Greer's OC | The latest in Orange County fashion, dining, and trends.

Firefighters Free Lunch Friday at Prego’s

By Greer Wylder

June 17, 2013

To coincide with the one-year anniversary of the fire that closed Prego Ristorante in Irvine for five months, the restaurant will be thanking the efforts of local firefighters on Friday, June 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. with its inaugural Firefighter Appreciation Day. Firefighters are invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch featuring Chef Ugo Allesina’s signature Italian specialties. There will also be drink specials for off-duty firefighters. More than 70 firefighters who worked together to put out the fire last year are invited, as well as all other local firefighters. Prego Ristorante is at 18420 Von Karman Avenue in Irvine.…

More and More Wiches

By Greer Wylder

June 14, 2013

Looks like the “fastest growing restaurant chain in the U.S. and Canada,” Dallas based Which Wich is expanding into Orange County in a big way. It just opened a location at The Market Place in Tustin and will be opening two more soon on E. 17th Street in Costa Mesa and in Aliso Viejo. You can already find Which Wich sandwich shops in Brea, Orange, Santa Ana, Fullerton and two locations in Irvine. The restaurant is all about creating great sandwiches (more than 50 varieties) with a quick and easy ordering system. Grab a red Sharpie and mark up what…

Congrats to Tabu Grill! Best Poke Winner

By Greer Wylder

June 10, 2013

At the 2nd annual I Love Poke Festival, a food festival and restaurant competition at Don the Beachcomber, 400 poke enthusiasts came out to celebrate the Hawaiian delicacy, lifestyle and culture with foods, live music and chefs completion for “Best Poke.” And the winners were… Ist - Tabu Grill in Laguna Beach, Chef Rayne Frey “Best Poke” title. He made two different versions, classic ahi poke with pickled red onions; and wakame, ahi poke with sesame seeds, in their house poke dressing. 2nd - Stadium Brewing Co. in Aliso Viejo, Chef Renato Sampaga Three different versions were served: A…

Grown Up Style HopScotch

By Greer Wylder

May 21, 2013

HopScotch, a watering hole specializing in craft beer, small batch whiskey and chef driven food in Fullerton’s original Pacific Electric Railway Station just launched a new “Social Hour” menu. Now you can stop by the tavern housed in a California landmark from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and enjoy $2 off all draft craft beers from a rotating collection of 23 taps, $4 well cocktails, and $2 off their choice of seasonal crafted cocktails. Also, select appetizers are available at special prices, including sweet potato fritters, hop salads, brisket tacos, and spicy cheese and chips for $4, and…

Mini But Mighty Bar

By Greer Wylder

May 21, 2013

Orange County’s newest martini and small plates eatery Microbar, just opened at Mercantile West shopping center in Ladera Ranch. Microbar, from the same owner of the popular Pizza e Vino in Rancho Santa Margarita, offers seasonal small plates with influences from Spain and Italy and all seafood is wild, and beef is grass fed and hormone free. Microbar's Chef Brad Robison’s specialties include proscuitto wrapped dates, burrata with roasted tomatoes with balsamic reduction, olive oil and basil; shrimp wontons; bone marrow with crostini, maldon salt and roasted garlic; and pan-fried oysters with Asian greens and Cajun remoulade. Heartier plates includes…