After taking over the massive, 7,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Forbidden City back in 2019, Jade on the Water owner Rod Frontino confirmed that the restaurant would permanently close on Monday, Mar. 23.
“This sign goes on the door, website, and socials Monday morning: ‘Jade is closed to pursue new concepts and opportunities. Thank you for every visit and the years of community support’,” Rod said.
When Jade on the Water opened in 2019
In many senses, Jade’s experience in 2026 mimics that of Forbidden City in 2018: When the latter announced its closure in November of 2018, it marked another entry in what had become a long string of restaurant closures across Long Beach: Russo’s closed after three decades of service in Naples (and is now home to Marlena). Seoulmate closed (which is now home to OMG Burgers & More). Linden Public closed (becoming home to the now-closed Burger Daddy followed by the just-opened Dirty Pepperoni)…
It was a particularly rough period for the restaurant industry. And given Forbidden City’s expansive, museum-like footprint in Marina Pacifica, it had seemed unlikely that a new tenant—let alone one arriving within a matter of months—would step into the space so quickly.
That changed when Rod Frontino stepped in. He was the investor behind both of Chef Arthur Gonzalez’s then-restaurants: Panxa Cocina in Belmont Heights and Roe in Belmont Shore, as well as DOGZ Bar and Grill in the Shore. (Following his death and the dismissal of his wife, Vanessa AuClair, from Panxa late last year, his legacy is no longer attached to either.)
“The decor of the space is truly beautiful,” Rod told me back in 2019. “We had little work to do as we moved around the space; just touch-ups here and there. The decor was the inspiration behind the name. The previous owners [Michael Brausen and Gao Yan] had a lotus blossom fountain hand-carved from a jade boulder.”
The interior was an ode to both its previous owners and what Jade was trying to do by moving the space into the future.
That nine-ton jade boulder from northern China—which eventually became the 5,000-pound fountain at the front of the restaurant—remained one of the most striking artifacts inside the space.
It was part of a much larger collection Brausen and Yan had brought back to Long Beach after spending two months in the Forbidden City and traveling through eight other Chinese metros. Their collection filled three 40-foot containers carrying 66 tons of goods, including hand-carved marble pieces, giant Fu Dog sculptures, onyx tables and silk lampshades.
It was a space Rod had not only admired but also frequented. And that made the closure of Forbidden City at the time especially personal. His vision centered on honoring the past while adjusting the concept for a different future. Leaning into its water views and marina vibe, the menu blended Pan-Asian influences with American steakhouse nods.
Unlike 2019, however, it is unlikely any restaurant—be is corporate or independent—will be willing to tackle such a large space.
JADE is located at 6380 E. Pacific Coast Highway and will permanently close on Monday, Mar. 23, 2026.
