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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.
Pizza Parlor to host beer and wine with upcoming expansion
Things are looking spectacular for East Long Beach’s best pizzeria: As they continue to expand into the other side of their space—which will bring full service, an udpated menu that includes house-made pastas, and much more seating—the space is now in the midst of securing its beer and wine license.
Chef Cameron Slaugh of Nonna Mercato and Chef Philip Pretty of Olive & Rose are doing a collab dinner
Olive & Rose—Chef Philip Pretty’s more casual (but perfectly spectacular) space in DTLB at Atlantic and 3rd—will be hosting one of the city’s finest chefs. Chef Cameron Slaugh of Nonna Mercato (and The Attic) will be partnering with Chef Phil on a menu that is solely being served on Thursday, Dec. 18. The menu has not been unveiled. For reservations, click here.
Buvons hires Chef Ryan Calbay, formerly of Petit Trois, Spruce, more
Buvons—one of the city’s most underrated food spaces, both for dinner and brunch—had brought the heat in terms of its kitchen staff with the hiring of Chef Ryan Calbay. He joins Petit Trois, where he most recently served as Sous Chef, bringing with him “a deep background in some of California’s most acclaimed kitchens — including Spruce, Rich Table, Stones Throw, and leadership roles as Executive Chef at Trestle and Barcelona Wine Bar (Denver). Ryan’s passion for flavor, technique, and thoughtful, seasonal cooking shines through every dish — and we can’t wait for you to experience what he’s creating at Buvons. Don’t go for his taste in music though,” according to owner and chef Alicia Kemper
Black Metal Santa returns to The 4th Horseman
Long Beach’s most gleefully unhinged holiday tradition is back: Black Metal Santa and his evil elf return to The 4th Horseman on Dec. 20 and 21, transforming the downtown pizzeria into a headbanging winter wonderland from 5PM to 8PM each night. Known for their tongue-in-cheek darkness and over-the-top theatrics, the duo once again invites the community to take photos, share a slice, and—most importantly—support a good cause. As Black Metal Santa himself declares: “Ho ho ho, hail Pizza!”
This year’s event will benefit Lori’s Angels Animal Rescue, a local organization dedicated to helping unhoused, abandoned, and at-risk animals. Guests are encouraged to bring donations such as food, blankets, toys, and other pet-care essentials. A QR code will also be available onsite for those who prefer to contribute directly. Anyone who donates will receive a free slice of pizza, and The 4th Horseman will offer beer specials during the photo shoot, making it a festive and charitable night out for supporters, families, and metal lovers alike.
Fairmont Breakers continues to offer cocktails inspired by Wicked films
With Glinda and Elphaba returning to the screen, Fairmont Breakers Long Beach is celebrating the magic, mischief, and duality of Wicked with four limited-edition cocktails in the film’s signature shades of pink and green.
At La Sala, the hotel’s lobby bar, guests can choose between the “Popular,” a Glinda-inspired, tart pink blend of hibiscus vodka, lemon elixir, and Rosé Prosecco, or the “Peculiar,” inspired by Elphaba with vodka, hazelnut vanilla, matcha, and cream.
“Wicked shows us there are two sides to every story,” says Jameson Kimball, Assistant F&B Manager. “The bright pink bubbly drink comes off tart and slightly bitter, while the mucky green powdery drink plays sweet and wanting of embrace.” La Sala is open daily from 7AM to 5PM Sunday through Thursday and until 10PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
At the rooftop for HALO, one can score “The Glinda Glow,” with raspberry syrup, lemon juice, gin, and egg white. Or “The Wicked Green,” with gin, green Chartreuse, Luxardo maraschino, and lime.
“These cocktails were inspired by the contrasting magic of Wicked—the bright, effervescent charm of Glinda and the bold, unapologetic energy of Elphaba,” says Courtney Miller, General Manager. “Together, they celebrate the beauty of duality, offering one luminous and one daring expression that come together in perfect harmony at HALO.” HALO is open daily from 5PM to 10PM Sunday through Thursday and until 11PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Olive & Rose to host happy hour benefitting Long Beach LGBTQ Center
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach is inviting the community to gather for a special happy hour fundraiser on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 6PM to 8PM at Olive & Rose. During the two-hour event, 10% of all happy hour proceeds will be donated to support the Center’s ongoing programs and services. Organized in partnership with the Center’s Board of Directors, the fundraiser blends great food and drink with meaningful local impact.
Guests can enjoy a curated happy hour menu featuring a mix of small plates, cocktails, and wine specials. For $15, offerings include Burger Frites with cheddar and dill pickles; a steak tartare “katsu” sandwich with sundried tomato and pecorino; and a kanpachi tostada with salsa macha and avocado. Drink selections at this tier include a 2023 Albariño by Cadre, the bourbon-forward Pie Hard cocktail with strawberry, and the bold Avo Maria with tequila, avocado, and jalapeño. Additional options like Pressure, featuring mezcal and Korean pear, and Culture Shock with gin, fermented pineapple, and tomato round out the list.
For $10, guests can opt for roasted carrots served with date yogurt and sesame seed or a bright market salad with spotted gem, artichoke, and parmesan dressing. And at $5, happy hour staples like side frites, bread with cultured butter, and dessert selections—including an affogato with toasted marshmallow ice cream and a brûléed banana sundae—offer accessible bites throughout the evening. A lager from La Bodega is also included among the $5 choices.
Due Fiori (finally) adds signage
The talk of the “green building across from CoffeeDrunk” as a descriptor for Due Fiori will be likely said a little less now as the space now has a glorious new sign calling out passersby. For those that don’t know about the space, check out their origin story, and know that they are open for both brunch and lunch on the weekend.
Long Beach Indian food pioneer Babbljit “Bubbly” Kaur kidnapped by ICE mid-biometrics meeting
Babbljit “Bubbly” Kaur, the charming woman who founded Natraj in Belmont Shore and is currently working to open Royal Indian Curry House in DTLB, has been taken in by ICE. Her family and friends are deeply trying to combat the so-called violation—she has been in detainment for four days now after she was arrested mid-appointment for her biometrics as she has an immigration case pending, or what is supposedly “the right way”—but she needs help.
Their family reached out to me requesting help thanks to a connection via Vanessa Auclair, the owner of Panxa Cocina, things have shifted. Following an initial post in my group, much traction has been gained: A GoFundMe has been set up and Congressman Robert Garcia has stepped in formally on the matter. This is Long Beach. This is what we do.
ICYMI: Restaurateurs and community members speak out in support of upping Long Beach efforts in quality of life issues
Words were not minced this week when over 20 restaurateurs, small business owners, residents, and community leaders waited patiently to speak in support of an agenda item set to examine and increase the efforts of various city agencies to amp up public safety and the quality of life.
For the full article, click here.
ICYMI: Long Beach’s underrated Que Sera space takes on the Grinch for the holidays
I love when a legendary Long Beach space is handed over to someone who wishes not to change much other than return it to its former glory.
The newly minted owners of Que Sera—Dylan Davis and Bradley Eston of Port City, the latter largely leading the effort at Que—are doing just that. Drag shows. Dark wave nights. Gaga release parties. Random appearances by Anderson .Paak… Now that the venue and weekly occurances are back up and running, the time has come to focus on the bar. And what better way than to turn it into a makeshift Whoville dominated by the Grinch?
Click here for the full article.
ICYMI: Baby Gee returns with holiday cocktails, snow over 4th Street, and Long Beach mischief
The snow has returned to 4th Street, Long Beach. Baby Gee’s annual holiday tradition of snow, cocktails, Jell-O shots, and local mischief is here. And I am so happy for it.
