Greer's OC

Celebrate the inaugural OC Tastefest, a food, wine and entertainment festival Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m. at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. The two-day event highlights the range of cuisine and culture in Orange County.

More than 25 restaurants will offer samples of new and seasonal items mixed along with classic menu items. Participating restaurants include Brasserie Pascal, 118 Degrees, Marrakesh, Salt Creek Grille, Ten Asian Bistro, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, Slater’s 50/50. Specialty retailers will offer culinary and other items to purchase including Cutco Cutlery, Olive Oil & Beyond, and Bad Pickle T-Shirts.

Stop by the Celebrity Chef Challenge on Saturday from 2:30 to 5 p.m. to find out what six challenger chefs including Raya Belna of Seabirds food truck, Doug Stratton of Spiced Bamboo, Bridget Reilly of Bite Market, Stef Kelly of Stef Candy Co., Anna Allen of Delicious Nutrition, and Chris Tzorin will create dishes inspired by fitness, health, sustainable, raw, citrus, and chocolate. Hosting chefs include Susan Irby the Bikini Chef with Stuart O’Keeffe and Manouschka Guerrier of Food Network’s Private Chefs of Beverly Hills. A few judges include Top Chefs Josie of Bravo’s Top Chef, Scotty of 24 Carrots, Pascal Olhats of Pascal Restaurant and Café Jardin, Jonathan Grahm, chocolatier to the stars, Jenny Rose of 118 Degrees, Rachel Marie of Blackmarket Bakery.

Live entertainment includes performances today by Steely Dan tribute artist Pretzel Logic and 80’s sensation Flashback Heart Attack; on Saturday the Santana tribute band, Savor will perform along with the Eagles tribute band, Desperado, and L.A. rock favorite The Hollywood Stones.

All registered OC Marathon runners will receive a free ticket to OC Tastefest. Runners can pick up their bibs at the OC Marathon Expo Friday and Saturday and attend the OC Tastefest later.

OC Tastefest costs $12 for a one-day ticket. General admission at the event will be $20 per day. General admission tickets include10 Tastefest coupons ($5 value). VIP tickets are available in advance for $95 and $125 at the event. VIP tickets include access to the OC Tastefest VIP tent with complimentary cocktails and wine, and VIP seating at the OC Tastefest stage for the live entertainment, VIP seating at the Celebrity Chef Challenge, and a gift bag. Advance online VIP ticket purchases also include preferred parking.

OC Tastefest is at OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

Roger Vivier Comes to Costa Mesa

Roger Vivier, international fashion legend, the inventor of the stiletto heel, has opened a new boutique in South Coast Plaza. Tonight, there is a private event celebrating the opening of the French icon’s store with cocktails from 6 to 8 p.m. The store resembles more of an art gallery than a simple boutique. Under exquisite lighting, browse their iconic shoes, bags, clutches, along with select furniture pieces with a unique Parisian feel.

Roger Vivier worked tirelessly from the 1930’s to the 1990’s and created his own style that came to represent the chic French fashion. During his working days, he invented numerous heel shapes that include the Comma, Choc and Stiletto. Beloved by celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy and fashion aficionados worldwide, his collection is timeless and beautiful.

With Roger Vivier’s passing in 1998, Bruno Frisoni brought a modern twist to the classic brand. While not straying from Vivier’s heritage and style, Bruno and Ines de la Fressange have brought his timeless Parisian chic back to life. With stores in Paris, London, New York, Hong Kong, Milan, Miami, Shanghai, Osaka and Tawain, Costa Mesa joins in the club of showcasing and celebrating Roger Vivier’s work.

Hidden Gem Sale

One of our favorite hidden gem boutiques, Naomy & Adrian at Westcliff Court in Newport Beach is having an unbelievable Mother's Day special through Saturday, May 12. Naomy & Adrian received new spring merchandise and is offering 20% to 50% off the entire store.

It’s a fashion haven for handmade knits and hand selected apparel, beautiful scarves, handbags, and jewelry that you’d normally find in New York, or a French boutique. It’s latest addtion is Liebskin, a great handbag line from Berlin, Blues by Kyky and many other coveted jewelry lines that will make great gifts.

Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Naomi & Adrian is at 1651 Westcliff Drive (in the Gardenology Courtyard) in Newport Beach. 949.650.1880.

Stinko de Mayo

Don’t miss Stinko De Mayo 10-year anniversary charity benefit for Rock the Autism Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Newport Dunes in Newport Beach. The all day musical festival features a dozen bands (including ska, roots and rock) two stages on the water, a Miss Newport Dunes Bikini Contest and classic and custom hotrod and chopper show. Gourmet food trucks will be on site including Chomp Chomp Nation.

Presale tickets cost $10, at the gate $15, and kids under 12 free. Newport Dunes is at 1131 Back Bay Drive in Newport Beach.
949.729.3863.