Best wine store: Uncorked
Most plans that come together on road trips to Palm Springs turn out to be ill-begotten, but the idea that was born when Kathleen Knoll and Gerry Athas-Vazquez headed out into the desert last year turned out to be a genuine winner. They decided they wanted to run a wine store, realized that Hermosa’s Uncorked […]
Best liquor store: Ocean View Liquor
Loyal customers come from throughout the beach cities for the wide selection of wines, often-rare craft beers and spirits in the clean, friendly, family-owned store. “What we really try to do is have a great selection, and a great staff. Basically we try to provide the service, as well as the pricing, of big box […]
Best martini bar: Palmilla Cocina y Tequila
It’s not hard to imagine what critic H.L. Menken would think of Palmilla’s Mexican Hot Chocolate Martini, which is made with tequila. Menken described the gin and vermouth martini is “the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet.” But maybe, if he had the opportunity to try one, he could be won over. […]
Best neighborhood bar: The North End Bar & Grill
We all know the place was known as Critters from 1971 to 1999. That was 13 years ago. Some people categorize this as a dive bar. Last time I checked there was nothing broken, ugly, or sticky about it. It’s a beach bar. You can drive your bike up to the door. Thank you, Gawd […]
Best Happy Hour: Baja Sharkeez
Happy Hour garnered the highest number of votes cast for any category in the Best of the Beach balloting. Readers love their happy hour, especially Sharkeez’. Here’s why. Two for one drinks Mon-Fri., 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. $3 jello shots, I mean injections. Bucket of 5 for $13. $3.50 Jagerbombs. And all the PBR […]
Best margarita bar: Coyote Cantina
Do not overlook this much-loved joint just because it’s in a strip mall. That means it has parking. The Zagat-rated Mexican fusion menu demands accompaniment by their highly regarded Margaritas. And with 60 tequilas behind the bar, ranging from small batch tequilas to familiar premium names, you can enjoy a different Margarita every day of […]
Best tequila bar: Palmilla Cocina y Tequila:
With tequila in the name and a mixologist selecting tequilas, expectations are high. Palmilla rises to the challenge with healthy, two-ounce pours and premium selections that are best enjoyed straight up, including cult favorites like Espolon and connoisseur choices like Don Julio and Patron. If straight up is too straight forward, warm up a hand […]
Best craft beer: Strand Brewing Co.
The story of the Strand Brewing Co. will probably one day make a great Hollywood buddy movie about beer, surfing, friendship, passion, and a 2005 model Chrysler Town & Country minivan. It will begin in 2009, when Joel Elliot called his childhood friend Rich Marcello – who’d moved from the South Bay to work north […]
Best craft beer bar: Simmzy’s
For years, restaurants came and went at 229 Manhattan Beach Blvd., a curious occurrence given its prime location two blocks from the pier and a stone’s throw from some of the most successful eateries in the Beach Cities. But from the moment the brothers Simms arrived three years ago, it was apparent Simmzy’s would be […]
Best Bartender: Justin Biers
Justin is a mellow, affable guy who can handle a slammin’ crowd at one of the busiest pier hotspots. He makes it look easy, works quickly and efficiently, and is never short-tempered or rushed. More importantly, he is somehow able to make a patron smile while pouring a solid drink, in one fell swoop. Management […]
Working Class Country: The Midnight Screening [DIRTY HIPPIE RADIO]
“Thanks for showing interest in our little hillbilly act.” The first words offered to me by a beautiful band. Beauty to begin with, because there’s omnipresent virtue in gratitude; some even say heaven. Beauty thereafter, because the music is true; and so is their story. They’re a good ol’ country band. Two brothers, from a […]
“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” – an unlikely fairy tale [MOVIE REVIEW]
Director Lasse Hallström and writer Simon Beaufoy have taken their most magical talents, sprinkled on some kind of stardust and delivered a boy-meets-girl fairy tale within an unlikely context. “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” tells a story where everything is possible and nothing is possible. A delusionally idealistic Yemeni Sheikh has discovered the joys of […]
“John Carter”: a swing and a miss [MOVIE REVIEW]
“John Carter” has been the recipient of a great deal of negative buzz, some of it not entirely justified. How that comes about is anyone’s guess as the film has been kept under tight wraps; so tight, as a matter of fact, that at last night’s all media screening armed guards (I’m kidding about the […]