Greer’s OC: Gourmet burger joint opens

The Umami wait is over.

After much speculation as to where the first Umami Burger would open in Orange County, Umami opened at The CAMP in Costa Mesa. The hot Los Angeles-based gourmet burger concept will roll out two more locations in the coming months at the Anaheim Brewery, followed by a Laguna Beach location.

To simplify the meaning of Umami, or fifth taste, it’s a sensation from meaty or savory tastes. It goes like this: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and then, umami.

The menu at Umami is solely focused on delivering this umami taste through fancy burgers like: the truffle burger with house-made truffle cheese and truffle glaze ($12); or the Umami Burger with shiitake mushroom, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, Parmesan crisp, and umami ketchup ($11); and the Manly Burger with beer-cheddar cheese, smoked salt-onion strings, and bacon lardons ($11). Even non-meat eaters can enjoy the greenbird, a Shelton Farms turkey burger with crushed avocado, green cheese, butter lettuce, sprouts, and green goddess dressing.

We’re thinking it’s best to go with the Kombu Meal No. 1, which is an Umami burger, with thin fries, and a Singha lager for $17.

Umami’s sides won’t disappoint either. You can choose from sweet potato fries ($4), malt liquor tempura onion rings ($3), and house pickles ($5). Umami’s sauces also receive rave reviews, including its Umami ketchup, house spread, roasted garlic aioli, kombu relish, jalapeno ranch, or diablo sauce. Even dessert lovers and beer fans will find a sweet selection of both.

The CAMP is at 2981 Bristol St. For more information, call (714) 957-2981, or visit https://www.umami.com/umami-burger.

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C.A.M.M. On Out

Music will meet art, film and action at one refreshing artsy evening, when C.A.M.M. (Cinema, Art, Music, Movement) presents an Outdoor Artist Festival from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday at South Coast Plaza Village.

CA.M.M. brings together artists, musicians and athletes in one setting with live music, deejays, a full bar and specialty food trucks.

The Newport Beach Film Festival will show trailers and sneak peeks of this year’s films. The artist village will display modern to abstract art, as well as crafts, and some of the best indie bands in SoCal will perform, including Superhumanoids, Races and NO, with support from DJ Kedd Cook.

A limited amount of advance pre¿sale tickets are available for $12 at tktwb.tw/A2XV4q. Ten percent of all ticket sales will benefit the Sheckler Foundation Charity called “Be The Change,” which supports neighborhoods in need with facilities and equipment, as well as aiding injured action sports athletes. The event will take place in the courtyard at South Coast Plaza Village, 1631 Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana.

After C.A.M.M. ends, head over to the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa at 10 p.m. for a post event live performance by Flight Facilities. A limited amount of $20 all-access passes (includes admission to C.A.M.M. and the post event) are also available online.

Attendees must be 18 or older to enter C.A.M.M., 21 to drink, and 21 to attend the post event at Detroit Bar. Detroit Bar is at 843 W. 19th St. in Costa Mesa.

Visit https://www.SophisticatesUnited.com or https://www.Facebook.com/thesungroup for more information on upcoming events.

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Newport’s new boutique

If we had to name one style icon who epitomized the French flirty, relaxed and seaside lifestyle, it would have to be Brigitte Bardot, the 1960s sex symbol who still influences international fashion.

Her carefree and fashionable style is obtainable at Bardot, a new boutique in Newport Beach created by owner Dana Harmon. Bardot specializes in basics to special occasion pieces from ALC, Haute Hippie, Rachel Pally, Clover Canyon, Amanda Uprichard, Current Elliott, Siwy, James Jeans and more.

Harmon carries easy wearable dresses in colorful prints, Nation, Ltd.’s comfortable tunics perfect to wear with skinny jeans, ALC pleated dresses ideal for spring, and Top Secret, the answer to sexy bra tops without underwire.

We’re loving the Cleobella Mexicana clutch that can double as a wallet; the Theodora & Callum printed scarves inspired by travels to Morocco, Bali, Turkey, India and the Mediterranean; Christopher Fischer cashmere; and Bow and Arrow bikinis.

This is the place to find exclusives to Orange County like Gold Dust, handmade dresses repurposed from vintage fabrics in Los Angeles and handmade jewelry from Noble House Design designed specifically to wear with Bardot’s fashions. And as a special for Greer’s OC readers, you can mention us and receive 10% off your next purchase.

The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Bardot is at 2043 Westcliff Drive, Suite 103. For more information, call (949) 515-2710.

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SusieCakes’ Easter specials

The cases are full of fresh springtime bakery specials for Easter and Passover at SusieCakes Bakery in Newport Beach.

Let SusieCakes make your holidays sweeter with the cupcake of the month, pineapple upside down; lemon Easter cake filled with lemon curd and topped with vanilla buttercream; or pies and cheesecakes like white chocolate banana cream pie with whipped cream, or blueberry crumble pie with streusel topping.

For Passover, SusieCakes is offering an original caramel matzo crunch with matzo crackers drizzled with chocolate and caramel ($3), a flourless chocolate cupcake topped with baby coconut macaroon in center ($3); and a flourless chocolate cake lightly dusted with powdered sugar for $36.

SusieCakes is also offering Susie’s Carhops, making pickup of pre-ordered bakery treats easy. Just order and pay online, call in on the drive over, and Susie’s Carhops will run your order out to your car.

Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. SusieCakes is at 2043 Westcliff Drive, #104. For more information, call (949) 646-6881, or visit https://www.susiecakes.com.

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Splurge on Easter Sunday

Celebrate Easter with an extra special experience. Book a luxurious room Saturday or Sunday at the St. Regis Monarch Beach, and receive a $150 resort credit so you can enjoy the famed St. Regis Monarch Beach Sunday Champagne Brunch.

The brunch features a myriad of international dishes, as well as all of classic favorites, including omelet, pancake, seafood and carving stations. You can also enjoy the Signature Bloody Mary Bar — a signature St. Regis drink ($10 per Bloody Mary), sip unlimited champagne and delight in breathtaking ocean views. Hotel guests can enjoy a complimentary egg hunt at 10 a.m. and at noon — with a winning gift basket opportunity.

Call (800) 722-1543 to reserve your memorable Easter celebration. St. Regis Monarch Beach is at One Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point.https://www.stregismb.com

GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily email service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at [email protected].