Hello Back Bay Bouviers, happy Friday!

Costa Mesa is continuing in the time-honored tradition of hogging all the good restaurant openings, as Sweetgreen and Joe & The Juice announce new stores coming to Costa Mesa in November and early 2026, respectively. We are getting heavy rain this weekend, so it might be a good time to learn how to play mahjong (it’s already sold out, sorry). Seriously, we didn’t know mahjong was making such a strong comeback, but we are all-in on screen-free recreation this season.

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:

• First comes Sweetgreen

• Then comes The Juice

• All’s Fair in Love and Wine (it’s a wine fair)

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Sweetgreen Launching Infinite Kitchen Drive-Thru Concept

Mark your calendars: on Nov 18, Sweetgreen flips on its first-ever sweetlane drive-thru attached to an Infinite Kitchen robot line—right here in Costa Mesa. Translation: you tap your order, the bots assemble your bowl with scary precision, and you cruise through like a salad-seeking F1 driver.

The new spot is 2,295 sq. ft. on Bristol St. near John Wayne Airport—Sweetgreen’s 6th OC location (following Irvine Spectrum, Newport, Tustin, Laguna Niguel, and HB; some of those are already bot-powered). With 1/3 of orders now digital, the chain’s leaning into the “healthy, fast, and no small talk” lifestyle. Corporate says it’s all about making good-for-you food easier without killing the vibe. Because nothing says vibes like ✨ robot salads ✨ .

Joe and the Juice Coming Soon to 17th

If you’ve seen the pink cups at Fashion Island, you know the vibe: loud playlists, quick espresso, cold-pressed juices, and the TikTok-famous Tunacado sandwich. The brand started in Copenhagen in 2002, founded by Danish entrepreneur (and former karate champ) Kaspar Basse, and grew across Europe before landing in major U.S. cities. Now it’s sliding into Costa Mesa’s slow lane with a drive-thru on 17th—exactly the kind of spot where its “coffee + juice + sandwiches” formula hums. With the Fashion Island shop already open, this second local outpost tightens Joe’s OC footprint. Expect the usual menu (greens, ginger shots, shakes, flat whites, pressed paninis) and that clubby, Scandinavian café energy. No official opening date posted yet—we’ll share it as soon as it’s announced.

• Wine Fair - Milligram Costa Mesa
  Fri Nov 14th
  6pm-8pm
  Info

• Rain Update: Love our Schools Day - District-wide volunteer day
  “ All remaining projects are now indoors, all outdoor projects have been moved to Love Costa Mesa Day
  Sat Nov 15th
  9am-12pm
  Info
  

• Landers 777 Party - Landers Supply House
  Sat Nov 15th
  11-6pm
  Info

• Vintage Crawl - Various Locations
  Hosted by Silver Wings Vintage and Edgewater Rose Regalia
  Sat Nov 15th
  9am-4pm
  Info

UPCOMING:

• Movie Night on the Lawn: The Holiday - Pasea HB
  Thurs Nov 20th
  5-8:30pm
  Info

• Tree Lighting - South Coast Plaza
  Thurs Nov 20th
  7pm
  Info
  

• Artisan Marketplace - Environmental Nature Center (Newport)
  eco-friendly, handmade, one-of-a-kind creations
  Sun Dec 7
  11am-4pm
  Info

• Awakened Lifestyle Expo - Norma Hertzog Community Center
  Sun Dec 7th
  9:30am-9pm
  Info

• All CHOC Guilds Holiday Tree Luncheon - The Westin South Coast Plaza
  Sun Dec 7th
  10am
  Info

• Newport Beach Boat Parade Guide
  Click Here for the Guide
  Register your boat here

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletter:

🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Spring suit

THIS WEEKEND:

• Dream Glow Fest at Wild Rivers Waterpark ($25-$36)

  Nov 14th - Dec 31st

  4:30 pm - 9:00 pm
  Info

• Healthy Moms, Strong Babies Community Forum - Newport Beach Civic Center
  Sat Nov 15th
  8am
  Info

• Holiday Makers Market at Woodbridge Village Center Irvine

  Saturday, 15 November

  10:00 am - 4:00 pm
  info

• Daniel Tiger at Pretend City (Registration Required)

  Saturday, 15 November

  10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  Info

• Build a Turkey at LEGO Stores

  Saturday, 15 November

  12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  Info
  

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• Dream Glow Fest at Wild Rivers Waterpark ($25-$36)

  Nov 14th - Dec 31st

  4:30 pm - 9:00 pm
  Info

• Movie Night on the Lawn: The Holiday - Pasea HB
  Thurs Nov 20th
  5-8:30pm
  Info

• Holiday Train and Carousel Opens - South Coast Plaza
  Fri Nov 21st

• Fire & Lights Festival - Newport Dunes
  Friday Nov 28th
  Info
  

• Snoopy House - Costa Mesa City Hall
  Fri Dec 12-19th
  5:30-8:30pm
  Info

• Holiday Hootenanny - Salty Bear Brewing
  With Little Folk Club Sing-a-long
  Sat Dec 13th
  4-6pm
  Info

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor lost his shirt betting on his first game of Mahjong.

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!