GREER’S BEST BUYS:

O’Quinn Clothing fills the need for men looking for relaxed fashions that express individuality and look hip. Meet the masterminds behind O’Quinn Clothing from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Bloomingdale’s Fashion Island and shop from their spring fashions, too. Get wardrobe tips from the designers Dean Quinn and Kyle Castner.

Choose from crisp white Ts and dark denims influenced by the mod movement and the college-prep student. The line runs the gamut from cashmere sweaters and premium denim to stretch board shorts and unique sublimated Ts. O’Quinn can also be found at The Closet, Becker Surfboards, Erica Dee, Beach Bums and Huntington Surf & Sport. Bloomingdale’s is at Fashion Island in Newport Beach; (949) 729-6600, www.oquinnclothing.com.

Eclectic ARTSCENTER acts

The Off Center Series at the Samueli Theater shows a hip and unconventional side to the Orange County Performing Artscenter. It offers an eclectic group of performers and events through June. A sampling of the ongoing series: top indie bands perform the last Thursday of every month including Cold War Kids March 27, and Matt Costa April 24; there’s John King’s Extreme Guitar Orchestra Festival March 29; and the thrilling 500 Clown Frankenstein May 8 through 10 combines circus arts and theater.

For a complete listing, tickets and more information call (714) 556-2787 or go to ocpac.org/offcenter.

Blending new and old

Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café just reinvented itself with a new name, look and menu. Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille features regional, coastal cuisine in a relaxed yet sophisticated setting. There’s still the same, “life is one long weekend” vibe, but the interior is now rich and sophisticated with dark browns, Chinese red, gold and ochre, and silk-wrapped lighting fixtures.

New favorites include a ceviche-meets-sashimi appetizer served with plantain chips and watermelon for delicious dipping; a lobster-grilled cheese sandwich served with heirloom tomato soup; and for a delicious lunch or light dinner, a grilled Pacific swordfish sandwich with a salad. The Island Grille’s take on surf and turf is a duet of sliders — one features scallops with chipotle aioli, the other filet mignon — served with a side of fries. To end the meal, try homemade chocolate crunch bars served with vanilla gelato, or an incredible pineapple upside-down vanilla cheesecake.

The Island Grille’s bar offers tropical cocktails, as well as a focus on retro cocktails such as martinis, signature margaritas and classic mojitos. Dishes range from $10 to $39. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille is at Corona del Mar Plaza, 854 Avocado Ave. in Newport Beach; (949) 720-9277, www.tommybahama.com.

Free gifts offered

Through March, Benchley Luggage & Gifts at Fashion Island offers a free gift with a Brighton purchase of $100 or more. The gift is a beautiful umbrella with a colorful floral pattern, perfect for spring showers. The one-of-a-kind umbrella is valued at $25 and is a great accessory for the Brighton enthusiast. Limit one per customer. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Benchley Luggage & Gifts is at Fashion Island in Newport Beach; (949) 759-9101, www.benchleyluggage.com.

BARBECUE TO GO

The Beach Pit BBQ is taking orders of barbecued hams for Easter, smoked turkey and prime rib. The Beach Pit BBQ is a perfect place to pick up meals for home entertaining, and it offers catering, too. It’s a slice of Southern life in Costa Mesa. A place where you can relax, meet with friends and family and enjoy the flavors imported all the way from Alabama. And it now serves a Southern breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, at 1676 Tustin Ave. in Costa Mesa; (949) 574-0222, ext. 102, www.beachpitbbq.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.