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Super cool restaurant at a super cool location, it was inside an art gallery called the Compound that has rotating art exhibits. Came here for Father's Day and there was a live dj music that was perfect for the vibe, this is what I expect Sunday brunch to feel like as opposed to a pre party to a main event. They encouraged us to check out the exhibit after we ordered, so it didn't feel like we waited too long for the food to arrive. We ordered the shrimp toast, tamago sando (the sweet and sour fish sauce gave it a true umami flavor), coconut fried rice, and the cassava hash with sausage (great substitute for potatoes and you can't even tell the difference!). Really nice staff that checked on us often and gave us good info if we ever want to rent this place for private events.
STEPH JUDGEMENT: Great place for a casual but stylish and refined hang. What a wonderful addition to the Compound! I've been several times now for happy hour and brunch and have been impressed every time. The vibe is fancy LA museum cafe, but relaxed and friendly. I guess it also helped that on all my visits the weather had been absolutely gorgeous, which played well with their indoor/outdoor openness and the beautiful patio. I also enjoyed hanging out at their beautiful bar in the back. I've tried the following items thus far: - Pancit with fried egg - Gem salad - Roasted cauliflower - Shrimp toast - Oyster mushroom skewer - Cassava hash with avocado and egg The grilled oyster mushrooms are my absolute fave but everything else has been really good too--so fresh with such great flavors! Prices are on the higher side, but I don't think it's outrageous for the quality, portions, and atmosphere. Service has also been great--friendly and personable. This is definitely one of my top spots in Long Beach!
Honestly, the five stars is for the service! We were a group of 8 on a Saturday night (which is always hard) and one of us has food allergies (me). Not easy to find Asian fusion with gluten free options (soy sauce is the bane of my existence- thank god for Tamari). But Alaina (sp?), our server, handled our table beautifully. We basically ordered the whole menu! People loved the gnocchi, the galbi, and the oyster mushroom. I was able to have the oyster mushroom (so flavorful!), the cauliflower and the crispy rice salad. The latter two were fine but not filling so I ordered the burger with lettuce wrap sub. That was tasty when you add the carmelized onions but bland without. The pork buns were good on the inside, I heard, but the bread was hard and tasteless. (Usually these buns have a soft, fluffy bread which has a touch of sweetness. This is what happens when you have a table full of the SE Asian and Asian diaspora!) We LOVED the space and appreciated the mocktails for sober folks. I definitely will be back! And their gift shop is fun, too! Go visit!
I'm in love with the space! It's like a large art gallery turned restaurant... and decor is exquisite! Ordered tamago Sando , brunch toast, and coconut fried rice + bacon. Excellent umami flavors for a weekend brunch setting. It wasn't crowded, so we had excellent service. I'd love to come back to try their happy hour or Dinner menu!
I'm back! Please read my previous review about Union's lack of community collaboration in Long Beach. I'm here to support Chef Eugene's good menu! Again, I hope that Chef Eugene is able to take his talents elsewhere and be able to bring his Asian-inspired menu to community members of Long Beach. Service was amazing. Our server made excellent recommendations on what paired well together, and gave a good rundown of the new seasonal menu. Service was a bit slow, but it looked like they were understaffed for how large the restaurant is. Here's what I got: Heirloom Tomatoes & Ricotta - this was really good. I liked the combination of fresh tomatoes, creamy ricotta, smoky salsa macha, and the crunch of the pepitas. I do wish that they served bread with it or had an option to add bread. Hamachi Crudo - the slices of fish are thick, and the dish is super fresh with flavors like passion fruit and cucumber. Summer Corn Fritters - a must order! These fritters have a light, crispy batter and have a really nice curry flavor. The batter is almost a little chewy, and the sweetness of the corn complements everything very well. Pork Asado Bao Buns - soft and pillowy. I'd say that this is a very straightforward approach to braised pork belly buns, and it is a good starter for the table. We got one for everybody. Swordfish Katsu - surprisingly very delicious! The swordfish was perfectly cooked with a nice