I was out with my husband and our two teens last year on Mother’s Day. He’d asked what I wanted to do and I thought something super low key - dinner in and a family movie night sounded just about right.

This year, my 15-year-old daughter decided on an entirely different experience to celebrate with a “girls afternoon out” a day early - one that involves two of her favorite pastimes: day-tripping and shopping.

So with all the premium outlet shopping we could possibly want, we’re putting retail therapy from Desert Hills at the top of the list. Over 180 stores with markdowns up to 65% off makes it so easy to find the perfect gift for mom (and some pretty fantastic finds for teenage girls too). Here are a few of the stores we both agreed were going to be infinitely infinitely fun to wander in and out of on our weekend shopping sojourn:

Alice + Olivia features fashions with a youthful vibe that juxtaposes the whimsical and flirty with the sexy and sophisticated - from denim styles and spring dresses to work attire and beautiful accessories.

Renowned for his glamorous red-sole shoes and killer stilettos, Christian Louboutin is synonymous with luxury and celebrity. As the designer’s only outlet store on the West Coast, Desert Hills Premium Outlets showcases the French luxury brand’s signature style found in their coveted shoes, handbags and accessories for both men and women.

Looking for some international flair that offers “high-end” luxury without the hefty price tag? Scandinavian brand GANNI has earned something of a cult following with unique attire that features designer quality, elevated pieces - effortless style characterized by pops of color and prints, putting a fresh spin on closet staples. I’m certain it doesn’t hurt that scores of popular celebs and fashion icons have been spotted wearing its latest looks.

Intricate attention to detail, elegance and sophisticated refinement coupled with expert craftsmanship to create the most comfortable Italian high heels is what sets Gianvito Rosi apart. From “Vamp” boot styles to “Ellipsis” pumps, the Italian shoe maker offers a variety of styles that are perfect for any occasion.

A carbon-neutral women’s clothing company at the forefront of sustainable fashion, Reformation brings stylish, vintage-inspired fabrics and sustainable practices together for unique, beautiful clothing designs that are the “go-to for weekend casual” for style-savvy women. From printed jeans and strappy tops to kitten heels, floral dresses and even wedding attire, the Reformation outlet at Desert Hills Premium Outlets is the perfect place to find your next affordable outfit.

48400 Seminole Drive
Cabazon
PremiumOutlets.com

We have family friends with whom we’ve recently begun embarking on weekend getaways - trips that are within an easy half-day’s drive from South OC. Over the long weekend in February, we trekked to South Lake Tahoe to take active advantage of the epic snowfall. Then last month, we opted for a more leisurely sojourn defined by gourmet cuisine and fine wine in Napa Valley.

I cannot begin to tell you the serotonin rush I get when I put up my out of office message. Especially with the knowledge that what awaits is an experience as lush and stress-free as the Napa Valley Wine Train. Now, I’m not saying I’m technophobic, or that I don’t appreciate the rigors of a typical workday. But letting the daily routine off the hook once in a while is my kind of fun, and experiencing the decadent journey aboard a three-hour tour through wine country on a restored vintage railcar that travels through the picturesque landscape of stunning vineyards and rolling hills? There’s no better - or unique - way to experience the beauty and charm of the region.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers a variety of experiences, from gourmet lunches to themed tours and special events. The train’s historic railcars have been carefully restored and outfitted with plush seating and elegant decor, creating a luxurious and comfortable atmosphere. Don’t have a ton of time to spend away from the norm? Try the Gourmet Express or Afternoon Tea. Both allow for intimate conversations at a slower pace as lunch or tea are served while you gently rock to and fro over the rails from Napa to St. Helena and back. Savor world-class cuisine, award-winning wines and your surroundings, while the sun is bright and the antique Pullman railcar totes you through the splendor of California’s wine country.

