Tasteful undergarments on display

BEST BUYS

Since 1981, I.C. London, named after the schoolyard chant, “I see

London, I see France, I see so-and-so’s underpants,” has been the

place to buy the best in lingerie and workout wear. Owner Elizabeth

Benton is always on the hunt for tasteful, not trashy, intimate

apparel and active wear for the Laguna woman, who Benton says is sexy

and sporty.

Since a lot of customers are trainers, Benton tries to carry lines

they won’t find elsewhere. A good selection of sport suits from Pure

Lime from Denmark, Pezzi and Cassall, sport tanks, bra tops and

stretchy fitted tops for the body conscious are found here. There are

also plenty of bras, thongs, robes, tank gowns, camisoles, chemises

and corsets by Only Hearts, Felina and Cosabella, plus a new

sprinkling in of unique European cut-out bustiers done in interesting

fabrics and styling. Not surprisingly, my favorite bra by Le Mystere

is the bestseller. Gift certificates for holiday gift-giving and

gentleman shoppers welcome. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; from

9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at 314 Ocean Ave. (949)

497-4254.

Holiday soup time

at Zinc’s Cafe

Thankfully, Laguna’s Zinc Cafe and Market has a wonderful holiday

to-go menu for those who are too busy to cook. The Christmas and New

Year’s menu includes soups, salads, vegetables, entrees, desserts and

appetizers. Soups are $40 per pint or $45 per pot (one pot serves 24

cups or 12 bowls); salads are $8 per pound.

Soups available are: butternut squash, garden pea, ginger carrot

and Tuscan white bean. Salads available are: Baked beet with creamy

horseradish dressing, farafelle pasta, fresh asparagus, green bean,

white bean and Zinc Waldorf. Vegetables available are: artichokes,

Balsamic roasted vegetable salad, brown rice with mushrooms, ginger

garlic carrots with toasted almonds, gratin of sweet potatoes with

apples and maple syrup and potatoes au gratin. Entrees include

mushroom-asparagus quiche, mushroom nutloaf, polenta, stuffed peppers

with creamy Swiss chard topping and spinach lasagna. Desserts include

brandy almond pound cake, brown sugar cheesecake, chocolate bundt

cake, German chocolate cake, pumpkin cheesecake tart and spongecake

with ricotta frosting. Appetizers include cheese tortas, herbed

cheesecake, marinated buffala mozzarella, marinated goat cheese,

mushroom asparagus quiche and spinach spanakopita triangle. Deadlines

for ordering for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are Sunday, Dec.

22, by noon and Sunday, Dec. 29, by noon, respectively. 350 Ocean

Ave. (949) 494-2791 www.zinccafe.com.

Handcrafted jewelry is not just a dream

Dream is a new handcrafted jewelry store. Custom designs in

semi-precious stones, handmade purses and shawls are offered; ideal

for holiday gift-giving. 577 S. Coast Highway. (949) 494-0494.

Gift cards for diners now offer seconds

Ruby’s Autodiner is selling “refillable” gift cards for the

holidays. Gift cards can be used for any food or merchandise

purchase. The cards are available in any denomination of $5 or more,

and can be recharged by the recipient at any Ruby’s Diner’s 37

locations. Open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; and

from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 30622 Coast Highway in

Laguna Beach. (949) 497-7829.

All the latest trends available at Zazu

Despite its small size, Zazu A Boutique packs in a big selection

of current fashions for women. The owners Jeanette and Wayne Engel

also have an accessories showroom at the L.A. Mart, so they’re

constantly up on current trends. There are tons of everyone’s

favorite Michael Stars T-shirts, Seven Jeans, Sheri Bodelli coats,

Skinny Minny tops, Leatherrock belts and designs by Miss Sixty and

Vivienne Tam. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday;

and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at 303 Broadway. (949) 464-0888.

Wearable velvet on sale for holidays

Don’t miss the holiday sale going on at Gallery of Wearable Art.

In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, it’s selling all velvets

at $25 per piece. And since it’s a showroom, it always sells clothing

at 25% off retail. All body types can wear this clothing -- sizes

range from small to 3X. Special holiday hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Call for after-hours appointments. 805 Laguna Canyon Road. (949)

494-5568.

* BEST BUYS is a weekly feature of the Coastline Pilot. Send

information to Greer Wylder at [email protected] or P.O. Box 248

Laguna Beach, CA 92652, or via fax at 494-8979.