Long Beach: Hole in the Wall Breakfast Restaurants

Long Beach has a plethora of great restaurants, steak houses, seafood restaurants, and a number of restaurants featuring international cuisine.  While we love to go out to eat at a fine dining restaurant, sometimes we are looking for a Mom and Pop hole in the wall restaurant and what better meal than to eat it at than breakfast!

And just to be clear, hole in the wall doesn’t mean bad … it means GOOD!  Here are a few spots serving breakfast near your apartment in Long Beach.

Babe’s Kitchen

1106 E Wardlow Road
Long Beach, CA 90807

You know you are in a locally owned place when you walk in and see the mustached owner, Babe behind the grill and spam and eggs is one of the first items on the laminated menu.  Babe’s serves home style breakfast items, delicious, from scratch made desserts and incredible home made jams and jellies.  They only take cash and checks and can get busy!

Hours: Monday through Friday 5:30 am to 2:00 pm, Saturday 6:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sunday 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Tito’s Bakery

1107 E 4th St
Long Beach, CA 90802

This tiny little Mexican bakery is hardly fancy, but it is delicious!  Tito’s has a nice selection of pastries and a handful of breakfast items on their menu on the wall, but you can order other items at any time.

Hours: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, 7 days a week.

Check Out Dine Out Long Beach this February

If you have been thinking about trying a new restaurant near your Long Beach apartment, now is the time. Long Beach restaurants will be participating in Dine Out Long Beach presented by Gazette Newspapers. This week-long celebration of local restaurants offers great value and let’s you try a new restaurant every day of the week. From brunch and lunch to 3-course dinners, it has never been easier to try a new restaurant.

The week starts off on Saturday, February 18th with Chef’s Cooking & Tasting at Friedman’s Appliances on Spring Avenue. Come on down from 11am to 4pm (last demonstration at 3) to learn and taste from some of Long Beach’s best chefs.

Over 40 Long Beach restaurants will be participating with special prix-fixe menus starting at $10.

Participating restaurants include:
– James Republic
– Ocean Market Grill
– Playa Amor
– Sweet Dixie Kitchen
– Brix at The Shore
– Michael’s On Naples
– Papalucci’s
– Russo’s Ristorante
– The Crooked Duck
– E.J. Malloy’s Bixby Knolls
– Roe Seafood
– Café Sevilla
– Panxa Cocina
– Tantalum
– Fuego at Hotel Maya
– Kihon Japanese Tapas + Sushi
– Michael’s Pizzeria Naples Island
– Chianina Steakhouse
– Open Sesame
– Michael’s Pizzeria Downtown Long Beach
– Utopia
– Sip Bar + Lounge at The Renaissance
– Louisiana Charlies
– Buono’s Pizzeria
– Honduras Kitchen
– Urban Table
– Naples Rib Company
– Rance’s Chicago Pizza
– Beer Belly
– Padre
– Great Society Cider & Mead
– Pike Bar & Restaurant
– Restauration
– VUE Bar + Restaurant (at the Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport)
– Taste Wine-Beer-Kitchen
– L’Opera
– Gladstone’s Long Beach
– King’s Fish House
– Spicy Sugar
– At Last Cafe

Dine Out Long Beach Website

Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas

Are you still trying to figure out what to do for  Valentine’s Day with your special someone? The big day is fast approaching, but we have you covered with these great Valentine’s Day celebration ideas.

Sip a Martini

There is something enticing about that romantic elixir, the martini!  Sweep your loved one off their feet at these martini bars, voted the best in Long Beach.

The Federal Bar

102 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

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The Sky Room

40 S Locust Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

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A Great Steak Dinner

Even if you don’t typically eat steak, for many of us, a special dinner  just calls for a delicious, juicy steak. Here are a few of the best, located not far from your apartment in Long Beach.

Queensview Steakhouse

435 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802

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Chianina Steakhouse

5716 E 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803

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Indulge in Decadent Chocolate

Treat your sweet one to some delectable chocolate at these local chocolatiers.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate

419 Shoreline Village Drive # F, Long Beach, CA 90802

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Anandamide: Psychedelicatessen

2040 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

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Where to Watch the Super Bowl in Long Beach

It’s that time of year again, where those of us infatuated with football, throw inhibition to the wind and indulge in chicken wings, beer and cheer loudly for their favorite team or commercial!

Here are a few of the best spots to watch Super Bowl 51  near your Long Beach apartment.

Yard House

401 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802

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Great chain restaurants, large TVs, great craft brews and good food!

Dempsey’s Sports Bar & Grill

3583 N Los Coyotes Diagonal, Long Beach, CA 90808

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This local sports bar will fill up fast and be fun!

The Auld Dubliner

The Pike Outlets, 71 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

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This Irish pub has plenty of TVs and good pub food!

These great sports bars will be offering drink and food specials on Sunday!  The game is between the New England Patriots and the Atlant Falcons, it starts at 3:40 PST, but get there early for the best viewing!

