Little Market Holiday Pop-Up, Little Onion Mexican Restaurant, Mandy Patinkin in concert and more…. Here are the top Orange County weekend events for November 21-24.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
The Little Market Holiday Pop-Up
Opens Nov. 22. Founded by Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla, the Little Market fair trade shop offers products handmade by artisans around the world. The pop-up is open through January 3, and proceeds benefit the artisans to improve their quality of life. M-F 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sa 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 401 Newport Center Drive, Suite A225, Newport Beach, 949.432.1551. thelittlemarket.com
Skydiving Santa
Nov. 23. Kick off the holiday cheer with Santa and his two elves’ sky-diving arrival from the North Pole Santa as they land on the beach in front of Pacific City in Huntington Beach. Special surprises are in store as Santa is escorted from his landing spot to Pacific City for photos ops with the children. Additional highlights include holiday music, free Santa hats and candy canes (while supplies last). Noon-3 p.m. 21010 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.930.2345. gopacificcity.com
Nessy Swimwear Trunk Show
Nov. 23. Head to Fashion Island in Newport Beach for Nessy Swimwear’s trunk show and meet-and-greet with the brand’s 18-year-old founder/designer Vanessa Sanchez at San Lorenzo Bikini. Shop new Nessy Swimwear styles for holiday getaways, pieces priced at $40 and $50. 1-4 p.m. Fashion Island, 1111 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. nessyswimwear.com
Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy
Starts Nov. 23. Experience this annual magical outdoor art village weekends through December 22. This event features 180 artists and artisans, three stages of live music and entertainment, holiday-themed and ceramics classes, art demonstrations, visits with Santa, carolers, a petting zoo, marionette shows, falling snow, holiday photo-ops, outdoor cafes and a saloon. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $8 adults, $6 seniors age 65+, $4 children ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and under. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030. sawdustartfestival.org
FOOD + DRINK
Bello by Sandro Nardone
Now Open. The Italian eatery has debuted with dinner service and will add lunch and brunch service in the coming weeks. Chef Sandro’s menu combines traditional Italian food and modern dishes in a style similar to that served at the top restaurants in Italy. Su-Th 5-10 p.m., F-Sa 5-11 p.m. 1200 Bison Ave., Newport Beach, 949.520.7191. bellobysandronardone.com
Little Onion Mexican Restaurant
Now Open. Casual Mexican eatery opens its second location, presenting traditional Mexican cuisine as well as creative twists to the classics and vegetarian options. Chef Agustin Bruno brings eight years of experience including two years as sous chef at Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea. Su-Th 11 a.m.-9 p.m. F-Sa 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Walnut Village Center, 14429 Culver Drive, Irvine, 949.316.4600. littleonion.com
Andrei’s Seasonal Menu
Now Available. New seasonal dishes on the lunch and dinner menus by executive chef Porfirio Gomez at Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails include mozzarella di bufala, beet carpaccio salad, red Ōra salmon, white albacore burger, Duroc pork chop and day-boat scallops. M-F 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sa 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 2607 Main St., Irvine, 949.387.8887. andreisrestaurant.com
Fogo de Chão’s Seasonal Menu
Now Available. Internationally renowned Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão unveils a holiday menu including 21-day-aged Wagyu New York Strip, cauliflower steak, chocolate brigadero and carajillo cocktail, rich espresso and Licor 43 shaken over ice. Irvine Spectrum Center, 623 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949.398.1500. fogodechao.com
Marché Moderne’s Chef’s Tasting Menu
Now Available. Three years after moving Marché Moderne to Newport Coast, chef Florent Marneau has brought back the Chef’s Tasting Menu as a six-course, ocean-themed menu. The menu, available on Thursday evenings, changes seasonally. The a la carte menu is also available Thursday evenings. $135, additional $50 for wine pairings. 7862 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 714.434.7900. marchemoderne.net