Grab your girlfriends for Afternoon Tea and chat over the most delicate finger sandwiches, tasty soups and salads, and a variety of artfully crafted teas. Enhance the experience with a caviar course or learn the flavors of Napa beneath the tutelage of a Master Sommelier. Not one to imbibe? You won’t have to settle for less with signature mini desserts and views for days on tap. Make friends with your compartment mates or grab a private table for four. And maybe leave that out of office up just a little longer, as you linger in the soft light over Napa’s most elegant and timeless adventure.

Our friends are particular fans of Rombauer’s varietals so a cave tour and wine tasting at its Napa Valley vineyards topped our wish list of weekend activities and our tour and tasting experience at the family-owned winery more than delivered.

The spectacular brainchild of Koerner Rombauer, whose great aunt Irma wrote the international bestseller The Joy of Cooking. Situated on a picturesque hilltop overlooking the valley, guests are taken on a journey through the history and winemaking process, learning about the terroir of the Napa Valley and the techniques used to create their acclaimed wines, including their signature Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

As if the views of the Mayacamas Mountains and gorgeous gardens on site aren’t enough to give you a taste of the Rombauer legacy, they recognize that winemaking itself is a “holistic endeavor,” and integrate the land and their community into the distillation process. Each guest becomes a vital part of the winemaking since the first days of business back in 1980.

Explore the property with your host and learn about the caves below the tasting room, then sip a vintage as you stroll through the lovely garden. A library of flavors awaits as well as a personal tasting board, complete with small bites to graze on. The perfect complement to an afternoon beneath the warm California sun, the full Napa experience is waiting for you to partake. Go ahead, you might even find some remnant Joy along the way.

By Sunao Gilbert, MD, FAARFM, ABAARM

The body consists of approximately 100 trillion cells and in one cell there are 10 billion chemical reactions occurring every second!!!

Please take a moment to think about that. The enormity of this number makes it almost impossible to fathom the complexity of nutritive components required to not only sustain life (metabolism), but for the body to grow and repair itself.

Imagine the nutritive requirement if you have a chronic illness and are taking multiple medications; recovering from surgery; or even attempting to get over a simple cold. Therefore, the science of IV therapy begins with an understanding of the cell.

When we think about good nutrition and optimal health the last thing most of us think about is the cell, but it is the first thing we should think about. All first-rate nutrition begins at the cellular level. The health and proper nutrition of the cell is critical to good body wellbeing.

We can eat all the right foods and have a normal blood chemistry (labs) but if our cells are not getting the suitable nutrients, our body will not function properly, which is expressed as symptoms. A rash is not caused by a deficiency of hydrocortisone cream or Benadryl; however, it could be caused by a deficiency in riboflavin (vitamin B2). Promoting cellular nutrition is the single most important life sustaining and life-giving measure we can take to guarantee optimal health.

As a biological system the human body is constantly protecting and detoxifying itself from free radicals, trauma, pesticides, herbicides, toxic metals, toxic chemicals, radiation, and pollution damage. Optimal detoxification is paramount to the maintenance of optimal health. The natural process of aging or senescence decreases the effectiveness of our natural repair (detoxification) mechanisms.

There is no magical formula for how many pollutants the body can manage before it becomes overwhelmed and begins to have symptoms (signs of toxicity). Everyone is different. Age, metabolism, health status, genetics, and interactions with other products (medications, chemicals, and toxins like plastics or aspartame) are a factor determining the kind and amount of toxins we can be exposed to before our bodies cry out for help (symptoms, illness, or disease). The process of detoxification, the process of turning toxins into substances that the body can expel through the breath, sweat, urine and bowel movements requires many nutrients, cofactors, and vitamins to drive the chemical reactions forward that allow us to remain alive and feeling good.

In the late 1960’s it was postulated that random free radical damage in the cell is responsible for aging. A natural consequence of this theory was that antioxidants could prevent cell damage from free radical formation and slow the aging process.

The body’s natural defense to free radical formation is to produce antioxidants. When antioxidants are not available in sufficient quantities to counteract the effects of free radicals, excessive damage to the body’s fats, proteins and even the DNA and RNA housed in the nucleus of each cell occurs.

