<\/strong>Best Brunch in Long Beach \/ Best Mac and Cheese in Long Beach
<\/em>By Jason Ruiz\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"theattic\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/theattic.JPG\")
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It\u2019s been over three and a half years since Steve Massis took over the 1920s craftsman house at the corner of Newport and Broadway and transformed it into the local hub of comfort food and craft cocktails known as The Attic. To be nominated for multiple categories for the Long Beach Post<\/em>\u2019s Best Of 2015 and win for Best Brunch and Best Mac and Cheese served as a personal moment of validation that The Attic had been accepted by the city he grew up in.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNot only do I own a business in this city, I live in this city and Long Beach means a lot to me personally,\u201d Massis said. \u201cTo be nominated by the people that live here, my neighbors, my friends, it means a lot.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Massis swears that the Cheetos used are regulation ones, with no (added) addictive properties, despite the dish\u2019s ability to hook those that order it from the very first bite. If the standard order isn\u2019t adventurous enough, The Attic allows you to mix in candied cayenne bacon, shrimp, jalape\u00f1os and a host of other add-ins, but Massis keeps his own simple and to the point.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite is for sure the short rib, hands down,\u201d Massis said. \u201cBut I\u2019m a meat and potatoes kind of guy and if you add short rib to anything I\u201dm going to be a happy man.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n While mac and cheese is typically regarded as a lunch or dinner item, it is served all day, every day at the Attic. In fact, the only food you can\u2019t order for breakfast is mashed potatoes, and that\u2019s part of what Massis said makes The Attic\u2019s brunch such a hit with patrons.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re in a 1920s Craftsman home and it\u2019s just fun,\u201d Massis. \u201cIt feels like you\u2019re in someone\u2019s backyard, hanging out. It\u2019s a local place so you see a lot of your friends coming here and everyone\u2019s hanging out having a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n Bottom right photo courtesy of Niko Dahilig, others by Jason Ruiz.<\/em><\/p>\n The Attic is located at\u00a03441 East Broadway, on the corner of Newport Ave. Visit the Attic’s website<\/a> for more information.<\/em><\/p>\n Working Class Kitchen Photo courtesy of Basil Nabhan of Working Class Kitchen.<\/em><\/p>\n The Michael\u2019s Restaurant Group is no stranger to accolades. Its pizzeria was recognized as the the best in the nation<\/a> by Zagat in 2013 and late last year Chianina Steakhouse and Michael\u2019s on Naples were included in the 50 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles<\/a> for 2016. So it comes as no surprise that Working Class Kitchen\u2014the restaurant group’s own deli, butcher and sandwich shop\u2014is now winning awards of its own.<\/p>\n Voted the best burger in Long Beach, Executive Chef of Michael\u2019s Restaurant Group David Coleman said the Chianina Beef Burger\u2014a marriage of the Italian cow\u2019s porterhouse and ribeye topped with caramelized onions and a remoulade\u2014was a no-brainer.<\/p>\n While the namesake cow of the Italian steakhouse can run upward of $5 per ounce in steak form, Coleman\u2019s whole-animal philosophy led to the creation of burger which can be enjoyed at both Chianina and Working Class Kitchen, with a much smaller price tag.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although it can be topped with a variety of ad-ons including avocado, cheese, foie gras or an over-easy organic egg, what separates it from all the other burgers in town, Coleman said, is in the patty.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have burgers that taste like beef, and then you have burgers that taste like meat,\u201d Coleman said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The \u201cmeat and potatoes\u201d ethos that the shop exudes belies who it aims to serve. Coleman said the working class work there, but they hope to feed everyone. The shop\u2019s motto \u201cSine Labore Nihil,” or Nothing Without Work, reflects its dedication to serving up food with as much conviction as flavor.<\/p>\n Working Class Kitchen is located at 1322 Coronado Ave., off of Anaheim St. Click here<\/a> for more information.