New Tex-Mex, sushi, and Thai, and October dining events
By Richard Foss
A La Carte column for October 8, 2026
Java Man, Ocean Diner live on: A hospitality group best known for nightlife with exotic beverages is taking over two places more noted for caffeine-fueled breakfasts. Partners Brian Eldridge and Patrick Mescall of the South Bay Hospitality Group own Paddy O’Brien’s, the Hula Hula room, Tiki Kai, and The Bounty Room, all places at which one can get cocktails of various styles. They now also own Hermosa landmarks Java Man and Ocean Diner Café, which are more noted for eye-opening coffees and generous homestyle breakfasts respectively. This management team also has been running Eat At Joe’s for more than a year, and if you hadn’t noticed because they mostly left everything the same, that’s a good sign for those who love the establishments started by the late Rick Henkus just as they are…
Bienvenidos South Bay: Homestate Tex-Mex has opened at The Pointe in El Segundo, a rare outpost for a cuisine that is very different from the Sonoran-Mexican style that dominates our area. Expect smoked brisket tacos, flour tortillas instead of corn, queso sauce instead of cotija, and other anomalies (820 PCH #112, ES)… Another newcomer, Chica’s Tacos, is serving more conventional Mexican food from the back patio of The Deck. Beer and tacos right on The Strand seems like one of those can’t-go-wrong ideas, and from everything I’ve heard they’re turning out a quality product… The Redondo Boardwalk has another waterfront spot that has a connection with a bar, and you can be forgiven if you haven’t noticed it. I had heard about a place called South Bay Sushi Club that was only open on weekends, and walked up and down the Boardwalk without spotting a sign. I finally asked the staff at Scholb Brewing if they could tell me where it was, and they laughed and pointed to an unmarked door next to their storefront. When the door is open, they’re serving, and when it’s not, they’re invisible. They are theoretically open from 1 to 8 p.m. on weekends only, but last weekend they sold out so early both days that they closed before 6 p.m. (160 International Boardwalk, RB)… Elsewhere in Redondo, Thai House Kitchen is serving in Southeast Redondo on PCH, an offshoot of the respected Baramee restaurant in San Pedro. The menu offers the same pan-Thai approach, but the interior is much more spartan – no word on whether they opened before they finished decorating or they just like minimalism (1914 S. PCH, RB)… Those who enjoy coffee in an atmosphere of angst and darkness will patronize a nearby business called Gravewave Coffee – yes, this is a goth-themed coffeehouse, and it is not a Halloween pop-up. To my surprise, when I stopped in they were not playing tracks by The Cure or The Damned… it was actually rather quiet (1808 S. PCH, RB)… And Palos Verdes has a new bakery that looks suspiciously like one with a different name a few miles away. Lunelle is in the same building as the Lunada Market & Deli, and is owned by the couple behind the Little French Bakery in Riviera Village. The pastries are the same, which is to say, they are excellent and traditionally French. Unfortunately for the bakery, their sign is almost completely obscured by the umbrellas at the outdoor dining tables – just park and wander until you find it (2201 PV Drive West #1, PVE)…
And Closures… An era of fine dining in Old Town Torrance comes to an end as Michael Shafer closes The Depot. Michael was a familiar presence in the dining room and knew an astonishing number of his patrons by name – nobody else could fill in for that big personality. We presume he plans to play golf a lot as that’s his main passion besides cooking… The Crème de la Crepe in Rolling Hills Estates closed too, though other restaurants in this chain are unaffected…
Reopening: Hennessey’s Tavern in Redondo closed for a kitchen remodeling that will reportedly upgrade and enlarge their facilities. Its reopening ceremony is Thursday, October 8. Yellow Jersey Bakery in Hermosa also closed temporarily so the owner could take a break – they’ll be open again in a week or two. And to squash a rumor, social media was abuzz with word that Ameci Pizza at the corner of Artesia and Aviation was closing. They were shuttered for only a few days to have some work done on their air conditioning, and should be sending out pizzas by the time you read this…
Coming Attractions: The long-vacant Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf location at Elena and Avenue I will soon become a branch of Mickey’s Deli. That may seem like a dubious choice in a neighborhood with many options for Italian-American food and pizza, but Mickey’s is a name to conjure with, and they’re certain to have a following as soon as they open… And there are updates on two long-stalled projects, both involving Mexican restaurants. The conversion of the former Leo’s restaurant into the Hacienda El Amigo has resumed after numerous setbacks. The owners were apparently unaware when they got the lease that the building needed extensive remodeling to meet current code and was not “grandfathered in” because it had been vacant for so long. While the timeline is not certain because they need final paperwork from various agencies, they may start serving before the end of the year… Another such project is the rebirth of the Coyote Cantina, which apparently suffered from years of deferred maintenance. They’re hoping for a soft opening in November…
Event Alerts: On Oct. 13 shellfish lovers can attend an East Coast style clambake with California spiny lobster on the side – not a set of flavors you get to enjoy often in this area. It’s $85 per person plus tax & tip, about $120, with pours of two white wines included – reserve on Open Table… You have two event choices on October 22 – a beer, wine, and sake tasting at Uncorked, or a wine dinner at Primo Italia. The Uncorked event includes nibbles of Japanese food and a showing of handcrafted kimonos, and costs $35 inclusive – reserve on Eventbrite… The five-course Italian dinner at Primo features wines by Antinori and is a more high-style affair – price is $135 plus tax, tip, and Open Table fee, a total of $177. Reserve on Open Table… Uncorked goes as fancy as this casual space ever does to celebrate their 15th anniversary on Sunday, October 25 – 50 wines will be available for sampling with an array of food catered by So Feta Good, for $100. Those who enjoy caviar can pay an extra $50 for a pre-event experience in their wine lounge – reserve on uncorkedwineshops.com… A different and personal event is scheduled at Fête Bistro by Slay on October 27 – a dinner for 20 curated and hosted by David Slay, at which he’ll give insights into his culinary journey. Cost is $150 per person, including tax, and it’s a benefit for the program at Collage in San Pedro that gives musical instruments to students and hosts teaching programs. (Full disclosure: I founded Collage, and will be attending too). Reserve at this LINK… On the 28 Porterhouse in El Segundo will host a Mexican Day of the Dead themed dinner featuring Hedonista mezcals. The menu is an intriguing mix of traditional and modern Mexican ideas, and it will set you back $119 plus tax and tip per person, about 161 per person – reserve on OpenTable.com…Finally, you usually probably go to Gelson’s to buy wine, though you may stop at their bar counter to have a bite and a glass. You’ll want to linger longer on October 29, because that’s when they host a dinner with Treasury Wines by Beaulieu. Price is $95 plus tax, about $106, and you can reserve at Gelsons.com.
And 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 Easyreadernews.com/restaurants/. ER
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