Events
Life Blood
June 19. Richard Nixon Presidential Library hosts a blood drive In partnership with the American Red Cross and LifeStream Blood Bank to help with the nation’s severe blood shortage. One donation can help save up to three lives. Donors receive a coronavirus antibody test. Register on website. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, 714.993.5075. nixonfoundation.org
Let the Games Begin!
June 19. Voted third best escape room in the nation by USA Today, Cross Roads Escape Games reopens to the public with new operating procedures to ensure a safe and fun visit. Those with a birthday in March, April, May or June get a complimentary ticket with the code COVIDBIRTHDAY and proof on arrival such as a driver’s license, birth certificate or I.D. 2020 graduates receive a free ticket with the code 2020GRAD and a student I.D. with graduation date or a graduation certificate (expires July 31). Purchase tickets at least one hour before game time. W-Su 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. 4245 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 714.572.1004. crossroadsescapegames.com
2nd & PCH
Reopened. Long Beach’s newest open-air retail and dining destination welcomes back shoppers with new measures in place adhering to the guidelines from the federal, state and local authorities. Stores and restaurants open include Free People, Urban Outfitters, Nike by Long Beach, Athleta, Ola Mexican Kitchen, Shake Shack, jolie, gorjana, Paper Source, Noble Bird Rotisserie, Urban Plates and Vissla. Upcoming openings include fitness concepts such as Barry’s, Boxhaus and Be Fit Pilates. See website for more info. East 2nd Street and Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, 424.217.2337. 2ndandpch.com
Father’s Day
Bayside Restaurant
June 21. Celebrate Father’s Day with a two-course brunch or dinner with live music. Highlights at brunch include steak and eggs, a breakfast burger, the Bayside Benedict, wild-mushroom-crusted halibut and complimentary champagne or draft beer ($49); a two-course brunch kids menu is also offered ($22). At dinner, enjoy dishes such as freshly shucked oysters, steamed black mussels, charcuterie and short ribs. Brunch: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; dinner: 5 p.m.-close. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, 949.721.1222. baysiderestaurant.com
The Ranch Restaurant
June 21. The fine-dining American steakhouse—reopening for dine-in June 18—offers dad a surf and turf special ($135) featuring Cape Grim grass-fed beef tenderloin and South African lobster tail. He’ll also enjoy a whiskey flight ($35) including .75-ounce pours of Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon, George Dickel Bottled in Bond Whiskey and E.H. Taylor Small Batch Straight Bourbon. The regular dinner menu is also available. 5-9 p.m. 1025 E. Ball Road, Anaheim, 714.817.4200. theranch.com
Taco Rosa
June 21. Dad loves grilling and dad loves tacos! Indulge his passion for both with Father’s Day BBQ kits at Mexico City cuisine specialist Taco Rosa in Newport Beach and Irvine. The ready-to-grill kits serve 4; options include Vampiro tacos al pastor, skirt-steak tacos asada and chicken breast. Each comes with toppings such as, in the case of the Vampiro, queso mixto, chopped white onions, cilantro, tortillas and salsa jalapeño. Guacamole and chips and rice and beans can be added to the order. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Saturday for pickup 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $40-$50. 2632 San Miguel Road, Newport Beach, 949.720.0980; 13792 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 714.505.6080. tacorosa.com
Food + Drink
Sushi Ii
Now Open. Highly regarded sushi chef Susumu Ii opens his eponymous Sushi Ii on the second level of Mariner’s Pointe in Newport Beach. Though the modern-zen-inspired spot can ideally accommodate 24 guests, Sushi Ii is for now limiting dine-in to two dining tables and a six-seat private dining room. Takeout is also available at both lunch and dinner. Tu-Sa noon-2 p.m. and 5:30-10 p.m.; Sunday takeout with one-day advance notice. 100 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.287.6268. sushi-ii.com
Toast Kitchen + Bakery
