Noodles

The swinging singles sushi scene is happening at Mosun. When did sushi become so hip? It once was the quintessence of the Japanese esthetic: subtle, elegant and refined. Now, hamachi is hip, sashimi swings and bluefin is rockin'. Young people pack the bar like sardines, TV screens have replaced Ukiyo-e on the walls and speakers blaring loud music are buried everywhere in faux beams in the ceiling. The very dramatic red and black contemporary Asian/fusion décor features the de rigeur fish tank, a long sushi bar, a theatrical waterfall and a bridge surmounted with a giant boulder that crosses over a pond separating the bar from the dining room.

The arrival of Trader Joe's, as well as the revamping of all our Laguna supermarkets, is reflective of the transformation that is taking place in the grocery business. The changing profile of the typical customer has forced the supermarkets to find a new identity. Shoppers used to stock up once a week. Nowadays, they average a store visit 2.2 times per week, seeking freshness. There is also an increased demand for organic produce, fresh bakery products, artisanal cheeses and ethnic foods.

DINING OUT There are only 10 days remaining of the summer festivals, so let's get with it at The Sawdust before the lively entertainment ends, because it's party time under the stars every night until Aug. 31. Among lively bands for the listening and dancing pleasure at the al fresco cabaret up front, are the Friday night performances of the Peter Dobson Trio. With talented Sue Cross on bass, melodic Michael J. on drums and inimitable guitarist / vocalist Peter setting the entrancing pace, some memorable moments await.

Dining Out The word spectacular is the only way to describe the grand opening of Mosun two years ago at the brink of the new millennium. The magnificent Japanese-theme restaurant/nightclub, in fact, celebrates its debut on Coast Highway this weekend. The inspired concept of enterprising restaurateur Moe Gazi, in collaboration with general manager Hansen Kamci, Mosun is a fascinating two-story showcase of fine dining and entertainment with the added attraction of friendly camaraderie.

Holiday palette competition for children to open The City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission Children's Holiday Palette Exhibition is open to locals ages 5 to 17. Several paper palettes will be chosen to be mounted on wooden palettes to be displayed in December at City Hall in a special exhibition. Entrants will be provided with a paper template on which to paint or draw original artwork. Templates are available at o7www.lagunabeachcity.netf7. All appropriate submitted palettes will be on display at City Hall during the holiday season.

SHERWOOD KIRALY Our daughter's been gone for two weeks, at writer's camp in Idyllwild, on a kind of dry run for college. This leaves Patti Jo and I home alone together for the first time in a long time. These are the days when one partner, who has been focused largely on her career and her daughter, may notice things about the other partner, which she hadn't had time to notice before. Such sudden revelations have inspired some of the oldest and most reliable lines in drama: "You're not the man I married."

DINING OUT Celebrating nine successful years in a cozy little Laguna Avenue site, the popular Thai Bros. restaurant has just launched its latest menu. Found in the whimsical categories of Appethaizers (starters), Go Hog Wild (pork dishes), Go Fish (seafood), are an array of enticing new taste treats. Nue Ka Tiem is grilled marinated beef over lettuce topped with garlic sauce; Gang Suparod means shrimp, scallops, pineapple in curry sauce; Yankee Noodle is Thai-style spaghetti with ground chicken, shrimp, vegetables.

DINING OUT Unique to Laguna Beach for the enterprising concept of teaming fabulous fashions with delicious dining and innovative art, Anastasia has been attracting fashion mavens and dedicated foodies since its inception on Ocean Avenue in 1996. Prior to that, in 1981, resourceful husband-wife team Amir and Zore Garavi had been promoting their highly successful boutique featuring primarily European and American designers at their original Anastasia, a popular retail venue on Coast Highway.

DINING OUT Proud recipient of the prestigious Zagat award last year, 230 Forest Avenue gained a reputation as the "in spot" among foodies soon after debuting at its namesake address Downtown in the summer of 1995. With an interestingly revised menu launched at the beginning of this new year, loyal patrons, who are numerous, are in for delicious surprises. Some enticing new presentations are one example of the updated bill of fare, and according to gracious principal Terry Rothbard, prices are slightly lower on a few items.

Valerie Swift Greetings from the road, and welcome to the first chapter of the Swifts' travel log. After a 16-hour flight, including a brief stop in Hong Kong, we were safely delivered to Taiwan's tangle of traffic and pollution called Taipei. The city is typically host to fringe ex-pats and inquisitive males. We seemed to be the only "Westerners" on holiday, especially as a couple. Surprisingly, we found Taiwan to offer quite a few worthwhile tourist attractions, a very agreeable attitude and genuine friendliness.