EASTER BRUNCH
Shades
Apr. 8. This Easter, enjoy brunch with free flowing champagne, live entertainment, Easter egg hunts, a visit from the Easter bunny and a sweeping view of the Pacific. Chef Jeff Littlefield offers an elegant selection of artisan cheeses, delicious seafood such as Alaskan crab legs with mango cocktail sauce and Shades’ famous crab cakes as well as a carving station featuring pork loin stuffed with pancetta and provolone and herb-marinated leg of lamb with ratatouille. Guests can create a cooked to order omelet or indulge in Belgian waffles with strawberries and whipped cream at the breakfast station. Call for available seating times and reservations. 21100 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.845.8000 x2210. waterfrontresort.com
Nirvana Grille
Apr. 8. Nirvana Grille welcomes back its famous brunch for one day only! Join the Laguna Beach restaurant for a two-course Champagne Easter brunch from 10:30am-2:30 pm. Favorites such as chilaquiles and salmon potato pancakes are available on the scrumptious menu. 303 Broadway, Laguna Beach, 949.497.0027. nirvanagrille.com
Pinot Provence
Apr. 8. This Easter, experience the warmth and charm of the South of France at Costa Mesa’s Pinot Provence, located within the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel. First course offerings include “bacon and eggs” with smoked pork belly, baby yellow frisee, warm basil custard and chive sour cream and blackberry clafouis with Meyer lemon, marcona almonds and vanilla Chantilly. Main course highlights include ricotta pancakes with pecan nougatine, market blackberries, vanilla maple syrup and smoked bacon as well as wild mushroom risotto with organic carnaroli rice, Parmigiano-Reggiano and truffle essence among other French-inspired dishes. 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, 714.444.5900. patinagroup.com
Bayside
Apr. 8. Celebrate Easter with a three-course free flowing Champagne brunch at Bayside in Newport Beach. First courses range from white and green asparagus soup to house made mango passion yogurt. As for second courses, select from tasty creations such as smoked Scottish salmon “Bayside Benedict,” Italian style frittata omelet and ove- roasted wild mushroom-crusted Alaskan halibut among others. For dessert, enjoy a lovely lemon poppy seed shortcake or a decadent three chocolate crisp. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, 949.721.1222. baysiderestaurant.com
St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort
Apr. 8. Indulge in a luxurious Easter brunch at Motif, the delicious restaurant of the St. Regis Monarch Beach. Brunch features unlimited Champagne, exquisite seafood, international food stations, carving stations, tasty desserts and a Bloody Mary bar. Guests can participate in the Easter Egg Hunt on the Grand Lawn between 10 am and noon—keep an eye out for the golden eggs, which can be redeemed for a St. Regis Easter basket. Children’s entertainment includes face-painting, balloon artistry and complimentary photos with the Easter bunny. One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 800.722.1543. stregismb.com
Back Bay Bistro
Apr. 8. Back Bay Bistro invites guests to partake in a delicious Champagne brunch buffet including an omelet and egg station, French toast and pancake bar, seafood buffet, antipasti display, specialty salads, a carving station with salt-crusted prime rib and roasted turkey and a specialty searing station offering citrus-seared mahi-mahi. Conclude with homemade desserts, fresh fruit and a chocolate fondue fountain overflowing with premium Belgian chocolate. 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.1144. backbaybistronewportbeach.com
Scott’s Restaurant and Bar
Apr. 8. Chef Michael Doctulero presents a festive three-course, endless Champagne Easter brunch for families to enjoy together this Sunday. First course specialties include a mixed berry pop tart with agave and raspberry sauce, an oyster quartet with cocktail sauce or cucumber mignonette and prosciutto salad with frisee, poached egg and tomato. Entrée highlights range from an open faced pancake with bacon, sweet aioli and fried eggs to macadamia french toast with caramelized bananas or eggs Benedict served either traditional style or with a Dungeness crab cake. If there’s any room left, indulge in crème brulee, sorbet with fresh berries or chocolate ganache cake. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.979.2400. scottsrestaurantandbar.com
EASTER EVENTS
Easter Festival and Treasure Hunt
Apr. 7. Join the Orange County Market Place in Costa Mesa for the 6th Annual Easter Festival and Treasure Hunt this Saturday from 9:30 am-2:30 pm. Children may visit vendors and concessions stands throughout the Market Place to receive free candy and small toys for their Easter baskets. Hidden in six of the plastic eggs is a golden ticket, which awards its recipient with a giant, prize-packed Easter basket. Other entertainment and activities include pictures with the Easter bunny, Tait Hill a popular marionette puppeteer, face painting and egg decorating. Local gourmet food trucks will be on hand for snacks and refreshments. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 949.723.6660. ocmarketplace.com
MUSIC
The Blues Brothers: The Smash-Hit Musical
