Events

Tree Lighting Celebration

Nov. 7. Get into the holiday spirit at Outlets at San Clemente’s annual tree lighting celebration of the world’s tallest, fresh-cut 125-foot Christmas tree. Visitors can look forward to socially-distanced photos with Santa, festive décor, a holiday show and more, complete with festive lights and snowfall. Note: There are safety measures in place such as social distancing markers, safety signage, increased cleaning and sanitizing schedules, mask requirements and more. 5:30 p.m. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com

Cooking Classes at Sur La Table

Through Nov. 28. Sharpen your skills in the kitchen with the return of Sur La Table’s in-store cooking classes at South Coast Plaza. Work with the chef-instructors to learn how to prepare delicious recipes, hone essential techniques and more. This weekend’s classes include a paella workshop, fall ravioli, Tuscan-style steak, winter wonderland three-layer cake and a romantic French dinner. Class size limited to eight people. Check online for schedule and prices. 3333 Bear St., Suite 110, Costa Mesa, 714.241.0118. Classes

Food + Drink

Plancha Dining at Descanso

Reopens Nov. 5. Enjoy dinner and a (culinary) show at the modern taqueria’s fan-favorite Plancha room starting Thursday. This dining space offers a safe experience for micro holiday gatherings and offers a multi-course menu served “a la Plancha.” Diners receive a soup or salad, Mexican fried rice, a choice of corn or flour tortillas, and a main course featuring a choice of protein including pork loin and skirt steak grilled with a variety of vegetables or vegetarian options, including chile rellenos and rajas con queso. See website for hours. 1555 Adams Ave., Suite 103, Costa Mesa, 714.486.3798. descansorestaurant.com

Brunch at Burntzilla

Begins Nov. 7. New brunch spot alert! O.C.’s scrappy food truck turned brick-and-mortar slider shop celebrates its 5th year in business with a new “grown-up” menu of sliders and an all-new weekend brunch with everything on the menu under $10! Tasty offerings include brick French toast (pictured), breakfast burritos, pork belly and egg slider, and more. Brunch kicks off this Saturday at 9 a.m. where the first 25 guests who come on this day or Sunday receive one free item from the menu. Sa-Su 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 14413 Culver Drive, Irvine, 949.392.5995. burntzilla.com

The Golden Hot Fried Chicken

Opens Nov. 7. Santa Ana’s 4th Street Market is turning up the heat with the arrival of its newest tenant, The Golden Hot Fried Chicken. Nicaragua-born chef and founder Oscar Gonzalez is serving up Nashville-inspired, fried chicken and various comforting side dishes. Come to the official grand opening on Saturday at noon where the first 10 people receives one free meal and the following 10 guests receive a free t-shirt (with purchase of a combo meal); all other guests visiting on Saturday receive 20% off their purchase for the rest of the day. 201 E. 4th St., Santa Ana. More Info

Bruxie’s 10th Anniversary

Nov. 8. Raise a glass (or custard shake) to the 10th anniversary of Bruxie, home of the original fried chicken and waffle sandwich. In celebration, Bruxie is offering specials, giveaways and a new Birthday Cake Fold-In treat at its Old Towne Orange and Brea Downtown locations. Long-time Bruxie fans will be thrilled to see the return of the Carolina barbecue pulled pork Bruxie, which will be offered through November 8. See website for hours. 215 W. Birch St., Brea, 714.255.1188; 292 N. Glassell St., Orange, 714.633.3900. bruxie.com

Cafe Gratitude To-Go in Newport Beach

Now Available. Calling all vegans! Head to Newport Beach to check out the 100% organic, plant-based eatery’s new to-go concept offering a seasonally-driven menu. Courtesy executive chef Dreux Ellis, enjoy plant-based favorites named after affirmations like “I Am Whole,” along with rejuvenating herbal tonics, smoothies, elixirs, breakfast and lunch signature items, and more. Although the cafe is a strictly to-go concept, look forward to a small outdoor seating area! Open daily 7 a.m.-4 p.m. 1617 Westcliff Drive, Suite 112, Newport Beach, 949.386.8101. cafegratitude.com

