{"id":3536,"date":"2014-02-12T18:11:43","date_gmt":"2014-02-12T18:11:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/food\/despite-impeccable-food-chianina-battles-business-loss-as-it-awaits-alcohol-license\/"},"modified":"2014-02-12T18:11:43","modified_gmt":"2014-02-12T18:11:43","slug":"despite-impeccable-food-chianina-battles-business-loss-as-it-awaits-alcohol-license","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/food\/despite-impeccable-food-chianina-battles-business-loss-as-it-awaits-alcohol-license","title":{"rendered":"Despite Impeccable Food, Chianina Battles Business Loss As It Awaits Alcohol License"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Chianina01\"<\/p>\n

The details of Chianina\u2019s spectacular food\u2014the subtlety of thinly sliced red jalape\u00f1o added on top of avocado-wrapped dungeness crab, the hint of salt amidst an otherwise perfectly housemade honey roll\u2014should supersede the fact that the institution still doesn\u2019t have a legal bar. But a run-in with the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has left the much-hyped Italian steakhouse without a “Bring Your Own Booze” policy and hours far more limited than originally anticipated.<\/p>\n

The creation of Long Beach culinary master Michael Dene, Chianina was Dene\u2019s attempt at providing a sibling down the street from his famed Michael\u2019s on Naples: a high-end, no-apologies Italian ristorante that caters to those who want the best cuts of meat not just in the States, but in the world. Dene, after all, is bringing Italy\u2019s famed chianina cattle\u2014Italy\u2019s answer to Japan\u2019s kobe\u2014to a farm in Iowa<\/a> just for his new endeavor.<\/p>\n

Both Dene and manager Alejandro Duran knew that, going into their opening last December, diners prefer their food with wine and cocktails. What they were not prepared for was the ABC storming into their business for allowing patrons to bring their own alcohol while they waited for the City to approve their own liquor license.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of us knew it was illegal\u2014and we\u2019ve been in the restaurant business for years and have seen it in every city we\u2019ve worked in,\u201d Duran said, who was brought in from Austin to head Chianina. \u201cBut the ABC told us it doesn\u2019t strictly enforce it and goes on a don\u2019t-ask-don\u2019t-tell basis\u2014and apparently, someone told.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Chianina02\"Chianina\u2014which was left without a liquor license after the owner of the building’s former restaurant took his with him following closure\u2014saw its opening weeks bustling<\/a>. Patrons, unfettered by having to bring their own bottles, came in with Silver Oaks and Paolo Manzones from their own collections while enjoying what could arguably become the best steaks in south Los Angeles County.<\/p>\n

But the ABC infraction was a major hit to Chianina. After they were told they could no longer offer a BYOB policy, the restaurant was forced to decrease its operation hours and layoff 25 employees.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve no idea how hard it to tell 25 people,\u201d said Executive Chef Dave Coleman, \u201c25 people whom you just trained, you just spent time developing a concept with, that they have to go. After three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, the steakhouse is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and only for three hours every evening, a devastating loss of business for Chianina, whose owner’s other restaurants have put Long Beach on the national culinary map.<\/p>\n

Still, as Chianina awaits its alcohol license and its operators lament their loss in employees and patrons, the steakhouse continues to churn out impeccable food\u2014the kind of culinary expertise that resulted in Michael\u2019s on Naples being named the best Italian restaurant in Los Angeles County by Zagat\u2014<\/a>and is preparing for a busy Valentine’s Day weekend. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe can offer you the finest 2014 vintage sparking water,\u201d Duran joked, \u201cBut in all honesty, we believe our Valentine Day\u2019s menu will be among the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the day of love, the steakhouse will offer a four-course prix fixe<\/em> menu filled with choices  ranging from decadent\u2014squid ink spaghetti with a buttery uni sauce and sliver of fresh uni on top\u2014to the downright traditional\u2014an 8oz filet mignon paired with gnocchi and forest mushrooms.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe won\u2019t stop making beautiful food,\u201d Coleman said. \u201cAnd once we do open that bar, Long Beach won\u2019t know what hit \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chianina is located at 5716 E 2nd Street and offers regular dinner service Friday through Sunday from 6PM to 9PM. They are now accepting reservations for their Valentine’s Day prix fixe meal; for reservations, call 562-434-2333 or click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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