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Travel Costa Mesa Blog

Archives for Locals

SOBECA District Art Walk in Costa Mesa

Posted on November 28, 2012 | 11:13am

The SOBECA District Art Walk kicked off last night with entertainment, art, food and more at the CAMP, the LAB, Artkiteks Hair Studio and the SOLO building.  SOBECA, an acronym meaning South On Bristol, Entertainment, Culture, Arts, is a pedestrian friendly area located around Bristol Street, south of Baker consisting of trend-setting, eco-friendly shops, restaurants, services and galleries.  Anchoring the SOBECA district are the LAB and the CAMP shopping centers. Read More

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Posted in Events, Food, Locals, Misc, Music & Art, Play, Shopping

Orange County’s Best Black Friday and Small Business Saturday Shopping in Costa Mesa

Posted on November 21, 2012 | 10:51am

There is no rest for the weary during the holidays.  Between family gatherings, home-cooked meals and holiday parties, there isn’t much free time for shopping.  Holiday decor hangs in stores earlier each year.  While the scent of your Thanksgiving meal still lingers in the kitchen, it’s already time to focus on holiday shopping.  Whether your list is for one or one-hundred, there is a good chance shopping is on the agenda for the long Thanksgiving weekend.  With many big-brands offering large discounts on Black Friday, fighting through the crowds may be worth the savings.  If leaving the house seems like too much to ask, there is Cyber Monday, where online retailers and e-commerce sites offer savings on products and shipping with one-day-only deals.  In between the Black Friday swarm and the Cyber Monday searches is Shop Small Saturday, a national movement that promotes shopping at locally owned businesses. Read More

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Posted in Events, Locals, Misc, Play, Shopping

Farm to Food Truck Challenge at SoCo Farmers’ Market in Costa Mesa

Posted on November 19, 2012 | 10:48am

To celebrate their second birthday, the SoCo Farmers’ Market hosted The Farm to Food Truck Challenge on November 17.  Hundreds of judges, spectators and chefs gathered for the competition set up in the style of the Food Network’s “Chopped” where speed, skill and ingenuity are combined to be crowned the top chef, or in this case, the top truck.  Chefs prepared meals based on pre-selected ingredients.  Because the Farm to Food Truck Challenge  was held at the top famers’ market in Orange County, the five mandatory ingredients – butternut squash, walnuts, pomegranate, kale and mushrooms – were all seasonable.

Food Trucks

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Posted in Events, Food, Locals, Misc, Play

West Elm Opens its First Orange County Location at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa

Posted on November 2, 2012 | 9:20am

West Elm is opening its first Orange County location today at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.  The upscale furnishings and housewares store features contemporary furniture styles, kitchen ware, housewares, linens, hand-made textiles, interior design assistance and custom-made upholstery.

West Elm South Coast Plaza

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Posted in Locals, Misc, Shopping

Celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer Teaches Cooking Course in Costa Mesa

Posted on October 25, 2012 | 12:04pm

Celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer offered a cheese cooking course at his eponymous restaurant in Costa Mesa.  Palmer has received many culinary accolades including three Michelin stars and has appeared on the Food Network’s Top Chef during season 6 as a guest judge.

Charlie Palmer has restaurants in Las Vegas, Dallas, Northern California and New York.  His location in Bloomindale’s at South Coast Plaza is widely considered one of the leading restaurants in Orange County.

Palmer, accompanied by his Executive Chef Seakyeong Kim, provided the course at the demonstration kitchen in Bloomingdale’s.  With so many locations nationwide, personal appearances and hands-on demonstrations are rare. Read More

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Posted in Events, Food, Locals, Misc, Play