The most chocolaty Easter choice

GREER WYLDER

Just in time for Easter, family-owned Bodega Chocolates offers

beautifully wrapped Easter treats. And with any $30 purchase, receive

a free stuffed Easter bunny. The selections start at $2.25; baskets

range from $9.95 to $49.95. They’re filled with assorted colored

foiled eggs, chocolate or dulce de leche sauce, Gold Habana Easter

eggs and more. Bodega is Orange County’s premier chocolatier and it

uses third-generation Spanish recipes. All chocolates are

hand-dipped, cut and wrapped -- well-known for their rich flavors and

creamy textures. Try the award-winning World’s Greatest Chocolate

Sauce and Bodega’s Fudge Truffle Bars mentioned in Bon Appetit

magazine’s January 2003 issue. Wedding and party favors can be

specially ordered with printed labels. A coffee bar serves Bodega’s

coffee and fresh pastries. Shape Magazine endorsed its classic line

of low-fat chocolate. Products from its grocery line, Habana

Chocolates, have different recipes with the same great taste; the

line offers Kosher products only. Bodega is open from 10 a.m. to 9

p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6:30

p.m. Sunday. It’s on Level 2 at South Coast Plaza. Call (714)

429-1057 or visit https://www.bodega

chocolates.com.

IRIS EYES TO SMILE

South Coast Plaza will host the incredible 15th annual Southern

California Spring Garden Show today through Sunday. It encompasses

three levels of the Crate and Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing. It’s the

most sought-after garden event on the West Coast -- more than 100,000

garden enthusiasts attend each year. The event features more than 75

garden vendors who sell specialty items and garden experts and

authors who offer seminars and book signings. This year’s garden

theme, “New Approaches to Southern California Gardening,” features

creative and low-maintenance garden designs. Competition garden

vignettes come from the imaginations of landscape architects,

designers and horticulture students. The Southern California Iris

Society Annual Iris Show just arrived this year. It will feature more

than 100 hundred striking irises on view near the Macy’s Home

Furniture Store on Saturday and Sunday. The event also attracts

families who enjoy the miniature landscapes designed by more than

1,000 elementary school children from Los Angeles and Orange

counties. Children’s activities include craft projects, exotic animal

shows and story telling. Parking and admission is free. The show will

be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Call (714) 435-2160 or

visit https://www.southcoast plaza.com.

A CIRCLE OF BUNNIES

For the first time, South Coast Plaza’s carousel features bunnies

and floral carriages instead of horses for its “Springtime in

Wonderland” theme. The bunnies will remain through April 19. The

Easter Bunny has also arrived at South Coast Plaza. Two photo

locations are conveniently located in the Carousel Court, and near

Crate & Barrel on Level 1. Other springtime activities offered

include a children’s “craft party” through April 10, where kids can

make a Cheshire cat birdhouse, Mad Hatter’s Teapot, White Rabbit’s

placemat and napkin or a Tweedle Dee’s bug jug. All crafts cost $4

each.

FASHIONABLE SHOT

At Fashion Island, children can have their picture taken with the

Easter Bunny in the spring garden on Atrium Lawn. Photo packages

start at $12. Children can take home festive pinwheels. Other family

fun at Fashion Island includes the Venetian-themed carousel, kiddie

train, the enchanting koi pond and splashing fountains throughout the

center. Every Saturday and Sunday in the Bloomingdale’s Courtyard

various musicians perform from noon to 4 p.m. Call the Fashion Island

concierge at (949) 721-2000.

GEYSER OF DOLLS

The UNICEF international gift shop has a special one-week-only

shopping event that doll collectors won’t want to miss. Former Orange

County United Nations Assn. president Therese Lynn is selling her

extensive international doll collection starting Saturday and running

through April 10. Newport Beach resident Susan Eaton of the Orange

County United Nations Assn. said it’s a popular shop for Newport

Beach and Costa Mesa residents looking for special UNICEF gifts and

cards. The shop has other collectible dolls and international Easter

eggs that make great gifts. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30

p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The shop is at

2428 N. Grand Ave. in Santa Ana. Call (714) 542-9743.

TOMMY LAUNCH

Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger will launch his premium apparel

line, H Hilfiger, at Macy’s South Coast Plaza Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

with a fashion show and appearance. The affordable, luxury collection

will be worn by celebrity models including Michelle Williams of

Destiny’s Child, actress Aisha Tyler and actor Jason Lewis. Call

(714) 556-0611.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

[email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.