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Phantastic Music, Swede Offerings at Gustaf’s

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<i> Benjamin Epstein is a free-lance writer who regularly contributes to The Times Orange County</i>

Twenty decapods dill-cooked and chilled do a Swedish Crayfish Party make. At least that’s how many of the boiled little crustaceans will be served to each person as a first course Tuesday and Wednesday at Gustaf Anders restaurant. Akvavit and beer is the chaser of choice. The party continues with Swedish-style meatballs and lingonberries, and winds down with apple cake and a glass of ice-cold punsch , a traditional Swedish liqueur made from spiced rum and flavored with the bark of palm trees.

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and the cost is $39 per person, including akvavit, beer, wine and punsch. Tax and gratuity extra.

Also at Gustaf Anders, “Phantom Phrenzy”: Two local singers serenade patrons with music of the night by Andrew Lloyd Webber on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., throughout the run of “Phantom of the Opera,” which ends Sept. 3. Complimentary shuttle service to the Orange County Performing Arts Center is provided Thursdays through Saturdays. 1651 Sunflower Ave., South Coast Plaza Village, Santa Ana. (714) 668-1737.

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The Lab, a cluster of alternative retail shops and restaurants billed as an “anti-mall,” is hosting a Farmers Market on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. Fruits and vegetables are sold in the parking lot behind the center.

Two of the 15 vendors specialize in organic fruits and vegetables. There’s also a bread baker, pottery thrower, incense and flower vendors, and live bluegrass and country music.

“But the biggest attraction is the time of day,” Lab spokeswoman Linda Sadeghi said. “Most farmers markets are in the mornings, so if you’re a working person or a student, you can’t get there. Here, you can just pop in and out on your way home.”

2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. (714) 966-6663.

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The waiters still break plates for free, but dinner at Zorbas is half-priced Sundays through Thursdays this month.

That means the deluxe dinner--a feast prepared for two or more including saganaki (cheese flamed table-side), 10 cold appetizers, Greek salad, and a hot sampler platter of lamb, chicken kebabs, moussaka (layered baked eggplant and beef topped with goat cheese), pastitsio (layered baked pasta and lamb), spanakopeta (spinach pie), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) in lemon dill sauce and chicken Athena--is now $12.50 a head.

Dinner is served from 5 to 11 p.m.; reservations recommended. A four-course Early Bird Special, served until 7 p.m., is now $7.50. According to owner-chef Aristidis Deslis, the promotion marks the restaurant’s fourth anniversary. Belly dancing Wednesday through Sunday.

580 Anton Blvd., A101, Costa Mesa. (714) 436-0141.

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