In today’s Buzz:

• Laguna Rescue (why is it always Laguna)

• Restaurant Week Kicks Off

• Weekend Agenda

Let’s dive in!

Jon Dougher, Back Bay Buzz

—NOTABLE HEADLINES—

“Dramatic” Laguna Rescue

A young man found himself stranded on a steep cliff in Laguna Beach on Monday afternoon, prompting a dramatic rescue. Noah Kemp, who had climbed about 20 feet up a hillside before getting stuck, was located by lifeguards using drones to assess the situation. Fire officials determined a helicopter airlift was necessary, and Kemp was safely rescued. The Laguna Beach Fire Department emphasized the importance of staying on designated trails to avoid similar incidents. We are glad that no one was injured during the incident and once again relieved that we live in a place that is not as dramatic as Laguna. We would say “see our post on the previous Laguna incident” but we would need to be more specific.

Restaurant Week Begins This Sunday

Just what is “Restaurant Week”? And is it better than the Pacific Wine & Food Classic? The original restaurant week was started in New York City in 1992 by Jim Zagat (yes that Zagat) and Jim Baum to drum up business for local restaurateurs. It quickly spread to other parts of the US as a novel way to disrupt the then nascent New Year’s fitness industry (we think).

For one glorious week from March 2-8, Orange County transforms into a culinary playground as O.C. Restaurant Week returns for its 16th year. With over 200 participating restaurants, this annual celebration offers prix fixe menus that make indulging easier than ever—think $15-$25 lunches and $25-$45 dinners, as a way to enjoy Michelin Star level meals for Michelin tire center (and hair care) prices.

From buzzy newcomers like Mint Desi Kitchen and Paradise Dynasty to beloved institutions like Lola Gaspar and Fermentation Farm, the options are as diverse as they are tempting. Whether you’re in the mood for a laid-back $20 lunch—like Terrace Kitchen’s spring crab mafaldine and duck pastrami sandwich—or an opulent date night, such as O Sea’s $100 seafood feast for two (complete with a bottle of wine), there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Kicking off the week is the Restaurant Week Masters VIP Launch Party (now sold out, 😭)on March 1st at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, featuring exclusive tastings, premium cocktails, and Paso Robles wines—all for a cause, with proceeds benefiting California Love Drop, which supports first responders and healthcare workers.

With nearly 200,000 diners expected to take part, reservations are highly recommended. Find the full lineup of participating restaurants and their special menus at ocrestaurantweek.com.

— WEEKEND AGENDA — 

What to Watch

We are giving The White Lotus S3 another chance after things finally picked up last week, however, we find ourselves irresistibly drawn to season 2 of 1923’s gritty drama (and a bad guy who’s like, really bad). We hope you still have some Girl Scout cookies left over from this weeks binge so you can watch Adam Scott purse his lips in Severance s2 e7 (we wish someone would ***spoiler warning*** flood our chip like that).

• Last Breath. True story. (Theaters)

• Riff Raff. Bill Murray. Pete Davidson. Jennifer Coolidge. Need we go on? (Theaters)

• In the Lost Lands. Mad Max and Resident Evil had a little zombie baby. (Theaters)

• My Dead Friend Zoe. Starring Morgan Freeman. (Theaters)

• Running Point. Executive producer Mindy Kaling. (Netflix)

• Celtics City. (Max)

What to Do

• 🦐 Click here for full list of OC Restaurant Week Restaurants

• 🧑‍🌾 Farmers Market At Mariners - Mariners Church - Saturday 3/1 8-12p - Directions

• 🪐 OCC Planeterium Grand Re-opening - Sat 3/1 11am-5pm - Info

• 🧵 Makers Hive Market - The Camp - Sat 3/1 11a-4p - Info

• 🪄 The Magic City - Segerstrom - 3/1-3/2 - Tickets

• 🏍️ Beachside Moto Club - Gremlin Garage (CM) - Saturday 3/1 9:30a - More Info

• Western Movie Night - The Swanner House (San Juan Capistrano) - 3/1 5pm Hat Bar by Haus of Trade - 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

• 🗝️ 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

Friday

55🌡️ 64 I ⛅️ I 13% Rain I 10mph 🌬️ 

Saturday

56🌡️ 61 I ☁️ I 18% Rain I 10mph 🌬️ 

Sunday

52🌡️ 61 I ⛅️ I 0% Rain I 15mph 🌬️ 

Water temp = 57º

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Home Depot Basketball Set Workshop - Home Depot - Sat 3/1 9am - Register

Black Star Canyon Wilderness Access Day - Irvine Ranch - Sat 3/1 - Info

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

• 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

Friday

Colombian Latin Soul - Cafe Sevilla - 8p-10p

Four Stroke Baron with Exist - Wayfarer - 7pm - Tickets

Jay Magdeleno - The Winery (NB) - 7:30pm - Info

Saturday

Robert Incelli Latin Jazz Solo - Cafe Sevilla - 8p-10p

Bob Log III with Restavrant and The Prairies - Wayfarer - 8pm - Tickets

Sunday

Crossfire Band with Jimmy Z - The Harp Inn - 4pm

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor ate his weight in coconut shrimp at The Whaler and is going into anaphylaxis.