Photo by Adam Brown

It started out as kind of a joke, a group of mom’s wondering if their kids could eat for free, every night of the week, in Long Beach and the surrounding areas. And it became a mission really…a small one, but a mission nonetheless, to find the restaurants in our area that have the option of a kids-eat-free night!

As with most anything these days, you may want to give these places a call first to make sure the deal is still going strong, but I have managed to find a place a night that you and the kids can dine! Make sure to read the fine print here too, there are a handful of these restaurants that kids-eat-free every night!  So sit back, relax and let my hunting pay off for your family!

Read the rest of Kids-Eat-Free Every Night in Long Beach!!

Finding a romantic restaurant for Valentine’s Day isn’t difficult in Long Beach. But with all the stress and pressure of this once-a-year love-fest, wouldn’t it be nice to have more than just dinner? How about a relaxing atmosphere where everything is taken care of? Prix Fixe dining is a wonderful indulgence. Let the Chef plan the menu and you and your sweetheart will be free to focus on more important things… like the bubbles in the Champagne.

Read the rest of Prix Fixe Romance: 8 Long Beach Restaurants for Valentine’s Day

Read the rest of Let The Good Times Roll at First Fridays in Bixby Knolls February 3rd

Read the rest of Cal Rep Questions Authority With ‘Quills’ a Sadistic Fable

Photo by Jim Forest

Free eBooks and downloadable audiobooks from the Long Beach Public Library will be showcased next month when the Digital Bookmobile National Tour comes to town. Find the Digital Bookmobile at the Second Saturday Art Walk, Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 4:00 – 10:00 pm, on Linden Avenue between East Broadway and East First Street, Downtown Long Beach.

Read the rest of Public Library eBooks to be Showcased at Second Saturday Art Walk Feb. 11

Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal

Residents and business are invited to attend the grand opening of Long Beach’s first parklet at Lola’s Mexican Cuisine, today, Friday, January 20th at Noon.  Long Beach is the first city in Southern California to approve the parklet concept.  Three restaurants have been permitted to construct a parklet in a parking space in front of their business. Each parklet will add approximately 20 additional seats to the respective restaurant and contribute to an active streetscape.  

Read the rest of Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal and Others Host Grand Opening of First Parklet in Southern California

Blackbird Cafe offers a tempting array of contemporary cuisine and Latin-inspired dishes.

Blackbird Cafe sits in California Heights in a building that doesn’t seem like it would have a restaurant inside of it. Nestled in next to computer repair shop and across from other businesses, there is a small waiting area outside that was full the day we ventured out.

We were sat quickly and the host was endearing and friendly. The menu itself was interesting, and contained several delicious looking items. It is almost impossible not to have your curiosity piqued by the Benedict list and while sitting there, you will notice so many delicious looking dishes being carried out, it becomes daunting to make a decision on what to order! 

Read the rest of Blackbird Cafe Spices Up Breakfast for Diners in California Heights

With their ticket, guests can soak up jazz in one of the ship’s historic salons, sing along to dueling pianos and dance to tunes ranging from the 70s and 80s to today’s Top 40. Entertainment includes the Mini Driver Band, Early McCallister Jazz Trio, Brian Kehlenbach and Jennifer Hart, Boogie Wonderland, Hollywood Squares among others, plus all-night sets by guest DJs. Performances will take place in venues throughout the ship and merrymakers are free to bounce from party to party as they wish.

This year the outer decks of the ship will be flooded for not one but two spectacular fireworks shows. From the Starboard side of the ship facing the city and Lighthouse Park, early birds will see a grand display at 9 p.m. The second showing will follow at the traditional midnight-hour.

Those wanting to experience the most luxurious celebration can book the Royal VIP Package. In addition to general admission into the ship’s seven parties, Royal VIP purchasers will enjoy exclusive access to a VIP party at the bow of the ship and an open bar from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., complimentary self-parking and a private viewing area for both fireworks shows.

Guests in attendance are encouraged make reservations for dinner at one of the ship’s signature restaurants. Sir Winston’s, Chelsea Chowder House & Bar and the Promenade Café will each feature early and late seatings and prix-fixe menus. Additionally, the ship’s Grand Ballroom Buffet will commence from 6-9 p.m. and feature a variety of regional and international favorites including carved prime rib, roasted salmon, chilled seafood and salad stations, and an over-the-top dessert selection. Dinner packages are per person and include one event ticket.

To start 2012 off right, the ship will also offer a Midnight Breakfast Buffet in the Promenade Café until noon on New Year’s Day as well as a special New Year’s Day Champagne Brunch beginning at 9 a.m. in the Grand Salon.

All are invited to make a stay out of the festivities by reserving a hotel and ticket package that includes overnight accommodations, two tickets to the New Year’s Eve celebration, New Year’s Day Champagne Brunch for two and a commemorative gift.

