Nov 24

How about A CHEF’S TASTING? Here are 13 Restaurants For a Chef’s tasting in the 908!

The holidays are always a perfect excuse to have a special outing, and happily, Long Beach has an appreciable amount of “let’s go someplace nice” restaurants.

Looking for a memorable dining experience during the holidays? I love delicious food and I love it even more when the chef has curated the meal! Enter the prix fixe menu – a dining experience consisting of several courses. Each course has a set item or you may have a few to choose from, chosen by the Chef at a fixed price for the meal. Enjoy!

Bar Becky

3860 Worsham Ave. Unit 330, 90808 | barbecky.com | IG @barbeckylbx

This casual upscale restaurant located at LBX presents chef-driven creations featuring the freshest produce from local farmers and artisan producers.

Tasting Menus:

Three-course prix fixe menu featuring amazing pastas and traditional sauces is available nightly.

$38 per person.

The Chef's Counter Menu is an intimate farmers market-driven tasting menu with seven courses. Six seats at the counter available at fixed seating times on Friday and Saturday. $125 per person.

A four-course vegetarian tasting menu is offered once a month. Seven different vegetable offerings, often with two different pastas and their scratch focaccia.

New Year's Eve will have a luxurious 7-course tasting menu featuring lobster, caviar and more, as well as, a sparkling wine toast to kick off the celebration featuring Champagne Philipponnat.

All events can be found at e xploretock.com/barbecky.

Chez Bacchus

743 E. 4th St, 90802 | chezbacchus-lb.com | IG @chezbacchus_longbeach

After making our reservation, we asked if there was a dress code. The host laughed and said, “This is Long Beach.” Chef Bacchus is a juxtaposition of elegance and comfort. White tablecloths greet you in the airy dining room. It’s unpretentious fine dining focused on seasonality and of course, wine.

Upcoming Tasting Experiences:

Thanksgiving Dinner (11/28) - Celebrate Thanksgiving with a delicious feast and warm company.

Christmas Eve Dinner (12/24) - Enjoy a festive dinner filled with holiday flavors.

New Year’s Eve Dinner (12/31) - Ring in the New Year with a gourmet dinner and celebratory toast.

Weekend Afternoon Tea (every Saturday & Sunday, 12pm-3pm) - A beautifully set table adorned with fine china and fresh flowers, Afternoon Tea features an array of freshly baked scones, sandwiches, delectable pastries, and a variety of gourmet teas.

Photo of Ellie’s courtesy of Islett Agency

Ellie’s & Ginger’s

204 Orange Ave, 90802 | ellieslbc.com | IG @ellies_lbc

Ellie’s provides warm, homey vibes in their indoor and outdoor dining areas. Inspired by Southern Italian cuisine, the menu offers handmade pastas and curated ingredients from local farmers, fisherman, and butchers.

Monday Supper: Every other Monday, the restaurant offers a 4-course prix fixe seasonal menu. Check their website for menu and dates.

$38 per person.

Walk through the red door, pass the kitchen pantry and enter… Ginger’s. A very intimate communal dining experience where lit candles and elegant dining ware are displayed at the twelve-seat table. Seatings are 7pm, Thursday through Saturdays for the 6-7 course prix fixe tasting menu.

$75 per person.

Photo of Heritage courtesy of Islett Agency

Heritage & Heritage Farm

Heritage: 2032 E. 7th St, 90804

Heritage Farm: 1336 Gladys Ave, 90804

heritagerestaurant.fullbellyfoodgroup.com

IG @heritage.lb & @heritagefarm.lb

Set in a converted craftsman-style home, Heritage presents a relaxed dining experience with delicious food and wonderful service. Sustainability, seasonality, and locally sourced ingredients drive the menu. The 9-step chef’s tasting highlights top-notch ingredients, often including produce sourced from their nearby farm.

$150 per person.

Located about one mile from Heritage, Heritage Farm provides both a beautiful, green outdoor dining area along with an open, spacious indoor barn-aesthetic.

Upcoming event: Radiant + Heritage Beer Dinner (11/22, 6pm-9pm), a three-course plated meal in the garden with beer pairings from Radiant Beer Co. $100 per person.

