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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.
CoffeeDrunk signage goes up on 2nd Street
CoffeeDrunk’s signage has gone up at its upcoming Belmont Shore location, which took over the former Aroma di Roma. For clarification, Aroma di Roma’s shift out of Belmont Shore doesn’t reflect a lack of business or success, nor is CoffeeDrunk coming into poach a long-loved space that has served the Shore for over 20 years. In the words of Matthew Church, owner of CoffeeDrunk, “We are not buying Aroma di Roma the business; we’re buying the assets of this specific location: the lease, the parklet, and the space itself, to allow Tim and Aroma a successful exit and for him to pursue growth in the areas he’s more focused on.”
Meanwhile, former Aroma employees have shifted over to L’Antica da Michele down the street.
Speaking of coffee…
Cyclops to open second location in Zaferia
Cyclops Coffee—which opened—will be opening a second space at 4100 E. Anaheim St. in the heart of the Zaferia district. And after announcing the plan over a year ago, they are inching closer to opening. Owned and operated by former Steelcraft barista Steven Than, the name has quickly built up to warrant the second location (which is kinda perfect for that neighborhood, which only has the rightfully but consistently packed Good Time nearby).
Long Beach Beer Lab
Long Beach Beer Lab owners Levi and Harmony Fried are raising money to benefit the Chabad of Sydney following the horrifying mass shooting targeting a Jewish celebration of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach.
“We are going to bring some light to our community when this world may not be so bright. It has been a difficult week for us, and in lieu of the atrocious violence this Sunday in Sydney, we ask our community to join us for a Hanukkah Happy Hour this Thursday from 6 to close. The menorah will be lit, there will be $5 pints, and dreidels will be available, with all proceeds benefiting Chabad of Sydney. Let’s come together to show the world that a small light can dispel a vast darkness.”
El Esquite has reopened on the Westside
El Esquite—the woman-owner and -operated Westside space headed by Jessica Campos—has reopened in all its elote glory. Hosting a reopening party on Dec. 13, the corn-centric hub offers varying takes on esquites. From their Hot Classic (Hot Cheeto Esquite) and Loaded Mac esquites to Dodger Tots, Esquite-Nachos, and their unique Michesquite.
Baby Gee Bar launches 12 Days of Christmas offering
Running through Christmas Eve, three random Baby Gee guests will be selected to cull a gift from Santa’s bag nightly. Rumor has it there are some real boozies up in there…
Beachwood Distilling to host ‘Behind the Pour’ event focusing on how they do what they do
Beachwood Distilling is hosting a “Behind the Pour” event on Thursday, Dec. 18, that will focus on their wonderfully unique cocktail mission, how they make their stuff, and a peek into their cocktail program with all-around great human and uber-talented barwoman Sarah Foss. In other words: Learn how Beachwood’s spirits and liqueurs are made in-house, watch a live demonstration of the featured welcome cocktail, and take home the recipe plus expert tips to recreate it yourself.
Enjoy small bites and mingle with fellow cocktail enthusiasts as you discover the artistry behind Beachwood’s modern mixology. Ticket includes:
- Two handcrafted spiced rum-focused cocktails inspired by the season
- Complimentary small bites
- Behind-the-bar insights from Beverage Director Sarah Foss
Got Your Back and Hamburgers Nice to collab while they host residency at Selva
Got Your Back—whose wonderful residency at Selva continues throughout the year—will take two of its residency days, Dec. 29 and Dec. 30, and collaborate once again with Hamburgers Nice. They’re bringing back their longanisa burger along with a few other surprises. Click here to book your reservation.
Vintage LBC founder and owner Vanessa Harmon steps away from business
I love Vintage LBC in Bixby Knolls, a treasure trove of cheese, sweets, wines, and market items headed by Vanessa Harmon. The era of what Vanessa has led is about to end: She is handing over the reigns to new owners (and fellow Bixby Knolls residents), with her last days of service running through to January. Here is the message she shared on social media:
It is with mixed emotions that I announce that I will be stepping away from The Vintage LBC. I’m so incredibly proud of the special space that my team and I created and will be forever grateful for friends made and lessons learned during my time as a small business owner in this great city.
While I’m sad to leave behind the business that I, along with my amazing manager Allison Porzner, worked so hard to build, I’m happy to announce that it will live on under new ownership. Vintage regulars and Bixby Knolls locals, Josh and Adriana will be taking over The Vintage LBC! And yes, they plan on keeping the menu, the décor, and the staff 🎉.
This difficult decision was made a lot easier knowing that Josh and Adriana love The Vintage LBC as much as I do and I know they will do great things. There is no exact date, but they will likely be taking over in mid to late January 2026.
Please welcome Josh and Adriana and continue to support The Vintage during the transition. I’ll be hanging around every weekend through at least mid-January and would love to see you all one last time. So stop by and have some wine and cheese with me ♥️
ICYMI: One of California’s best Vietnamese restaurants is opening in Long Beach in 2026
Huge food news now the cat is outta the bag: Brodard—the famed Fountain Valley Vietnamese restaurant that has been named one of the best restaurants in the state—will be opening a location in Long Beach at the 2nd & PCH retail complex.
For the full article, click here.
ICYMI: HiroNori opens in, new tenants announced for revamped Bixby Village Plaza in Long Beach
The Ramen Gods have blessed us: HiroNori has officially opened its second Long Beach location. Additionally, a slew of new tenants have been announced for the revamped portion of the property, including California Fish Grill, The Melt, a second Long Beach Urbane Cafe, and LunaGrill (not to be confused with Luna Bistro in the same complex).
Click here for the full article.
ICYMI: With brunch, Ruta 15 solidifies itself as one of Long Beach’s best restaurants
Ruta 15, Long Beach’s finest purveyor of mariscos proper, has unveiled its newly minted weekend brunch. And like its ballad to the ocean on its regular menu, their brunch is a definitively Ruta 15 brunch.Tlacoyos covered with two poached eggs and Zarandeado-style shrimp slathered in a rich, guajillo-meets-chipotle sauce. Sopes drenched in poblano sauce, topped with roasted corn and poblano peppers, and filled with black beans and eggs. A chilaquiles menu with tons of sauces to choose from…
Simply awesome.
