Greer's OC

Just relax! We saw the signs going up months ago for the Meat House in Costa Mesa. And we’ve lost count on the e-mails coming through begging us to check it out. It was with great sadness because we love locally owned Celestino’s Meats, also on 17th Street, so much. But OK, there’s room for more, and the Meat House is different, not better, just different.

The Meat House is an East Coast-based franchise “neighborhood butcher.” The Costa Mesa location marks its debut into California. It carries everything that you’d need for a gourmet meal—minus fresh produce—but that’s fine. One of our favorite fresh produce stores, Growers Direct, is in the same center.

The Meat House is known for its restaurant grade meats, Kobe beef, dry-aged steaks and roasts, lamb, veal, poultry and even rare meats like ostrich etc for special ordering. It also carries Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses priced lower than other markets. Select from fresh Sadie Rose artisan breads baked in Laguna Beach, gourmet cheeses, prepared sides dishes, boutique ice creams, and desserts. There are also fresh imported pastas from Italy, hard-to-find Chubby’s marinades from the East Coast, and a wine wall with more than 200 wines from which to choose.

Open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 103 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. 949.548.6328.

Jazz in January

The Ocean Institute’s popular Jazz in January fundraiser combines jazz with an elegant evening of dinner, cocktails and auctions. And the two-night event happens tonight and Saturday at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. Two-time Grammy nominated songwriter Jonathan Butler will entertain jazz enthusiasts both evenings.

Friday’s opening night features a wine reception and concert performance, and Saturday evening features a performance for 200 guests, cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, and award-winning, four-course dinner prepared by chefs from the St. Regis Resort Monarch Beach, The Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa, The Montage Resort & Spa, Laguna Beach, and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Friday: complimentary wine reception from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. concerts performance 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $95 and $125. Saturday: cocktail reception and silent auction 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $500. All proceeds benefit the Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive in Dana Point. 949.496.2274 X412

To purchase tickets, please contact Ellen Meese at 949.496.2274 x412 or emeese@ocean-institute.org.