The body burden caused by free radicals is termed “oxidative stress.” As the amount of damage increases with age so does the rate of aging. Oxidative damage is postulated to cause a wide range of diseases at the level of organs and organ systems.

Heart disease, cataracts, macular degeneration, immune diseases, Alzheimer’s, and the cellular changes that lead to cancer are thought to be the result of high oxidative stress at the cellular level.

One answer to oxidative stress lies in optimizing cellular nutrition and providing an abundance of antioxidants. Although it is believed that there can never be enough antioxidants available to counteract all of the effects of free radical damage, having an abundance of antioxidants is anti-aging.

Optimum Rejuvenation distinguishes itself by customizing the IV to you and your needs and providing an overabundance of antioxidants. Instead of 2 to 5 grams of Vitamin C given at most IV hydration establishments; at Optimum Rejuvenation, your dose begins at 25 grams.

We do not believe that the best result comes from choosing from a general menu. A thorough history, physical and detailed lab panel is obtained. Then all of the information obtained is used to develop your precise formula that addresses your labs and symptoms.

We focus on reducing oxidative stress loads, replenishing vital nutrients necessary for effective detoxification, and restoring the vitality of the cell membrane and nutrient flow.

Intravenous (IV) therapy is the most effective route to get vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential nutrients into your body. The reason is because the nutrients entirely bypass your digestive tract. Instead, via the intravenous route they enter your bloodstream directly.

Given all of the above reasons, please ask yourself,” Do I really need an IV”?

910 S. El Camino Real
San Clemente, CA 92672
Please call for your appointment
949-363-3162

Outdoor Living at The Covington Retirement Community, Aliso Viejo

Nestled in the hills of Aliso Viejo, The Covington greets its residents and guests with a Mediterranean-style landscape that invites you to stroll the grounds and enjoy the ideal weather of South Orange County. Tucked away under the trees is a “Secret Garden” where one can sit and meditate on the koi slowly swirling in the pond, and listen to a babbling brook nearby. Residents and their guests can be found leisurely cruising the manicured walking paths or pacing through their daily “power walk;” many with their dogs, who also enjoy an invigorating social stroll.

Marilyn, a recent arrival to The Covington and 50-year resident of greater Los Angeles – most recently Rancho Palos Verdes, is no stranger to landscaping, having kept an abundant backyard for years. When it came time for Marilyn and her husband Dale to move, a few things were non-negotiable: “We wanted to downsize, we wanted to stay near the beach, and we wanted outdoor space to enjoy.”

An opportunity came to lead The Covington’s Landscape Committee, and Marilyn took on the role of Committee Chair with enthusiasm. The committee’s 12 members, many of whom have downsized from larger homes and gardens, share a passion for planting and cultivation. They meet monthly with The Covington team to learn about upcoming initiatives and discuss areas around campus that could use some sprucing up.

Recent projects include re-planting of a prominent area, affectionately referred to as “the slope,” with 3000 plants sure to add beautiful color and greenery once mature. Varieties planted include Laparanthus, Baccharis, Rosemary, Acacia and Bougainvillea.

The committee works closely with Sterling Land Care, The Covington’s professional landscapers, who provide two full-time gardeners 5 days per week. The partnership with Sterling also enables residents to receive professional assistance in their personal gardening pursuits as needed.

Residents remain cognizant of the ecology and ongoing water conservation. They use cardboard instead of plastic and plant lots of Coral succulents, which require little water and provide the garden with beautiful dashes of orange, pink and green.

“Many of us with cottages have our own patios where we grow flowers and entertain our friends and family,” Marilyn says. “The surrounding pines and jacarandas provide lovely color and shade.”
For those who really enjoy getting their hands dirty, there is a resident garden with raised plots and panoramic views of the surrounding valley.

