Long Beach Grand Prix weekend — a three-day festival of food, drink and fast cars — is finally here.
And since it’s the event’s 50th anniversary, the entire city is marking the milestone with celebratory cocktails, meals, and more.
The Fairmount Breakers, for example, is already revving up its engines with specialty cocktails created as a tribute to this year’s Grand Prix.
Race fans can choose from either a $50 Old Fashioned or Martini — or an exclusive, gold leaf-adorned libation priced at $500.
The luxury hotel’s first-floor jazz bar, Alter Ego, is serving the Victory Old Fashioned — a $50 specialty drink made with Glenlivet 18, simple syrup, angostura bitters, salted chocolate and peated whiskey bark.
If you’re looking to splurge, you can also sample Alter Ego’s $500 cocktail dubbed The Gold Medal, which features Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and a gold leaf rim.
Sky Room, the Breakers’ fine dining restaurant, also serves The Gold Medal — if you’re interested in pairing your fancy drink with some fancy food.
The restaurant is also offering a $50 martini dubbed the Final Lap Caviar Martini — which is a classic martini served with oyster and caviar.
The only other California bar to sell a “Fifty Dollar Martini” is Bar Cecil in Palm Springs. Their icy martini served with caviar has become a signature desert drink. Let’s hope these special race cocktails become a Long Beach tradition.
Off the race track, Fourth Street’s Chez Bacchus is offering a Long Beach Grand Prix 50th Victory Lap prix-fixe menu for $85 all week, with an optional $55 wine pairing. The meal includes an Atlantic salmon farmers market salad mix, a heritage pork chop, and fried-to-order beignets for dessert.
This weekend’s Grand Prix will act as a foodie’s paradise — with plenty of opportunities to taste your way around the track.
The Food Truck Village, behind grandstand 31 near Shoreline Village, will include many of my personal favorites — such as Holey Grail Donuts, Doc Lobster, and Pacifico Charbroiled Fish.
The village’s lineup will rotate all weekend, so if you see something you like — be sure to try it, because it might not be there the next day. Some other food trucks at the village will be Bittiebitez, Deli Doctor, Heritage Food Truck, LA Sera, Wings & Waffles, Wise BBQ, Stopby Cage, and Hibachi Queen.
There’s also Bistro Row – next to the NTT IndyCar Series Paddock— which is home to some foods that have become tradition over the years. That’s where you’ll find fan fav favorites including Henry the VIII-style turkey legs, bacon wrapped hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, and more.
The Brunch Bar, located on the Promenade as you enter the Convention Center, will be serving up chicken and waffles alongside other breakfast items. The Promenade area will also be home to several familiar eateries including Habit Burger & Grill, King Taco, California Pizza Kitchen and All-American Dog. One of my favorites — Knead Donuts — will also be there.
Track adjacent options include Auld Dubliner on Pine Avenue, which serves a Black Velvet — Guinness mixed with champagne. The Funnel House on Shoreline serves sweet treats, and there’s also Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt on the Boardwalk in Shoreline Village serving waffle cones and other sweet frozen treats.
Also in Shoreline Village, Parker’s Lighthouse is a great post-race dining option. Their appetizers are popular, and in years past, I’ve found their beer prices were the lowest anywhere on or near the track.
Yard House’s appetizers — including the onion ring tower — are big enough to share. And be sure to order your drink in a “Yard-Long” glass. Tequila Jack’s serves Baja-style Mexican dishes, and their specialty margaritas hit the spot on a hot race day.
My advice for Grand Prix weekend, meanwhile: Get there early, wear your sunscreen, stay hydrated, and stay late. After all, this 200-mph beach party only happens once a year.
