There are several good restaurants in the Alamitos Beach neighborhood of Long Beach, food-wise. Want Mexican? Head to Mi Luptia, and they’ll give you a lot of good food in a no frills atmosphere. Want Chinese’? Chen’s Chinese Restaurant will provide generously portioned and tasty food in a dining area that doesn’t look like it has been remolded in the last decade or so.

But if you think your dining experience should be about more than just good food, that a good restaurant should provide both a tasty and an esthetic escape, your choices are more limited. Of your choices, perhaps the best choice, especially on lazy summer nights, is Café Ambrosia.

The cafe’s namesake means “food of the gods” in Greek mythology, and surely the gods would be very satisfied dining here. As with any restaurant worthy of the word “ambrosia,” your sensory experience begins long before you eat.

In fact, as you enter the flower-lined entryways, you’ll at once be soothed by the pleasing sights sounds and smells. Most of the cafe’s 5,000 square feet of dining space is in a pleasing outdoor garden setting with lusciously scented flowers, trickling fountains, koi ponds, fire pits and candle-lit tables. The ivy-covered walls provide a relaxing buffer from the bustling Broadway and Cherry Avenue near-by.

Sit back, relax, and casually mull over the eight-page wine list before ordering diner. If you don’t know what wine to select, there is a helpful guide listing which wines best compliment the different entrée’s. If you’re still not sure what wine to get, ask your server, the pleasant staff will gladly recommend something.

The gods would be well pleased by the menu selection. Naturally, the cafe specializes in Greek dishes, including dolma, stuffed grape leaves with rice and seasoned ground beef, gyros and a Greek lasagna platter, served with thick spaghetti, ground beef topped with a creamy Becharmel Sauce.

Of course, seafood also dominates the menu. Some of the tasty selections include fresh charbroiled swordfish marinated with lemon and herbs, halibut and a charbroiled shrimp and scallop skewer.

Even vegetarians will find something to their liking, with a full page of the menu dedicated to vegetarian offerings. In addition to the standard offerings like the Falafel platter and a veggie burger, Ambrosia offers the “meat is murder” crowd a veggie version of its dolma platter, Greek spaghetti and an charbroiled eggplant feta sandwich.

Don’t avoid Ambrosia if you are dining with children or other diners with less adventurous tastes. Ambrosia also offers several traditional (American) offerings like steak and hamburgers.

For a good, tasty food in an atmosphere that can’t be beat, head to Ambrosia Cafe in Long Beach’s Alimotos Beach neighborhood.

Cafe Ambrosia is located at 1923 E. Broadway, Long Beach, hours are Mon - Thurs: 10am - 10pm Fri: 10am - 11pm Sat: 8am - 11pm Sun: 8am - 10pm, weekend Brunch is served Sat & Sun 8am to 3pm. For more information call (562) 432-1098 or visit cafeambrosia-longbeach.com.

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A consumer advocacy group recently announced it would be targeting the Starbucks Corp,. charging that some of the chain’s popular beverages and deserts are high in calories and fat, which can cause an increase of obesity, heart disease and even cancer.

The group, The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), made similar claims against KFC’s parent company Yum brands, Inc. and has even filed a lawsuit charging that the popular chicken chain failed to inform consumers of the trans fat content in its fried chicken and of the possible health risks. CSPI says it has not ruled out taking similar legal action against Starbucks.

Starbucks does post nutritional information in brochures in its cafe and on its website, but the CSPI says such efforts are not enough. Instead, the group says the information should be posted on the menu board.

There is little dispute that some of the coffee chain’s drinks and snacks are high in fat and calories. According to Starbucks own website, a 20-ounce “Venti” Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino with whole milk and whipped cream has about 720 calories and 15 grams of saturated fat, as compared with a McDonalds Big Mac which has 560 calories and 10 grams of fat, according to the burger chain’s website. Nutritionists suggest the average person only needs to consume 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day.

But for its part, Starbucks issued a statement saying it is actively researching alternatives to high-fat ingredients and pledged it will eliminate trans fat from its seasonal baked goods by the fall.

