RETAIL ROUNDUP

Jasmine Lee

ONE-STOP EAT AND GROCERY SHOP

Perhaps the next-best thing to having a gourmet chef in your kitchen is

having a culinary professional help while you shop for dinner.

Chef Massimo, who creates delectable delights for Amici Trattoria in

Costa Mesa, now also doles out cooking tips to customers of the

restaurant’s new addition, Amici Caffe. The grand opening will be on

March 20.

Because shopping should never be done on an empty stomach, the Caffe

offers the ingredients needed to fix an Italian meal and a menu of eat-in

or to-go cuisine.

The foccacia bread and tomato sauce are made daily and other items, such

as smoked fish, fresh mozzarella and olive oil are available for

purchase.

And, of course, what cafe would be complete without drinks? Amici Caffe

also serves a mini-cup of espresso or a glass of port. There will also be

monthly wine tastings.

HAUTE COUTURE MEETS NATURE

Wondering what fabrics are “in” for next season?

New Man, a South Coast Plaza boutique, will unveil its Spring 2000

collection next week and the new line features all natural materials.

The French-manufactured slacks, shirts and dresses come in lush linens

and comfy cottons. But the men’s and women’s clothing also comes in

tactal, a rayon-type fiber.

This rayon is not your average fabric -- it is apparently made from the

bark of a tree. But like the synthetic rayon, it travels well.

The upscale apparel -- casual Euro chic mingled with down-to-earth

fabrics -- is designed to fit in at the office, evening events and

weekend treks.

Robert Taylor, president of the Paris label, will showcase his spring

fashions on Wednesday at the South Coast store.