panko coating. What makes it really stand out is the addition of the creamy dill sauce, calamansi aioli, peaches, kale sprouts. Wagyu Hangar Steak - Very nicely cooked steak. Citrus Grove Mojito - The table's favorite. It's very fruity and refreshing with flavors from the passion fruit, lime, and mint. Heirloom Gin & Tonic - I personally love cocktails with a bit of savoriness or umami, so I liked this tomato-y rendition of the gin and tonic. It's very well balanced with the strawberry and rhubarb flavors as well. I'm back! Please read my previous review about Union's lack of community collaboration in Long Beach. I'm here to support Chef Eugene's good menu! Again, I hope that Chef Eugene is able to take his talents elsewhere and be able to bring his Asian-inspired menu to community members of Long Beach. Service was amazing. Our server made excellent recommendations on what paired well together, and gave a good rundown of the new seasonal menu. Service was a bit slow, but it looked like they were understaffed for how large the restaurant is. Here's what I got: Heirloom Tomatoes & Ricotta - this was really good. I liked the combination of fresh tomatoes, creamy ricotta, smoky salsa macha, and the crunch of the pepitas. I do wish that they served bread with it or had an option to add bread. Hamachi Crudo - the slices of fish are thick, and the dish is super fresh with flavors like passion fruit and cucumber. Summer Corn Fritters - a must order! These fritters have a light, crispy batter and have a really nice curry flavor. The batter is almost a little chewy, and the sweetness of the corn complements everything very well. Pork Asado Bao Buns - soft and pillowy. I'd say that this is a very straightforward approach to braised pork belly buns, and it is a good starter for the table. We got one for everybody. Swordfish Katsu - surprisingly very delicious! The swordfish was perfectly cooked with a nice panko coating. What makes it really stand out is the addition of the creamy dill sauce, calamansi aioli, peaches, kale sprouts. Wagyu Hangar Steak - Very nicely cooked steak. Citrus Grove Mojito - The table's favorite. It's very fruity and refreshing with flavors from the passion fruit, lime, and mint. Heirloom Gin & Tonic - I personally love cocktails with a bit of savoriness or umami, so I liked this tomato-y rendition of the gin and tonic. It's very well balanced with the strawberry and rhubarb flavors as well.
I have soooo much to say (good things) about my first experience at Union, but here are the highlights. 1. Immediately greeted by extremely kind and thoughtful staff upon entry to the courtyard, and that kindness and attentiveness lasted the entire few hours we were at Union and enjoying Compound overall. Literally every single staff person we interacted with was great. It felt like they all enjoy working there, and I love when I get to experience that. Sarah, in particular, was amazing to say the least! 2. The space itself was as lovely as I expected. A multifunctional art, restaurant, and community space. What a dream! 3. We arrived right as the kitchen was transitioning from brunch to dinner and were invited to grab a drink and enjoy the exhibits until dinner started which wasn't a problem at all. What we ordered: Summer Corn Fritters, Roasted Cauliflower, Pancit and Swordfish Katsu for food. The Swordfish Katsu was one of a kind. With peaches, a dill sauce and kale... loved it! We visited during Long Beach Food Scene Week which allowed us the opportunity to try a limited time dessert - Boozy Shaved Ice. So good! For drinks we tried Grain & Smoke Paloma, Blush Crush, Electric Daisy and the Heirloom Gin & Tonic. All amazing and I'm not even exaggerating. We took recommendations from Sarah and she walked us through all of the unique and house made ingredients included. Overall, my expectations were exceeded. I'm glad I didn't delay visiting any further!
Union has been on my radar for some time now, what with it being a modern Filipino restaurant helmed by a promising chef and housed inside Compound, a community arts and wellness space in Long Beach. So when friends asked us to brunch I suggested we check out Union. On the weekend we came, the weather was still warm enough to eat outdoors and brunch was served in the courtyard space. We ordered several dishes to share and I got myself a matcha latte. The shrimp toast, tamago sando, and cassava hash were our favorites. Service was friendly and unhurried and we had a great time. After brunch we spent a bit of time checking out the art they had on display inside. Definitely want to come back for dinner or happy hour next time.
