See the Web site, go to the real site

Shop. Dine. Enjoy.

Those are the words that greet you at the top of the new, chic

Triangle Square Web site. I just imagine some dark-eyed woman,

casually perched outside the Yard House, leaning one arm over the

rail of the outdoor patio, saying those words in a low, raspy voice.

“Shop. Dine. Enjoy,” she says and then takes a sip from her trendy

apple martini.

Frankly, I don’t think Triangle Square management cares what you

do at the troubled center, as long as it is something. Read. Get

lost. Play on the escalators. Just bring in some new blood, please.

The new Web site is definitely a step in the right direction. The

red screen entices readers, and its easy-to-navigate content makes it

simple to see what the center has to offer. And that’s a good thing

considering you can’t tell just by looking at the center. Even if you

could, finding it from the bowels of the concrete parking structure

is a whole other story.

Stephanie DeMartinis, the operations manager at Triangle Square,

said the Web site was eye-catching and designed to bring the consumer

into “a whole new world of shopping and entertainment.”

“Our goal was to create a Web site that not only provides our

current shoppers with more detailed information about the center and

its tenants but also provides the out-of-town visitor a chance to

receive a taste of Triangle Square,” she said.

Speaking of tastes, lets see what the “dining” button has to

offer. It shows a list of delicious options ranging from sushi to

candy, and of course, there’s the ever-popular Yard House. Wait,

here’s something I didn’t know too much about, Fugu.

“The Fugu lounge is a uniquely designed restaurant and

entertainment experience delivering an extraordinary

aphrodisiac-inspired cuisine, presented in an elegant lounge

setting,” the Web site reads.

Hmmm ... sounds intriguing, so I read on.

“The sounds of new-age-style music fill the air over the exotic

dance floor while the beautiful wait staff attend to your every whim.

Your senses will come alive with the highest level of culinary

ecstasy.”

Um, is it hot in here, or is it just me?

Give me a second. What were we talking about? Oh yeah, yeah,

Triangle Square, the Web site -- gotcha. See, I’m already inspired to

step foot in the oddly shaped redevelopment project. I think I can

brave the concrete maze that is their parking lot to have every whim

of mine attended do. What else can they do for me?

I’ll click on the retail button. The Closet. It is a small

clothing store on the Harbor Boulevard side, next to the Gap and

under the old Sfuzzi spot. The Web site says it specializes in

couture clothing and offers a link to the company’s official site.

Wow. They offer a wide variety of ladies wear including Seven,

Paper Denim, Miss Sixty, Paul Frank, Hurly, Diesel and Volcom, all

under one roof. Sure, it’s much better exercise to walk all over

South Coast Plaza to each of the designers stores, but how great is

it to have a slice of each in one place.

Note to self: Check out the Closet the next time you have $110 to

blow on a pair of jeans.

OK, so I won’t actually patronize the store, but it would be fun

to look at all the pretty things I can’t afford.

The Web site also includes a direct contact, for people to e-mail

officials with any questions, concerns, etc. This is designed to

enhance their relationship with the community, officials said.

Cool. I’m more interested in establishing a relationship with

those Fugu people but, hey, community relations are good too. Check

it out for yourself at www.trianglesquare.com and see what you learn.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and

covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or

by e-mail at [email protected].