Playa Amor

Playa Amor Restaurant Review:

This restaurant may be a bit hard to find --- it’s tucked on the back end of a sprawling shopping center near Long Beach Marina --- but it is worth your time and patience to seek out. Patrons who have discovered it enjoy gathering around the semi-circular bar for a craft cocktail before taking their seat amongst stark black-and-white décor or on the enclosed patio. Executive chef Thomas Ortega continues the culinary success he’s earned at his other two southern California restaurants, Ortega 120 and Amor Y Tacos. At Playa Amor, Ortega offers sumptuous modern Mexican cuisine that touches on familiar motifs and spins them off in creative fashion. Seafood is the star, from starters like ahi tacos and charred octopus with cauliflower purée and aji verde to main dishes such as pan-roasted salmon with bay scallops and roasted tomatoes and Mexican white shrimp and grits. Those who prefer turf to surf have plenty to choose from as well, including harissa and caramel sticky pork spare ribs or spaghetti served with garlic cream and hatch chiles. The tres leches carrot cake is a spiced-up version of a traditional treat.