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The first time I went to Long Beach was in early 2017. I had moved to LA in September of 2015, but it wasn’t until 2017 when I started to explore the South Bay, San Pedro and Long Beach. Since then, I try to go to Long Beach at least once every few weeks.
I love walking on Naples, watching the sunset on Signal Hill, enjoying a slice of pie at Jongewaard’s Bake n Broil, strolling down the 2nd & PCH mall, and getting lost at the Once Read bookstore, among other things!
Long Beach is part of Los Angeles, but it feels like you’re in a laid-back beach town. At one point, I even daydreamed about owning a small bungalow in Belmont Heights because that’s how much I loved it. There are parts of Long Beach that could be the backdrop of an early 2000s rom-com, like 4th Street, which is lined with cafes, quirky boutique shops and vinyl record stores.
Another thing I love about Long Beach is how incredibly diverse it is, which is reflected in its unique and vibrant food scene. This article would not have been possible without my dear friend Philip!
When Philip is not taking beautiful photos of his trips, like the Pacific Northwest, Japan, or Amsterdam, you can find him in Long Beach, the city he’s called home since 2003. Philip originally moved there for college from the Bay area. Not only do I love how much he loves Long Beach, but I also love how supportive he is of small business owners. I think it’s fascinating that despite how much he’s traveled around the world, he says there’s nothing like coming back to Long Beach.
Philip is the creative behind Ends of the Earth, a gorgeous shop inside Wolf’s Brew Coffee that offers curated products for self-care, space, and senses. He first launched Ends of The Earth in 2018 as a pop-up, and started a permanent residency at Wolf Brew’s Coffee in the summer of 2020.
All the items at Ends of the Earth are inspired by Philip’s love of nature, art, and travel. Besides being an analog film photographer, Philip is a candle maker, and a planner of men’s retreats and co-ed outdoor experiences. If this isn’t enough, he also works on creative projects based on his background in dance and music.
I met Philip on a Sunday at Sesame Dinette, but it was closed. He said, “Oh, no! They must have changed the hours. It’s ok! I have a backup. Let’s go to Union @ Compound. It’s just a few minutes away.”
Union is a restaurant/bar located inside a warehouse. To say that the ambiance was beautiful is a big understatement. There was an art gallery, a shop, and a DJ playing music. The outdoor seating area had art sculptures and looked very relaxing, but because we were catching up and it was my first time, we decided to sit inside.
If you’re not familiar with coffee shops and restaurants in Long Beach, many of them take their interior design to the next level. The attention to detail and the decor in some of the places you’re about to read are incredible. Cafes in Long Beach tend to have an inviting atmosphere, and are intended to connect people. Some of them host weekly community events.
Whenever I walk into a coffee shop in Long Beach, I want to be there for a long time. There’s no shortage of aesthetically pleasing coffee shops and restaurants in Central LA, but many of them are transient and just for show.
Additionally, there’s a special community feel in Long Beach that has been fueled by gentrifying neighborhoods, like the East Village Arts District and Zaferia. Throughout the interview, you’ll come across the word community a lot!
After our meal at Union @ Compound, we did the interview at Common Room Roasters, which was right down the street. This was Philip’s latest coffee shop discovery!
You can follow Philip on his two Instagram accounts: @endsofthe_earth to see more of his pop-up residency at Wolf’s Brew, and @philipeatsfilm for his photography-related work.
Hi Philip! Why did you bring me to Union @ Compound?
Compound opened around the pandemic. It’s a creative space and I’m always drawn to anything that’s a hub for the creative community.
They first had an art gallery where they would feature different artists. They closed down and reopened the gallery with a restaurant called Union, where we went. It also has a bar. The lead chef is Eugene Santiago, who’s a local Long Beach resident and Filipino. He’s incorporated a lot of Filipino culture into the menu. He also has his own pop-up called Baryo on the side, and now he has a residency at Union.
