Greer's OC

The void of a great ice cream sandwich shop in Orange County was filled today.

In celebration of National Cookie Month and just because cookies are beloved and even better with ice cream, Stax Cookie Bar opens at University Center in Irvine specializing in freshly baked cookies and Fosselman’s handmade ice cream, a SoCal institution since 1919.

Stax cookies and brownies are made fresh using organic or gluten free flour and all natural ingredients. A selection of about a dozen flavors can include traditional chocolate chip, Snickerdoodle, peanut butter, oatmeal pecan, as well as unique flavors such as cherry mint, sesame green tea, lemon lavender shortbread, maple bacon, root beer float and gluten-free coconut chocolate chip. Ice cream flavors can include mint chip, salted caramel, Dutch chocolate, strawberry, pumpkin, espresso coffee, taro, cookies and cream and non-dairy vanilla. 

You can custom order hand-crafted ice cream sandwiches, sundaes, milk shakes, malts and specialty desserts like affogatos (espresso served over ice cream) and a Smookie (warm cookie dough topped with vanilla bean ice cream and hot fudge.) 

With the variety of cookie and ice cream flavors available, there are more than 4,000 ice cream sandwich flavor combinations available.  A Sweet Stax ice cream sandwich costs $3.75.

Stop by Stax on Saturday, Oct. 18  for its grand opening celebration. Stax will donate 20% of sales from the day to Irvine Public Schools Foundation, which underwrites programs to enrich the educational experience for more than 30,000 students in every school in the Irvine Unified School District. There will also a face painter and balloon artist.

Stax cookies are available individually, as well as in decorative tins with one or two dozen cookies, perfect for gifts, parties and sharing with friends.The affogatos and drip coffee are made with a special Stax Blend of Ethiopia, Sumatra and Brazilian coffee.

Open from 10 a.m. to midnight daily.

Stax is in University Center, across from UC Irvine, at 4187 Campus Drive, Suite M174, in Irvine. 949.861.2055  StaxCookieBar.com

Drink Pink at SOL

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SOL Cocina in Newport Beach will donate 100% of the proceeds from SOL’s $10 “Ta-Ta Tini” to Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties. 

SOL’s “Ta-Ta Tini” is made up of Herradura 100% Blue Agave Tequila, infused for two days with fresh watermelon and hibiscus flowers.  It is shaken with a touch of lime juice and agave nectar, then garnished with a hibiscus flower.

Funds raised during the promotion will benefit Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties’ award-winning breast health program that includes screening exams, diagnostic support, and patient navigation.

SOL’s Drink Pink promotion runs through Friday, Oct. 31.

SOL Cocina is at 251 E. Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach.