chameleon breadline: OC Foodies, Surfas is Coming to SOCO!

Monday, July 9, 2012

OC Foodies, Surfas is Coming to SOCO! | Foodie In Disguise

Well it?s official. I reported last month that Surfas was making a move into Orange County and they have selected one of the best spots in The OC. The OC Weekly reports that Surfas will be moving into the South Coast Collection (SOCO) at Hyland and Sunflower!

This is awesome news! SOCO is also home to Portola Coffee, OC Cheeseshop, We Olive and Wine Bar, The Iron Press, Waiiha Sushi, N?Ice Cream, Christopher Garren?s Cakes and two new restaurants scheduled to open soon: ARC and a Raw Oyster Bar. SOCO is also home to the SOCO Farmers? Market which is held every Satruday from 9am to 2pm.

I first came upon Surfas when I was enrolled in the Professional Culinary program at The New School of Cooking in Culver City. Our school was a stone?s throw from Surfas and we did all of our shopping there for most of our supplies. Surfas is a kitchen wonderland with kitchenware, gourmet foods, cheeses, knives, oils and even a Caf?. They also sell restaurant equipment and fixtures. I have been shopping at Surfas since 2000.

In operation since 1937, Surfas has been owned by the same family bringing restaurant supplies and gourmet food to restaurant owners, culinary professionals and foodies here in Southern California. In addition to the thousands of items they carry in their large warehouse location in Culver City, they also offer services in restaurant deign and installation for commercial kitchens. In 2009 CulinaryDistrict.com was started to expand Surfas? online presence.

Related link: Surfas Opens CulinaryDistrict.com

Now that they are coming to Costa Mesa, I won?t have to make the trek up to Culver City every month! They will be able to move in pretty quickly into their new space. Most of their goods are on Metro shelving and the space will need little tenant improvements. Also reported by OC Weekly, there are places for a Surfas Caf? as well. It?s unclear if they will have a teaching kitchen like their space up in Culver City.

This is a great addition to SOCO and I can?t wait. It?s too bad they have already hired all their staff. With my prior experience with Sur La Table, their culinary program and my operations background it would be a dream to work there.

More to come on Surfas as the days draw closer to their opening!