Nick was our server, and he was fantastic--friendly, attentive, and helped us navigate the menu…read moresince it was our first time at Umaya. We absolutely loved it! I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen with extra veggies, and it was incredible. My friend had the Umaya Ramen and said it was the best ramen he's ever had. My son ordered the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen and gave it a 10/10. We also shared the Pork Belly Oshi, and wow--it was amazing. Honestly, y'all are missing out if you haven't tried Umaya Ramen. I'm surprised there isn't a line out the door! Another huge plus: they're open late until 1 a.m. and the music creates a great vibe. We'll definitely be back!

I vacillated on writing this review as I really want this place to succeed and I know post-Covid…read moreit's been a struggle. I've been coming here for a years, but my recent visit Friday night was incredibly disappointing. Word is that management is revamping the menu, but the execution right now is a major step backward. The Food & Drink: * The Ramen: The soup arrived at the table cold, and the broth was completely bland. The noodles had a distinct chalky texture, and the entire bowl felt like it was put together using pre-packaged, "out of a bag" ingredients rather than being made with care. * The Sake: I ordered a hot sake, but it was served tepid. The Cleanliness: The physical state of the dining area needs immediate attention. Both our dining table and the sake carafe itself were noticeably sticky to the touch. It was telling that on a night when next door restaurants were packed, Umaya was almost entirely empty. The Silver Lining: The one bright spot of the evening was the waitstaff. The servers were actually very good, attentive, and polite. It was the waitstaff that have me upgrading from 1 stars to 2 stars. I hope management takes a hard look at these menu changes and cleanliness standards. Until they fix the food quality and bring back what made this place great, I won't be returning.

Loved this place! Super cool dark ambiance and the mocktails were incredible. Really loved how…read moreeverything was decorated and they had a Psychic there this night to do tarot card readings, which I really loved. Service was excellent and we did try the pretzel as well, which was well seasoned and very large. I didn't get to take a picture of that unfortunately. We will be back!! I'm really looking forward to trying their tea service.

Small cute bar. Pretty detailed and diverse cocktail menu. However we tried some and they were all…read morereally sweet. Staff was nice to hold my jacket I'd forgotten behind for a week. Check hours before visiting and go early on Friday/weekends. Gets busy.

The food here exceeded my expectations. The ribeye was cooked perfectly with a great sear and was…read moreincredibly tender and flavorful. We also ordered the ube Basque cheesecake, and it was easily one of the best desserts I've had recently--rich, creamy, and not too sweet. Our server, Sergio, made the experience even better. He was friendly, attentive, and gave great recommendations without making us feel rushed. The restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere that's great for date night or dinner with friends. I'll definitely be back, and the cheesecake alone is worth another visit.

DINING While Black…read more The 908 Restaurant Environment 1-5: 5 I really appreciated the ambiance and decor of the space. After enduring weeks of record breaking heat in Long Beach, this was the perfect place to land as the Summer Breeze... Makes Me Feel Fineeee again. A very well but gently lit space that still feels cozy and spacious. The outside gives no indication of how well the inside has been designed. Great for lunch or dinner dates. Noise level was low and there's no feeling of a chaotic restaurant environment. Food/Service 1-5: 4.8 I order the shrimp and lobsters fettuccine, bone marrow as an appetizer. My company ordered the lamb burger. All dishes we beautifully plated; true works of art. Neither of us had any complaints about presentation and creativity. As far as taste and as excited as we were to dig in to our food, the ONLY setback was the lack of seasoning mainly salt. I'm aware that a Chef does their best to meet the expectations of their guest. I'm also aware that meeting everyone's expectations is impossible. To confirm my advice of needing some salt in the food I patrons the restaurant twice, two days in a row. The food needs more salt and I stand solid on that opinion. The service was great and I thanked Mel for taking such great care of us. Mel is a rockstar! Diversity score 1-5: 4 The restaurant definitely appeals to diverse crowds. It reminded of the days I frequented Marcus Samuelsson's Red Rooster in Harlem, NY. Go again score 1-5: 5, Absolutely. I do hope I don't have to keep bothering the server for salt and pepper.

