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Long Beach Food Scene Intel is a series from Brian Addison that will recap food news throughout the city. This is news that needs just a quick mention, is developing, or repeated news where you might have missed the full features.
Active Cultures will close Long Beach location at 2nd & PCH on June 24
Active Culture, the Laguna Beach-based health food mini-chain, will be shuttering its 2nd & PCH location on June 24.
The note on their door read: “To our amazing Long Beach Customers… After three years serving at 2nd & PCH, we have made the very difficult decision to close our doors permanently. We wish more than anything we could have thrived in this location. Our last day open will be June 24th, 2025. Please stop in before then!”
Cheese expert Irene Clemente to host cheese tasting at Partake in DTLB
One of the nation’s leading cheese experts, Long Beach resident Irene Clemente, will be hosting a special cheese tasting at Partake Collective in DTLB. Taking place on Saturday, June 28, guests will taste four European artisinal cheeses that Irene has exclusive access to, along with three wine pairings to enjoy them with. Doors open at 2:15PM, with the tasting occuring at 2:30PM. To book your reservation, click here.
Midnight Oil to host dumpling-making class
Midnight Oil will be hosting a dumpling-making class on June 26 at 6:30PM in conjunction with the 2025 LA Design Festival. The festival had multiple events across DTLB, including this and…
Chez Bacchus to host tasting dinner evolving around various eating utensils
Influencer James Tir (aka LBFoodComa) partnered with Chez Bacchus for a six-course tasting event for the 2025 LA Design Festival.
“When I was asked to help with the curation of a dinner for the LA Design Festival—I really wanted to incorporate design concepts into a tasting menu,” James said. “And we arrived on the idea of building the menu around how we eat. Normally, a tasting menu has a theme centered around an ingredient, a region, a chef’s background—I challenged Chef Danny to build each course around the function of different utensils.”
- Course One: Japanese chopsticks
- Course Two: Hands
- Course Three: Soup Spoon
- Course Four: Straw
- Course Five: Fork & Knife
- Course Six: Spork
Beachwood Distilling to host industry mixer on June 24
Beachwood Distilling in Bixby Knolls is hosting an industry night. Designed to “celebrate the service industry pros who keep the local food and beverage scene thriving, the event runs from 3PM to 10PM and promises good vibes, great beer, and genuine connection,” according to Beachwood rep Trina Severson.
Industry guests—bartenders, servers, hosts, and all those in between—can enjoy exclusive specials throughout the evening with proof of employment (paystub, badge, business card, et cetera):
- 10% off food orders
- First beer for $1
- $5 Beachwood beers
- Drink specials starting at $8
Wine dinner to be hosted at Nettuno at Fairmont Breakers
Nettuno will be hosting a wine dinner with Bertani winery out of Northern Italy, with a food focusing on the Venetian region. For tickets, click here. For the menu, regard below:
Starter
Carpaccio di Tonno
Tuna carpaccio, lemon, capers
Pairing: Bertani Bertarose Rosé 2022
First Course
Linguine alla Veneziana
Tiger prawns, spring onion, pear tomato, Taggiasca olives, dried tomato
Pairing: Bertani Soave Original Vintage Edition 2019
Second Course
Cosciotto di Agnello
Roast leg of lamb, carrot salsa
Pairing: Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso 2020
Dessert
Tiramisù al Cioccolato
Pairing: Bertani Recioto della Valpolicella 2019
Broken Spirits launches new lunch menu: Out in 10 minutes or it’s free
With their 100% Halal menu that caters to the rejected diners of Ammatoli—I genuinely love the fact that someone opted to play off of that in DTLB—Broken Spirits Distillery continues to be one of the most approachable spaces in the city. Their new lunch menu? It includes an array of sliders, bowls, and dips, yes. But even better? If it’s not out in 10 minutes or less, it’s on the house.
California Fish Grill opening in Bixby Village Plaza
After shuttering the CVS store at Bixby Village Plaza near CSULB and the VA Hospital, you might have noticed the demolition of the buidling the construction of a new one. (It will look like the rendering above when finally complete.) And California Fish Grill—already with a location at 3801 Lakewood Blvd.—will be taking some 2,200 square feet of space in the new building.
When it opens, California Fish Grill will bring its commitment to responsibly sourced seafood to Long Beach, offering up everything from salmon and Ahi tuna to Branzino and Mahi Mahi. The fast-casual chain is known for partnering with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, a move that keeps sustainability front and center. The menu leans on made-to-order plates—grilled fish, hearty bowls, tacos, and salads—while emphasizing transparency in sourcing and a no-fuss approach to eco-conscious dining.
Seoulmate alumn to host popup near MLK Park
For those missing the bulgolgi of Seoulmate, which closed back in 2018, fear not and bask in the nostalgia: Some of its former staff are doing a popup dubbed The Molinas Popup.
ICYMI: Nonna Mercato returns with summer dinner service—and proves they make some of the best pasta in Long Beach
Yes, Nonna Mercato is back with dinner service via its Summer Nights series on June 20, which debuted last year to merited applause.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Open alcohol zone in Downtown Long Beach to be established
Long Beach—joining other cities like Santa Monica that are opting for “come for the beach, stay for the booze” vibes—will establish an open alcohol zone. Likely to be bound along Pine Avenues and The Promenade between 1st and 3rd Streets, the dubbed “Entertainment Zone” could alter the way established drinking spaces operate and do business. Other spaces that are likely to be included would be Shoreline Village and The Pike.
The specific rules, guidelines, and procedures of the proposed EZ will be brought to council by City staff at the next City Council meeting.
ICYMI: Long Beach’s most beloved tiki bar, Bamboo Club, continues to evolve
Bamboo Club is space built with intent and love, designed by none other than Bamboo Ben.
And over six years in, it has not only ushered in a new era of tiki respect in Long Beach—from tiki cocktail competitions to other bars like Secret Island to Rum Curious hosting their inaugural summit at Altar Society—owner Jim Ritson (of 4th Street Wine and Ya Sabes fame) is letting the space evolve.
