Hello Back Bay Bon Vivants, happy Friday!
It’s a Good Friday to all who celebrate, and a particularly good Friday to plan a balmy Easter weekend on the water.
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:
Brunch Spots that still have tables (as of 11pm last night)
NB Attempts Guinness World Record for Largest Swing Dance
Last minute plans for Easter Weekend
— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz
Easter Brunch Spots That Still Have Tables
If you are one of the degenerate gamblers who likes to roll the dice and book your easter brunch 2 days in advance, we have a soft spot for you. You and our editor are cut from the same cloth. Below are the restaurants that still had tables available for at least 4 people between 10:30-2pm as of 11pm Thursday night (Apr 2nd). Note, this is sourced from Open Table data, so there may be more venues with availability. Godspeed:
Newport:
Nick’s Newport Beach - Steakhouse
Joey - American
Molo - Italian
Bluewater Grill - Seafood (waterside, harbor views)
Palmilla - Mexican, Tapas (intimate, trendy)
Bayside - American
Sol - Mexican (waterside, bay views)
Buona Forchetta - Italian
Mutt’s (Eastbluff) - Bar American
The Whaler - New American (BBB rec: the Philly Cheese Steak 🤤 )
The Alley - American (hidden gem)
Javier’s, Crystal Cove - Mexican (beats the pants off the Irvine location)
Costa Mesa
Ospi - Italian (the pizza here oddly makes sense for brunch)
Water Grill (South Coast Plaza) - Seafood
Mastro’s - Steakhouse
Habana - Cuban
Eat Chow - American (newly renovated, aesthetic, selfie friendly)
Westwood Coast - Steakhouse (cool bar area)
Swing Into The Record Books
Ready to step into the history books? Back in the 1930s, the legendary Rendezvous Ballroom on the Balboa Peninsula gave birth to the "Balboa Swing"—a tight, fast-paced dance style invented simply because the floor was too crowded for big kicks. On Sunday, April 19, Visit Newport Beach is honoring that legacy with an official attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Swing Dance Lesson.
The current record stands at 782 people, and they need your help to smash it. Don't worry if you have two left feet—Atomic Ballroom will lead an easy-to-learn lesson for all ages, and solos will be paired up at check-in. It’s a full community party at Peninsula Park featuring live music by the Jonathan Stout Orchestra, food trucks, and prize giveaways.
When: Sunday, April 19 (Check-in: 10–11 a.m. | Lesson: 11:15 a.m.)
Where: Peninsula Park Athletic Field (near the old Rendezvous site)
Cost: Free!
It’s all part of the city’s "120 Years of Welcome" anniversary celebration. Grab your spot in history and register here.
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“There’s no crying on the Duffy”
OC Singles Mixer - Westwood Coast
Friday Apr 3rd
7pm
InfoMatinee Showing: Turner & Hooch - Lido Theater
Friday Apr 3rd
7am-2pm
InfoJapan Fair at OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa
Friday, 03 April
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
infoFemale Maker Market - Lido Village
Sat Apr 4th
10am-4pm
InfoDeath Cab for Karaoke - The Wayfarer
Saturday Apr 4th
7:30
InfoFree Easter BBQ - Wild Fork Costa Mesa
Saturday Apr 12th
12-3pm
RSVPHilltop Easter Luncheon - Tanaka Farms
Sunday Apr 5th
10am-2pm
RSVP
UPCOMING:
Newport Needlepoint Club Meetup - Newport Needlepoint
“2026 is the year for Grandma hobbies”
Tuesdays 6-8pm
InfoTrivia Night - Bootlegger’s Brewery
Tuesdays 7-9pm
DirectionsFree Yoga Class - Seed Peoples Market
Wednesdays @ 10am
InfoBaby Goat Yoga - Tanaka Farms
Saturdays 10am (Hana Field)
InfoRequest for Public Input at John Wayne Airport - JWA Commission Room
Wednesday, Apr 15th
5pm
InfoJunk Journal Workshop - The Lab
Thursday Apr 16th
5-7pm
InfoBig Boat Show (NBIBS) - Lido Village
April 16th-19th
InfoRecord Store Day - Various Locations
Saturday Apr 18th
Check out all locations in The Back Bay Map RoomFree Swing Dance Lesson (Guinness World Record) - Peninsula Park
Sunday Apr 19th
10-12:30pm
InfoAirIWater Porsche Lifestyle Event - OC Fairgrounds
Saturday Apr 25th
9am-3pm
TicketsSongs in the Canyon - Canyon Park (Costa Mesa)
June 12-14
Info
Worth the Drive:
Adventure Van Expo - San Juan Capistrano
Sat-Sun May 30-31st
10am-3pm
Tickets
WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?
Check out our great partner newsletter:
Balm dot calm…
🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2
THIS WEEKEND:
Japan Fair at OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa
Friday, 03 April
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
infoEaster Egg Helicopter Egg Drop - Segerstrom High School
Saturday Apr 4th
9:30am
InfoSpringfest: A Pirate Adventure - Lions Park
Treasure Egg Hunt
Saturday Apr 4th
10-2pm
InfoEaster Egg Hunt - CDM Farmers Market
Saturday Apri 4th
9am
InfoFamily Fun Day at Crossings Church Costa Mesa
Saturday, 04 April
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
InfoLast Chance for Easter Bunny Photos - Fashion Island (Atrium Lawn)
Saturday Apr 4th
11am-7pm
InfoHilltop Easter Luncheon - Tanaka Farms
Sunday Apr 5th
10am-2pm
RSVP
Worth the Drive:
Easter Egg Hunt - River Street Market (SJC)
An open lawn with plenty of seating surrounded by restaurants is a great family spot. Highly recommend.
Friday April 3rd
11:30am
Info
Plan Ahead:
Critter investigations - Upper Newport Bay
3rd Wednesday of each month
10-11am
InfoStem Workshop - Carters x Kiwi Co. (Tustin Market Place)
Second Saturday of Every Month
10am -12pm
RSVPImaginology Fest - OC Fairgrounds
Sat-Sun April 11-12
10am-4pm
InfoMothing Night - Fairview Park
Much ado about mothing…
Friday Apr 24th
After Dark
InfoEarth Day Fest - Costa Mesa City Hall
Saturday Apr 26th
10am-2pm
Info
Farmers Markets 🥬🥕:
Newport Pier Farmer’s Market
Costa Mesa - SOCO (Saturdays 9-2)
Corona Del Mar - PCH & Marguerite (Saturdays 9-1)
Newport Beach - Newport Pier (Sundays 9-1)
Newport Harbor - Dover Dr & 16th St (Saturdays 9am-1pm) Launching Spring 2026
🌴 Costa Mesa
Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is practicing his pick for Death Cab for Karaoke (Evanescence - Bring Me to Life).
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!
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