Promising airy yet crisp bagels with a signature bouncy chew — the hallmarks of a great bagel — chef-owner John Park has just opened Rise Bagels , his first dedicated bagel joint, in Irvine.

“Our goal with Rise is to re-imagine what a bagel can be — airy and crisp with a good chew, topped or sandwiched with flavors that celebrate both seasonality and what we love to eat here in SoCal with the diverse produce and cuisine available to us,” said Park in a written statement. Hungry? Sign up for The Eat Index, our weekly food newsletter, and find out where to eat and get the latest restaurant happenings in Orange County. Subscribe here .

Park is no stranger to the local culinary scene, having honed his skills as a pastry chef at notable spots like Providence, Water Grill, the Ritz-Carlt

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