Posts by Kevin Cody

Best Server: Chris Sutter, Old Venice To say that Chris Sutter enjoys working at Old Venice would be a massive understatement. “He was handing out menus before we even hired him,” said owner Julie Hantzarides. “He’s got this infectious personality. He’s so positive and it feels good to be around him.” Sutter’s worked at Old…

Best Bartender: Kathy Doel, Zane’s Kathy Doel is practically a fixture at Zane’s, tending bar at the Hermosa restaurant for more than six years. She’s totaled a lot of beverages in her lifetime, but what keeps her coming back, night in and night out, is the customers. “It’s the people and the relationships that I…

Best Dance Club: Ocean Bar Ocean Bar manager Greg Simms promises a good time, with class. “We have a stricter dress code than most, and we’re a bit higher end,” he said. His bar, upstairs from Abigaile Restaurant and featuring a rooftop deck, turns from laid-back lounge and restaurant to dance club on Friday and Saturday…

Best Sports Bar Food: Shark’s Cove When Taylor Kiedrowski, manager at Shark’s Cove, is asked why the South Bay loves her restaurant’s food, she doesn’t mince words. “Because we don’t serve [crappy] sports bar food,” she said — meaning the litany of frozen, flash-fried, sauce-covered monstrosities that one might find at corner pubs. Shark’s Cove, Keidrowski…

Best Art Gallery: Riley Arts Gallery Ninety percent of the pieces in Kim Riley’s gallery come from local artists. And unlike many lesser galleries, Riley features more than just images of beaches and piers. “We like to have stuff that no one else has,” she said, including vintage prints from Disneyland, as well as classic…

Best Underage Band: 11Echo 11Echo lead singer Kira Levin’s secret to her band’s success is simple. They get their audience. “We connect, we’re engaging with them and playing songs that everyone can sing along to,” she said. “It’s just fun to get into it.” It’s heads-up thinking from a 15-year-old Mira Costa student, but she and…

Best Original Local Band: Andy and Renee Months ago, Redondo Beach’s Avenue A Bar and Grill went before the City’s Planning Commission seeking to extend their hours. They had a massive show of support behind them, customer after customer praising their business…while also praising regular Avenue  A weekend musical act Andy & Renee. “We have a…

Comedy and Magic Club   Chris Rock had a problem, Comedy and Magic Club owner Mike Lacy recalled. The comic legend was workshopping material for his Oscars hosting gig, hopping from club to club throughout L.A. But as soon as he stepped off the stage, his jokes had spread across social media, spoiled by audience…