Hook & Plow: Best of the Beach 2018 Farm to table

The name says it, the menu promises it, and the kitchen delivers. The cooking here is all about subtly accenting the flavors of top quality produce, and they blend raw and cooked ingredients with skill and flair. A few items are always on the menu because things like furikake-dusted french fries and beer-braised pulled pork aren’t seasonal. But there are frequent surprise offerings that take advantage of seasonal produce. The next time someone says there aren’t actual seasons in California you might take them here because they can learn about the flavors of whatever is in the market right now.

Hook & Plow

425 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach

(310) 937-5909

thehookandplow.com

Runner-up: HopSaint Brewing Company

5160 W. 190th St., Torrance

(310) 214-4677