn-ing up their noses, but in Southern California, cream that doesn’t come from a cow is, for many, a good thing.

The Donuttery in Surf City is known for offering more than just one vegan doughnut, by the way. Most days there are almost a dozen varieties to choose from. Oh, and there’s gluten-free, too. Something for every doughnut lover out there.

The fancy titles will have you drooling before you get the box in the car: Red velvet with cream cheese, salted caramel, tiger tail, créme brûlée and bacon maple bar (definitely not vegan!).

Tips from fans: Don’t let the morn-ing line scare you off. It moves fast.

And for all you late-nighters, the Donuttery is open 24 hours a day.

» BEST DOUGHNUT SHOP



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Ruby’s Diner was voted the top family-friendly restaurant as part of the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Stonefire GrillFountain Valley, Irvine; stonefiregrill.com

Launched in 2000 by sisters Mary and Maureen Harrigan, Stonefire Grill is a fast-casual dining establishment that appeals to busy professionals, large groups and families on the go. In addition to comfort foods, the menu also features items for people following a strict vegan diet.

According to Stonefire’s Justin Lopez, the most popular mouth-wa-tering food includes mesquite-grilled entrees (tri-tip, chicken, baby back ribs) cooked slowly overnight and finished to order over a live mes-quite fire with Stonefire signature BBQ sauce; whole-roasted cauliflow-er topped with extra virgin olive oil, salt fresh lemon and tahini; freshly-baked carrot cake and the Superfood Fiesta Bowl. The 16 mar-ket-fresh salads on offer are made from scratch using family recipes.

“We strive to create an atmosphere where every guest feels welcome and we invite them to make themselves at home,” Lopez says. “Being happy to serve here at Stonefire is a culture and way of life that separates us from others.”

» BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

1. Ruby’s DinerMultiple locations; rubys.com

3. Mimi’s Bistro + BakeryMultiple locations; mimiscafe.com

The first Mimi’s Cafe opened in 1978 on Euclid Street in Anaheim, seeking to bring French flavors to the world of casual diners with dishes such as pain perdu (French toast). Over the years the Mimi’s chain expanded to 81 loca-tions and in 2004 the chain filed for an initial public offering. Bob Evans Farms, which included a chain of fam-ily restaurants and a sausage manu-facturer, then bought the Mimi’s chain but the combination wasn’t a winning one and Bob Evans sold Mimi’s for a substantial loss in 2013.

Now owned by LeDuff America, a Dallas company that operates bakeries and cafes throughout North America including Bruegger’s Bagels, Mimi’s has been trying to recover its mojo. In July the chain rebranded itself as Mimi’s Bistro + Bakery, a move that Philippe Jean, chief operating officer of LeDuff, said “strengthens our con-nection with France.”

Since founder Doug Cavanaugh opened the original location on Newport Beach’s Balboa Pier in 1982, Ruby’s Diner has been all about ’40s nostalgia and comfort food. Cava-naugh named the restaurant after his mother and its logo featured a waitress balancing a tray of food — an image based on Ruby Cavanaugh’s high school cheerleading photo.

The restaurant chain’s claim to fame is its signature burgers, shakes and fries, but there are also salads, sandwiches, seasonal fare (such as the Aloha Burger with grilled pineapple and teriyaki sauce) and the Beyond Burger among the many menu items. All-day breakfast items such as Cinnamon Roll French Toast and Corned Beef Hash help set Ruby’s apart from competitors.

According to Tad Belshe, executive vice president of operations at Ruby’s Diner, the top seller is the Ruby’s Classic Cheeseburger, with the Hickory Burger, Super Burger and Double Chocolate Chip Shake among go-to purchases for regulars.

Ruby’s Diner currently has 28 locations in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona with 14 of those in Orange County. Those include the original spot on Balboa Pier, plus Huntington Beach Pier, South Coast Plaza and John Wayne Airport.

Some people may not know that Ruby’s has online ordering and food delivery. Belshe noted that most locations serve beer and wine and select ones have full-service cocktails and draft beer, too.

— George A. Paul



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Sushi World is a consistent providerof great quality sushi at affordableprices in Orange County. A true hiddengem, their friendly and talented sushichefs are willing to cater to all of yoursushi needs, whether it be a variety ofthe freshest sushi prepared to yourliking or even a custom sushi roll withyour preferred ingredients. The entireSushi World team is always readyto serve you.

Sushi World specializes inaffordable omakase options,sushi combos, sushi rolls,hand rolls, and a large varietyof lunch options. In addition,Sushi World also features theabsolute best sushi HappyHour. Happy Hour is all dayon Mondays and Tuesdaysand on all other weekdaysfrom 2pm until 5pm.


Launched in Fullerton during the mid-2000s, Yogurtland offers self-serve frozen yogurt in handcrafted authentic and creative flavors. Pull a lever to get strawberry yogurt and you’ll taste the seeds too. Patrons can make suggestions about what they crave, and the company will take them into consideration as it intro-duces new flavors monthly. Different locations can choose from more than 250 and tailor them to what each community finds popular.

Log onto the website, search for the flavor finder, type in your home zip code (or where you plan to be) and determine whether the nearest shop offers Rocket Pop Sorbet, Birthday Cupcake Batter, Cold Brew Coffee Frappe, Horchata, Pear Tart or dozens of other delights. They can be topped

with different sauces, candies, fresh fruits (this writer is partial to kiwi slices for a Vitamin C boost alongside the decadence) and more.

Yogurtland spokesperson Barbara Caruso cited a regional example from earlier this year, when the company collaborated with Knott’s Berry Farm for a boysenberry pie frozen yogurt. “It was a big hit. The flavor coincided with their Boysen-berry Festival.”

Nondairy, no sugar added, glu-ten-free, lite and regular ice cream choices are available to suit different dietary needs. Waffle cones were just introduced, as was Drinkable Creations, “a new beverage platform that allows guests to stop and enjoy drinks on the go.”

— George A. Paul

NICK AGRO, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Yogurtland has soft-serve chocolate and vanilla ice cream in addition to its tra-ditional yogurt offerings. Yogurtland was voted the top ice cream/frozen yogurt shop in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Baskin-RobbinsMultiple locations; baskinrobbins.com

1. YogurtlandMultiple locations; yogurt-land.com

3. Afters Ice CreamMultiple locations; aftersicecream.com

The granddaddy among national ice cream chains began in the 1940s after two brothers-in-law, Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins, opened their own stores in Pasadena and Glendale and com-bined their resources. Starting with 31 flavors (for each day of the month), there are now more than 1,300.

Encouraging a fun discovery experi-ence, guests are offered a pink spoon to sample flavors before purchase. Baskin-Robbins continually finds new ways to stay relevant. Case in point: a recent partnership with Netflix for a “Stranger Things”-inspired menu fea-turing specialty sundaes, flavors and merchandise before the third season premiere.

Michele Sabala, marketing manager at parent company Dunkin’ Brands, said the rotating specialty flavor of the month allows guests to have a fresh experience throughout the year. Add-ing to the regular slate of ice cream and cakes are Ice Cream Novelties, a new format of frozen treats (in select-ed locations), including Polar “Pizza” slices, chocolate-dipped bananas, ice cream bars and hand-dipped waffle cones.

With the slogan “less talk, more ice cream,” Afters is a hip, newer player on the handcrafted ice cream land-scape that tends to attract younger customers. Started five years ago in Fountain Valley, it specializes in unique flavors like French Toast Churro, Vietnamese Coffee (because, as the website puts it: “black coffee is boring”), Almond Cookie, Milk and Cereal, Cookie Monster, Jasmine Milk Tea and more.

The company has also made social media waves with its Milky Bun — a glazed bun with ice cream stuffed in between. A frequent presence at local music festivals, Afters debuted a vegan version of the bun last year at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio. The boutique-style shops sell swag with different slogans (all are apparently sold out online though).

» BEST FROZEN YOGURT / ICE CREAM



A place that offers a cocktail called Olives Pear in Love and War auto-matically gets points for creativity, and Social Costa Mesa earns high marks in that regard. It’s a small but bustling place with open seating and chic interior décor that draws a lively, young crowd in Costa Mesa’s boom-ing downtown area.

Known for its inventive cocktails (along with extensive, new American menu), Social Costa Mesa employs smart, talented mixologists that ap-proach their work as a craft, not a job. Their commitment to perfecting in-fused blends using house-made syrups, cordials and bitters is evident through-out the bespoke cocktails menu.

The aforementioned Olives Pear in Love and War features St. George vodka, pear syrup, pear-infused olive juice, lemon juice and orange bitters. The interesting-sounding PB&J is a combination of salted nut-infused

whiskey, Mikael Antolin creme de cassis, Giffard strawberry liqueur and peanut butter foam. For those who need a little caffeine with their libations, Coffee’s for Closers offers a blend of Woodford Reserve, Thunder-king Nitro Cold Brew, salted vanilla and coffee bean tincture.

And for the curiously adventurous, the Disco Inferno (served in a mini mirror ball, of course) is a surprise concoction in which Social bartend-ers simply ask “Trust us.”

Five years after launching the first Social, the brand’s second concept opened this summer as Social Hun-tington Beach on Beach Boulevard, about half a mile up from Huntington City Beach and Pacific Coast Highway.

Happy hour is 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays-Saturdays and 4-clos-ing (10 p.m.) on Wednesdays and Sundays (closed on Mondays).

— Kathie Bozanich

CINDY YAMANAKA, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Social Costa Mesa was voted the top happy hour/cocktail bar in the 26th annu-al Best of Orange County awards.

2. The Cellar305 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton; 714-525-5682; cellardining.com

1. Social Costa Mesa512 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa; 949-642-2425; socialcostamesa.com

3. El ToritoMultiple locations; eltorito.com

There’s something to be said about going underground, literally, and discovering a place that serves up unique cocktails under dim lights amid stone walls. The Cellar, in the basement of the historic Villa del Sol building, offers a popular imbibing experience that is the opposite of pitchers of beer on a sun-drenched oceanfront patio.

Yes, you might find a flower or a fig floating atop your drink, but these are mere hints at an infused cocktail program that highlights creativity, inspiration and experimentation. Consider the Spanish Armada, a blend of pineapple, Madeira, lemon, Irish whiskey and a dash of smoke. Or you might choose the Cellar Old Fashioned, built on its private, single-barrel George Dickel nine-year whiskey with brown sugar, chocolate, fig and cinnamon bitters.

A seasonal menu includes such offerings as the Message in a Bottle (sandalwood, pineapple, lemon, green chartreuse and American gin) and the Summer Abroad (passion fruit, lemon, peach, orange, matcha and Cognac).

At El Torito, happy hour is a volume business. What the Mexican restaurant chain might lack in hipster charm it makes up for in the sheer variety of specially priced offerings. Beer, margaritas, mojitos, tequila shots and well and call drinks, along with several appetizers, are all $4, $6 or $8 during happy hour, which starts in the cantina daily at 3 p.m. (except at the Dana Point location, which skips it on Saturdays and Sundays).

There are now nine El Torito locations in Orange County: in Westminster, Cypress, Orange, Anaheim, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Laguna Hills and Dana Point.

El Torito, or “little bull,” has been part of the California landscape for decades, and its cantinas remain popular gathering spots for friends to gather over margaritas and nachos. Its founder, Larry J. Cano, who died in 2014, is credited with being at the forefront in helping to make Mexican food mainstream in the U.S.

» BEST HAPPY HOUR / COCKTAIL BAR



The Peppino’s name is hardly random. It’s what owner Joe Mos-catiello’s mother used to call him as a child. The New York state native has always worked in restaurants and opened the first Peppino’s 35 years ago in Lake Forest. At one point, he ran eight of them locally.

A reputation for authentic reci-pes passed down from Moscatiello’s Italian parents and a welcoming atmosphere are part of what keeps people coming back to the popular restaurant chain. “You’re gonna get full value and when you leave, you’re gonna feel full, satisfied and very happy,” he said. “We want everyone to feel like they walked out of a friend’s home.

