TAKE A LOOK AT THAT PAELLA! — We sent Vince Mancini to meet with Chef Amar Santana to learn how to make Top Chef worthy food.

The countdown is over, and 2016 is finally here! With the new year comes a slew of venues and individuals making life in Orange County all that much sweeter. Here, the best of what’s out there and what’s to come, and the results of our annual readers’ survey.

His new, Spanish-and-beyond concept coming to Costa Mesa in 2015

Santana, an alumnus of the former Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdales in South Coast Plaza, was named in 2015 as one of the most influential people in Orange County by the Orange County Register.

Restaurants under construction in the OC are scrambling to put on finishing touches so they can open during the holiday season. We’re tracking the most anticipated new food brands – from burger bars to crusty pies to premium seafood.