New Restaurant in Sushi Duke Space, Trellis Wine House Project Canceled, Upcoming Food and Wine Events, And More Dining News
Dog Days Of Summer… August in the South Bay is a slack time for restaurant debuts, as most owners try to move heaven and earth to be open during the tourist season. The only big opening in the near term is a delayed one, as the Original Ragin Cajun in Hermosa hoped to be open in July but is now planning for mid to late August. I had expected an announcement from Les P’tit Bretons, the long-awaited French restaurant in Manhattan Beach, but that seems to have been postponed further.
To take the longer view, there is news about a new project in a long-vacant space on Catalina near the Redondo Pier. The former CJ’s Pantry and Sushi Duke will become a cantina and a small coffee shop selling snacks, both under the ownership of Joline Blais. Joline has quite a history locally, beginning at her family’s restaurant Pio’s and continuing as one of the owners of the original Cantina Real in Hermosa. Expect an opening in late fall…
Let Me Plan Your Week For You… August is unusually lively when it comes to events – there are always a few outdoor spectaculars, but restaurants big and small are being creative during the next two weeks. This Saturday, August 12th, you have a choice of two family-friendly items: the Bite at the Beach and Hudson House’s Luau. The Bite at the Beach is actually at the MBS Media Campus on Rosecrans near Aviation, so don’t expect an ocean view, but do expect good live music, beers from over 20 breweries, a selection of wines, and food samples from over 20 local restaurants. The event is held on a movie set of a New York street, which is a little odd given the name of the event – perhaps they meant Brighton Beach or some other Brooklyn neighborhood. Tickets are $55 at manhattanbeachchamber.com.
Meanwhile in Redondo, Hudson House offers an End-of-Summer Luau, and the first three words of that title depress me so much that I may need an afternoon of eating roast pig and poke bowls to cheer myself up. Happily, that’s exactly what they’re offering. No reservations necessary – just stop in and join the fun.
A more elegant event with a deliberately silly name is scheduled the next night – “Spritz & Giggles” is a clambake with sparkling wine at each course. Chef Melba’s in Hermosa will be cooking up the traditional shellfish, lobster, and corn while Chronic Cellars wines are poured – call 310-376-2084 for reservations… That same evening Suburbia in Redondo will offer a four-course dinner with Purple Wine & Company, which makes Tuesday the “Oddly Named Winery” Night. Suburbia is being coy about the menu, but at $39 plus tax & tip it’s a bargain. Go to Eventbrite.com and search Suburbia for more…
There’s no mystery about the menu at Playa Hermosa’s first wine dinner the next evening; the August 15th event will start with the seafood for which they are best known and move on to braised pork belly, lamb loin with lamb sausage, and other delights. Denner Vinayards winemaker Anthony Yount will be available to explain the wines – check it out and reserve at playahermosaoyster.com…
And finally, on the 16th Hey 19 will introduce new chef Jenni Brooks to the community with a five-course dinner featuring tasting of six beers by Strand Brewing. Brooks has a varied resume that includes stints running a French bistro in New York and a Oaxacan restaurant in Hawaii, and she’s putting her experience to work here. The menu is fascinatingly eclectic and includes a course with wild halibut, cauliflower, trumpet mushrooms fennel sausage, and black truffle porridge. Cost is $75 inclusive – call 310-378-8119 for details…
The Perils Of Trusting The Internet… If you are thinking of visiting a restaurant and want to check out their menu beforehand, you’re likely to check the web. In many cases the first three or four results will be from food delivery services, and their results may be outdated or incomplete. Those sites are very unlikely to list daily or weekly specials, and the prices may be incorrect (usually higher). I have been at a restaurant when an irate customer was standing at the counter berating the staff because something he saw online wasn’t available. The manager pointed out that the website he looked at was not the restaurant’s and they had no way of ensuring its accuracy or updating it. If you want food delivered then check those sites, but if you plan to dine in then go to the restaurant’s own site and get accurate information…
The Dreaded “Stalled Project”… Over the last two years there were many enthusiastic press releases announcing the imminent arrival of Trellis Wine House, a wine bar and private club on Rosecrans. The promises of imminent opening stopped this spring, and a representative of the company confirmed that the opening has been postponed indefinitely. It was an interesting project, but probably too ambitious for its own good…
Chasing Down Malaysian Food… The South Bay briefly had a Malaysian fusion restaurant called the Stop Bye Café in Lawndale before a dispute with the landlord put them out on the street. Literally on the street, as they bought a food truck and are now making appearances around the area. They’re worth a visit – check their schedule at stopbyecafe.com to see where they’ll be…
Any other news, any restaurant openings, any place else to get Beef Rendang? I’m at Richard@richardfoss.com…
ER