Lobster Guy’s on a roll
Lobsters in their native environment don’t look appetizing, unless you get hungry when looking at aliens in 1950s science fiction movies. It’s a beady-eyed horror, with more legs (10) than a spider, and natural armor like a tank. As if that isn’t enough, it has claws that look vicious even in repose. There’s an old […]
Small wonder, Thai style
It’s hard to believe anyone ever looked at the space that is now Siam I Am and thought, “That’s a perfect space for a restaurant”. They may have the smallest dining room in the South Bay, though I’d have to take a tape measure both here and to the nearby Cozy Café to be sure. […]
Mongolian and coffee in Redondo, bagels to El Segundo, restaurant events, and more
Last call at Brewco: When Brewco opened 32 years ago, the brewpub craze was in full swing, nationwide, and local craft beer was prized. They outlasted all of their local competitors, but now are about to serve their last pints. The last day of operation will be October 15, after which the building will be […]
Odd name, odd location, interesting ideas
When I first saw an article about Goop Kitchen, I thought there was a typo in the name. Could it be that it was supposed to be “Good Kitchen,” but the letter “d” was upside down? They can’t have deliberately given the place a name that means “a viscous or sticky substance,” could they? They […]
You have to know it’s there
One way of asserting status among people who love dining out is to reveal a secret spot – somewhere nobody else knows about where you can almost always get a seat and a really good meal. The appeal is obvious, both in being first among your friends to find a cool place, and it being […]
Paris on Pier
Last week we had houseguests, who sounded delighted when I told them we were going to a new Hermosa restaurant that was quite promising. “What’s the cuisine?” asked my friend Lou.” When I told him it was a French bistro, he looked concerned. “I don’t have a jacket or collared shirt,” he said with an […]
The restaurant server problem
by Richard Foss To a historian who has been following the ups and downs of the dining industry, the biggest controversy in that field has a familiar ring. There are shortages of people willing to work, say restaurant owners, and those who do take a job are ready to move on as soon as another […]
Slow evolution at Strand House
One of the tribulations of being a restaurant reviewer is when I recommend a place I have recently visited, suggest specific items they should try, and then get an email the day after my friends visit that reads, “They didn’t have any of the things you suggested, and the server said something about a change […]
Hit and miss and just plain odd
I remember when someone explained the idea of the elevator pitch, and how it could force a creative person to refine an idea. The concept is that if you can’t explain what something is in a brief time, you should rethink the idea. It’s not always right because some subtle or unique ideas can’t be […]
Authenticity and innovation off the beaten path
by Richard Foss The life of commercial fishermen has always been hard, dirty, and unglamorous, which hasn’t stopped restaurants evoking it in their decor. Decorators scavenge nautical wrecking yards for patched nets, rusty lobster pots, and bits of anything that might plausibly have been used to catch fish. As soon as the last rusty binnacle […]
Bakeries rising, restaurant openings and reopenings, bicycle built for brew, and more dining events
From Farmers Market To Fame: Some people wondered whether a space as large the former Giuliano’s on Aviation was appropriate for a bakery and coffee spot. When Tommy & Atticus opened, any doubters were silent as they gawked at lines of as many as forty people waiting to get inside. The sourdough breads that regularly […]
Date Night Special
Monday is the slowest day for the restaurant industry, and the generally stated reason is that most people dine out on weekends and spend the following day recovering. Or perhaps it’s their wallets recovering, because they feel less affluent after spending on fancy food and drink on Saturday and Sunday. Whichever it is, it has […]
The unexpected hotel restaurant
The management at a hotel in an area with many dining options has a difficult choice for their restaurant: stay safe or go bold. Most stay safe, creating a generic menu that will appeal mainly to the hotel’s clientele. A menu of steaks, seafood, and simple pastas isn’t a road to fame, but it’s easy […]
Side street hangout
There are places around Los Angeles where roads do things that seem inexplicable, taking odd turns and bends or suddenly switching orientation so that a normal grid pattern goes diagonal. Sometimes the bends have a logical explanation, such as Torrance’s Walteria neighborhood where some streets go around a lake that was channeled elsewhere decades ago. […]
Proudly Serving takes The Spot, Agave Azul changes colors, Bolt open, more dining events
Hermosa Action: There’s one open, one on the way at the corner of 2nd and Hermosa Avenue. Customers at Bolt, an offshoot of a West Hollywood cafe, order at the counter but receive table service. The housemade baked goods and generously sized meals are already popular with the brunch crowd. They’ve filed for a beer […]
Evolving toward simplicity
There’s a cliche about what teenagers like when they go to restaurants, and it usually involves loud environments, bright colors, and bland food. My offspring weren’t excited by those, but always welcomed a chance to visit Hoka Hoka, a Japanese/Korean fusion restaurant on Torrance Boulevard. The environment was cheerful and lively, and our youngsters enjoyed […]