Chef Susumu Ii goes beyond the beauty of sushi to heighten the aesthetic experience at his new Sushi Ii (pronounced ee) in Newport Beach. Ii presents each course on one of more than 100 types of Japanese ceramics; they include kintsugi, once broken dishes with cracks he personally enhances with gold. Ii operated Kasen in Fountain Valley for nearly three decades. At Sushi Ii, he offers limited dine-in service for now, with seating at two dining tables and in a private dining room for six. Lunch features combination menus; dinner brings a 5- or 8-course omakase and a la carte offerings. Takeout is also available. Mariner’s Pointe, 100 W. Coast Hwy., Second Level, Newport Beach, 949.287.6268. sushi-ii.com
Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic—offering behind-the-scenes access to the Walt Disney Co. never before granted to the public—reopens June 19 at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. The traveling exhibit premiered at the D23 Expo Japan in 2018; the show here includes additional rare items. More than 400 objects—original artwork, costumes and props—tell the story of the archives, the Walt Disney Co. and Walt Disney himself. Film-related items include never-before-displayed sketches for the animated classic Fantasia; maquettes from Frozen; superhero costumes; and the replica of Walt Disney’s office used in Saving Mr. Banks (2013). Purchase timed-entry tickets at acmeticketing.com. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.567.3600. bowers.org
New Promenade on Forest transforms Forest Avenue in Laguna Beach, the heart of the downtown area known as the Village, into a pedestrian promenade. The stretch features dining on several decks—from eateries including Alessa, 230 Forest Avenue and Moulin—plus display spaces for shops and boutiques, art works painted on the street, Adirondack chairs and Australian willow trees strung with bistro lights. A vintage yellow lifeguard Jeep marks the entrance at one end; the other is just opposite Main Beach Park. Masks are required; social distancing and frequent sanitation of facilities and furniture are high priorities. Open daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Forest Avenue between Coast Highway and Glenneyre Street, Laguna Beach. visitlagunabeach.com
Why go to Dolce & Gabbana or dumpling mecca Din Tai Fung when Dolce & Gabbana and Din Tai Fung can come to you? Or at least to your car, saving you the time and energy of walking and waiting in line. South Coast Plaza launches curbside shopping service SCP 2 GO for more than 100 of its boutiques and restaurants. Place your phone order; when it’s ready, you’ll be sent a time and color-coded location for pickup. Call in your parking-space number when you arrive, pop your trunk and wait in your car; your order will be placed in the trunk. Pickup hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 800.782.8888. southcoastplaza.com
Photos from top: courtesy Sushi Ii; Benjamin Epstein (2); courtesy South Coast Plaza
