Greer’s Best Buys:

In celebration of the release “Julie & Julia,” Tradition by Pascal in Newport Beach offers a special prix-fixe menu.

The Tribute to Julia Child prix-fixe dinner is offered Tuesday through Saturday evenings through the end of August. Chef/owner Pascal Olhats says he shares the same passion for French cuisine as the celebrated chef, and he was even privileged to attend her 80th birthday party.

“Having done research on Julia Child’s life, which can also be seen in the movie, the first French meal she ever had in France took place in a restaurant in my hometown of Rouen,” Olhats said. “This restaurant also happens to be the first restaurant that I have ever worked [at].”

The three-course dinner costs $40 per person (not including second course, seen below) or four-course dinner; $55 per person. First course is a choice of mussels and saffron soup or French potato salad with toulouse sausage or ouef cocotte with a tarragon crème fraîche. Second course is filet of sole, two ways: meunière and dieppoise. And entrée is a choice of bif $Capital { return “Œ” } else { return “œ” }uf Bourguignon with egg pasta or lamb ragout with spring vegetables. Dessert options are crêpe Suzette, tart tatin, or le délice de Montecito.

The restaurant is at 1000 N. Bristol St. in Newport Beach. For reservations, call (949) 263-9400, ext. 1. For more information, visit www.PascalNewportBeach.com.

Treat yourself to dinner

South Coast Plaza is famous for some of the best restaurants (and, of course, stores) in Southern California, and now is the perfect time to try these dining spots.

An impressive collection of restaurants at South Coast Plaza, South Coast Plaza Village and the theater district are catering to fashionistas (and recessionistas), offering luxury dining at unbelievable prices.

South Coast Plaza’s “Fashion Plates” is a promotion running through Sunday that features prix-fixe, three-course lunches for $20 and four-course dinners priced at $40.

Participating restaurants include Antonello Ristorante, Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s, Darya Fine Persian Cuisine, Hamamori Restaurant-Sushi Bar, Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge, Marché Moderne, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Nello Cucina, Quattro Caffé, Pinot Provence, Pizzeria Ortica, Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine and Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar.

The “Fashion Plates” menus include food only. Visit South Coast Plaza for complete lunch and dinner menus and look up the phone numbers at www.southcoastplaza.com for more information or reservations. The shopping center is at 3333 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa.

Elegant furniture for less

Shop at the Showplace South in Costa Mesa today and Saturday and save up to 80% on top-of-the-line home and outdoor furniture, accessories, lamps, mirrors, fabric and more.

You can save thousands on heirloom-quality offerings at the same place top Orange County interior designers find the beautiful, high-quality furnishings that add style and luxury to the coast’s most exquisite homes.

The Showplace South’s annual summer tent sale is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday. The store is at 3020 Pullman St., Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 549-1442 or visit www.theshowplacesouth.com.

Surfing to school

Surfside Sports is having its back to school sale in-store only today through Sunday.

You can choose from a huge backpack selection, two-for-one boardshorts and swimwear, and save 20 to 50% off all apparel, and 20% off all bags.

Surfside Sports offers one-stop shopping for men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, shoes and accessories. It carries the best in snow, skate and surf merchandise. Popular lines include Quiksilver, Burton, Volcom, Hurley, RVCA and Roxy, as well as Factor54, Atwater, Obey, Ezekiel and more.

Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The store is at 233 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 645-4624 or visit www.surfsidesports.com.

Relaxing stay at resort

The Balboa Bay Club & Resort is a favorite waterfront escape — whether for a few hours or a few days.

The resort features getaway overnight packages (starting at $249 a night through Sept. 6), Sunday evening barbecues overlooking the bay (through Aug. 30), a new prix-fixe dinner menu in the First Cabin Restaurant, and entertainment and dancing every night of the week in Duke’s Lounge.

Guests indulging in a stay-cation at the resort can enjoy spacious and elegantly appointed guest rooms, a full-service spa, a salon, boutique, swimming and whirlpool, workout facility and their own marina with boat and kayak rentals.

The resort is at 1221 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 645-5000 or visit www.balboabayclub.com.

GREER WYLDER writes Best Buys, which runs Fridays. She’s the founder and president of www.greersoc.com , a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining and trends.