Fashion, Dining & Trends of OC

Greer’s Pick of the Week

Support Breast Cancer Research
October 11, 2008 from 12-4pm. Come and support 2nd Street Beauty's (all 5 locations) goal of supporting breast cancer research! Experts will be on hand to do complimentary demonstrations, makeup application and skin care consultations. Be one of the first 50 in the store and purchase $35.00 of products and receive a deluxe beauty bag full of amazing deluxe size samples.

Greer’s Good Life

Villa Nova special offer
One of our favorite waterfront restaurants invites you to receive $10 off any $50 food purchase or 20% off a bottle of wine. (Fine print: Offer not valid Saturdays and cannot be combined with any other discount. One offer per table. Expires Nov. 30, 2008.) www.villanovarestaurant.com. 3131 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949.642.7880.

daily dose of OC

03.09.07

GET YOUR CHOCOLATE FIX

If you haven't discovered Downey’s Chocolates Artisan Chocolate Studio and Café in Laguna Niguel, you'll want to.

The upscale boutique and café specializes in handmade Belgium-style chocolates (free of preservatives and additives), and it’s a great place to meet for gelato, fresh crepes, fine teas and gourmet coffee.

For incredible gifts, Downey's packages chocolates in beautiful high-end specialty boxes. Choose from a mahogany pyramid, a jewelry box, stacked boxes in pink and black, or blue and brown, and imported boxes from France.

Owner Tracey Downey-Racen is a self-confessed chocoholic who has studied with world-renowned chocolatiers and pastry chefs.

"I don't want to be the biggest," Downey says. "I just want to be the best."

Downey Chocolates are made from the finest ingredients available.

Downey’s Chocolates include gourmet caramels in espresso almond, vanilla and fleur de sel varieties; dark chocolate pianos filled with light peppermint mousse; milk chocolate pyramids filled with soft and creamy burnt caramel ganache; rich buttery gourmet English Toffee made with almonds or pecans, a gourmet espresso turtle; and handmade Tahitian vanilla bean marshmallows.

Tracey, the daughter of the late television personality Morton Downey Jr., dedicates a line of chocolates to her father. BigMouth Candies includes premium brittles, toffees, smores and other oversized specialty chocolates guaranteed to bring a giant smile to your face, just like her dad did.

And chocolate enthusiasts can enroll in chocolatier classes to learn about the origins of chocolate, participate in chocolate tastings, discover chocolate tempering, ganache making, forming, enrobing and decorating truffles.

Downey's also offers artisan signature chocolates, holiday gifts, wedding and party favors, corporate gifts, custom labeling and delivery service.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 23902 Aliso Creek Rd. in Laguna Niguel. 877.815.0814 or 949.226.8086.

www.mychocolatefix.com

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