“We have so many regulars that

know me and my dad and are looking for that (familiarity). It’s part of the draw.”

Beyond savory dishes like ravioli, calzone and lasagna (which Mos-catiello called “hearty and meaty”), seafood is also a popular item on the large Peppino’s menu. “We do a lot of fresh salads with fish and chicken.” They sell plenty of antipasto with high end cold cuts from Boar’s Head rarely found in regular restaurants.

Two years ago, the adjoining Joe’s Place bar at Lake Forest was expand-ed so that it and the dining room are now around the same size. Patrons can watch a game, hang out during the daylong Happy Hour and eat off the regular menu.

— George A. Paul

SHELBY WOLFE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Peppino’s Italian Family Restaurant was voted the top Italian restaurant in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. Fratellino’s by Cesar Lomel600 S. Brea Blvd., Brea; 714-255-9100, fratellinos.com

1. Peppino’s Italian Family RestaurantFoothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo; peppinosonline.com

3. Roma D’Italia611 El Camino Real, Tustin; 714-544-0273, romaditalia.com

Walk into Fratellino’s and you’ll find a distinct ambience that almost feels like being in Italy. After relocating from Fullerton to the bigger Brea loca-tion in 2010, owner Cesar Lomeli rep-licated a gorgeous aquatic mural. “You don’t want the memories to die when you move a restaurant; you want to feel like they’re still there,” he said.

Fratellino’s often serves people who ate at the old establishment while growing up and return for their chil-dren’s birthday parties and gather-ings. It is also popular among the 30+ crowd. Lomeli said the restaurant’s stellar reputation for special recipes and as a longstanding family tradition extends to Europe.

Regulars tend to gravitate toward various combination plates and espe-cially the chicken marsala, which is “creamier than people are used to” and can’t be found anywhere else. Dinner is the busiest period, with 40% com-prised of takeout orders. Additionally, Fratellino’s does community fundrais-ers and events for local schools.

A local mainstay for nearly 60 years, Roma D’Italia continues to be run by the Corea family whose patriarch Dominic was a perfectionist when it came to the comfort food his wife Nina used to make, going so far as to measure the lasagna servings.

“We honor their memory by pro-viding high quality food with fresh ingredients made with love — just like they used to do, explained daughter Teresa Corea-Golka. “We are about making your stomach happy without a lot of pomp and circumstance. Every guest who walks through our door is the reason for our success.”

The restaurant — remodeled in 2011 — still uses cherished recipes from when it opened in the ’60s, with sauces, bread and pizza dough made from scratch. Besides classic Italian dishes, the pepperoni bread and casseroles are perennial favorites. In recent years, there has been an uptick in seafood entrée orders (ciopinno, scampi) among newer customers.

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For more than 50 years, fami-ly-owned Avila’s El Ranchito restau-rants have been a — OK maybe THE — mainstay among Orange County residents looking for Mexican food.

Although the family lost Margarita Avila, 93, the matriarch and co-found-er of the restaurant earlier this year, the fare has remained the same and the recipe for Mama’s homemade soup is in good hands.

Established in 1966 by Salvador and Margarita Avila in Huntington Park, the popular chain now has 13 locations, 12 in Orange County, each owned and operated by a family member.

The menus may vary slightly at each independently owned restau-

rant, but you can expect platters and combos with burritos, carnitas, tacos, chicken enchiladas, fajitas and Mama Avila’s soup. Also there are margaritas and Taco Tuesdays pack ’em in.

Using the recipes that had been in his wife’s family for generations, Salvador Avila launched the first restaurant, “a bit of a taco shop,” said Maribel Avila, in Huntington Park with five picnic tables and help from the entire family.

Today, El Ranchitos can be found in prime downtown locales, with indoor seating, but they still maintain the tradition and consistency that keeps packing in the local clientele.

— Greg Mellen


Server Castulo Perez shows off some of the dishes at Avila’s El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant in Santa Ana, voted best Mexican restaurant.

2. Moreno’s Restaurant4328 E. Chapman Ave., Orange; 714-639-2181; morenosrestaurant.com

1. Avila’s El RanchitoMultiple locations; avilaselranchito.com

3. Javier’sNewport Beach, Irvine; javiers-cantina.com

When Javier and Nora Moreno looked to opened their restaurant in the 1970s, they wanted to re-create the feel of Old Mexico in downtown Orange.

“That was my father’s vision of out-door patio dining,” said Paul Moreno, one of three Moreno children who run the restaurant since their parents retired.

The Morenos found an 1880s Quaker church building. The patio has been transformed into a bucolic time-cap-sule with a fountain and plants that Javier Moreno still lovingly tends.

The Old Mexico vibe may attract customers, but a menu of “secret-ly-guarded” family recipe dishes brings them back. Platillos such as Moreno’s Creation — chorizos enchi-ladas — molé con pollo, combo plates and Sunday brunch and fresh baked bread suit just about any palate.

“We have multi-generation clients whose kids and grandkids come back,” said Paul Moreno. “And it’s been going on for nearly 50 years.”

A high-end menu and dining expe-rience and a tequila selection Register restaurant critic Brad A. Johnson described as “encyclopedic” help land Javier’s on the list.

But Javier Sosa Jr. credits the success for the flagship Javier’s in Newport Beach, plus five more that have sprout-ed from Los Cabos to Irvine, to the clientele.

“Our loyal customers, who have been with us since 1995, are like family,” he said. “Without them we’re nobody.”

For seafood lovers there’s the Cabo Azul trio, a Maine lobster enchilada in creamy pasilla chile sauce with a dungeness crab-filled poblano chile and shrimp taco. Meat lovers can try any of the aged USDA Prime Angus beef dishes.

Founder Javier Sosa Sr. worked his way up from a dishwasher to patri-arch of a budding dining dynasty.

And Sosa Jr. plans to keep it that way.“We always want to use the best of

the best,” he said. “Our diners under-stand that we don’t skimp on anything.”

» BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT



4328 E. Chapman Ave.Orange, CA 92869

(714) 639-2181

www.morenosrestaurant.comFollow us on

Established in 1969 and family owned tothis day, Moreno’s is the best Mexicanrestaurant for lunch, dinner, or take out.

Our historic location started as a129-year-old Quaker church,painstakingly restored and remodeled byHarvey and Eleanor Moreno in 1976.Enjoy our fine Mexican food out on abeautiful patio or in the private dininghall, capable of fitting 150 guests for yournext special event. Our onsite Panaderiabakes traditional Mexican bread daily,selling the best authentic Mexicanpastries in Orange County.

Come celebrate with us and enjoy thefood and hospitality of early California!

Monday-Thursday: 11am-8:30pmFriday & Saturday: 11am-9:30pm

Sunday: 9am-8pm

Restaurant Hours

Celebrating our 50th Anniversary!



Signature pizzas at Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza, on the Plaza in Old Towne Orange.

1. Blaze PizzaMultiple locations; blazepizza.com

2. Tony’s Little Italy1808 N. Placentia Ave., Unit B, Placentia; 714-528-2159; tonyslittleitaly.com

Founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel, with celebrity investor LeBron James as a franchise owner, Blaze Pizza has become THE place for build-your-own pizzas cooked to order in three minutes.

Cashing in on the artisanal craze, Blaze has scorched the pizza scene with 18 Orange County restaurants and more than 300 nationally. Plans are in the works to expand to 500 franchises, enter the takeout market and have an initial public offering within two years.

The Wetzels, who created Wetzel’s Pretzels, realized the power and the dough in dough as a delivery system for all kinds of flavors. The simple pretzels now come in multiple flavors and combinations in malls across

America. If Wolfgang Puck could put an egg and caviar on a crust and call it cuisine, why not bring something a little more cost-effective to the masses?

Although egg and caviar toppings are not yet available, Blaze pizzas let you go as creative or conservative as you like. There are four kinds of crusts and four sauces, and more than 40 toppings, including eight different cheeses and seven finishes or glazes. All at one price. They are assembled while you wait, think Chipotle or Subway style, and “Fast Fire’d” in a 700-800-degree oven. The pizza shops also have fresh salads and desserts.

Blaze Pizza currently has 18 loca-tions in Orange County.

— Greg Mellen

Owned by Palermo-born Tony Man-zella, Tony’s Little Italy serves old world pizza with an old world attitude.

The Manzella family opened shop in 1978 and it’s still going strong. The piz-zeria seems to favor all things Chicago, from deep dish pizza to the Cubs, Bulls and Da Bears.

While much of the pizza-eating public has turned to more exotic and artisanal fare, Tony’s hangs on with the old favor-ites, with lots of cheese and sauce.

Pizzas are made fresh to order with homemade crust either thin crust or deep dish. Hint, the latter is their spe-cialty. Toppings are, again, old school with the usual suspects and nothing exotic, depending on your opinion of where Canadian bacon and pineapple place on the exotic scale.

The menu also includes a variety of spaghetti dishes, lasagna, ravioli, manicotti, pizza bread with cheese and Buffalo wings.

» BEST PIZZA

3. California Pizza KitchenMultiple locations; www.cpk.com

Nearly 35 years ago, attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax opened the first California Pizza Kitchen in Beverly Hills. The restaurant became a hit with then-unconventional offerings such as its Original BBQ Chicken Pizza along with Thai and Jamaican Jerk varieties.

The chain has grown to more than 200 locations, with more than a dozen in Orange County, with outlets at Honda Center and John Wayne Airport. It also began selling frozen pizza in stores under the slogan “California In Your Kitchen.”

Last year, California Pizza Kitchen tapped into the gluten-free movement by offering cauliflower crust to complement its various vegetarian and vegan options. In June the chain announced a more “vegetable-forward” approach, including a meat--free take on its Original BBQ Chicken Pizza made with heirloom carrots. It also serves Sticky Asian Cauliflower and Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower as alternatives to chicken.



As you go underground into The Cellar at the historic Villa del Sol building, you leave behind Fuller-ton’s vibrant downtown and come upon a scene that’s a mix of Old Europe, Disney Imagineering and well-appointed cave.

The unique European fine-dining establishment was the brainchild of those who worked on Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and you can see its influences in the stone walls, wood panels and ceilings and old-world style décor (like a cask that could have been rolled over straight from a pirate’s lair).

It’s the lighting, or lack thereof, that is also like the ride and helps provide the romance. With no daylight to help it along, the Cellar relies mainly on chandeliers, wall sconces, flickering candles and two fireplaces to set the scene. White tablecloths and red and black plush seating also make dining here more of an event.

As for the food itself, it’s described as “a lighter version of classical French cuisine.” For you and your loved one, there’s the classic chateau-briand for two, filet mignon served with black garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables with truffle slices. Other choices include other cuts of beef, duck l’orange and var-ious fish dishes. The lobster bisque draws raves, and the lavender and orange crème brûlée sounds definitely worth sharing for dessert.

For drinks and cocktails, the Cellar has an impressive wine list, or you and your date can throw caution to the wind and have one of the bar’s skilled mixologists surprise with the Cuff, a daily new cocktail of their choice. Or, if you are a more daring couple, you can opt for the Play With Fire, a mix of habanero, lime, peach, blanco tequila and, fittingly, passion fruit.

— Kathie Bozanich


The Cellar in Fullerton was voted the top romantic restaurant in the 26th annu-al Best of Orange County awards.

2. Summit House Restaurant2000 E. Bastanchury Road, Fullerton; 714-671-4111; summithouse.com

1. The Cellar305 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton; 714-525-5682; cellardining.com

3. Orange Hill6410 E. Chapman Ave., Orange; 714-997-2910; theorangehillrestaurant.com

As you would expect with a name like Summit House, this restaurant is situated atop a hillside and takes full advantage of it. The surround-ing parklands and sweeping city and mountain views are integrated into the romantic dining experience, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows.

With the property styled as an English country manor and surround-ed by gardens and outdoor paths, that vibe continues inside with cozy fireplaces, stone wall accents, floral upholstery and white tablecloths.

The Stock Yards of Chicago prime rib is a dinner menu standout, and served with creamed corn au gratin, creamed spinach and Yorkshire pudding.

