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Mother’s Day Dining Options in Irvine: A Culinary Tour of Global Flavors

Issue # 0402

Author

Joshua Tjia
07 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🍱🍣🥗 Mother’s Day Dining Options in Irvine: A Culinary Tour of Global Flavors

🪭🎶 LEGENDS at Segerstrom: Music, Acrobatics, and Mythology Bring Nezha, Mulan, and the Monkey King to Life

🏊🏻‍♀️💦 Irvine Woodbridge Offers Summer Swim Lessons for All Ages and Skill Levels

🍔 Shake Shack Launches Summer BBQ Menu Through September 8

☕️🥐 Paris Baguette Offers Free Drink to IUSD Staff and Teachers During Appreciation Week

🥘🍌 3 Tasty Recipes That Help Fight Inflammation and Boost Brain Function

🌼🌾 Meet the California Poppy: State Flower and Pollinator Magnet

🎨☀️ Celebrate Creativity This Summer with Free Art Events and Festivals in Irvine

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐶🐾 Raising a Well-Behaved Pup: A Guide to Positive Reinforcement Training

🏌🏼‍♂️ Three UC Irvine Golfers Named to All-Big West Team

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Irvine Baseball's Drake Brito Throws Back-to-Back No-Hitters, Breaks Strikeout Record

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🛍️ Irvine Police & Spectrum Security Team Up to Stop Retail Theft

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What kind of birds spend all their time on their knees?

Birds of pray.

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

Mother’s Day Dining Options in Irvine: A Culinary Tour of Global Flavors

For those planning a special meal this Mother’s Day, several Irvine restaurants are offering themed menus and brunches that feature a range of international flavors. Here are a few notable options:

  • Robata Wasa (Irvine Spectrum Center)
    Offers a $55 three-course Japanese menu in a setting inspired by traditional Japanese design. Menu options include spicy tuna crispy rice, miso black cod, mentaiko shrimp pasta, yuzu flan, and matcha panna cotta. A yuzu sangria is also available.

  • Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen (The Market Place)
    Hosts a two-course Mother’s Day brunch for $35 with bottomless mimosas for $18 and live music from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dishes include pozole verde, braised short rib chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, wild mushroom tacos, and crab and shrimp enchiladas.

  • Georgia’s Restaurant (Irvine Spectrum Center)
    Serves traditional Southern fare such as buttermilk fried chicken, blackened catfish, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and a Mardi Gras omelet. A special family meal includes eight pieces of fried chicken, eight pieces of catfish, cornbread muffins, and two sides. Moms receive a complimentary mimosa.

LEGENDS at Segerstrom: Music, Acrobatics, and Mythology Bring Nezha, Mulan, and the Monkey King to Life

LEGENDS is a theatrical performance that combines the stories of Nezha, Mulan, and the Monkey King through music and visual storytelling.

  • Featuring a score by Bin He that blends Chinese instruments, Beijing opera, rock, and classical music, the production incorporates elements such as dance, martial arts, and aerial acrobatics.

  • Directed by Jiangli Yu and produced by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, the show presents traditional and modern Chinese artistic forms.

Irvine Woodbridge Offers Summer Swim Lessons for All Ages and Skill Levels

The Irvine Woodbridge Village Association is offering American Red Cross-certified swim lessons this summer to help children of all ages and skill levels build water safety, confidence, and swimming ability. Parents can use a simple skills checklist to determine the most appropriate level for their child, ranging from beginner water exploration to stroke development.

  • Classes run in both morning and evening sessions, Monday through Friday, with 10 lessons per session (25 minutes each).

  • Sessions are scheduled from June 9 to August 1, with fees of $70 per two-week session and $35 for the one-week option.

  • Levels are divided by age and ability:

    • Level I (Water Exploration): 3 or fewer “Yes” answers

    • Level II (Primary Skills): 4–6 “Yes” answers

    • Level III+ (Stroke Readiness & Development): 7 or more

Find more information here

Shake Shack Launches Summer BBQ Menu Through September 8

Shake Shack is offering a limited-time Summer BBQ Menu through September 8, featuring two seasonal burgers: the Smoky Classic BBQ Burger and the Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles. Both items are made with Shake Shack’s house-made BBQ sauce and aim to deliver barbecue-inspired flavors.

For more information visit their website.

Paris Baguette Offers Free Drink to IUSD Staff and Teachers During Appreciation Week

Staff and Teacher Appreciation Week is in full swing, and Paris Baguette is showing support by offering a free drink with any purchase to Irvine Unified School District staff and teachers. This offer is part of the Spirit of Community sponsorship and is valid at select locations (as noted on the flyer).

3 Tasty Recipes That Help Fight Inflammation and Boost Brain Function

Eating for brain health is just as vital as eating for heart health. UCI Health highlights the cognitive benefits of Mediterranean and DASH diets, which can reduce the risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s. Foods that support brain function include vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and spices like turmeric. Dietitian Kelly Rubenstein emphasizes the role of anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense ingredients in supporting memory, neurotransmitters, and synaptic connections. Chef Jessica Van Roo shares three recipes that deliver brain-boosting benefits:

  • Roasted Beet & Sweet Potato Salad: Combines folate-rich beets, omega-3-packed walnuts, and leafy greens to fight inflammation and enhance brain function.