Chato’s Bar and Grill

Now Open. Get a taste of authentic, elevated Mexican food at the new Chato’s Bar and Grill. Starting as a taco truck in early 2020, Chato’s welcomes hungry patrons to its sit-down concept from chef Sergio Ortega. Menu items include corundas (Michoacán-style tamales) and bone-in carnitas with citrus salad and roasted sweet potatoes. Don’t miss out on Sunday brunch with dishes such as chorizo hash with salsa roja, N.Y. steak and egg tacos and, of course, bottomless mimosas. See website to make a reservation. M-Th 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; F 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-midnight; Su 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 400 N Broadway, Santa Ana, 714.852.3256. chatosbarandgrill.com

Arts + Culture

Art and Nature Festival

Nov. 5-15. Known for its rich art community and beautiful landscapes, Laguna Beach takes center stage for Laguna Art Museum’s annual festival, themed “art and nature.” The event offers special exhibitions, virtual lectures and panel discussions, films, and family activities on the theme of art’s engagement with the natural world. Visitors can check out a commissioned work of art entitled Sunset Trace (pictured) by L.A.-based artist Patrick Shear that seamlessly weaves through the palm trees along the shoreline, traversing sections of the walkways and cliffs between the gazebo and Main Beach. lagunaartmuseum.org

Who Framed Roger Rabbit: The Making of a Groundbreaking Disney Classic

Nov. 5. Join the Hilbert Museum and Musco Center for the Arts for a moderated conversation by Stay Tooned! web talk show host Phil Machi with guests Gary K. Wolf, author of the novel “Who Censored Roger Rabbit?” (1981); Charles Fleischer, the voice of Roger Rabbit; Jeff Kurtti, Disney historian; and collector William Heeter. Viewers can participate in a live Q&A with the panelists after they discuss the creation and adaptation of the film and its characters plus various other topics. 7 p.m. Free; RSVP online. muscocenter.org

Two Media Revolutions: The Printing Press, The Movies, and The Future

Nov. 5. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens welcomes film buffs to a Casa Close Up lecture featuring Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Stephen Galloway. He’ll speak about the history and significance of film in our culture. He created the Hollywood Reporter’s celebrated Oscar Roundtables, along with the Netflix series The Hollywood Masters, for which he was the host and executive producer. 7 p.m. $18 GA, $12 members. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org

Style + Beauty

Tamara Mellon Shoe Truck

Through Nov. 7. Step up your shoe game at women’s luxury footwear brand Tamara Mellon’s mobile shoe closet in Fashion Island. The 24-foot open air truck displays each shoe style from floor to ceiling in sizes 35 to 42, allowing customers to discover and shop their size while being outdoors. Customers who want to visit should book an appointment slot on the website, as social distancing will be enforced and PPE will be provided. M-Sa 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Su noon-6 p.m. Fashion Island, near Macy’s in Pacific Court, 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 866.419.5500. tamaramellon.com

Stoney Clover Lane at Lido Marina Village

Now Open. Take your travel style up a level with charming (and colorful!) accessories from Stoney Clover Lane at Lido Marina Village. The 1,272-square-foot store is the brand’s first venture on the West Coast and offers exclusive branded merchandise including sweatshirts, t-shirts and hats, plus a collection of patches co-founders Kendall and Libby Glazer hand-select to reflect their favorite local spots. Guests can come any day of the week and watch products being sewn the in-store seamstress. M-Th 10 a.m.-6 p.m., F-Sa 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 3505 Via Oporto, Suite 101, Newport Beach, 949.674.0980. lidomarinavillage.com

Photo credits: Cooking Classes at Sur La Table courtesy South Coast Plaza. Burntzilla courtesy FWD PR. The Golden Hot Fried Chicken courtesy 100inc Agency. Bruxie’s 10th Anniversary courtesy Moxxe PR. Chato’s by Max Milla “Sunset Trace” art installation by Patrick Shearn. All other images are courtesy of the venues.