We visited this resto for the first time to celebrate another year of friendship and our annual holiday get together. Since we were a large party, we emailed with the resto to secure our reservations. Joy was a great to work with. While I always prefer to schedule via a website or an app, the communication process was quite pleasant and Joy was quite responsive. We were seated outside and the day was a bit of a chilly one. The staff was quite accommodating and brought us an extra heater. They also provide lap blankets! The brunch menu was as on offer and it was difficult to choose, but we decided to order to share: Kaya toast. This is more a merienda, afternoon snack for me; but I wanted to try their version. Definitely have this with a cup of coffee. Tamago Sando. A repeat for sure! Coconut fried rice. It was very tasty! A bonus. The compound also houses a museum. Enjoy the exhibit after your meal! Enjoy!
Union is a really cool, unassuming restaurant located at Compound, an art, wellness and cultural space. I came across this place when my friend invited me to see an artist panel and exhibit here. It's tucked away in the industrial, yet creative pocket off Anaheim St and Coronado Ave. Chef Eugene Santiago uses locally sourced ingredients in his New American and Asian-inspired dishes. It's rare to see a fully stocked bar in an art gallery serving craft cocktails as well as local beer and wine. I tried the Zestpresso Martini and boy was it strong! I wasn't complaining though! The espresso and orange peel gave it a smooth finish. The Roasted Cauliflower was served cold, but it was crispy and so flavorful with tamarind dressing, Thai basil, cilantro, dill, shallots, cucumber, and fried onion. I wanted to try the Mochiko Fried Chicken Sandwich, but they were out of it for the day, so I went with the Tamago (egg) Sando. There was a generous portion of creamy egg salad in lightly toasted milk bread, topped with scallion and fried onion. The tamarind sauce added a little kick to it too. Plenty of tables outside in the patio as well as inside. Service was quick and helpful. They have a parking structure on 1326 Obispo Ave for $5 with validation, but you might find street parking in the area.
Excellent restaurant within an art gallery with indoor/outdoor seating. The Asian fusion food is terrific and the cocktails are decent Ambiance is excellent. The service especially our waitress Sarah was outstanding. She was friendly and helpful and was spot on with her food and drinks recommendations. The Pancit and all the appetizers were wonderful. I would highly recommend. My only issue is the parking, so I would recommend using rideshare
Fun restaurant in an art space. They have plenty of tables, inside and out. Unique location for a restaurant! You can explore the exhibit as you wait for your food. Food was plated beautifully. The sinigang with black cod broth was light and complimented the black cod flavor. Fried squash blossom salad is a must try. I've never had large raw pea sprouts, so good. Service was top notch. Dessert was on point. Service dog friendly.
1) Service- Staff were friendly and attentive 5/5 2) Cleanliness- The venue was nice. Located in an art gallery 5/5 3) Food * Pork bao- you get 2, was ok, would pass.1/5 * Short Ribs- meat was tough and tasted like it wasn't marinated. It came with steam white rice. Rice was mushy, which was surprising, you would think you'd get this right. 1/5 * Halibut stuffed crab- fish had no seasoning and was just bland 1/5 Overall: 2/5 Would not recommend. We left disappointed. Went for birthday, but opted not to try dessert in fear of further disappointment
4.5 stars, I will round up to 5 for my rating. We had been to Compound a few years ago for their art exhibit, but decided to check out the newly opened Union, located inside the Compound complex. Parking is still fairly challenging to find on the street, though there is apparently a parking lot nearby open only on Fridays and Saturdays that Union will validate for. The interior is gorgeous, expected given the location. We chose to dine outdoors over the pebbles. When it gets cold, there are complimentary blankets as well as heat lamps. There are quite a few tables when you add up the outside and indoor dining areas. For now, Union focuses on dinner 4PM-10PM, but does open a little earlier on Sundays from 2PM-8PM. Apparently, they will soon be expanding to brunch service too. Service was amazing, with very attentive servers who were friendly and helpful. The menu is pretty small, but prices not outrageously high and portions decent for the large plates. The kare kare was great, though I am used to oxtail kare kare and would have liked more green beans and eggplant; I loved all of the cartilage/tendon in the riblets though. The roasted chicken was truly outstanding, juicy with crispy skin and moist tender meat, plus it was served with sunchokes which I love. The taro chips were great, albeit a bit salty, and the papaya salad was refreshing though very mild (I am used to the strong papaya salads with chilies, peanuts, more lime juice, and fish sauce). We also tried their apple galette with POG (passion + [blood] orange + guava) sorbet + special pandan panna cotta for St. Patrick's Day as dessert. Both desserts were delicious, but my favorite was the gelato. Presentation of all the dishes was stunning, and the food truly exceeded my expectations. Highly recommend and I wish Union the best of luck! P.S. I was charged 75¢ for Sriracha when I asked for hot sauce, not a lot of money but it would have been nice to know there would be a charge involved.
