Best of the Beach 2022: Romantic Dinner, Specialty Salad, Sandwich Shop, Special Occasion Restaurant, View

The Redondo Charthouse has long been a local favorite for romantic dinners. Easy Reader file photo

Romantic dinner

Chart House

The Chart House is a favorite place for wedding receptions, and perhaps some of the romance from those occasions has infused a sort of psychic energy into the building. Or perhaps that’s backwards – maybe the space has been the scene for so many romantic evenings that people decide to have their weddings there. Either way, the ocean view, cool low-key atmosphere, and old school steak and seafood dishes somehow combine to create a place to make memories, and to celebrate them with anniversaries and family events thereafter.   

Chart House

231 Yacht Club

(310) 372-3464

Chart-house.com

 Runner-up:

The Bottle Inn

26 22nd St.

Hermosa Beach

(310) 376-9595

Thebottleinnhermosa.com

 

Nicoise salad is one Tower 12’s most popular salads

Specialty salad

Tower 12

There’s nothing more refreshing than a salad, and the chefs at Tower 12 have come up with five exceptional offerings. They’ve reinvented the century-old Waldorf salad, based on green apple, nuts, lettuce, and grapes. Tower 12’s version uses cranberry vinaigrette instead of mayo, and raisins instead of grapes, making it more attuned to the flavors of our era. They also make an excellent Niçoise, the classic Provencal mix of seafood, vegetables, and egg, and a seasonal vegetable salad that’s a harmonious blend of the best from the farmer’s market. There’s also a kale and rotisserie chicken combo and a loaded Italian, so if you feel like grazing on something wonderful with a view of the beach and plaza, this is the place to go.   

Tower 12

53 Pier Ave

Hermosa Beach

(310) 379-6400

tower12hb.com

 

Sandwich shop

Mickey’s Italian Delicatessen & Pizzeria

If you’re a regular at Mickey’s, sooner or later you must try a sauce sandwich. That’s what this place became famous for in the 1960s, when a roll with marinara sauce was sold to hungry surfers for a nickel. It’s $2.95 now, a bit more with mozzarella, and it’s simplicity itself on a roll. If that sounds too plain, they have over 30 other options, including eggplant parmesan, their famed homemade meatballs, and Chicago-style Italian-style beef. A small sandwich is plenty for one person, a large one will feed someone who is starving, and if you get the deluxe versions they’re loaded with vegetables and extras. This has been the place for old-fashioned deli sandwiches since the 1950s, and it’s easy to imagine Mickey’s lasting a century.

Mickey’s Italian Delicatessen & Pizzeria

101 Hermosa Ave.

Hermosa Beach

(310) 376-2330

mickeysdeli.com

 Runner-up:

Rieras Place

1908 S Pacific Coast Hwy

Redondo Beach

(310) 316-1908

 

Locals and visitors alike never tire of The Strand House’s unsurpassed view.

Special occasion restaurant

The Strand House

When you’re celebrating something big and want to treat business partners, friends, family or just yourself, the Strand House stands out. The environment is spectacular, the food modern, creative, and stellar, and the service is professional, yet warm. The staff makes every visit there a special occasion, so it’s doubly fitting to make them your choice when there’s something wonderful happening in your world.

The Strand House

117 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Manhattan Beach

(310) 545-7470

thestrandhousemb.com

Runner-up:

Chart House

231 Yacht Club 

Redondo Beach

(310) 372-3464

Chart-house.com

 

View

Chart House

There’s nothing between you and the ocean at the Chart House, and you have your choice – do you prefer a seafront table with the hypnotic movements of the waves as the background, or do you prefer a table that allows you to gaze along the beach and appreciate the city lights stretching around the bay? There really is no wrong answer, because wherever you are, it’s a peaceful, relaxing vista that is nothing like what you have at home.

Chart House

231 Yacht Club 

Redondo Beach

(310) 372-3464

Chart-house.com

Runner-up:

The Strand House

117 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Manhattan Beach

(310) 545-7470

thestrandhousemb.com

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