OCVibe Expansion: Reeds Add Two New Concepts to Katella Commons

OCVibe continues to fill the commercial spaces of its Anaheim development with local and national culinary names. The developer has confirmed that Michael and Kwini Reed, who own Poppy & Seed in Anaheim and Poppy & Rose in Los Angeles, will open two new concepts at Katella Commons.

The couple plans to bring Poppy & Park, a barbecue stall, and Little Poppy, a breakfast and brunch location, to the planned 50,000-square-foot food market hall. Katella Commons is located near Honda Center. The couple expects to open in spring 2027. Each concept will occupy one stall, with one location on each floor of the building.

Michael Reed has spent the last two to three years developing smoked dishes for Poppy & Seed. He intends to translate that experience to Poppy & Park. The menu will feature sides inspired by the backyard barbecues the couple experienced during their upbringing. Reed described the expected menu items as "really good mac and cheese, collard greens, all the fun things like that."

Little Poppy will focus on breakfast and brunch items. Reed stated that the menu will feature "all the heavy hitters from Poppy & Rose." The stall will open early in the day to serve office workers and local residents. Exact operating hours have not yet been determined. Kwini Reed noted that OCVibe approached the couple with the idea. The smaller stall format allowed them to expand with two distinct concepts. "They reached out to us early on, but we recently got back in touch with them about a couple of months ago," Kwini said. She added, "We’ve had these concepts in our back pocket, so it felt like the perfect marriage."

The partnership was announced during the Visit Anaheim Reconnect event on Thursday, October 29. Katella Commons is slated to open in 2027. The facility will contain an estimated 21 kitchens and six bars and lounges spread across two floors.

The Reeds opened Poppy & Seed in 2021. The restaurant features a greenhouse-inspired design and serves seasonal American cooking using ingredients from its own garden. In 2023, Michael Reed was named a James Beard Award semifinalist in the Best Chef: California category. He has previously worked in kitchens in New York City and Los Angeles. Michael Reed said Poppy & Seed just signed another five-year lease in Anaheim.

The Reeds join a list of other chefs and operators already announced for Katella Commons. The group includes Zach Scherer and Drew Adams of Darkroom and Chrysalis. Debbie Lee and Danielle Duran Zecca and Alessandro Zecca of Amiga Amore will also open locations. Alberto Bañuelos of Burritos La Palma is on the list. Alex Garcia and Elvia Huerta of Evil Cooks will operate a stall. Gelato Paradiso and MFK, or Modern Filipino Kitchen, are also confirmed. Kanate Ungkasrithongkul and Anita Lin of Manaao Thai Comfort Food will open a khao soi-focused project called Khao Soi.

Other names associated with the market hall include Don Churros Gomez of Santa Ana. Guoming Xin will lead Mojo and Pull & Roll. Wedchayan Arpapornnopparat of Holy Basil is also part of the lineup. Elsewhere in the OCVibe development, Roy Choi will open a version of Best Friend. Tim Hollingsworth, who won the James Beard Foundation’s Rising Star Chef of the Year award in 2010, will open a wood-fire concept. Chef Damon Cho of Izakaya Osen will lead a new venue called Osen Urban Table. José Andrés’ restaurant group will open a restaurant at Sena, a hotel expected to open in 2029.

OCVibe is a $5 billion, 100-acre development centered around Honda Center. The project combines restaurants and entertainment venues with housing, hotels, a museum, offices, and parks. The first phase of the development is expected to open in 2027. This phase includes the Katella Commons market hall and a new 5,000-person concert hall.