The Reef In Long Beach And Its Sunday Brunch On My Party Bucket List

Great Bartender Makes The Blogger Anxious To Return For More Drinks

I’m putting The Reef On The Water in Long Beach on my party bucket list.

After seeing it for several years and going past it but never going into it, I finally popped in for a drink. I was at an event at the Queen Mary and quickly tired of paying 8 bucks for a Jack & Diet that was so small and full of ice I consumed it in 30 seconds,. Wince I battled all the L.A. odds and took the train from Manhattan Beach and did not have to drive, I popped into The Reef.

And I’m glad I did, and it also goes to show you that if you get an inspiration in life, take it because it can provide you with great rewards.

The Reef is a gorgeous restaurant. It’s across a small street with a full view of the water, across the bay from downtown. The walkway into it has a small garden with a small waterfall and a fireplace at the entrance. A lounge area inside has another warming fireplace. It hosts wedding parties all the time and is so huge it can do four at once without interfering with the other. It sure doesn’t look that big on the outside.

 

 

 

I went straight to the bar, of course. Normally I’m a beer drinker but I had a bit of the Jack & Diet in me and since I wasn’t driving wanted something a little stronger than a brew.

As I was surveying the liquor on the shelves, the bartender said, in an upbeat and friendly tone, “We can make anything. And it’s all freshly made.”

Well, that sounded like a challenge to me and my biggest challenges come with rum. So I asked him to make me a rum drink. He mentioned a Hurricane or Mai Tai, but I know how some of those can be too sugary. I left it up to him.

I watched as Omar – that’s his name – poured rum into half the glass and knew he was on the right track! He then put in some fruit juices, more rum, more juice and gave it a topping of Meyer’s. I knew I was in good hands.

The drink was spectacular. Full of rum, yes, but well balanced enough to where the alcohol did not overwhelm the flavor of the drink. If Omar can make cocktails like this, I’m coming back, and I’m bring a crowd!

But my next visit may be for its Sunday brunch. I’ve heard it’s really good and Omar informed me it’s a buffet with somewhere around 200 items. And it includes all-you-can drink champagne and mimosas! In other words, it’s Long Beach’s version of those champagne brunches at Las Vegas hotels.

The price is $35.95, and it goes from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The brunch, the location and a bartender like Omar have put The Reef on my future party bucket list.

The Reef is located along Queensway Drive between the Queen Mary and the Mayan hotel. The address is: 800 S. Scenic Harbor Drive

Cheers!