The cocktails here are always so creative but what really impressed me is that they're actually…read moregood Drinks with interesting flavors lately often end up tasting gimmicky, artificial, or just... off. Here you can actually taste the ingredients they describe and somehow work really well together. And it's not just one or two drinks that feel unique and interesting it's basically their whole menu. Most recent time we went was when they had a guest bartender (Polo Chang). Some of the best cocktails I've had recently. I'm a huge fan of tea in cocktail his menu was amazing. We got way more drinks than we usually do that night because each one was better than the last. Only thing tho I really wish they kept their old menu. The drawings were beautiful and it had so much character while very easily communicating how each drink will look and taste. It went so well with the overall vibe of the place. But I may just be nitpicking because I have hard time reading the new dark menu in the dim light lolol I honestly would come here wayyyy more often if it wasn't for the very limited parking. Even with reservation it feels like never a guarantee we will make it there because we may or may not be able to find parking. If you are lucky to be nearby highly recommend uber.

This was my first time at this establishment, and I have very mixed feelings about the experience…read more The food was very good and the drinks were creative, but I really wish the service had been better. We sat at the bar, and I expected to receive service from the bartender, but he didn't acknowledge us for the entire night. Instead, our server took our order. After a while, she informed us that the crispy rice we ordered was sold out. She mentioned that the bartender was supposed to let us know, but he never did. What made the experience more uncomfortable was that the bartender seemed to be giving most of his attention to the Caucasian customers on the other side of the bar. We were the only Asian customers there, and unfortunately, this left us feeling like we were being treated differently because of our race. The good food and drinks helped compensate for the poor service, so we decided not to let it ruin our evening. However, things got even more disappointing at the end. After I paid, I noticed that I had been charged for the crispy rice even though we never received it. When our server tried to address the issue, the bartender appeared to ignore both her and us, so we eventually left. I hope management sees this review and reaches out to me to address the overcharge and the overall experience. Overall, although the food and drinks were good, the service and the way we were treated left a very negative impression. Unfortunately, I will not be returning.

The Long Beach cocktail scene is definitely not one to ignore. I was looking for a cocktail bar not…read morefar from home and came across Midnight Oil. The people behind this venture created 3 distinct spaces and experiences within the same building and each looked incredible. The Apothecary is the largest space and a dim sum-focused menu accompanies the well-crafted cocktails. Excellent drinks and such a fun vibe. Definitely want to come back again.

Seamlessly comprising of a trio of unique atmospheres, Midnight Oil's…read moreHao Peng You Hand Laundry evoked the San Francisco Opium Dens of the 1850's and their Tiki Lounge concept is punctuated with "Creature From The Black Lagoon" memorabilia then there's the main room or Apothecary Room which has 1970's Martial Arts flicks on loop. The epitome of consistency is the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken and Lotus Leaf Sticky Rice With Chicken and the pleasant surprise was their Pan-Fried Radish Cakes. The menu is diversified enough to warrant another visit which I hope isn't too far in the future.

If you're looking for a fun tiki escape, this place is a must-visit! The atmosphere is…read moreincredible--every detail of the décor transports you to a tropical paradise, and the whole place has an amazing island vibe. I tried the Zombie and the Mai Tai, and both were absolutely delicious. They were expertly made, packed with flavor, and definitely potent, so they deliver exactly what you'd expect from classic tiki cocktails! The service was outstanding from start to finish. The bartenders were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience even more enjoyable with their great recommendations and attention to detail. Between the amazing drinks, exceptional service, fun energy, and immersive décor, this tiki bar is the complete package. Whether you're out with friends or just looking for a unique night out, this spot is a total vibe. I'll definitely be back!

I've been coming to The Bamboo Club since COVID, and it has always been a staple whenever I visit…read moreLong Beach. I've continued to return because I genuinely enjoy the atmosphere, food, and especially their classic tiki cocktails. Unfortunately, as much as I love what this place has to offer, the service continues to be its biggest downfall. During our most recent visit, we arrived as a party of four and requested a table. The hostess immediately responded with a dismissive and rather rude attitude, informing us that nothing was available and that the wait would be three hours. Three hours for a table at a relatively small bar? I've been coming here for years and have never experienced anything like that. Rather than offering any alternatives or making us feel welcome, we were simply told to wait by the bar. Fortunately, another guest was kind enough to offer us her seat at the bar. Once seated, we attempted to order food and drinks, but the experience didn't improve. The female bartender seemed completely uninterested in assisting us, almost as though ordering food at the bar was an inconvenience to her. There was little hospitality, no sense of urgency, and certainly no effort to make us feel welcome. The food was delicious, as always, and the cocktails were enjoyable, especially at happy hour prices. Unfortunately, those were the only highlights of our visit. What frustrated me even more was the bill. Nowhere on the menu did I notice any mention of automatic gratuity for a party of four. Yet, when the bartender handed me the check, he casually stated, "Gratuity is included." I was genuinely surprised to see an automatic 20% gratuity added, especially considering the level of service we had received. I have absolutely no issue tipping generously for good service, but automatically adding 20% without clearly communicating that policy beforehand, particularly for a party of four, was disappointing. As someone who has worked in the hospitality industry for nine years, I understand firsthand how demanding this business can be. I know that busy shifts happen, wait times can be unpredictable, and employees have difficult days. However, none of that excuses dismissive attitudes or making paying guests feel like an inconvenience. Hospitality is about more than simply taking orders and delivering food. It's about creating an experience that makes people want to return. I genuinely hope the owners and management take the time to address these concerns with their staff. The Bamboo Club has so much potential, and its kitchen and cocktail program clearly deliver. Unfortunately, great food and drinks can only make up for poor service so many times. It's incredibly disappointing to write this review about a place I've supported for years, but loyal customers should not have to continuously overlook poor hospitality just because the food is good. Two stars, and quite frankly, the food and cocktails are the only reason it's getting them.