Adding to the air of romance is Summit House’s popularity as a spot for weddings, with an outdoor amphi-theater and gazebo for the ceremony and Summit House Ballroom for the reception. The surroundings and views make for photo-ready moments.

Orange Hill, with its tagline “Prime steaks and primo views,” again makes this list. It’s a romantic scene-set-ter driving up the winding road to Orange Hill and being met with waterfalls and koi ponds on the large property. And the anticipated reward of an expansive view of the cities below is delivered, as miles of civiliza-tion to the coast stretch out below.

There is seating on the patio, under twinkling lights, with fire pits and space heaters to keep you warm at night, or in the dining room with its high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The O Bar lounge offers curved seating, chandeliers and down lighting (and of course, still the views) that is great for a couple to hang out in after their meal.

Orange Hill plays host to weddings and rehearsal dinners, as well as oth-er special occasions. And if you want your romantic night to include fire-works (the literal kind), you can time your visit with Disneyland’s show.

» BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT



If you don’t try the raw bar at King’s Fish House, you’ll miss out on what others have discovered about the 3.5 to 4 million oysters bought by the restaurant chain annually.

At anytime there are 10 varieties from the Eastern and Western shores hand-picked for the restaurant and constantly changing.

Scouring for Silver Fox Oysters? You may find them at King’s.

Part of what helps King’s stand alone is that it has cut out the mid-dleman with its own distribution service.

“That gives us incredible control of freshness,” said Heath Bumgardner, vice president of operations.

Bumgardner said two things that most affect fresh fish quality are handling and time. Since both those are in-house, “I think it gives us a

pretty big up.”Whether it’s tracking the best rivers

for wild caught salmon depending on time of season, or buying up a haul of white sea bass from a San Pedro fisherman, King’s is looking for the best product.

Founded by cousins Sam and the late Ray King, the Fish House is part of a growing multi-concept group that, curiously enough, began with the 555 East American Steakhouse in Long Beach.

The company has launched 11 fish houses in three states, five Water Grill restaurants and other steak and seafood spots in between Los Angeles and San Diego.

The menu includes sushi, grilled seafood and seasonal dishes, shellfish and sandwiches.

— Greg Mellen

NANCY LUNA, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

King’s Fish House was voted the top seafood restaurant in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. The Black Marlin560 El Camino Real, Tustin; 714-929-7427; blackmarlin restaurant.com

1. King’s Fish HouseHuntington Beach, Laguna Hills and Orange; kingsfishhouse.com

3. Harbor Grill34499 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point; 949-240-1416; harborgrill.com

Located on the premises of the historic Tustin Garage, founded in 1915, the Black Marlin is working on building its own legacy for fine food and entertainment.

According to its self-description the Marlin “features American seafood, steaks and pastas that are infused with a contemporary regional twist.” The restaurant serves brunch, lunch and dinners and has gluten-free menus for each.

There is a large and ever-changing menu of seafood and land-lubber fare with weekly specials. Entrée favorites include two kinds of fish and chips, halibut or cod, a rare ahi with a sesame seed crust, trout, sea bass, swordfish and shellfish.

Steaks are 28-day dry-aged black Angus, with béarnaise, peppercorn, mushroom demi-glace or red wine reduction sauce on request.

There is a full bar with hand-crafted drinks, happy hour and music three times a week, plus Sunday matinees.

Keegan Hicks has been integral to the family business since 1984 when he and parents John and Wanda founded Harbor Grill in the Dana Point Marina.

In an era when chains dominate the food scene, it takes something special for a small family restaurant to crack the rankings.

“I think our hospitality is second to none,” said Hicks, managing partner since his parents retired. “The owner will meet you at the door.”

Serving lunch, dinner and Sunday champagne breakfast, The Harbor Grill offers more than a dozen globally influenced seafood specials by Execu-tive Chef Angel Fabian, who has been with the restaurant since 1986.

There are also lobster, soups, shellfish appetizers, gumbo and even a ribeye steak, if you must. The restaurant also features a three-course prix-fix menu.

“There are so many fruits of the sea,” Hicks said, “It’s nice to have a lot of options.”

» BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT



MONDAY

$1 Oysters All Day Long

Table-Side Magic @ 6pm

TUESDAY

$5 Tito's Vodka All Day Long

WEDNESDAY

50% Off Select Bottles Of Wine

$7 Buffalo Trace & 25% Off Whiskey Flights

THURSDAY

Live Jazz Music @ 7pm

FRIDAY

Chef's Fresh Catch & Live Music @ 7:30pm

SATURDAY

Brunch 8am - 2pm & Live Music @ 8pm

SUNDAY

Brunch 8am - 2pm & Live Music @ 2pm

Sunday Night Prime Rib Dinner Special

WeeklyHappenings

Thank You

Orange County

For Voting Us

Best Seafood

Restaurant 6

Years In A Row!

560 EL CAMINO REAL I TUSTIN I 92780WWW.BLACKMARLINRESTAURANT.COM

714.929.7427

#ReelGoodFood


When customers go to an up-per-end steakhouse, they expect a good piece of beef. But Mastro’s Steakhouse in Costa Mesa says it’s about something more.

“Our culture is based around creating guests for life,” said Gregory Hamman, regional vice president for Mastro’s. “We make sure each and every guest receives the experience they came for and then some.”

Of course, at a steakhouse it’s still about the cuts, and Mastro’s has you covered there with 16 choices of hand-cut steaks from the 8-ounce petit fillet to the 48-ounce double-cut porterhouse.

And if seafood catches your eye, there are nine choices from lobster

to tuna.Add in appetizers such as a build-

your-own seafood tower and caviar, top-shelf wines and liquor, and deca-dent warm butter cake, and you have a real meal.

Since being acquired by Landry’s Inc., Mastro’s has grown into a popular chain with the well-heeled crowd, with 10 high-end steakhouses and four fish restaurants nationally. There is often live music, and Mas-tro’s is popular for private events and weddings.

As Hammann says, “It’s not one thing, but everything that make Mastro’s such a special brand, and a one-of-a-kind dining destination.”

— Greg Mellen

COURTESY OF MASTRO’S STEAKHOUSE

Bone-in ribeye is just one of the steak offerings on the Mastro’s Steakhouse menu. The restaurant was voted best steakhouse in the annual readers’ survey.

2. The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon1025 E. Ball Road, Anaheim; 714-817-4200; theranch.com

1. Mastro’s Steakhouse633 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa; 714-546-7405; mastrosrestaurants.com

3. Morton’s The SteakhouseAnaheim and Santa Ana; mortons.com

Just the name, The Ranch, evokes a kind of a quintessential Western aesthetic. And although the Ranch has a lively saloon in which to shake your boots, the devotion to finding the best cuts perennially places The Ranch in “best of” lists for steaks.

Michael Rossi, executive chef, searches for the perfect complements for entrees. So your Angus prime rib comes with white cheddar scalloped potatoes, the 28-day dry aged New York Delmonico is paired with duck-fat wedge fries, and you can have lob-ster mac ’n’ cheese with your 50-ounce Aspen Ridge New York Strip. The 58-ounce Cowboy Ribeye, remains the No. 1 plate and gut buster.

According to Heather Heleloa, marketing manager, Rossi’s search for perfect steaks have taken him as far as Tasmania to check out the prized antibiotic-, hormone- and GMO-free, grass-fed Japanese Wagyu beef.

There is also organic chicken, grass-fed lamb and sustainable sea bass.

Since its founding in in Chicago in 1978, Morton’s The Steakhouse has had a three-fold vision: “Quality. Consistency. Genuine Hospitality.” More than 40 years later, in the wake of expansion to 78 steakhouses nationally and acquisition by Landry’s Inc., that’s still a tenet.

Two Orange County locations maintain that standard, serving only USDA Prime meats. According to the company, “Less than 2 percent of the nation’s beef supply earns the designa-tion of “Prime” beef. Our Prime Beef at Morton’s is aged for 23-28 days and is custom-cut per Morton’s specification, by a network of experienced meat cut-ters, which assures the highest quality.”

The Morton’s menu features nine steak choices, a dozen poultry and fish dishes and three mixed grills. Custom-ers can also choose from 16 sides, 12 appetizers and seven soups and salads.

Each of the Orange County Morton’s has certified sommeliers to guide wine-meal pairings.

» BEST STEAKHOUSE



El Torito, founded in Encino in 1954 by the late Larry Cano, is credited with pioneering full-service Mexican restaurant concepts and popularizing margaritas.

It also was a pioneer in the brunch boom, starting to serve the popular weekend buffet meal back in the ’80s. Today brunch accounts for 20 percent of the chain’s business.

So, what’s the brunch buzz all about?

Easy. Where else can you get made-to-order omelets, a waffle and seafood stations, taco bar, menudo, fresh handmade tortillas, fruit and salads and desserts, including a Bananas Foster bar in Anaheim?

“The vision is when you go to Mexico, in the hotels you’ll find someone serving shrimp or making tacos, with breakfast on one side and lunch, too,” said Hector Silva, senior director of operations, in a recent interview with the Orange County Register. “We have hot foods, and we rotate different dishes. There’s an omelet bar, salad bar, extensive dessert display, seafood, soups, taco station and salsa bar, and waffles — we have everything.”

Oh, yeah, and bottomless mimosas.Maybe Yelp reviewer Jocelynn G. of

Santa Ana said it best, “Brunch here is bomb.”

— Greg Mellen

PHOTO BY ED CRISOSTOMO

Daniel Espinosa, regional director for El Torito, prepares banana loca during a Sunday brunch at one of the chain’s restaurants earlier this year.

2. The Cut Handcrafted Burgers3831 Alton Parkway, Suite C, Irvine; 949-333-3434; thecuthcb.com

1. El ToritoMultiple locations; eltorito.com

3. Taps Fish House & BreweryBrea, Irvine, Tustin; tapsfishhouse.com

Although The Cut Handcrafted Burgers made its bones as a food truck with top-rate burgers, and has since been twice recognized in Best of OC in the burger category at its brick-and-mortar restaurant, who knew it would also crack the list two years running for its brunch?

Turns out the sensibilities of the trio of Steve Kim, Andres Dangond, executive chef, and Alex Rubalcava, chef, go beyond ground beef. The Cut endeavors to “stay true to our core values and identity,” said co-founder Kim, executive manager.

The brunch menu is based on the philosophy of “chef-driven, handcraft-ed, fresh from scratch.”

Dishes include tres leches French toast with sautéed bananas, bacon and maple syrup and shareable poutine with braised brisket, smoked mozzarella and a chimichurri sauce. And of course there are the award-winning burgers.

When you label your Sunday brunch buffet an “extravaganza,” that’s a high bar. But the popular Taps Fish House & Brewery seems to be living up to the boast with readers in Orange County. This is borne out by the fact that reservations are recommended.

Taps invites you to “start your feast with chilled seafood on ice — from plump shrimp to the freshest oysters on the half shell.”

Diners will find plenty to choose from. There are pancakes and waffles made to order with all manner of top-pings. Also there is a carving station.

You can also find fresh baked bread and breakfast pastries, smoked salm-on and an array of cheeses and fruit.

Dessert includes the New Orleans classic Bananas Foster made to order and a chocolate fountain.

Of course a place named Taps wouldn’t be complete without a massive selection of handcrafted, award-winning ales and lagers.

» BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH



Yama Sushi prides itself on never using basic ingredients. Rather, it is known for using the freshest and highest-quality ingredients available. Diners are known to come into the sushi restaurant for not only the food but the environment and ambiance. Yama Sushi is known for its beautiful location right on the scenic Lake Mis-sion Viejo. There are no run-of-the-mill chefs at Yama Sushi, only highly trained Japanese chefs that deliver prime sushi rolls every night.

Another thing that is great about Yama Sushi is its prices. Even without happy hour prices the cost of their food is exceptional given the prime ingredients. If customers want a bit of a discount with their sushi, they are welcome to come to Sushi Tues-days where sushi is 40 to 50 percent

off the regular price. Sushi Tuesday became a customer favorite night in 2008 when the promotion was started and has maintained a steady crowd coming through the doors since then.

