Untold Chefs and Hidden Mysteries Surround OC’s New Secret Pop-Up

Underground pop-ups with prizes

There’s a mystifying new pop-up experience called Secret Chef Society coming to Orange County soon. Part interactive culinary demo, part pseudo-escape room experience, part charity event, the first-of-its-kind dinner goes down on April 17.

As the OC Register notes, the idea is to get known chefs to secretly join the ongoing dinners for one night only, cooking up a favorite recipe from their repertoire — often with the help of folks from the 50-person crowd. There will also be wine and light snacks available in the room, which is similarly outfitted with hidden surprises and keys that could potentially open mystery boxes with prizes. The whole thing is being done as a benefit to Golden Rule, a food industry worker support charity. The Costa Mesa event costs $30, and the first event goes down next month.

Sunshine dining

Eataly’s 11,000 square foot rooftop restaurant Terra will open on March 29, offering wood-fired Italian favorites and lots of rotisserie plates. There is also an indoor-outdoor bar with views of the surrounding Westfield Century City project and beyond.

Coffee comes close

Compton’s upcoming Patria Coffee is getting close, and that means it’s time to hire some staff. They’re looking to keep things local too, no experience required.

More and more Mega

South Park favorite Mega Bodega is turning two on Saturday, and as such the craft beer will be seriously flowing in Downtown. Stop by to say hi, grab a glass of something from the keg, eat tacos, and enjoy.

Soba hitmaker

The latest Koreatown sensation may well be Mimimyunga, the freshly-made soba shop that’s drawing legions of fans and Instagrammers. LA Times is on the case of what to expect, when to go, and precisely what to order.

Jose Andres in town

Chef Jose Andres will be at The Wiltern on May 1 for an LA Times Food Bowl event called The Power of Food. The conversation will cover the culinary as well as the community side, and includes food as well as celebrities. Tickets start at $15.

Drinks for cheaper

Robertson Boulevard cocktail spot Bibo Ergo Sum is now offering a weekday happy hour. Expect $6 martinis, $8 pours of wine, plus snacks and more. The happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the menu is below.