Considered dieters should also note that Starbucks offers a small version of its beverages called a “short” that is not always advertised on the menu, but is usually available. Something to consider when you have a craving for a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino but don’t want all the calories.

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Before we begin, the first rule that should always be remembered is that you are dining out for a reason. Don’t forget what that reason or occasion is. Don’t let the “do’s and don’ts” of the formal dining experience weigh you down to the point that you do not enjoy your experience.

There are many facets to proper behavior to display at a restaurant, so I have broken it down simply to ensure you have the proper level of knowledge from when you walk through the door to leaving the tip.

Timing is everything: Restaurant reservations should be treated like any other appointment. Call ahead if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late. If you are later than what you communicated to the restaurant staff, you can expect a longer delay upon arrival or even a cancellation on the restaurants behalf. Be on time and conscious of the restaurant’s scheduling protocol.

Attire: Even if a restaurant has a “casual” dress code, remember the definition of “casual” can mean one thing to one person and a something completely different to another. For some, casual could be interpreted as holey jeans and sneakers; on the other hand it could mean kaki pants and penny loafers. The best rule of thumb when dressing for a restaurant is to do so conservatively. If you think maybe you shouldn’t wear sneakers, don’t! If you are still in doubt simply contact the restaurant staff and ask what would be appropriate attire dining at their establishment.

Arrival at the table: Do not order any food until your entire party arrives. A lot of restaurants will not even seat a partial party. So it is a good idea to get your entire group together at the lounge and be ready to be seated at your scheduled reservation time. Once you have been seated, some restaurants will served bread or a small appetizer. If you are the host of the group, be the last to partake; and never eat the last of anything on the table.

Table Setting: When ding at a fine restaurant, most people are intimidated by all of the silverware and glasses they see sprawled before them. As a basic rule of thumb is to start from the outside of the setting and work your way in. The smaller utensils are used for appetizers and salads, while the larger ones are used for the entrée itself.

Depending on the type of restaurant, you may see five or more glasses in front of you. Don’t worry about which one you use however. The wait staff will fill the appropriate glasses and remove the rest depending on what you order. For example, you will have a tall glass for white wine, a large round glass for red wine, a water glass, and a flute for champagne. If you order wine for the table, like a nice white wine, then all glasses except for your water glass and the appropriate wine glass will remain. This brings us to our next point, selecting the best wine for both your meal and your budget.

Wine Selection: Most people are not quite sure how to choose a wine that compliments the meal and the occasion, even as it matches their budget. If you are not sure, it is quite acceptable to ask the for the wait person’s or wine steward’s advice Once your selection arrives at your table, it will be corked at your table.

If you choose a red wine, the wine server will uncork the win and pour a small amount into the host’s glass and the server will leave the bottle on your table. If you are the host, don’t drink the wine in your glass, and don’t pour the wine into your glass if you are a guest. The server is allowing the wine to breathe and will return in about five minutes. When the server arrives, sparingly taste the wine to see if it is what you expected. If so, say something complimentary like, “thank you, very nice.” The server will then fill the rest of your glass and your guest’s glasses.

If you choose a white wine, the tasting process will be similar to the red wine, with the exception of the breathing process. White wine can be tasted and enjoyed upon its corkage.

If you have a special wine of your own that you would like to enjoy at the restaurant, most venues allow you to bring in your own selection for a nominal corking fee.

The Meal: This will be covered very briefly, as the manners you were taught as a child should suffice. Eat slowly and in small bites, allow time for conversation and make sure not to rush your guests.

If your entrée is not properly cooked or is not too your satisfaction, it is acceptable to graciously inform the server there was an error in your meal. While some chefs have earned reputations of being temperamental in their craft, they are professional artists who will take your comments as positive and ensure your meal is prepared to your satisfaction.

Tipping: Tipping can be a tricky subject. Generally, you should tip leave about 15 percent of the bill as your tip. While it may not be easy to calculate the tip in your head, do not bring out a calculator. Instead, double the amount owed on the tax, and you will be able to arrive at a figure which generally comes out to 15 percent of the bill. But don’t forget to take the level of service into consideration. If the service was acceptable, a 15 percent tip should suffice, however, if you received excellent service, you should consider tipping more, and leave a 20 to 30 percent tip.

