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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