When Virginia “Ginnie” Somerville came to The Covington 14 years ago with her husband, she didn’t intend to make gardening the focus of her next chapter; but, as it turns out, she is known around campus for her green thumb. “I’m a Midwesterner who grew up on a farm,” Ginnie says, “so I have an affinity for working in a garden.My garden plot has been a great outlet for me to express my creativity and sense of humor.”

Ginnie eats much of what she grows. Her friends and neighbors also enjoy the literal fruits of her labor. Among the many things Ginnie is known for, rhubarb pie is near the top of the list. She even has a dwarf lime tree, which she jokes about planting solely for her gin and tonics. And neighbors in need of a pick-me-up can always count on Ginnie to be there, fresh roses in tow.

Others stop by to take it all in and enjoy its bounties – marigolds, roses, tomatoes, and blueberries. Ginnie says it’s also the perfect place to do yoga, tai chi and, sometimes, vent your frustrations! “We get together. We lift stuff,” she says. “You see the rewards of what you put into the garden and it’s therapeutic.”

Over the years, improvements have been made, and interest has grown – there are now 12 raised beds, with gravel for drainage and steel mesh to guard against gophers. “Everybody’s interested in what’s going on with our planting projects. There’s always lots of support,” she adds, “You don’t have to do it on your own.”

Like everything else at The Covington, the gardens and pathways provide the freedom to live creatively. You can move here without missing out on the things you enjoy. “If someone has been gardening over the years,” Marilyn says, “living here means they’re still able to express their creativity and passion for planting and cultivating.”

“Everyone has their own preferences for rest, relaxation and stimulation,” Ginnie adds. “You can find something that interests you. Gardening is just one of many.” From card games and mahjong to music, theater and choir, there truly is no shortage of activities happening.

Ginnie enjoys music and theater. She coordinates with local musicians to put on concerts, enjoys dinners out with friends, and visits local museums regularly. “I co-produce a show called Covington Fabulous Follies,” she says. “This year, my co-producer and I opened the show in sequin jackets and sang the opening number from Chicago.” Not too shabby for an 87-year-old!

Marilyn and Dale make a point to state how much they enjoy their new home at The Covington. “We are extremely happy here! The residents are very friendly, eager to meet and share stories of their backgrounds. Inevitably, we find common interests to share. Activities abound, with exercise classes daily, Daiken brain games on the computer, cultural and entertainment offerings all within arm’s reach. The food is excellent, on par with fine dining, all sorts of variety and very accommodating of special dietary requests. It’s the most effortless way to have a rich and fulfilled life. We are thrilled we made this decision.”

Marilyn and Ginnie stress that you don’t have to be a gardener to enjoy The Covington campus. But if you do stop by, remember to abide by the rules. Well, the one rule anyway: “If you didn’t plant it, don’t pick it!”

About the Covington

The Covington offers exceptional senior living in a secure, gated neighborhood in Aliso Viejo. Our relaxed, maintenance-free living and beautiful accommodations provide the perfect setting for pursuing your passions and living life on your terms. Find the choice you deserve, freedom you desire and flexibility you can count on at The Covington. Because life is what you make it. Your legacy is now.

Contact us today to learn more. (949) 209-3829 | thecovington.org.

General Home Care includes companion care, personal care, assisted daily living, meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, mobility and transportation services, plus medication reminders. All the support to live a comfortable life that is categorized as non-medical.

Home Health assist with medical requirements and duties, along with the general home care. This is prescribed treatments (administering medication, monitoring vital signs, wound care, and more) by doctors and under a nurse’s supervision.

Palliative Care is comfort care to help improve the quality of life for those who have serious life-threatening illness or chronic disease. The goal is to treat or prevent the symptoms, or any side effects, and prevent hospitalization.

Hospice Care is end of life comfort care when no more treatments are available or being administered.

Understanding your home care needs can make a difference for you to get the best possible care. Call Us TODAY to get an assessment!

Connecting Your Lifestyle and Technology

When I was younger, my Mom loved to read me the book “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.” The plot essentially revolves around an ever-growing list of to-do’s that had to be accomplished, all set into motion by the simple act of giving a mouse a cookie. This tale came back to me recently when I purchased a new television at Best Buy.