Following these very simple hints will allow you to be the captain of the table and maybe even impress your guests with your extensive knowledge of the fine art of dining; even though you may be sweating under your casual jacket.

Bon Apetit!

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I am not ashamed to say it: My favorite meal in the whole world is a big juicy burger. Nowadays, burgers are made from everything from turkey to emu; but for the purpose of this search, I will stick to the classic beef burger.

As I travel the country I always make a point to get a burger at every destination. Some have been better on my taste buds than others, but we will cover “burgers to avoid” in a future edition.

The top 10 places to get a burger in the country:

10. LA Buns, West Hollywood, CA This very small “greasy spoon” has become a permanent staple for bruger lovers on the busy Santa Monica Blvd thoroughfare. Don’t let its small exterior or its location next to the car wash fool ya…this is a place where any burger on the menu will be to your liking, both on your taste buds and your wallet.

9. Red Robin, National Chain Red Robin dedicates one page of its unique menu to just my favorite thing, burgers. Of course you can put anything on a burger to give it a theme, but the right ingredients combined with a thick ¼ pound all-beef patty is a true work of “moo art.” You can expect to pay close to $10 for a signature burger, which is accompanied by their trademark bottomless fries.

8. Ritz Carlton, Kapalua, HI The name Ritz Carlton is of course synonymous with luxury and the best that money can buy. This is very true of their house cheeseburger. Granted, to get the best you have to pay for it…this enormous 1lb angus-beef burger will run you close to $25.00, but its money well spent. Served simply with the classic toppings, onions, lettuce, mayo, ketchup, and a pickle on the side, this burger has all that is needed. It is a juicy and filling delight. As always, the best burger is cooked no longer than medium.

7. Johnny Rockets, National Chain Johnny Rockets is reminiscent of a 50’s style burger and malt joint. Johnny Rockets is known for their burgers and chili-cheese fries and for good reason. Moderately priced, the burgers are cooked on a flat grill, just like in the fifties and garnished simply with relish, ketchup, and mustard. If you need just a little more on your burger, I suggest the chili burger, definitely filling, and definitely delightful, top this one with a malt for the whole retro experience!

6. Gear Jammer Truck Stop, Mountain Home, ID Who hasn’t heard that truck stops have the best food? Well I can at least vouch for this truck stop’s signature Gearjammer burger. Cooked medium, of course, this ½lb monster burger is topped with grilled onion and mushrooms and served plain. Adding any other condiments to this meal on a bun would be a travesty. Next time you are in Southern Idaho and have a craving for a really good burger, take the time to stop at the Gear Jammer!

5. Ruby Tuesdays, National Chain Ruby Tuesdays has a burger dish that almost went the way of the 1950’s, the sliders. Ruby Tuesday’s serves up 4 mini burgers on dinner roll buns dressed up simply with just the basic pickle, ketchup, and mustard. The burgers are moderately priced and pack an explosive taste in a small package.

4. Fatburger, Soon-to-be National Chain. Used to be you could only find a Fatburger in California, but thankfully, the chain is rapidly expanding from its California roots. Just as the name implies, the burgers are fat, big and juicy. Made from 100% aged beef, grilled to perfection, expertly garnished with the classic condiments, Fatburger is a definite “destination” restaurant. Thankfully for the country, the “destination” no longer requires airfare to the West Coast.

3. Hamburger Hamlet, Regional Chain Some restaurants that have the word “burger” on their sign but don’t necessarily live upto its name. This is not the case for the Hamburger Hamlet. This classic eatery has a very nice, eclectic menu with prices ranging from very moderate to moderately expensive. But of course, my favorite dish is their burger. Their menu has many types of hamburgers with many different themes, all are mouth-watering and a definite delight to the burger lover.