<\/em><\/p>\n Bo-Beau Kitchen + Roof Tap Photo by Keeley Smith.<\/em><\/p>\n Brussels Sprouts have been making a comeback in the last few years in the foodie hall of fame, and 2015 was no different. With serious contenders that included Simmzy\u2019s, Tavern on 2, Restauration and The Federal Bar, Bo-Beau Kitchen + Roof Tap won, for their delectable sprouts, doused with plenty of oils, parmesan and pepper.<\/p>\n The taste is one you won\u2019t soon forget, and that smell will stay with you for days.<\/p>\n Former Executive Chef Katherine Humphus told the Post<\/em> before the restaurant opened that the goal of the restaurant was to \u201ccreate delicious, approachable food, and encourage people to try flavor profiles or combinations that they might not normally go for,\u201d in regard to its restaurant food, while also creating a down-to-earth beer-centric menu for the Rooftap portion.<\/p>\n For unique flavor profiles, Bo-Beau most certainly wins. Beyond their aroma, the sprouts have an unexpectedly intense flavor, thanks to a slightly sweet balsamic glaze, rich duroc pork lardon, and fresh shaved parmesan. Suffice to say, it\u2019s impossible to stop at one brussels sprout\u2014you\u2019ll be eating the whole serving before you realize it.<\/p>\n Bo-Beau Kitchen + Roof Tap is located at 144 Pine Avenue. Call 562.983.0056 or visit their\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0for reservations and more information.<\/em><\/p>\n The Caffeinated Kitchen Photo by Asia Morris.<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s not a well-kept secret that the Long Beach Post is already a fan of The Caffeinated Kitchen\u2019s sweet vegan treats<\/a>,\u00a0so when founder, owner and doughnut baker Jen Hackler took the cake for Best Doughnuts in Long Beach, we weren\u2019t surprised at all. The doughnuts, whether you\u2019re biting into a Lemon Poppy Seed, Pistachio-Rose or Maple \u201cBacon\u201d flavor, make up part of Hackler\u2019s to-die-for repertoire of delicious vegan baked goods, found at just about any Long Beach coffee shop, from Lord Windsor Roasters to Recreational Coffee.<\/p>\n The story of how The Caffeinated Kitchen won the votes for best doughnut in the city speaks to Hackler\u2019s humility and the community\u2019s adoration for the small town bakery\u2019s product. Nestled in fifth place for what seemed like \u201cthe longest time,\u201d Hackler never wanted to ask her fans and followers to \u201cgo out of their way to vote,\u201d but, encouraged by Recreational Coffee owner Bobby Hernandez, she finally gave in and asked for a little assistance via Instagram; a call to arms against two major corporations, Krispy Kreme and Dunkin\u2019 Donuts.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the very last day of the poll [Bobby] texted one last pleading text, \u2018Do it so I can say I serve the best donuts in the universe as acknowledged by the Long Beach Post<\/em>. Totally selfish of me,\u2019\u201d said Hackler. \u201cSo I gave in and posted on Instagram and Facebook. Within a matter of hours we went from 5th to 1st place. It was unbelievable the way our customers and friends rallied for us. I didn’t really expect us to win, I just wanted to beat Dunkin\u2019 Donuts and Krispy Kreme!\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n You can follow The Caffeinated Kitchen<\/a> on Instagram (@thecaffeinatedkitchen). For a list of locations that serve The Caffeinated Kitchen doughnuts, visit their website here<\/a>.<\/em> Rainbow Juices Photo by Matt Cohn.<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s not all butter-infused veggies and alcoholic beverages here: the Post asked its readers what they deemed healthy in 2015, and they were quick to respond.<\/p>\n Rainbow Juices won by a sizable margin, boasting a juice cleansing menu, relationships with local farmers, local ingredients and healthy lifestyle values and embody Long Beach\u2019s wellness culture.<\/p>\n \u201cWe work hard everyday to create the freshest, most nutritious juices for the people of Long Beach,\u201d said Rainbow Juices co-founder Chrissy Cox. \u201cThis means sourcing the freshest local, organic produce – \u00a0making 3 to 4 weekly trips to the farmer’s market. Over the years, we’ve developed relationships with each farmer we work with. There is a lot of integrity that goes into growing the produce we juice, and a lot of love.\u201d<\/p>\n Plus, the aesthetics of the store, with minimalist rainbow dots and a wood-paneled entrance, make it hard to dislike the business\u2019 dynamics. Cox said Long Beach\u2019s unique spirit and people that made it a no-brainer to set up shop downtown.