Greer Wylder -- BEST BUYS

Meagan Marriott, manager of Newport Clocks and Watches, would like

readers to see the “gallery of magnificent, practical, educational

antiques and whimsical clocks” at Newport Clocks. “With Valentine’s Day

just around the corner, we welcome you to tour the wide range of unique

and interesting time pieces,” says Marriott. “Among the favorites are

clocks that provide the one side of a toy handbag and the other side a

visible 9-inch clock with bold Roman numerals; clocks made to look like

your favorite pet and clocks that play a variety of tunes on the hour,

complete with moving figurines and instruments.” Newport Clocks and

Watches is at 3441-C Via Lido in Newport Beach. Call (949) 723-2333.

The best selection of fresh seafood can be found at Santa Monica Seafood.

The market carries more than 30 varieties of fresh seafood daily from

around the world. Included in the daily selections are Mexican shrimp,

Dungeness crabs, live Maine lobsters, clam chowder, prepared fresh fish

meals, seafood salads, sushi, specialty breads, and hot and cold smoked

seafood. Santa Monica Seafood is at 154 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. Call

(949) 574-8862.

There’s a new spot to meet for lunch. Bayside Restaurant added a lunch

menu last month. The full-service restaurant is family owned and operated

by the same proprietor of Bistango Restaurant in Irvine. Award-winning

Chef Paul Gstrein will be the executive chef coming from Bistango after

overseeing that kitchen for the last 10 years. Bayside Restaurant has an

eclectic menu of American contemporary cuisine. Lunch selections include

salads, pasta entrees, fresh seafood and daily selections. Lunch is

served seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and served dinner

nightly from 5 p.m. It’s at 900 Bayside Drive in Newport Beach.

Tiffany & Co. always has the best selection of gifts for important

occasions. For Valentine’s Day, Tiffany & Co. is offering the ultimate

gift, a bracelet set with 125 vibrant pink sapphires alternating with 125

dazzling round diamonds in five flexible rows of sheer glamour. This

beautiful linear design is set in 18-karat gold and platinum. There is

also a Tiffany “heart” locket with an 18-inch chain in 14-karat gold. The

locket, a traditional design of elegant simplicity, is available in two

sizes and engravable with initials, date, or term of endearment. The

heart is also romantically interpreted in the “L’Oeil de Perdrix,” a

Tiffany private stock Limoges porcelain box. The pink and white

hand-painted design with gold highlights is inscribed with “I love you.”

Tiffany & Co. is on the lower level of South Coast Plaza, near Nordstrom.

Call (714) 640-5330.

The Spirit Run, a fun fund-raiser for local schools, is happening on Feb.

27 at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. The races consist of a 5K and 10K

run-walk and a family toddler trot. This year, there will be a Mighty

Ducks and Anaheim Angels kid’s expo from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Spirit Run

benefits Lincoln, Andersen, Eastbluff and Harbor View elementary schools.

Participating sponsors include Fashion Island, Edwards Theatres, OCN,

Fletcher Jones, OC Family, and First Estates. For more information,

please call (949) 222-3344.

Lahaina Galleries in Fashion Island is featuring the latest works by

Romantic Impressionist Aldo Luongo at an artist reception and exhibition

from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Luongo’s subjects

are broad, ranging from dramatic landscapes with mysterious shadows and

coastal scenes, to a cafe in Buenos Aires or a rooftop in Italy. His

works have brought him critical acclaim and a bevy of celebrity

collectors, including Dionne Warwick, Cary Grant, Anthony Quinn, and Yul

Brynner. For more information, please call (949) 721-9117.

* BEST BUYS is published Thursdays and Saturdays. If you know of a good

buy, send a fax to (949) 646-4170 or write to Daily Pilot, Best Buys, 330

W. Bay St., Costa Mesa 92627.