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

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…

Dinner with Picasso at the Ritz-Carlton

By Greer Wylder

May 13, 2013

Art enthusiasts can enjoy an exclusive opportunity to experience Dinner with Picasso at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel on Friday, May 17. This evening is open to members of The Ritz-Carlton Rewards program that only takes about two seconds to join here and it’s free. Members will accrue either points or airline miles – along with luxury promotions and advantages. Fifteen Picassos will be displayed together as a collection for the first time during the exclusive dinner event available only to Ritz-Carlton Rewards members. The evening includes an overnight ocean view accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel; cocktail reception for two;…

Late Night with the Yard House

By Greer Wylder

March 18, 2013

Where to eat late in Orange County? The Yard House just came to the rescue with its new Eat Late menu, served only after 10 p.m. featuring tasty dishes created by Executive Chef Carlito Jocson. Yard House’s Eat Late menu, inspired by affordable, urban street food, takes care of late night cravings including a Black Truffle Cheeseburger, a natural beef patty grilled and topped with house-made truffle cheese, tomato bacon jam and placed on a potato bun ($7.95); a Pastrami Dog (pictured above), an all-beef hot dog topped with thin slices of pastrami, yellow horseradish mustard and fried green cabbage…

Buono Gusto in Naples!

By Greer Wylder

March 13, 2013

When it comes to Italian food, we find that people can be particularly passionate about the subject—especially those lucky enough to be brought up with an Italian grandmother who shows her love of family by making handmade pastas, fresh sauces, and recipes passed on for generations. Now, even if you don’t have a “nonna” but you need an arsenal of Italian restaurants to choose from when you want your fix of fresh pasta and homemade specialties, you must reserve a spot at Michael’s On Naples in Long Beach. It’s rated one of the Top 25 Italian Restaurants in the U.S.…

Welcome Back Wilhelm!

By Greer Wylder

March 08, 2013

Longtime renowned restaurateur David Wilhelm will be returning to Orange County’s restaurant scene this summer with the opening of Jimmy's Famous American Tavern in Dana Point. This will be David Wilhelm’s first restaurant to open in Orange County since his restaurant empire, Culinary Adventures split up in 2009. (Locals will remember fondly his Savannah's, Chat Noir, French 75, and many more successful restaurants he founded.) Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern’s flagship location in Point Loma is already a popular eatery focused on American regional cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, tap wines, and craft beers. Like it's sister restaurant in San Diego, Jimmy's in…