Hello Back Bay Beaus, Happy Monday.

Are we officially tired of the rain? Slow start to the year as vendors, venues and denizens regroup to face the first full week back from the holiday break. There are quite a few grand openings happening in the next 60 days in both NB and CM, so we will be culinarily well stocked for the year ahead. Light week again for events, but we expect the pace to pickup as we hard launch into Fools Spring.

To our new readers—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

• New Coffee by Ralphs at FI

• PSAs

• Early Bird Breakfast Burritos

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Ralph’s Coffee to Open at FI

The Upper East Side is officially meeting the West Coast. Ralph Lauren has confirmed that its viral café concept, Ralph’s Coffee, is setting up shop at Fashion Island.

Taking over the prominent space formerly occupied by Restoration Hardware, this will be the brand's first standalone coffee location in California. The café is designed to be the anchor of the center’s new "Coastal Overlook," a dining hub currently being developed to maximize the Pacific views.

If you’ve visited the locations in Manhattan or London, you know the drill: expect signature hunter-green walls, geometric marble floors, and a level of polish that turns a morning espresso into a luxury experience. The menu will feature their custom organic blends, teas, and the kind of classic pastries—like dense brownies and oversized cookies—that usually sell out early.

Construction is nearly complete, with the grand opening projected for January 20th.

PSAs:

• Silver Alert: Edina Sampaio - Last seen Sunday 1/4/26 at 12:40am in Costa Mesa

• Tree Recycling: Curbside Christmas tree pickup continues this week. Residents are reminded to remove all ornaments and stands before placing trees on the curb on their regular trash day.

  • Costa Mesa Info

  • Newport Beach Info
    

• City Hall Reopens: Both Newport Beach and Costa Mesa City Halls will reopen for regular business on Monday, January 5, after the holiday closure.

UPCOMING:

• Art Exhibition + Live Music - Daydream Surf Shop
  Sunday 1/11
  Info

• EarlyBird Breakfast Burritos Grand Opening - The Lab
  Saturday Jan 17th
  10:30am
  Info

• Raising Canes Grand Opening - Newport Blvd Location
  February 24th
  
  

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletter:

🌊 Water temp = 62º
Suit Rec: Spring suit

THIS WEEK:

• PJ Storytime at Mariners Library Newport Beach

  Monday, 05 January @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
  Info

• Read to a Dog at Newport Beach Central Library

  Tuesday, 06 January, 2026

  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Info

• Nature Walk & Book Club for Littles at Turtle Rock Nature Center in Irvine ($10)

  Wednesday, 07 January, 2026

  10:00 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Storytime by the Beach at Marina Park in Newport Beach

  Wednesday, 07 January, 2026

  10:30 am - 11:00 am
  Info
  

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• Art Workshop at Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa

  Saturday, 17 January

  11:30 am - 4:30 pm
  Info

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor has not had a sip of water since Black Friday.

PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!