Greer’s OC: Go island-hopping in Orange County
You can go to the islands of the Caribbean for the pirates, the islands of Hawaii for the waves, or even the islands of the South Pacific for the sushi — or you can make the wise decision and go to Islands Restaurants in Orange County for their new limited-time happy hour.
Known for their specialty burgers, exotic drinks, and hand-cut fries, the Islands Restaurants are now offering great happy hour deals on their signature beers, cocktails, and delicious bites for under $5, from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
And as if we needed any more reason to celebrate summer, Islands Restaurants has introduced a new Summer cocktail: the I-Shandy, a delightful mix of Golden Ale, lemonade, and mango, which pairs perfectly with any of their bold burgers!
Go check out happy hour at any Islands Restaurant location in Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, Irvine, Anaheim Hills, Brea, Orange, Seal Beach, Foothill Ranch, Mission Viejo and Fullerton.
The menu is online at https://www.islandsrestaurants.com.
*
Fine wine dinner coming to Surf City hotel
A Chateau Ste. Michelle wine dinner to remember is coming to Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa on Friday, June 1.
Huntington Beaches’ only AAA Four Diamond-rated restaurant, The Californian at Hyatt Regency, is preparing a six-course dinner and wine pairing with Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery that starts at 6:30 p.m. with a reception and dinner at 7 p.m.
Highlights from the dinner include seared scallops paired with Lux, Brut, 2005; watercress and zucchini soup paired with Horse Heaven, Sauvignon Blanc, 2012; spiced spring lamb loin, Canoe Ridge Merlot, 2009, among other pairings.
The dinner costs $68 per person (excluding sales tax and an 18% gratuity) and reservations are required by calling (714) 845-4885.
The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa is at 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy.
*
Cake Monkey swings into Portola
Portola Coffee Lab, leading the way for Orange County’s coffee culture by offering amazing coffee brewed in methods unlike anything we’ve experienced, just became even more enticing. Portola at the OC Mart Mix in Costa Mesa has added Los Angeles-based Cake Monkey pastries and desserts.
Portola is one of the first Orange County shops to carry the entire line of Cake Monkey treats, such as Big O cookies, a Mexican hot chocolate cookie filled with vanilla buttercream to the Li’l Merri, and an oatmeal sandwich cookie filled with maple buttercream.
Cake Monkey puts a fresh spin on old childhood favorites. It makes cakewiches, decadent tiny cakes wrapped in aluminum foil, that are reminiscent of a Hostess’ Ding Dongs; Pop Pies, similar to Pop Tarts and filled brown sugar cinnamon, blueberry crumble, apple crumble; and Zingers redux, the Roll in the Hay, with a vanilla cake with lime buttercream, white chocolate crunchy pearls and raspberry jam, lightly rolled in coconut.
Cake Monkey desserts are also available in Orange County at Umami Burger at the Camp, and at Greenleaf Gourmet Chop Shop in Costa Mesa.
Portola Coffee Lab, at 3313 Hyland Ave., is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call (949) 284-0596, or visit https://www.portolacoffeelab.com.
*
‘Quick and Dirty’ blowout
Kim Vo Salon at the Montage Laguna Beach will offer new clients a “Quick and Dirty” 45-minute blow out for $50 through October.
It’s a quick in-and-out luxury treatment that includes a wash with Kim Vo’s moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, followed by a glamorous glaze treatment and a signature blowout.
The Glamorous Glaze treatment normally costs $85 and it’s designed to revive dull and damaged hair with a brilliant shine.
Kim Vo Salon is at the Montage, at 30801 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, call (949) 715-6000.
*
Benefit shopping spree at DVF
Shop at one of our favorite new boutiques, DVF at South Coast Plaza, through Sunday and help raise funds for CASA, serving the needs of vulnerable children in Orange County.
Simply mention CASA while making your purchases at Diane Von Furstenberg’s namesake store and 15% will go directly back to the charity. The shopping event, made possible by Friends of CASA, raises funds for CASA’s Orange County’s Mentor-Advocate program benefiting formerly abused and neglected children now in foster care.
The DVF store carries a full line of ready to wear, shoes and incredible accessories too. Her iconic signature wrap dress and printed flirty silhouettes are available in pastels, bursts of color, white, navy, black and even aubergine.
Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. DVF is on Level 1 in the Saks Fifth Avenue wing at South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 312-5480, or visit casaoc.org.
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 email 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.