Travel Costa Mesa Blog
Top Places to Dine for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Costa Mesa
The holidays are a great time for family and friends, especially when you can wine and dine and enjoy an evening out at South Coast Plaza restaurants with exceptional food and better company, with prime steak and seafood selections, or choose authentic Indian cuisine or traditional American fare. Costa Mesa restaurants are here to make your holidays bright, starting Christmas Eve with celebrations all the way into 2017.
Families and kids-at-heart won’t want to miss the decadent dining at Leatherby’s Café Rouge that could only be envied more by our friend Buddy the Elf.
Leatherby’s Café Rouge
Christmas Eve Brunch & Dinner December 24, 2016
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Dinner December 25, 2016
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On Christmas Eve Leatherby’s Café Rouge will host a fabulous Elf Broadway brunch buffet with food and fun for the whole family. Highlights include smoked trout deviled eggs, whole roasted ham, buttermilk pancakes with blueberry syrup, frittata, “spaghetti” cupcakes, hot cocoa with marshmallows and crushed peppermint. A candy station and hot chocolate bar as well as, arts and crafts hosted by Kidseum. The Elf Broadway brunch buffet is $45 for adults, and $22 for children 12 and under. For reservations please call 714.429.7640.
Silver Trumpet Restaurant
Christmas Eve Dinner, Saturday, December 24 – 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Christmas Dinner Sunday, December 25 – 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Four-course prix fixe menu for $50 per person
Include premium wine pairings for an additional $25 per person
Make your reservation today for a delicious and thoughtful holiday menu.
Make your Silver Trumpet reservations online!
CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25
Mastro’s Steakhouse
From 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Enjoy an unparalleled dining experience at Mastro’s Steakhouse this Christmas. The full à la carte dinner menu featuring the highest quality steaks and seafood will be available. À la Carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.546.7405.
Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine
From 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
This holiday enjoy Royal Khyber’s full à la Carte dinner menu featuring authentic Indian cuisine. Using the finest Indian seasonings and spices, dishes can be made mild, moderate or hot. Vegetarian options are available as well. À la carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.436.1010.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
From 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Spend Christmas Day enjoying a memorable meal with family and friends with selections from Morton’s The Steakhouse à la carte menu. Dine on generous portions of USDA prime aged beef, fresh fish, lobster and chicken entrees, as well as an extensive wine list. A succulent steak and lobster tail served with drawn butter will also be available for only $55. À la carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.444.4834.
Settle in to this warm and intimate setting with a special three-course prix fixe menu for $28.99 per person. Enjoy Le Chateau’s continental cuisine, as well as the finest service. Transport yourself to the French countryside this Christmas at Le Chateau, located inside the Ayres Hotel and Suites Costa Mesa. Call 714.549.0300.
NEW YEAR’S EVE, December 31
AnQi Bistro by House of An
From 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Back by popular demand is AnQi’s extraordinary New Year’s Eve celebration! From 7-9 p.m. enjoy a five-course, prix fixe dinner featuring courses from caviar to foie gras and prime beef with a Perrier Jouet champagne toast. At 10 p.m., the restaurant will transform into a swanky party with a DJ, aerialists, dancers and figure skaters. Drinks will be flowing with an open premium bar and hosted Perrier Jouet champagne bar, as well as passed appetizers and caviar station. Bottle service available after 10 PM. Reservations required. Dinner is $153; late-night cocktail reception, $100; dinner & cocktail reception $200; pricing is per person plus tax and gratuity. For reservations please call 714.557.5679 or email lindsayc@houseofan.com.
The Capital Grille
From 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The Capital Grille Costa Mesa will offer its full dinner menu filled with fresh seafood, dry-aged steaks and acclaimed wines. Guests will enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight. À la carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.432.1140.
Darya Fine Persian Cuisine
From 9:00 p.m. to midnight
Ring in 2016 with a fabulous night of food, dancing and entertainment starting at 9 p.m. A three-course menu will be served featuring Darya’s most popular dishes. Reservations are required. $89.00 per person for the prix fixe dinner; à la carte menu prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity).
For reservations please call 714.557.6600.
Golden Truffle
Chef Alan Greeley’s bold approach to food is so remarkable it merges all the senses with the magic of the moment. Enjoy a four-course prix fixe dinner for $78 per person, excluding beverages, tax and gratuity. Reservations are a must, so please call 949.645.9858.
Spend NYE at Habana with a special dinner menu and live music by the Lilly Hernandez band and Madcat, as well as, rum tasting and a balloon drop to ring in the New Year. Visit Habana for more information and to make reservations.
