Greer’s OC: Taco sales benefit research

Greer’s OC and the mobile Rasta Taco are teaming up to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. While enjoying awesome, mobile, street-style tacos at a location of your choice, Rasta Taco will donate 5% of the sales from mid-week events to JDRF and its work toward finding a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Rasta Taco, the original taco cart catering company, combines cool reggae jams with tacos made with super fresh ingredients and can travel to your home, office or school during the week.

It’s classic taco fare with a twist — Caribbean carne asada, Jamaican chicken, slow-simmered carnitas or al pastor — and Greer’s OC favorite rasta salsas are sure to please any guests and keep them coming back for more.

To book your event, call Rasta Taco at (866) 967-2782 for a quote using promo-code “Greer.” Certain restrictions may apply (such as the size of the event). Weekend events are not included. For more information, call https://www.rastataco.com.

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Pal + Smith = open for business

Great interior design news for Orange County! Pal + Smith opened its first home store and design lab at the new South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa. Open to both retail and the trade, the eclectic 4,000-square-foot space houses Pal + Smith’s signature furniture collections, vintage lighting and select pieces of antique furniture, a design library and reference desk, and an interior design studio.

Pal + Smith displays mid- to high-end treasures, custom proprietary pieces and lines normally reserved to the trade, including Osborne & Little, Designers Guild and Cassaro fabrics and wall coverings; Rosemary Hallgarten pillows and throws; Chameleon chandeliers and sconces; Art Shades table lamps; and Kim3 Asian and European antique armoires, tables and pots.

Creative director Melissa Palazzo has also created a design lab concept for hourly consulting services and a variety of packages that include space planning, design and architectural services.

It’s at 3323 Hyland Ave. in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (888) 725-7684 or visit https://www.palandsmith.com.

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You’ll feel 21 again

Forever 21 fans can experience the new XXI Forever at South Coast Plaza. Encompassing more than 43,000 square feet of retail space, this is the place to stock up on current fashions at affordable prices, including brands like Heritage 1981, for women; 21MEN, for men of all ages; and Love21, a contemporary women’s line.

It’s open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Level 1 at the Sears Wing at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

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Starfish on the beach

Laguna Beach is the culinary hot-spot of summer now that Starfish, Nancy Wilhelm’s newest culinary concept, is open, and we hear that (unofficially) Katsuya, the highly anticipated Philippe Starck-designed restaurant, will open July 8 in the former Hush restaurant location.

Starfish, across from the Montage Laguna Beach is Wilhelm’s latest foray into “AmerAsian” cuisine with influences from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea and India. The menu features summer rolls, pho, udon and soba noodles, Bhutanese rice, wok sauté, ribs and other classic Asian dishes with an American twist. Favorites include the Kobe sliders, wild mushroom garlic noodles and five-spice baby back ribs.

Be sure to try a muddled cocktail with fresh hibiscus, gogi blossoms, lemongrass and passion fruit. Or choose from artisan beers on tap and a variety of boutique wines.

I’ve been a huge fan of Wilhelm’s original Tabu Grill, and I’m thrilled to welcome Starfish as a new dining option too. The more casual Starfish features a center stage bar, black lacquered tables, Asian art deco styling and antiques and objets d’art that make it a sexy eatery.

Starfish is open for dinner 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday at 30382 Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 715-9200 or visit https://www.starfishlaguna.com.

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Time of the Seasons

Celebrate summer’s freshest flavors and in-season ingredients with Seasons 52 at South Coast Plaza’s tempting new menu featuring highlights like grilled Pacific wild halibut, grilled lemongrass salmon salad, blueberry cheesecake mini indulgences and a strawberry coconut skinny martini, made with strawberry infused prairie vodka, coconut water and agave nectar (less calories than coconut cream). Seasons 52’s fresh grill and wine allows you to savor a healthy lifestyle by enjoying delicious appetizers, signature flatbreads, small and entrée salads and other market specialties knowing that nothing on the menu is more than 475 calories.

Other summer-friendly foods and weekly specials include classic Parmesan crisp bread loaded with fresh summer basil; BBQ chicken from Fieldale Farms served with Yukon gold garlic mashed potatoes and fresh roasted corn salad; organic tomato tapenade — three-color organic tomatoes roasted with green and black olive tapenade topped with shaved Parmesan; grilled red snapper piperade marinated in achiote and served over jicama piperade and braised black beans.

Master sommelier George Miliotes suggests the Lioco Rosé, completely natural without yeast, sulfites or even filtration. He just put this wine on his “drink these before they become famous” list and has added two new wines by the glass.

Seasons 52 is open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 437-5252 or visit https://www.seasons52.com.

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Genuine ‘killer’ apparel

Orange County just landed popKiller, a fun-to-wear, Japanese-themed clothing and accessories store at the Lab Anti-Mall.

PopKiller brings a handpicked selection of vintage style apparel, original screened shirts and unique items like heart-shaped sunglasses, origami toilet paper and lucky cat key chains. Local designers and artists will constantly update items so that merchandise is fresh, fun and always a fair price.

It’s open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (714) 966-9002 or visit https://www.popkiller.us.

GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.