Last night, we grabbed some dinner and a few beers at Shipmates in Cerritos, and I absolutely loved…read morethis place. I can't wait to come back! A friend of mine is a Cerritos local, and this was our second visit. First and foremost, the staff was amazing. The gentleman working the front door was incredibly polite and welcomed us with a smile, even wishing us a great time as we walked in. The two bartenders were outstanding. Unfortunately, I didn't catch both of their names, but their level of customer service was exceptional. They were friendly, attentive, and made us feel genuinely welcome throughout the night. For food, we ordered the lumpia and the pepperoni flatbread pizza. Both were absolutely delicious, and I highly recommend trying them. We also enjoyed a couple of ice-cold beers. I ordered a glass of water as well, and my water was refilled almost immediately every time it was empty--a small detail that really stood out. The DJ kept the atmosphere fun and lively, and we were able to catch the MMA fights on their multiple flat-screen TVs, which made the experience even better. My buddy Jason says this is the best dive bar in Cerritos. After this visit, I'd have to agree. In fact, the customer service we received here was better than what I've experienced at many upscale, "bougie" establishments. Outstanding food, excellent drinks, incredible service, and a great atmosphere. Job well done, Shipmates! I'll definitely be back.

We came here to watch the Korea vs. Mexico World Cup match, and it turned out to be a great spot…read morefor game day. The location is a little hidden and was somewhat difficult to find at first, but once inside, everything was well organized and easy to navigate. The staff did an excellent job throughout the event--friendly, attentive, and impressively fast despite the crowd. I also appreciated that they limited the number of guests, which kept the atmosphere lively without feeling overcrowded. It was nice that this wasn't strictly an adults-only environment, as we were able to bring our child along and still enjoy the experience. The food was good, the service was great, and the overall setup made for an enjoyable afternoon of soccer. We'll definitely be back during football season to catch a few games.

This is one of the most popular restaurants on 2nd Street, and I can honestly say I've never walked…read moreby without seeing the place packed. If you're looking for a spot with great atmosphere, a trendy vibe, and beautiful décor, this is definitely it. My favorite time to go is on the weekends for breakfast. I think they have some of the best breakfast options you'll find on 2nd Street. It's definitely a trendy, people-watching kind of place where you can enjoy the scene as much as the food. It's centrally located right in the heart of 2nd Street, directly across from Nick's. Between the stylish décor, lively atmosphere, and great location, it's just one of those places that has a really fun vibe.

I've been here a handful of times and I might be done. I wouldn't argue that the food is mediocre,…read morebut it's not great either. I've gotten fish and chips a bunch of times sometimes the fish is slightly under-fried. Today I tried their fried chicken sandwich and it was not great. The menu described the sandwiches coming with pickled vegetables, but it was very plain. The brioche bun was great, but it's not the selling point. The fries oddly also always come with a teaspoon of ketchup. My biggest gripe is the service. I stopped by to have lunch with my mom. I ordered a soda before we placed our food order. While we looked over the menu, I took a few sips of the soda and finished it. My mom drank her water, and finished it. The server came back and took the order, the drinks were empty and never refilled. Whatever, NBD. However, 10 more minutes passed and I flagged down a different server and asked for a refill. (My server had disappeared). The food came out eventually, my drink was nearly empty again--no refill. The runner asked if I needed anything else after setting the food down and I again asked if I could grab a refill (the server still has not come back to the table). I looked around and he was chatting it up with a bartender leaning against the wall and giggling. Super annoying-- I'm glad the culture here means that the employees are friends and can talk and joke around. I don't need constant engagement, but you can't let drinks stay empty for lengthy periods of time. Half way done with the food, we still had empty drinks. Server never came back, runner never came back. Finished the food and sat for ten mins. Flagged down yet again another server and asked for the check. My server made his was over with the check--tips START at 25%, then 23%, then 20% Our lunch was about $70 (without the tip). This isn't McDonald's. The food was meh and the service was terrible. The cost did not make me feel like there was any value given the lack of attentiveness and quality of the meal.