Fun Long Beach Night Spots

Image result for young adults doing karaokeYou deserve to get out and have some fun!  That is why we have put together the ultimate list of the best spots to have some fun, all near your Long Beach apartment.

Muldoon’s Saloon

5646 N Paramount Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90805

Muldoon’s is under new management and more fun than ever! They have daily specials, pool tables, darts and lots of tvs to watch your favorite team!  Check it out!

Coopers House of Brewmasters

4823 Paramount Blvd
Lakewood, CA 90712

Karaoke, taco Tuesdays, great beers on tap, plenty of TVs and daily specials, what more could you ask for?

Daly’s Cocktails

2620 E South St
Long Beach, CA 90805

If you like local dive bars with pool tables, TV and great drinks, then you may want to visit Daly’s Cocktails! Happy Hour specials are daily from 4-8pm with $2 draft beers, $2 domestic bottles and $2 well drinks. There’s also free pool every day so be sure to stop by with your friends!

The Best Spots to Watch NYE Fireworks

Image result for long beach nye fireworksRing in the New Year with a bang this year by watching the legendary New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular in Long Beach!

The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary is the top spot to catch the Long Beach Fireworks Spectacular!  Dine, dance, or spend the night on the Queen Mary!

LB Waterfront Restaurants

There are a number of great waterfront restaurants that offer great views of the fireworks display.  Pike, Parker’s Lighthouse, and Gladstone’s are just a few!  Call to make reservations.

New Year’s Eve Cruise

California King Yachts will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Cruise with live music, fully-stocked bar and the ideal way to view the firework show.

 

Tips to Throw an Impromptu Holiday Party

Image result for Holiday Party FoodYou have decided to throw an impromptu holiday party at your Long Beach apartment, but aren’t sure where to start?  Here are some great tips.

Start with the bar!  A good holiday party starts with a well stocked bar.  Use a serving tray or kitchen island, have wine and spirits, citrus, glass and ice.  Add a drink bucket with non-alcoholic drinks, water, and beer!

Don’t forget the snacks!  Nuts, cheese, crackers, olives, store bought dip and bread twists make perfect snacks.

Already Made Food! Order Chinese food or head to your local food or gourmet store for easy take out. The frozen food section of your local store has some great appetizer options that are quick to prepare.

Sweet Desserts! Your local bakery is a great source for holiday desserts, you can also buy some gourmet chocolate and place it in a bowl or tray for a delicious, easy dessert.

Music!  Pick up a few holiday CDs or arrange a holiday set with great classics and new twists on holiday food.

Pot Luck! Another option is to ask your guests to bring food to your party.

 

 

 

Where to See the Brightest Lights in LB

Image result for long beach canals christmasCelebrating the holidays in LB has never been this bright!  All across the city people are celebrating the most wonderful season of all with spectacular light displays!

Here is a list of holiday light displays sure to make your holiday a bit brighter.

Christmas Tree Lane, Long Beach
Daisy Avenue between Willow Street & Pacific Coast Highway
The parade is on the 10th at 5pm, but the lights will be twinkling all season!  Come out and enjoy lighted and decorated trees, music and more jolly fun in the 63rd year of this Long Beach tradition.
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Canals of Naples, Long Beach

Bundle up and take a gondola ride through Long Beach’s canal system.  View brightly decorated homes along the waterfont and view the Queen Mary in all its holiday splendor.

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Venice Canals – Marina del Rey

We know you have your own canals near your Long Beach apartment, but the spectacle in Venice is worth the drive!  In typically eccentric Venice Beach style, the homes along the canal are sure to wow you this Christmas season.

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Thanksgiving Leftover Tips

Image result for turkey salad with cranberriesYou hosted Thanksgiving at your Long Beach apartment and despite careful planning and next day turkey sandwiches, you still have heaps left over.  Rather than throw it out try these innovative and easy turkey leftover recipes.

Turkey Salad

Dice the turkey and chop sage, rosemary, thyme, and mayonnaise, add dried cranberries!

Stuffing Muffins

If you have left over stuffing and gravy,  add a bit of gravy to the bottom of a muffin tin and then scoop in some stuffing!  These delicious muffins absorb the gravy and are delicious as a side or snack!

Turkey Tom Kha Gai

This spicy Thai coconut soup recipe is delicious and a great way to use leftovers

Recipe

Take the Stairs

Image result for Take the Stairs

If you are looking for ways to improve your overall health without joining a gym, try taking the stairs.

Here are a few reasons why taking the stairs instead of an elevator can make a big difference in your health and fitness.

Climbing the stairs burns more calories per minute than jogging.

Stair climbing helps build muscle tone.

Exercise in general has been known to help boost the immune system, climbing the stairs rather than riding in a crowded elevator puts you at less risk of catching a cold or the flu!

Taking the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator gives you a bit more time to relax and slow down in another wise hectic day.

If you don’t have stairs at work use the stair master at the fitness center at your Long Beach apartment.