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cLong Beach is a beautiful, growing community of folks who support local, who appreciate high quality, conscious products, and who understand how important it is to fuel their bodies with the very best food on the planet,\u201d said Cox. \u201cWe are here to provide all of it! It’s our mission to help keep Long Beach happy and healthy everyday.\u201d<\/p>\n Rainbow Juices is located at 246 East Third Street, Long Beach, CA 90802. For more information, visit their website here<\/a>\u00a0or Facebook page, here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Long Beach Creamery Photo by Asia Morris.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n The local community has truly taken in Long Beach Creamery as one of its own, as a treasure to be kept near and dear to the hearts and palates of ice cream lovers across our seaside city. Owner and founder Dina Amadril built the business from the ground up, but not without the help of Farm Lot 59 founder Sasha Kanno and the ten strangers who first sampled her homemade concoctions at the very first tasting in 2013.<\/p>\n One successful Kickstarter later, Amadril built what was supposed to be a diary room in Bixby Knolls, of which the scooping business has become more popular than she ever could have expected. Amadril creates new flavors every week to satisfy her instinctive creativity, but also to ensure that Long Beach Creamery is not a wasteful business. Some of her most popular flavors have come from using a little leftover pecan or a little leftover chocolate; you name the leftover, Amadril has a use for it.<\/p>\n As Amadril would say, \u201cThere\u2019s nothin\u2019 real sad about ice cream.\u201d Especially if you\u2019re contemplating the Cashew Fennel Chip ice cream bread with a salt and pepper glaze, paired with a steaming cup of Black Ring Coffee. Need we say more<\/a>?<\/p>\n Long Beach Creamery is located at\u00a04141 Long Beach Blvd. in Bixby Knolls. Visit Long Beach Creamery’s website here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Recreational Coffee Photo by Asia Morris.<\/em><\/p>\n Downtown Long Beach\u2019s most recent and rampant recreational drug, third-wave coffee shop Recreational Coffee<\/a>,\u00a0has built a reputation for having some of the best coffee and service around. In a very short amount of time (since they opened just a few months ago), Bobby and Correne Hernandez have enticed the Long Beach community into trying their inspired creations, such as the sea salt affogato, delicious espresso shake and uniquely altered Americano.<\/p>\n Alongside serving \u201cridiculous\u201d beverages, Recreational Coffee has also begun to host public cuppings and pour-over classes, serving Nick\u2019s Breakfast Burritos on Sundays and giving $1 off mochas on Mondays. Recreational Coffee clearly wants to ensure the community\u2019s cup runneth over when it comes to providing a great place to learn, to work or hang out and, obviously, to drink an above average cup of joe.<\/p>\n “We are beyond excited and privileged to have been voted Best Coffee Shop in Long Beach in such a short period of time since opening up the shop!” the handsome couple told the Post. “Thanks to our amazing customers who voted; we love you all and love to make you awesome coffee. Thanks also to the wonderful baristas of Recreational. They’re the heart and personality of the shop who make it what it is. Looking forward to continually serving Long Beach some ridiculous coffee and smiles in 2016!”<\/p>\n Recreational Coffee is located at\u00a0237 Long Beach Blvd. Suite A in downtown Long Beach. Click here<\/a> for more information.<\/em><\/p>\n Legends Sports Bar Photo courtesy of Legends Sports Bar.<\/em><\/p>\n Maybe it\u2019s the giant projector screen that covers its western wall with the marquee game of the day. Maybe it\u2019s the prime spot smack dab in the middle of Second Street in Belmont Shore, or its un-official crown as the \u201cfirst modern sports bar in America.\u201d There\u2019s something special about watching a big game at Legends Sports Bar, and it being voted best place in the city to watch sports has just as much to do with its past as it does the present.