As winter draws to a close and tourist season revs up, especially along the coast, new-restaurant season isn’t far behind. Three spots are poised to debut across Orange County from now until early summer, including a revolving sushi joint, an Italian chain and a brand-new concept from chef Magellan Moore, formerly of Mastro’s Ocean Club.
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Noble Ace
Big news along Coast Highway: The historic Heisler Building (vacant since early 2025 after Bodega shuttered) will soon come back to life.
Noble Ace, which bills itself as a “Golden Age Hollywood-inspired speakeasy restaurant and bar,” is the brainchild of chef Magellan Moore (of Mastro’s Ocean Club), Elizabeth and Tom Schreiber.
“Magellan and I met 12 years ago when we worked together at Mastro’s while getting my degree from USC,” said Elizabeth Schreiber, in a phone interview. After getting married and pursuing another career, the restaurant world still beckoned. She said she pitched the idea of opening a restaurant with Moore every year. “For a long time he said no,” she said. “But about a year ago, he finally agreed.”
Both Moore and the Schreibers have tapped their combined industry connections and prowess to develop the new concept. While Schreiber emphasized that it won’t be a steakhouse, she hinted at a flexible menu and experience.
“We’ll offer New American fare, or you can do one of our five-course menus in our tasting room, with views of the kitchen, for a more elevated experience,” she said. “Or bring your kid. We want to feel accessible to everyone.” Schreiber noted that it will also feature a robust cocktail program “featuring eight signature cocktails that are fun and playful.”
Noble Ace is slated to open sometime this summer, possibly late June or early July.
Food items pass by customers on a conveyor belt inside Kura Revolving Sushi Bar at the Brea Mall in Brea on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Marking its fifth Orange County location, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar will open this week at The Village at Orange.
For the uninitiated, here’s how it works: Roughly 100 dishes glide by on a two-tier conveyor belt system. Diners can simply reach out and grab whatever catches their fancy and are charged by the plate, each priced the same. A separate belt delivers specialty items tableside.
Beyond the sushi superhighway, guests can order additional Japanese fare — think udon, ramen, side plates and desserts. And adding to the delivery spectacle are drink delivery robots.
Kura already operates locations in Brea, Cypress, Garden Grove and Irvine, with additional Southern California spots planned for Canoga Park, San Diego and Temecula later this year.
Kura in Orange is slated to open Friday, March 20.
The Brea Mall’s much-anticipated expansion continues this spring with the arrival of North Italia, the upscale-casual Italian chain’s 50th location.
Menu highlights include white truffle garlic bread, cacio e pepe arancini, yellowtail crudo and a lineup of pizzas ranging from classic margherita to more contemporary pies like the hot honey and smoked prosciutto.
Pasta dishes run the gamut as well, including braised short rib lumache, Sunday night lasagna, squid ink tonnarelli and strozzapreti with roast chicken. Cocktails (including zero-proof libations), wine, beer (local and otherwise) round out the beverage program.
Founded in 2002 in Arizona, North Italia boasts more than 50 locations across the country.
North Italia Brea is slated to open April 22.