5 /5 KG: This was my first time dining at this historic Long Beach restaurant. Fun fact: the building at 101 Pine Avenue was originally the First National Bank of Long Beach, built in 1906, and now houses a true icon. My review is specifically for the Rombauer wine pairing dinner held last Saturday in their Wine Cellar literally built inside the old bank vault, which gives the evening a unique, atmospheric charm. To top it off, the restaurant was also celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Phil (representing the restaurant) and Mike from Rombauer were both very informative and engaging throughout the night. As a Sauvignon Blanc kind of girl, I was surprised to discover that I actually preferred their Chardonnay something I didn’t expect! Shoutout to Scott, who poured at our table he was attentive and made sure everyone was well taken care of.
Two of us at the table are pescatarians, and they made sure everything was correct right from the start, which I really appreciated. The courses were thoughtful and well-paired:
1st Course: Tuna with mango and bell pepper chutney, paired with Sauvignon Blanc light, flavorful, and perfectly balanced.
2nd Course: Bay scallops paired with Chardonnay the dish that actually made me fall for Chardonnay.
3rd Course: Wild mushroom ravioli paired with Pinot Noir not usually a red wine fan, but this pairing worked beautifully. I love mushrooms, and this dish was delicious.
4th Course: Some type of white fish (maybe seabass?) paired with Cabernet Sauvignon. By this point, the buzz had fully set in, so forgive me for not remembering the details, but I know I enjoyed it!
5th Course: Dessert… by then I was fully committed to my “liquid diet,” so I skipped eating it to save the calories for more wine.
Overall, this was such a fun and memorable evening. Great people, great food, great wine, and a truly unique setting. I’ll definitely be back to experience a regular dining night at this iconic Long Beach spot.