What was a simple shopping trip ended up being an adult’s version of that circular tale. If you give a grownup a television, they’ll have to measure their wall. When they measure the wall, they’ll realize they may actually have room for a bigger television. When they buy the bigger television, they’ll find out they have no idea how to mount it to the wall. When they start mounting it to the wall, they’ll see that the power outlets are all in the wrong places. When they realize the outlets need to be moved, they’ll call an electrician. (This could go on forever.)

Luckily for clients who have been on the receiving end of ReelTime’s patient, intelligent, and personalized service, the rabbit hole of home automation doesn’t have to swallow you entirely. With the help of their independent certified Control4 dealer, it’s easy to update your home without upending your entire life. After all, the true luxury of an integrated entertainment system is really dependent on its ability to deliver seamless entertainment. By placing every control at your fingertips, the team at ReelTime helps homeowners manage everything from how brightly lit your family room is, to your streaming devices - all with a single remote. And best yet? You can control your whole home from the comfort of your couch- even seeing who is at the front door, without ever leaving your seat.

Simple, clean, and uncluttered.

And on the home entertainment front … when you started planning for your ultimate home theater set-up and sound system, could you find the right media cabinetry for your particular space – cabinetry that wouldn’t catch on fire from the heat of the equipment, or that would simply look good in the room? Did you understand half of what the televisions, receivers and other devices could do, and did you have anyone to hold your hand to make sure you weren’t overspending for what you wanted?

Big box retailers, the professed champions of value, are happy to sell you any home theater and sound equipment you think you might like, and send you off to figure it out at home. That’s what they do. And that’s all they do.

If you want the home theater system that you envision, seek the services of Skip Myers and his team of experienced professionals at ReelTime to take you from start to finish for the home theater or sound system of your dreams.

“Usually there is a part of the job that you find you just can’t do by yourself,” says Skip, who has overseen the design and installation of thousands of home theater and sound systems over the course of 40-plus years in the business. “You get your brand new television home, you’re so excited, then you realize you need to move an outlet or none of the cabinets you can find will fit your space. We’re here to make sure you get the equipment that will give you what you want and the system that will work with that equipment, without leaving you to fend for yourself.”

Skip opened the doors at ReelTime in 1983. Today, the technicians and designers that Skip assigns to clients are all ReelTime employees, knowledgeable in all home theater and sound technologies. First, they work closely with you to determine what you’re looking for. Then they custom design every aspect of the project, from wiring to custom-built cabinets, frames, or built-in wall designs. Finally, licensed, in-house contractors install your entertainment system with care and precision.

There are a couple of things that people may not think about when they embark upon the road to their own home entertainment system.

“You need to think about your home theater goals,” says Skip. “You don’t have to do everything at once – you can do it bit by bit – but if you know where you’re going, you’ll save money and when it’s all said and done, you’ll have exactly what you want and what you will actually use. We’re here to help you determine your goals.”

Skip is also an advocate for getting what you’ll use, which is part of the design and planning process.

“You can buy everything you want to, but if you can’t operate it, what’s the point?” he says. “There’s the television, DVD and Blue-ray; there’s the receiver, there’s Apple TV… it’s all great, but how do you get them to work together? We’re big advocates of the universal remote. Not everyone knows how to get the most out of their systems with one powerful remote – they’re not expensive, but the best ones are computer-based. We’ll set that up for you so you’re getting the most out of your custom system.”

It’s easy to assume that personal service is expensive, but a conversation with Skip and the experts at ReelTime is free. Ultimately, in planning your purchases for the right outcome, you’re likely to save money while avoiding chilling setbacks. The only chilling you want to be doing is in front of your fantasy home theater system.