1 year ago
2 years ago
Cute little place with art all over for you to enjoy. Food was good and service was great. Would def come back here. Not a great fan of the oyster and mushroom food they have read more
People of Long Beach, nay anyone who is looking for a dining experience that for this Yelper is truly unique, may I present Union @Compound. An beautiful event space, an art museum, and most of all, an inviting, inspired, creative, DELICIOUS Asian- California fusion restaurant and bar. The hubby and I have had date night almost every Saturday for the last 5 years, concentrate on the best of LA/OC and of course our beloved LBC. How did we not know about the Compound itself, a hip industrial area hidden just off Anaheim? How have we missed this gem of a restaurant? The second you walk through the gates, you enter their outside dining space which feels like an oasis-relaxed and elegant yet simple and comfortable. The indoor dining is in a huge airplane hangar like space that with the art exhibits and a DJ spinning an eclectic mix that feels perfect to complement the feeling of being invited to a really cool party. The service was impeccable. Friendly, warm, knowledgeable staff from hostess to servers. Food that is familiar yet new at the same time. We started with the vegan appetizer of broccolini and cabbage. Sublime! The tahini dressing was the star. We could eat that every day. There was a deep umami flavor that I'm still craving! We also order the crab salad, which was a pretty generous bowl of crab with thin slices of cucumber, cilantro and tomato and a light dressing that perfectly complement keeping the crab at the star. Let me mention that each of our dishes had a good amount of cilantro, which neither the hubby or I enjoy. We ate every bite and loved it! For entrees, the hubby got the fried chicken bao sliders which he scarfed down in short order, and I ordered the pork kare kare. I was expecting ribs that you would pick up and eat when it actually was more like a stew, and when I couldn't answer our server that I was enjoying it she immediately offered to get me something else that I would enjoy more. No discussion, no worries, the only concern was for my enjoyment, even though it wasn't anything that was wrong in their end. Service!! I ended up ordering another vegan dish, the chargrilled mushroom skewers procured from the amazing Long Beach Mushrooms. The mushrooms were perfectly charred and meaty with the perfect amount of chew. Seriously delectable. You know I'm a cocktail girl, and the cocktails did not disappoint and in fact astounded me. I started The Tropic who's flavors exploded in my palate with the first sip. Light, refreshing, perfectly balanced. The creator of the cocktail program, Stephanie, came out to our table after I raved to our server about my cocktail. She comes to Union from the best bars in NYC and you can tell how much she loves to play with her ingredients to create these little masterpieces. I also had Moonstruck which Stephanie said was inspired by the movie of the same name, a light rift in a classic Manhattan. Hubby gave it a thumbs up too! My last cocktail was the Wildflower, a juicy concoction with a hint of spice, herb and bitters. Such a treat! After dinner we walked the space, enjoying the art and the beautiful bar in the back of the space hidden from the dining room which made it feel exclusive and intimate which is no small feat in such a big space. I could go on and on and I probably will update this on my next visit which will be very soon. Another great addition to the explosion of wonderful dining experiences in our little port town! read more
Union was a fabulous experience from start to finish. Situated in a quaint neighborhood in Long Beach, the entrance was mysterious and hidden. The interior of the restaurant was a mixture of art installations, a gallery, and a small shop. It was like dining in a private museum. Wide variety of wine and Amaro-forward cocktails. Food was flavorful and new. Kare Kare spareribs were tender, the shrimp toast and carpaccio were light and went well with the cocktails, and the Branzino was flavorful. We did think that the sauce of the Branzino should have been served on the side to maintain some crispy skin. Excited to try their brunch sometime. read more
Great service, slick new space, community focused. The downside is finding it and finding parking. Asian fusion-ish food options. Wish there were more vegan and vegetarian options. Beautiful space to have dinner or rent out for parties. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
