Greer’s OC: New stores at The Strand

The Strand in Huntington Beach just opened two new stores: Crocs and Varga, as well as Sertino’s Café for traditional flatbread deli sandwiches, submarine sandwiches, grilled focaccia panini sandwiches, salads, soups and premium brewed coffees and espresso drinks. Ice cream and fresh fruit smoothie menu items are also available. Crocs offers more than 120 styles for men, women and children, and Varga, a women’s clothing boutique inspired by “Varga” girls from the 1940s, offers reasonably priced dresses, skirts and tops along with adorned hair accessories and jewelry. The Strand is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday on Fifth Street at Pacific Coast Highway, just one block north of Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach. For more information, visit https://www.atthestrand.com.

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Outdoor accessories

Anaheim Patio & Fireside in Huntington Beach is hosting its annual Labor Day Weekend Tent Sale from Friday through Monday. Save 15% to 75% off dining sets, chaise lounges, umbrellas, bar stools, fire pits, seating groups, outdoor entertaining accessories and more. Also choose from select barbecues and fireplace items, as well as one-of-a-kind items and discontinued products. Top brands featured are Brown Jordan, Tropitone, OW Lee, Hanamint, Mallin, Summer Classics and others. The store is open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 6811 Warner Ave. in Huntington Beach. For more information, call (714) 894-0382 or visit https://www.anaheimpatio.com.

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Rock out at Sutra

Sutra is rocking Labor Day like no other with a five-day music extravaganza through Sunday. At Sutra5, more than 50 performers will rock the crowds, turning Triangle Square in Costa Mesa into a mecca of food, luxury cabanas and outdoor performances during the day, with Sutra hosting unprecedented world-class talent at night within the club. Here’s the lineup: today, Joris Voorn; Friday, Mickey Avalon; Saturday, Steve Aoki, the Sounds and Alan Braxe; and Sunday, Dirty South, Rebelution and the Expendables.

Sutra is also partnering alongside Pacific Festival OC (pacificfestival.com/oc/) over Labor Day weekend (Saturday and Sunday) with more than 30 artists performing (indie rock, hip hop, dance, reggae and electronic) inside and outside of Triangle Square and Sutra. You can reserve tables near the stage with a catered brunch and mimosas courtesy of Memphis Café. Prices range from general admission presale (21 and over) $40, $50 and $60. $1 of the ticket price will be donated to Miocean. VIP presale (21 and older only) is $100; $110 includes access to two exclusive VIP areas, hosted bar from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; entry to win backstage passes.

For tickets and showtimes and more information on VIP cabanas, tables or brunch reservations, call (949) 722-7103 or visit https://www.sutra5.com. The club is at Triangle Square, 1870 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa.

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Eat Italian, cure diabetes

Soprano’s, a great little Italian eatery in Costa Mesa, is raising funds to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Through Oct. 31, mention the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) at Soprano’s and you will receive 10% off your bill, and 10% of all food revenue will go to JDRF.

Soprano’s offer fresh Italian recipes handed down from the owner, Brooklyn-born Joe Morano’s Italian grandmother. Favorite menu items include penne alla Joe’s Nana, lightly breaded eggplant and fresh ricotta with a heartfelt, nurturing marinara sauce. For those with an Italian grandmother, this pasta ($13.95) will bring tears to your eyes, as will the Penne Con Sarge, with sliced grilled chicken and sundried tomatoes in a light cream sauce flavored with tarragon and cognac ($13.95).

Also choose from antipastis, insalate, hot and cold sandwiches on Italian baguettes, homemade calzones, pastas, entree specials and fresh made-to-order pizzas. The JDRF offer is good at lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday (dine-in only). The restaurant is open for lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and open for dinner 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Soprano’s is at 2400 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 645-8515.

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Celebrate California Wine Month

Who knew that September is California Wine Month? Two Laguna Beach sister hotels — La Casa Del Camino and the Laguna Beach Inn — will be celebrating all month long with Sip, Sand and Save packages.

At La Casa Del Camino, enjoy a getaway just steps from the sand. The landmark hotel, built in 1927, also offers suites from the renowned Casa Surf Project. You can savor a special California wine dinner for two featuring carefully selected wine paired with delicious entrees from Chef Craig (voted Top Chef in Orange County 2010) at the hotel’s four-star K’ya Bistro, Sunday through Thursday at $269; Friday and Saturday at $369 — savings of $60. The hotel is at 1289 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 497-2446 or visit https://www.casacamino.com.

Laguna Beach Inn, a great family-friendly inn that’s both affordable and charming, is celebrating California Wine Month with premiere rates for a vacation by the sea. Enjoy an overnight stay and breakfast for two at K’ya Bistro and a complimentary bottle of wine. The offer is available Sunday through Thursday at $139 — savings of 25% off. The hotel is at 2020 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 494-5450 or visit https://www.lagunabeachinn.net.

GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.