Taste Beer-Wine-Kitchen—the much-loved Belmont Heights bistro headed by owners Erin O’Hagan and Laurie Semon alongside Chef Brad Neumann and sommelier Chad Alger that reopened last year after a five-year, pandemic-induced hiatus—will shutter following its last service on Aug. 15.
It will transition to additional storage space for its neighboring Olives Gourmet Grocer, which has seen a surge in patronage.
“Over the past year, you’ve filled our restaurant with conversation, celebrations, laughter, and support—reminding us exactly why we wanted to bring Taste back after its five-year hiatus,” the four collectively shared on social media. “We are incredibly grateful for the love you’ve shown us and for embracing this special encore performance. As many of you know, Taste has shared more than just a wall with Olives Gourmet Grocer—we’ve shared a kitchen, a team, and a genuine passion for serving our neighbors. After thoughtful consideration, we’ve made the decision to transform the Taste space into storage and prep space for Olives, allowing us to better serve the growing demand for our neighborhood market.”
Why Taste Beer-Wine-Kitchen mattered in the grand memory scheme of the Long Beach food scene…
The original Taste was born out of practicality and passion—a storage space transformed into a small but mighty dining room where locals could get a solid glass of wine and a thoughtful plate of food. It was, when it opened, a space unlike any other. Chef Brad would often represent the space at farm dinners, while Erin and Laurie could extend their culinary image beyond Olives.
When COVID made takeout the only lifeline, Taste bowed out gracefully. It was never meant to be eaten from a to-go box. But over the past few years, the space quietly started hosting monthly wine dinners—multi-course pairings that drew a loyal crowd and kept whispers of Taste alive.
Every dinner ended with the same question: “When are you reopening?”
The decision had to be rightfully calculated. With Chad leading wines, Chef Brad dusting off his apron, and the community behind them, Taste reopening genuinely felt like a friend coming back home. But rather than just pure nostalgia, they also bring a sense of renewal. The menu—simpler, tighter, more seasonal—lets Chef Chad’s food and Chad’s wines dance together.
One last goodbye…
“While the Taste Wine-Beer-Kitchen experience is taking its final bow, you’ll still find the same commitment to quality, hospitality, and fresh food next door at Olives Gourmet Grocer,” the quartet continued to share on social media. “Thank you for making Taste so special—for believing in us, and for being part of our story. We are deeply grateful for every visit, every meal, every conversation, and every glass raised.”
Taste Beer-Wine-Kitchen is located at 3506 E. Broadway. It will host its last service on Saturday, Aug. 15.