  • Quinoa Vegetable Paella: A protein-rich, turmeric-spiced dish that stabilizes blood sugar and supports mental focus with kidney beans, zucchini, and artichokes.

  • Crispy Dark Chocolate Banana Rolls: A dessert made with mood-enhancing bananas and dark chocolate, which boost serotonin and improve blood flow to the brain.

Find recipes here

Meet the California Poppy: State Flower and Pollinator Magnet

The California poppy, our vibrant state flower that plays a key role in supporting pollinators like bees. Known for their sun-loving nature, these blooms close up at night and on cloudy days, reopening to the sun’s warmth. Their UV-reflective centers act like beacons, guiding pollinators directly to the pollen.

Celebrate Creativity This Summer with Free Art Events and Festivals in Irvine

Irvine is launching a vibrant summer season with free, family-friendly events and creative opportunities.

  • On Sunday, May 18 (1–3 p.m.), visit the Great Park Gallery for “Journey Through the Maze: 45 Years of PAC-MAN”, featuring a nostalgic exhibition and hands-on art activity.

  • Then, mark your calendar for the Studio Arts Festival on Saturday, June 7 (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) at Heritage Community Park, offering local art, music, and demos.

  • Summer class registration opens May 15 at 6 a.m., with adult jewelry and ceramics registration starting May 18. Details: cityofirvine.org/arts.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 10th, 4-7:00 PM: Instrumental Music Awards and Reception, NHS Theater

  2. May 16th, 5:30 PM: Jazz at the Oak, NHS Oak

  3. May 21st - 22nd, 7:00 PM: POPS Concerts, NHS Theater

  4. May 30th, 7:00 PM: POPS Gala, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

No upcoming events

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. May 8-9, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: Instrumental Pops Concerts

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 10, 7:00 PM: Open Mic Night, Black Box.

  2. May 30, 7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. May 16, 6:30 - 9:30 PM: Pops Concert (PAC)

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Raising a Well-Behaved Pup: A Guide to Positive Reinforcement Training

Puppies learn by repeating behaviors that bring positive outcomes such as treats, attention, or play. The most effective training approach is positive reinforcement—rewarding desired behavior instead of punishing mistakes.

  • Positive reinforcement works best: Reward good behavior with treats, praise, or play from the puppy’s perspective.

  • Core training methods:

    • Luring guides the puppy with a treat to perform an action.

    • Capturing rewards natural, desirable behaviors as they happen.

    • Shaping reinforces small steps toward a larger goal.

  • Markers like a clicker or short word signal that a reward is coming.

  • Cues should be introduced only when the puppy is ready to succeed and always followed by a reward.

  • Start in distraction-free settings and keep sessions short and consistent.

  • Fade the lure by using hand gestures in place of treats while still rewarding completed behaviors.

  • Early socialization (7–14 weeks) is critical and should be done safely and positively.

  • Fear periods (around 14–16 weeks) are normal—avoid overwhelming the puppy.

  • Group classes provide controlled environments for skill-building and socialization.

Effective training focuses on clarity, patience, and creating positive associations to shape lasting behaviors.

Three UC Irvine Golfers Named to All-Big West Team

Three UC Irvine men's golfers earned 2024–25 All-Big West honors. Junior Rei Harashima made the Second Team for the second straight year, leading UCI with a 72.13 average and nine sub-70 rounds, including a top-10 finish at the Big West Championships. Freshmen Jack Yu and Tommy Lin earned Honorable Mentions. Yu posted a 72.48 average, five top-20 finishes, and a standout 67 in the Big West final round. Lin had a 73.38 average over 21 rounds, tying for 11th at the conference championship and placing fourth at the OC Collegiate Classic.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Thur, May 15 – vs Cal State Fullerton, 6:00 PM

  • Fri, May 16 – vs Cal State Fullerton, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, May 17 – vs Cal State Fullerton, 1:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No upcoming events

Irvine Baseball's Drake Brito Throws Back-to-Back No-Hitters, Breaks Strikeout Record

Irvine High School senior pitcher Drake Brito threw back-to-back no-hitters within one week, the latest a 2-0 win over St. Margaret’s on April 29, striking out a school-record 18 batters while allowing just one walk. The right-hander also pitched a no-hitter on April 23 against Sage Hill. Brito credited his fastball, sinker, and slider for his dominance and said he felt more composed in the second game. With 8 wins this season, Brito joins an elite group of pitchers in California history. His coach praised his work ethic, calling him relentless. Brito plans to pitch in college and is focused on helping the Vaqueros make a strong run in the upcoming CIF playoffs.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With May Schedule

Northwood High School Monthly Athletics Calendar (All Level)

No upcoming events

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No upcoming events

Irvine Police & Spectrum Security Team Up to Stop Retail Theft

Irvine Police and Spectrum Security stopped a theft duo at the mall on Saturday. After spotting vehicle code violations, officers pulled over the suspects and discovered $1,200+ in stolen goods from Vuori and Lululemon, along with “booster bags” used to bypass store security. Cristian Hernandez Jaramillo (36) and David Zamir Zuarez Ramos (28), both from Ontario, were arrested and booked on multiple charges including burglary, organized retail theft, and possession of burglary tools.

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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