Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

by Amanda Knoles

AKI SUSHI BAR AND BAI PLU THAI RESTAURANT
1626 East Seventh Street
Long Beach, CA
(562) 436-8180

Located near Long Beach State University, this laid-back restaurant features a sushi bar with chefs who delight in creating off the menu specialties for patrons who can’t decide what to order. Fresh fish is served up in myriad sushi, sashimi and roll selections, and there’s an extensive list of Thai dishes for those who prefer vegetarian or cooked entrees. Deep fried whole fish is featured frequently as the house special. Happy Hour offers select rolls for $5 plus discounted beer, wine and sake.

By Amanda Knoles

L’OPERA
101 Pine Avenue
Long Beach, CA
(562) 491-0066
Setting the standard for fine dining on Pine Avenue, this Northern Italian gem features an artsy décor and an attentive staff who go out of their way to make any occasion from a power lunch to an anniversary dinner a memorable event. There’s an extensive wine list to complement the gourmet menu featuring pasta, veal, pork, lamb, sausages, steak, and fresh fish prepared with contemporary Italian and European influenced sauces. Bison medallions wrapped in proscuitto and smothered in brandy sauce are a specialty along with ravioli stuffed with black truffles and wild mushrooms. The must-have dessert, Luna Piena, is a decadent white chocolate cheesecake featuring a dark chocolate cookie crust topped with fresh blackberries and blueberry sauce.

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By Amanda Knoles

FRENCHY’S BISTRO
4137 East Anaheim Street
Long Beach, CA
(562) 494-8787

Located in a strip mall neighboring an industrial area, this charming French bistro consistently gets kudos from food critics and boasts an army of loyal customers who rave about the friendly service, intimate atmosphere and menu featuring classic and nouvelle cuisine. Signature dishes include French onion soup, foie gras, crispy orange duck, braised lamb shank provencale, and pork tenderloin with potato custard and mustard sauce. Grand Marnier soufflé is the must-have dessert.

by Amanda Knoles

CAFÉ PICCOLO
3222 East Broadway
Long Beach, CA
(562) 438-1316
Specializing in Northern Italian cuisine with some Middle Eastern influences, Café Piccolo is perfect for those seeking a special night out without paying an exorbitant price. The enclosed outdoor patio surrounded by waterfalls and greenery is particularly charming at night when twinkling lights, flickering candles on the tables and two fire pits provide romantic ambience in an otherwise casual setting. On cooler days the indoor dining area provides comfortable seating and garden views in a room decorated with rich tones of red. Menu standouts include penne Antenello, shallots and porcini mushrooms in a cream sauce topped with chicken, veal Florentine, and black linguini with shrimp and calamari. Popular desserts are chocolate mousse cake and premium vanilla ice cream covered in raspberry or caramel sauce. Periodic wine dinners are $49.95 per person by reservation only.

by Amanda Knoles

LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE
6575 East Pacific Coast Highway
Long Beach, CA
(562) 594-8999
Located in the Marketplace Shopping Center just a few blocks from the Long Beach Marina, this family-friendly steakhouse features a down-home atmosphere with wood floors, a brick fireplace and lots of kitschy Texas memorabilia on the walls.
Specialties are affordably priced mesquite-grilled steak, barbecued ribs, and slow-roasted prime rib. Entrees and combo meals come with a huge lettuce wedge slathered in bleu cheese dressing, your choice of a loaded baked potato, cinnamon and brown sugar glazed sweet potato, or steak fries and all-you-can-eat home-baked dinner rolls. The big enough for sharing Texas Trio includes a generous sirloin steak, a barbecued chicken breast and crispy fried shrimp for $15.99. Several steak and rib entrees can be upgraded with fried shrimp for only $1.99, or add one-half pound of king crab legs or a grilled lobster tail for only $9. Trail lunches featuring gourmet burgers, steak sandwiches and a variety of salads range from $6.99-$9.99, or enjoy a meaty bowl of chili or steak soup for only $3.99. Two children (12 and under) eat free from the kids’ menu with the purchase of one adult entrée all day Tuesday and on Saturday from 11am-4pm. If you can find room for dessert, key lime pie, freshly baked fruit cobblers and New York style cheesecake are $3.99.

by Amanda Knoles
SHENANDOAH AT THE ARBOR
10631 Los Alamitos Boulevard
Los Alamitos, CA
(562) 431-1990
Long-time customers were sad when Shenandoah Cafe closed its Second Street site in Belmont Shore, but the new and improved location in nearby Los Alamitos provides a gorgeous setting to showcase the American regional cuisine. Easily mistaken for a residence from the outside, the restaurant interior offers the warmth of a plantation home, while the beautiful patio features huge mulberry trees, twinkling lights and a koi pond with a bridge and waterfall. Regulars can’t get enough of the complementary hot apple fritters, and the salads prepared tableside with fresh, creamy dressings are equally delicious. Menu standouts are the hickory smoked prime rib, Dallas chicken, and Cajun rib eye. Special wine tasting dinners are held frequently throughout the year.