Travel Costa Mesa Blog
Brittney Au discusses AAPI Heritage Month with Ed Lee, Owner of Tableau Kitchen and Bar
Brittney Au is a creative professional specializing in graphic design, a lifestyle content creator, food lover, and “accidental activist.” She grew up in Arcadia with her mother, father and brother and knew from a young age that she had the creative spirit within her. Brittney shares her food, home decor and fashion adventures on Instagram @BrittneyAu for her 23.8k followers. Brittney is also passionate about food and dining and worked with The Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) on selecting Tableau Kitchen and Bar in South Coast Plaza for one of the AAPI Heritage Month Features that Travel Costa Mesa would be focusing on during the month of May. Tableau has participated in fundraising events for OCAPICA, is dedicated to community involvement, and is centered around supporting non profit causes. Ed Lee, owner of Tableau and other restaurants in the area, took the time to answer some of Brittney’s questions about food, culture, and community.
Brittney Au: “What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?”
Ed Lee: “First let me say that I have been truly blessed to have a rich and wonderful Asian heritage that I’m proud of. AAPI Heritage month means we as Asians and Pacific Islanders have the opportunity to share our rich culture with others through our business and special events. There are so many great events throughout OC which means I can also learn about other Asian and Pacific Islander cultures.”
Brittney Au: “In what ways has your culture shaped your identity?”
Ed Lee: “I am Chinese born in Brazil so my culture is a mix and it has shaped my identity as an immigrant to the U.S.A. I embrace my roots knowing the difficulties that previous generations have gone through to make a better life for my generation. My values, my work ethic, my motivation to help others and my gratitude in life all have a connection to my culture, my parents and my faith in God.”
Brittney Au: “What advice do you have for the AAPI Community?”
Ed Lee: “Let’s continue to embrace our culture and share it with others, pass it on to the next generation, and learn from one another.”
Brittney Au: “Why did you choose Costa Mesa to have your business?”
Ed Lee: “Costa Mesa is a great shopping and food destination — it has become the food Mecca of OC.”
Brittney Au: “OCAPICA was part of selecting you for this feature because of the work you have done with them. Can you share about your work with them and all your other philanthropic initiatives at Tableau?”
Ed Lee: “I have worked to support OCAPICA via my other restaurants Wahoo’s and Toast Kitchen & Bakery. In the early years working with OCAPICA, I was able to use my connections in OC to bring other restaurateurs onboard to participate in the newly formed Tastemakers event. Since then, the event has grown every year and is the one event I personally enjoy the most. Tableau has only been open for four months and in the short time we have been open, we have done charitable work with Vocational Visions, Uncork for Hope, Illumination Foundation and National Charity League. Our large custom table which seats 12 was made specifically to help us fundraise for worthy charities. We call it the Giving Table because it allows us to donate dinners to be auctioned off at charity galas. We are honored to be participating at OCAPICA’s Tastemakers event Wednesday September 14 , 2022.”
Travel Costa Mesa thanks Brittney Au for sharing her adventures touring Costa Mesa on our Travel Costa Mesa Instagram. Thanks to Ed Lee and the Tableau Kitchen and Bar team for sharing his responses with us, and OCAPICA for supporting our efforts in amplifying AAPI voices during AAPI Heritage Month. OCAPICA will be hosting their Tastemakers fundraiser event on Wednesday, September 14. Join the OCAPICA newsletter for updates on ticket information coming this summer.
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Top Tips for Mother’s Day Brunch in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa has every option you need to treat mom to a perfect Mother’s Day brunch. Whether mom’s up for an elegant Michelin-star experience or a lively brunch, the table’s set for you, mom and the family to enjoy the special celebration. Read on for some ideas of where to brunch in Costa Mesa.
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Why South Coast Plaza is the West Coast’s Best Destination for Shopping
While so many people use sites like Amazon for shopping nowadays, there’s just no substitute for shopping in person. Seeing the latest items from today’s fashion designers up close and personal is an experience for everyone to enjoy. Touching and trying on garments to ensure a great fit is still the best way to purchase the clothing that’s perfect for you. And South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is definitely the place to start! Celebrating its 55th year in business this year, South Coast Plaza is hosting a variety of great events and exhibitions, along with welcoming exciting new boutiques.
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BHM Series: Hola, Adios!
Visit Hola, Adios for Delicious Food in the Perfect People-Watching Coffee Shop
As we complete our February celebration of Black History Month, Travel Costa Mesa has partnered with a Black content creator to share stories of local Black-owned businesses and her own viewpoint of Costa Mesa and Orange County. Danielle is a social media influencer and writer who started a blog called Follow My Gut, about food experiences in LA and OC, and subsequently writing for Locale Magazine and other publications. Enjoy Danielle’s guest post and stories this month sponsored by Travel Costa Mesa!
One of my favorite activities is to people watch.
I love to sit outside at a restaurant or a coffee shop with a delicious meal or drink in front of me. Whether I’m alone or with a friend, I enjoy people watching. The commentary within the act isn’t to critique those walking by, but to make observations of lives other than my own. The chance to sit somewhere, eat something delicious, and imagine about the life of someone else – even if only for a few moments – is fun. I was able to do this recently on a visit to Hola, Adios in Costa Mesa.
