Business Beat: Here’s a look at new bars, restaurants and offerings in Long Beach

With so many new bars and restaurants opening in Long Beach, it’s nice to check in on some of our classic establishments in Long Beach.

Since 2007, Michaels on Naples has been a go-to dining experience,

Online reviews show the eatery has consistently great food, innovative cocktails and attentive service. Owner Michael Dene’s collaborative leadership style is reflected through his and general manager Massimo Aronne’s shared vision in the dining experience. Chef Eric Samaniego leads the kitchen and head bartender Jocelyn Jolley runs the bar.

Last week, I sampled the five new cocktail creations the bar staff has launched.

There are two on-tap options: “The Takeoff (On Tap)” is a new take on a paper plane cocktail, and the “Negroni (on Nitro)” is a twist on a classic negroni. Kegged cocktails have gained popularity in recent years as a trend within the beverage industry.

Other new creations include the Piano Forte, made with Botanist Gin, grapefruit liqueur and ginger; the Diamante, made with vodka and passion fruit liqueur; and Little Venice, made with Junipero gin and Carpano Bianco.

Two other cocktails that have been on the menu for a while are the Dea Divina, made with ingredients from female distillers; and the Tutti Insieme, which translates to “All Together” and donates $5 per purchase to the United States Bartenders Guild of Hawaii.

Sammies Too

Marlena’s in the Naples area has added sandwiches to its cafe menu. Two of the popular sandwiches are “The Italian” and the “Rainbow Vegetarian.”

They are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Night Market

The Queen Mary’s popular night market not only has some of the most popular food trucks, but also a number of local vendors.

Emmy Award-winning artist Rafael Navarro will offer up some collectible postcards during the Queen Mary’s next night market on June 6. Navarro will be there to sign the postcards, according to vendor and creator Patricia Tsoiasue.

The postcards will feature sketches of historic Long Beach locations, such as the iconic Cyclone Racer; the entrance to the Jergins tunnel; Elmer McCurdy, the outlaw whose mummy was found in the Laff in the Dark ride at the old Long Beach Pike; and the Laff in the Dark ride itself, atop of which were three large figures: Laffing Sal, Sam and Barkie the Dog. ⁠

Hawaiian doughnuts

Holey Grail Donuts will celebrate its grand opening and ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Friday, May 31.

The dooughnuts are made with Hawaii-grown taro and are fried to order in organic coconut oil. The shop is located next to Philz Coffee at Second Street and Park Avenue.

Whiskey

Angels Share Whiskey Lounge and Restaurant had its soft opening last weekend.

The space, which formerly housed Tap House, is next to Panama Joes near Second Street and Granada Avenue.

The owners, Jack Walls and his wife, Amy Wu, have transformed the eatery and turned it into a speakeasy-style lounge.

“While we’re not fully open yet,” chef Melissa Ramsay posted on Instagram, “come enjoy a sneak peek with a limited selection, including our Smoked Old Fashioned.”

Ramsay also posted that diners can look forward to cuisine of Cape Verde, a food style largely influenced by Portuguese, Southern and Western European, West African and Jamaican cuisine.

The official opening will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6.

Coffee

Chapter II Coffee, formerly Moon Mountain Coffee, at the corner of Second Street and La Verne Avenue, in Belmont Shore, will celebrate its official opening at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8.

Owner Porenia Pen has transformed this coffee house and enhanced the menu.

There will also be an open house for the new “storefront” for the Belmont Shore Business Association, which moved into a new office connected to Chapter II Coffee and is working on creating a visitors center connected to the coffeehouse.

Dave’s

The Belmont Shore location of Dave’s Hot Chicken will move to expand its footprint. The chicken chain will relocate just a few miles up the road to a larger space at 4680 E. Los Coyotes Diagonal.

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for June 15.

As previously reported, the Belmont Shore location opened in April 2023. The 2,020 square-foot space – which has had more than $1 million in upgrades since its opening – is now available for lease. It’s being offered for $150,000 in key money, according to a LoopNet listing, with a base rent of approximately $4.39 per square-foot over a 10-year lease period.