10 out of 10! Came here for my birthday, wanted to try a new restaurant, and I am sooo happy that we came across Union on Yelp! We made a reservation at 4:30 and ate inside, it was very empty, we were the only customers inside as the restaurant opens at 4 o'clock - I have a feeling the later in the evening it gets, the busier it gets! The space that the restaurant is in is just beautiful, there is a small art gallery and a sculpture garden - it's a very beautiful setting. The staff was exceptional - the best word to describe everyone is mindful. Everyone was very thoughtful and kind. You could tell that the servers really respected and loved their job and the food, that was a really nice feeling. We ordered: - The Wildflower Cocktail: Delicious and well balanced, not too sweet. - Small Plates / Fried Chicken Bao Buns: WOW, was this amazing. The fried chicken was exceptional - it was so juicy, and flavorful, and crunchy! All of the flavors were so well-balanced and it was just fun to eat! - Small Plates / Pork Bao Buns: A bit more traditional, these were my favorite. The fattiness of the pork just paired sooo well with the spicy mayo and all of the vegetables. - Small Plates / Yellowtail Crudo: I actually ordered this for my main, and after my first bite, I told my boyfriend it was a taste sensation, haha! Honestly, the presentation was beautiful, but the flavor stole the show here - the combination of citrus and spice with the jalapeño with the fish was just incredibly delicious. - Happy Hour Menu / Union Burger: This was by far the best value of the night. For $20 my boyfriend got a huge burger, french fries, and a beer. It was a part of the happy hour menu, which I believe lasts until six. oh my goodness, this was so delicious. The burger was so flavorful and juicy, the caramelized onions really put the cherry on top! The fries were so so so good, they were so crunchy and flavorful. And the beer was great! Such a great value. - And because the waitress knew it was my birthday, she gave me a choice of three different flavors of gelato and broccoli a scoop with a birthday candle - I wasn't expecting that at all, it was so sweet. The gelato was made in house by a member of the staff. I believe the flavor was passionfruit, guava, and blood orange. It was so delicious and refreshing. All in all the bill was $91 - of course not cheap, but food was so worth it and it was such a lovely experience. Afterwards we walked down to Urban Americana check out some vintage pieces. Just a lovely experience and I will absolutely be back. read more
3 years ago
The ambiance was amazing and really enjoyed the food. The staff was very friendly and I'll definitely be back!! read more
3 years ago
First, this is such a beautiful space inside and out. It's hard not to love being there. Second, the food. Such great flavors, and stunning presentations. Everything we ate was incredibly delicious. Highly recommend the pancit, and fried chicken bun. I could live on just those two dishes. read more
3 years ago
First visit here and it will be the first of many-Jada had some amazing suggestions for us and all were amazing- the vegetables really shine here as well-we loved the kale sprouts and the roasted cauliflower - from the large plates we had the boa buns and pork- Sharing a pic of dessert - the art installations are spectacular The ambience was wonderful! read more
3 years ago
The place is very unique and had tons of local art. The ambiance is superb, I highly recommend this restaurant, the food was amazing and the service was fantastic. Special thanks to the staff, all very kind, profesional and very attentive. We all enjoyed your delicious food (especially the Pork Kare Kare that comes with a perfectly made coconut rice) and the evening was everything we hoped it would be. Our dessert made locally by Cold Hearted Gelato, was a perfect ending to our meal. Can't wait till go again!! read more
2 years ago
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3 years ago
