Luna Bistro & Cafe Verified listing

Luna Long Beach, the Mexican-fusion restaurant that has officially opened in Bixby Village Plaza, might be one of nearly ten restaurants for restaurateur Christian Alvarez and the second iteration of Luna’s flagship—but it is a gem for East Long Beach. The area is dominated by corporate spaces, with the 2nd & PCH retail complex acting as the hub for Food Beyond the Chain. (The smaller plaza at the southwest corner of Loynes and PCH, which houses OBRA Handbakery and formerly Local Spot, is the only exception. Also, please, don’t confuse it with Luna Belmont Shore, the independent jeweler.)

Christian, an experienced operator if there ever was one, has magically revamped the space in one and a half months. With furniture and tiles he designed with a company in Tototlán, Jalisco, along with his own taste, there is little question that Luna is an escape from its strip mall counterparts. But he is also tirelessly dedicated to the communities he serves. With Luna Long Beach, he clings rightfully to his roots in a way that only celebrates the beautiful influence Mexicans have had on California, the United States, and the world.

“I’ve just always loved cultures—plural,” he emphasizes. “Everything is under the moon. Luna is that. It’s this thing where I threw in some sashimi with my mom’s ceviche because it was easier and then I had sesame and lime melding with one another and it worked. I was a few tequilas in, I admit, but it worked. That was where the ‘ceviche Asiatico’ came from.”

Additionally, the space has opened for brunch. Giving its relatively new (and rather great) patio space more of an excuse to be used, the menu reflects everything Luna does well: fusing Mexican and American flavors. Chilaquiles stacks—where whole, fried tostadas are stuffed with layers of beans, cheese, and the space’s much-loved Michoaćan-style carnitas—drenched in salsa verde and topped with fried eggs. A play on steak and eggs meshing with steak and frites. Breakfast tacos. Chorizo eggs Benedict…

Written and photos by Brian Addison.

For Brian Addison's latest feature on Luna, click here.