Customers can choose to eat their food in a variety of ways, too. Choose between Omakase style, in which the chef chooses the selections while cus-tomers watch their items being made, or a prix fixe five-course meal. Beyond sushi, the menu includes filet mignon, Hibachi ribeye beer and Kalbi (beef short rib). There also are “surf and turf” options, with filet mignon and sushi or ribeye with sashimi.

Eating at Yama Sushi truly offers an amazing dining experience with a beautiful environment.


SAM GANGWER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Tuna Tower is a popular dish at Yama Sushi & Grill in Mission Viejo.

2. Full Moon SushiCosta Mesa, Fountain Valley, Tustin; fullmoonsushi.jimdo.com

1. Yama Sushi27782 Vista Del Lago C-22, Mission Viejo; 949-716-9262; yamasushionthelake.com/sushi

3. RA Sushi2401 Park Ave., Tustin; 714-566-1700; rasushi.com

After opening its first location in Fountain Valley in 2001, Full Moon Sushi became a very popular spot for sushi lovers to enjoy their favorite delicacies. Since then, the restaurant expanded and opened a location in Costa Mesa in 2007 and another in Tustin in 2009.

Known for its great service along with serving delicious food at an excep-tional price, Full Moon Sushi remains one of the most popular sushi spots in Orange County.

Beyond the usual fare of sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, udon noodles and tempura, Full Moon Sushi also offers its own creation.

One of these is the Fullmoon Roll, a deep-fried roll containing tuna, salm-on, white fish, shrimp, avocado, crab and smelt served with poke sauce.

At Full Moon Sushi, the staff says it is always happy hour because the prices are said to be some of the best in Orange County.

The family environment brings their guests back for more time and time again.

RA Sushi in Tustin is known for its specialty rolls and a menu, boasting everything from filet mignon to mango lobster rolls, but it also has some of the best happy hour times around as well. Everyday, RA Sushi offers happy hour deals 3-7 p.m., and 10 p.m. to closing Mondays-Saturday, plus 3 p.m. to closing on Sunday.

Beyond its Tustin restaurant, RA Sushi also offers delivery from a location in Anaheim. Outside Orange County, it has restaurants in Chino Hills and Corona and a concession at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, as well as eateries in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada and Texas.

RA Sushi stays open late compared to many other sushi restaurants in Orange County as it is open until midnight on most nights. The vibe at RA Sushi is also unique, with DJs performing on the weekends. RA Sushi is the place to grab a unique roll, at a great price, with entertainment included.

» BEST SUSHI


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HOME & GARDEN

BOC_Home_2019.jm.indd 101 8/23/19 6:47 PM

» CHAPTER 1 HOME & GARDEN


Finding or remodeling a home to make it into your own personal retreat is no small feat. With communities to check out and home improve-ment products, furniture, appliances, landscap-ing and garden supplies and other necessities to purchase, our personal spaces require a lot of running about.

Even if you aren’t in the market, it’s worth-while to visit some of the new home communi-

ties to spot trends and get inspiration if you are planning a project.

And what are the 2019 trends?Two words: technology and sustainability.The number of residences with smart

home technology — such as video doorbells, automated thermostats, controlled lighting and cameras and other safety features — is growing by leaps and bounds, and “home-building is one of the great frontiers of this trend,” said Linda Peak, director of digital marketing for Brookfield Residential. “As more devices continue to integrate ‘the internet of things’ and even artificial intelli-gence, one’s residence will be home base for new technology.”

Brookfield Residential is the builder at the Delano at Irvine’s Eastwood Village, one of the top vote-getters in the new home community category. The townhome com-munity of Delano was the first in the nation to offer Apple’s smart home technology as a standard feature when it began selling units a couple of years ago. Through the Apple Home app, residents can control HomeKit-enabled accessories including lighting, thermostats, locks and Wi-Fi.

In the Highmark neighborhood of Lake Forest’s IronRidge, the top vote-getter in the best new home community category, the KB Smart Home System done in partnership with Google will be offered as a standard feature. Homeowners will be able to control features such as a Nest video doorbell, lighting, window shades, cameras and more. You can see how it works at the Highmark model home.

Even Best Buy, the top vote-getter in the best appliance store category, is dedicating a lot more of its sales floor space to smart home products.

The second big trend is the increased interest in and use of sustainable, eco-friendly products and a general awareness of acting in an environmentally friendly manner when it comes to your home and garden.

For new home and remodeling projects, this might mean following LEED (Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design) for Home guidelines, a green building certification system. It takes into account improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency, water efficiency and other goals.

To improve indoor air quality, home improvement stores can help you find nontoxic paints and flooring specialists can point the way to low-emission materials. Heating and air conditioning professionals can advise on best practices, as can fireplace specialists.

Energy efficiency is becoming more of a priority when it comes to home projects such as installing solar panels, new windows or window coverings. Smart home technol-ogy can also help by automating thermostats and light

usage. The government-backed EnergyStar label on appliances, light bulbs and other products show they have been independent-ly certified to be more energy efficient.

For interior water efficiency, look for the WaterSense label from the Environmental Protection Agency on low-flow showerheads and toilets and flow-limiting faucets. The EnergyStar label on new appliances also provides guidance on water usage.

Outdoors in the garden and yard, smart irrigation timers and drip irrigation help save water. More people are removing their lawns and replacing them with more climate-friendly options, especially because of a generous rebate offer by the Metropolitan Water District.

Your outdoor spaces can do more for the environment than just use less water. Roger’s Gardens, one of the top vote-getters

in the garden center/nursery category, puts it this way on its website: “Southern California gardeners are also increasingly embracing the concept of their gardens as habitat. More and more often, gardeners are concerned about conserving resources, wanting to grow their own food, and structuring their outdoor spaces to be healthy, pesticide-free and organic.”

And here’s a last tip about a new one-stop shop when it comes to home and garden furnishings and décor to save you some time while out and about. At Home, a new-to-California home décor superstore, is now open in Foothill Ranch. It is almost overwhelmingly large but very well-organized. To provide just a peek into its selection, it has full aisles devoted to different themed outdoor décor products such as farmhouse, beach, Asian-inspired and bright tropicals. A wall of seat cushions in every imaginable color, furniture pieces, lots of storage and organization choices, wall art and more are packed into the 85,000-square-foot space. It’s unlike anything seen before here.

Retreating into sustainability and technology

K A T H I E B O Z A N I C Hby

“As more devices continue to

integrate ‘the internet of things’ and even artificial intelligence, one’s residence will be

home base for new technology.”



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Lifestyle· Variety of floor plans including studios,

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2. 3400 Avenue of the Arts3400 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa; 657-245-4176; live3400.com/

Newport Bluffs offers resort-style living in a private, gated community near the coast in Newport Beach’s Bonita Canyon.

Each apartment home and town-home at Newport Bluffs has a patio or balcony with an arroyo, mountain or courtyard view and an in-home washer and dryer. Some of the units have direct access to a private garage, a key selling point in an apartment community. Stainless steel appliances, hardwood-style flooring and gas fire-places are also available in some units.

Newport Bluffs is made up of three, Italian-style villages — Loggia, Residencia and Rivoli. Loggia has the most floor plans at 14, ranging from one bedroom, one bath at 698 square feet to a two-bedroom, two-bath townhome at 1,193 square feet. Listed monthly rents start at $2,445. Residencia has nine floor plans, from a studio at 549 square feet to

a three-bedroom, two-bath place at 1,336 square feet. The studio’s listed starting rent is about $2,050 and the three-bedroom starts at $3,670. At Rivoli, townhomes with eight different floor plans range from two bedrooms and two baths at 1,103 square feet to three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths at 1,395 square feet. The rents start at about $3,485 at the lower end and $4,180 at the high end.

The three pools feature tiered sundecks and private cabanas, and there’s a fitness center and movement studio and two lighted tennis courts. The clubhouse has a catering kitchen and courtyard gathering area for residents who want to hold events, and several fireplace, barbecue and seating areas are spread throughout the property. A private wine room rounds out the amenities.

– Kathie Bozanich

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE IRVINE COMPANY

Newport Bluffs Apartment Homes was voted the top apartment community.

1. Newport Bluffs100 Vilaggio, Newport Beach; 833-485-8132; irvinecompanyapartments.com

3. Los Alisos at Mission Viejo28601 Los Alisos Blvd., Mission Viejo, 949-393-5991; udr.com

The 3400 Avenue of the Arts apart-ment community features spacious apartments with high ceilings, grounds with waterfalls, fountains and koi ponds with fire features, and amenities such as two free-form, saltwater pools.

Monthly rents start around $2,040 for a studio, $2,120 for a one-bedroom, one-bath apartment and $2,461 for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. Apartment size goes from a low of 530 square feet for a studio to 1,460 for a two-bedroom, two-bath place.

Residents cite the amenities as a key attraction. These include a barbecue lounge by the pool that has two stain-less steel grills, food warmers, refriger-ators and sinks. A 15,000-square-foot fitness center boasts a large rock-climb-ing wall and fitness classes exclusive to residents. The movie room offers surround sound and theater-style tiered seating, and there’s a game room with billiards and other activities.

The modernly designed Los Alisos at Mission Viejo, near the 241 toll road between El Toro Road and Los Alisos Boulevard, draws working profession-als and others seeking nicely styled apartments with in-unit washers and dryers and controlled access set in an amenity-filled community.

Los Alisos offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 568 to 1,251 square feet. One-bedroom apartments start at about $1,820 a month, two bedrooms at $2,200 and three bedrooms at $2,965; information on studio rents was unavailable.

There are two swimming pools, four outdoor lounge areas with fireplaces and six barbecue areas. The 24-hour fit-ness center includes a yoga room, and complimentary spin and yoga classes are offered to residents. A resident clubroom, entertainment lounge and media lounge with a 70-inch television each can be reserved by residents for private parties.

» BEST APARTMENT COMMUNITY



A legion of help at Best Buy can ease the task of appliance shopping.

If you’re unsure where to start, an in-home consultation is a possible first step. This service features “a highly trained whole-home expert” who can help identify appliance options that match your preferences, according to Best Buy’s website. The adviser can further assist by taking measurements, discussing Energy Star appliances, supplying a plan for your space, and more.

Best Buy, which has several loca-tions in Orange County, also supports shopping savvy via appliance-centric online resources. Shoppers can access buying guides for dishwashers and microwaves, and view how-to videos for measuring for appliances, among other topics.

For sweeping culinary pizazz, Best

Buy offers brand-specific packages of matching kitchen appliances, as well as budget-friendly bundles and built-in appliance packages.

Replacing appliances can bring up the question of what to do with old products. For appliance recycling needs, Best Buy stores accept stick vacuums, fans, robot vacuums and up-right/canister vacuums — up to a daily limit of three items per household. For certain larger appliances, haul-away services are available.

In June, Best Buy announced it would “help consumers reduce emissions by 20 percent and save $5 billion on utility costs by 2030 by putting greater emphasis on Energy Star electronics, appliances and other energy-saving devices,” according to a press release.

– Kiali Orlowski


Best Buy’s online resources and in-home consultation are among the reasons for its popularity with voters who chose it as best appliance store.

2. SearsMultiple locations; 800-697-3277; sears.com

1. Best BuyMultiple locations; 888-237-8289; bestbuy.com

3. Howard’s Appliance TV & MattressMultiple locations; 844-469-2737; howards.com

Sears appliances address different corners of the home, and the super-latives are eyecatching. Shoppers can scope out options like the “roomiest fridges” with expanded space and the “hottest ranges” featuring added BTUs.

In April, Sears was in the spotlight for receiving 2019 Energy Star Partner of the Year awards in three top cate-gories for the second consecutive year, according to a Sears press release.

Sears, which has been an Energy Star partner since 1998, completed various initiatives in 2018. For instance, from January to September 2018, Sears “responsibly disposed of more than 168,000” appliances, according to a press release. “These efforts resulted in avoided greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 600 metric tons CO2 equivalent and total energy savings of an estimated 1 billion kWh.”

