Hello Back Bay Branzinos, happy Monday.

One thing we just can’t figure out, is why prime 17th Street restaurants like Playa Mesa and Country Club can’t make it, but the KFC across the street with more parking than a KFC will ever need has been selling lukewarm fried chicken for over a decade.

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:

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Playa Mesa abruptly shut its doors for good on Friday, July 31st, marking the end of an eight-year run at 428 E 17th Street. While the owners haven't posted many details yet, the sudden shutdown caught plenty of local regulars off guard heading into the weekend (one commenter even mentioned they had reservations the night of the announcement).

The spot was brought to life back in mid-2018 by local restaurateurs Mario Marovic and Andrew Gabriel. If those names sound familiar, it's because they've built a massive footprint across the newport and Costa Mesa dining scene. They also started Wild Goose, The Country Club (RIP), Dory Deli, Stag Bar, and Malarky’s Irish Pub.

Before Playa Mesa moved in and overhauled the space into a bright, upscale Mexican kitchen with hand-pressed tortillas and fresh margaritas, the location spent years operating as a classic Ruby’s Diner.

As of now, there’s no word on whether the brand will resurface somewhere else or what might eventually take over the space. We’re not saying Mark Wahlberg orchestrated a hit to clear out the competition before opening his new Flecha Cantina down the hill this month, but a rival Mexican spot vanishing a mile away does feel a bit Too Much. Say hello to your mother for us, Mark.

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Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is hiding from Mark Wahlberg’s lawyers.

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