Friday evening review:…read more Sat outside since we had my puppy with me, the waiter was kind immediately and even told us which table was a little rocky. Service overall was good-not spectacular but good. Things seemed to take a while to come out and it took a while to get the bill but really no big deal. Food was spectacular though. Super high quality. I loved my seafood chile rellano, they did not go cheap whatsoever on the filling and it was enough to eat the next day as well. My husband got the birria tacos (not pictured) and they were also really good but a little steep for not coming with rice and beans. Ceviche was fresh as well as guac but guac did not come with the chicharron like mentioned in the description. Enchiladas were good too, loved the heat of the sauce. We will be returning if back in the area soon!

Solidly okay mexican food, I've had better, and I've had worse. The steak in the fajitas was really…read moresoft, but I don't remember anything else being remarkable. The building didn't say "Next Door" anywhere on it, so I was unsure if we were at the right place.

FIVE STARS IS FOR THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE NOT THE FOOD…read more My friend and I had a good time at the lre- opening night of The Bungalow Kitchen. My friend is a chef, so I really wanted her to experience the new menu with me. First, I have to give credit where credit is due. the customer service was top tier! We were greeted as soon as we walked up, and all of the ladies were so welcoming and nice. The bartenders were super nice as well, as was the GM. And of course, the aesthetic of The Bungalow never fails. The space is beautiful and definitely still has that Bungalow vibe. Our waiter, Devin, was great too! Now, on to the food... sadly, we were pretty underwhelmed. I hate that I have to agree with some of the Instagram comments I had seen about the kitchen because I really expected better, especially with all the hype surrounding Chef Eric and the new menu. One thing that really irked me was that our order of broccolini came out before everything else and sat there for about 20 minutes before our entrees arrived. Our waiter was kind enough to send out another order of broccolini once our entrees came, which I appreciated. They initially added it to the bill, but removed it once I mentioned it. The lasagna honestly tasted like something I could pick up already made from Whole Foods. The pork chop was cooked well, but it lacked flavor. The artichoke dish... I don't even really know what to say. The presentation wasn't great, and we kept pulling pieces of the shell out of our mouths, which was annoying. We had a couple of bites and just did away with it. The mussels were good, but there weren't very many. Mussels are pretty inexpensive, so it would have been nice to have a bit more, especially since they are small. The sauce had good flavor, and we ordered the baguette to dip into it, but it wasn't really a sauce in the traditional sense because it was pretty thin. I think it could have had more substance, especially considering they encourage you to spend $12 on a baguette to dip into it. One other thing I noticed was that Chef Eric was visiting some of the tables around us but never came over to ours. Maybe those were family and friends, so who knows, but considering there were barely any people in the restaurant, I do think it would have been nice for him to make his way around to all of the tables, especially on opening night. I will definitely be back to The Bungalow because I love the space, the people and the drinks. I'm just not sure if I'll be back for dinner. I'm willing to try some of the less expensive items and see how those are. Our dinner bill was around $250, in addition to the $40 we spent at the bar before sitting down. Unfortunately, for us, the food just wasn't worth the bill. Overall, we had a great experience with the staff and the atmosphere, but the food didn't live up to the expectations I had going in. Hopefully, some of these things improve because I really do want to see the kitchen succeed.

This review is only for their salsa/bachata dancing night and the bar…read more The bungalow has weekly salsa/bachata nights that include free dance lessons from 8 to 9:30. The instructors are great and the crowd is fun diverse (in terms of age, background, and experience dancing). The djs are also awesome play a lot of good music. The vibe is fun and high energy. It's nice to see a place that is filled with dancers of all skill levels just having fun and learning to dance. The venue itself is beautiful. They have a large open air dance floor that overlooks the marina as well as a smaller dance area inside near the pool tables. The decore is classy and elegant overall. On salsa nights they have drink specials in addition to the regular drink menu. Lastly I once lost my key fob there and someone returned it to their lost and found. I'm forever grateful to whomever returned it and the staff at the front door / lost and found. Overall it's an awesome place to come out and hang out and dance.