The space, as you saw, it’s beautiful. It’s a great place to introduce people to Long Beach. It’s like a sensory experience: the visuals, the art, the food and the music. They have DJs every weekend. The brunch menu that we ordered is also really new. Before, it was just dinner. That neighborhood is called Zaferia, and it’s up-and-coming.
Note from Mariana: If you’re going to Union for dinner, reservations are highly encouraged! Book your table here.
Before Union, you brought me to Sesame Dinette, but it was closed. You’ve mentioned that place a lot! Why do you like it so much?
I loooove Sesame Dinette. Their take on some of the traditional Vietnamese dishes is very unique.
Their banh mi is really good and exceptional. The bread they use is a different bread than the traditional French roll. It’s a standout for sure.
They also have vegan options. My other go-to dish is the Vermicelli noodle dish. I get that with the vegan tofu, which is so good that sometimes I get a second helping. The cafe is small, but it’s very cozy. It’s family-owned and it feels really good to support that community.
What are your other favorite restaurants in Long Beach?
I always, always, always recommend people to experience Ammatoli. It’s a Levantine restaurant owned by Chef Dima. What she has brought to that community is amazing, and she has even been internationally recognized. She’s a James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef in California. They recently expanded the restaurant and now it’s bigger. But yes, Ammatoli is hands down one of my top favorite Mediterranean experiences in the United States.
Our pizza scene is also up-and-coming. One that I recommend is Speak Cheezy. They use sourdough for the pizza crust and it really stands out. They were also featured on the Washington Post as one of the best pizza places in America. We have other ones, but they’re one of my favorites.
Another pizzeria I recommend is L’Antica Pizzeria in Belmont. There’s one in LA, NY, Santa Barbara and Italy. That’s one of our newest Italian destinations in Long Beach, and it really is an experience. Their pizza oven is imported from Italy!
San & Wolves (pop-up) is going to open their brick-and-mortar very soon in the same neighborhood as Speak Cheezy. Kym Estrada is the owner and she’s working really hard to get that bakery open.
The last time I spoke with her, she said they were looking to open it towards the end of summer. It’s a whole process to open a business. As you know, San & Wolves started as a pop-up and she sells out all the time. What is awesome about her following, is that it is a mix of non-Filipinos and non-vegans. I love that she’s spreading her perspective on veganism and Filipino culture. It’s really rare to have Filipino vegan desserts. The community is eating it up, literally (laughs).
I almost forgot! This is really important. Long Beach has great Thai and Cambodian food. We also have Cambodia Town, so the options are amazing.
For Thai, I highly highly recommend Panvimarn. It’s a two-story restaurant and it’s one of the best experiences you can have.
What should people get there?
Anything! When I go to Thai restaurants, I always like to try their pad thai. That’s my go-to. There’s something about Panvimarn’s pad thai that keeps me coming back.
I also recommend Chiang Rai, which was featured in the Michelin guide.
Lastly, Kin in Downtown Long Beach. Excellent! It was recently trending on Tik Tok. The ambiance is unlike any other. We have a lot of Thai restaurants here, but those are my three favorites.
For Cambodian, Phnom Phen Noodle Shack. It’s really hard to get a table there, but I highly recommend it.
There’s one more Cambodian restaurant that I highly recommend. It’s actually a shack and it’s called A&J Seafood Shack. For people who have ever experienced Hawaii and love their garlic shrimp dishes, A&J does their own take on the Hawaiian garlic shrimp. It’s one of my top five favorite dishes in Long Beach. Get it! You won’t regret it.
Now, let’s get to the coffee shops! You’re a coffee connoisseur. There are so many! But what are your favorites?
When I go to coffee shops, I look for the full experience. It’s not just about the coffee, it’s the service, the energy, the layout, the vibe. Sometimes I go to work, to catch up with a friend, or to spend alone time reading, taking notes, or journaling. The coffee shop scene in Long Beach is incredible and it’s growing so fast. Every time I go to a coffee shop, I also like to try their matcha and tea offerings. I’m really into that.
