New Restaurants This Week

I tried two new restaurants this week and returned to an old favorite.

Monday night was at Fish Company in Los Alamitos. Had not been there in years and I had forgotten how good their fish is.  A birthday dinner for a friend and 8 of us gathered to celebrate. I had the Chilean Sea Bass which was excellent. Murphy Goode Fume Blanc and Miraval Rose tonight.  I need to remember to stop in and purchase some of their New England Clam Chowder. It is truly the best.

Friday night 7 of us went to a new restaurant in Long Beach called 4th and Olive. Alsatian style food. The sausages are all house made as is the pate. I had the mussels which were good. I have had better but I have had worse. But no spoon, fork only. Questioned the owner later and he said it was supposed to served with a spoon. I also thought they should have included some bread to sop up the juices. Those who opted for the sausages and pate raved about them.  The place has only been one less than two months and I have to say the really need to work the kinks out. Food came out piece meal. The wait staff is enthusiastic but seems to lack detail experience. Owner is a disabled vet who hires other vets.  Parking sucks. In a densely populated area of town that does not have enough parking for the residents much less restaurant patrons. City is not doing them any favors by dragging out a permit for valet parking. Will go back in another month and try again.

Saturday night 3 of us went to James Republic in downtown Long Beach. Upbeat, noisy and really good staff. Eclectic  range of cocktails and interesting wine list. Menu changes everyday.  We shared dishes to get an idea of the food. Started out with the Kennebec Pommes Frittes. Cheesy and garlic aioli really made the dish.

 Brussels Sprouts, fried with frilly mustard greens, mustard crème fraiche, hazelnuts and a poached egg on top. Excellent.

Sunchoke Soup, roasted pumpkin . pepitas, chives, pumpkin seed oil and crispy shallots. Again excellent..

Tagliatelle with uni (sea urchin), guanciale and parmesan. Repeat - excellent.

Oxtail Cavatelli, dececcio broccoli, enoke mushrooms and percorino. -excellent dish again.

The best of the night - a good ole hamburger. Grass fed beef cooked perfectly to medium rare, onion jam, fancy sauce, house pickles, fiscalini white cheddar. Bun was very good,

I had a glass of Rack and Riddle, Blanc de blanc and a glass of Harrington Pinot Noir. Others had the "North of The Wall" old fashion with glenrothes vintage reserve  single malt, vanilla and cardamom. I tasted this drink and it was very good. But I personally do not like cocktails with dinner.

Definitely will come to James Republic again and will order the burger.