Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility August 2014 – SOCO & The OC Mix

Huntington Beach Independent | Retail Therapy: Mixing up a sale at SOCO

Huntington Beach Independent | Retail Therapy: Mixing up a sale at SOCO

Walk on up: The OC Mix at SOCO, 3303 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, is hosting a sidewalk sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Customers will save up to 70% off a curated selection of clothing, accessories, housewares, gifts and more. Full store list:bit.ly/SOCOSale2014.

Wearhouse sale: Tavik, Vestal, Insight and Sabre men’s and women’s clothing and watches will be available at a warehouse sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 1981 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa. Save up to 80%. For more information, visittavik.com.

Arden B-gone: Arden B lovers, take note: Wet Seal’s young contemporary label, which competed with brands like Bebe, has folded. All Arden B stores have been converted to Wet Seal Plus locations, serving up to size 24. Visitardenb.com to save up to 70% on remaining stock.

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OC Register, August 2014 | Costa Mesa launches restaurant week food deals

OC Register, August 2014 | Costa Mesa launches restaurant week food deals

I like the way Costa Mesa thinks.

The city’s tourism organization has smartly selected summer as a way to show off its eclectic mix of hipster and traditional restaurants. Costa Mesa Restaurant Week kicks off Friday – cleverly avoiding competing restaurant week events held in January and February.

In its fourth year, nearly 60 restaurants are participating – from classics such as Scott’s Restaurant & Bar and La Cave to newbies like Birdie Bowl and Juicery and the Kickin’ Crab.

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OC Register, July 2014 | South Orange County pastry pro Stéphane Tréand opts for fresh dig

From OC Register, South Orange County pastry pro Stéphane Tréand opts for fresh digs.

Chef Stéphane Tréand, 49, started his apprenticeship in French pastry at just 16 years old, and even then he was California dreamin‘. When Tréand wasn’t learning the delicate art of pastry, he was skateboarding and listening to the Eagles’ “Hotel California.” The American rock band was a major influence on his ambition to live and work in the U.S.

And his dream was realized when he came to the states in 2005, first serving as the executive pastry chef of the Four Seasons Hotel & Resort in Newport Beach and then as the executive pastry chef in Dana Point at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort.

He came to America ready to hit the ground running – back home, he had earned the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France, or “best craftsman in France,” award in 2004 after completing a rigorous series of pastry-making challenges in what can be considered the French Olympics of craftsmanship. “The judges are always watching,” Tréand said in a phone interview. “The way you work, your organization, your artistry.” He is one of only four MOF winners in the U.S.

With so much talent and skill, it was natural that he decided to pass it on. In 2012, Tréand left his position at the St. Regis to open up The Pastry School in San Clemente. He enjoyed teaching, but he also wanted to open a pâtisserie. “It’s one thing to teach, but people want to taste as well,” Tréand said. So he’s moving to South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa, which seemed like the perfect spot, frequented as it is by foodies and culinary gurus.

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