Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Long Beach

Great happy hour menu and drinks. Cool decor and good service.

Fuego has such a great ambiance, almost impossible to beat if you enjoy waterside dining with breathtaking views and understated elegance. Food is always tasty but service is typically a bit spotty, but the ambience usually makes up for any service glitches. Last night’s prix fixe Christmas dinner, though, was so RUSHED, not enjoyable. There are many examples but the most offensive one was our party of three were still eating our dinners, plates in front of us, when the server brought the desserts and inquired if we were done. Two of us were not, but the server removed our plates (still with dinner on them) and left the ice cream topped desserts in their place. We were not slow diners. Our dinner plates were removed within 20 mins of being served but then replaced with dessert. We were in and out within 65 mins of being seated. My guess is the aim was to turn tables every hour on Christmas. We asked the server why it was so rushed, as it wasn’t crowded. He said the kitchen staff was controlling the pace. We suggested the diners themselves should set the pace, especially if they’re not lingering too long. Expense was expected, including ridiculous validated parking fee, but we didn’t expect to have to be in and out in just under an hour.

We were greeted warmly, served by an attentive server who took our orders. The food was delicious and the room was quiet and comfortable. A wonderful experience.

My family thoroughly enjoyed our dinner on Christmas Eve. It was our first time eating at the 555, and we will be returning. The food was delicious. We had the New York steak and lobster. Crab Legs, and a T Bone. Finger licking good. Ray, our server, was top-notch in every way. He needs to travel America training servers on how to do the job correctly. The cocktails and desserts both were very tasty. Seriously, it's one of the best meals I've eaten in a long time.

Great service, great food. Always a good choice, especially for introducing new guests to one of Long Beach finest restaurants.