2. In N Out, Regional Chain Fast food burgers aren’t usually a memorable experience, nor will you see them listed in restaurant and food reviews; but In N Out does nothing but burgers and fries. The “double-double” is their signature classic. Their burgers are made to order on a flat grill and can be served up many different ways to include grilled onions or protein style, for the carb-conscious. However you fix it up or wrap it up, In N Out earned its incredible reputation for serving up a really great burger and deserves to be the number two spot in this review.

1. Ahh, for the number one spot for best burger in the country is a very small burger, in a very small town, available exclusively at a very small restaurant. Hickies is located in New Boston, Ohio. Near the banks of the Ohio River, this small diner has become a staple of good food for this remote area. Hickies maintains a closely guarded recipe for their burgers, which are one size; small. I suggest ordering at least 5 of these mini delights and maybe 5 to go for the drive home. Each burger patty is hand pressed and grilled up home-style. The made-to-order burgers are then placed on a steamed dinner roll. Not that this regional delicacy requires any additional flavors, but it is served with onion, pickle and mustard. The burgers are is simple and aromatic in its flavor. Hickies is always packed with customers and is overwhelmed with phone orders. If you ever wind up traveling to this small and quaint river town in southern Ohio, Hickies is a definite dining stop for a great burger, actually the Best Burger in the Country.

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What if there were a place where you could combine your love of sports and your love of the traditional Bar & Grill hangout spot?

There are a few, but the most appropriate comes from our favorite sports cable channel—ESPN and it’s called the ESPN Zone.

Each location is anchored by a big screen, high definition television and as many monitors you can jam into one place without causing seizures from sensory overload.

Plus, there are a plethora of interactive games and other attractions that will keep any sports enthusiast occupied for hours, ranging from boxing to golf and from basketball to hockey.

Each location has its own highlighted game special and in the Chicago location, fans can get into the 15 foot Madden NFL Football Game on a giant projection screen, allowing four-person play with current team rosters, ground-breaking graphics and audio that is so powerful it’s palpable.

Before or after the gaming, patrons can take advantage of more than generous portions of traditional American grill items, including thematic specialties such as the ESPN Burger, the Zone Cheese Steak and the Baby Back, Back, Back ribs.

Open up the eating session with your own tailgate party, the Ultimate Tailgate, which is a sampler of the most popular appetizers, including Spicy Cheese Sauce and Chips, Buffalo and Barbecue Wings, Sliders, Chicken Tenders and Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip.

Close things out with the best sports-oriented dessert you can get, the Sudden Death Brownie, a chocolate chip and walnut brownie under vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream.

It’s a Bar & Grill, so whatever you drink, they have, even if it’s one of those Nancy concoctions with sugar and pretty colors.

This is a true ESPN experience, so if you love sports and want it served up in a sports-authentic Bar & Grill, ESPN Zone is the place to go.

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Some people open restaurants for the love of money, and some do it for the love of the food. Still others open them for the love of the theme itself.

Dan Aykroyd, one half of the legendary “Blues Brothers,” launched the first House of Blues restaurant and showroom in 1994, along with Isaac Tigret (co-founder of the Hard Rock Cafe), Jim Belushi (brother of the late John Belushi, the other half of the Blues Brothers), the Rock group Aerosmith, singer Isaac Hayes, actor George Wendt (’Norm’ from “Cheers”) and David Letterman’s bandleader, Paul Shaffer.

The outside of the is as hip as the music acts who play, for example, the Los Angeles location is constructed to resemble a giant tin shack. Other locations have varying construction, but the overarching theme of each one is homage to the music and the Southern roots.

And, the music is not just the Blues. Acts from all music genres hit the stages of each HOB location. On Sunday, each location brings in live Gospel acts for their Gospel Bruch, featuring an all you can eat buffet.

The food is Southern-inspired fare, with names like Voodoo Shrimp, Tennessee Baby Back Ribs, and the Southern Classic, Creole Jambalaya, plus the expected fried catfish and their New Orleans Po’ Boy sandwich.

If you want more traditional food, the menu also includes regular Bar & Grill items, such as their half-pound hamburgers and pizza.