Connect with Skip Myers and ReelTime by calling (949) 240-0555, stop by their beautiful new showroom at 26381 Via De Anza in San Juan Capistrano or visit www.reeltimeav.com

Mobile Therapy Specialists Inc. (MTS) was founded by two physical therapists with over 45 years of combined service in Orange County. Lee Perkins PT and Patrick Klick PT recog-nized a need to provide convenient, high quality physical therapy directly to patients in their homes. “People often confuse our business with tradition-al home health care since we treat at the patient’s home, but MTS functions more like an outpatient physical therapy clinic. More of a clinic on wheels,” Lee states.

Lee remarks therapists in the typical physical therapy clinic are treating 3-5 patients per hour. With MTS, patients are receiving one-on-one treatment for the entire hour directly with their therapist. “What we have found from this delivery of care is a higher job satisfaction for our therapists, exceptional patient treatment experiences and better overall outcomes,” Patrick states.

The quality MTS provides has been recognized in the community through partnerships with HOAG At Home, Vivante Assisted Living Facilities, and the Merage JCC. MTS has 16 therapists covering all of Coastal Orange County and South Orange County. Every therapist is carefully selected for exceptional skills and high-quality customer service and goes through a background check and training directly with company leadership. Mobile Therapy Special-ists is truly physical therapy at its best!

Patients Love Mobile Physical Therapy

• One-On-One Treatments At Home
• MEDICARE With Supplement Covers Cost
• MTS Therapists Provide All Necessary Equipment
• Safety, Privacy, Quality and Exceptional Infection Control
• Preferred Therapy Partner of HOAG At Home, Vivante Assisted Living Centers and the Merage JCC

*Specializing In: Post-Op Surgical Rehabilitation, Spine Care, Muscle/Joint/Nerve Pain, Neurological Conditions, Balance/Fall Issues, Athletic Injury and Cardiac Rehab.

(949) 529-1567
MTSResults.com

By Sunao Gilbert, MD, FAARFM, ABAARM

The body consists of approximately 100 trillion cells and in one cell there are 10 billion chemical reactions occurring every second!!!

Please take a moment to think about that. The enormity of this number makes it almost impossible to fathom the complexity of nutritive components required to not only sustain life (metabolism), but for the body to grow and repair itself.

Imagine the nutritive requirement if you have a chronic illness and are taking multiple medications; recovering from surgery; or even attempting to get over a simple cold. Therefore, the science of IV therapy begins with an understanding of the cell.

When we think about good nutrition and optimal health the last thing most of us think about is the cell, but it is the first thing we should think about. All first-rate nutrition begins at the cellular level. The health and proper nutrition of the cell is critical to good body wellbeing.

We can eat all the right foods and have a normal blood chemistry (labs) but if our cells are not getting the suitable nutrients, our body will not function properly, which is expressed as symptoms. A rash is not caused by a deficiency of hydrocortisone cream or Benadryl; however, it could be caused by a deficiency in riboflavin (vitamin B2). Promoting cellular nutrition is the single most important life sustaining and life-giving measure we can take to guarantee optimal health.

As a biological system the human body is constantly protecting and detoxifying itself from free radicals, trauma, pesticides, herbicides, toxic metals, toxic chemicals, radiation, and pollution damage. Optimal detoxification is paramount to the maintenance of optimal health. The natural process of aging or senescence decreases the effectiveness of our natural repair (detoxification) mechanisms.

There is no magical formula for how many pollutants the body can handle before it becomes overwhelmed and begins to have symptoms (signs of toxicity). Everyone is different. Age, metabolism, health status, genetics, and interactions with other products (medications, chemicals, and toxins like plastics or aspartame) are a factor determining the kind and amount of toxins we can be exposed to before our bodies cry out for help (symptoms, illness or disease). The process of detoxification, the process of turning toxins into substances that the body can expel through the breath, sweat, urine and bowel movements requires many nutrients, cofactors, and vitamins to drive the chemical reactions forward that allow us to remain alive and feeling good.

In the late 1960’s it was postulated that random free radical damage in the cell is responsible for aging. A natural consequence of this theory was that antioxidants could prevent cell damage from free radical formation and slow the aging process.

