To Order

JUST DESSERTS

By Elisabeth Abrahamson

October is National Dessert Month and we’ve rounded up our favorite must-try desserts right now. Dig in!

What better way to celebrate than with a sweet treat from LIT Cafe in Anaheim. LIT Cafe serves a large selection of baked-in-house treats—made fresh every morning—including burnt cheesecake, croissants (butter, pain au chocolat, almond), sea salt butter coffee brioche, honey crisp apple galette, molasses spice cookie, walnut coffee cake, carrot cake cheesecake, lemon meringue tart, tiramisu, cream puff, chocolate éclair, and more. Pair your tasty dessert with a flavored latte or cup of tea. 1071 N. Tustin Avenue #100, Anaheim. (657) 208-3485; litcafeoc.com.

The Paragon of Breakfast Treats

Paragon Cafe is one of the newer restaurants to open at SOCO and The OC Mix in Costa Mesa. Located inside Shuck Oyster Bar, Paragon Cafe is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday – Thursday and 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday – Sunday. This is the place to be when you’re craving dessert for breakfast. Start with the puff pastry stuffed with cheesecake and topped with strawberry flambé before moving onto one of the main treats: French toast dipped in custard and topped with strawberry flambé, banana, cheesecake drizzle, and toasted coconut, and the Paragon Belgian waffle served with buttermilk fried chicken on top of a sweet potato puree, and topped with honey glazed pecans and a sweet maple cinnamon butter. 3313 Hyland Avenue, Suite A1, Costa Mesa. (949) 420-0478; paragoncafeoc.com.

Ice Cream Dream

With more than 75 years in the ice cream making business, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream knows what they’re doing when it comes to this icy treat. The creamery offers traditional flavors year-round such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and mint chocolate chip, but also offers rotating flavors by season, including options like fresh peach, apple, and cinnamon roll. Handel’s also serves specialty sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, and Hurricanes, a blend of vanilla ice cream and your choice of candy or chocolate. Grab a cone, snag a spot outside at The Hangar, located at Long Beach Exchange, and enjoy! 4201 McGowen St. Suite 200, Long Beach. (562) 421- 9000; handelsicecream.com.

Sweets on a Stick

Almost too pretty to eat, Popbar’s handmade, frozen desserts on a stick are the ultimate endless summer treat. With more than 50 flavors, and in options varying from gelato to sorbetto to yogurt, there’s a treat for everyone. All Popbars can be dipped into various chocolate flavors (think mint chocolate, vanilla white chocolate, chocolate caramel, and more) and topped with almonds, pistachios, coconut shavings, and rainbow sprinkles. Our go-to Popbar?

Birthday Cake gelato and Passion Fruit sorbetto. Flavors vary by location, so be sure to check the website before heading out. 4150 McGowen St., Unit 12, Long Beach. (562) 420-5180; popbar-lbx.business.site.

A Toast to Dessert

Can’t decide what treat you’re craving? No problem! Toast Kitchen + Bakery, located in Costa Mesa,offers an large selection of delectable desserts including a sweet strawberry lavender snickerdoodle, a red wine fig pop tart, a mixed berry goat cheese cheesecake, and mini pies in flavors like black sesame Thai, sakura honeydew, and strawberry rhubarb. Looking for a lighter, more refreshing option? Try one of Toast’s slushie boba pints in flavors such as blood orange, mandarin, taro blueberry, mango lychee, and Thai tea. 1767 Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa. (949) 873- 5057; toastkitchenbakery.com.

WHAT TO EAT

By Elisabeth Abrahamson

+ DRINK IN OC NOW

The Tiki Gods are Smiling

Can’t go to Hawaii right now? No problem. Stowaway Tiki, located inside Union Market at The District in Tustin, brings the island vibes to you. Show up with your friends and share the coconut shrimp, served with a sweet chili sauce, the deep-fried spam musubi (an absolute must-order!), and the Stowaway fries topped with bacon gravy, rum-braised pork, and a fried egg. Pair the shared bites with a classic tiki sipper such as the Painkiller, made with Mt. Gay Black Barrel rum, pineapple, orange, and nutmeg or the Scorched Pina Colada made with spiced rum and topped with a grilled pineapple. 2493 Park Avenue, Suite #23, Tustin. (657) 208-2088; stowawaytiki.com.

