What's Inside

• FRI: A Japanese Speakeasy

• SAT: Mother's Day Market

• SUN: Cruise, Brunch or Paddleboarding

  • Trivia Question?

  • Best Cookies in South OC

  • Around Town

  • Plan Ahead in May

  • Live Music

📸 Weekend Snapshot…

»» FRIDAY
A Japanese Speakeasy!

You’ll walk into a very unassuming building, check-in by ‘the bookcase’, before being ushered up a hidden staircase…

Once inside, you’re greeted by a sumptuous splash of Tokyo colors - the perfect ambiance to enjoy some of the best-crafted cocktails we’ve experienced in OC. I had the spirit-forward ‘Echo Zulu’ while Lorna had the lighter and refreshing ‘Kyuri’. Next time we go, I really want to try the flight of special Japanese whiskies!

And don’t forget to order a couple of hand rolls - some of the freshest fish available!

Momoku No Usagi Opens 5pm Make Reservations here. 

🤔 Trivia

Before it was a master-planned suburb, what was Mission Viejo best known for?

A) Citrus groves
B) Cattle ranching
C) Military training grounds
D) Salt mining

(Scroll to bottom for answer)

🍪 Best Cookies

Butter Believe It: These Local Cookies Melted the Competition

We went on a mission to find South OC’s best chocolate chip cookie - no chains, just real-deal local bakers doing magical things with butter and sea salt.

After combing through local recommendations, our team of 13 sugar-fueled taste-testers sampled dozens of cookies from South OC’s best small-batch and micro bakeries. Score sheets were filled, and sugar highs were real.

And the winner? There was some debate, but once the crumbs settled and score cards tallied, the choice was clear:

1st Place 
🥇Maven’s Treats

The salted chocolate chip cookies from Maven’s Treats absolutely crushed it. Soft, buttery, a tiny bit crispy, and just salty enough to keep you coming back for more. Made with real butter, Nielsen-Massey vanilla bean paste, and fancy Maldon Sea Salt. Perfection. Text 949-254-5757 or DM @mavenstreats to order.

2nd Place 
🥈 Liyah’s Bake Shop

Big hit with the teens, and for good reason: brown butter chocolate chip cookies perfected over two years of tinkering. Soft, rich, and totally addictive. Order via @liyahsbakeshop 

3rd Place
🥉 Parchment & Twine

Sourdough chocolate chip cookies that surprised everyone—in the best way. Soft, fluffy, packed with chips, and just the right kind of dense. Amy the baker is in Ladera Ranch. @parchment.n.twine

Honorable Mention: Lucy’s Bakery

You can find Lucy every Saturday at the Mission Viejo Farmers Market (9am–1pm) or order online for Friday porch pickup in Lake Forest. Order here

Also loved: 

Emerald Sweets – Orange County’s only all-chocolate bakery. Call (949) 942-4054

Krista’s Kitchen – Her sourdough starter is over 100 years old. Text 949-648-0418 to order.

P.S. Yes, we tasted Crumbl as a comparison. No, we didn’t like it better. That being said, my favorite cookie from the large chains is Paradise Bakery in the Mission Viejo Mall. These are easily the best deal in town. 6 mini cookies for a few dollars.

P.P.S. These were our favorite cookies that we sampled, but obviously not every baker in all of South OC knew about this tasting, or were able to get us cookies to try.

These chocolate chip cookies came highly recommended from locals but we were unable to sample them:

A Little Something Sweet Desserts

W&W Home Bakery 

Baked by the Queen

📍Around Town

Mission Viejo just hit pause - again on the Los Osos Core Project, the long-promised revamp of the aging Village Center into a walkable shopping and dining hub. City leaders say they need more “due diligence,” but after eight years, how much more due can the diligence get?

Secret Swing With a View  Hike up Colinas Bluff Trail in Laguna Niguel, and you’ll find a tucked-away rope swing with sweeping views - beautiful hike and sweet swing… if you know where to look.

South OC 50+ Social Singles Into real convo, live music, and a little flirty fun? Join the singles this Friday to catch Family Style Band with their bluesy soul-rock vibes. May 9, 6:30pm, San Juan Hills Golf Club, SJC.

✏️ Plan Ahead

🫶 Volunteer in Mission Viejo Want to actually do something for your city? This day of service tackles real needs through a mix of churches, nonprofits, and locals who care. Roll up your sleeves and be part of the good.
May 17, Mission Viejo

🎷Newport Beach Jazz Festival Mark your calendar for smooth vibes and ocean breezes—this beachfront jazz fest is your perfect excuse to start summer early.
May 30 - June 1, Newport Beach

🎨 Art in the Canyon – Botanical Sketching Trade your screen for a sketchpad and channel your inner Georgia O’Keeffe with this outdoor art class led by Sawdust Festival artists.
 May 31, Laguna Canyon

🎶 Live Music

Call before you go, just in case.