<\/p>\n Co-owner Eric Johnson remembers walking into Legends for the first time when he was a child and getting to meet then Rams starting quarterback Vince Ferragamo and the team\u2019s cheerleaders. When he helped purchase the sports bar he inherited a lot of memorabilia lining the walls that includes autographed balls from legendary athletes like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. When they took over, a \u201cjaw dropping\u201d gift to a his business partner\u2014in the form of the Indy Car driven by Bobby Rahal during the Long Beach Grand Prix\u2014was added to the interior decor.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s much more than a bar or restaurant,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt\u2019s like a sports hall of fame kind of deal when you walk in. Certainly the big screen is what sets it at a whole different level. I hear it all the time when I\u2019m at the front door.”<\/p>\n Johnson\u2019s ownership has made it a point to be a part of the community because he said as one of the businesses that\u2019s synonymous with Long Beach, it\u2019s a responsibility they hold to give back. They\u2019ve sponsored local sports teams from area high schools and even hosted watch parties for Cal State Long Beach men\u2019s basketball teams when awaiting their fates in the annual NCAA tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whether its\u00a0Monday\u00a0Night Football, March Madness or FIFA\u2019s World Cup, Legends is always one of the busiest bars inside and out, as people walking by can stop an view the action on the projector through its open patio lining the sidewalk. Johnson said that vibe is a big part of their success and has helped build a loyal patronage. The allure goes past the wings, burgers and beer, it\u2019s the feelings imbedded in the memories while watching sports history unfold inside Legends.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got great food, great service, I love our location in the heart of Belmont Shore,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cBut I think there\u2019s a bit of nostalgia being the first modern sports bar in America, there\u2019s definitely a nostalgia that goes with that. There\u2019s been so many great games viewed in that location that there\u2019s kind of an ambiance that you don\u2019t get in other locations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"macandcheese\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/macandcheese.JPG\")
The eatery’s signature Mac and Cheetos\u2014a monstrous concoction of a home made four-cheese sauce, pasta and a crushed Flaming Hot Cheetos topper\u2014had already gained the Attic local notoriety. It\u2019s such a hit, in fact, it has its own emoji and a line of t-shirts and tank tops. Massis said he never envisioned its success, and that his intention was to put a spin on the classic that traditionally uses bread crumbs. When he opened the restaurant he didn\u2019t think that it would become the flagship of the Attic.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"friedchickenbenedict\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/friedchickenbenedict.JPG\")
If you\u2019re an early riser and you\u2019re craving a Reuben at\u00a08AM, no problem. Had a long night on the town and want chicken fried benedict at\u00a03:30PM? The Attic has your back. Not only does it serve breakfast until\u00a04PM\u00a0everyday, but it\u2019s staff wont judge you for ordering a burger with a Bloody Mary (with a short rib garnish) for breakfast. And the vibe, Massis said, is tough to beat. \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Best Burger in Long Beach
<\/em>By Jason Ruiz\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"WorkingClassChianinaBurger\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/WorkingClassChianinaBurger.jpg\")
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<\/em>By Asia Morris\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"thecaffeinatedkitchen\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/thecaffeinatedkitchen.JPG\")
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<\/strong>Best Bar to Watch Sports in Long Beach
<\/em>By Jason Ruiz\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"legendssportsbar\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/legendssportsbar.jpg\")
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![\"Stache](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Stache_Bar_outside.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/The_Old_Fashioned.JPG\")
The drink, of course, is just one of many cocktails patrons can choose from, and it’s this craft and unique experience that bar owner Brett Gallo thinks brings people to The Stache Bar.<\/p>\n