11:00am | On September 21 and 22 from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm, Taste of Downtown returns to Pine Avenue with two evenings of food and festivities. Hosted by the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA), Taste of Downtown will take place on Pine Avenue at Broadway and feature cuisine from two dozen Downtown Long Beach restaurants.
 
The popular Taste of Downtown series, which takes place three times each year, wraps up for 2011 with this Pine Avenue event. Yo Pitzy Jug Band will perform both nights, filling Downtown with festive music as guests feast under the stars on signature dishes from some of Downtown’s favorite restaurants.
 
Participants at this year’s Pine Avenue event include: Alegria, Alondra Hot Wings, Auld Dubliner, Beachwood BBQ & Brewing, Berlin, Buono’s Authentic Pizza, Cold Stone, Fresh Kabobs, Gaucho Grill, George’s Greek Café, Gladstone’s, Kabob Curry, La Creperie, L’Opera, Mabel’s Gourmet Pralines, Madison, Octopus, Parkers’ Lighthouse, Pinkberry, Reef Restaurant, Shannon’s On Pine, Sky Room/Wine Down Lounge, Taco Beach and more.
 
“This Taste of Downtown event marks the end of the series for this year,” said DLBA President and CEO Kraig Kojian. “It’s an excellent opportunity for people to taste amazing dishes from a variety of Downtown’s favorite restaurants while mingling with friends, neighbors and coworkers.”
 
Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.downtownlongbeach.org or at the event for $1 each (or 12 for $10, and 24 for $20). Each restaurant will redeem tickets in exchange for a sample-sized serving of their signature dish(es). Those who purchase a pack of 24 tickets will receive one complimentary ticket to the Aquarium of the Pacific (while supplies last), valid any day until September 1, 2012.
 
For more information please call (562) 436-4259 or visit www.downtownlongbeach.org.