15 hot new restaurants opening during the holidays

Restaurants under construction in Orange County are scrambling to put on finishing touches so they can open during the holiday season. We're tracking the most anticipated new food brands – from burger bars to crusty pies to premium seafood. Click through our photo gallery to get the inside scoop on opening dates for the newest dining hot spots in O.C.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar: Another burger bar, you say? Yes, Orange County is rife with gourmet burgers, and Hopdoddy is yet another one joining the fray. But this Austin-based sensation is worth a visit to its newly opened Fashion Island location. Hopdoddy uses hormone-free Black Angus beef that's ground in-house and served on scratch-made buns. Don't forget to order the fresh-cut fries, made with Kennebec potatoes, with the house-made chili con queso and green chili queso sides. Delicious. Located at Fashion Island, near the new Starbucks.

Amar Santana, chef-owner of Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach, is expected to open his second restaurant, Vaca, in December. The date for restaurant is a moving target, but this much we do know: Santana is anxious to get the restaurant open ahead of the national buzz he's sure to get when as a "chef-testant" on Bravo's “Top Chef” program. The two-night premiere airs Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Thursday, Dec. 3 at 10 p.m. Mum's the word on how Santana fared. But show teases give us hope as Santana is prominently seen in many clips. Shown: Salt-roasted Spanish Carabineros prawns, wine-braised Spanish chorizo and blood sausage. The restaurant, a Spanish steakhouse with tapas, will open in the theater district across from South Coast Plaza.

PoqetDonuts: The gourmet doughnut craze gets wackier with this build-your-own doughnut shop in Irvine. The shop, at 17655 Harvard Ave., allows customers to craft their own doughnut with glazes and toppings. Toppings and glazes include: maple, chocolate, strawberry, fresh fruit, sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts, and shredded coconut. If you go, we recommend trying some of the signature pre-made doughnuts including the Pistachio Creme Brulee

Pastry chef Rachel Klemek is opening her next Blackmarket Bakery soon in downtown Santa Ana. Klemek is an award-winning baker and pastry chef known for her luscious and whimsical desserts. Klemek attended the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley where she studied baking and pastry. In 2004, she graduated at the top of her class. She has shops in Costa Mesa and San Diego. Santa Ana is definitely in for a real treat. Address: 211 North Broadway.

Los Angeles sensation Pie Hole, known for its sweet and savory pies, is coming to Orange County. The first Pie Hole opened in 2011 in the Los Angeles arts district. The family-run shop is a labor of love for mother-and-son Becky Grasley and Matthew Heffner. Grasley turns comfort foods such as macaroni and cheese into individual pies with thick flaky crusts. Savory flavors include shepherd's pie, veggie curry and chicken and cornbread. In 2014, Conde Nast Traveler named Pie Hole's Maple Custard Pie one of the 12 best pies in America. The Old Towne Orange franchisee hopes to open by the end of the year or early 2016. Address: 177 N. Glassell St., Orange.

What's better than Hello Kitty merchandise? How about a cafe with Hello Kitty-inspired drinks and treats. That's what Sanrio has in mind as it tests a “pop-up” Hello Kitty Cafe at the Irvine Spectrum Center. The temporary cafe, in a retrofitted shipping container, will be set up near the mall's Giant Wheel. The menu includes macarons, doughnuts, mini cakes, artisanal sodas and premium coffee by Orange County's Portola Coffee Lab. It's the first pop-up Hello Kitty Cafe in the U.S. It is expected to open at the end of November. Stay tuned for more details.

Luxury coastal shopping center Pacific City opened earlier this month. Some retail shops have opened, and new restaurants will roll out over the next several weeks and into 2016. At least five restaurants are slated to open soon. Keep clicking to see which eateries are likely to open in the next few weeks. Address: 21022 Pacific Coast Highway (south of the Huntington Beach Pier)

Mike Simms, owner of a string of craft-beer-centric Simmzy's restaurants in Los Angeles, is bringing the concept to Pacific City. Simmzy's promises amazing burgers paired with the latest and greatest selections of local craft beer. Simms Restaurant Group also operates Manhattan Beach Post and Tin Roof Bistro. Simmzy's in Huntington Beach is expected to open by the end of November.

Saint Marc is one of the most unique concepts coming to Pacific City – and possibly Orange County. The European-inspired marketplace is part pub, café, bakery and cheese shop all rolled into one establishment. The mashup eatery will offer 32 wines on draught, canned craft beer, a bacon bar, charcuterie and over 100 types of cheese. Guests can dine tableside or order to-go meals using iPad menus. “There will be Saint Marc ambassadors always touching each table throughout each guest's dining experience,” Saint Marc says of its service style. The restaurant is opening Dec. 12 at Pacific City.

Old Crow Smokehouse from Chicago will bring the best BBQ styles from the Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City and Texas to its new Pacific City location. It is opening in late December.

A year after opening in Anaheim to massive crowds, Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles is preparing to expand. The restaurant is expected to open its second floor patio in the coming weeks. It will be available for private parties and overflow dining. It's also going to have a portable bar. Address: 2110 S. Harbor Blvd. in Anaheim.

Noah Blöm, one of Orange County's most innovative chefs, is expanding his “theatrical dining” empire with two new concepts set to open soon in Costa Mesa. One restaurant is a modern diner; the other is an exclusive throwback dining club. Both are opening next to his award-winning Arc restaurant at South Coast Collection. Address: 3321 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa

Pizza replaces pizza at Irvine's Park Place center with the soon-to-open North Italia. The pizza eatery by True Food Kitchen is taking the spot where CPK used to operate near Ruth's Chris Steak House. The restaurant features pizzas made in a stone oven, as well as house-made pasta dishes. North Italia is expected to open Dec. 15. Address: 2957 Michelson Drive.