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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.
So Sentimental signage goes up on 4th Street
So Sentimental’s signage has gone up at its upcoming coffee shop location at the northwest corner of 4th Street and Nebraska Avenue. Owner Julian Park has been working on the space for well over a year, having run pop-ups around the city to better familiarize people with his name. Having worked under the guidance of Stereoscope—a regional coffee shop and roaster whose Long Beach location is a caffeinated staple and beans can be found at Nonna Mercato as well—So Sentimental refrains from an excessively bloated menu. There are your straightforward offerings—lattes, espressos, Americanos…—along with just three seasonal offerings
OBRA Hand Bakery expands into Santa Ana
OBRA HandBakery—the Latin American-centric bakery serving up some of the city’s best savory and sweet goods—has finally opened its second home at 110 W. MacArthur Blvd. in Santa Ana.
“We had been searching for a new location,” said co-owner Luz Torres, who shares the space with Chef Cesar Villarreal, earlier this year. “And we finally found it. We signed the lease back in March and immediately started working on all the architectural and engineering plans. You know how long that process can take so we’re submitting everything to the city with the hope of receiving the approval to start construction by next week.”
Malainey’s in Alamitos Bay to shutter at the end of the year
Malainey’s—dubbed “One hell of an Irish Bar” in its branding—will be shuttering in Alamitos Bay at the end of the year, as confirmed by John Morris, owner of Boathouse on the Bay, as well as AREC, a local running club that uses Malainey’s as a base for its events. The news comes after the space posted on social media that Dec. 31 will be their last day of operation “due to significant loss in profits,” only to have it taken down.
Owner Patrick Holleran bought the space back in 2010 when it was Buster’s Beach House. After appearing on an episode of Mystery Diners, he rebranded as Malarkey’s in 2013—not to be confused with the long-standing Irish bar of the same name in Newport Beach—and then later as Malainey’s.
ICYMI: Long Beach’s love of special dinners—collabs, tasting menus, and more—is altering the food scene
2025 was a year in Long Beach where special dinners dominated. Collab dinners. Cocktail dinners. Wine dinners. Tasting menus. Residencies… And these special dinners have become one of the most vital tools for keeping a food scene dynamic, imaginative, and forward-moving. Even more, I’ve never been more proud of the folks who run our kitchens—and their talent has never be more exemplified than through these special dinners.
For the full article, click here.
ICYMI: Years in the making, Hey Brother Baker’s gloriously carby brick-and-mortar opens in Long Beach
I can’t tell you how happy and proud this makes me, Long Beach—and proof as to how we have one of the most beautiful bread cultures around. Launched nearly a decade ago out of a garage and through pop-ups, Hey Brother owners Jesse Hellen-Lloyd and wife Christina Wilson have finally opened their brick-and-mortar on Anaheim Street in the Zaferia neighborhood.
Click here for the full article.
ICYMI: Always taste the special menu at the annual Sushi Nikkei anniversary in Belmont Shore
Every year, I praise the annual Sushi Nikkei menu that veers away from sushi and toward the more traditional Peruvian palate—and this year’s anniversary session in Belmont Shore is no exception.