The music is good and the prices for the food are reasonable, with a flat fee for the Sunday Brunch.

Music and food—what more do you need?

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If you know Blues, you know that BB King would be nothing without Lucille, a veritable extension of his arm, which is essential to his delivery of the plucks and strums that move us all.

And, if you’ve ever been to one of BB King’s clubs, you know that they would be less than adequate without Lucille’s, the Bar & Grill extension of the club, is essential to the delivery of the meals and drinks that move us all.

Rockin’ out to your favorite music act can make you thirsty and it can also make you hungry. While a cool club will give you good drinks and a limited menu; an excellent club like BB Kings gives you good drinks and a full menu with enough choices to keep the selection fresh to you after many, many visits.

Start things off with fried stuff–calamari, oysters or catfish, or share one of the platters with your friends. Lucille’s has two platters—the King Wings Combo Platter with BB’s homestyle BBQ sauce over spicy grilled wings and the King Seafood Platter with calamari, popcorn shrimp and catfish fingers.

You can keep things light with a fruit and cheese appetizer tray, followed by a salad and the linguini with grilled chicken or shrimp, but, c’mon, it’s a Bar & Grill—go straight to the fried stuff! I’m not leaving Lucille’s until I get my fill of the Southern Fried Chicken, and to pretend it’s balanced and healthy, they serve it with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob—whatever—Beer Me!!

Sorry, I was having a moment. There are other things on the menu and they actually taste good, because the restaurant cares about giving customers good food.

There are sandwiches, burgers, a 10 ounce filet mignon, meat loaf, and the Shrimp Creole that is New Orleans-good, indeed! Lucille’s is a Southern-styled restaurant, so try the Tennessee BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, or the Blackened Catfish with red beans and rice.

Sit down for your favorite group at BB King’s and then sit down for what will become your favorite food at Lucille’s.

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When you’ve had too much to drink, it’s typically a bad thing to hit rock bottom. However, when Rock Bottom is the name of the bar and grill you’re heading to, it’s typically a good thing to hit.

It’s a different Rock Bottom when you walk into a bar that is warm with brass and wood appointments, earth tone compliments and shiny brewing vessels. That’s when you grab a menu, belly up to the bar or booth and relax with friends, family or business associates in a moderately-priced eating establishment that makes its own beer fresh on site.

Rock Bottom is all about its beer, but the joint is also making a name for itself where BBQ ribs and chicken are concerned—they do them pretty good. And, not a shabby job is done when it comes to other menu items either, such as smoked salmon, steak, sandwiches, burgers and their famous White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes.

But they also have beer, and since they are a brewery, don’t be surprised by unique menu items such as the Brown Ale Chicken and their own handmade Beer Bread, served with Asiago Cheese Dip.

Not that this is all that important (yeah, right!), but Rock Bottom Brewery produces 40,000 barrels of beer each year, which is the highest volume of beer in the restaurant brewery category.

They’re so cool, they have a club you can join that’s just for beer drinkers. If you go to the same location frequently, join the “Mug Club.”

Rewards in the Mug Club are like frequent flyer miles—the more you drink, the more rewards you earn. They’ll keep a special mug behind the bar for you and invite you to cool parties, special beer tappings and even shoot you a birthday card each year with a special offer in it.

Rock Bottom has a variety of traditional beers as well as specialty ales and lagers. Their own varieties include Cyclone Light Lager, Great White Wheat, Signal Hill Gold, Pelican Red Ale, Long Board Brown and Black Seal Stout.

I’ve hosted Happy Hour get-togethers with friends at the location in Long Beach, California. The wait staff was very accommodating and paid more attention to us since we were an organized group. If you have a large group, many of the locations have banquet facilities to accommodate.

Hit Rock Bottom on Pint Night and throw back a few for less.

By Darryl James

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Also known as Arnie Morton’s of Chicago, this is one of the premiere steakhouses in America.

Morton’s is clearly upscale as reflected in both the required attire and the price of the meal.

The attire is business or upscale casual, which means that men need to wear shirts with collars, but not necessarily jackets and ties. No patrons will be allowed with jeans, t-shirts, shorts or sandals.

