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

STONEFIRE GRILL QUINOA SALADS ROCK!

By Greer Wylder

May 06, 2012

Review by Joanne Tucker and Sheryll Alexander When we headed to Stonefire Grill in Fountain Valley (and Irvine!) for lunch with grandma to test out the restaurant’s new quinoa salads, we were not expecting such a delicious experience. Stonefire Grill, however, delivered a memorable meal and lots of leftovers for a rather low price. Quinoa has been given “super food” status because it is both high in protein and contains all nine essential amino acids. Harvested in the high altitudes os South America’s Andes Mountains, quinoa is also free of gluten and has no wheat. When steamed, quinoa has a…

PALM TERRACE ANY TIME!

By Greer Wylder

May 04, 2012

Review by Sheryll Alexander Palm Terrace Restaurant and Lounge is an iconic fine dining spot in OC and for good reason. We recently enjoyed a delicious dinner with Island Hotel Newport Beach’s new executive chef, David Man, who also just happened to be rolling out his menu of what may become some “new” classics. We happily sat down in the restaurant’s relaxing tropical-inspired dining room and started with a refreshing housemade cocktail. (Don’t want to dine in such a formal atmosphere? You can get the same cocktails, wines and most menu items while chillaxing in the lounge.) Next, order one…

TRY MIRROR WINES!

By Greer Wylder

May 04, 2012

Review by Sheryll Alexander We love to review wines and especially vintages with a good story to tell as well as bold flavors and smooth finishes. So we were excited to taste test Mirror Wine, which just so happens to be the passion of former NFL player and now vintner Rick Mirer (pronounced like mirror hence the company name). Former Oakland Raider Rick Mirer founded Mirror Wine Company when he met Jeff Smith of Napa Valley’s Hourglass. Mirer was an Hourglass aficionado and Smith was a devoted Raider fan. The two football lovers formed a friendship. Then, the bromance became…

TREAT MOTHER TO SOUTH COAST PLAZA!

By Greer Wylder

May 03, 2012

Review by Joanne Tucker and Sheryll Alexander We were excited, as always, to be welcomed by Charlie Palmer South Coast Plaza at Bloomingdale’s for Sunday brunch. And this near nirvana food-and-drink experience got us to thinking about Mother’s Day Brunch. Here’s a list of South Coast Plaza brunches on Mom’s special day as well as a dish-by-dish review of Charlie Palmer’s ultimate make-your-own Bloody Mary brunch. Charlie Palmer Bloody Mary Brunch Review NYC- and Sonoma-based super star chef Charlie Palmer has brought his idea of a relaxing Sunday brunch to Costa Mesa ’s South Coast Plaza. Every Sunday afternoon --…

GREENLEAF GOURMET OPENS IN COSTA MESA!

By Greer Wylder

April 24, 2012

By Sheryll Alexander We are super excited about the opening of Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop in Costa Mesa on Monday, Apr. 30. Why? Because we tried out this “gourmet salad” eatery on a family getaway to Beverly Hills last fall and we fell in love with this fast, casual, fresh, relaxed and über organic eating joint. But perhaps we are more excited about the location (because it just happens to be in our neighborhood!). It seems Greenleaf Gourmet has taken a “natural health center” (aka massage parlor) on bustling 17th Street and is hopefully transforming this garden-like plaza into something cool…