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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 or repeated news where you might have missed the full features.
Vegan Mexican concept Plantitas Kitchen opens on the Westside
Always great to hear about West Long Beach scoring some more food options: The Mexican vegan concept by first time restaurateur Aileen Orozco Castaneda known as Plantitas Kitchen (not to be confused with the popular Plantiitas plant shop) has soft opened at 1950 W. Willow St. While it was intended to formally open in September, doors quietly opened this month for patrons while the space awaits a grand opening.
More vegan: Hart n Soul concept opens in Long Beach
Not to be confused with Kevin Hart’s Hart house concept going into the former Souplantation space on Candlewood St., LBCC alumn and “Vegan Bae” Dr. Sebi has opened Hart n Soul Vegan Cafe in Long Beach. What to expect? An international menu spanning Mexican, American, Italian, and more.
Sushi Nikkei officially open on Sundays in the Shore
Following its popularity in Bixby Knolls, Sushi Nikkei opened its second location in the Shore earlier this year, taking over the former Haewah Dal space in between Argonne Avenue and Granada—and now, they are officially open on Sundays. Replicating the same menu as their original location, the move comes as both smart and celebratory: Belmont Shore, after a tumultuous five years, is back on the rise, with new restaurants like Louie’s, Breakfast Republic, and Dave’s Hot Chicken enjoying steady success, staples like Nick’s and Saint & Second always filled, and some highly anticipated openings, like L’Antica and South of Nicks.
For Brian Addison original full feature on Sushi Nikkei from earlier this year, click here.
‘Queens of Hip Hop Halloween’ dinner party to kick off in Bixby Knolls
Chef and Pinch of Salt Catering owner Quianna Monique will be hosting a dinner that surrounds the Queens of 90s hip hop—Missy Elliot, Lil Kim, Da Brat, and Foxy Brown—and uses their inspirations for the dinner menu. It includes shrimp’n’grits stuffed collard greens (inspired by Lil Kim); 1,000 layer potato soup (inspired by Missy); sea bass with saffron risotto and taragon reduction (inspired by Foxy); and a golden-spiced tiramisu (inspired by Da Brat). And Ms. Monique is offering a special discount for my Long Beach Food Scene followers: enter the code LBFS25 and receive $25 off your ticket. For tickets, click here.
ICYMI: Last chance to experience Ordinarie menu before Miracle takes over
Before the massive endeavor that is Miracle takes over the space for 2023, I highly suggest you catch The Ordinarie’s outgoing menu from Chef Nick DiEugenio—especially their play on pork and beans, where a strip of pork belly that is marinaded’n’sous vide-ed before being fried and served atop beans. Click here for the full article.
ICYMI: Barcelona legend Telefèric to open at 2nd & PCH
Telefèric, the 31-year-old Barcelona staple that will take over the former Hungry Angelina space (which closed in late 2022) at the massive 2nd & PCH retail complex in Alamitos Bay. Click here to read the full article.
