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Long Beach Food Scene Intel is a series from Brian Addison that will recap food news throughout the city, both news that needs just a quick mention, is developing, or repeated news where you might have missed the full features.

Nguyen’s Kitchen to take over former Grilled Fraiche space

Following the sad closure of the vastly underrated Grilled Fraiche space, the SoCal modern Asian cuisine chain Nguyen’s Kitchen will open its first Long Beach location. With five existing locations—three in Orange County, two in L.A. County—Nguyen’s Kitchen is known for its rice bowls and contemporary plays on bánh mì sandwiches.

El Viejón soft opens in Downtown Long Beach.

With an unexpected takeover of the entirety of the Congregation space—including the complete removal of the branding the owners purchased mid-pandemic when original owner Travis Ensling stepped away—El Viejón has officially soft opened in DTLB. And playing truth to rumors, their inaugural menu includes a vast array of sushi rolls, botanas, mariscos, and traditional Mexican plates.

Baby Gee to sell bottled versions of their stellar Apple-tini

Originally part of their winter menu and a drink that I called one of the defining concoctions of 2024—and something, I admit, I have forced co-owner and master cocktailer Gianna Johns to make me as a shot—Baby Gee is now bottling and selling their stellar apple-tinis. Yes, yes, and more yes.

Uncle Fung Boreno Eatery opens coffee stall

The vastly underrated gem that is Uncle Fung Borneo Eatery has soft opened their Uncle Fung Coffee Stall in Alhambra. Testing the waters Wednesdays through Sundays from 8AM to 4PM, owner Peter Then (aka Uncle Fung) is proud that L.A. County will have its first coffee shop focused on Indonesian coffee. It also marks a return home: Peter’s first restaurant, Borneo Eatery, first opened in 2008 and operates to this day. Uncle Fung Coffee Stall is located at 19 S. Garfield Ave., Unit C. in Alhambra.

Michael’s on Naples goes for bubbles and shells

Naples staple and one of Long Beach’s best, Michael’s on Naples, is giving love to the ocean and sparkling wine: $10 italian sparkling wine and $2.50 per oyster all night on Fridays and Saturdays. Yes and yes.

Tanuki Curry House to replace Kashiwa Sushi in Signal Hill

Serving the Signal Hill community since 2011, Kashiwa Sushi has quietly closed its door not long before its entire original kitchen had departed from the space. While it was one of the few, far more traditional sushi spots, I think we can all agree that a proper Japanese curry space is warmly welcomed.

ICYMI: Crystal Thai Cambodian is Long Beach’s Cambodian home kitchen

I really loved writing this piece and while I know the world immediately around us is on fire, I hope this can provide a little uplift. Because our Cambodian community deserves it.

There is no Cambodian food space quite like Crystal Thai Cambodian, which most locals agree is the closest you’ll get to a Cambodian home kitchen without literally stepping into one.

And for the record: skip the Thai. Here, it is all about the traditional Cambodian dishes: We’re talking nom p’jok. Prohok kteh. Nom sdao. Plea. Whole fried catfish—or trei chhma chien. Cha kroeung. Somlor machu kreung…

For the full feature, click here.

ICYMI: The Fairmont Breakers in Downtown Long Beach is always open for breakfast

I tried to originally share this with enthusiasm—and that enthusiasm was there—but at the time of publishing, many of our hotels, including the Fairmont Breakers, were and are packed with those displaced from the Palisades fire. They are offering them discounts, comfort, and uplift right now—and that is nothing short of awesome. As a thank you, when this awful crisis is eventually put out, give Nettuno a visit for breakfast as a thank you if you’re able.

For the full feature, click here.

ICYMI: Meet Masah Habibeh, the real secret ingredient behind Ammatolí’s spectacular sweets

The amazing desserts and baked goods at Ammatolí? They’re from Chef Dima’s equally amazing daughter, Masah. I loved writing this—and even more, I appreciate children who not just understand their parents’ work but actively involve themselves in it.

Click here to read the full article.