Best of the Beach 2022: Family dinner, Farm to Table, French/Continental

The Kettle reaches across generations, going back to its opening half a century ago. Easy Reader file photo  

Family dinner

The Kettle 

Many parents complain that there are few places in our downtowns that are family oriented as opposed to aiming at the bar crowd. The Kettle is a rare exception, and everybody’s first choice when it comes to a good meal at a moderate price in a family friendly environment. They have been serving California comfort food since 1973 and have plenty of practice at it. People who came here as toddlers are now coming here with toddlers who are their grandchildren. The kitchen turns out coffee shop classics with a smattering of eclectic dishes, with something for everyone in a welcoming environment.

The Kettle 

1138 Highland Ave.

Manhattan Beach

(310) 545-8511

thekettle.net

Runner Up:

Baran’s 2239

502 Pacific Coast Hwy.

Hermosa Beach

(424) 247-8468

Barans2239.com

 

Farm to table

The Hook & Plow

There are two locations of the Hook and Plow, and the menus aren’t the same because the chefs have different ideas about how to treat the freshest meat, seafood, and produce. We hope they don’t have arguments about whose treatment of some seasonal item is the best, because we want to see more harmony in the world. We’re sure that both will be excellent, because the aesthetic here is about delivering natural flavors subtly enhanced, and that’s the farm to table way.

The Hook & Plow

425 Pier Ave.

Hermosa Beach

(310) 937-5909

1729 S. Catalina Ave.

Redondo Beach

(424) 247-8272

thehookandplow.com

Runner-up:

The Strand House

117 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Manhattan Beach

(310) 545-7470

thestrandhousemb.com

 

French/Continental   

Creme De La Crepe

It’s almost a shame that this restaurant has the word crêpe in its name, because it leads people to expect that that’s all they serve. Nothing could be further from the truth. They’ve always had fans of their crabcakes, rich beef Bourguignon, pastas, and risottos. The menu is mostly French classics with a few Italian items and of course burgers because this chain started in Hermosa. They’ve gone from one location to eight in the 19 years they’ve been open. Their success is based on providing fine gallic bistro food that happens to include darn good crepes.

Creme De La Crepe

424 Pier Ave.

Hermosa Beach

(310) 937-2822

1708 ½ S. Catalina Ave.

Redondo Beach

(310) 540-8811

550 Deep Valley Dr. #145

Rolling Hills Estates

(310) 541-0001

cremedelacrepe.com

Runner-up:

Dominique’s Kitchen

522 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.

Redondo Beach

(424) 247-9054

dominiqueskitchen.com

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