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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.
Meccha Matcha opening in East Long Beach
Taking over the former Static Salon space at 2310 N. Bellflower Blvd. near the Target, matcha and soft serve chain Meccha Matcha will be opening its first Long Beach location. Founded in 2016 in SoCal, Meccha Matcha quickly carved out a name for itself by embracing the deep, bitter complexity of ceremonial-grade matcha—and offering it up in nearly every form possible, from soft serve to traditional hot tea service. While many chains opted for sweetened or diluted versions of the powdered green tea, Meccha Matcha leaned in hard, offering customizable bitterness levels and matcha-forward drinks and soft serves that capture the drink’s grassy punch and velvety depth.
Ellie’s offering July 4th grill packages
Ellie’s is offering one helluva July 4th set of grill packages. To order, click here.
Due Fiori opens for lunch Saturday, June 28; will begin taking reservations for large parties
Due Fiori has two big announcements: Beginning Saturday, June 28, the ItaliCali space will be open for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays only from 11AM to 3PM. Wine will be 1/2 off on June 28, with Chef Waldo Stout serving up a special sandwich. Additionally, they are now taking reservations for parties of nine to 20 persons with a pre-set family-style menu. To reserve, email: info@duefiorilbc.com
Olive & Rose will host a pool party come July 19
I’ve always said that Olive & Rose is a vibe—and now, they’re taking advantage of that. All info above.
El Barrio Cantina raised $5,000 for Órale
El Barrio has donated $5,000 to Órale, an organization that has been dedicated building and sustaining a thriving immigrant-led movement to end the criminalization of immigrants and secure bold protections and opportunities that allow immigrant communities to thrive. It was all done through a special that was offered during No Kings Day.
Sheila Baby Carryout is a no-go; space up for lease
The American Steak shack at the northeast corner of Pine Avenue and 7th Street was set to become a turkey leg shack by the name of Sheila Baby Carryout. That is no longer happening as a lease sign has yet again appeared on the unstable space. While signage went up, the space released what would have been their inaugural menu, from collards and stuffed turkey legs to mac’n’cheese and chicken wings.
Dairy Market by Breezy will bring brunch up to North Long Beach
North Long Beach officially has a new brunch spot: Dairy Market by Breezy has officially opened, offering up classic brunch. In the words of LBFoodComa, “They’re off the beaten path, tucked into Dairy Avenue right off of Market Street—I love these kinds of places—that are hidden in a residential area. They’re a classic brunch spot serving many eats including chicken and waffles, avocado toast, breakfast burgers, grits, and more! They also have many housemade items including the sausage, biscuits, and fruit compote.”
ICYMI: Long Beach’s Heritage holds onto Michelin star for the third year straight
Pretty amazing news: Heritage has achieved a feat only it can claim as its own when it comes to the Long Beach food scene: for the third year in a row, they have received a star from the Michelin Guide. Also, for the third year in a row, Heritage has garnered a green star for its sustainability practices; this also remains solely its achievement in terms of Long Beach restaurants.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Ammatoli pastry chef Masah Habibeh to release bake-at-home cookie line, Beytooti
The famed cookies at Ammatoli? They will be available in containers in order to bake at home thanks to an initiative from pastry chef and budding entrepreneur Masah Habibeh. Dubbed ‘Beytooti,’ the line will be launched at an open-to-the-public party at Ammatoli on Saturday, June 28. RSVP link in the article.
ICYMI: La Casa de Iris Cocina Boricua opening brick-and-mortar in Long Beach on July 1
Bring on the pasteles, Long Beach. La Casa de Iris—the Boricua kitchen that epitomizes Puerto Rican cuisine—will open its first brick-and-mortar at the northeast corner of Long Beach Boulevard and Anaheim Street. The space at 1260 Long Beach Blvd. will host its soft opening from July 1 through 3. And on Saturday, July 5, it will have its grand opening.
And it means more than pasteles. It means jibaritos, mofongo, pollo guisado, vasos Boricuas, vasos de pinchos, and—of course—some of the best rellenos de papa around.
