South Bay restaurant news: new eateries in Redondo, holiday cooking classes, all-you-can-eat sushi in Manhattan Beach
Fishbar in Manhattan Beach has started offering $10 Bento Boxes. Order early, as they sell out daily. Photo
News from Redondo…Manhattan Beach has been the focus of several recent columns, not because I have anything against the other beach cities but because that’s where the news has been. This time it’s Redondo’s turn, with openings, classes, and other interesting items.
New Kids in Town… I remember being surprised when I was driving in England and saw a road sign that read “Secret Nuclear Bunker, 2 Miles.” It makes you wonder how sincere they are about keeping the place secret. I had the same feeling when I was driving down PCH in Redondo and noticed a sign that read “Top Secret: Pub Coming Soon.” I had to pull over and see what was going on, and when I went to the upper floor location that used to be Extreme Pizza, I decided Top Secret might be a good name for the establishment since the location was so hidden. Someone inside set me straight – the place will actually be called Rosati’s Pub, and will specialize in Chicago-style pizzas and other Midwestern delicacies. I asked why the sign said Top Secret instead of Roasti’s and he said, “to get people like you in here” with a slight smirk. I admire good marketing, and have to admit that it worked. Look for an opening around mid-December…
Just up the road, Avenue A has opened for business in the location occupied for so long by Aimee’s. The redesign has been complete and the space transformed – what was previously a staid environment is now a lively gastropub in which every available space is covered with TV screens playing sports. The requisite wings, burgers, salads, and pizza are there, but so are more ambitious items like steaks, short rib ravioli, and stuffed eggplant. It’s by far the most upscale sports bar in town, and a test of an interesting concept…
R10 Social House plans to open in the former Delzano’s space by the end of the month. It’s an excellent location that has the best possible view of the yacht basin where the sportfishing boats tie up, and it looks like the redesigned interior will shift the focus from facing the bar to exploiting the scenery. Word is that they will be a seasonal farm-to-table restaurant, a major stylistic upgrade for the Boardwalk area. Can this be the establishment that brings more locals down to this underappreciated area? We can only hope…
…And a Clarification… Last month I mentioned that Casa Arigato had a sign in the window announcing that they are moving from their current location on Avenue I to PCH. To make it clear, they have not stopped serving at their original location. They’re open for business until further notice, and I regret any confusion…
…And A Delight For Beer Lovers… Chez Mélange is teaming with the Select Beer Store for a night of arcane pairings on November 25th. It’s $55, and features a beer float with candied bacon for dessert. The number is 310-540-1222…
…And Educational Experiences… French Farmhouse in Riviera
Village, which is best known as a store selling eclectic household items, has an occasional series of classes focusing on French culture. I recently attended one on the art of the French aperitif and found it charming – a dozen of us sat around a table and enjoyed high-style snacking and sipping while learning how the French entertain. The next one is on November 14 at 7 p.m. on pairing and serving wine and cheese, and following that is one on French Christmas traditions on December 10th. They’re fun and educational – call 310-373-2224. For those who like to do more hands-on cooking, South Bay School of Cooking is offering several classes that are relevant to the season. Thanksgiving 101 on November 17th will help you mastering the traditional dinner, from the succulent moist turkey to a green bean gratin without a can of soup in sight, and the Holiday Pies class on the 23rd will give you skills you can use all year. A bit further out, the Dining With Dickens class will teach you how to create a true Victorian meal from scratch – it will be taught on the 20th of December and will be a great way to get in the mood for the season.
…And Something Happening in Manhattan Beach…Remember Manhattan Beach?…Aji has opened in the former Kah space on Manhattan Beach Boulevard just west of PCH, and they’re advertising their all-you-can-eat sushi and Japanese specialties. This is not a buffet, and all items are made to order to keep everything fresh as possible. They offer a large selection either a la carte or on an order-until-you’re satisfied basis, and the price seems reasonable – $19 for lunch, $25 for dinner, with discounts for seniors and children under twelve. As a parent who remembers how much a hungry eleven-year-old can devour, I wonder how they can do that, but I’m sure parents who like Japanese food will be delighted.
…And A Clever Special… If you have noticed lines at Fishbar at 11 a.m., there’s a good reason. They recently started offering a bento box type lunch for ten dollars – but only to the first 20 people who order it. This is a genius idea for places that want to jump-start the lunch rush, and I expect to see others copying it. They’re also offering a delightful brunch item on weekends – a waffle topped with fried lobster, served with real maple syrup. It’s a wonderful and decadent way to start the weekend…
Anything you know about the local dining scene that I ought to? My email is Richard@richardfoss. com and it would be great to hear from you…