Long Beach’s Black Restaurant Week — an eight-day culinary extravaganza aimed at highlighting African American restaurateurs in the city — returns for its third iteration this Sunday, Jan. 21.
More than 20 participating restaurants will offer special discounts and menu items during Black Restaurant Week, according to a recent press release, which is organized by Axiom Kitchen and sponsored by the nonprofit NoahS’s Arc Foundation.
“In addition to encouraging local foodies to enjoy what the expanding Long Beach Black culinary community has to offer,” the press release said, “events like these support the local economy and put “butts in seats” of our valued restaurants and food retailers and home-based businesses.”
Some featured eateries this year include Waters Edge Winery, The Wrigley Barbeque, Sal’s Gumbo Shack, A Pinch of Salt Catering, Devi’s Donuts, Wut-A-Pickle, and more.
But ahead of Black Restaurant Week’s official start on Sunday, several participating chefs prepared over 250 meals for unhoused men, women, and children at the Long Beach Rescue Mission on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
“We realize that there are many among us who won’t get the chance to dine out during Long Beach Black Restaurant Week,” event organizer Qiana Mafnas said in a news release. “So serving a gourmet meal to our neighbors struggling with homelessness is our way of bringing Black Restaurant Week to them and including everyone in the event.”
Folks looking to partake in Black Restaurant Week, meanwhile, don’t need to purchase any tickets or passes — instead, the event’s organizers encourage foodies to dine-in or take-out from their favorite featured restaurants.
Special deals and menu items for Black Restaurant Week at participating restaurants are available on the event’s website, blackrestaurantweeklb.com.
Custom donuts
Simone’s Donuts, at 6400 E. Stearns St., is a family business owned by Kong Eap, who purchased the eatery in the early 2000s.
His daughter, Melissa Eap — a Poly High School grad who studied art at the University of California Santa Cruz — has combined her artistic talent with her skills working in the family business to create customized donut designs.
The custom design work is only available by special order, but folks can order special messages, shapes, and custom icing.
The popular shop has a great selection of donuts — and they’re open 24 hours a day.
Eastern Asian Seafood
Eastern Asian Seafood —otherwise known as EA Seafood — is a classic Chinese eatery owned and operated by chefs Jerry and Daimy Wu which opened in early January.
Though the restaurant’s beer and wine license is still pending, EA Seafood is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The restaurant’s menu features several specialty items, including Hainanese chicken and Peking duck.
EA Seafood is home to live tanks holding Boston lobster, Dungeness crab, clams, and spot prawns to ensure customers get the freshest food possible.
The eatery is located at 1607 E. Wardlow Road.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, otherwise known as Fat Tuesday, will return this year on Feb. 13 — so start making plans to get your favorite shrimp boils and King Cakes now.
There are several great restaurants and grocery stores offering Mardi Gras-style goodies in Long Beach, including Gelson’s on 2nd St. and Pacific Coast Highway.
The grocery store will be offering a crawfish and shrimp boil for purchase — as an homage to the iconic Louisiana delicacy includes crawfish, shrimp, and Andouille sausage.
Gelson’s is also offering authentic red beans and rice, and King Cakes, in store and online.
Fluffy’s Sno-Balls, at 1208 Long Beach Blvd., will also offer King Cakes by pre-order only — though the eatery’s cakes will be directly imported from New Orleans.
The restaurant’s owner will personally fly to New Orleans to pick up the King Cakes, according to its website, to ensure optimal freshness of the delicacy. They’ll be ready for in-store pick up as early as Friday, Jan. 26.
Pre-orders can be placed online at fluffyssnoballs.com.