A variety of Orange County restaurateurs and industry professionals gathered for an “Accelerate” event hosted by What Now Media Group at Casa de Onda on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The event provided a valuable opportunity for Orange County’s restaurant community to connect and share ideas on navigating the competitive hospitality market.
Casa de Onda, located at 1870 Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa, hosted the free event, bringing together representatives from businesses featured on What Now Orange County. The restaurant, a vibrant coastal-inspired dining destination in Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square district, welcomed restaurateurs and industry professionals for an evening of networking and collaboration to discuss strategies for growing successful hospitality businesses.
The event was hosted by Marian Ebhamen and featured a range of notable restaurateurs and business owners. Attendees included Alex Petrosian, owner of Casa de Onda, who recently oversaw the venue’s rebrand and continues to expand the concept as a lively gathering spot in Costa Mesa.
Additional restaurant leaders in attendance included Marina Padrosa, events manager for Telefèric Barcelona, a Spanish tapas concept known for its authentic Catalonian dishes and lively dining atmosphere. Matt Tobey, co-owner of Champagnes Kitchen, was also present as the beloved neighborhood eatery prepares to expand with a new location in Huntington Beach.
Other participants included Paul Berkman, owner of Rutabegorz Restaurant, a longtime Tustin establishment known for its fresh and health-conscious menu. Edwardo Consogno and Melba Yongco Consogno, co-owners of TreLune Dolci, were also present as they prepare to debut their Italian gelato concept in Dana Point.
The event also welcomed Jose Pila, owner of Warrior Dog Spirit, a whiskey brand with a mission-driven focus supporting veterans and service dogs. Israel Gonzalez and Angelica Gonzalez, co-owners of Angelica’s Table Restaurant, were also in attendance as they prepare to introduce their new Yorba Linda restaurant, inspired by family recipes and traditional Mexican cuisine.
Representatives from several of What Now Media Group’s Preferred Partners attended to offer expert guidance and support. Emily Fuentes, senior payroll advisor with Auris, spoke with operators about payroll and HR solutions designed to simplify workforce management and administrative processes for restaurant teams.
From Global Payments, Frank Siwar, software relationship manager, shared insights into point-of-sale and payment technologies that help restaurants streamline transactions and gain valuable operational insights.
Daryl Benton, vice president of sales and marketing for Prudential Overall Supply, discussed linen and uniform programs that help restaurants maintain professional standards while reducing operational burdens. Michael Viola, owner of PURE Restaurant Solutions, connected with restaurateurs about bookkeeping services tailored specifically for hospitality businesses.
Insurance and risk management were also key topics during the event, with Larry Anaya, CEO of Tagrisk LLC, joined by Frank Iniguez and Milena Mirtle, who discussed customized insurance coverage designed to protect hospitality businesses from common industry risks. Meanwhile, Ali Sepehri, sales manager, and Thomas Pham, president of SLIQUE Media, spoke with operators about digital marketing strategies that help restaurant brands strengthen their online presence and reach new customers.
The restaurant owners and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners shared valuable insights, operational highlights, and expert advice, creating an engaging and informative evening that was both enriching and beneficial for all attendees.
This led Marian Ebhamen to carry the conversation even deeper by discussing critical business points, such as having an exit plan and efficiently managing operations after expanding to multiple locations. After Mariah and the guests shared their tips, knowledge, and concerns, everyone became quickly interested in learning more about their businesses and how they could help one another.
This event served as a valuable platform for both restaurant owners and industry partners to collaborate, brainstorm, and form new connections. It’s clear that the Phoenix restaurant community is eager to continue innovating and evolving, and What Now Media Group’s Accelerate events provide the perfect space for these conversations to take place.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 33 cities across North America, breaking news, and provides timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 33 cities annually.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2026. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
Click here for a complete list of our partners. To learn more about becoming a preferred partner, click here.
