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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.
Alma Tacos opens over in East Long Beach
Alma Tacos—the Mexican-American space that took over the former Bagelry & Bistro space in East Long Beach—has officially opened next to Kennedy’s. The menu is wonderfully straightforward: A handful of meats—smoked brisket, pork chile verde, pastor, chile-braised beef, a vegan option with cauliflower…—can be put into tacos, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas.
Here’s how Long Beach Food Scene member Deanna Bee described it: “We went to the new taco place, Alma, for lunch today (by Lazy Acres, Sports Basement, and Kennedy’s). We tried all six of their [meats in tacos], a quesadilla with smoked brisket, and their fresh, hot churros. The churros were absolutely delicious and came with chocolate sauce. They were super friendly, and everything is made in-house. I’d highly recommend. They have two outdoor seating areas and even some beer on tap. We are so happy to welcome them to this part of town.”
Tokyo Noir celebrates one year, gets invited to LA Times’s 101 event
Tokyo Noir—the insanely stellar Japanese-focused speakeasy behind El Barrio—has not only hit its one-year anniversary but has also been invited to pour cocktails at the prestigious Los Angeles Times 101 reveal event. The event, which only invites what the newspaper considers the best of the best in the region when it comes to vendors, reveals critic Bill Addison’s choices for the 101 best restaurants (along with a small list of its finest cocktail purveyors).
Does this mean Tokyo Noir made one of the lists? We shall find out.
Nettuno at Fairmont Breakers to host ‘Feast of the Seven Fishes’ dinner
Chef Giuseppe Musso of Netunno at Fairmont Breakers will be (like Chef Jason Witzl of Ellie’s) celebrating the very Italian “Feast of the Seven Fishes” tradition. Reservations can be found here The dinner is $95 and includes:
Antipasta
Anchovy & Parmesan Shortbread: Anchovy | parmesan | shortbread pastry
Vitello Tonnato Calamari alla Griglia: Grilled calamari | Calabrian chili | arugula salad
Pasta
Tagliatelle Granchio: Dungeness crab | San Marzano tomato
Tagliolini al Neri con Salmone: Salmon | zucchini | cherry tomato
Secondi
Baccalà alla Livornese: Olives | capers | cherry tomato | white wine
Sogliola al Limone: Dover sole | lemon | capers
Dolce
Sorbetto al Limone: Lemon sorbet
Panna Cotta alle Fragole: Vanilla panna cotta | strawberries
Panettone Bread Pudding: Panettone | custard | baked pudding style
Pizza Parlor burglarized in East Long Beach
Pizza Parlor—East Long Beach’s best pizzeria—was broken into on Nov. 23.
In a social media post, they said:
“At 3 a.m., two guys used a pry bar to force open our front double doors (completely destroying them — they’ll need to be fully replaced), smashed the POS, grabbed the register, and even walked out with our brand-new @Apple laptop… which is now a very expensive, very locked brick. Good luck with that one, fellas.
“It hurts. Replacing doors, systems, and gear isn’t cheap, and seeing the place you pour your heart into torn apart like that is rough.
But here’s what hurts less today: the absolute flood of love from this community.
“Your messages, your offers to help clean, your “I’m coming in tonight just to give you a hug” texts — THAT is what we’re holding onto. So we’re flipping this into fuel. Those doors that got wrecked? They’re getting replaced with even better ones that’ll welcome you into the bigger, cozier seating area we’ve been working toward. This just sped up the timeline.
“Doors might be broken, but our spirit isn’t…”
Yang Chow 2.0’s last day is Nov. 29
After an announcement that it would first be closing in late October, Yang Chow 2.0 will be formally closing Nov. 29. Rumor has it that Burd Chicken will be taking its place…
ICYMI: Amid fears of ICE, what Long Beach International Tamales Festival means moving forward
The Long Beach International Tamales Festival will move forward on Dec. 7 at the Scottish Rite space in Downtown Long Beach—despite fears about the presence of ICE, which led to the city cancelling this year’s Dia de Muerto event in DTLB.
Organizer Sal Flores was initially planning to do the same, but second thoughts about holding one’s community up on the pillar it deserves—without fear—was far more important.
For the full article, click here.
ICYMI: Long Beach’s Stache Bar goes full Krampus for the holidays with ‘Naughty Lodge’ takeover
For the second year in a row, The Stache Bar has slipped into its mischievous alter ego, transforming itself into the “Naughty Lodge” for the holidays.
But what makes the Naughty Lodge’s sophomore year truly shine goes far beyond the decor—though the decorations, as always, are essential to the immersion. The real triumph is the cocktail program and holiday food from Sideburns.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: This monthly brunch at Buvons is Long Beach’s best hymn to bistro French food
Remember that amazing monthly brunch at Buvons I had in October? Well, it’s back for this Sunday, Nov. 30.
The menu? Gougère with trout mousse. French toast with crème anglaise and candied oranges. Poached egg and polenta with winter squash and mushrooms. And—why not?—tiramisu. Go, go, go.
