In today’s Buzz:

• Our Picks for Restaurant Week (even if they aren’t doing Restaurant Week)

• Fools Spring (2nd winter is here)

Let’s dive in!

Jon Dougher, Back Bay Buzz

—NOTABLE HEADLINES—

Restaurant Week is Upon Us

With the hype surrounding Restaurant Week and the plethora of options that surround us here in central Orange County, its easy to dismiss the glut of prixe fixe menus, decadent apps and exotic pairings as merely an overpriced marketing ploy. However, the event got us thinking about which restaurants truly stand out here in Orange County. While we don’t have ***quite*** the same culinary aura as say, LA or New York, there are still some talented chefs and visionary entrepreneurs in OC dedicated to bringing something truly unique to the OC food scene. Below are our picks for the 3 top chefs, Restaurants and creators that we believe truly deserve a spot at the table of epicurean greatness:

• Matty Matheson, Matty’s Patty’s (Costa Mesa)

  • We were following Matty before he was cool. Matty’s YouTube channel, “Just a Dash” really got us through the pandemic with Matty’s earnest, irreverent wit, delicious recipes and tangible chemistry with his production staff. After cutting his teeth under Rang Nguyen in Toronto, Matty went on to be come the Executive Chef at Parts & Labour in Toronto, before founding Maker Pizza, Matty Matheson’s Meat +Three, Matty’s Patty’s (Toronto, Hawaii and [you guessed it] Costa Mesa), Birria Balam, Fonda Balam, Ca Phe Rang and Prime Seafood Palace. This is all before he went on to co-star alongside Jeremy Allen White in the FX show The Bear, which won 21 Emmys and 5 golden globes. Talk about talent. He can cook, he can act, he can start international restaurant brands. All while staying humble and impeccably dressed. We can’t wait to see what Matty does next.

• Fable and Spirit (Lido Village)

  • Described as “California Coastal with French influence by way of Ireland”, Executive Chef David Shofner curates the best pub food in Newport Beach with an elevated style and suprisingly affordable prices. With its high ceilings, interesting decor and solid menu, this elevated venue made the Michelin Guide in 2020.

• Any Restauarant owned by Mario Marovic and Andrew Gabriel.

  • It would seem all of our favorite go-to restaurants in Newport and Costa Mesa all have one thing in common: They are all owned by business partners Mario Marovic and Andrew Gabriel. Among their portfolio are staples such as Wild Goose, Playa Mesa, Country Club, Dori Deli, Helmsman Alehouse, Malarkey’s and Muldoon’s, these entrepreneurs put an emphasis on authentic connection to the roots of each restaurant’s DNA. Whether it’s an upscale steakhouse or an Irish pub, this pair seems to have figured out the secret to keeping a good restaurant alive in Orange County, and for that, we thank them.

Fools Spring, Also Upon Us

This is how it was supposed to work: Dry Jan, Wet Feb, Sky’s Out Thighs Out March. It would seem nature has other plans as it looks like the first week of March is going to be decidedly rainy. We blame Punxatawney Phil. Most of the south land will see moister than usual conditions on Wednesday and Thursday, with a rainy chaser next Monday. In between, expect it to be sunny and brisk. I guess it kind of beats the marine layer that muddles May Gray and June Gloom, but seriously this is not what we pay for.

—EVENTS THIS WEEK—

• 🥬 Tustin Farmers Market - Wed 3/5 9a-1p - Info

• 🧑‍🌾 Costa Mesa Farmers Market - OC Fairgrounds - Thu 3/6 9a-1p - Info

— Plan Ahead —

• 🍕 Half-Off Pizzas - Stag Bar - Every Tuesday - Dine-in Only - Info

• 🍣 Restaurant Week - Various Restaurants (click here for full list) - March 2-8

• Golden State Comedy Show - Gremlin Garage (CM) - Saturday March 8th 7:30p - Tickets

• 🎟️ Rent in Concert - Segerstrom Arts Center - Sat 3/15 7:30p - Tickets

• ⛳️ Hoag Classic Golf Tournament - Mar 19th-23rd - Tickets

• 🥫 St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Packing Party - Volunteer to help sort and pack food from the ongoing food drive in partnership with Project Hope Alliance - Sunday 3/23 11:45a - RSVP

• 🗝️ All-Island Garage Sale - Balboa Island - Saturday April 12th 7:30a-1p - Info

• 🛥️ Newport Beach International Boat Show - Want to hobnob with some bajillionaires? Check out the Newport Beach International Boat Show (NBIBS, s’cyute) and be sure to invite us out for a sunset cruise once you lock down a sugar zaddy - May 2nd-4th - Tickets

WEATHER

Monday

48🌡️ 60 I ☀️ I 13% Rain I 8mph 🌬️ 

Tuesday

50🌡️ 63 I ☀️ I 18% Rain I 8mph 🌬️ 

Wednesday

51🌡️ 57 I 🌦️ I 70% Rain I 15mph 🌬️ 

Thursday

49🌡️ 55 I 🌦️ I 75% Rain I 18mph 🌬️ 

Water temp = 59º

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Newport Beach Central Books & Babies - Newport Beach Public Library - Mon 3/3 10:30-11a - Info

Hoedown at Pretend City Children's Museum - Pretend City - Wed 3/5 9:30a-10a - Info

Storytime at Lido Village Books in Newport Beach - Lido Village Books - Thu 3/6 10a-10:30a - Reserve your space

PLAN AHEAD:

• Lucky Littles Play Date - Wed 3/5 10am - Info

• Root & Rise: Healing Hootenanny Kids Yoga & Little Folk Club - Segerstrom Arts Center - Sun 3/9 - 10am - Info

• Spring Carnival - St. Andrew’s Presbyterian - Sat 3/9 3p-6p - Tickets

• Little Lido Music Class with Zach Churchill - The Lido Deck (Lido Village) 3/13 10:30a

• Little Lido Music Class w/ Magic Steps - The Lido Deck (Lido Village) - 3/30 10:30a

LIVE MUSIC

Monday

Casey Conley - Wayfarer - 7:30 - Tickets

Tuesday

Singer Songwriter Night - Harp Inn - 7pm - Info

Wednesday

No one plays good music on a Wednesday…

Thursday

Calidore String Quartet - Segerstrom Arts Center - 7pm - Tickets

The Real Big Bad and Muddy Mountain West - Wayfarer - 8pm - Tickets

Flashback Heart Attack - Harp Inn - 9pm - Info

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor punched through drywall because Dune 2 didn’t receive the Oscars it deserved.