GREER’S BEST BUYS:

Shanghai Salon in Costa Mesa is offering a new must-have hair treatment — the “Brazilian Blowout” to make your life easier. It’s designed to solve flat-iron and difficult-to- smooth-out hair issues.

The “Brazilian Blowout” improves the condition of your hair by creating a protective layer around the hair shaft. The result is smooth and shiny hair that is easy to style, with no chance of damage or breakage.

The treatment lasts anywhere from six weeks to three months, depending on how often you shampoo. The product gradually wears off with no re-growth to deal with. This service, at a competitive price of $350, is suitable for all hair types, especially for damaged and chemically treated hair, as these conditions enhance the absorption of the Brazilian Blowout Solution.

Shanghai Salon is at 333 E 17th St., No. 6, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 650-0008 or go to www.shanghai-salon.com.

Island of romance

The Island Hotel in Newport Beach takes Valentine’s Day to the next level with romance galore. Among the hotel’s Valentine’s great specials, there’s a Romance Package; a spectacular five-course menu designed for him and her in the Palm Terrace Restaurant; and a seductive dessert buffet throughout February.

The Island Romance Package features luxurious accommodations, with a free upgrade to the next-room category; and champagne and chocolates upon arrival. It’s valid throughout 2009. Rates start at $355 a night.

On Feb. 14, Executive Chef Bill Bracken will prepare a five-course tasting menu created for him and her in the Palm Terrace. The courses vary and start with a bottle of champagne.

Specials include chilled Dungeness crab with grilled asparagus, panko-crusted Dungeness crab cake with caviar; butter-poached Maine lobster with peas, lemon-grass and ginger; a pan-roasted and 30-hour braised veal with squash ravioli; and the fifth course, the Cocoa Lounge dessert buffet. It costs $250 per couple, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Dinner will be served from 6 to 10 p.m.

For reservations, call (949) 760-4920. The Cocoa Lounge Dessert Buffet is the ultimate dessert experience, any guest who orders a two-or-more-course dinner at Palm Terrace Restaurant during February is invited to receive free entrance into the heavenly Cocoa Lounge — a dessert buffet featuring the scrumptious creations of Executive Pastry Chef Michael Owens.

For any guests who would like to indulge in desserts only, visits to the Cocoa Lounge Dessert Buffet cost $18 per person, tax and gratuities not included.

The hotel’s at 690 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. For details, call (949) 759-0808 or go to www.islandhotel.com/ Calendar/Default.aspx.

New ways to wake up

Panera Bread’s locations in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa just added a new breakfast experience: light and dark roast coffees, as well as three grilled breakfast sandwiches on freshly baked ciabatta and its new strawberry granola parfait.

The light roast coffee is a blend of some of the finest South and Central American beans, roasted lighter for a smooth, classic taste. And the dark roast coffee is a blend of top Costa Rican beans, created for customers who prefer a robust, balanced, full-bodied coffee.

The expanded breakfast menu includes a new strawberry granola parfait made with low-fat, organic vanilla yogurt, maple butter pecan granola with whole grain oats and fresh strawberries. The bakery cafes also offer grilled breakfast sandwiches, egg soufflés, artisan breads and bagels.

Local restaurants are at 235 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, (949) 642-9500, and at the Bluffs Shopping Center, 1348 Bison Ave., Newport Beach, (949) 721-8800.

For more, go to www.panerabread.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.