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 sold out at the Hermosa Farmer’s Market are moving just as briskly here, as are a selection of croissants and other pastries. We tried reaching Tommy and Atticus for comment, but they just made bubbling noises – the bakery is named after the two sourdough starters that are used here (1700 Aviation, RB)…
And More Restaurant Openings: Agave Azul reopened under new management, and though the name is the same, the ambition is different. A manager said that they plan to deemphasize the party atmosphere and focus on the food, and though the bar is still well-stocked, the sound level was lower and the vibe more family-friendly when I stopped in (1320 Hermosa Ave., HB)… About a block away, Möge Tee opened recently, raising a question in the process: why does a mainland Chinese company use a letter only found in German and Scandinavian languages in their American branding? I have no answer to that question, but may ponder it over a cup of the “new style bubble tea” that they specialize in (1411 Hermosa Ave., HB)…
Meanwhile in Manhattan Beach, the business that was planned as a sandwich shop called Pantry By The Yard has opened as Bakery By The Yard. They’re serving cookies and coffee, most of it to go because indoor space is minimal (312 Rosecrans, MB)… There are two openings of note in El Segundo, Porterhouse Bourbon & Bones and a branch of a “culinary casual” chain called Bruxie. In case you haven’t heard
that term before, “Bruxie” is the slang word for a person from Brussels, the city probably best known for particularly light, crisp waffles. They specialize in waffles, alone or as sandwiches, and have a few other items (2181 Rosecrans Ste. B, ES). Bourbon & Bones, which took the former Second City space, is an altogether fancier operation, centered on steaks and seafood along with some intriguing sides. Those who used to go to Second City for elegant evenings don’t have to learn a new address, which in case you wondered is 223 Richmond Street…
Coming Attractions: There’s a new business coming next door to Porterhouse, as a project called “G’s Il Capo Dei Bar” has just been announced. The name means “the boss of bars” in Italian, and they’ll be offering small plates, full meals, and libations to match. Watch for an opening toward the end of the year… The odd pairing of Banana Leaf Indian with Zayna’s Flaming Grill on Artesia is ending, with Banana Leaf moving their operations to the already announced Beach Cities Social project in the former Sister’s Barn. Another new place will be moving in right next door, as the former W’s China Bistro becomes a branch of Wokcano, a Chinese-and-sushi chain. This is an interesting location for Wokcano, because most other locations are in malls rather than on boulevards. I don’t know when they’ll open, but suspect that it won’t be soon because the interior needs a major makeover…
Reversing Expectations: After decades when markets have advertised having the freshest food, one chain is taking the opposite strategy. Wild Fork Foods, which opened recently at the corner of PCH and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, has no fresh food section – everything they sell is frozen. If you’re stopping by on the way home and want salad fixings you’re out of luck, but if you’re planning ahead and want a whole pheasant or turbot, haunch of venison, or other items exotic or mundane, it’s worth investigating.
Event Alerts!: There are only a few events in August, and it’s quite unfortunate that two are the same evening. On August 3rd you have a choice of wine dinners, both a few blocks apart on Hermosa Avenue. Those with a generous budget and a taste for Asian fusion will be at Ryla for an event featuring Aleksander’s Bordeaux style wines. The winemakers are two-time NBA champion Sasha Vujacic and his father, who will be on hand, and if that sounds like an off thing for a basketball player to be doing, it’s not in this case – the family were winemakers in Slovenia before they moved to California. Five courses with wine will set you back $214.00 per person, inclusive – reserve here… Meanwhile at Radici, a four-course meal of Italian classics featuring canneloni and veal marsala will be a more moderate $110 plus tax & tip, approximate cost $140 – reserve here… Tin Roof Bistro doesn’t offer wine dinners often, and they’re worth a look. The next one features wines from Ramey Cellars on August 16th, with some intriguing items. Dessert is peanut butter french toast with grilled grapes and marshmallow creme anglais, paired with a Syrah. What’s that like? You’ll have to attend to find out – it’s $100 plus T&T, about $130 – reservations at this link. On August 24th, Fogo de Chao will offer a dinner with pours from renowned winery Stag’s Leap. Five courses including indulgent churrasco cuts will run $105 inclusive, which is a pretty remarkable deal for carnivores with a taste for fine wine. That one reserves on Open Table too… While they aren’t dinners as such, Uncorked in Hermosa always offers interesting tastings by boutique wineries. August’s offerings are from Figge Family on the 2nd and ZacaMesa on the 16th, both for $25 with no reservations needed…
Various & Sundry: There are many personal rewards in cycling by the beach, the sheer joy of exercise with the view of the sea foremost among them. Baleen Kitchen in Redondo has added another benefit with their “Pedals & Pints” events. Bicycle over any Saturday and Sunday during summer to enjoy complimentary beer tastings and bike parking, and don’t worry, you’ll work off those carbs on the way home. This will be the most casual tasting you attend, with cycle shorts, tank tops, and other bike and beachwear welcome… I mentioned Fogo de Chao above and I’m doing it again, because they’re offering a fairly remarkable summer deal – $44 gets you their market table and a selection of flame-roasted meats, almost a third off of their usual price… If you like the flavor of smoke but aren’t carnivorous, Sauced BBQ in El Segundo has come to the rescue. The barbecue joint has added several new items including a portobello mushroom french dip and a fried cauliflower banh mi, both of which sound interesting… Finally, it’s worth noting some very confusing marketing. BB.Q Chicken, the Korean chicken restaurant that recently opened at Beryl and Prospect, does not serve BBQ chicken – it’s all fried. The name means “Best of the Best Quality”, according to the company, but it has been confusing local diners. Their Korean fried chicken has a devoted following, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this is your destination…
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 https://easyreadernews.com/restaurants/.