The body’s natural defense to free radical formation is to produce antioxidants. When antioxidants are not available in sufficient quantities to counteract the effects of free radicals, excessive damage to the body’s fats, proteins and even the DNA and RNA housed in the nucleus of each cell occurs.

The body burden caused by free radicals is termed “oxidative stress”. As the amount of damage increases with age so does the rate of aging. Oxidative damage is postulated to cause a wide range of diseases at the level of organs and organ systems. Heart disease, cataracts, macular degeneration, immune diseases, Alzheimer’s and the cellular changes that lead to cancer are thought to be the result of high oxidative stress at the cellular level.

One answer to oxidative stress lies in optimizing cellular nutrition and providing an abundance of antioxidants. Although it is generally believed that there can never be enough antioxidants available to counteract all of the effects of free radical damage, having an abundance of antioxidants is anti-aging.

Barring all of the intestinal problems like IBS, Celiac disease, bariatric surgery, Chron’s disease, GERD leading to the use of PPIs, and many others, aging by itself, leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the GI tract to absorb nutrients. For instance, when we age, there is a natural decrease in secretion of pancreatic enzymes needed for complete digestion. Also, over time with wear and tear, the small intestines’ mucosal absorption surface area is reduced. Medications often also interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the intestine.

Current IV nutrition therapy focuses on reducing oxidative stress loads, replenishing vital nutrients necessary for effective detoxification and restoring the vitality of the cell membrane and nutrient flow.

Intravenous (IV) therapy is the most effective route to get vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential nutrients into your body. The reason is because the nutrients entirely bypass your digestive tract. Instead, via the intravenous route they enter your bloodstream directly.

Given all of the above reasons, please ask yourself, “Do I really need an IV”?

910 S. El Camino Real
San Clemente, CA 92672
Please call for your appointment
949-363-3162

I took a ballroom dancing class in college. The first day, the instructor told us that there were two styles he wouldn’t teach us: the first, tango. Too passionate, he noted, for a class of college kids. We laughed it off. Then he said flamenco. Too passionate, he noted for a second time, but it sounded completely different. No one laughed. Instead, an understanding settled over us like some sort of Spanish pixie dust. Since that class, I’ve attempted to dance the tango, and seen many flamenco performances - once even on my honeymoon in Madrid. More recently, another closer to home at Cafe Sevilla in Costa Mesa.

A must-visit for anyone looking for a taste of Spain, the moment you step inside, you’ll be transported to the streets of Seville with its warm, inviting atmosphere and decor reminiscent of a traditional Spanish tavern. The menu showcases a wide range of authentic cuisine and beverages, including tapas (think grilled octopus, sauteed garlic mushrooms and bacon wrapped dates) and sangria (a customer favorite made with fruit and red wine), using the freshest ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. But the real star of the culinary show here is its signature Paella Valenciana, a seafood extravaganza brimming with mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, chicken and grilled sausages.

Home to the longest-running flamenco dinner show in Southern California, Cafe Sevilla offers a three-course dinner each Saturday night to complement the thunderous, soulful, sometimes melancholy dance that originated in Andalusia, Southern Spain. Watching these dancers expose their emotion and passion through their strong and precise motions is not only beautiful but extremely moving. Flamenco combines pride, strength, pain, and passion through aggressive but purposeful movements with the dancers’ feet.

Proudly offering the most authentic Spanish ambience in the state - the tapas bar, restaurant, and nightclub has been in operation for over 30 years.

Treat yourself to a hand-crafted cocktail or their signature sangria, small plates and live Latin music in the tapas bar. If your Saturday night is full already, clear the schedule: you won’t regret witnessing the passion of the dance which was recognized as part of the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. For its complexity, its poetry. For memory and history. For the taste of Cafe Sevilla.

Cafe Sevilla | 1870 Harbor Blvd.  | Costa Mesa | (in Triangle Square) | (949) 688-1555 | CafeSevilla.com