While the price of dinner for two may exceed $150, the taste and the service justify it.The shrimp cocktail on the appetizer menu is labeled as “colossal” and that is no exaggeration. Neither is the “Jumbo” crabmeat cocktail.

Morton’s also has super-sized steaks, including a double cut filet mignon and a bone-in double cut prime rib. But, don’t worry, they also offer what they call “slightly smaller” steaks, which include single cuts of the filet mignon and ribeye.

The Morton’s menu is served a la carte, so make certain to pay attention to the sides, which include vegetables (asparagus, broccoli, spinach, potatoes and mushrooms) or just partner your favorite steak with a salad.

Morton’s is a steakhouse, but they also offer lamb chops, chicken, salmon and lobster.

Follow your meal with the chocolate velvet cake souffle with Grand Marnier, or their legendary hot chocolate cake. Add an espresso or cappuccino and you won’t get too drowsy from the digestion process.

Many of the Morton’s locations have private boardrooms for receptions meetings or private dinner parties. The menu can be composed of Morton’s own selections or from selected outside venues.

By Darryl James

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When I first visited a Lone Star Steakhouse, I was truly impressed. I like my steaks cooked medium-well to well-done, and because of this preference, the steaks I eat at various sit-down restaurants tend to be pretty dry. There’s nothing worse than having to ceaselessly saw through your meat and chew forever on flavorless piece of dry steak. To avoid this fate, various people have suggested that I just order my steak medium or medium rare. I honestly don’t like the taste of under-cooked beef, so this really isn’t an option for me. But I found the perfect solution: Lone Star Steakhouse. After dining at Lone Star, I was amazed at how seriously juicy my well-done steak tasted.

The first Lone Star Steakhouse was opened in 1989 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There are now more than 267 locations throughout the United States. The restaurant’s prices are middle of the road, and the furnishings are straight out of a Louis L’Amour novel.

The décor is termed “Texas roadhouse” and the ambiance is that of a warm cattle rancher’s lodge. If you’re not a fan of country music, you might want to bring your mp3 player, but if you can get in the spirit of things, the background country music won’t be all that bad. The decorative action murals, cowboy signs, spurs, cattle horns and cacti all go a long way in creating a welcoming and rustic Texas mood.

Lone Star’s appetizers are massive. The Texas Rose is a huge battered onion blossom served with tangy dipping sauce. The Lone Star Skins are mammoth potato wedges burdened by heaps of Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream and chives. The Amarillo Cheese Fries are served the same way. Lone Star’s Jalapeno Poppers are the size of small automobiles. Quesadillas, hot wings, ribs, and grilled shrimp are also available. Lone Star’s chili is also a solid choice for an appetizer.

Mesquite grill connoisseurs will love the entrée choices at Lone Star Steakhouse. Dinner guests can enjoy a mouth-watering mesquite-grilled steak, or get a combination plate with steak and other grilled favorites like jumbo fried shrimp, juicy baby back ribs, sweet bourbon salmon, king crab legs and grilled lobster tail. Lone Star also has other seafood dishes, prime rib, a creamy Fettuccini Alfredo plate, pork chops, beef kabob and grilled chicken. The side order options included with you entrée are as large and tasty as the main dish. You’ll have a difficult time deciding between a baked potato, steamed veggies, steak fries, and a baked sweet potato. The baked sweet potato is a gargantuan orange mountain stuffed with butter and topped with a sandy deposit of cinnamon and sugar. It’s a must try.

Specialty drinks (like Texas-themed spin-offs on classic martinis) can really compliment your meal. Lone Star’s margaritas are money. The relaxed “Texas state of mind” atmosphere is very conducive to enjoying a beer or other drink with friends or loved ones.

Lone Star Steakhouses are famous for their lip-smacking mesquite grill options and Texas-sized portions. If you want to experience a hospitable taste of rustic Texas cuisine, visit a Lone Star Steakhouse. You’ll find an inviting atmosphere, friendly service, and the juiciest damn steak you’ve ever tasted.

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