Hot Plates: Port Side

BY LISA KIMSEY

Commuting has become a staple in the day of your average Angeleno so why not make the destination something worth the journey? Venture towards the Pacific for a culinary daycation.

Smooth’s Sports Grille: For a place to grab a drink, catch the big game and enjoy an extensively varied menu, look no further than Smooth’s, just a block and a half off of Ocean Boulevard. Open until 2 a.m. Monday-Saturday, you’ll find signature burgers—we recommend the Aloha burger—and classics like Smooth’s take on chili and homemade meat loaf. And their selection of pizzas, like the garlic pesto with Gouda cheese, will sate even the most discerning of Italian pie connoisseurs. Stop by Smooth’s to see why it’s one of the more popular restaurants in L.B.—for culinary and sports fans alike.
144 Pine Ave., Long Beach 562/437-7700; smoothssportsgrille.com $$$

The Pizza Place & Garden Café: “Lasagna that’s to-die-for” says Pizza Place owner Tina of their signature dish, and she’s got the loyal regulars to prove it. Made with white egg noodles, ricotta cheese, fennel sausage, mozzarella cheese and deliciously rich meat sauce all covered in layers of mozzarella and ricotta cheese—and topped again with more mozzarella cheese for good measure—the lasagna dish is a perfect introduction to this casual, family owned and operated Italian restaurant. With its warm, comfortable indoor booths and the outdoor-heated covered patio for dining-experience variety, you’ll see why PP&GC has been satisfying its customers for 30 years.

1431 E. Broadway Ave., Long Beach 562/432-6000; thepizzaplace.biz $

Olive’s Gourmet Grocer: Long Beach has a hidden gem in this grocer known for their culinary expertise, custom-prepared meals and unparalleled customer service levels. Whether you are looking for grocery-list fixtures like milk or flour or to cater your party this weekend, Olive’s has the knowledgeable staff to make your experience unforgettable. And this isn’t your ordinary corner grocer. Olive’s staffs a culinary-trained chef, which explains sandwiches regularly voted best in the area. Come taste for yourself and see what all the gourmet-organic fuss is about.

35210 E. Broadway Ave., Long Beach 562/439-7758; olivesgourmetgrocer.com $$

Hamburger Mary's: The recently re-established “open-air bar and grille for open-minded people” resides at the address that has long been the homo-must hot spot for Long Beach partygoers. Now that the feisty drag-licious diva’s moved back in, you won’t need to wait for nightfall to enjoy the joint as evidenced by the throngs of people drawn by the food. Mary hits you with a barrage of classic choices—made from only the freshest ingredients of course—but with a fabulous twist, like the buttermilk-battered “Cala-Mary” or the Mojo hot sauce-marinated “Her Hot Legs” to start. Naturally, readily available are her trademark stacked-high gourmet burgers like the “Queen Mary.” Oh girl, you crack us up!

740 E. Broadway Ave., Long Beach 562/983-7001; hamburgermaryslb.com $­

Gay-ving Thanks

The South Bay Center helps people keep their refrigerators clean with its post-Thanksgiving feast.

By KEN KNOX

Looking for a way to get rid of all of those Thanksgiving leftovers? The South Bay Center of Torrance feels your pain. For the second year in a row, the Center will be sponsoring Thanksgiving Open House, a post-Thanksgiving day dinner function that aims to bring people together and help them keep their refrigerators clean.

“It’s sort of a potluck,” says Scott Houston, a member of the South Bay Center’s board of directors who is organizing the event. “Everyone brings their leftovers and hangs out for a day. Maybe you didn’t get a chance to hang out with your family for Thanksgiving—or maybe you are tired of your family and need to get away—so this serves a few purposes. It’s a time to hang out with folks you don’t see very often, but it’s also a time to meet some new LGBT people in the South Bay area.”

The event was born last year, when several of the Center’s employees suggested getting together to share what remained of their Thanksgiving dinners. “It was started mostly on a whim,” Houston notes. “They had this little get-together to get rid of their leftovers and it went really well, so we decided to do it again this year, only a little more structured.”

This year’s guests can expect not only great homemade holiday dishes, but also more formalized activities, such as games and movies. “Depending on how long the day goes, we’ll introduce various activities to keep them occupied,” Houston says. “They’ll have to have some way to work off all of those carbs.”

Though a small donation is suggested, there is no cost for the event. “We’re not looking to make any money off of this,” Houston stresses. “It’s an evening of socializing. It’s mostly a time to meet new friends, a time to get reacquainted with old friends, and a way to clean our your refrigerator.

“I’m looking forward to a good turnout,” Houston adds. “I would love for people to come and make new friends and get reacquainted with old friends. We’ll have the afternoon to share and have a good time—basically what the holidays are all about, but only more gay.”

A gay holiday? Now that’s something to be thankful for.

The South Bay Center’s Post-Thanksgiving Feast will take place on Nov. 28 at the Center, 16610 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. For information, visit southbaycenter.org.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Thanksgiving at Christ Chapel

Christ Chapel of Long Beach, which runs the city’s AIDS Food Store, hosts a free Thanksgiving dinner for the LGBT community. “There are a lot of people who need a place to go on Thanksgiving; they don’t have to be alone. Anyone who wants to be here is certainly welcome,” says church secretary Margo Martinez. They’ll serve the traditional Thanksgiving meal—ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and yams—from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to help prepare and serve the meal. Christ Chapel, 3935 E. 10th St. For more information or to volunteer, call 562/438-5303.

World AIDS Day for youth

“Act-Up! Mix It Up,” is the theme for a World AIDS Day event geared toward youth ages 24 and younger. “The young people are the ones who really need the information about AIDS,” explains organizer Dr. Carlos Silveira of Cal State Long Beach. “We’re making this a fun event with activities, games and performances.” Participants can create AIDS-related art work in a variety of mediums, all materials are provided. A Health and Wellness Expo will also be held. The free event is Mon., Dec. 1 starting at 4 p.m. in the Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. For more information, log onto lbaidsfoundation.org.

3-D HIV presentation at AIDS Day event

A 3-D video presentation of how HIV works will be a highlight of a World AIDS Day event geared toward both adults and youth. Performers will include the Della Reese Up Choir, South Coast Chorale, Folklorico Ballet, Cambodian Dancers and Korean Drummers. “It’ll be a fast-paced, multi-cultural event,” explains Garry Bowie, executive director of Long Beach AIDS Foundation, which is putting on the event. Winners of the Project Red Paint art contest will also be announced. The free event is Mon., Dec. 1 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. Admission is first come, first serve, so Bowie encourages people to get in line early. For more information, log onto lbaidsfoundation.org.

Progressing toward the holidays

Out and About Long Beach hosts its seventh annual Progressive Holiday Event on Sat., Dec. 13. “This year, we’ve got three open houses, including the Bixby Mansion, all of which will be decorated for the holidays,” says Ignacio Pimentel, Out and About’s activity chair. The South Coast Chorale and Poly High School Choral group will perform, while Empress Jackie serves as hostess. The party starts at 3 p.m. and moves from house to house until 9 p.m. Food and drinks will be served at each location. $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Proceeds benefit St. Mary’s CARE Program, Hughes Middle School Art Department and Poly High School Choral Department. For tickets, log onto outandaboutlb.org.