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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.
Kamal Palace reopens today
After announcing it was closed for remodeling, long-loved Indian buffet Kamal Palace has announced it would reopen today, Nov. 17.
Torisho closes; hopes to find another spot
After three years, the vastly underrated Torisho had permanently shuttered. Owner Ken Harada said that he is actively looking for another location but its Downtown space “didn’t provide the foot traffic we were expecting.”
Jan’s Health Bar opens first Long Beach location
After announcing its Long Beach location back in March, Orange County-staple Jan’s Health Bar has officially opened near Loynes and Pacific Coast Highway.
Jan’s Health Bar was originally birthed in the former Huntington Surf & Sport complex on Main Street in 1972—and come early 1980s, then toddler Poppy Holguin found herself loving when her family would venture into the sandwich and soup shop. Come high school, it was her first job from 1988 to 1991. And come 2010, she found herself the owner.
“Long Beach has always been close to my heart. As an alumni of CSULB, Long Beach has been a second home to me, and I couldn’t be more excited to bring Jan’s Health Bar to this community,” owner Poppy Holguin said. “We’ve been intentional about our expansion and sought communities whose values align with and will benefit from our mission: to make healthy food accessible and approachable.”
East Long Beach’s Bagelry & Bistro closes to make way for Alma’s Tacos
After nearly twenty years serving East Long Beach, The Bagelry and Bistro has permanently shuttered. Little is known about its replacement—Alma”s Tacos—or if it is related to the same Alma’s Tacos in the City of Industry, but I will do my best to find out more.
Olive & Rose cocktail service pushed back
After Olive & Rose—Chef Philip and Lauren Pretty’s second concept behind the Michelin-starred Heritage—said it would be serving up its first round of cocktails this weekend, things have unfortunately been pushed back again by the ABC with its pending inspection. Former Baby Gee cocktail slinger Noah Friedman—hailing from the space which has redefined cocktail making in the city—will be leading the space’s cocktail program.
“Hopefully another week or two and we’ll be up and running,” Noah said.
Fuego at Hotel Maya announces new executive chef
Fuego at Hotel Maya announced the appointment of Chef Luis Torres as Executive Chef at Hotel Maya. Torres will oversee all culinary operations for both the Latin-infused restaurant Fuego and catering efforts for the hotel.
“Chef Torres brings a wealth of culinary expertise from his extensive experience in high-profile specialty restaurants and hotels,” says Greg Guthrie, General Manager of Hotel Maya. “He has a proven ability to lead high-performing kitchens, manage talented teams, and consistently deliver an outstanding food experience for the guests.”
A lifelong Southern Californian, Chef Torres has cultivated a 20-plus-year culinary career rooted in the region’s epicurean scene. Prior to joining Hotel Maya, Torres was Executive Chef with Curtis Stone Events where he created unique menus for several prestigious events and served as interim Chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant Gwen.
Chez Bacchus scores full-liquor license
Something we can all rejoice in: Chez Bacchus has officially scored a full-liquor license. Chez Bacchus is an underrated little gem in Downtown Long Beach, where owner and wine director John Hansen has contributed to the vino renaissance happening throughout the city—joining spaces like Michael’s on Naples and The Attic as being particularly stellar with their lists—and Chef Danny Kay brings both a sense of elevation and humbleness.
Trung Nguyen coffee opens first Long Beach location
Bạc xĩu. Egg coffee. Muối coffee. Regular black coffee. Pandan coffee. These are just a handful of the options that will be at Trung Nguyen’s first Long Beach location, which officially took over the short-lived Berry Brand space next to Afters in the Bixby Village Plaza. Founded in 1996 by Dang Le Nguyen Vu, the brand grows its own beans in Vietnam and grown internationally, especially within the U.S.
ICYMI: Long Beach restaurants open on Thanksgiving for those that work, can’t make it happen in the kitchen, or just need a break
Last year, I created this list—and it was so useful to many that I updated and will do so each year. With so many weird lists out there that have outright wrong or awkward information, here is a list of Long Beach restaurants open for dine-in on Thanksgiving that’s actually useful. There are hours, costs, phone numbers, and links to menus and reservations. It’s simple and easy.
And yes, there is a Thanksgiving brunch and dinner on a boat cruise through the harbor.
This list is continually updated as restaurants inform me they are open.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: The Sky Room at the Fairmont Breakers is officially taking reservations; here’s the inaugural menu
Sky Room lovers rejoice: it re-opens Nov. 19.
The Fairmont Breakers has been years in the making. Dates have been perpetually pushed back due to the pandemic and construction constrictions. Taking over the historic building that once operated as a senior home, it lines the southern end of Ocean between Collins Avenue. And it’s official: online reservations for stays can begin on Nov. 19.
And now, the famed Sky Room—the top-floor restaurant that has existed since 1946—is accepting reservations on Open Table.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Favorite things I’m eating right now in Long Beach: Nov. 2024
From tacos de tripas and hot beef sandwiches to the city’s best carrot cake and new cocktail, here are my favorite things I inhaled throughout November in Long Beach.
