Greenspot turns French, new seafood palace coming to Redondo, Coffee in downtown MB, wine events, and other dining news
A LA Carte column for 25 May 2023
French Transition & Crustacean Central: Greenspot had good food but an identity problem. The name made people expect a vegan restaurant, and there was nothing on the menu that fit that category. The place is now the Bonaparte Bistro, serving some favorites from the old menu and a mix of classic Parisian items. The atmosphere is casual, and if you enjoy ratatouille or beef Bourguignon with a view of the beach, this is the place to go. (36 Pier Ave., HB)… Just around the corner, Lobster & Beer Coastal has opened on Hermosa Avenue in the space that was previously The Stanton and before that Hot’s Kitchen. Their specialty is lobster rolls, but tacos, wings, sandwiches, salads, and other entrees round out the list. As of the day this was written they didn’t have their alcohol license yet so can’t sell beer, but they are apparently allowed to give it away. That’s one way to bring customers into a new restaurant, but probably not sustainable for the long run (844 Hermosa Ave., HB)…
New Arrivals: Manhattan Beach already has an extraordinary variety of coffee specialists, with five indie and chain roasters within a few blocks of each other.Now a sixth is on the way. Caffe Luxe will open on Manhattan Avenue sometime this summer if all goes according to plan. This is the eighth location for the Santa Monica-based company, which roasts all their coffee in Gardena… Meanwhile, a new seafood house has been announced for Redondo. Salt & Pearl will take over the former King Harbor Brewing space in Riviera Village. Renderings of the space show an upscale environment. The owners are Mickey Mance and Justin Essman, who also operate neighboring restaurant Vida. No word yet on how soon they’ll start slinging the seafood…
Changes and Departures: Hermosa Kentucky started out as a Korean chicken specialist and was starting to catch on when the owner came down with Covid. After months of closure and questions, the place reopened with the same name but a new menu and face behind the counter. The place still serves chicken sandwiches and wings, but the Korean sides have been replaced by Mexican food. The owners run The Taco Cart, a popular caterer, and now their fans can get their food without having to host an event… Changes are on the way along the PCH corridor. Starting from the north, the McDonald’s in Hermosa has closed, and that’s actually a rare thing. You have to sell a lot of cheap burgers to afford a big location like this, and I guess they couldn’t manage it… A more trendy spot also closed when the Smashburger near Whole Foods shuttered this month. The location near the high school seemed like a sure winner, but evidently the student trade wasn’t enough… And after a long time on the market, Sister’s Barn has been sold to a new owner. No word yet on what will replace it – if anyone knows, please contact me at the email address at the end of this column…
A Hermosa Avenue Surprise: Dia de Campo closed suddenly after nine years in business, reportedly because of a substantial rent increase at the end of the current lease. The place had excellent food and an enjoyable atmosphere, and will be greatly missed. Another nearby restaurant is in escrow and a third is for sale, so there will be a lot of changes in this area soon…
Delays And A Mystery: I received emails asking about a to-go only Chinese soup specialist in Redondo called Rolling Skies Kitchen, but was never able to actually try the place. They apparently were just getting a following when they closed for the Chinese New Year holiday and never reopened. Their website is still up and tantalizing diners with offerings of spicy malatang soup, but the restaurant is not actually open. I received an email from management saying that they’ll be reopening somewhere in the South Bay, and when that happens, I’ll let you know… The “Who Song & Larry’s” chain Mexican gastropub that has been promised next door to El Torito on the Redondo Pier has also been delayed again. No reason or opening day estimate has been given…
Event Alerts!: June is a busy month for wine events, and for a change fans of spirits have something to look forward to. First on the calendar, June 1, is a wine tasting at Uncorked Manhattan Beach with Laura Munoz of Ehlers Estate in Napa. This is the first such event since the space on Manhattan Avenue was remodeled, and will feature charcuterie and five wines, including vertical pours of three Cabernets for $65. Reserve at 310-372-2021… On June 6 PSP Steak will offer something a bit different, a Bourbon dinner conducted by Dan Garrison of Garrison Brothers distillery. They opened in 2006 as the first legal distillery in Texas since Prohibition, and they’ve had time to craft and age some real beauties. The price is $150 inclusive, and a reservation link is on Open Table and at the website at pspsteak.com… After that you have your choice of three events in three days. Radici will host a wine dinner on June 8 that also includes a fine steak, a Japanese black wagyu that will be paired with a Chianti Classico. There are four other courses of Italian food on offer, and it sounds like a great meal. $140. Reserve at radicihermosabeach.com… On June 9 steak is on the menu again for a “Vineyard Voyage” wine dinner at Fleming’s on Rosecrans. You can enjoy four courses with wine for $125 per guest plus tax and tip. Reservations are available on the Flemingssteakhouse.com site… And a festive and casual mood will prevail on June 10 at Uncorked Hermosa’s annual Rosé Soiréé Parking Lot Party. Enjoy cheese, charcuterie, and refreshing pink wine under the umbrellas in the parking lot with a view of the sea. $55. (424) 247-7117 to reserve… Finally, on June 22 Primo Italia is hosting a wine dinner featuring vintages from Montecarino, a small family-owned vineyard near Verona. Five courses of food and wine is $175 per person – reserve via the link at eatprimo.com/events…
Random Notes: If you’re looking online for an interesting place for dinner in Hermosa Beach and you’re not paying much attention, you might decide to make a reservation at the Hermosa Restaurant. If you hop in a Lyft or taxi and ask to go there, prepare for a big bill, because the Hermosa Restaurant is in Chicago. Their menu of Cambodian street food fusion looks interesting, but probably not worth the journey… A reader was researching local happy hour menus and noticed that one restaurant takes the term literally. The Metro Cafe in El Segundo actually has a happy hour that lasts only one hour, the only one I know on that tight a schedule. If you’re looking for an inexpensive bite and beverage between 5 and 6 p.m., it’s worth looking into… And the march of the breakfast burritos goes on. Mickey’s in Hermosa has been serving them for a while, and now a more upscale Italian place has joined in. Bettolino Kitchen is now serving weekend brunch, and they’re on the menu. I have no idea what twist an Italian chef puts on that item, but there’s only one way to find out…
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.