Marlena

5854 E. Naples Plaza, 90803

marlena-longbeach.com | IG @marlena_longbeach

Enjoy dining al fresco in Marlena’s beautiful covered patio that is both cozy and upscale. The restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes with wood-fired flavors and will offer a 3-course prix fixe menu for New Year's Eve. And if you have room for second dessert, try their Burnt Basque Cheesecake. New York-style? Nah, I’m a convert.

Photo of Michael’s courtesy of Vision Design Studio

Michael’s on Naples

5620 2nd St, 90803 | michaelsonnaples.com

IG @michaelsonnaples

For a memorable dining experience inside or upstairs on their gorgeous rooftop deck, Michael’s on Naples offers several tasting menus that are updated seasonally. Guests may choose from the Chef’s Tasting Menu ($95 per person) and their Pasta Tasting Menu ($75 per person), both are available nightly and include 5-courses plus an appetizer that highlight their from-scratch recipes.

Michael’s also offers a weekly Farmer’s Market Dinner with 3-courses plus an appetizer serving local flavors and seasonal produce. Every Wednesday, 5pm-9pm. $45 per person.

Sushi Nikkei

3819 Atlantic Ave, 90807 | 5020 2nd St, 90803

sushinikkei-la.com | @sushinikkei_la

With two locations (Belmont Shore and Bixby Knolls), enjoy a laid-back dining experience with unexpected flavor combinations you may not usually find in sushi. Nikkei is the fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine that goes back for generations.

From the menu, look for the “Special Tasting” section. You will find three tastings - Sushi Nikkei Tasting, Bluefin Tuna Tasting, and Sashimi Tasting - that will leave your taste buds in awe.

The Attic

3441 E. Broadway, 90803 | theatticonbroadway.com

IG @theatticonbroadway

Housed in an eclectic craftsman-style home, The Attic provides a warm, welcoming experience much like spending time in your best friend’s house… but one that cooks up delicious Southern-inspired cuisine!

Tasting Experiences:

Supper Club is a communal dining experience available Friday and Saturday nights. Eight seats inside their elegant private dining room.

$75 per person.

"Southern Nights" at The Attic is a prix fixe seasonal menu that is a tribute to the South. Available on Friday and Saturday nights, ends November 23rd.

$55 per person.

The Attic At Home Thanksgiving Dinner. For some, not cooking on Thanksgiving is something to be thankful for. Pre-order this take-home traditional dinner for 4-6 people for $295.

Union

1395 Coronado Ave, 90804 | unionlb.com

IG @unionlbc

Union is within Compound, an amazing space for creativity and wellness in all forms: contemporary art exhibitions, immersive experiences, classes and workshops in the healing arts, and dining.

Union Supper Club Dinner Series is a monthly event to promote collaboration and community in the culinary arts.

On November 14th, celebrate with a "Friendsgiving" themed dinner. December 12th is scheduled for the Supper Club Series with details to be announced. Visit the website for more information.

Vino e Cucina

4501 E. Carson St (on Norse Way), Ste 105, 90808

vinoecucinalb.com | @vinoecucinalb

Located in Norse Way Village, Vino e Cucina serves authentic Italian cuisine with seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes in a warm atmosphere.

A weekly guided Wine Tasting Dinner for 10-12 guests at the bar counter provides guests with five exquisite wines paired with delectable Italian dishes crafted to perfection.

Due to the popularity of the wine tastings, you must subscribe to their mailing list, wait for the invitation and make the reservation via email. Customized private group Wine Tastings (minimum 8 people) may also be reserved.

Wood & Salt Tavern

4262 Atlantic Ave, 90807 | woodsalt.com

IG @wood_salt_tavern

Dark furnishings and vibrant plants form this stylish tavern that specializes in handcrafted pasta, grilled meats and locally sourced ingredients. Special tasting events and cocktail pairings are a monthly feature.

For a not-so-traditional Thanksgiving meal, take home their Thanksgiving Family Dinner to share with the closest people in your life.

Serves 4-6 for $155.

Check their website to view upcoming tasting events.