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🩺 Hoag performs California’s first robotic shoulder replacement

🩺 Hoag performs California’s first robotic shoulder replacement

Also inside: Award-winning wine lists, a coastal Italian getaway, and new art on Balboa

August 06, 2026

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There are some places that people travel across the country to experience, and sometimes we forget they're sitting right here at home.

This Scoop celebrates a few of those local treasures, from nationally recognized wine programs to a café that feels like a quick trip to the Italian coast. Add in Art Week, live music, and waterfront sunsets, and you've got a pretty great excuse to stay local.

🍷 Local tables rack up top wine honors

The Gist: Wine Spectator released its 2026 restaurant awards this month, and several Newport Beach spots made the cut. Mastro's Ocean Club in Newport Coast and The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar earned the higher Best of Award of Excellence, while CasaDamí, The Quiet Woman, and Rusty Pelican picked up the Award of Excellence.

Why It Matters: The awards recognize deep, thoughtfully run wine programs. The Winery's list has now been honored ten years running, a rare kind of consistency for a local restaurant.

🩺 California's first robotic shoulder replacement

The Gist: Dr. Hafiz Kassam of Hoag Orthopedic Institute became the first surgeon in California, and among the first in the world, to perform a total robotic-assisted shoulder replacement using an advanced version of Zimmer Biomet's ROSA Shoulder System. The platform earned FDA clearance in May and helps guide precise implant placement.

Why It Matters: It adds to Hoag's growing robotic-surgery program, which now spans 13 systems covering knee, hip, spine, and shoulder procedures for local patients.

🍹 An Italian getaway without the airfare

2210 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach

If summer crowds left you craving a slower gear, CasaDamí delivers. Opened spring of 2025 by Milan-born Camilla Caremoli and partner Dave Shah, this coastal café and wine bar blends oak herringbone floors with a floral-draped patio.

Chef Rodney Gutierrez crafts crisp croquetas with jamón Ibérico, while Mondays bring classic steak frites. Pair a rose raspberry gelato flight with a signature spritz, or opt for caviar on a tray.

🎨 A fresh set of walls on Balboa Island

323 Marine Ave, Newport Beach

Kennedy Contemporary moved into a new home on Balboa Island, trading its longtime Westcliff space for a walkable spot right on Marine Avenue. Owner Victoria keeps the gallery approachable, with a rotating lineup of emerging and established artists, plus art consulting and in-home previews if a piece catches your eye.

The timing is good. The current show, Boundless Palette: Three Voices, is on view through Aug. 15 and lands right in the middle of Newport's first-ever Art Week. Pop in after a walk down Marine Avenue, ideally with an ice cream cone in hand.

Click here to be the business everyone hears about next week!

Meet Buzz Lightyear, a small domestic short hair kitten

This gray and white boy can be a little shy at first, but he warms up quickly, even making adorable "walking biscuits" when he is excited. Buzz loves playing with toys and gets along wonderfully with other cats.

To learn more about this handsome guy,

🐕 August Yappy Hour | Sherman Library & Gardens | 08/07 | More
Music, outdoor photo moments, and pet refreshment stations set in lush grounds.

🎶 Summer Concerts in the Park (New Originals) | Balboa Island | 08/07 | More
Bring a blanket for breezy covers and easy island-evening vibes. Free.

🎨 Children's Night Out: An Evening at Paintbox | Pendry Newport Beach | 08/07-08/08 | More
Chaperoned evening with movies, creative crafts, dinner, and popcorn fun.

🥨 Jewish Summer Fest | Newport Ave. & the Beach | 08/09 | More
Beachside cultural celebration: music, rides, crafts, and kosher barbecue.

🎨 Newport Beach Art Week | Various Venues | 08/09 - 08/15 | More
Citywide art exhibitions, creative workshops, and author lectures.

👑 Prince Again: Prince Tribute | The Lido Theater | 08/07 | More
Electrifying tribute packed with iconic funk, rock, and pop energy.

🎤 Live Music with Robbie Dean | The Winery Restaurant | 08/08 | More
Smooth pop R&B grooves paired with elevated harborfront dining.

🎸 SongStage: Singer-Songwriter Showcase | Campus JAX | 08/11 | More
Intimate original acoustic tunes and local storytelling in a cozy setting.

🎬 Almost Famous Screening | The Lido Theater | 08/12 | More
Classic rock 'n' roll nostalgia, drama, and iconic cinema on the big screen.

🎤 Speak Up Newport: Open Mic Community Forum | Civic Center Community Room | 08/12 | More
Local civic forum for residents to voice opinions directly on city issues.