First Looks…Orlando’s Pizzeria & Birreria in Redondo is off to an amazing start; they opened with little fanfare three weeks ago and there are already lines out the door at dinner. They serve much more than pizza – owner Orlando Mulé lived in Quebec for years and his restaurant offers poutine, Montreal smoked meat, and other unusual items along with homemade Italian specialties. The restaurant is a collaboration – the eye-catching art on the wall is courtesy of Orlando’s wife and partner Carole Beauvais. On my first visit the service was energetic and friendly but a bit overwhelmed, as they evidently weren’t expecting to become popular so fast. This casual place at the corner of Prospect and Torrance Boulevard is very promising, adding a slightly different take on Italian food to a town with many fine options already…Orlando’s Pizzeria: 1000 Torrance Blvd., RB.
That Was Fast…The Vietnamese sandwich shop that replaced the Toscana Deli on Highland lasted only two months, and has been supplanted by an ambitious newcomer. Provence Boulangerie is an offshoot of a popular bakery in Long Beach and does sell fresh baguettes, but this operation is primarily a sandwich shop. Unlike previous eateries in this location, there are tables for dining in, and the cozy room is pleasant and welcoming. Manhattan Beach’s northernmost eatery is an interesting addition to the neighborhood, and we wish them success…Provence Boulangerie: 4101 Highland, MB.
One Open, One Closed… After one of the most frequently delayed moves in local history, La Sosta is open on Highland Avenue near the corner of Rosecrans. I haven’t been in to see the new place yet, but congratulate them on finally making the move from Five Corners. News is less cheery for fans of F Grill, the café next door to The Kettle – they shuttered recently and no new restaurant will replace them immediately because the building is in the process of being sold.
Open and Interesting in Hermosa…Steak and Whisky is open on Pier Avenue, serving much more than you’d expect from their name. The variety of entrees includs a lamb pot pie, roasted seabass, and a delicious kurobuta pork short rib, and though the bar probably has the best whiskey selection in the area, there are other libations as well. The room is cozy and stylish in the slightly retro way of classic steakhouses, and it looks like another winner from the team behind Abigaile and Little Sister. Meanwhile around the corner, Cali Cantina has opened in the upstairs location over McColgan’s Pub. Cali is an unpretentious place offering Mexican classics in a cheerful atmosphere, and early reports have been positive. This is the first inexpensive full service restaurant to open in downtown Hermosa in years, so if they attract a high enough volume they may have a market niche to themselves…Steak & Whisky, 117 Pier, HB, Cali Cantina, 934 Hermosa Ave., HB.
Coming Attractions in Redondo…I was driving past an office building at the sparsely populated north end of Catalina Avenue in Redondo and was surprised to see a sign announcing a new restaurant called King Shabu Shabu. It’s the newest outpost of a mini-chain with locations in Cerritos and Torrance. As might be expected from their name, they specialize in tabletop Japanese cooking, in which meats and vegetables are swished in broth to make a delicious noodle soup. This is an odd location for a restaurant, but they’ll have the market to themselves the day they open – nobody else in Redondo serves this particular cuisine. Watch for an opening in about three weeks… That’s probably about the time that Bettolino Kitchen should be up and running. Bettolino is a new restaurant with some history behind it – it is owned by the Giuliano family, who started the Giuliano’s chain in Gardena in the 1950’s, then moved on to run Gaetano’s restaurant in Torrance. Bettolino Kitchen is a collaboration with a chef from Florence, and though the menu hasn’t been announced yet, it’s a safe bet that Italian classics will be in there somewhere…
Elsewhere in town, Kegs on the Redondo Boardwalk has closed, and will soon be replaced by a restaurant called The Slip (presumably named after the adjacent yacht docks, not the lingerie.) The Slip will keep the pizza ovens at Kegs running, with a mix of old favorite toppings and more ambitious items, and will also offer sandwiches and eclectic snacks. This is intended to be a family restaurant that will have some evening nightlife, which should suit the mix of locals and tourists. They’ll have a new neighbor more oriented to the adult crowd – King Harbor Brewing will be opening a tasting room nearby in a former gift shop. Both openings are brave moves in an area whose future is up in the air due to development proposals – although if those plans move at the usual speed for all such endeavors in Redondo, they will have many years to do business undisturbed by any actual civic improvements. Other restaurateurs are also eyeing the pier area, some with very interesting concepts – if one comes to fruition, the South Bay will have its first Basque restaurant. If you want Basque food now, your choices are to go to Chino or Bakersfield; I have visited Basque restaurants in both places and enjoy the cuisine, so am excited about having it closer to home…
Event Alert… After nine years of hosting their “Ultimate Wine Event” each year, Shade Hotel is rebranding the event and partnering with a respected wine education company called Learn About Wine. The event will now be called “Stars of Napa Valley,” and as you might guess from the name, the focus will be on one region. The event is March 26th, and the tickets start at $125.00. Check the website at LearnAboutWine.com for details…
Math Geeks Who Enjoy Food… March Fourteenth, at one minute before 2 PM, people all over the world eat pie to celebrate the first digits of Pi -3.14159. This goes back to 1988, when a scientist who likes both food and puns started the tradition, and it is generally something done privately and informally. That’s different this year, as King Harbor Brewing will be celebrating the day at their tasting room with a pie-eating contest. (Appropriately, they’re getting them from a bakery called Pi Bake Shop, located in Studio City.) The contestants won’t be the only ones eating – the brewery will be offering pie by the slice, with freshly brewed beer to wash it down. It’s this Saturday between 12 and 4 PM, though things will probably hit a high point as the magic moment arrives. The event is at the brewery’s tasting room at 2907 182nd Street, and admission is free…
Pulling Together… Chez Melange has been a landmark for 32 years and has a loyal following far beyond the South Bay, all of whom are coming together to support the restaurant through tough times. Their travails include co-founder Robert Bell’s recent heart attack and a dispute over taxes that involved a disruptive and public raid on the business. Supporters will get together at the Chez on Sunday, March 22nd for a night of food, wine, and music – tickets are $100, and are available from the restaurant. Give them a call at 310-540-1222 and show up to support a place we all cherish…
Everybody’s A Little Bit Irish…When a place with a name like Hennessey’s or McColgan’s goes all out for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s no surprise, but it is when a celebrated French chef decides it might be fun to do the same. On The Day, Dominique Theval of Dominique’s Kitchen will be serving pea soup with Irish cheddar, corned beef and cabbage, and trifle for dessert. That’s an Irish-American menu, since corned beef was introduced to the Irish community by their Jewish neighbors in New York, but then again the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is a bigger thing on this side of the Atlantic. I’m sure it will be delicious because the man has a supernatural gift with food, and at $28.95 for three courses it’s a deal. Call 424-247-9054 for details…
Any new places I should know about, any events? I’m at Richard@richardfoss.com…
Provence Boulangerie: 4101 Highland, MB.
Orlando’s Pizzeria: 1000 Torrance Blvd., RB
Steak & Whisky, 117 Pier, HB
Cali Cantina, 934 Hermosa Ave., HB