ALISO VIEJO
ClubSport Aliso Viejo
May 9 - Lauren Black, 6–9pm

Soka Performing Arts Center
May 9 - Free Event | 43rd SUA Student Spring Music Performance, 7pm

Tony Pepperoni Pizzeria
May 9 - Rachel Perry, 6–9pm

COTO DE CAZA
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club
May 9 - Linwood Polk, 5pm
May 10 - Autumn Melody Thomas, 5pm

DANA POINT
Avec Moi
May 9 - Jackie Pember, 6–9pm
Aventura Sailing Association
May 10 - Corey Angeli, 4–9pm

Brio Tuscany Grille
May 9 - Three Hour Tour, 7pm
May 10 - Cheryl Silverstein, 7pm

Carlos Mexican Restaurant
May 9 - Randall Winvick Quartet, 6–9pm
Dana Point Yacht Club
May 11 - Mike O'Bryan, 11am

DoHo Cafe – Doheny State Beach
May 9 - Corey Angeli, 4–7pm
May 10 - Jim Leslie Jazz Trio, 4–7pm

Hennessey’s Tavern
May 9 - Chris Cram, 5–9pm
May 9 - Live Music, 9pm–1am
May 10 - Live Music, 9pm–1am
May 11 - Live Music, 1–5pm

Luxe Restaurant and Martini Bar
May 10 - Terri Smit, 6–9pm

StillWater Spirits & Sounds
May 9 - Reflexx $20 Cover, 9pm
May 10 - Skateway $10 Cover, 9pm
May 11 - Grateful Jam, 2pm

The Rib Joint
May 9 - Gold Money Band, 6:30–9:30pm
May 10 - Smack Dab, 6–9pm
May 11 - Dave Weaver, 5–8pm

FOOTHILL RANCH
Center Bar & Grill
May 9 - Band X, 6–9pm
May 10 - Chapter One, 6–9pm

LADERA RANCH
Franco's Famous
May 11 - Jackie Pember, 11am–2pm

LAGUNA NIGUEL
Bricco Cucina & Wine Bar
May 9 - Dave Alcantar, 6–10pm
May 10 - Sara Loera, 6–10pm

Legends Seafood & Steakhouse
May 9 - Rebel Robbie, 5:30–8:30pm

LAKE FOREST
Bigshots Billiards Bar & Grill
May 9 - Ragdoll, 8:30pm
May 10 - Bravo Whiskey, 8:30pm
May 11 - Country Sunday Line Dancing, 8pm

Our Place
May 9 - Live Music, 8–11pm
May 10 - Live Music, 8–11pm
May 11 - Live Music, 3–6pm

The Rush Bar and Grill
May 9 - Funky Syndrome, 9pm–12am
May 10 - U2.0, 9pm–12am

MISSION VIEJO
Kaleidoscope
May 9 - Ashley, 6–9pm
May 10 - The Universals, 6–9pm

Pub Thirty-Two
May 9 - Steven Shaw, 7–10pm
May 10 - Live Music, 7–10pm

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
Alza Italian Kitchen
May 9 - George Fryer Band, 6pm
May 10 - Hardcore Troubadours, 6pm
May 11 - Wilfax Music (Mother’s Day), 11am

Daily’s Sports Grill
May 9 - The Shame, 8pm
May 10 - Matt Koerner, 7pm
May 10 - The Rock Garden, 8pm
May 10 - Matt Koerner, 7–10pm

SAN CLEMENTE
Barnoa Wine Company
May 9 - Wilfax, 6:30–9:30pm
May 10 - Elizabeth Lamers, 6:30–9:30pm
May 11 - Tone Wood Trio, 11am–2pm

BeachFire Bar & Grill
May 9 - Russell Long, 4pm
May 9 - Bruddah Adrian, 8pm
May 10 - Anesha Rose, 2pm
May 10 - Sugarlips, 8pm
May 11 - Tricia Freeman, 2pm

Gibroni’s Pizza
May 9 - The Decents, 7–10pm
May 10 - UFC 315, 7–10pm

Knuckleheads
May 10 - Suburban John & Dondo, 8–11:55pm
Los Molinos Beer Co.
May 9 - Acoustic Night hosted by Kleinahexa, 6–9pm

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
San Juan Hills Golf Course
May 9 - Family Style, 6:30–9:30pm
May 10 - Poul Pederson & Richard Bredice, 6–9pm

Swallow’s Inn
May 9 - Lonnie Dawson Band, 9pm–1am
May 10 - Bunch O’ Guys, 2–6pm
May 10 - 33 Thunder, 9pm–1am
May 11 - Bravo Whiskey, 2–6pm

Tavern At The Mission
May 11 - Mike Hamilton, 11:30am–3pm

The BrewHouse
May 9 - Four Corners Band, 6:30–9:30pm
May 10 - The Outtakes, 7–10pm

The Coach House
May 9 - Darnell Cole, 8pm
May 9 - Robert Cray, 9pm
May 10 - Huntington Henry, 7pm
May 10 - The Danny Ray Band, 8pm
May 10 - Shine On – The Live Pink Floyd Experience, 9pm
May 11 - Entropy, 7pm
May 11 - Israel Vibration, Duane Stephenson & Roots Radics, 9pm

The Station
May 10 - 74Odd, 8pm

Trevor’s at the Tracks
May 9 - Kai Kalama, 7pm
May 10 - Selly & The Stray, 7pm
May 11 - The Earthlings, 6pm

TRABUCO CANYON
Cook’s Corner
May 9 - The Apes, 6–9pm
May 10 - Big Rockin Daddy, 12pm
May 11 - Little George Band, 12pm

About us: Lorna’s an OC native who still shows up for swim practice with the Mission Viejo Nadadores Masters team, even if her high school speed is long gone. Jason’s a Brit who’s new obsession is aquascaping —think underwater gardens with fish, snails, and plants. We started The Scene because life’s short, and there’s so much to see, do, and savor! Thanks for letting us be part of your weekend!