Flavorful Folks

Located inside The Camp in Costa Mesa, Folks Restaurant serves up Italian fare in a relaxed environment. Choose from classic margherita pizza, spicy fennel sausage pizza, or mushroom pizza topped with roasted garlic, oregano, and fontina cheese. Be sure to order a few sides to share. We love the fried chicken wings; meatballs with gravy; pappardelle with chanterelle mushrooms, crème fraiche, thyme, parsley, and pecorino Romano; and wild arugula salad with avocado, shaved radish, and lemon. 2937 Bristol Street a102, Costa Mesa. (714) 617-4888; folkshospitality.com.

We Heart Amorcito

Amorcito, located inside The Hangar at the Long Beach Exchange, serves up casual Mexican food. Start with the French fries topped with al pastor, guacamole, salsa, queso, sour cream, pico de gallo, cilantro, and pickled jalapenos. Entrée options include taco salad with all of the fix ins, and two street tacos: carnitas topped with salsa verde, cotija, and chicharrones, and pollo asado topped with salsa verde, chile lime peanuts, red onion, picked red jalapenos, spicy slaw, and queso fresco. Feeling hangry? The birria beef short rib burrito with rice, beans, green chile aioli, salsa, and queso is your go-to. Finish with homemade churros served with a side of cajeta. 4150 McGowen Street, Long Beach. (562) 420-5005; instagram.com/amorcitolb.

The Best New Brewery

Stanton’s first brewery, Bearded Tang Brewery, recently opened in September at Rodeo 39 Public Market. The brewery and team, led by Brandon Smith, brew various beers, including ales, blondes, IPAs, and lagers, on-site at the market. Order a cold one from the ever-evolving tap list, sink into a plush chair (or sit at the bar if that’s more your vibe) and enjoy the scene. Bonus: Don’t leave without playing one (or five) arcade games, all located inside Rodeo 39 Public Market. 12885 Beach Boulevard #23, Stanton. beardedtang.com.

Hard Seltzer Perfection

Seltzers are hot this year, but with so many options out there, it can be hard to know which brands actually taste good. Enter Three Birds Hard Seltzer. The gluten-free, no sugar added drinks are refreshing with a smooth and clean flavor. The seltzers are made with the perfect combination of natural juice and fizz. Three Birds’ current flavors include raspberry, mango, lime, and cucumber. You can find a 12-pack for $12.99 at Total Wine and More. More info at threebirdsseltzer.com.

Beyond Taco Tuesday

Costa Mesa’s Playa Mesa is one of Orange County’s most happening spots. Come for the lively atmosphere, but stay for the mouthwatering Mexican dishes, drinks, and desserts. Our favorites include freshly made guacamole topped with cotija and pepitas, squash blossoms, Enchilada Suiza con Pollo, birria tacos, shrimp ceviche, and spicy cucumber margaritas. Did you know that The Orange County Register named Playa Mesa as OC’s Best Margarita in 2019. Can’t make it for Taco Tuesday or Happy Hour? Make a reservation for weekend brunch and choose from menu items such as chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, chorizo con papas, breakfast burritos, and more. And don’t forget to add a mimosa or margarita because Sunday Funday. 428 E. 17th Street, Costa Mesa. (949) 287-5292; playamesa.com.

Can-Do Mixology

Creating a cocktail requires time, skill, and quality ingredients. But what to do when you’re short on time? Or don’t have the right ingredients? Pick up a can of Beagans 1806, a ready-to-drink cocktail that uses fresh and delicious ingredients. Beverage flavors include Coffee and Cream, Bloody Mary, Old Fashioned, Mai Tai, Margarita, Gin and Tonic, Allies Mule, Mojito, Vodka Soda, Long Island Tea, Manhattan, Whiskey Cola, Cranberry Vodka, and Cosmo. Crack open a cold one and pour over ice and finish with your choice of garnish. Available at Drizzly, Total Wine and More, and Hi-Time Wine Cellars. beagans1806.com.

Come Together at Reunion

With locations in Anaheim Hills and Laguna Beach, Reunion Kitchen + Drink boasts an extensive menu of appetizing starters, entrées, desserts, cocktails, and more. Start with the cheese potato cakes topped with green onions and a side of chipotle ranch dipping sauce before digging into Rosemary’s Chicken and Biscuits—slathered in sausage gravy—or the Prime Rib Dip served with a spicy horseradish aioli. End the night with an order of warm butter cake topped with vanilla bean ice cream, fresh raspberry pureé, and whipped cream. Share or don’t share, it’s your call. reunionkitchen.net.