Modern European Restaurants in Long Beach, CA

“Heritage Restaurant, Long Beach – A Well-Earned Michelin Star by Michael Broderick. In a city where “Californian” culinary ambition often plays second fiddle to casual dining, Heritage in Long Beach has carved out a place of quiet excellence, earning a well-deserved Michelin star. This intimate dining experience is a testament to ingredient-driven, technique-forward cooking, where flavors are both restrained, unpretentious, and deeply expressive. From the first bite, it was clear that Heritage excels at layering textures and flavors in unexpected ways. The meal began with an Amuse Bouche trio: a delicate prawn cracker topped with sweet Dungeness crab, a green leaf with another seafood salad that was to be eaten like a mini street taco, and balanced with the brightness and light crunch of pickled turnip. A seemingly simple couple of bites, but one that foreshadowed the precision and thoughtfulness of the courses to follow. To cleanse the palate, a mint tea infused with palo santo was served—a meditative interlude that was both refreshing and aromatic, setting the stage for the evening’s journey. The first official course, Crème Caviar, featured Russian Sturgeon Heritage Caviar and chive, a chilled preparation that was rich yet elegantly restrained. This was followed by Kanpachi Crudo, presented with carrot, ginger, and macédoine vegetables, offering a balance of clean ocean flavors against bright, vegetal undertones. Then came what I consider the star of the evening: a dish that fully captured the ethos of Heritage—Hen of the Woods Mushroom, topped in a “sunchoke stew” (crispy fried sunchoke) with fermented mushroom. For an additional $25, an indulgent shaving of black truffle took the dish to another level, transforming it into a sensory experience that evoked the deep, earthy satisfaction of foraging. The interplay of umami-rich elements made this course a masterpiece of textural and flavor contrast. The proteins that followed were executed with equal care. First, a perfectly prepared Rainbow Trout, sauted to perfection with a crispy layer of skin on one side, delicate pink flesh on the other, bathed in a delicate dashi and punctuated with bursts of smoked trout roe in a light creme sauce, which lent salinity and depth. Then, a 32-day dry-aged rib chop, a cut that can sometimes lean too “gamey” in the tradiinal steak house that cuts corners on a post aging trim, yet here was a revelation—tender, deeply beefy, but balanced. Accompanying the dish was sous vide endive, black garlic, and a shaving of Parmesan, which surprisingly lacked the usual sharpness, instead presenting a more rounded, delicate, nutty flavor. Desserts were a study in technique and balance. The first, a Grilled Strawberry with strawberry granita and Meyer lemon crème, was bright and refreshing, its layers revealing different expressions of cool and sweetness. Then came the Coco Craquelin, a delicate choux pastry filled with beurre noisette ganache and banana cremeux, meant to be eaten with the hands—a playful and interactive moment in the meal. Finally, a Sage Basque Cake, its subtle herbaceousness complemented by toasted hemp seeds and lemon curd, provided a grounding, crispy finish. Heritage is the kind of restaurant that doesn’t simply chase trends—it refines them into something personal, something intentional. The execution is confident but never showy, and the experience is paced with precision, allowing each dish to tell its own story. This is not just a meal—it’s a quiet, profound meditation on flavor, technique, and the land from which it all comes. Where other restaurant profess to be a true “Californian” style farm to table experience , Heritage is, without a doubt, a must-visit for anyone who seeks out truly exceptional dining in California.“

“Had my birthday celebration there and the service was outstanding! Food and drinks were excellent! Thank you all for making my night extra special! Yvette Hall“

“Great good and drinks. Great happy hour and weekly specials like Wine Wednesday. Friendly and welcoming.“