OCVibe, a 100-acre mixed-use development surrounding Honda Center in Orange County, California, announced new chef-driven kitchen concepts joining the lineup at Katella Commons, the district’s 50,000-square-foot, two-story market hall set to open in 2027.
Chefs Danielle Duran Zecca and Alessandro Zecca, Alberto Bañuelos, Alex “Pobre Diablo” Garcia and Elvia “La Bruja” Huerta, Kanate Ungkasrithongkul and Anita Lin and Chef Zach Scherer will all bring bold culinary perspectives and deep community roots to a growing roster of local-first, chef-driven, and culturally diverse dining. Additional chef partners will be announced later this year.
“Katella Commons is built on the belief that great food is inseparable from the people who make it,” said Nick Pacific, vice president, Katella Commons Development. “Every concept we bring into this space is chosen because it represents a genuine culinary voice, with chefs and operators who have something real to say. These new partner concepts each embody that, and we’re proud to welcome them into the community we are building.”
Led by husband-and-wife chefs Danielle Duran Zecca and Alessandro Zecca, the team behind the acclaimed Amiga Amore, will bring a new “Mexitalian” concept that will blend Latin American warmth with Italian tradition. Burritos La Palma, led by chef and founder Alberto Bañuelos, is a family-driven celebrated for its slender, palm-sized burritos featuring rich, slow-simmered beef birria wrapped inside fresh-pressed flour tortillas.
A heavy metal and punk rock themed Mexican concept run by husband-and-wife duo Alex “Pobre Diablo” Garcia and Elvia “La Bruja” Huerta, Evil Cooks brings a street-smart culinary ethos and fearless creativity to Katella Commons, offering guests a menu built on technique, provocation, and a deep love for real ingredients. Husband-and-wife duo Kanate Ungkasrithongkul and Anita Lin are expanding their culinary footprint from the beloved Manaao Thai Comfort Food, launching Khao Soi, a specialized concept featuring a smaller, focused, exclusive menu centered entirely around their signature Thai curries.
Chef Zach Scherer, the chef and co-founder of Darkroom Restaurant and Wine Bar, is creating two elevated concepts focused on reimagined comfort food focused on high-quality ingredients, refined technique and accessible food choices at a very high level. The pizza concept upgrades New York style pizza using bakery level dough techniques and premium ingredients to create a best-in-class everyday slice. The fried chicken sandwich concept celebrates global fried chicken traditions, offering a flexible menu inspired by cuisines from around the world including American, Asian, European, and Latin American influences.
Centrally located within the OCvibe district, just below The Weave office building, Katella Commons will feature 21 chef-driven kitchens and six original bar and lounge concepts when it opens in early 2027. The market hall connects to the district’s central plaza and surrounding entertainment venues, reinforcing its role as a daily gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
“What makes Katella Commons unlike any other dining destination in the region is the genuine depth of the people behind every kitchen,” said Anthony Olheiser, senior vice president, food and beverage. “These aren’t just restaurants, they’re expressions of community, craft and culture.”