The Queen Mary’s New Year’s Eve ship-wide celebration is open to guests 21 years or older. Event tickets are available for $99 (parking additional). Royal VIP Package tickets are $199 per person, and overnight packages start at $579 per couple for a historic Stateroom. Signature dining packages are also available and menus and seating times may be viewed online. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.QueenMaryNYE.com or call (800) 437-2934.

The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach.

About the Queen Mary
Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary’s signature restaurants include the award-winning Sir Winston’s and Chelsea Chowder House & Bar as well as a weekly Champagne Sunday Brunch served in the ship’s Grand Salon. History buffs enjoy the ship’s museum and Behind the Scenes tour while guests of all ages love the Ghosts and Legends tour. The Queen Mary features 80,000 square feet of event space in 17 remarkable Art Deco salons as well as a tri-level, 45,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall. The Queen Mary boasts 314 staterooms spanning three decks including nine full suites which have hosted a variety of colorful characters from World War II leaders to British royalty and the stars of Hollywood’s golden era. For more information or for reservations, see www.queenmary.com or call (800) 437-2934.

It was the year after my mom and step-dad married and the first year that all the families would be sharing a holiday together. My mom announced early on that she would not cook for 22 people without a dishwasher. As the big day neared and the dishwasher still hadn’t arrived, Mom stated simply that she would just have to serve the Thanksgiving meals on paper plates. Dad was shocked that she could even suggest it. And the new dishwasher? Well, it arrived Thanksgiving morning.

Everyone has their own idea of the “perfect Thanksgiving” and for some that means not having to do the dishes! For those that prefer eating in a restaurant or picking up a catered dinner to take home, Long Beach has many restaurants willing to take care of all the cooking.

Read the rest of Thanksgiving meals: Restaurants to enjoy a holiday feast

Read the rest of El Pollo Imperial: High Altitude on Atlantic

“Increasing the number of smoke-free areas outdoors provides more healthful environments for families to enjoy in our City,” said Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal, who represents the 2nd District. “Smoke-free outdoor dining will make Long Beach a destination for those individuals who want to live healthy lives and enjoy outdoor dining while avoiding the health effects from tobacco products.”

Read the rest of Fresh Air Dining LB; New LB Health Department Program to Provide Smoke-Free Outdoor Dining Options

Ingredients for November include: Something Creative mobile art stations, jazz, bike portraits, glass blowers, belly dancers, henna, scavenger hunt, cake, photography, bikes, student musicians, DJs, jazz, swing, crooners & swooners, Timstrument, crafts, community drawing, face painting, First Books, piano man, Bixby Belle, and the Big Red Bus.

Read the rest of Five Years and Counting First Fridays Celebrates A Milestone

Read the rest of First Fridays Promises to “Raise the Spirits” Tonight in Bixby Knolls

Kashiwa has only been open about a month, and you can tell from the cleanliness when you enter. It is quiet, and welcoming with new tables, chairs, a beautiful yet small sushi bar, and very friendly servers. 

Read the rest of Kashiwa: The New Place for Sushi in Signal Hill

Read the rest of Long Beach Symphony Orchestra launches 2011-2012 “Vienna Nights” Classics Season

Read the rest of Cal Rep Explodes Into The 2011-12 Season With Part One of a Nuclear Double-Bill

Read the rest of Baba Ghanouj: Bixby’s Amazing Answer to the Middle Eastern Trend

Read the rest of DLBA Brings Live Music Series to Promenade Square Park

Read the rest of Forty Restaurants Participating in 2011 CARE to Dine

A diverse collection of Bluegrass music acts and variety entertainment will take the stage, including Frank Fairfield, Lonesome Otis, Wreck N Sow, Signal Hill Billy’s and more.  The whole familly will enjoy great food from local restaurants and the area’s best food trucks, at this one-of-a-kind community event.

Read the rest of Inaugural Rose Park Bluegrass Festival Set for August 21

Read the rest of Quench Your Thirst Along The Shoreline at The “Taste of Brews”

Read the rest of First Fridays Brings Hot August Knights To Bixby Knolls

The beef and chicken bowls at Rascals Teriyaki grill are great, but I keep coming back for the chicken salad.

It’s summer. It’s hot outside, you are busy running from one event to another! Every weekend is packed with stuff to do, and if you are like me, you aren’t cooking. Not that I have ever been the biggest chef, but it’s too hot to slave over a stove first of all, and secondly, I just don’t have the time. There are concerts in the park, parades, fairs and vacations that get in the way.

It is weather like this that makes me return to an old standby that never fails. Rascals Teriyaki grill has several local locations, mostly in the South Bay, but I frequent the Bellflower location now that I am a Long Beachian (is that the proper term?).

Read the rest of Rascals Teriyaki Grill: More Than Teriyaki

Shirley Muldowney

Shirley Muldowney, known as the First Lady of Drag Racing, will be the special guest at the Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo and Car Show on Saturday, July 9th.

Read the rest of “Cha Cha” Muldowney Fires Up at 6th Annual Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo and Car Show

Read the rest of Tonight Start The Holiday Weekend With an Evening at First Fridays