Ellie's

"Your roommate is great. They sweep, don’t complain when you have friends over, and also like to watch Marvel movies at 2am for some reason. But when you'd just like to eat in silence, go eat at Ellie’s. This Southern Italian spot is in a quiet residential part of Long Beach, and they have a nice front patio, friendly staff, and excellent handmade pasta, especially the tagliatelle with shrimp and ’nduja. And if you’re wondering if the grilled bread with pork butter is weird or good, we’re here to tell you there’s nothing weird about it." - jess basser sanders, nikko duren, sylvio martins

"Ellie’s is pretty special. Located in a quiet neighborhood not too far from downtown, with a big front patio and a small dining room, they serve some very tasty Southern Italian food. The seasonal vegetables dishes and handmade pastas are fantastic—especially the shrimp and ’nduja tagliatelle—but the best thing here might be the grilled bread and pork butter. Pork butter is as good as it sounds, but it’s even better when it comes on a board of grilled bread alongside caviar butter, apple mostardo, and optional grilled bone marrow (might as well go all in). This place is a great choice for an intimate dinner, but be warned: parking in the area is near-impossible at night. " - garrett snyder, nikko duren, brant cox

"This fantastic Southern Italian spot in Long Beach gives you the option of bottomless rosé or mimosas. Food-wise, there are a couple of breakfast pastas, including some rigatoni involving bacon and egg that you should absolutely get involved with. Deal: $20 bottomless rosé or mimosas. Weekends 10:30am-4pm." - Brant Cox, Nikko Duren

"Dates near the ocean give you a lot to discuss. You can talk about that time you snorkeled and a very friendly looking turtle tried to eat your finger. Or maybe you can compare favorite seagull breeds. Ellie’s isn’t quite overlooking the beach, but it’s close enough that your turtle story won’t feel out of left field. Get a table on the quiet front patio, order a couple of the excellent homemade pastas, and always start with the grilled bread with pork butter." - brant cox, kat hong, brett keating

"Participates in the weekly collaboration at Heritage, contributing to the five-course tasting menu." - Mona Holmes