Bourbon Steak Truffle DinnerNov. 21. Elevate your evening with a five-course wine pairing dinner featuring white Alba truffles in every course. Executive chef Bryan Brown has prepared a menu paired with wines by Sommelier Michelle Morin. Dishes include tuna belly with truffle-infused ponzu; Snake River Farm eye-of-the-ribeye with truffle hollandaise; and a black truffle sundae finished with shaved white alba truffles. Seating is extremely limited. Reservations can be made by emailing Amber at aault@monarchbeachresort.com. 6:30 p.m. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 800.722.1543. monarchbeachresort.com
Seasonal Flavors at Atomic Creamery
Nov. 22-23. Get a taste of the newest seasonal ice creams at Atomic Creamery in Fashion Island. New flavors include Oh Snap Gingerbread, Dulce de Leche and Stocking to Me, prepared with housemade peppermint hot chocolate, plus specialty milkshakes such as Merry Cinnamon (with Mexican chocolate) and a coffee float made with Matchless Coffee Soda. If you get scoop of the Charity Ball (blue cotton candy ice cream with festive sprinkles) $.50 from each purchase goes to Toys for Tots. The first 25 customers to bring in a toy on Friday for the Toys for Tots collection receives an Atomic Creamery gift card. 549 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.630.5884. atomiccreamery.com
Thanksgiving Pie and Ice Cream Sale
Through Nov. 24. Give your loved ones the gift of desserts with one whole pie from Toast Kitchen + Bakery accompanied by one pint of Fill’s ice cream for just $42. The last day to order is Sunday and pick-up is for November 27 only. Flavor combos include cherry almond pie + cocoa nib ice cream; Butterfinger Thai tea pai + salted peanut Butter caramel ice cream; pear Ginger cranberry Pie + sweet triple cream ice cream; taro blueberry pie + mixed berry swirl ice cream; Banoffee pie + Kona coffee ice cream; and coconut chocolate chess pie + Twix ice cream. Email your order at info@toastkitchenbakery.com. 1767 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, 949.873.5057. toastkitchenbakery.com
Tackle Box’s Thanksgiving Sandwich
Through Nov. 27. Created by co-owner, head chef and Top Chef alum Brian Huskey, O.C.’s favorite coastal pub offers the ultimate open-faced turkey sandwich to get your taste buds ready for the Thanksgiving feasts to come. This creation comes complete with a serving of turkey, green beans, stuffing, cranberry chutney and black pepper gravy. $15. 3029 Ocean Blvd., Corona Del Mar, 949.723.0502; 3321 Hyland Ave., Suite E, Costa Mesa, 714.486.3301 tackleboxoc.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Adonis Rose and NOJO 7
Nov. 24. Led by Grammy Award-winning drummer and artistic director Adonis Rose, the seven-piece ensemble NOJO 7, which honors the traditions of New Orleans brass and rhythm. Drawn from the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, NOJO 7 performs the music of New Orleans’ Allen Toussaint, legendary pianist and songwriter for more than 50 years. 7 p.m. $38-$110. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org
Mandy Patinkin Diaries
Nov. 24. Broadway songman Mandy Patinkin, accompanied by pianist Adam Ben-David, brings his newest program to Musco Center for the Arts. Diaries is a compilation of many of Patinkin’s favorite Broadway and classic American tunes, along with selections from his newest recordings on Nonesuch Records. 4 p.m. $63-$113. Chapman University, 415 N. Glassell, Orange, 844.626.8726. muscocenter.org
Photos: Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla, Stephanie Todaro. Skydiving Santa courtesy Paséa Hotel & Spa. Nessy Swimwear courtesy Nessy Swimwear. Winter Fantasy, Sawdust Festival. Bello, Lisa Hu Chen. Little Onion courtesy Little Onion. Andrei’s, Anne Watson Photography. Fogo de Chão, Alan Weiner Photography. Marche Moderne, Dylan + Jeni. Bourbon Steak courtesy Huge Galdones Photography. Atomic Creamery courtesy of 100inc Agency. Toast Kitchen + Bakery courtesy Toast Kitchen + Bakery. Tackle Box, Joberto Lee. NOJO 7 courtesy Irvine Barclay Theatre. Mandy Patinkin courtesy Musco Center for the Arts.