A 2018 press release said Sears was the first company to win Energy Star Partner of the Year awards for the Re-tailer, Energy Management and Brand Owner categories.

Employees at Howard’s Appliance TV & Mattress also have another title: owners. Howard’s features an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), accord-ing to the company’s website, and “is proud to be 100% employee owned.”

The company’s beginnings date to 1946. Today, Howard’s network of stores spans 12 locations, four of which are in Orange County. There are stores in La Habra, Westminster (near Huntington Beach), Irvine and Laguna Hills.

Appliances at Howard’s can fulfill various interests, from an electric double-oven built-in set to wine coolers to stainless steel trash compactors. The company also carries washers, dryers and outdoor refrigerators, among other appliances.

Howard’s appliance services extend to builders, designers and similar trade members. The company’s builder/trade program offers participation in subcon-tractor meetings, flexible delivery and installation, as well as other services.

» BEST APPLIANCE STORE



2. Bockman’s1008 N. Tustin Ave., Anaheim; 714-630-4455; bockmaninteriors.com

The right skills and experience can open doors. For Jamie and Cash Cockerill, that meant establishing A New View Windows & Doors in 2001, after another window and door company where Cash had been working went out of business.

“He had been in the industry and seen how it worked,” said Jamie Cockerill, a former teacher, about her husband. “And we just decided to start our own.”

Today, A New View Windows & Doors operates with a team of about 20 employees, Cockerill said. The team delivers end-to-end support for customers, from the employees who attend to sales and customer service to the staff members who provide on-site installation of customers’ orders.

Shoppers can get an up-close look

at a range of new window coverings in the company’s 5,000-square-foot showroom in Anaheim. Displays include shutters, honeycomb shades, roller shades, Roman shades and faux wood blinds, Cockerill said. What about the riddle of hard-to-reach windows? Remote-controlled, motorized shutters and shades are available.

The beauty of window coverings is not just about style. “Shutters, and the window shades also, can help with energy efficiency,” Cockerill said.

Other products at A New View Windows & Doors include entry doors, folding doors, multi-slide doors, windows and interior doors. Customers also can turn to the company for siding and garage doors.

– Kiali Orlowski

NICK AGRO, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

A New View Windows & Doors in Anaheim was voted the top blind/shutter store in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards survey.

1. A New View Windows & Doors3445 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim; 714-953-7663; anewviewwindows.com

3. American Blinds844-202-0792; americanblinds.com

Variety is as apparent as longevity at Bockman’s, which opened in 1967. The company’s services include cus-tom blinds, shades and shutters, and customers who want to achieve a fully personalized look for their window coverings can consult with Bockman’s about custom drapery and valances, according to its website. Tailor-made Roman shades also are available in a range of fabrics and styles.

While the windows are being fully stylized, it might be time to focus on some other decor projects. Bockman’s offers custom furniture, bedding and upholstery services. To peruse style and fabric choices for furniture upholstery, customers can simply bring photos of their furniture and any other helpful items to the showroom, according to the company’s website. However, cush-ions and dining seats merit bringing along the physical pieces.

The Anaheim business also carries products such as fabrics, trims, foam and pillow inserts.

As an online-only supplier of window treatments, American Blinds demon-strates the power of customer educa-tion. The Houston-based company’s online resources serve to demystify the process of buying blinds, shutters and other window products.

One online guide takes the reader on a tour of window treatments, including blinds, roller shades, shutters, cellular shades, and more. For a tactile bonus, customers can order a pack of free swatches. In addition, employees are available via phone to help with design decisions and other questions.

Another online guide gives step-by-step measurement instructions for specific window treatments. When installation day arrives, American Blinds has instructions for that as well. Customers who prefer to bring in a pro can use American Blinds’ online search tool to find professional blind installers.

American Blinds offers free shipping in the contiguous U.S., with a couple of exceptions, according to the company’s website.

» BEST BLIND / SHUTTER STORE



Irvine frequently makes it near the top of national “best of” lists in categories such as public safety, park facilities and the quality of its schools. This year the personal finance site wallethub.com evaluated a number of criteria in naming Irvine one of the top three cities in America to raise a family.

The city ranked near the very top of the list for health and safety, education and child care and socioeconomics. Its only downside was affordability, a factor that pushed Overland Park, Kansas, into the No. 1 spot.

“You can’t find a better place to live,” said Mayor Christina Shea, who this year began her second stint as the city’s top elected official, after previ-ously serving in the post from 1996 to 2000.

Construction of what would be the

city of Irvine began in the 1960s on land owned by the Irvine Company and the city was incorporated in 1971. The master-planned city was built as a cluster of villages, which Shea said has enabled Irvine to preserve a neigh-borhood feel while its population has grown to more than 282,000, making it Orange County’s third-largest city.

The city has also expanded in terms of area to nearly 66 square miles, with a chunk of that added with the 2003 acquisition of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, which was transformed into the Orange County Great Park.

“I just tell people that the city of Irvine is the center of Orange County,” Shea said. “It’s the place to go and we just want people to visit and move here.”

– Jeffrey Miller


Visitors walk past the balloon at the Great Park in Irvine. Best of Orange County voters again selected Irvine as the best city in which to live.

2. Huntington Beachhuntingtonbeachca.gov

1. Irvinecityofirvine.org

3. Newport Beachnewportbeachca.gov

In the popular imagination, Huntington Beach is epitomized by the intersection of Main & PCH, where the downtown meets the pier, where the U.S. Open of Surfing draws throngs each summer and where beach cruisers and beach volleyball courts abound.

But over its nearly 27 square miles, Huntington Beach is far more than Surf City, with neighborhoods of all economic strata, some 5 miles or more from the ocean. Beach Boulevard, which bisects the city and runs north from the beach to the 405 Freeway, is a cornucopia of restaurants, car deal-erships and multi-story complexes.

But wherever they live, Hunting-ton Beach residents are never too far from miles of shoreline that stretch from Sunset Beach/Huntington Harbor to the Santa Ana River. The endless acreage of sand is connected by the Huntington Beach Bike Trail, a thoroughfare for riders, skaters and pedestrians that is wide open in the off-season but resembles the 405 during the height of summer.

Whenever Hollywood wants to depict Orange County to the rest of the world — think “The O.C.” or “Arrested Development” — it chooses Newport Beach, which often appears on screen as an enclave of multi-million dollar beachfront homes and beautiful people driving luxury cars.

As with many stereotypes there’s a kernel of truth in the TV version of Newport Beach. The city does include most of Orange County’s priciest zip codes. But there isn’t really just one Newport Beach.

The city is actually a patchwork of distinct communities — from the bus-tling Balboa Peninsula to the beautiful Back Bay, from the vacation rentals of West Newport to the stately homes on Harbor Isle.

What they all share is being a place to live in close proximity to great beaches (including iconic bodyboard-ing spot The Wedge), the West Coast’s largest recreational harbor, deluxe shopping, dining and movies at Fashion Island and an idyllic climate where the mercury has never hit 91.

» BEST CITY TO LIVE IN



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A New View Windows & Doors is true to its name, giving custom-ers the chance to peruse one new view after another at the company’s 5,000-square-foot showroom in Anaheim.

New displays include bi-folding doors and multi-slide doors, which have been popular choices, said Jamie Cockerill, owner and founder along with her husband, Cash.

The company’s portfolio of door and window products can provide one-stop convenience for customers, who might be shopping for entry doors, new windows, interior doors and garage doors.

The business also features an inter-active display that enables customers to scroll through the array of options for glass, so they can see what dif-

ferent types of glass would look like, Cockerill said.

For paint finishes, A New View Windows & Doors can match the paint color that a customer provides, or customers can select paint colors that are already offered, Cockerill said. The company also can fulfill cus-tom split-finish orders for customers who want to use one color for the exterior and a different color for the interior.

Replacing old windows and doors can net a few benefits, such as en-hanced curb appeal and reduction in outside noise coming in.

“The No. 1 thing would be energy efficiency,” Cockerill said. “Keep the house warmer in the winter and cool-er in the summer.”

– Kiali Orlowski


A New View Windows & Doors in Anaheim was voted the top door/window com-pany in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. American Vision Windows548 W. Katella Ave., Orange; 714-418-4966; americanvisionwindows.com

1. A New View Windows & Doors3445 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim; 714-953-7663; anewviewwindows.com

3. Metropolitan High Performance Windows940 E. Orangethorpe Ave., G, Anaheim; 800-995-8878; mhiwindows.com

When it comes to renewing windows and doors, the project might seem daunting, but ample research can make the vision easier to catch. American Vision Windows can assist in the quest for that knowledge.

The company’s Orange County showroom, located in Orange, pro-vides a preview of different styles and options. In tandem with this in-person experience, American Vision Windows’ website holds many more info-packed avenues, including profiles of window frame materials such as wood, fiber-glass and vinyl, as well as information about window operating styles. Tutori-als about types of doors, including an in-glass pet door to pair with a sliding door, also are accessible.

The company was founded 18 years ago by Bill and Kathleen Herren after they had less-than-stellar experiences when buying windows, according to its website.

New windows and doors can provide clear results, perhaps most noticeably in the pristine views from the outside and within. At Metropolitan High Performance Windows, transparency is also promised in the pricing.

The Anaheim-based company additionally emphasizes flexible appointment times and a no-pressure approach, according to its website. Window styles include slider windows, picture windows, awning windows and, for an idyllic space for plants, garden windows.

For patio doors, Metropolitan High Performance Windows offers designs such as bifold glass doors “to give your home an open-air feeling” and multi-slide doors, “perfect for entertaining because they blur the line between your indoor and outdoor spaces,” according to its website. French swing doors, sliding patio doors and pet doors also are available.

» BEST DOOR / WINDOW COMPANY



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In an on-demand shopping era, Living Spaces has become the go-to store for furniture delivered the same day. That instant gratification strategy has helped keep the store No. 1 among its many fans.

The company, based in La Mirada, brought a big-box approach to big furniture. Want a bed, ASAP? You can get it. How about a whole dining room set? It’s ready and on a truck that very day.

Customers can do some advance planning by shopping online first. The vast showroom space will help put the pieces in context. If a customer gets stuck in the design process, the company provides a handy checklist or 3D renderings to preview a new look.

There’s plenty of options for kids’

rooms, too, from trundle beds to bunks, desks and wall decor.

“The best part about going here is that the employees do not push you to buy anything,” says Paulina Lackey of Garden Grove. “I hate going into furniture stores where they follow your every move and heckle you to buy stuff. This is not the case at all here.”

Founded in 2003, the Southern California company has expanded throughout the Golden State and eastward to Arizona, Nevada and Texas.

Savvy shoppers might also want to check out the store’s outlets in La Mirada, Rancho Cucamonga and Van Nuys, where deep discounts can be found.

– Karen Levin


Living Spaces was the best furniture store in Best of Orange County voting.

2. Bockman’s1008 N Tustin Ave., Anaheim; 714-630-4455; bockmaninteriors.com

1. Living SpacesHuntington Beach, Irvine; livingspaces.com

3. Ashley Furniture HomeStoreMultiple locations; ashleyfurniture.com

Bockman’s is more than your run-of-the-mill furniture store. It’s a whole-house design store.

Even before the big-name chains hit the scene, this family-owned shop founded in 1967 has been a local go-to source for furniture, blinds, carpet and the latest in fabrics for the home.

Designers can help customers choose a new rug to suit an existing living room set. Or have aging chairs reup-holstered with modern fabric. Need a new bedroom set? Bockman’s has that covered, too. Blinds for a kitchen remodel? Check.

Jon Bockman, grandson of the founder, says customers feed the business with their glowing referrals. What makes that work? A staff that has worked together and knows its custom-ers, even from decades ago, he says. It’s not uncommon for a client to call with questions regarding repairs. The company is always happy to help make an item work again, such as replacing a pull to a custom blind or fixing fabric from Grandma’s favorite chair.

Quantity is the name of the game at Ashley Furniture HomeStores.

The showroom is meant to dazzle with thousands of choices from bed-room sets to dining and living room ensembles. The retailer offers all the latest in memory foam mattresses and modern sectional sofas.

