Photo courtesy of Creative Crepes.

Is Long Beach vying to become the vegan capital of the region?

2017 seems to be the year it wants to do so: following the announcement of joints like OC-based vegan supershop Seabirds moving onto Retro Row and a handful of other vegan options coming, it appears that joining Under the Sun at 3rd and Long Beach Blvd. will be Plant Junkie at 440 Pine, a joint solely focused on providing plant-based protein dishes, shakes, and snacks. Given the plethora of gyms and crossfit zones nearby, it should be a perfect fit.

Joining Plant Junkie will be famed local chocolatier Romeo Chocolates headed by Romeo Garcia. An avid traveler and student, the Beligum-trained Romeo brings home distinct flavors (like his Special Dark 70% El Salvador with roasted almonds bonbon) and techniques to combine into his chocolates.

Like his pie-lovin’ neighbor next door, Romeo Chocolates started inside Romeo’s own kitchen. Up until his shop opens right next to Pie Bar, Romeo works as a cottage business, which allows artisanal makers to produce certain approved food and goods at home. Under this law, there is a different type of permitting that does not require a commercial kitchen as long as the Health Department visits and approves of the home kitchen, food preparation, and packaging. As long as all items are sealed and packaged, these goods can be sold with retail partners.

Meanwhile, the foodie revolution in DTLB continues: Creative Crepes will be moving into the still-in-renovation City Place development, offering savory and sweet crepes along with Poke Cat (joining Poki Star and Poke Bar just down the street), Party Monkey (an acai bowl joint), and Table 301, a concept from Signal Hill’s Delius restaurant.