by Richard Foss
Another Hermosa Avenue Star: AttaGirl has opened in the former Dia de Campo space, and the difference in the space is phenomenal. The former rustic tropical vibe has been replaced by a sleek modern look enhanced by upbeat music at moderate levels. The menu uses Middle Eastern ideas as a springboard for innovation, an exciting idea that sets them apart from the cookie cutter bars with food that used to dominate this area. I haven’t dined there yet, but tried a cocktail and can testify that that aspect of the experience has not been neglected. (1238 Hermosa Ave, HB).
Openings All Over: All the opening news in Redondo is on PCH, though several projects in Riviera Village and elsewhere are on the way. The location at 1550 South PCH in Redondo has lowest curb appeal of any restaurant in the South Bay – you have to look very hard to catch even a glimpse of the building in the rear of the Smart & Final parking lot. Nevertheless some tenants have done well there – Ramen Shack Takumiya lasted nine years before closing at the end of February. The turnaround has been quick, and Brother’s Burritos is open and serving in that location. Setting up shop there is a bold move, because they’re across the street from the Riviera Mexican Grill, one of the most popular restaurants on the Highway. This is the third location for the chain that has won a following for their small but tasty burritos served by the pair… If you are worried about Redondo running out of ramen shops, fear not – Gomaichi Ramen recently opened in the shopping center next to Whole Foods. They offer a few items not available elsewhere, such as a sesame-based broth and another that draws on Chinese hot and sour soup (407 N. PCH, RB)… DiPrima Pizza Speciale just opened in Redondo, the first in the Beach Cities to offer both Italian and Brazilian-style pizzas. Brazilians use creamy catupiry cheese rather than mozzarella, and add toppings like Portuguese sausage and hard boiled eggs. They’re take-out only, so however exotic the pizza is, the view will be a lot like your living room (234 S. PCH, Redondo, Suite 101)… As an alternative, you could probably take that pizza to the patio at Tot Coffee which opened next door in Suite #102. Along with the standards like espresso and cappuccino, they offer novel ideas like an iced latte with blueberry and peppermint. There’s only one way to find out how that combination goes together, and I’m going to have to try it sometime soon…
Closings: Emerald Garden on Artesia has closed after decades of serving cheap and increasingly mediocre Chinese food in a dismal environment. No news on what is moving in, but it will almost have to be better. A much better restaurant closed in South Redondo. Pura Vita, which served innovative vegan Italian cuisine, called it quits after four years. The Hollywood location is still open, so fans of their food can still get it, albeit with a longer drive… After opening as L&B Coastal and changing the name, Coastal on Hermosa Avenue has closed. It’s unfortunate because after a shaky opening they had markedly improved and changed the menu. I reached out to the owner of the building about what will happen next, but there was no response. I have only a little more information about the new entrant that will be replacing Sosta on Hermosa Avenue. The name will be Stecca, which means “stick” in Italian and may refer to a piece of a tree or a type of bread that looks like one. Curiously, when you put “Stecca Hermosa” into a Google, the AI’s response explains that it means “beautiful stick,” an Italian colloquial phrase referring to an ordinary object that is pretty. None of the Italians I asked have heard of this before, so it could be a hallucination by an AI that is eager to please… In last month’s A La Carte column I noted that El Segundo’s Tapizon has closed, and this week I found out what will replace it. The newcomer is called Jaime, and is owned by Jackson and Melissa Kalb, who also run Italian star Jame a few blocks away. This will be the couple’s fourth restaurant, and they’ll be serving Mexican food. No word yet about details of the menu, but with this duo in charge, I assume it will be interesting…
Esperanza In Progress: Many people were surprised when the construction signs went up at popular modern Mexican restaurant Esperanza, since the place had only been open for four years. The reason for the closure is to make the second floor accessible by elevator, which will allow efficient food service in a space that had previously been semi-private. The construction is expected to take about a year, and the restaurant will effectively double in seating when it is done…
Event Alerts: Fogo de Chão is notable for championing South American wines, but on March 20th they celebrate a California legend with a Stag’s Leap wine dinner. Four wines paired with Brazilian meats and other delights will cost you only $119 per plus tax and tip, about $145 – there’s a reservation link from their website at fogodechao.com… On March 25 Gabi James will celebrate their 7th anniversary with traditional Spanish pintxos and paella, with wines by Sinegal. The winery’s owner David Sinegal, whose family started a little store called Costco, will be on hand. The price is a bargain at $60 including tax and tip – reserve on their Open Table page… On March 30 Gabi James’ sister restaurant Love & Salt will celebrate female chefs with a gala brunch hosted by some of the top chefs in LA who happen to be female. The event is a la carte ordering and menus haven’t been posted yet. But based on past experience, many good things will be offered. Reserve your space on Open Table… On April 10 the Chart House will host a Stag’s Leap dinner – those stags do seem to be leaping from restaurant to restaurant. Five courses including beet cured salmon and lamb loin with herb coulis and parsnip puree is $149 including tax & tip – reserve on Eventbrite… And this isn’t quite like the other programs on this list, but I should mention that the Japanese Cultural Festival is on April 5 and 6 at the Ken Miller Recreational Center in Gardena. You can enjoy music, dance, martial arts demonstrations, and of course food from multiple stalls, and enjoy the strong and living traditions of this community…
Odds And Ends: Congratulations to Riviera Mexican Grill in Redondo, which marked 29 years in business this week. It seems longer, because it’s hard to remember when they weren’t there… The Chart House announced a Roaring Twenties cocktail menu, which piqued my interest because some fine drinks were first concocted in that era, like the sidecar, Southside, Last Word, and French 75. Unfortunately none of those are on the menu, nor are any other drinks actually invented in that period. They do have a vodka martini (invented 1930’s), beer (invented in ancient Sumeria), and whiskey on ice (invented during the Scottish Antarctic expedition of 1877, though I think the Google AI may be wrong about that). Try harder next time you announce a theme, guys… Adnen Marouani of Barsha has long been active in selling wines by the bottle or glass at his restaurant and store, and now he’s partnering in a new wine brand. It will be labeled Saha, which means “health” in Arabic and is a toast in his native Tunisia, but the wine was actually made in Italy. Watch for it at his restaurant and wine shop and at other retailers… Baked Bear has reopened on the Hermosa Pier Plaza and came up with new flavors of their ice cream sandwiches to celebrate. They’re just in time for the warmer weather, though true ice cream afficionados eat the stuff all year long…
And In Closing: If you know a restaurant opening I might’ve missed, a culinary event that should be covered, or just about anything related to food that I should know about, please send the information my way. I’m at richard@richardfoss.com. And as long as you’re on the internet, check out past restaurant reviews on our website at easyreadernews.com/restaurants/. ER
