A Fare Catch for Gustaf Anders

Restaurant-goers got more than a mouthful when they dined at Gustaf Anders at South Coast Plaza Village on Friday night.

They got an eyeful of super-nova Patrick Swayze (star of “Ghost,” “Dirty Dancing” and soon-to-be “City of Joy,” shot in Calcutta).

Seems Swayze, super-casual in shades, black jeans and boots, popped into Orange County’s favorite before-and-after-theater bistro along with his wife and another couple for Kumamoto oysters (succulent morsels farmed in the oceans of the Northwest) and Caesar salad.

In-the-knows know that Swayze loves the ballet, so restaurant owner Bill Magnuson wasn’t surprised when he got a call requesting a “quiet corner for Patrick Swayze.” Figures, Magnuson thought, the Royal Ballet is in town.

The foursome liked the fare so much they told Magnuson they would return for an apres-theater bite. But when 10:30 p.m. came, Magnuson got a phone call instead of a repeat performance.

“We’re sorry--it’s late and we’ve decided to head home,” Swayze said over his car phone.

“Wasn’t that thoughtful?” Magnuson said. Very.

Calling all model wanna-bes: Ever had designs on a career as a fashion model? Your time may have come. Executives with Emporio Armani--the chic mega-boutique that will open at South Coast Plaza on Sept. 7 with a knockout charity fest--are holding court at the Westin South Coast Plaza today and Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m.

Their agenda? Tryouts. Anyone interested in showcasing the kind of lifestyle-wear preferred by Tinseltown’s elite (the Academy Awards ceremony has become a virtual Giorgio Armani fashion show) at the September event is invited to give Armani executive Wanda McDaniel a buzz at the Westin.

The bottom line: The gala being planned by Armani will feature local models in ensembles depicting Orange County’s unique lifestyle. There will be models on skateboards, models on in-line skates and models sporting everything from the latest in laid-back wear to the greatest in gala-dressing.

The production will be “one, big, fast, crazy, show” that will begin at 9:30 p.m., according to McDaniel. (FYI: This personalized fashion-parade concept will be repeated at Emporio Armani boutiques in Honolulu, New York and Toronto in September. The Costa Mesa production marks the Milan-based fashion house’s very first.)

Now. Here’s what’s really hot about the event that will launch Orange County’s fall social swim. None other than Robert Isabell, New York’s premiere party designer (for starters, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg’s wedding celebration, not to mention those arty parties staged by Vanity Fair magazine), is designing the Italian scene for Sept. 7.

Chefs from Armani Express, the bistro that will open in the boutique in October, will whip up the food that will be tossed down in an Italian square. Word’s out that party-goers (a thousand or so culled from the lists of the beneficiaries: Orangewood, Newport Harbor Art Museum and the Special Olympics) won’t even recognize the Jewel Court at South Coast Plaza. We hear banners will be hung everywhere, ensuring that Emporio Armani will be the only store visible to party guests.

Morsels: The fun-loving Judie Argyros, wife of Forbes 400 developer George Argyros, was spotted clowning around (literally, she was one of the clowns) over the weekend at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Anaheim. At a recent benefit auction, a friend of the socialite bought her the chance to be a clown. . . . Along with his wife, Mary Earle, Fluor Corp. top gun Les McCraw will open his Newport Beach home on Wednesday to supporters of the Great Catalogue Caper, the annual prize-fest sponsored by Neiman Marcus each year. . . .