Leatherby’s Café Rouge
From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy a pre-theater dinner at Leatherby’s this New Year’s Eve. The full à la carte menu will be served along with a special Elf Broadway three-course prix fixe menu. The course meal features a gem Caesar salad, chestnut ravioli with roasted pumpkin, beef short rib and chocolate cranberry trifle for dessert.
The Elf Broadway dinner is $50 for a three-course prix fixe or $72 with wine pairings; à la carte menu prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity).
For reservations please call 714.429.7640.
Mastro’s Steakhouse
From 4:00 p.m. to midnight
Ring in 2017 with an unparalleled dining experience at Mastro’s. The full à la carte dinner menu featuring the highest quality steaks, seafood and libations will be available. À la carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.546.7405.
Quattro Caffé
From 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Bring in the New Year with a masquerade party that includes a four-course Italian menu, live entertainment by Ivan Marcelo and Domenico Grillo, party favors, prizes, a midnight champagne toast and more. The three-course prix fixe dinner is $69 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.754.7933.
Seasons 52
From 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Seasons 52 will be serving its full seasonally inspired calorie-aware à la carte menu for New Year’s Eve and Day. Guests who choose to ring in 2017 there will enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. À la carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.437.5252.
Silver Trumpet Restaurant & Bar
Open until 1 a.m., with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
If you’re looking for a casual, yet classy way to ring in the New Year, Silver Trumpet does it in style. Visit Silver Trumpet at 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, or call 714.442.8593 for information.
Vaca
From 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Ring in 2017 with Top Chef Amar Santana’s authentic Spanish New Year’s Eve specials: American wagyu tataki with bone marrow flan ($13), uni spoon with caviar ($12 each), wood-grilled Alaskan king crab ($32), Maine lobster paella ($60) AND wood-grilled Chilean sea bass ($42). Vaca’s full menu of charcuterie, tapas, paella, dry-aged steaks, Spanish wines and handcrafted cocktails will also be available until 11 p.m. The bar will remain open until 2 a.m. Reservations highly recommended. À la carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.463.6060.
Water Grill
9:00 p.m. to close
The New Year’s Eve celebration begins in the private dining room starting at 9 p.m. with an à la carte menu, DJ and midnight champagne toast. Reservations essential: 949.208.7060.
Antonello Ristorante
From 5:00 p.m. to midnight
Ring in the New Year at Antonello Ristorante with authentic Italian cuisine, music and other festivities. A limited à la carte menu will be available along with Antonello’s extensive world-renowned wine list. À la carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.751.7153.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
From 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – New Year’s Eve Dinner
Say goodbye to 2016 while enjoying Morton’s full à la carte menu of classic appetizers, award-winning wines, a wide variety of USDA prime aged steak, fresh seafood options and decadent desserts. À la carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For reservations please call 714.444.4834.
Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine
From 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Enjoy Royal Khyber’s full a la carte dinner menu, with vegetarian options available. À la carte prices vary per selection (exclusive of tax and gratuity).
For reservations please call 714.436.1010.
While you’re planning your holiday outing, why not take advantage of the final days of the Stay and Shop package at one of 10 hotels in Costa Mesa. Not only are some of these hotels offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining specials, we’ve got you covered for a variety of dining experiences throughout our city. Happy holidays, and we’ll see you in Costa Mesa!
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Get Away for the Holidays in Costa Mesa
The holidays are upon us and while we begin to prepare for festive gatherings, office parties and catching up with family and friends, a little R&R is always welcome this time of year. If you’re intrigued by the idea of getting away before or after the winter holidays, we have another reason that should help entice you – a gift certificate for $100 to use for dining, theater tickets, or to finish up your shopping at Costa Mesa’s world-renowned shopping destination – South Coast Plaza.
How do you get in on this great deal? It’s easy:
First, select one of 10 hotel properties to settle in for a few days – whether you’re looking for 4-diamond luxury or something more economical, we have venues for all budgets.
Second, book your trip to stay two days through January 7, 2017.
Third, decide how to spend your $100 gift certificate while in the City of the Arts™.
Costa Mesa offers experiences for couples, friends as well as the whole family so you can take a break and enjoy the winter season in the year-round sunshine with mild temperatures averaging mid-60s in the winter.