Apr. 4-6. Jake and Elwood Blues sing and dance their way into the hearts of the audience in the tribute production that smashed box office records in London’s West End. The boys don their signature pork pie hats, shades and dancing shoes to perform favorites such as “Everybody,” “Shake A Tail Feather,” “Sweet Home Chicago” and “Gimme Some Loving” along with an upbeat seven piece band and the sassy Bluettes singing back-up. 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org
Sashamon
Apr. 4. Surfwear brand Toes on the Nose presents an evening of fun music with Hawaiian indie musician Sashamon at Woody’s Wharf on the Newport peninsula. Toes on the Nose team rider, and Dana Point native, Lindsay Steinriede, will be in attendance with her 2011 Association of Surfing Professionals Women’s World Longboard trophy. 2318 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, 939.675.0474. toesonthenose.com
Spring Folk Concert
Apr. 5. Celebrate spring with an evening of music in the park! Pack a picnic and blanket and head over to Brea’s Carbon Canyon Regional Park which continues its Spring Folk Concert Series. This week, enjoy a performance from the soulful duo, Caplinger & Clovis, who sing popular songs with R&B influenced vocals and a bluesy harmonica. 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd., Brea, 714.973.3161. ocparks.com
Casa Romantica Jazz Series
Apr. 5. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific ocean sits Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a beautiful 1920s Spanish villa and the perfect spot to enjoy an evening of jazz music. This Thursday, Casa Romantica kicks off its three part jazz series with Dixieland jazz and ragtime musician Tex Wyndham in collaboration with the Albany Nightboat Ragtimers. Listen to an upbeat program of classic ragtime in the elegant main salon of the clifftop casa. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org
ART
Laguna Beach Art Walk
Apr. 5. Laguna Beach Art Walk
Explore Orange County’s coastal art colony during Laguna Beach’s First Thursdays Art Walk. Gallery hop through north, south and central Laguna and experience art from the vibrant local scene and the international scene as well. Many galleries create a fun environment with music from local DJs spinning and complimentary wine for visitors. Various galleries throughout Laguna Beach, 949.683.6871. firstthursdaysartwalk.com
Conversation With… Ed Gomez
Apr. 5. While browsing the galleries of downtown Laguna during the Art Walk, stop by Laguna Art Museum for a Conversation With…Ed Gomez. The Conversation With… series brings artists to the museum to discuss their practice in a casual conversation with guests. Gomez, an artist, educator and curator, co-founded the MexiCali Biennial, a bi-national art and music program addressing the area of Mexico and California as a region of aesthetic production. Admission to the museum is free from 5-9 pm and the conversation begins at 7 pm. 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, 949.494.8971. lagunaartmuseum.org
The Perfect Shot: Andrea Wilson Photo Gallery
Apr. 6. Dainese’s D-Store Orange County presents a gallery-style exhibition of stunning images by racing photographer Andrea Wilson. Join the motorcycle enthusiast superstore for a gallery opening complete with wine and hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to meet the photographer. Wilson has traveled around the world photographing top-level motorcycle racing including MotoGP, World Superbike, AMA Superbike and Supercross. Select photographs are available for purchase. The fun continues on Apr. 8 at noon as Dainese hosts a screening of the Moto GP season opener, live from Qatar. 1645 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.650.2300. dainese.com
Springtime Delight
Apr. 8. The Orange County Museum of Art encourages guests to cultivate their inner artist with its Free Second Sundays series. This Easter Sunday, grab the kids and get creative during Springtime Delight. Take inspiration from the work of Richard Diebenkorn’s abstract expressionist paintings, now on display at the museum, while participating in art-making activities and enjoying a shadow-box puppetry performance by Jukebox Radio. 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, 949.759.1122. ocma.net
SHOPPING
The Road Less Traveled
Apr. 7. The Road Less Traveled celebrates six years of offering organic products, modern natural living and community education with a brand new location and a party! Join the eco-friendly shop from 1-9 pm for kids activities, wood carving demos, local honey tastings from Backyard Bees, henna art, sangria and more. Fern Richardson of Life on the Balcony will sign her new book, Small Space Container Gardens and answer gardening questions from guests. 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, 7134.836.8727. roadlesstraveledstore.com
THEATER
The Prince of Atlantis
March 30-April 29. Big time seafood importer Joey Colletti lands himself in the big house, where the son he never knew wants to met him. Colletti hopes his brother Kevin can keep him at bay for a few months, but Kevin has his own set of problems to address. As the story unfolds, so do themes of family, loyalty and love. 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
Sister’s Easter Catechism
Through April 8.
The Catholic Church’s most hilarious nun answers age old questions of the Easter season like “Why isn’t Easter on the same day every year like Christmas?” and, “Will my bunny go to Heaven?” Part pageant and part wHOLY hysterical, this latest of the sinfully funny Late Nite Catechism series unearths the origins of Easter bunnies, eggs, baskets, bonnets and of course, Peeps! 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com