Perfect location with indoor and outdoor seating. Highly recommend outdoor seating with the heaters outside. Food is incredible here--the crispy cassava bravas aren't oily/greasy how other places serve them and the flavor is beyond delicious. Highly recommend the fried chicken bao buns--it comes with three and it's the perfect amount of food. The Margarita and Wildflower drinks were our favorite to have with our meal. Service was above and beyond here--our server Joy was so delightful and helped us with the menu when we had questions. After dinner we looked around inside the compound and it's such a relaxing place to stroll through. They even have merchandise to purchase! They hand package your purchases in tissue paper and in a very nice looking bag. Will be coming back for events they have coming up and definitely for the amazing atmosphere. Highly recommend!! read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Very cool ambience, the art gallery is fun to look at while waiting for food, only reason I dropped two stars was 1) the oyster mushroom plate was lacking sauce, everything felt a little dry, ESPECIALLY the papaya salad 2) it was dark outside and the lights they gave us kept dying so we had to use our own flashlight. read more
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I loved this dining + art experience! The menu was so tasty, especially because of its Filipino inspiration. Thanks chef Bayro :D -- I also liked my Lilikoi Mule (mocktail). Definitely order the Mango Bango for dessert, stunning! Dining amongst the art was so fun read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Went here for a Saturday date night and it could have not been any better. First off our waitres Joy was spectacular. She went through all the details in the menu and explained to my fiance what was vegan and food that could be modified to fit within her diet. My fiance order the pancit with tofu and she loved it. I ordered the Filipino short ribs with garlic miso mashed potatoes as a sub for coconut nice. The ribs were so flavorful and nearly jumbo size, you definitely get your money's worth. Excellent experience, will definitely be back. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Absolutely PHENOMENAL experience at Union tonight! We came here for a big special family dinner. I have a stomach disease and they were AMAZING with modifications to ensure all of our food was gluten, dairy and soy free (and we ordered HEAPS of a variety of food). We called the morning of and they were able to accommodate our party of ten for a reservation. They also answered detailed dietary questions about the menu on three separate phone calls. Adriana absolutely radiant and phenomenal! She completely made our night by ensuring we were well attended to, cared for and enjoying our meals. Despite all my challenging modifications and requests, she went above and beyond with her patience, mindfulness and positive disposition. Alina also assisted and was so wonderful as well! All of the appetizers and entrees were cooked perfectly! Our party tried almost the entire menu overall and everything was breathtakingly divine in taste, texture, flavor and perfectly well balanced! We brought our two year old daughter (they offer kids menu items and are very family friendly) and she loved it! The ambience is creative, inspiring, inclusive, gorgeously well designed and set apart. There's absolutely no restaurant that could top this place! For the food pairings and how magnificent it is, everything is very well priced. If you are looking for a special experience rather than a generic lackluster average meal out, THIS is the spot. The entire staff is so kind and sincere. Thank you specifically to Adriana and Alina for going out of your ways to care for our large and challenging party! Thank you to the entire staff and the talented chefs for an experience we won't ever forget. We look forward to making many special family memories here in the years to come! We appreciate this place more than words can say and are grateful for all that it is from the depths of our hearts! read more
3 years ago
The space is cool. The service is friendly. The food is amazing. If you can't find street parking, there is a lot on the other side of the building. read more
2 years ago
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3 years ago
Blown away by the space, service and food! What a unique space with amazing food and drinks. I cannot wait for it to warm up and enjoy their garden. My only regret was not taking more pics to share. Guess I have to go back. read more
More info about Union
1395 Coronado Ave
Long Beach, CA 90804
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(562) 279-2785
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http://www.unionlb.com
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Can we get a photo of the menu?
Hello! Our menu is now available on our website: https://unionlb.com/menu/ Hope to welcome you in!
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