Someone tried to explain the laws of probability to me years ago, why what may seem like bizarre coincidences are actually inevitable over a long period of time. With all the cards dealt in Vegas someone will get a royal flush on the first hand, and many other people’s sure thing will turn out to be a bad bet. So it’s no real surprise that a whole bunch of long-delayed projects are suddenly coming to fruition, or that in an area with very few Chinese restaurants two of them would close the same week. I’ll delve into that in a minute, but first, a word about a major local event.
By The Sea, By The Beautiful Sea: The Sunday By The Sea event features a view of the ocean, but most of the people who attend don’t spend any time looking at it. Most of the people who attend like to hang out at the rows of tables where restaurateurs and winemakers dish out their best. It’s an exciting and enjoyable event, and it’s on Sunday, September 28 this year. Your $150 benefits the nonprofit TrinityCare hospice for adults and children with terminal illnesses. Tickets are available at (310) 543-3440.
And on to restaurants: A set of puzzling banners has been up at the long-vacant Marengo restaurant space in the Hillside Village center. I stopped in to see what was up, and found that a new Italian restaurant is in the works. It will be called Lou’s On The Hill, and will be owned by former Broadway singer and bandleader Lou Giovanetti. Giovannetti is no stranger to the hospitality business – he was formerly co-owner of Side Door in Manhattan Beach, and has other experience from his time on the East Coast. The remodeling is comprehensive and it looks like this will be a beautiful spot. Look for an opening by mid-October
And While You’re There: If you stop in at Hillside Village to peer through the windows to see what Lou’s looks like, you might go next door to Restaurant Christine to sign up for Shellfishpalooza. Underwater denizens are featured in five of the six courses in this dinner, and they’ll probably top your chocolate madeleine dessert with a bay shrimp if you ask nicely. The price is $65 per person, and the date is September 29. Call (310) 373-8285, ext. 5 to reserve your place.
And Now The News: Ocean Tava changed ownership recently and there are some new items on their pan-Indian menu. The new management is dealing with a problem I mentioned in a recent column. The flood of coupons that were issued before they got there, some of which may be of dubious legitimacy. This is another reminder that these too-good-to-be-true deals by third parties may not be worth what you pay for them. And I need to give another reminder: before using one, call to see whether a restaurant is accepting them, and if not don’t abuse the servers – they’re not the ones who made the decision.
Their Days Have Passed: Several places that have been in business a long time closed recently, among them Zina’s, the former Czech bar and grill in Torrance, and Hermosa’s Paradise Sushi. In Manhattan Beach, two local hangouts that were in the same side street building quietly exited the scene when a new owner put the property on the market. Magic Skewers closed about a month ago, though it was hard to tell because they were generally open whenever the owner felt like being there. The Middle Eastern food was good, but the slow service and eccentric hours were polarizing. The demise of the Stir-Fry Grill will leave a bigger hole in the community. There had been a Chinese take-out in this location since the 1950s, when it was Chinn Lee’s Kitchen. Neither business seems to be reopening elsewhere, which makes it particularly interesting that as of the day I write this, restaurant.com is still selling $25 gift certificates at Magic Skewers for $10 – minimum purchase $50. I wonder how much value for money the buyers will get…
Another Chinese restaurant that had been around for quite a while has also shuttered. Maxi’s Asian Delight was better known as Red Chopsticks, because while they changed the name in January, they never changed the sign. Chinese food is as popular as ever, and people who live in the Beach Cities are willing to drive some distance to get the authentic regional cuisines.They have to, because you certainly can’t get it here. Incidentally, I just looked and three companies are still selling gift cards and coupons for Red Chopsticks too.
Information, Please! What happened to Rosati’s Pub in Redondo? In November of last year they had banners up to draw attention to their imminent opening. Almost a year later nothing has happened. Chicago-style pizza lovers want to know.
And Another Wine Event: Chez Melange always has interesting wine events, and the dinner with Patz & Hall winery’s owner Anne Moses should be no exception. I’m particularly interested to know how the Chardonnay will pair with oyster stew, and any menu with the phrase “Moroccan-spiced duck breast” gets my attention. It’s Monday, September 22, $70 plus tax, and reservation are (310) 540-1222.
First Looks: Greenbelt has been open on the Pier Plaza in Hermosa for almost two months, but they’re taking a cautious approach. They have no website and when asked about the menu, they replied that they’re still in “soft opening” mode. I stopped in and their current offerings are interesting. They serve multicultural contemporary cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences. It’s a more upscale and stylish operation than I expected from pre-opening reports, and the place was packed at lunch.
Things were quieter up the street at Copacabana, the new Brazilian café where you are charged by the pound for what you eat, but when I was there most of the customers were speaking Portuguese. The restaurant is tiny, with only four tables, but the buffet format seems well-tailored for take-out business and prices are moderate.
A Change in the Kitchen: Members of the Manhattan Beach Country Club may notice some changes at the elegant restaurant on the property. Chef Johnny Messina, who has worked at many top kitchens at the South Bay and Beverly Hills, has taken over there. Messina is an artist with American regional and Asian cuisines, and his return to the area is a great development.
From the Dogs. To the Dogs? Work has been in progress at the former Hotdoggers site on Sepulveda, in Manhattan Beach. But until recently I couldn’t find out what was going in there. When I did, I burst out laughing – it‘s a gourmet dog food kitchen. I briefly wondered why they bothered changing the sign, but realized that unlike humans, most dogs don’t like it hot.
Any new openings, any events I should know about? I’m at richardfoss.com.