Off the top of my head:
Wolf’s Brew Coffee. I like to go there even if it’s on the other side of town for me. The community there is very special. It’s a creative hub. I’ve met some of the most creative people just by interacting there with strangers. The service is also great. They have some of the nicest and most welcoming baristas I’ve ever met. It always draws me to keep coming back.
Another one I really enjoy is the one we’re sitting in now, Common Room Roasters. I love this space because it’s big, beautiful, and it’s visually and aesthetically pleasing. Their coffee and roasting have a lot of history. The owners are originally from Australia. They have one location in Melbourne and I lived in Melbourne for three months. So, to have a piece in Australia in my city of Long Beach is very nostalgic for me. Their coffee is amazing. I love this place.
Note from Mariana: Common Room Roasters also has a room in the back where they do coffee tastings and workshops.
Good Time is also a great space. They also do community events there.
Wood Coffee is an all-vegan coffee shop. It’s a cute spot. Everything is vegan, even the pastries. To anyone who appreciates vegan food, it’s a really good place.
Another of the newer ones is Alder & Sage on 4th St. The owners used to own Portfolio Cafe. It’s a coffee shop/ cafe. They have excellent breakfast/brunch and now dinner options. It’s very aesthetically pleasing. The coffee and the food that I’ve experienced there is amazing. Highly recommend.
Mangette is right across from where Compound is. It’s French and American owned. The vibe is very cozy. Their coffee, drinks and beverages are very unique. Their pastries and French-inspired offerings are so good. It’s a nice unique neighborhood cafe. I definitely recommend trying their olive oil cake that’s on rotation, and their matcha… Soo good.
As far as other bakeries in Long Beach:
Colossus Bread is also really good. Their beverage offerings and brunch are awesome.
Gusto Bread has been recognized a lot in the community and other publications, like the NY Times.
Other Filipino-owned bakeries worth mentioning are Foodologie Baked Goods, Gemmae Bake Shop and LaMon.
Foodologie Baked Goods because the owner Maria is so sweet and she started her business during the pandemic. It started as a pop-up and now she has a brick-and-mortar. For now, she focuses on all kinds of brownies and cookies, not just Ube. Highly recommend.
Gemmae Bake Shop has been around since 1979, and it’s a Filipino staple in Long Beach!
Are there any small business owners in Long Beach that you want to give a shout out to?
My friend Marida, owner of Marida Jewelry. For anyone who’s into jewelry, she hand-makes everything. You can find her work in a lot of boutiques. I became friends with her through the community and we work a lot together. I just photographed her Spring collection. She shares a space with Skies for Miles Boutique.
Maggie, owner of Burke Mercantile. It’s a shop in the East Village district. I’ve known her since 2018. She’s a huge advocate for the communities she’s involved in. She’s a fighter for women-led businesses and small businesses in general. I respect so much what she does.
My friend Michelle, owner of 6th and Detroit. It’s a furniture and vintage shop! She’s amazing. They were featured on DWELL magazine and they just relocated to a new space in Long Beach.
What does your ideal day in Long Beach look like?
If I’m spending a day in Long Beach and not working, it usually starts or ends with a coffee shop (laughs). I love the Farmer’s Market scene in Long Beach. I like to go to the ones on Sundays on PCH. Also, the ones in Downtown Long Beach are really good.
Then, I’d do Yogalution on the Bluff. It’s essentially free yoga on the beach, but it’s donation-based. They have it every day, including the weekends. It’s an amazing community and it’s right on the bluff overlooking the beach. That’s a very Long Beach thing to do.
We have a lot of cool records and vinyl shops, but the three that I’ve been going to recently are Fingerprints Music, Twelves and Record Box. The owner at Record Box is Filipino, which is really cool. Then, I’ll go to a neighborhood with small boutique shops to support my friends and catch up with them. East Village is a great area to visit. There are really cool shops and women-led business owners. You should definitely check it out.
There’s also a whole stretch on 4th Street with shops, restaurants and vintage shops. Every 4th Fridays, they have a block party market with different vendors. It’s an event!
