martinibluewater

Bluewater Grill Celebrates 30 Years With Seafood Tastings and Holiday Specials

May 08, 2026

The original Bluewater Grill on the dock in Cannery Village is marking its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a lineup of seafood tastings and holiday specials throughout May and June.

On National Shrimp Day, Sunday, May 10, guests can enjoy Bluewater’s classic Chilled Shrimp Cocktail with five prawns, cocktail sauce and chive oil for $10, an $8 savings.

Bluewater’s Second Tuesday Tasting series continues on Tuesday, May 12, with “Jambalaya Jubilee.” The evening begins with Oysters Rockefeller paired with Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, followed by Jambalaya served with Mouton Cadet from Bordeaux, France. The tasting is $55 per person.

National Wine Day on Monday, May 25, brings half-price bottles of red, white and rosé wines for one day only, with servers available to suggest seafood pairings.

On National Rosé Day, Monday, June 8, guests can enjoy any bottle of rosé wine in stock for half price.

The Second Tuesday Tasting returns June 9 with “Local Tuna Night.” The evening starts with an Arugula & Avocado Salad paired with Whispering Angel Rosé from France, followed by fresh Blackened Ahi served with Zotovich Viognier from Santa Rita Hills. The tasting is $55 per person.

Bluewater wraps up the specials on National Martini Day, Monday, June 15, when its classic Bluewater Martini will be available for $10, a $5 savings.

Bluewater Grill is at 630 Lido Park Drive in Newport Beach. 949-675-3474

outpostttbrunch

Outpost Kitchen at South Coast Plaza Debuts Mother’s Day Menu

May 08, 2026

This Mother’s Day, Outpost Kitchen is offering a special menu created to celebrate moms with a mix of sweet and savory dishes, along with festive drinks made for the occasion.

Highlights include Honey Vanilla Gluten Free Pancakes topped with berry blue spirulina whipped cream, toasted coconut chips, blackberries, maple drizzle and powdered sugar. The Smoked Salmon Crostini features smoked salmon, burrata, avocado and balsamic glaze served on sliced baguette.

For drinks, the Strawberry Rainbow Matcha blends ceremonial-grade matcha with house strawberry puree, oat milk, strawberry whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. The Moms of OC Cosmo combines Grey Goose Berry Rouge Vodka with house strawberry puree, cranberry juice and lime juice.

The limited-time Mother’s Day offerings will be available at Outpost Kitchen at South Coast Plaza.

3420 Bristol St. Costa Mesa. 

sweetgreeenirvine

Sweetgreen Opens at Irvine’s University Center

May 07, 2026

Sweetgreen is opening its second Irvine location on Tuesday, May 12, at University Center near UC Irvine. The mission-driven restaurant brand, known for its fresh salads, warm bowls and protein plates, will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the 3,350-square-foot space.

The menu includes Sweetgreen favorites such as the Harvest Bowl, Crispy Rice Bowl, Caramelized Garlic Steak and Miso Glazed Salmon. For a limited time, guests can also try the new Chicken Sesame Crunch salad, a citrus-forward take on a California classic, along with a Korean BBQ-inspired menu featuring Sweetgreen’s popular protein paired with a savory glaze and balanced heat.

The University Center location will also introduce Sweetgreen’s newest menu format, wraps. The protein-packed wraps are designed for meals on the go and include options such as Chicken Caesar, Jalapeño Ranch and Bacon Club, each with more than 40 grams of protein.

Sweetgreen’s focus on fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients is reflected throughout the restaurant, from its open kitchen to a visible source board highlighting partner farms and suppliers. Ingredients at the Irvine location will include baby spinach, wild arugula and spring mix from Jayleaf; cilantro and romaine from Coastal Fresh Farms; and kale from Dynasty Farms.

Guests can order in person, online or through the Sweetgreen app, which includes access to SG Rewards. Members earn points toward perks, exclusive offers and free menu items.

To celebrate the opening, Sweetgreen will host several community events throughout the week at University Center.

On Tuesday, May 12, beginning at 10 a.m., the grand opening celebration will include giveaways featuring seasonal produce-inspired candles from Happy Organics, limited-edition Sweetgreen merchandise and an appearance by UC Irvine mascot Peter the Anteater. The first 75 in-store guests between 10 and 11 a.m. will receive a complimentary entrée, up to a $20 value, while supplies last.

On Thursday, May 14, from 5 to 8 p.m., Sweetgreen will host a junk journaling evening with Junklub, featuring curated Junk Boxes for the first 50 guests and complimentary boba from Cha for Tea.

On Saturday, May 16, beginning at noon, Sweetgreen will partner with neighboring business The Drop Irvine for a vintage and streetwear pop-up alongside teas from Aurelia Teas.

Sweetgreen is also partnering with Food Finders, the nonprofit food rescue organization focused on reducing hunger and food waste in local communities. For every meal purchased on opening day, Sweetgreen will donate a bowl to help nourish people experiencing food insecurity in Orange County.

4289 Campus Drive, Irvine.

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Greer's OC
Blogger | Journalist

Since 1993, Greer has been writing about fashion, dining and trends in Orange County, as a popular columnist for the Los Angeles Time Community Newspapers (Daily Pilot, Coastline Pilot and HB Independent) and now as founder of Greer’s OC.

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