Taste of Downtown - Pine Avenue

I made it for Taste of Downtown 2024 and I'm glad I did.I will have to say that we had fewer vendors this year than last (2023), which was disappointing, but everything else was the same - from how you could purchase tickets (in-person at the entrances OR online via Eventbrite).Just liek last year, the Taste tickets can be utilised for any of the series in the calendar year, but they do not transfer over to the following year.This year was a bit better organised because of the much closer all the vendors were, although one of the vendors ended up not showing up that year unfortunately. We didn't know until we showed up the first day and realised that the vendor was not present.As usual, parking is free for 2 hours at the nearby parking structure by Ross.And, like last year, I give the entire event a 4/5 stars primarily of the fewer vendors and the lack of notice of vendors dropping out.I also knocked a star off because cars were still passing by on Pine between 3rd and 2nd, and wish that that had been blocked off for pedestrian safety and accessibility because vehicles aren't really stopping at the pedestrian walk signs on Pine, despite LBPD being there - not that they are of any help anyway (something never changes with them, as you can tell).

The taste of downtown was another a great setting in the heart of the promenade. The majority of the booth are right off the promenade across from the Ordinaire.There were some restaurants that had booths on Pine Avenue.Bo Beau had a rocking Brussels spouts for only $3 it was enough to share with 2 people.Padres had tostadas that were piled high with Ceviche or Barbacoa.Ordinaire had a great short rib sandwich for $4.The $3 nachos from Beachwood Brewery were great! The 4th Horseman had vegan pizza and pesto pasta for $2.Algegria Cocina Latina had a great tamale coated in a creamy chowder for $2.Parking is free for 2 hour at 51 E.3rd Street.What a fun night can wait till the next one.

The concept is similar to Belmont Shore's Stroll and Savor. However, rather than strolling down 2nd street, a bunch of restaurants from downtown gather in one area for people to taste food.It's $1 per tasting ticket. Each food is "priced" at a certain number of tasting tickets. If you have remaining tickets from one of the Taste of Downtown Long Beach events, you can save them for any of the others until the end of the year, which is pretty nice. You're also not limited to buying by the book of 10 and getting stuck with leftover tickets like you would with Stroll and Savor. They let you buy individually.I recommend coming early when they are just opening. The Will-Call lines are shorter, the food lines are shorter, and street parking is easier to find. The lines do tend to get longer as the night progresses - I'd get in on that line for the booze earlier than later if so. They usually just have like one vendor that serves alcohol/beer, so everyone's trying to get in on that line.If you use your tickets wisely, you could get full off of $10-$15.Overall, I'd recommend! I just hope they consider to add more vegan options in the future. Even their vegetarian and gluten free options were pretty lacking.

After having just seen one of my ten worst films of all time (the other nine relegated to the inky depths of movie garbage bins), we needed some fresh air. (How bad was it? I got my money back.) (blankity-blank New Yorkers....oh, wait a minute). Ok! I was in a foul mood, alright?Still... We had a really nice time at this event last year but it wasn't broke and they done did fixed it. Last year, a variety of comfortable seating arrangements was available amidst the vendors. There was also easy access to those restaurants on Pine Avenue just across the street. This allowed for people to interact. Last night, a larger parking lot off Broadway was used. To get to L'Opera for instance, entailed a a bit of walk through a dark bar/followed by bright store tunnel, then down a few streets and no nearby seating. Not ideal to hike back up to the seat-attached insular picnic benches while carrying paper plates and plastic dessert dishes. (We did find another way back better than those loony instructions.)The music was very good, great band. The space was kept extremely clean by a diligent staff. Tickets are purchased in dollar increments with items costing from $1 to 5. Desserts chosen were the highlight last night. Pie Bar had a good chocolate hazelnut sample. L'Opera's lemony concoction was very tasty. Their $5 ravioli wasn't bad, just tasted bad. I did learn last night that millennials are not nearly as bad as movie ghouls...maybe.

Long Beach!Taste of Downtown provides an opportunity to try out local eateries. You purchase tickets which have no expiration date. You can use the tickets anytime for this continuously moving event. I did note that there are other reviews for the different venues.Overall, this is a great event for locals. I would not drive out of my way to come here. That being said, people are friendly and I met several localites. I am sure I would be a fan if I lived close by and walked here.Long Beach is a great town with great people. I love Long Beach and this event is AOK for an outsider visiting. Thanks Long Beach! Great music, too.By the way, my favorite food was the chowder from Pier 76.AOK

