Celebrating comfort at opening

GREER WYLDER

Relax the Back store celebrates its new location at Westcliff Plaza

in Newport Beach from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. It’s a great

source for products that help relieve back, neck and sleep-related

discomforts. It carries a plethora of innovative products -- 500 at

last count -- for the home, office or travel. Prices range from $2 to

$4,000.

Choose from its exclusive and incredibly comfortable BackSaver

recliner; Tempur-pedic mattresses and pillows; back and neck

supports; and even a computerized foot massager. Open 10 a.m. to 7

p.m. Monday to Saturday; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Relax The Back is

at 1044 Irvine Ave. in Newport Beach. (949) 645-2225.

www.relaxtheback.com.

Get new look at

Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island specializes in pampering beauty

treatments and fashion events. You won’t want to miss these upcoming

events. Friday and Saturday, Neiman Marcus will be offering a

makeover with one of Awake’s top makeup artists. You can get a new

look with this season’s hottest colors. For an appointment, call

(949) 759-1900, ext. 2119. In Cosmetics, Level One.

Also on Friday you can receive a com- plimentary facial by

Chantecaille in a private treatment room. And check out the season’s

freshest colors and newest skincare from Chantecaille. For an

appointment, call (949) 759-1900, ext. 2153. Cosmetics, Level One.

On Tuesday you can preview the Chloe fall 2005 collection at a

trunk show with informal modeling. Couture Salon, Level Two.

On Thursday you can preview the Fall 2005 collection of Neiman

Marcus’ very own cashmere. Sport Shop, Level Two.

From July 28 through July 30 you can meet Trish McEvoy’s top

makeup artists. Let them create a great new look with this season’s

Trish McEvoy’s products.

For an appointment, call (949) 759-1900, ext. 2123. Cosmetics,

Level One.

Also, during this time (July 28 through 30) book an appointment

for a relaxing facial from Darphin in a private treatment rooms.

(949) 759-1900, ext. 2151. Cosmetics, Level One.

On July 29 and 30, you can meet with the Guerlain experts who will

introduce you to beautiful colors of the season. For an appointment

call (949) 759-1900, Ext. 2118. Cosmetics, Level One.

Find some cooking

skills at the plaza

Expand your culinary skills by signing up for cooking classes at

Williams-Sonoma at South Coast Plaza. Professional chefs lead classes

that feature international cuisines. Guests can take home recipes to

try out in their own kitchens. You can attend an entire series or

select an individual class. Class size is limited. The cost per class

is $49.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, a Risotto Northern Italian Classic class

will be taught by chef Anna Maria Volpi, who will explain techniques

on how to prepare a perfect risotto. Then she’ll prepare risotto with

porcini mushrooms; veal scaloppine with Italian parsley; sauteed

spinach with extra-virgin olive oil, pine nuts and raisins; and for

dessert, an Italian apple tart.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, the focus is on classic dishes from

Lyon, France. Chef Eddy Rocq will teach the class. The menu includes

quiche Lorraine, salmon papillote with leek compote and chocolate

souffle.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Chef Debbie Dubbs will instruct how

make a Belgian endive salad, with Dijon crusted lamb chops; roasted

asparagus and new potatoes; and for dessert, caramelized pear and

almond upside down cake.

From 4 to 6 p.m. July 24 Chef Debbie Dubbs will teach a brunch

class. The menu includes crab cake eggs Benedict; prosciutto and

melon skewers; duchess potato cups; and for dessert, chocolate

amaretti waffle with whipped cream and seasonal fruit.

From 6 to 8 p.m. July 25 there will be an Italian seafood class

presented by Volpi. She will prepare pasta with tuna and tomato

sauce; swordfish Sicilian style sauteed with olives and fresh tomato;

and tomato and arugula combined to make al fresh. For dessert, she

will prepare biscotti Regina.

From 6 to 8 p.m. July 26, chef Lisa Parisi will teach a

Mediterranean summer barbecue class. On the menu is fresh humus with

crispy pita bread; grilled leg of lamb in lemon, yogurt and rosemary

marinade, tabbouleh, plum, raspberry upside cake. South Coast Plaza,

Level 2. (714) 751-1166.

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

greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626;

or by fax at (714) 966-4679.