I’d end the day by going to Ubuntu Cafe. They offer dinner now. Afterwards, I’d cross the street and walk around the entire Colorado Lagoon. It’s such a nice way to end the day.
If you want to incorporate more of a nature experience, definitely check El Dorado Park. It’s huge. It’s a nice park to explore. One side is focused on nature, and the other is focused on sports and recreation.
What do you like about living in Long Beach?
I love living here. This is the only city I’ve lived in since I moved to Southern California in 2003. I’ve been here for a while! I’ve hung out in other cities and tried to absorb the vibe and the energy, but I don’t get the same feeling as here. As I grew older and saw the city of Long Beach evolve and grow, I started connecting with the small creative communities. I can’t explain it… It’s a different energy than other cities, like LA. We’re kind of like in our own world here.
The business owners are very supportive of each other, down-to-earth, welcoming, and it’s also very diverse. Some parts remind me of the Bay area, where I grew up. The weather is great and we’re near the water. Long Beach is actually a long beach. The beach has different parts that feel very different from one another. It’s right in the middle between LA and OC. We’re also close to other amazing neighborhoods that have great offerings, like Torrance or Cerritos.
How has Long Beach changed since you moved in 2003?
It was very different! I didn’t fully appreciate where I was living because I was so involved in the university programs and organizations. Once I graduated, I had the freedom to really explore the city. That’s when I fell in love with it. As the years passed by, I started to discover more creatives. All the business owners here are very creative, it’s amazing. I started gravitating towards that energy, and it inspired me to launch Ends of the Earth.
As far as things that have changed, there are more independently owned businesses. You still have your franchises, but there are more unique names and brands now.
What’s your favorite neighborhood in Long Beach?
I really like Belmont Heights. That’s where the Colorado Lagoon is. It’s nice to have a body of water intertwined with residential houses. Also, Park Estates because the trees and the architecture there are very nice.
Note: Can’t get enough of Philip’s recommendations? Here’s more to add to your list!
Burgers
The newest one that opened here is The Window on 2nd Street, which originally started in LA. I like them. Also, Hamburgers Nice. It’s a pop-up burger and they have a residency at Good Times. There are restaurants with really good burgers in Long Beach, but I like the smashburgers because they’re less intense. The pop-up burger scene in Long Beach is up-and-coming, and Hamburgers Nice is very successful in that aspect.
Sushi
My favorite sushi place is not even a restaurant, it’s a pick-up spot called Yanagi Kitchen.
Acai
I like Yago Juice. It’s a small mom-and-pop shop in Bellflower. Their portions are huge for the price. It’s the best. It’s not too sweet and you can taste the acai in it. They treat their acai with a lot of love and respect. Other places are too sweet, watered down or they don’t blend it very well.
Pho
I usually eat Pho in Little Saigon, Westminster. In this area I like Cyclo Noodle.Their menu is half-Vietnamese and half-Cambodian. I like to tell people to try that one. Another really popular one is Pho Hong Phat. They’re open 8 to 5.
Bookstores
We have two Barnes & Noble, but if you’re looking for more indie, I recommend Page Against the Machine. The owner Chris is so nice and amazing. His selection is very unique. The other ones are Gatsby Books, Bel Canto Books and Once Read Books. Once Read is really cool.
Breweries
I’m not a brewery guy to be honest, but we have really good ones! There’s Trademark Brewing, Ambitious Ales. We also have Ballast Point, that’s a popular one and it’s over the water. Those are the three I’d recommend.
Wellness
Susan Hammond Skincare. It’s in a great neighborhood and she’s a really cool person.
For massage, I like The Now. It’s more on the pricier side, but the environment and the atmosphere are great.
Lately, I’ve been going to Rivini Foot Reflexology. It’s like 70 minutes for $50! I’ve been there four times already. If I go someplace more than once, it’s because I’ve had a good experience.
For museums, I recommend visiting the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA).
*End of interview*
Thank you for reading! If you’re going to Long Beach, check out Philip’s shop @endsofthe_earth!
