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.
Support the first annual Long Beach Filipino Festival by digging into an all-you-can-eat Filipino food buffet and fundraiser this Saturday. “Taste of the Philippines” will take place at Dan Pressburg’s house, manager of the Deforest Park Neighborhood Association, from 3:00PM to 6:00PM. Guests can also expect live performances by Dylin Rodrigo, a Filipino American youth singer, and a ballroom dancing demonstration. Check out the Facebook event for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/LocalizeLB/posts/10155704419742933
Acapulco Inn, a Belmont Shore bar known for reeling in the local college crowd and offering up a rowdy good time, has closed its doors following an eviction notice posted to its window on April 5, reported LongBeachize and a handful of Yelpers. Gone are the days of guzzling down a pitcher in your flip flops, hell bent on beating your buddies during a heated game of shuffleboard.
The exact reason the bar’s oldest owner, Don Heckman, who partnered with Tracy and Dina Alcantar and Artistrides “Hawaiian Bob” Gascon to take over operations several years ago, is shuttering the bayside joint is unclear. Although with the legendary 2nd Street bike and skate shop, Jones Bicycles, closing up shop after more than a century in business, it’s easy to factor in rising rent as a possible cause for eviction after “AI”’s more than 60 years as a go-to dive bar in the shore.
Eater LA reported Thursday that the owners of Hollywood bar Black will open a second iteration of Black in May at the now-shuttered Paradise Bar and Restaurant in Long Beach. Former professional skateboarder Heath Kirchart and partners Shannon McManus and Bethany Black, who have both worked for Johnny Depp’s Viper Room, plan to maintain the location’s Long Beach vibe and will offer all-day hours with cocktails and a small plates menu, according to Eater.
Photo from Taqueria La Venganza.
4th Street Vine will host The Long Beach Vegan Social this Saturday from noon to 5:00PM, featuring vegan food by Oakland-based Taqueria La Venganza, Compton Vegan, Getting Caked and Anima apparel with music by DJs Lissy Suede and Nelson Rome.
Police Searching for Suspects in North Long Beach Taco Restaurant Robbery
Five ski-masked men robbed a taco restaurant Wednesday in the 5800 block of Cherry Avenue. Long Beach police are still searching for the robbers, who put guns to the heads of employees and made off with several hundred dollars in cash and a few phones. While no description of the suspects was released, Monica Rochin, whose family runs the restaurant, said they left in a newer Honda Civic-type car.
Those heading to the track this weekend may or may not be pleased to know that Coors Light is the Official Domestic Beer of the 2018 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, with Modelo Especial as the Official Import Beer and Ballast Point the Official Craft Beer of the 44th annual event. CEO Jim Michaelian stated “partnerships with robust companies like MillerCoors and Constellation will assist in the promotion of the Grand Prix throughout the region.”
Bar Rescue Episode Transforms Bug-Infested Liquid Lounge Into The Tidal Bay Beach Bar
Paramount Network’s “Bar Rescue” will premiere its “Back to the Bar” special on Sunday, April 15 at 10:00PM, featuring Cal Heights bar Lona’s City Limits Cantina. This isn’t the first time a Long Beach bar-in-need has appeared on the show, with an episode last year featuring the infamous Liquid Lounge.
“Back to the Bar” features host Jon Taffer and a live studio audience as they reminisce on the memorable personalities and moments of “Bar Rescue.” Newly released footage shows Taffer’s experts checking in with previously rescued bars, including Lona’s, where Taffer “attempts to convince the stubborn owner[…]to stop using canned meat in her bar food.”
https://www.facebook.com/erwin.papa.1/posts/1917347931629011
Head to Rebel Bite on Wednesday, April 18 for Ink & Drink, a night dedicated to drawing, drinking and eating with some rad local artists, including Long Beachers Bodeck Hernandez and Sean Kirkland. Rebel Bite, located at 649 East Broadway, serves ribs, wings, pizza, burgers and more.
Taste of Downtown Returns with East Village Kick Off Featuring Mixology Sessions by Padre
The Downtown Long Beach Alliance recently announced that its popular Taste of Downtown series will return with an East Village iteration on April 25 and 26. Admission is free and tasting tickets are only $1. The first in a three-part series, the two-day foodie-friendly event will feature not only an array of bites from downtown restaurants to try, but will also have mixology sessions from Latin-themed restaurant and bar, Padre.
https://www.facebook.com/longbeachbusinessjournal/photos/a.151016934916660.24854.143909258960761/1895727653778904/?type=3&theater
Those looking to experience The Sky Room at the top of the historic Breakers Hotel should make their reservations now, as the restaurant, as well as Cielo Rooftop Bar, will close on April 30, the Long Beach Business Journal shared in a Facebook post Thursday. In December 2017 the publication reported that the historic building would be fully restored after being acquired by Pacific6, a local partnership including former Molina Healthcare CFO John Molina.