Long Beach’s Heritage has held onto its Michelin star for the second year in a row after first scoring in 2023. And for its owners,Chef Philip and his sister Lauren Pretty, there is much reason to celebrate.
Heritage has long dreamt of this achievement—and it is quite incredible to see it maintain it
When I had first met Chef Philip, he was leading the thou-shalt-not-be-named-any-further space near Temple Avenue on 4th Street. Through too many drinks at the Pike, he had told me many great things. His culinary pedigree, for one, is absurd; he has walked the walk in many degrees. But more importantly, he professed he would be the first chef in Long Beach to get a Michelin star.
And he proved everyone right, despite a tumultuous pathway to getting there.
He suffered a fire at the Voldemort restaurant. And that was to only build it back up with a sense of control that we hadn’t seen before. In that sense of power, he knew he had to do his own thing. Venturing toward his best decision, he connected with his sister as a business partner. In what was once a sandwich shop—and a much-missed one at that, I must admit—he had always had the idea of using its next-door space as a more high-end space.
Heritage (the Not Sandwich Shop) was then (re)born. And after lower recognitions in the Michelin guide, they eventually built its way up to a star as well as a Green Star, noting the space’s sustainability practicies. Of course, there is the maintenance of that star—something that is not always granted. And the fact that Chef Philip, Lauren, and the entire team have maintained it? It deserves applause—despite this salty-ass writer’s opinions about the Michelin (that he very still holds).
Despite the newest achievement, Chef Philip had a certain wink to his win when he shared on Instagram that he was “feeling cute and might delete later.” Even better? His story dedicated to his sister and Long Beach are utterly heartwarming.
The Attic, Chiang Rai maintain mentions; Sushi Nikkei, HiroNori left off guide entirely
Much to the shock of those in the Long Beach food scene, both Sushi Nikkei and HiroNori lost their mentions entirely in the guide. The Attic and Chiang Rai, while not being dubbed a Bib Gourmand status as Chef Thomas Ortega’s Amor Y Tacos has, are mentioned in the 2024 California Guide.
What to expect from the future with Heritage following (yet another) Michelin star
Chef Philip is opening a second concept. It’s dubbed Olive & Rose, in the former City Center Motel at the southwest corner of 3rd Street and Atlantic Avenue.
And before you jump to conclusions about the dilapidated space, know that Chef Philip himself couldn’t be more thrilled. It is, after all, a project that will likely become a destination for not just locals but visitors.
Built in 1962, the City Center Motel was once a mid-mod dream of a space. It mimicked (albeit wonkily) the sense of Edward Killingsworth’s Lafayette Hotel down the street at Broadway and Atlantic. And now, after years of neglect and eventually full-on abandonment—outside of a pleasant appearance in Netflix’s “Griselda” series, which saw multiple Long Beach locations throughout its run—there is a group ready to restore it to glory.
Announced by famed firm Omgivning with their partners Paloma Communities back in December 2021, crews didn’t begin really breaking into the project until last year. While Pretty’s new space will be attached to the hotel, he and Lauren are rightfully adamant that this concept is entirely theirs.
“I didn’t want to partner with any group but rather just have a lease of my own for my concept,” Pretty said. “Through a year-long process, we arrived at a place where I won’t have to handle in-room dining and have complete creative control over Olive & Rose.”
It is expected to open in the coming weeks.
Heritage 2030 E. 7th Street. To make reservations (good luck), click here.
