End of The (Poop) Deck, bar with no name, an unusual fusion, Greek in Hermosa [A LA Carte dining news]
Closings and openings: After ages as the Poop Deck and a change of name a few years ago, The Deck is going to close on April 1. Hermosa’s favorite oceanfront dive bar was facing a huge rent increase and can’t survive selling inexpensive beer and burgers. Speculation is The Deck will be replaced by a combination grocery and sandwich shop. Whatever comes in, a bit of the beach character is slipping away. [“Last call for Hermosa Strand’s Poop Deck bar.” Video: Last Call at the Poop Deck… Another closure offered an altogether fancier dining experience. Josiah Citrin’s Costa in Manhattan Beach, which closed like everybody else in November, will not reopen. I liked their food and hoped they’d make it, but Citrin’s magical touch is apparently gone for good… On the opening side of the ledger, one of the more unusual in recent memory is Nana’s in North Redondo, which you probably haven’t noticed because they’re in the back of an office park with no signage. It’s a passion project serving Mexican and Italian food, as well as some items that fuse those traditions. They’re operating out of a commercial kitchen while getting feedback from customers and scoping out spaces in the area. It’s a concept unlike any other in the area and based on last night’s meal they have the execution to pull it off… The long-vacant Hot’s Kitchen space finally has a new restaurant. Welcome to The Stanton Hermosa, the second location for a stylish Downtown Los Angeles restaurant. They’re serving upscale Americana with global touches and have an interesting wine and beer list (844 Hermosa Avenue, HB). Elsewhere in the South Bay, Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, a San Francisco-based chain, is opening in the former Which Wich on PCH in El Segundo. They have a passionate following up north and are noted for the variety of vegetarian options (460 PCH, Suite B)… The former Chez Melange in Riviera Village is about to come back to life with the opening of Table Manners, which is expected sometime in the next few days. Their website is up, and the style is modern casual, the prices fairly moderate (1611 S. Catalina, RB)… Fans of The Standing Room who mourned the closure of their Hermosa location will be happy to know that they’re opening another location on Torrance Boulevard in Torrance. Watch for an opening in about two weeks at the corner of Amie… (NOTE: In our print edition and the early online edition of this column, I reported that The Deck would be closing at the end of February. That changed after this column appeared, and it has been updated.)
Bar with no name: Manhattan Beach has a new restaurant and bar, but nobody knows what it’s called, including the owners. When I saw that the former Side Door had tables outside, I asked the person manning the window what the new name would be. It was a surprise to find he didn’t know, they opened before deciding on one. Among the names under consideration is The Sand Bar, which I think sounds pretty catchy…
Not dead yet: In a recent column I reported on the impending demise of La Penita, which was scheduled to close after their landlord found a new tenant willing to pay much more. This turned out to be untrue, and after negotiations with the owner the restaurant is still in business while looking for a new space. No telling how long this situation will last, but for now there are still burritos at the corner of Manhattan Avenue and Longfellow…
Still in the game: Some readers have written to ask whether The Manhattan House is still open, because they made reservations online and arrived to find the place closed. This was a mix-up with the reservation service, and they are still open and planning resumption of outdoor dining this weekend…
John Papadakis is partnering with Baran’s 2239’s Jason Baran, chef Tyler Gugliotta and Jonathan Baran during the week of February 24 to present selections from Papadakis’ legendary, but now closed San Pedro restaurant. Photo courtesy of Baran’s 2239
Event Alerts: The second Sun & Sea market is this weekend, February 13, at the parking lot in front of Offset Coffee on PCH, just south of El Segundo Boulevard. A variety of local artisans will be joined by food vendors, and it sounds like a jolly little crafts fair with snacks. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and there are time slots for rsvps to ensure social distancing – check online at sunandseacollective.com… I’ve lauded the take-out offerings from Baran’s 2239 several times before, but on the week of February 24, they’re doing something extra special. That week they’ll team with famous chef and restaurateur John Papadakis for a Greek menu, and anyone who remembers his famed restaurant in San Pedro knows that will be a treat. No word yet on exactly what will be served, but you can check Baran’s Facebook page that week for the full scoop… For those who enjoy Indonesian food, it’s coming to Redondo Beach for one afternoon, February 16. That’s when the Stop Bye Cafe’s food truck will be parked in the lot at 300 The Village in Redondo. Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can see their menu at stopbyecafe.com and pre-order, and believe me, their food is worth the trip.
Random bits: Fruition Organic Market on PCH has a banner announcing they’re open for dinner, which they are if you eat at 3:30 in the afternoon. When I called the owner, he explained they got the banner a while ago and plan to serve dinner soon, but for now it’s aspirational. Happily, most of their offerings will stand reheating or being eaten warm rather than hot… Chinese New Year begins Feb. 12, but with few choices for celebrating in the traditional style. There are no traditional Chinese restaurants in the area that are serving except to-go, and only a few outdoor tables at Chinese-Peruvian fusion restaurant W’s China Bistro. Sea Shore Seafood Restaurant has the sidewalk and parking lot space to serve but isn’t doing it, though they will be offering some special menu items to go. My forays into Lomita and Torrance, where there are more Chinese choices, have been unproductive so far. It looks like one of my favorite annual dining occasions is going to be an at-home affair unless readers have suggestions…
And speaking of suggestions: Have you seen a new culinary business that I haven’t heard about, a local event either live or virtual? Is there a patio where I can get nian gao and egg dumplings? You can reach me at richard@richardfoss.com… ER