The chain, with some 800 franchise and corporate stores nationwide, has become one of the largest furniture re-tailers in the country. Its ability to focus on niche markets like kids and teens has put it among the trend-setters in the industry, according to a report on the Global Children’s Furniture Market.

Customers can browse the extensive collections online or in the store before making choices for shipment home.

The retailer offers “white glove in-home delivery” on all merchandise within 50 miles of an Ashley showroom.

The service includes assembly, in-spection and after-purchase service.

» BEST FURNITURE STORE


THE BEST OF ORANGE COUNTY • SEPETEMBER 2019 • 113

Strolling through the aisles at Green Thumb Nursery’s Lake Forest store can feel like a welcome escape, one filled with emerald leaves and fragrant blooms. For large-scale projects, the store’s landscape design service can be a decisive go-ahead.

Shoppers who meet the purchase minimum for the program can sit down with one of two designers: One employee has more than 30 years of experience in professional landscape design, and the other has over 10 years’ experience, according to James Parr, Green Thumb Nursery’s online marketing manager.

After one of the experts has created a design based on the customer’s goals, it’s time to look at plant options, Parr said. The company does not offer installation but provides referrals for landscape installers.

Green Thumb Nursery’s Lake Forest store, which is on a property of 5-plus acres, features a vast inventory of plants. There are roses, fruit trees — including many citrus varieties, peaches and plums — indoor houseplants, a water-wise section, pollinator-friendly plants, and more, according to Parr. The dog-friendly store also carries more than 40 soil options, along with other items, including patio furniture sets, fountains and organic pest-control products.

Green Thumb Nursery operates with a total of 225 employees, 60 of whom are based at the Lake Forest location, according to Parr. The company was established in 1946 in Canoga Park and has grown to five locations in Southern California.

– Kiali Orlowski


Green Thumb Nursery in Lake Forest boasts a vast inventory of plants.

2. Armstrong Garden CentersMultiple locations; 626-914-1091; armstronggarden.com

1. Green Thumb Nursery23782 Bridger Road, Lake Forest; 949-837-3040; greenthumb.com

3. Roger’s Gardens2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar; 949-640-5800; rogersgardens.com

The expertise at Armstrong Garden Centers extends beyond the company’s several locations in Orange County. One service that has become more popular is Armstrong’s garden consultation service, according to Desiree Heimann, vice president of marketing at Arm-strong Garden Centers and Pike Nurs-eries, which is part of Armstrong.

“Whenever we have unusual weather, like all the rain we experienced this winter, gardens change, often leaving homeowners wondering what they need to do to keep their garden and lawn healthy,” she said.

A garden consultation brings an Armstrong expert on-site “to identify garden issues while answering all of the homeowner’s garden-related questions, including pruning tips and plant identi-fication,” Heimann said.

Armstrong Garden Centers’ menu of home services includes landscape de-sign and installation and artificial grass installation, according to its website.

Plants and inspiration are nurtured side by side at Roger’s Gardens, and participation is welcome.

Visitors can learn about spaces as varied as a culinary garden, a small-space patio garden and a modern gar-den, among other new display garden themes, said Nava Rezvan, director of marketing and public relations.

“Customers can see all the different styles that we have available and decide how they want to create that in their own garden,” Rezvan said. Even Fido can take part, as Roger’s Gardens is dog-friendly.

For extra gardening inspiration, there’s the annual California Friendly Garden Contest, which includes cash prizes and has been held for 11 years. The Roger’s Gardens contest usually starts in February and runs through June, Rezvan said.

Customers also can turn to the com-pany for its expertise, from the Roger’s Gardens Floral Studio to in-home con-sultations to landscaping services.

» BEST GARDEN CENTER / NURSERY



Landsea Homes’ corporate headquarters is located in Newport Beach, with additional offices located in Arizona, Boston, and New York City, as well as Irvine and San Ramon. A subsidiary of the international company Landsea Green Group, Landsea builds myriad homes that range from suburban single-family detached and attached homes to urban mid-rise and high-rise homes. In addition, the business has also taken steps to develop planned communities throughout the United States.

With a commitment to sustainability, Landsea utilizes a more eco-friendly approach to home building.

“It is the defining characteristic of our parent company, which pioneered the use of environmentally

conscious building materials and geothermal technology, high-performance windows, air and water filtration systems and other advancements that contribute to healthier and more enjoyable living,” the company’s website reads. “We have a deep respect for the shared environment of the communities we create, and it manifests itself in the meticulous thought we put into the balance of the inside and outside environments.”

Landsea Homes Sale Counselor offers financing services to assist homebuyers in finding the best loans possible. Through its pre-qualifying program, customers are able to connect with the company’s preferred lenders who are able to accommodate their needs and their budgets.

– Kenya Barrett

COURTESY OF LANDSEA HOMES

Earlier this year, Landsea Homes began sales for the Lido Villas project that offers townhomes ranging from 1,818 to 2,240 square feet of living space. Landsea Homes was voted best home builder in the 26th annual Best of Orange County awards.

2. LennarMultiple locations; lennar.com

1. Landsea Homes660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 300, Newport Beach; 949-345-8080; landseahomes.com

3. William Lyon HomesMultiple locations; lyonhomes.com

Currently the largest home construction and real estate company in the United States, Lennar’s roots trace back to Miami, Forida, in 1954. Today, the home builder operates as a conglomerate with a number of other home building companies that were acquired over Lennar’s 60-plus years in business.

“We build homes in some of the most desirable cities in the nation and for all stages of your life: first home, move-up home, or a multigenerational home to accommodate your changing family needs,” Lennar’s website reads. “Our communities cater to all lifestyles and include urban, suburban, active adult and golf course living.”

Lennar is the owner and developer of numerous up-and-coming communities throughout Orange County, including Central Park West in Irvine, Loma Vista Townhomes in Yorba Linda, and Levity at Tustin Legacy.

With office locations in Texas, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, as well as Northern and Southern California, it comes as no surprise that William Lyon Homes is one of the preferred options among residents of Orange County. What started as a family-owned company in 1954 by General William Lyon has manifested into a notable organization, recognized by more than six decades worth of dedication, leadership, and customer service.

“One thing that is important to us as a family and us as a company, is that we are building homes for people to live in and have their lives revolve around,” says executive chairman and chairman of the board, William H. Lyon.

Offering a variety of housing options including custom-built structures and planned communities, William Lyon continues to pride on customer approval and creating a sense of loyalty with home-buyers.

» BEST HOME BUILDER



The Home Depot is recognized as the world’s largest home improvement store with 2,290 locations, about 20 of which are in Orange County.

With such a presence around the globe, it comes as no surprise that this retailer maintains much activ-ity on social media. Reachable on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, The Home Depot creatively intertwines social media use into its marketing and home improve-ment strategies. Through Instagram, customers are able to shop for items through the platform’s marketplace feature just by scrolling through posts and viewing the objects featured in the posts.

Also exclusive to The Home Depot is their podcast, “Give Me an H,” which gives customers an inside look at how the company maintains its success and commitment to the com-munity. Each episode, available via

SoundCloud, is hosted by executives and/or associates of the company whose topics range from merchan-dising and product innovation to the evolution of sustainability. In addi-tion to the podcast and social media shopping, The Home Depot takes DIY videos to a whole other level through its YouTube page. Those lost on how they want to start their new vegetable garden or how to power up their new Sod Cutter can check out the answers to these questions and more.

For Orange County residents, nu-merous workshops are available on a weekly basis at a number of locations including Anaheim, Fullerton and Orange. While these sessions vary, customers have the option to get tips on remodeling a kitchen, installing new flooring, or even teaching kids a thing or two about gardening.

– Kenya Barrett

H. LORREN AU JR., CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

The Home Depot connects customers with product info and DIY tips through multiple social media platforms. It was voted best home improvement store.

2. Lowe’sMultiple locations; 1-800-445-6937; lowes.com

1. The Home DepotMultiple locations; 1-800-466-3337; homedepot.com 3. Ace Hardware

Multiple locations; acehardware.com

For another year, Lowe’s continues to be one of the preferred options among the residents of Orange County. With locations scattered as far north as Ana-heim and as far south as San Clemente, the home improvement store offers nothing short of its competitors — in fact, it may offer a bit more.

With origins that date back to the early 1920s, Lowe’s opened its first location in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Today, the company operates more than 2,000 locations and employs a workforce of well over 300,000. In addition to the standard retail of appliances, kitchen and bath-room items, and other home necessi-ties, the business also offers installa-tion services for those who don’t have a particular contractor in mind.

Perhaps what sets Lowe’s aside from similar stores are its apps — particu-larly, the Lowe’s TV app. Potentially the first of its kind, the hardware store gives its customers the opportu-nity to watch a variety of entertaining and informative video clips of home improvement related topics, such as “The Weekender,” produced exclu-sively by Lowe’s. All of their apps are available through the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Ace Hardware boasts a humble yet strong presence, with more than 15 of its 5,000-plus locations in Orange County.

A company that values commu-nity and the “personal touch,” Ace Hardware’s roots trace back to a small group of entrepreneurs in Chicago in 1924. Currently, the company contin-ues to be a cooperative owned and op-erated by small business owners who pride themselves on staying “local and loyal.” Like most, the business offers home improvement services, any and all household necessities, and even has a section dedicated to automotive, RVs and marine maintenance.

Committed to the community its stores serve, Ace Hardware maintains strong philanthropic ties to the Amer-ican Red Cross and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

» BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE



With more than 35 years of experience, Mr. Cabinet Care has successfully expanded over the years from a humble Santa Ana shop to a 24,000-square-foot factory in Ana-heim — in addition to a new location in San Diego. Offering services in nearly every major city in Orange County, the remodeling company aims to meet the needs of the locals.

“Satisfying over 19,000 clients, Mr. Cabinet Care has established itself as a dominant and innovative leader,” the company’s website reads.”Offering a unique menu of services to meet clients’ budgets, excellent craftsman-ship, and the best warranty in the industry, it’s no wonder why Mr. Cabinet Care has been voted the BEST Family Owned Kitchen Remodeling Company 12 times.”

Known for the quality of its con-

struction, Mr. Cabinet Care manufac-tures all of its products locally.

“From cabinet refacing and refin-ishing to countertop, tile, and lighting installation, our expert design consul-tants, top-notch certified installers, and in-house engineers have the experience and knowledge necessary to get any job completed in a manner that reflects our dedication to being the best in our industry,” says the company website.

In addition to maintaining high customer satisfaction rates, the company gives back to numerous local and charitable organizations such as the American Red Cross, CHOC Children’s, Toys for Tots, American Heart Association, Walk to Cure Diabetes, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

– Kenya Barrett

SAM GANGWER, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

An employee demonstrates sliding pantry drawer at Mr. Cabinet Care in Ana-heim, voted the best kitchen/bath remodeling specialist.

2. APlus Interior Design and Remodeling401 E. La Palma Anaheim; aplushomeimprovements.com; 949-458-2108, 714-458-2108

1. Mr. Cabinet Care4375 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim; mrcabinetcare.com; 714-961-1900

3. Sea Pointe Construction576 Wald, Irvine; seapointe.com; 949-861-3400

A family-owned business, APlus Interior Design and Remodeling has continued to win over Orange County residents since 2010. The company’s beginnings trace back to a garage where owner Abraham Tabrizi started off building cabinets with his son Alex. Two generations later, Alex grew the business to be one of the largest home remodeling companies in California.

As the company excelled over the years, the service list also expanded. Originally offering cabinets, APlus Interior Design and Remodeling now offers complete home renovations, design-build options, window and door reconstruction, drywall and electrical services and general contracting, in addition to creating custom cabinets.

The company additionally showcases several of its products including wood floors, windows and doors and coun-tertops, for customers to get necessary visuals.

Founded in 1986, Sea Pointe Con-struction initially offered kitchen and bathroom remodeling options. Today, the company provides an array of services which include whole home remodeling, outdoor living, room additions, and “aging in place” — a home improvement option for senior customers.