It was pretty easy to realize that Hola, Adios is the perfect location to people watch. The Virginia Place coffee shop is also an ideal stop to get work done, catch up with the homie, or simply have a solo meal. As I was there with a friend, I had the chance to get a firsthand look into the shop. From the moment I stepped inside, the shop felt inviting. It’s due in part to the brightly colored walls, the warm accents of wood, and the smiling faces behind the counters. The other part of it, is the menu. It’s the all-day breakfast options with well-made drinks that allow Hola, Adios to be the kind of place that makes you feel welcome and want to linger.
I lingered on my visit.
It was easy to do as I had the chance to people watch, and I had their “Basic Bi…scuit Sandwich” in hand. If I’m being honest with you, if I had their sandwich at my disposal I could have been anywhere. The sandwich takes Hola, Adios’ in house baked biscuits and pairs it with egg, sharp cheese, and bacon. It’s the simplest combination of ingredients that make a warm and hearty sandwich. It has the right amount of saltiness from the bacon, the delicious taste of the biscuits, and the ideal size to sit comfortably in hand that makes it a great item to order – especially when people watching. Hola Adios has a lovely sundries shop as well, with handmade goods and local art.
While the changes of the world have had an impact on the way we can be in a restaurant and spend time with one another, should you have the chance to slow down with the day and people watch, I highly suggest you do it at Hola, Adios. Unsure of what to get? Make it the biscuit sandwich, sit outside, and enjoy making delightful observations of the lives of people outside of yourself.
Contact Information
Name: Hola, Adios
Website: www.holaadioscoffeeshop.com
Address: 120 Virginia Pl unit 101, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: (949) 329-8987
Hours: Daily – 7:00am to 3:00pm
Email: info@holaadioscoffeeshop.com
Social: Instagram
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BHM Series: Marcus Norris
Marcus Norris Brings His South Side Symphony Orchestra to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
As we celebrate Black History Month, Travel Costa Mesa has partnered with a Black content creator to share stories of local Black-owned businesses and her own viewpoint of Costa Mesa and Orange County. Danielle is a social media influencer and writer who started a blog called Follow My Gut, about food experiences in LA and OC, and subsequently writing for Locale Magazine and other publications. Enjoy Danielle’s guest post and stories this month sponsored by Travel Costa Mesa!
Here’s a random fact that you didn’t know you needed about me: I love theater shows and live concerts.
I grew up watching shows like Aida and The Lion King and even acted in and worked on theater performances during high school. Not to brag, but I was the person who put the pea under the mattress in my school’s portrayal of The Princess and the Pea. Without me, the show would have just been a girl going to sleep on a bunch of mattresses. I also love concerts with orchestras. There’s something about following the notes played on instruments that makes me smile from ear to ear. As someone who has grown up loving this form of art, I continue to enjoy seeing musicals and concerts as an adult. Thankfully, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts has a calendar of events that can feed this interest of mine, and possibly your interest if you love them as much as I do. To celebrate Black History Month and my Costa Mesa adventures, I’m elated to know that the Segerstrom Center will be having “The Love Below: The Heart Song” by composer Marcus Norris on Monday, February 28th at 7pm.
If you’re not familiar with Marcus Norris, he’s an acclaimed young Black composer who grew up listening to R&B, rap, hip-hop and began to explore concert classical music as an adult. With years delving into the intricacies of music, Norris has become known for his ability to fuse the styles of the genres with popular songs to see how melodies and harmonies can coexist. “I wonder how what it would sound like if we played ‘Back That Thang Up’ (by Juvenile) with an orchestra.” Norris asking questions like those while growing up came at a perfect time because music was being pushed with sampling and instrumentals on the radio. To explore each inquisitive thought that came to his mind and to make it a reality, Norris assembled South Side Symphony as his orchestra. As the composer and director, Norris tirelessly ideates and creates to find those answers and to see what he can create musically for others to enjoy.
In designing his musical fusions, Norris feels as if he is simply playing with notes and instruments to create an environment that show attendees will both love and feel. Having an orchestra that is organized primarily of his friends, he and South Side Symphony can share their musical talents and skills while interacting like a family. With his upcoming show in Costa Mesa, Norris is excited about performing with his orchestra in an intimate venue as the Samueli Theater. Being in the theater, Norris is thrilled at the venue’s design that alludes to the feeling of a cabaret where everyone can connect with the orchestra, vibe with the music, and enjoy the event in a beautiful and organic way.
Norris’ upcoming show will bring together the genres he loves most while pulling from popular music from the 90s and 2000s. The theme will revolve around the spectrum of Black love from romantic, platonic, familial, and self. I know this show will creatively highlight the songs of an incredible time in music while uplifting the Black journey through love, self-acceptance, appreciation in a truly unforgettable way.
With the hope of adding more stops to Costa Mesa to his tour, make sure to follow Marcus Norris and South Side Symphony to stay up to date on where the composer and orchestra go next.
Contact Information
Segerstrom Center for the Arts:
Address: 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone Number: (714) 556-2787
Hours: Monday – 10:00am to 2:00pm, Tuesday through Friday – 12:00pm to 5:00pm, and Closed Saturday & Sunday
Social: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube.
Marcus Norris: Website, Instagram
South Side Symphony: Website, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Tidal.
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