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Travel Costa Mesa Blog

Posts Tagged ‘South Coast Plaza’

Five Must-Go Places for Lunch Deals in Costa Mesa

Posted on February 8, 2013 | 9:36am

Old Vine Café

Old Vine Café has an inspired lunch three-course pre-fixe menu that features a starter, entrée and dessert. Every option showcases Chef Mark McDonald’s brilliance, but the main reason why Old Vine tops our list is because breakfast is still served.  If you prefer sweet, savory or something comforting, Old Vine Café has the perfect breakfast dish to satisfy any taste.  If you’ve haven’t been to Old Vine yet, be sure to try the open-faced –  a freshly made biscuit with sausage, scrambled eggs and a homemade chipotle gravy.  Old Vine also makes all of their own spreads from scratch.  The unique dishes make Old Vine Café one of the most popular eateries not only at the CAMP, but in all of Orange County.

Old Vine Cafe

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Posted in Food, Locals, Misc

Chinese Lunar New Year at South Coast Plaza

Posted on February 5, 2013 | 12:04pm

February is going to be an exciting month at South Coast Plaza with Lunar New Year events, specials and giveaways.  The Year of the Snake will kick-off on February 5, with a towering snake exhibit and floral arrangement.  The exhibit will be on display in Jewel Court until February 17.

Year of the Snake Exhibit

Between February 7 and 17, shoppers have a chance to win prizes and a South Coast Plaza shopping spree.  There will be an enter-to-win promotion at the four concierge desks with special red envelopes concealing prizes.  Thousands of envelopes will be distributed, but only 50 contain a prize. Read More

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Posted in Events, Food, Misc, Play, Shopping

Top 10 Places for a Hot Beverage in Costa Mesa

Posted on January 15, 2013 | 12:34pm

The recent weather has had us bundled up a little more than usual because it’s not too often that the thermometer dips below 40 in Orange County.  Because of the chill in the air, we’ve been drinking more coffee, tea and hot chocolate.  Our hunt for hot beverages was the inspiration for our list of the best places in Costa Mesa to help you combat the cold with a steaming cup or warmth.

1.  Portola Coffee Lab is a playground for the most skilled baristas in Orange County.  To try an espresso, coffee or any creative offering available is to try the best handcrafted beverage available.   The Lab is the dream, or rather, the physical manifestation of owner Jeff Duggan’s passion/obsession with coffee.  Each staff member is an expert on everything coffee.  From the type of bean, roasting process, brewing process or presentation, they will have an answer for any question you may have.  The décor is not sleepy like most coffee houses, but a vibrant green.  Everything is upbeat and friendly.  And, being that it is a lab, baristas creating drinks wear lab coats.

Portola Coffee Lab by Anne Watson

Courtesy of Anne Watson

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Posted in Food, Locals, Misc, Play

Chef Thomas Keller Signs Copies of Bouchon Bakery at South Coast Plaza

Posted on December 12, 2012 | 11:00am

Hundreds of people anxiously waited in line to meet renowned Chef Thomas Keller and his Executive Pastry Chef Sébastien Rouxel.  The two famous chefs appeared at Williams-Sonoma at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa to sign copies of their new cookbook, Bouchon Bakery.  It was their only book signing in Orange County. Read More

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Posted in Events, Food, Locals, Misc, 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