Reopened. Chef John Park and his team are back with dine-in brunch and happy hour with new procedures in place to ensure the health of their guests. Reservations are highly encouraged; email info@toastkitchenbakery.com or call. Brunch: Tu-Su 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; happy hour: Tu-F 3-7 p.m. 1767 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, 949.873.5057. toastkitchenbakery.com
Noble Bird Rotisserie
Now Available. The locally owned chef-driven concept, at coastal retail and dining destination 2nd & PCH, presents new dishes for summer. They include a watermelon, heirloom tomato and prosciutto salad; coq au vin; street corn, mushrooms and shaved Brussels; and housemade watermelon mint lemonade. Open daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 6460 E. Coast Hwy., Suite 125, Long Beach, 562.431.0445. noblebirdrotisserie.com
Five Crowns and SideDoor
June 18. Executive chef Alejandra Padilla reopens with a new summer menu. Dishes include skillet Jidori chicken with pearl couscous, charred corn and salsa verde at Five Crowns and ahi tuna paired with pickled peaches, heirloom tomato, avocado and toasted chili oil at the adjacent SideDoor gastropub. Modifications to both dining rooms promote physical distancing and heightened sanitation procedures. The restaurants offer al fresco dining in the back patio and garden. Tu-Su 4:30-8 p.m. 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, 949.760.0331. thefivecrowns.com | sidedoorcdm.com
Pride with Churriño
Through June 30. Latin churro dessert shop Churriño celebrates Pride Month with a new “…Oh My Lover!” flavor. Three bite-sized churros are filled with layers of lemon custard and chocotella, then topped with fresh strawberries, coconut flakes, a drizzle of condensed milk and a sprinkle of edible gold flakes ($5.95). Order on the website for pickup, curbside or in-store. Guests can also purchase limited edition holographic Pride stickers for $4.95 or two stickers for $7.95 in-store and online; 20% of the sticker sales go to the LGBTQ Center in Long Beach. Use code PRIDE for free shipping. 345 The Promenade N., Long Beach, 562.270.6110. churrino.com
Arts + Culture
Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic at Bowers
Reopens June 19. Bowers Museum invites the public back (with face masks) to view the exclusive exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney Co. archives with behind-the-scenes access never before granted to the public through October 18. Admission for frontline healthcare and emergency services workers is complimentary. See website for tickets. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.567.3600. bowers.org
Discovery Cube OC
Reopens June 19. Orange County’s leading children’s science museum welcomes families back for fun, educational S.T.E.M. exhibits and activities. New exhibit Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Invention offers a collection of 3-D, life-sized machines and interactive components that connect Rube’s iconic cartoon contraptions to the way things work in the physical world. For guests unable to visit in person, the Cube’s digital offerings include virtual summer camps and Discovery Cube Connect. Opens 9 a.m. 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.542.2823. oc.discoverycube.org
Film Festival
Through July 15. Casa Romantica Cultural Center & Gardens’ inaugural film event features submissions by students at the Orange County School of the Arts Film & Television Conservatory. They include animation, a documentary and narrative works. Free. casaromantica.org
Virtual Broadway Musical Camp
June 22-26. Segerstrom Center for the Arts announces enrollment for its online Five Days of Broadway musical theater camp. Designed for ages 11-13, the camp features a faculty of Broadway actors and other industry professionals who coach the young performers in all aspects of musical theater. Topics include acting, musical theater, dance, improv, puppetry, scene writing and acting on film. All experience levels welcome; high school level offered from June 29 to July 3. $475 per camper. Register on website. 714.556.2787. scfta.org/fivedays
Photos from top: Courtesy the Nixon Foundation, Cross Roads Escape Games/Facebook, 2nd & PCH, Bayside Restaurant, The Ranch Restaurant. Taco Rosa courtesy Moxxe PR. Sushi Ii courtesy Outshine PR. Courtesy Toast Kitchen + Bakery. Noble Bird, Mora Film Co. Five Crowns, Anne Watson. Courtesy Churriño, Bowers Museum, Discovery Science Cube. Virtual Film Festival courtesy Casa Romantica. Broadway camp courtesy Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