Praised for its design-build approach, Sea Pointe embraces all parts of the creation phase — from the initial design to the actual construction of the project, all under one contract. While this allows for a smooth flow during the remodeling process, it also adheres to the budget of the customer.

“Design, quality, cost and time are all determined simultaneously,” the company website reads. “This ensures that your budget is kept at a minimum, time to completion is reduced and you will have the peace of mind that your kitchen remodel is done to your exact specifications.”

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Buying a new mattress is one of the most vexing household problems.

Mattresses cost a lot of money and the choices are endless, to the point of confusion. Soft, pillow top or firm? Spring coil, memory foam or gel?

Custom Comfort Mattress gets high marks from its customers for its ability to make the best mattress for whatev-er need the buyer requires.

That’s right. The company makes each mattress right here in Orange County.

Got a bad back? There are lumbar settings to suit you. Those with a tight budget can find a good fit, too.

Customization is the unique quality for this family-owned business found-ed in 1988. Custom Comfort Mattress makes its mattresses using modern machines, traditional construction methods and natural materials such as cotton, wool and latex. Each bed takes 6-12 hours to make.

“We put our customers first,” the company says. Sales reps take a no-pressure approach while offering

free sleep consultations. It’s not just the bed, they say. The pillows matter almost as much.

Custom Comfort also specializes in the double-sided mattress, something that’s become more difficult to find as pillow-top mattresses emerged as the buyers’ favorite. Why? The single-sided mattress lasts only three prime years because you can’t flip it upside down, so it breaks down faster, the company says. A double-sided mattress has a lifespan of nearly 15 years.

And don’t fret. Custom doesn’t mean off-the-charts expensive. The compa-ny offers a budget mattress line that starts under $400. It offers adjustable beds, too, at affordable prices. Want more options? Try a massaging mat-tress or one with undermount lights. There are Bluetooth capabilities, too, to preset certain settings throughout the night.

Curious customers can also tour the mattress factory. Just call a shop to arrange a personal look-see.

– Karen Levin

COURTESY OF CUSTOM COMFORT MATTRESS

Custom Comfort Mattress was voted the best mattress store.

2. Sit ‘n SleepMultiple locations; sitnsleep.com

1. Custom Comfort MattressMultiple locations; customcomfortmattress.com

3. Sleep NumberMultiple locations; sleepnumber.com

You know the pitch, right? “Sit ’n Sleep will beat anyone’s advertised price or your mattress is freeeeee!”

That’s Larry Miller, the longstanding pitchman for the mattress chain. He’s also the CEO of the Gardena-based mattress retailer. Larry has a knack for getting people to swap out their old mattresses, warning that older beds “double their weight” thanks to millions of stowaway dust mites.

All that clever marketing has boosted Sit ’n Sleep to solid profitability. The Southern California mattress chain boasts several locations in Orange County and is expanding yearly.

Customers say they love the service and the variety of mattresses available at Sit ’n Sleep. The company uses a con-cept it calls “bedMATCH” technology in which customers lie down and the system calculates the right mattress for that person’s body.

The company says it has thousands of five-star mattressess to choose from. If you break in a new mattress for 30 nights and don’t feel satisfied, the 120-night sleep trial “has your back.”

Perhaps you sleep with a log of a spouse or a child that likes to kick you in the head around 3 a.m.

Sleep Number wants to take away all the nighttime woes by giving you a piece of the mattress all to yourself.

The concept is simple. The luxurious air mattress is divided at the head into two sections, allowing a user to control the pitch on his or her side. Users can also control the firmness and in some models the temperature in each zone.

The company’s 360 model takes it a step forward, using an “IQ” system that listens for snoring (and adjusts the sleeper upward). All the bed’s technolo-gy and how a user slept can be viewed using an app on a phone or tablet.

All that customization is costly, but the stores often run discounts and clearance on some models. Custom-ers in reviews rave about the process of finding just the right fit for their high-quality, elevating beds.

Sales reps are trained to know all the technology of these customizable mattresses.

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IronRidge is emerging in the foothills near Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Lake Forest’s Portola Hills area.

Six neighborhoods make up IronRidge: the two-story, single-family home communities of Sagebluff, Brookhaven and Highmark, the two-story, estate homes of Windstone and the three-story, townhome communities of Copperleaf and Silveroak. LandSea Homes is the developer on all the neighborhoods but Highmark, which is being developed by KB Home.

Prices range from the high $500,000s for the two- to three-bedroom townhomes in Silveroak that are 1,300 to 1,693 square feet to the mid-$1.1 millions for the five-bedroom estate homes in Windstone that are 3,272 to 3,814 square feet.

In the Highmark neighborhood, the KB Smart Home System will be offered as a standard feature in all of the homes through the homebuilder’s

partnership with Google. Powered by Google Home speakers with Google Assistant, the system will enable homeowners to control features such as a Nest video doorbell, lighting, window shades, cameras and more as well as automate routines to their own preferences. A look at how the system works is available to home shoppers touring the KB Smart Home at Highmark at Ironridge, 2042 Aliso Canyon Drive in Lake Forest.

The private, gated Ironridge community is flanked by nature trails. In the middle is the Ridge, an expansive recreation space featuring such shared amenities as a resort-inspired pool, splash pad, cabanas, picnic pavilion, sports fields and courts, playground and lawn area. Another community park is near the gated entrance, with another sports field, sand volleyball court, play lot, lawn area and large dog park.

– Kathie Bozanich


IronRidge gated community in Lake Forest is surrounded by nature trails and features an expansive recreation space, including sports fields and a large dog park. IronRidge was voted best new home community.

2. Rancho Mission Viejo1 Salubre St., Rancho Mission Viejo, 949-768-1882; ranchomissionviejo.com

1. IronRidge1401 Viejo Ridge Drive, Lake Forest, 949-316-5576; liveironridge.com

3. Eastwood Village, IrvineEncore and Jeffrey Road, Irvine, 844-263-6985; villagesofirvine.com

With the open space known as the Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo preserved, homebuilding continues on the remaining acreage that is the new community of Rancho Mission Viejo on land that once was part of the Rancho Santa Margarita Las Flores rancho.

Now under construction are the vil-lages of Esencia — about a mile up Cow Camp Road from the first developed village, Sendero — and Gavilan.

With 11 all-age neighborhoods in Esencia and seven in Gavilan for those ages 55 and older, homes are available at a variety of price points, sizes and styles. For example, in the Topaz com-munity of Esencia, the Topaz neigh-borhood offers three- to six-bedroom homes with 3,128 to 4,587 square feet in the $1.5 million range for move-up buy-ers seeking a lot of space. For first-time buyers and young couples, there are the two-story attached residences of Azure, which are one to three bedrooms, 707 to 1,519 square feet and range from $400,000 to $600,000.

The newest Irvine village of East-wood is made up of six neighborhoods — Marin, Calistoga, Delano, Avila Beverly and Morro — off Jeffrey Road between Irvine Boulevard and Portola Parkway. It’s an eclectic blend as each neighborhood has its own builder, five in all (Brookfield Residential is building two, Delano and Beverly).

The townhomes in Delano (starting at the mid-$900,000s) are at or nearly at selling out. Single-family homes in Marin (starting at about $1 million), Avila (starting in the low $1 millions), and Calistoga and Beverly (both start-ing in the mid-$1 millions) are now selling. Single-family homes in Morro, which also will start in the mid-$1 mil-lions, have yet to go on the market.

Grand Trellis Park stretches through much of the village, and there are other outdoor spaces that include sports fields and courts, picnic areas, a Junior Olympic pool and other amenities.

» BEST NEW HOME COMMUNITY


THE BEST OF ORANGE COUNTY • SEPTEMBER 2019 •121

At Roger’s Gardens, the products and services encompass more than outdoor furniture and potted plants. The 7-acre property supplies seeds of new ideas.

“Our customers come here to be inspired, to find unique products and connect with nature and with the community,” said Nava Rezvan, direc-tor of marketing and public relations. “We have an amazing visual merchan-dising team that creates beautiful displays, whether it’s in the gardens or in our gallery and garden rooms.”

Among three newly built pergolas on the property, visitors can step into one that has been designed as an outdoor living space, Rezvan said. Outdoor furniture ranges from upscale designer pieces, which are only sold in-store, to the private-label Roger’s Gardens Exclusive collection,

which is also available online.To decorate your patio and home

with a flourish, visit Roger’s Gardens during three major, annual events: a spring opening event, a Halloween boutique (opening at the end of August), and a Christmas boutique. At this year’s Halloween boutique, visitors can walk into a space that has been transformed into “Malice in Wonderland,” complete with handmade props and decor, Rezvan said.

For the Christmas boutique that opens Oct. 4, the Roger’s Gardens team goes even bigger, bringing in “about 20 Christmas trees with orna-ments and gifting items, decor items, silk wreaths and garlands,” Rezvan said. Fresh holiday greens become available in November.

– Kiali Orlowski


Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach was voted best outdoor furnishings store.

2. Pottery BarnBrea, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo; 888-779-5176; potterybarn.com

1. Roger’s Gardens2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar; 949-640-5800; rogersgardens.com

3. Backyard ExpressionsYorba Linda, Huntington Beach and Laguna Hills; 714-646-6596; backyardexpressionsoc.com

Style and function merge in Pottery Barn’s outdoor furniture. Lounge pieces such as sofas, sectionals and conversa-tion sets can transform an empty patio into a stylish oasis. And Pottery Barn’s dining furniture, from tidy bistro tables to generous dining sets, can provide in-spiration to convert workaday dinners into alfresco meals to savor.

For a cohesive look throughout, shoppers can choose from Pottery Barn’s numerous collections of outdoor furniture pieces. For instance, there’s the Hampstead collection, which holds teak, “the wood of choice for outdoor furniture since it requires almost no care and stands up to weather like a champ,” according to the company’s website. For a faux alternative, the Tro-pez collection features a synthetic wood that resembles teak.

Pottery Barn’s outdoor wares include other items to fully outfit a space. Illuminate a front porch or patio with the company’s lighting pieces. Or create shady sanctums by adding umbrellas and outdoor curtains.

The family-run Backyard Expressions features key elements for shoppers to create family- and friends-ready out-door spaces.

Check out an array of woven, wrought-iron, aluminum and other patio furniture options, and choose cushions and throw pillows for personalized, plush results. Backyard Expressions’ selection of patio umbrel-las — including aluminum, wood and cantilever styles — further enhances the relaxation possibilities, and fire pits conjure visions of year-round comfort.

Backyard Expressions was started in 2008, when Jim and Joanne Montgom-ery joined forces with their daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Chad Rolish, to launch the business in Yorba Linda, according to the company’s website. Today, the company has three locations in Orange County. Backyard Expressions also provides design consultations “to create the perfect out-door space you have always dreamed of,” according to the company’s website.

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Whether it’s a small tile job for the living room entryway or hardwood floors for the whole house, Floor & Decor has it all for the DIY installer or a professional.

The Georgia-based company specializes in hard floor coverings and stocks tons of it, literally, for shoppers who want to check out lots of options before they buy.

The warehouse-like showrooms are stacked with every imaginable flooring option. You need tile? There’s porcelain, ceramic, wall tiles, bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles and outdoor tile. Wood flooring includes solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, bamboo, cork, walnut, teak and cherry. Or how about stone? Selections include marble, granite flooring and countertops. Decorative options include glass, stone, pebble stone, metallic and wood.

Prices are very competitive, says

shopper Frank F. from Orange on Yelp.

“We found our travertine for a fraction of the cost that we had paid at other places, and it appeared to be better quality stone,” he says of the Santa Ana location. “They have racks and racks of the stuff. Grab a cart and load it up.”

He also says the professional staff was very helpful in finding products and answering questions about them.

And don’t forget installation materials such as grout, tile cement, sealer, cleaner and wood cleaner.

Floor & Decor employs some 3,680 people and has 100 warehouse stores and 28 standalone design stores in 28 states. Business is apparently booming for the publicly traded company, which said in late 2018 it would be expanding, adding some 17 new stores nationwide.

