Featured photo courtesy of Blair Cohn of BKBIA.
Welcome to Foodie Friday, our biweekly report on the latest neighborhood nosh and local libation news in Long Beach, where every other week we’ll feature what’s happening in the scene and the latest buzz in the blogosphere about the best places to eat, drink and be merry.
Southwestern restaurant Panxa Cocina has concocted a must-try tequila and mezcal program for the rest of this month and May. Starting today and through May 5 Casa Noble Tequila Week will bring three specialty cocktails using Casa Noble tequila. On Cinco de Mayo from noon to 3:00PM, tasters of Casa Noble Tequila will be handed out at the bar, and on May 10 during Panxa’s tequila takeover night, $5 Casa Noble cocktails, $5 tacos, a rare bottle raffle, all accompanied by a DJ.
Liberation Brewing CEO Dan Regan poses for a photo during a soft opening April 19. Photo by Stephanie Rivera.
Liberation Brewing in Bixby Knolls will officially open its doors May 3—weeks after numerous soft openings for different crowds, said CEO Dan Regan.
“I’m really proud of the beer. It feels good to be proud of making something and to be a part of such an awesome community,” Regan told the Post during a soft opening hosted last Thursday for the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement District. “This is what life’s all about, friends and neighbors and having a scene.”
Liberation Brewing is located at 3630 Atlantic Avenue. For more information click here.
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For the past two weeks pastry chef Kristin Colazas Delfs has been feeding Rose Park Roasters’ Monday crowd with her hand crafted baked goods. @kcolossus is a Rose Park veteran, having worked at the coffee house before taking off to gain more experience training in Michelin star restaurants throughout California. Now, the self-described grain enthusiast is working on her own project, with the start of @colossusbread.
Starbucks announced last week that it’s going to close more than 8,000 company-owned stores across the country the afternoon of May 29 to conduct a “racial-bias education geared toward preventing discrimination in our stores,” following public outcry at the arrests of two black men sitting in a Philadelphia Starbucks.
The Pie Bar is hosting “Cinco de Pie-O” with pie tacos, pie churros, margarita pie shots, party buckets of Coronas and beer and wine specials. Stop by the downtown Long Beach location (or their newest shop in Glendale) to indulge, as well as break in the new parklet, anytime between noon to 10:00PM. Click here for more info.
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Made-to-order, fresh Mediterranean food is now being offered in Long Beach’s North Alamitos Beach neighborhood. The California Kabob Factory opened officially with a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month attended by Councilwoman Jeannine Pearce and has already garnered plenty of good reviews on Yelp. Described as serving “the best veggie bowl ever” to being deserving of “more than five stars,” you may have to look for parking, but this spot is definitely worth a try.
Do Good Donuts, Restauration and Vivace Pizzeria are all taking part in Babes in Business today during Fourth Fridays from 6:00PM to 10:00PM. Do Good Donuts and California Drifters boutique are celebrating their official grand openings during the block party, while Seventh Wave Surf Shop will commemorate their official re-opening and expanded space. Check out the Facebook event page here for more info.
Ambitious Ales has begun building out its brewery at 4019 Atlantic Avenue at the space where Tuttle’s Camera used to be. While we reported their intentions to achieve a summer opening in February, it looks like some major progress has indeed been made according to this photo posted to the Bixby Knolls Community group.
With a smoker “the size of a small Volkswagen” churning out fresh BBQ, Q Smokehouse soft opened in March at 300 South Pine Avenue offering “BBQ with a healthy spin” and even some vegetarian options, including jackfruit sliders, to mimic the taste of pulled pork sliders. The “healthy spin” includes not using MSG in their products and offering gluten-free options, a rarity when it comes to BBQ restaurants.
“People go to a BBQ to have a good time. It’s a fun food to eat. You get messy. It breaks down barriers, you take down your guard a bit,” said Owner Kurt Schneiter in a statement. “In the South, the food is simple, and it is all about flavor. We’re bringing that great traditional BBQ flavor here in a healthier way. There’s no reason that you can’t eat meat and do it in a healthy way.”
LongBeachize takes a jab at the wealthy in this pithy review of Ellie’s new spring menu, featuring drool-worthy photos of a colorful dish containing burrata and roasted heirloom tomatoes with black garlic, a creamy agnolotti with melted leeks, chèvre and more. Brian Addison praises Chef Jason Witzl’s passion for sauces, a testament to the city’s flourishing culinary scene and the understated southern Italian, Alamitos Beach eatery.
Head to The Hangout on Retro Row on May 10 for an evening of food, beer and live music to benefit Miller Children’s Hospital. In partnership with Amgen Tour of California, this one-night-only event will bring out locals and visiting pro riders to mingle for $75 a person during “Wish you were beer.” Visit the link here for tickets and more info.
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) recently announced it will host a craft beer fest in June offering the chance to try dozens of craft beers from local breweries including Angel City Brewery, Norwalk Brew House, Big Boys Brewing and more. Tasting myriad brews will be accompanied by music from Los Angeles-based psychedelic band, Healing Gems, and food for purchase. Tickets start at $35 with a discounted price for museum members. Check out the Facebook event page here for tickets and more info.