Second City signoff, ice cream to Goat Hill, GF bakery spinoff, and other dining news
A La Carte column for 05 May 2022
Food Truck In Reverse: It’s not unusual for food truck operators to transition their business to a brick-and-mortar location, but somewhat less common for the opposite to happen. That process has occurred at Manhattan House, which closed a few weeks ago. Former chef-owner Juan Torres has taken his act on the road with a food truck called Pasta Selvatica, a name that translates to “wild pasta.” (I assume this tastes different from tame or feral pasta in some way, but he was busy so I couldn’t get details.) The selection is more limited than when Juan had a full kitchen, but the crab and pea ravioli and olive oil cake I tried were as good as ever. No word on what will move into the location on MB Boulevard by PCH yet…
The Pasta Selvatica truck in the Manhattan House Parking lot. Photo by Richard Foss
And in forward: Creamy Boys Ice Cream started as a food truck, or rather, a food trailer. They’ve moved into the former Rinaldi’s location in Goat Hill, serving New Zealand-style ice cream. That’s a mix of fruits and other ingredients whipped into ice cream that’s made to order, a style invented on a berry farm in the antipodes. This is a burst of life in a development that is slated to be demolished in a few years, so no telling how long we will be able to enjoy it in this location…
Last supper at Second City: After 18 years in El Segundo, Second City Bistro has closed. This was the first upscale place on then-sleepy Richmond Street, and Scott and Liz pioneered wine dinners and culinary events in the area. It’s sad to see them go, but after almost two decades they’ve certainly earned their retirement…
Coming attractions: There has been a steady increase in interest in gluten free baked goods, and one of the established local purveyors is doing so well that they’re expanding. Confections by Kirari West is coming to the same shopping center as the original location on PCH, but this is more than just separating the sweets in one location and the savories in another. Confections will offer gluten-free cookies, but also have some items reflecting the Japanese heritage of founder Hiro Saito. Watch for an opening in late June or July… Speaking of Japanese food, Kotsu Ramen & Gyoza is coming to South Redondo. The fast-growing mini-chain has seven locations in California and Oregon, and offers fast casual food in the style of Fukuoka in the far South of Japan. No word yet on how soon the noodles will start boiling… The former Jack in the Box on Manhattan Beach Boulevard is rebuilding as another drive-through fast food place, though I haven’t been able to find out which one yet. Anybody know? (UPDATE: A reader informed me that is is probably a Starbucks.)… There’s also no word on what will be next at Mosa in South Hermosa, which is now owned by the same people who have Taps Fish House and a lot of other places that are mainly focused on beer with either seafood or tacos. They haven’t changed the branding of the restaurant, so this may be a different kind of venture for them. I have been trying to find out, but their corporate office is being very, very quiet… In North Hermosa, the former La Penita will become another branch of GoodBoyBob, a coffee roaster that also serves light meals and wine. No word yet on how soon they’ll be ready, but it’s a major renovation for a very old building, so it will be a surprise if it’s very soon… Whoever replaces Edobites in Manhattan Village will have no such problem, because the building was finished only about a year ago and the restaurant lasted only nine months. Its replacement is Reborn Coffee, which is bound to offer better value for money, as Edobites prices for small portions of mediocre Italian food were absurdly high…
Event alerts: I have visited Australia a few times but don’t remember ever trying wagyu beef from that region. I can do that now without jet lag by attending the Greenham beef dinner at Pacific Standard Prime on May 12, where they will offer different cuts of animals raised on Robbins Island, off the northwest coast of Tasmania. Michael White of Greenham will be the special guest, and attendees will enjoy five courses with wines. Cost is $175 per person – reservation link is on pspsteak.com… Primo Italia offers intimate Italian wine dinners in their back room, and on May 17 they’ll host a renowned expert in the field. Andrea Contucci of Contucci Vineyards is visiting Los Angeles, and the master of Montepulciano will explain the grapes and methods that have made this area north of Rome famous since the Renaissance. Cost is $125 per person, reserve at eatprimo.com… If those sound a bit rich for your budget, Uncorked in Hermosa has just the thing – their events typically run $20 to $30 for flights of wine with the makers or representatives in attendance. Next themes are natural wines with Sheila Donohue of Vero Vino on May 11, Stephen Searle of Leitmotif Wines on May 18, a wine and cheese pairing with Cultured Slice on May 25, and Italian wines from the Marche region with winemaker Paolo Agostinelli on May 26. More information is available on their website…
Jame Enoteca chef Jackson Kalb, who overcame illness to make it through three rounds of Top Chef. Photo (CivicCouch.com)
Random Bits: Staff shortages have kept many restaurants from expanding their offerings, but it must be easing because several are doing exactly that. Mama Terano in PV is opening for Sunday brunch, Nando Trattoria is offering family style menus to go, and other places are extending their hours. This is the right time to do all of those things to catch the summer traffic, and I hope they all thrive… Two culinarians in the news both work at places a bit out of our main coverage area, but popular with our readership, so I’m sending congratulations to Jonathan Solis of the Torrance Marriott’s 21 Square Bar, and Jackson Kalb at Jame Enoteca. Stone is a finalist in the “Master of the Craft” bartending competition, with a concoction called the Zampertini, named after the World War II veteran whose name also in commemorated in Torrance’s Zamperini airport. I don’t know the recipe, except that it involves chocolate bitters and blueberry syrup, which sounds luscious. Jackson Kalb was a finalist on the Top Chef show and lasted through three rounds, despite the fact that he had lost most of his sense of smell due to Covid. He managed to keep this a secret from his competitors, and even though he didn’t win, his feat should be acknowledged… And speaking of food shows, one was filmed on the Redondo Pier last month, but the production company is doing its best to keep the details a secret. It’s a new show called East Coast, West Coast, and I think you will be able to guess which one they were highlighting…
And in closing: There is more to come that I can’t share yet – a new location for one of the area’s standout Chinese restaurants, a new bakery on the way, and other delights. I get many of these tidbits of information from you, and I appreciate every one of them. If you know a restaurant opening I might’ve missed, or a culinary event that should be covered, 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. ER