Renaissance Long Beach Hotel – Chef Janine Falvo’s Ocean-To-Fork Media Tasting

For many years, Long Beach was ‘home’ to me.  My parents owned a little cafe in Long Beach.  I graduated from CSULB (California State University, Long Beach).  I worked in Long Beach for almost 10 years before work relocated to Seal Beach, and now Huntington Beach.  Needless to say, in the span of time, Long Beach has gone through quite a lot of changes, and I am so glad to see all the new and hip happenings.

 (Image source above: Renaissance Long Beach Hotel Website )

Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, located in downtown Long Beach, has recently gone through an 8 million dollar renovation.  I don’t know what it used to look like but when I walked in the hotel’s SIP Lounge, I was blown away by the beautiful surrounding and decor!

Not only did the hotel get a face-lift, Renaissance Long Beach also welcome a new Executive Chef, Janine Falvo.  Does she look familiar to you?  Yep, she was one of the contestant on Top Chef Season 9, Top Chef: Texas.  I am a huge fan of the show and her!

While we are familiar with her Farm-to-Table approach previously, she brings the Ocean-to-Fork philosophy to SIP Lounge.  “We are in Long Beach where we have plenty of ocean resources.  It only makes sense that we take advantage of it.”, says Chef Falvo.  I couldn’t agree more.  She created some of the most spectacular dishes that were presented during the recent media tasting I attended.   Who needs potato chips when you can have Kale Chips?

Ahi Tuna (compressed watermelon, basil, cilantro, thai chili in jicama wrap) – This is such a smart and innovative way to serve Ahi Tuna!

Bacon Caramel Corn – Can I get a tub of this?  🙂
I like sweeter cocktail and the Strawberry Martini was perfect!  Our server also suggested wine and I decided on Sparkling Rose, light and refreshing.

Chicken Strip/Chip with Homemade Sriracha Sauce – Thinly sliced tender chicken.  Chef Falvo’s own Sriracha was less garlicky and sweet.  We all agreed we liked it just as much as the original Sriracha.
We got to sample oysters 2 ways; Oyster on half shell and Roasted Oyster, both were excellent!
Fried Oyster – These were big with bold flavor.  Love the fried jalapeno pepper that gave it a little punch.

Smoked Prawns Puttanesca – Absolutely delicious!  I must have had 5 of these!  Asparagus Fondue (parmesan, quail egg) – How cute were these individual servings?  The regular serving was equally impressive.

Kale Salad (green tea miso vinaigrette, plums, toasted coconut, cherries) – I love how tender the kale was.  I really liked the green tea miso vinaigrette.  By now you can see why I admire Chef Falvo so much!  She has such creative culinary artistry designing the different sauces, dressing, and dishes.  

Charred Octopus (gigante beans, black garlic, calabrian peppers, grilled olives) – I loved how she came up with the idea of putting these in the little sardine cans!  So adorable and tasted so good.  Octopus is not the easiest seafood to cook but there were so tender and perfect.

Sliced Steak (this was an add-on and I don’t know what sauce it was accompanied) – I just love a nicely cook piece of steak.

Lemon-Olive Oil Cake (balsamic syrup, strawberries, olive oil powder) – The perfect dessert to end a fantastic tasting!

There are many more of Chef Falvo’s Ocean-to-Fork creations, so gather a few friends and head over to the SIP Lounge for a relaxing and great cocktails and delicious eats!

Renaissance Long Beach Hotel
111 East Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 437-5900