Dining to make a difference

GREER WYLDER

On Friday, Royal Thai Cuisine will donate its sales from lunch and

dinner toward relief efforts in South Asia after the tsunami. Members

of the Tila family, who own the restaurant, wanted to help the

victims of the tsunami after it struck their homeland.

“This is the least we can do to reach out at a time of need to

help the thousands of people touched by this devastating disaster,”

owner Sam Tila said. “We hope you can support us in this effort to

try to make a difference.”

Open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 11

p.m., Royal Thai Cuisine has two locations: in Newport Beach at 4001

W. Coast Highway, (949) 645-8424; and in Laguna Beach at 1750 S.

Coast Highway, (949) 494-8424.

MAKING A RACKET

The Balboa Bay Club Racquet Club is offering a New Year’s special

through the end of January, waiving the initiation fee. That’s a

discount of $300 on single memberships and $400 on family

memberships. The tennis club, affiliated with the Balboa Bay Club,

offers stand-alone memberships for guests who want access only to the

tennis club. The facility offers 24 courts, a full-time teaching

staff, locker rooms and a fully stocked pro shop.

Because the club does not offer restaurants on the premises,

appropriately dressed members can dine next door at the Newport Beach

Country Club, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Balboa Bay Club Racquet Club is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

daily. 1602 E. Coast Highway in Newport Beach. (949) 759-0711.

OFF THE RACK

A’Maree’s, a modern, elegant, clothing boutique, starts its

much-anticipated sale this Saturday. It’s closed Friday in

preparation for the sale.

A’Maree’s offers discounts on designer clothing from 30% to 50%.

Don’t miss the $20 and $50 bargain racks, as well as the selection of

$20 shoes.

Owners and sisters Dawn Klohs, Denise Schaeffer and April Vaught

travel to New York, Milan and Paris four times a year to buy unique

designer pieces that you won’t see anywhere else. The boutique’s

established designers include Peter Cohen, Marni, Dries van Noten,

Lanvin, John Galliano, Loro Piana, Yohji Yamamoto, Easton Pearson,

Lucien Pillet Finet, Transit, and Adriano Goldschmeid jeans. Hot new

lines arrive each season.

A’Maree’s also carries jewelry collections from Renee Lewis, Cathy

Waterman, Aylin Aker, Carl Blackburn, Beth Orduna and Devon Page

McCleary; shoes from Valentino, Etro and Jill Sander; handbags,

belts, and accessories. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10

a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. 1649 Westcliff Drive in Newport Beach.

(949) 642-4423.

MAGIC CARPET RIDE

Bloomingdale’s annual rug tent event at Fashion Island continues

through Monday. The huge tent in the Bloomingdale’s parking lot holds

thousands of handmade Oriental rugs, some reduced 65% to 75%. The

selection includes wool and silk rugs from Pakistan, China, India,

Nepal and other countries. Designs vary from traditional to

contemporary. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 7

p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. (949) 729-6779.

SCENT OF SUCCESS

Neiman Marcus exclusively offers the newest fragrance from Acqua

di Parma, Iris Nobili. Since 1916, the Italian line of luxury

products has attracted an international loyal following.

Iris Nobili features floral scents from iris, star anise,

tangerine and bergamot. It’s available in a 1.7 oz. eau de toilette

at $74; and a 3.4 oz. eau de toilette at $118. It’s presented in the

company’s signature gold and white packaging. Neiman Marcus is at

Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to

Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. (949)

759-1900. www.neimanmarcus.com

TAKE A LONG LOOK

2NV, a women’s boutique specializing in jeans, offers two new

denim lines designed for girls with long legs.

“We have Rock and Republic and the new Super Model Jeans by

Hudson, both with a 36-inch inseam,” 2NV’s Maureen Zuffoletto said.

“They have an incredible fit and are so cute.”

The store is also having a sale on the main floor of the store,

with prices reduced 35% to 70%. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to

Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. 2NV is just two doors down from the

Crab Cooker, at 2224 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach. (949) 673-0555.

FOR A MAN AND A WOMAN

The At-Ease Men’s and Women’s Stores at Fashion Island are holding

their annual winter sale, with savings up to 70% off all collections.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday;

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The men’s store is located in

Bloomingdale’s Courtyard, and the Women’s & Home Store is located in

Atrium Court. At Ease (949) 759-7979. At Ease Women’s & Home Store

(949) 759-7985.

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

[email protected]; at 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626;

or by fax at (714) 966-4679.