– Karen Levin


Assistant Manager Brandon Williams takes inventory in the stone department at Floor & Decor on Warner Avenue in Fountain Valley.

2. Bockman’s1008 N. Tustin Ave., Anaheim; 714-630-4455; bockmaninteriors.com

1. Floor & DecorMultiple locations; flooranddecor.com

3. Colonial Carpet Co.7331-B Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove; 714-892-4495; colonialcarpetco.com

You get what you pay for at Bock-man’s in Anaheim.

The family-owned company has been installing flooring material in Orange County homes since 1967. Custom is the name of the game, and Bockman’s cus-tomers, many of them repeat visitors, say the quality materials and profes-sional installation put the business heads above the big-box chains.

Bockman’s vast selections, elegantly arranged across a 15,000 square foot showroom, include carpet and area rugs in addition to hard flooring such as wood and tile.

Jon Bockman, grandson of the com-pany founder, says the repeat business is what has made Bockman’s a force in the industry. “People trust us with their home interiors,” he says.

If you’re torn over which carpet to choose, the company offers offer in-home consultation. And the options are endless, from the height of the tuft, whether it’s straight or looped, or the material it’s made out of.

Imagine how much flooring has changed since 1955. That’s how long Colonial Carpets has been in the business. The company offers a customer-first approach that often beats competitors for price, timing and customization.

“Our longevity is due to our quality service at a discount price,” says Rick Tessier, the second-generation owner whose father bought the business from the original owners.

The full-service flooring contractor services clients in Orange and Los An-geles counties and the Inland Empire.

Francine Lagman of Fountain Valley was just about to buy her carpeting at a big-box DIY store when she decided to get a quote from Colonial Carpet.

“I chose my carpet on Monday, paid a deposit, had my carpet measured on Wednesday, and my carpet was installed on Thursday,” she says. “Super easy process, affordable price, beautiful carpet, and amazing customer service.”

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Always innovating, the top real estate company in Orange County launched a new digital marketing platform in 2019. It delivers some 12,000 leads to agents at no cost to them.

Sandy Chang, marketing director for First Team Real Estate, said the company refined a digital listing campaign that automatically generates an online ad for every home listed.

“When someone engages with these ads, we let the listing agent know right away so that the consumer gets immediate attention and is speaking to an expert on the home,” Chang said. “The company does not charge agents for these inquiries. In the past four months, RoadMap AI — our proprietary digital platform—has delivered over 17,000 free buyer inquiries to our agents and if an agent is unavailable, our local digital response team responds to ensure every client is taken care of in a timely

manner.”The real estate powerhouse also

launched a training program for experienced agents this year.

“Our monthly Master Series Training program is integral to agents searching to grow their business by learning from the best,” Chang said. “Each interactive session will offer a specific topic of study, supported by in-depth instruction on how to implement the tools and strategies taught in the series.”

Local buyers and sellers have added incentive to seek out the expertise of First Team agents.

“Now that First Team has established a foothold in San Diego and Los Angeles, OC residents now have a greater perspective to work with — whether they’re searching to move to a neighboring county or require a more extensive assortment of qualified buyers,” Chang said.

– James Anderson


First Team Real Estate was voted best real estate company.

2. GreenTree Properties156 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente; 949-492-0090; greentreeproperties.net

1. First Team Real EstateMultiple locations; 888-236-1943; firstteam.com

3. Century 21Multiple locations; 866-732-6139; century21.com

Established in 2006 for real estate agents by real estate agents according to the company co-founder, GreenTree Properties operates out of San Clem-ente and has agents in both Orange and San Diego counties.

“I was approached initially by friends and colleagues to start a real estate branch based on the need for a small boutique office in the area that focused on helping agents grow their business instead of collecting fees,” said Kevin Hood, the co-founder and co-owner of GreenTree Properties.

Hood said GreenTree stands out because of the company’s emphasis on customer service.

“If you really stop to listen to your clients and learn what their needs and goals are you will have a happy client for life,” Hood said. “In an industry that is always changing where people can buy a home like they can order lunch, there will always be a need for the ma-jority to hire a real estate consultant to navigate them through rough waters.”

Century 21 prides itself on “defying mediocrity.” According to Eli Tene, the company’s managing director, agents at Century 21 Peak “live and breathe Cen-tury 21’s commitment to ‘relentlessness,’ from the top down.”

It is worth noting, Tene says, that prices in Orange County are stable and have yet to rebound to 2007 prices. “The market will be tested in 2020,” Tene forecasts, “but right now, with the low rates we don’t feel there will be any dramatic changes on the horizon.”

All the same, the Century 21 Peak teams remain committed to getting buyers the best price for their dream homes and sellers the best price for their current property, Tene said.

“Our clients are our number one pri-ority, and it’s why you’ll hear about our agents who reply to emails at 2 a.m.! They love their job and are relentless when it comes to the happiness of our clients,” Tene said. She adds that the company empowers agents to suggest improvements, and they try to stay at the forefront of new technology.

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If you ask Stephanie Chappell, director of marketing at Freedom Village, what makes the senior living community she works for unique, she will point to the longevity of staff and the quality of care provided.

Freedom Village has a caregiver who has been with the community for more than 26 years, she said. It has 10 dif-ferent caregivers who have been there for 10 years or more. It has a head of nursing with 26 years of experience at the retirement complex. The head of transportation has been there for some 30 years, Chappell added.

“So it’s just this type of very unique community where it’s a very warm friendly feeling — more like a family atmosphere here where residents re-ally develop long-lasting relationships with our staff and our staff with the residents,” she said. “And you can really feel that difference when you come here to visit.”

Chappell said more than 100 resi-dents actively participate and volun-teer as part of the community, and the majority of the activities offered are resident-driven.

“They really lead, creating the com-munity that they want,” Chappell said.

Amenities include a a heated pool where exercise programs occur five days a week, Tai Chi, stretch and balance activities, line dancing, a private theater, a Saddleback lounge that Chappell says “looks like a regular neighborhood pub,” and the Freedom Village University led by retired educa-tors who teach classes. The community also has a social hour every Wednesday with wine, appetizers, dancing and live music, Chappell said.

The Freedom Village website wel-comes interested parties to ask about “guaranteed care for life,” which Chap-pell said helps provide residents some peace of mind.

“It’s written in our contract that if they should run out of their savings or their assets through no fault of their own they can continue to call Free-dom Village their own,” she said. “We have assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing here right on our cam-pus. So we have all the different levels of care options available right here.”

– James Anderson

PHOTO COURTESY OF FREEDOM VILLAGE

Freedom Village residents enjoy the weekly Social Hour dance.

2. Heritage Point27356 Bellogente, Mission Viejo; 949-364-9685; heritagepointe.org

1. Freedom Village23442 El Toro Road, Lake Forest; 949-472-4700; freedomvillageor-angecounty.org 3. Crescendo Senior

Living of Placentia351 E. Palm Drive, Placentia; 714-528-4990; crescendoseniorliving.com

Residents. Families. Donors. Those are the “critical make-up and successful make-up of who Heritage Pointe is,” according to Beth Slavin, director of philanthropy for the only Jewish senior community providing independent living, assisted living and memory care in Orange County.

“The fact that we have been here for 30 years as a thriving nonprofit, and that we’re able to help our seniors who are in need — we have a special pro-gram — makes us very unique,” Slavin said. Other senior homes are for-profit enterprises. Not Heritage Pointe.

Slavin, whose mother stayed at Heri-tage Pointe for several years, served on the community’s board before becom-ing an employee.

“I’ve seen it from every aspect, and I can only tell you that it is not only a warm, friendly place for all faiths to be — and we do have other people besides Jews here — but it is a place that you know you can count on for good care,” she said.

Whether a senior is seeking assisted living, memory care or short-stay visit respite care, a community in the heart of Placentia has something to offer.

“Our community is filled with energy, delight and compassion, a place where seniors can live life their way, surround-ed by people who share their passions and treat them like family,” said Alea Katan, community relations director at Crescendo Senior Living of Placentia.

Katan said that when seniors consid-er the assisted living option at Crescen-do, staff help them customize a plan to meet their needs while respecting their independence. “When you decide to make Crescendo your new home, we make sure that how you live your life is up to you; you get to decide how much assistance you need,” she said.

Crescendo offers activities such as Book Club, Zumba Stretch and Happy Hour, as well as a dining service that emboides a “farm to table experience.”

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Baseball fans can thank Sullivan Solar Power for installing the largest solar system in the major leagues. The company installed the solar system atop Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres. According to Selene Lawrence, the director of government affairs at Sullivan, the system is larger than the seven other solar systems in Major League Base-ball combined, and it includes more than a mile of electrical conduit that wraps throughout the ballpark.

“The same guys who are doing work on that huge-scale project would be the ones working on your residential home over in Anaheim,” she said, noting that Sullivan uses only certified union electricians.

This year, Sullivan Solar Power re-ceived the Business of the Year award at the 40th anniversary Celebrate Irvine Awards celebration, around the same time the company was wrap-ping up its second project on the UC Irvine campus. Sullivan provided so-lar for the new Middle Earth student housing development at UCI, named after the setting in Tolkien’s books.

“I go on campus, and I work with their sustainability center,” Lawrence said. “So we’ve also spoken on their

green career panel and done outreach events speaking with RAs from the dorms, teaching them about energy and sustainability.”

That work is part of the broader educational outreach integral to Sullivan’s mission. Once a month, the company hosts seminars through-out Orange County at Rotary clubs, nonprofits and schools. Lawrence said her company recently partnered with local schools such as Del Cerro Elementary in Mission Viejo and Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School in Lake Forest to assist teach-ers, donate prizes to classrooms and facilitate lessons about solar.

In addition to completing a large solar system for the cosmetics com-pany L’Oréal, which owns a facility in Santa Ana, Lawrence said the approximately 150-strong team at Sullivan Solar Power also helped start the South Orange County Community Choice Alliance. The organization advocates for a Community Choice Energy program to give Orange County residents a renewable energy provider option. The initiative also reflects the company’s mission.

– James Anderson


Sullivan Solar Power apprentice Erik Straub carries a solar panel during an installation in Ladera Ranch. The company was voted best solar contractor.

2. Sunrun133 Technology Drive, Suite 100, Irvine; 949-438-4717; sunrun.com/solar-by-state/ca/irvine-california-solar

1. Sullivan Solar Power16 Technology Drive, Suite 122, Irvine; 949-387-3399; sullivansolarpower.com

3. SunPower2125 East Katella Ave., Suite 220, Anaheim; 714-787-3800; global.sunpower.com

Since co-founders Lynn Jurich and Edward Fenster launched their solar startup in 2007, the business has become, as stated on its website, the top residential solar company in the country. Sunrun has helped more than 200,000 customers in 22 states, the site says. According to its 2018 impact re-port, the company installs, on average, a new solar system every 2.3 minutes.

Citing data from Electricity Local, a resource that provides rates and usage information for local areas across the U.S., the Sunrun Irvine site points out that rates in the city where it’s located run almost 35 percent higher than the national average.

“Yet, Irvine is blessed with more than 280 sunny days per year,” the site states. The company estimates residents could use all that solar power to save thousands in the next 20 or 30 years. The company offers several plans and services, including options with little-to-no upfront payment.

Whether it is supporting the Cali-fornia Solar and Storage Association, the Solar Energy Industries Associa-tion or the newly formed Solar Rights Alliance — a California-based nonprofit association championing a Solar Bill of Rights for the Golden State — SunPow-er is a business that by all accounts has the proverbial backs of both the solar industry and solar customers.

The Sierra Club partnered with Sun-Power in 2019 as part of a new program to provide an opportunity for the en-vironmental organization’s 3.5 million members and supporters to go solar, according to a SunPower press release. The program promises Sierra Club members and supporters a mail-in-re-bate with a SunPower home solar sys-tem purchase, and SunPower pledged to donate $1,000 with each purchase to aid the organization’s efforts.

In March, the company introduced its A-series home solar panel, the highest-power panel available in the residential solar market.

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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS - Orange County Register

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