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Irvine Dining From A to Z: Restaurants and Local Favorites Across the City

Issue # 0699

Author

Joshua Tjia
31 Aug

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🥗🍲 Irvine Dining From A to Z: Restaurants and Local Favorites Across the City

🎻 Tchaikovsky Spectacular Returns with Violin Concerto and Fireworks Finale, Sept. 5

🚑🚒 Free Emergency Preparedness Workshop Coming to Woodbridge Sept. 28

🐈‍⬛🍫 Meet Chococat at Hello Kitty Cafe for His 30th Anniversary Celebration

🪩🎶 Bring the Kids to a Morning Dance Party at Woodbridge Village Center, Sep. 10

💧 Stay Cool and Hydrated: Simple Tips for Hot Summer Days

🌳 Explore Orchard Hills on a Scenic 6-Mile Morning Trek September 3

🍏🧵 Cozy Crafts & Apple Cider: Join Teen Pom-Pom Coaster Night on September 3

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛👀 How Cats See the World: Color, Motion and Night Vision

🤽🏻‍♂️ UC Irvine Men’s Water Polo Defeats Concordia 16-9

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Irvine Football Shuts Out Portola 8-0 in Crosstown Matchup

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🅿️ Irvine Police Crack Down on Misuse of Disabled Parking Spaces

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did the traffic light say to the car?

Don’t look — I’m changing!

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

Irvine Dining From A to Z: Restaurants and Local Favorites Across the City

Irvine’s dining scene has something for nearly every craving, from pizza and ramen to Korean hot pot and Vietnamese favorites. Here are just a few places to check out:

Check out a full A-to-Z dining list here to discover even more Irvine restaurants and dishes worth trying.

Tchaikovsky Spectacular Returns with Violin Concerto and Fireworks Finale, Sept. 5

Pacific Symphony’s Tchaikovsky Spectacular: Concert of Hope brings a night of classical music and fireworks to Great Park Live in Irvine on Saturday, September 5, at 8 p.m. Conducted by Eric Jacobsen and featuring violinist Randall Goosby, the SummerFest concert includes Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, selections by Copland, Anna Clyne and Rossini, and a grand finale with the 1812 Overture and fireworks.

Find tickets here

Free Emergency Preparedness Workshop Coming to Woodbridge Sept. 28

Woodbridge Village Association is hosting a free emergency preparedness workshop on Monday, September 28, from 7–9 p.m. at the Woodbridge Community Center. Led by members of Irvine’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the interactive, game-based session will share current preparedness tips while giving neighbors a chance to participate in activities and connect with one another.

RSVP in advance here

Meet Chococat at Hello Kitty Cafe for His 30th Anniversary Celebration

Hello Kitty Cafe is celebrating Chococat’s 30th Anniversary with a special Meet & Greet on Tuesday, September 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fans can stop by the cafe to meet Chococat and have a sweet snack.

Bring the Kids to a Morning Dance Party at Woodbridge Village Center, Sep. 10

Join the Little Beats Pop-Up Dance Party at the Woodbridge Village Center on Thursday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to noon in the courtyard. Kids of all ages are invited to dance, play games, enjoy music, and have some high-energy fun.

Stay Cool and Hydrated: Simple Tips for Hot Summer Days

Here are a few simple tips from Hoag Urgent Care Sand Canyon to help you stay hydrated, cool, and healthy during hot weather:

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day

  • Keep a water bottle nearby

  • Take breaks from the heat

  • Watch for signs of dehydration such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and dry mouth.

Explore Orchard Hills on a Scenic 6-Mile Morning Trek September 3

Join the Thursday Morning Trek through Orchard Hills on September 3 from 7–10:30 a.m. The 6-mile hike climbs nearly 1,800 feet to the Hangman’s Tree Monument on Loma Ridge, with steep climbs and descents, sections alongside an avocado orchard, and sweeping views of the Pacific coastline, San Gabriel peaks, and Santa Ana Mountains.

Cozy Crafts & Apple Cider: Join Teen Pom-Pom Coaster Night on September 3

Teens ages 13 and up are invited to a cozy fall crafting hour at Katie Wheeler Library on Thursday, September 3, from 5–6 p.m. Participants can enjoy apple cider while making fuzzy pom-pom coasters to keep or give as gifts. All materials are provided, and walk-ins are welcome.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

No events scheduled for this month.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No events scheduled for this month.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

No events scheduled for this month.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No events scheduled for this month.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

How Cats See the World: Color, Motion and Night Vision

Ever wonder how your cat sees the world? Research suggests that cats see blue and gray most clearly and may also perceive yellow, while reds and greens are harder to distinguish. Cats are also more near-sighted and see fewer vibrant color variations. However, they make up for it with excellent low-light vision, wider peripheral vision, and a strong ability to detect movement, helping them hunt and stay alert.

UC Irvine Men’s Water Polo Defeats Concordia 16-9

UC Irvine men’s water polo closed the UCI Invitational with a 16-9 win over Concordia. Johann Thrall led UCI with four goals, Gage Verdegaal added a hat trick, and goalie Nico Assalian made 12 saves.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Soccer

  • Sat, Sep 5 - vs Missouri, 6:00 PM

  • Tue, Sep 8 - vs San Diego, 6:00 PM

  • Thur, Sep 10 - vs San Diego, 6:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Sep 4 - vs MiraCosta, 6:00 PM

  • Fri, Sep 18 - vs Santa Ana, 6:00 PM

  • Wed, Sep 23 - vs Santiago Canyon, 6:00 PM

  • Fri, Sep 25 - vs Pasadena City, 6:00 PM

  • Wed, Sep 30 - vs Riverside, 6:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 18 - vs Rio Hondo, 4:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Tue, Sep 22 - vs LA Valley, 3:00 PM

  • Tue, Sep 29 - vs Santa Ana, 3:00 PM

Irvine Football Shuts Out Portola 8-0 in Crosstown Matchup

Irvine High School improved to 1-1 with an 8-0 shutout victory over crosstown rival Portola, powered by a strong defense that recorded three interceptions.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated with August Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

September 2026

Tuesday, September 1

  • Water Polo, Boys - 4:30 PM vs Valley View

Wednesday, September 2

  • Flag Football, Girls - 3:30 PM vs Laguna Beach

  • Golf, Girls - 4:00 PM vs Estancia

Friday, September 4

  • Football - 7:00 PM vs Woodbridge

Irvine Police Crack Down on Misuse of Disabled Parking Spaces

Irvine Police arrested a man Friday after investigating a tip that he was allegedly using fraudulent disabled parking placards to store multiple vehicles in accessible parking spaces at an apartment community. Traffic detectives determined six vehicles had bogus placards, which were seized.

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

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