We invite you to spend your holidays in Costa Mesa. Getting here is easy, with just over an hour drive from Los Angeles, Inland Empire and San Diego. Or, fly into John Wayne Airport, just minutes from Costa Mesa where most hotels offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
Here are some of our ideas on how you can enjoy your stay with a little extra cash in your pocket:
There is always something new in Costa Mesa, especially when it comes to setting the trend for the season. Whether looking for a gift, or shopping for yourself, you’ll find the latest styles at newly opened stores like Max Mara Weekend with their ready-to-wear accessories and lifestyle collection. Stop by White Lilac, a boutique offering a unique, whimsical collection of gifts, housewares, accessories, furniture and décor. These and many other luxury brands, like Harry Winston, Hermes and Prada are exclusive to South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
To make your visit extra special, South Coast Plaza offers concierge service in four locations to provide you assistance with all of your shopping and dining needs. Complimentary gift wrapping is also available.
If you’re a theatergoer, Costa Mesa has it all. From world-renowned symphonies and chamber music to Broadway musicals, and some of the best ballets in the country, the stage is always set at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Purchase tickets at the box office centrally located to hotels in the heart of Costa Mesa. December brings the sites and sounds of performances including American Ballet Theater featuring The Nutcracker; Elf the Musical; The Klezmatics Eastern European Jewish Music; Fiesta Navidad featuring Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano in this festive performance.
If you have sophisticated dining experience, Costa Mesa has you covered. Try Din Tai Fung with their gourmet dumplings, or Mastro’s Steakhouse for your prime favorites. AnQi by Crustacean prepares California-Asian tapas for a dining experience for your whole group.
Traveling with family or friends, look no further than Wolfgang Puck Bistro, Quattro Café for traditional Italian cuisine or Water Grill with the freshest seafood and menu updated with daily specials.
PLAY IN COSTA MESA
Around town you’ll find Costa Mesa buzzing with holiday activities. Visit Santa at South Coast Plaza and enjoy the holiday décor and festive retailers featuring all the latest trends.
Visit The OC Mix at South Coast Collection Sunday, December 4, 11, and 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy free, family-friendly days filled with photos with Santa, Party Karacters, a festive photo booth, live music, and holiday activities like complimentary gift wrapping and arts and crafts.
The Triangle has the whole family engaged in its entertainment and retail center. Catch the latest movie on the big screen, stake out a lane at Tavern + Bowl then grab dinner at La Vida Cantina or quick treat at Creamistry – made-to-order ice cream using liquid nitrogen. On December 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Triangle invites families to enjoy the holidays. Activities include visits with Santa, face painting and holiday-themed music performed by MONTAGE – a musical group from Orange County School of the Arts.
If you’re seeking more adventure, Anaheim is only a 20-minute shuttle ride where you can spend a day at Disneyland. Or, head to the Pacific Ocean, just about 10 minutes to Southern California’s coast. Between December 14 and18, you can view the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade featuring nearly 100 decorated boats as they cruise the Newport Harbor.
We look forward to seeing you and hope you enjoy the experience Costa Mesa offers. Check with the participating hotels as well as our website for dining specials through Christmas and New Year’s Day.
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Posted in Events, Food, Hotels, Locals, Misc, Music & Art, News, Play, Shopping
Here’s Where to Get Thanksgiving Dinner in Costa Mesa
Can you believe the holidays are here? They always sneak up so fast on us. Though you might be visiting Costa Mesa for a quick getaway, holiday shopping (Black Friday at South Coast Plaza, anyone?) or a business trip, you can still get the full Thanksgiving experience at a few different Costa Mesa hotels and restaurants. Here’s some places to get your turkey fix:
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Martin Lawrence Galleries Brings International Art to Costa Mesa
Martin Lawrence Galleries has 10 locations around the United States, specializing in original paintings, sculpture and limited edition graphics. With three locations in California, the gallery in Orange County is located inside South Coast Plaza. Not only providing artwork for sale and display, Martin Lawrence Galleries has also lent nearly 250 different artworks by 16 different artists to 32 different museums around the world.
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Posted in Events, Music & Art
3 Great Speakeasy Lounges in Costa Mesa
What is a speakeasy? Back in the Prohibition Era, speakeasies were hidden, illicit spots that sold alcoholic beverages under the table even though they were illegal. According to Wikipedia, a newspaper in 1889 stated, “Unlicensed saloons in Pennsylvania are known as ‘speak-easies’.” They were “so called because of the practice of speaking quietly about such a place in public, or when inside it, so as not to alert the police or neighbors”.
When Prohibition was ended in 1933, speakeasies in general died away. Today, we have a little different view on the speakeasy, hearkening back to a day when drinking seemed sultry, mysterious, and just a little bit dangerous. Costa Mesa has a great selection of bars and nightlife, particularly a few spots that hearken back to those early 1900 days of dark bars, red velvet couches and a well-made cocktail. Take a look at our list of speakeasy bars in Costa Mesa, in the heart of Orange County. (pc: Life Magazine)
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Posted in Play