I wouldn't consider this the true taste of participating establishments (some deliver better than others), but it's a fun experience! I liked the layout of this one, being within a few blocks, rather than the entire stretch of 2nd street for Belmont Shore's Stroll-N-Savor. It wasn't very crowded, and I was able to get food and drinks quickly. It was also nice to be able to purchase as many tickets as I wanted, rather than getting booklets like they do at Stroll-N-Savor where you end up with left over tickets. The best part-restaurants now serve beer, wine, and signature cocktails for 5 tix ($5), but you have to keep them within the courtyard or restaurant. In no hurry though, we enjoyed Beachwood's IPAs while listening to live bands in the courtyard. If you're hungry and don't mind too much about quality, you can go for pasta. Usually generous in portion, but tend to be overcooked. Pizza can be fillers too, but Buono's vegetarian pizza was quite tasty! I was looking forward to trying James Republic's Crab Beignets, but due to the hot weather, they decided to switch their item to a Poké with creamy avocado, seaweed, and crispy rice. That was probably a good call! One of the Best items I had was Kabob Curry's Chicken Masala, so flavorful, with tender pieces of chicken, and packed with heat! Finally, I finished off at Agaves and was pleasantly surprised by the well marinated ceviche and mini taquitos which were dressed in guacamole, beans & cheese (sometimes, the food is hit or miss here). Their Margarita Clasica was already prepared in a jug, so it wasn't the best I've had there, but hey, it was $5. I was hoping to try a piece of Pie Bar for dessert, but they were well sold out by the time I got to their table. Looks like I'll just have to make my way to their establishments another time!

~~~Taste Of Downtown Long Beach~~~~~Three to Four Times A Year~~~~~6pm to 10pm~~~Oh the joy of getting together in the LBC to try a variety of small bites from several local restaurants. Oooh La La, À la carte...Yes, Please!! Live music, great vibes, drinky-drinky, & desserts! Think, major congestions...both by vehicles & pedestrians. My co-workers & I have been hitting up these events for several years now. Hits and misses but just enough pleasure to have us coming back for more!Go to www.downtownlongbeach.org-Check out the dates for the next event. -Sign up to be on their mailing list. -Pre-pay your tickets online and receive 2 additional tickets with every $10 purchase.-Tickets are also sold during the event @ $1 each. -Left-over tickets can be saved for the next event. Yes, you heard me right!! Try not to misplace them like I have. Metered parking, on the streets. REMEMBER to READ THE SIGNS for RESTRICTIONS. There are a couple pay-to-park lots nearby. Here are some of my Favorite hits:Watermelon lemonade (Pier 76) 1 tix-cheap thirst quencher!Homemade chicken lasagna (L'opera) 3 tix-w/both spicy tomato & pesto sauce, yum!Short rib poutine (Federal Bar) 2 tix-fries for the BEST value!! Most favorite! Sinfully Delicious!Mac n Cheese:w/lobster (Gladstone's) 4 tix-salty but gewd...w/chunks of lobster meatw/leek fondue (Bo-Beau Kitchen) 3 tix-less salt, w/breadcrumbs on top. Butterscotch chocolate pudding (Bo-Beau Kitchen) 3 tix-LOVED the pudding, not so much the thick fudge/ganache-like chocolate layer on top. Sacchetto di Choco (L'opera) 2 tix-fruits & custard in mini chocolate cup. Mmm!Chianina meatball's (Michael's Pizzeria) my least favorite. Not as great as I had hoped for quality beef. Way too soft and mushy inside, IMO. :/ 2 tixIf you ever get a chance, check out Taste of Downtown Long Beach. A fun-filled night of exploring with lots of foodie adventurers!

This is the first LB Taste of Downtown that I've attended, and I was slightly disappointed. Like other reviewers, I think it would be better if the streets were closed off. When people start lining up at the booths for food, it's difficult to make your way through the crowd. I actually got fairly surprised when I turned around and was face-to-face with a chihuahua (in someone's backpack), since we were pushed so closely together.I got $45 in tickets for three people, and that was too way too many. We ended up with leftovers and bought empanadas from Gaucho to take home and shakes from Johnny Rockets for an extended dessert.What I enjoyed the most:- The 5-ticket plate from George's (well, everything but the hummus; it was sour and unappetizing).- The brussel sprouts from some place in the parking lot that was selling shrimp- The dirty chips and short rib poutine from The Federal BarWhat I enjoyed the least:- The lobster roll (I couldn't taste much of anything over the overwhelming taste of bacon, and the roll was hard and dry)Many of the booths were far apart, and there needed to be more tables and trashcans. I think each venue should have had a garbage receptacle, and there should have definitely been some by each eating station. In the end, I saw people leaving their empty plates and containers on these tables, making everything look dirty.

This revolving event is hosted in different spots around Downtown Long Beach a few times a year. My first Taste of was last month when it was at Rainbow Harbor. It's a smaller event than the "Taste of" series you will find in other cities, partly because Long Beach is SO BIG that this "Taste of" just represents the Downtown area. But if you're looking for great food without a massive crowd, you can't get much better bang for your buck than here. For an average adult, I'd say a book and a half (18 tickets, or $15 if you can split the second book with someone) is your dinner. It wasn't too crowded, and there were easily places to stand and sit while I enjoyed the local samplings.Avia's short rib & ravioli was a huge hit for me, if a little expensive. P.F. Chang's was serving up their signature lettuce wraps, and Coldstone had yummy cake samples! Kabob Curry was the best deal around, with an entire meal for only 4 or 5 tickets. And after sampling Buono's pizza, I really need to get back up there and get me a pie. Thick crust perfection!There is also live music and they will sometimes showcase local artists' work. It's an incredibly well-managed event, and I can't wait to go to the next one!

Wow! I'm shocked that there aren't many other reviews for this event! It seemed like a total success tonight! Great vendors, great prices, and great atmosphere... It's not overly crowded so that's definitely a plus, and the small plates from the restaurants/vendors were all delicious! If you didn't go, you missed out! They had sushi rolls (3 pcs) for 2 bucks, crepes, lobster sandwiches, kabobs, hot wings, dark chocolate fruit box, tiramisu mousse, lobster mac n cheese, gourmet dish after gourmet dish... It was awesome! The majority of restaurants along Pine Ave participated in the event as well and they even validated parking tickets for people to park in the structure so that parking wasn't an issue for anyone. I can't wait for the next one, it satisfied every one of my taste buds at a very reasonable price might I add! 10 bucks for 12 tickets or a buck a ticket, each small plate from the variety of vendors ranged from 1-4 tickets. 2 booklets for 2 people and trust me, you'll be stuffed!!! Totally worth it though!