Barfly: Strand House, Oktoberfest alternative, Hennessey’s Hermosa anniversary, more…

Local Celeb: Local restaurateur Mike Zislis was given a seven minute spot on Fox News a few weeks ago, just days after opening his newest venture, The Strand House, formerly Beaches, Manhattan Beach Boulevard at the MB Pier. Mike Z, the brains behind Manhattan Beach’s MB Brewing Company, (now Brewco), Rock N’ Fish, Mucho, Shade Hotel including the Zinc Lounge, Rock N’ Brews, El Segundo, Rock N’ Fish at LA Live, Rock N’ Fish, Laguna Nigel and a future boutique hotel in Redondo Beach was asked how he keeps opening resto after resto when the rest of the country is in turmoil? Z says, “A lot of people think, ‘Oh my mom had a recipe for great lasagna, I think I’ll open a restaurant,’ and then they are surprised when it doesn’t work. I believe in quality food, service and décor – that’s how you get people in and keep them coming back.” To see the entire interview go to video.foxbusiness.com, under “Small Business Spotlight” from August 15. I you haven’t been to The Strand House yet start saving up, the place is pricey, but gorgeous and worth it…

October Openings: A new Vietnamese resto is scheduled to open in the space previously occupied by Cedar Mediterranean, (you prob remember it as The Beach Hut killer Hawaiian breakfast joint, Cedar didn’t last very long), Hermosa Ave, HB. The new venture Number Nine and will specialize in Vietnamese cuisine while supporting, “humane and sustainable family farms that produce only 100 percent natural, free-range and grass fed meat and poultry” — so says numberninenoodles.com. A rep at the original Long Beach location said “we are close.” For more info and the full food and beverage menu check out the website and keep your eyes open – this one looks like a keeper. On Hermosa’s Pier Plaza, keep your eyes open for Palmilla Cocina Y Tequila to open in the space previously occupied by long time tenant Il Boccaccio. This new venture is from the Mensa minds behind the phenomenon that is Sharkeez and as I expected the website palmillarestaurant.com is uber-impressive. Be prepared for something spectacular…

Oktoberfest Alternative: Check out “Oktoberfest,” now through October 30 at Rock N’ Brews, Main Street, El Segundo. The first 50 customers to arrive each Saturday and Sunday receive a free liter of Offbeat brew. For more info log on to rockandbrews.com or call 310.615.9890. Auf weidersehen…

Charity Event: Sunday, October 16, celebrate 20 years of creativity and healing at Zazou’s A Night of Wine Tasting and Dinner to benefit A Window Between Worlds charity, helping abused women and children heal through art and poetry. Last year’s event was a massive all day affair encompassing both the entire downstairs portion of the resto along with the upstairs and even the outdoor patio upstairs and it was packed, a little too packed, but I was able to navigate through table after table of silent auction items, enjoy some of the artwork on display which was also for sale and of course I was sure to hit every wine tasting table and sample the passed around hors d’oeuvre and mounds of cheese that was delicious on the knife, melt-in-your-mouth, no bread or cracker even necessary. This year they are offering a more formal style event from 5- 9 p.m., featuring a champagne reception, live and silent auctions followed by a four-course sit-down dinner. $200 per person or more if you can. The website details the various level of sponsorship available and exactly how the money will be used. For more info go to awbw.org or call Zazou at 310.540.4884…

Charity Event II: This Tuesday, October 18, raise a glass at “Wine Tasting for a Cure,” fundraiser to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fighting blood cancers, being held at Salt Creek Grille, Plaza El Segundo. $10 per person includes four wine tastings, hors d’oeuvre, raffle and live music from 5-8 p.m. What a great way to spend a Tuesday evening, the price is right and all proceeds will benefit the charity. I’m thinking this is an easy way to up your good Karma ratio. For more info call 310.335.9288 or log on to saltcreekgrille.com…

Anniversary Event: Hennessey’s Hermosa, Pier Plaza, has reached middle-age. This Wednesday, October 19, head over to the 35th birthday bash all day all night starting with two-for-one breakfast followed by two-for-one lunch, complimentary buffet from 5-7 p.m., half-priced bottles of wine, drink specials, raffle and live music with Retrofit from 9 pm-1am. For more info call 310.372.5759 or check out hennesseystavern.com. Congrats on the milestone to Paul Hennessey and his crew…

Questions? Comments? Contact Deb L at BarflyDebLNYC@aol.com.

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