Stylish dining, pizza, and tiki in Hermosa, burger surprise in Segundo, wine dinners, and more dining news

Sophistication Street: Hermosa Avenue has gradually morphed from a continuous party to a haven for creative chefs, and the trend accelerates with a new opening. Vinfolk is now serving in the former Chef Melba’s, and though the decor has been freshened, the softly lit elegance is the same. The cuisine by chefs Kevin de los Santos and Katya Shastova is global fusion, with intriguing elements of Eastern European and Central Asian cuisine. As might be expected from the name, the wine list is extensive, with both interesting bottles and by-the-glass selections at a fair price. The young and loud crowd still parties on the nearby Pier Plaza, but with the opening of Vinfolk and the impending arrival of Attagirl, the fine dining trend is firmly established (1501 Hermosa Avenue, HB)…

Elsewhere In Hermosa: There was once a tiki bar at the foot of Pier Avenue – it was called The Lighthouse, and it morphed into a jazz club in 1949. There hasn’t been a tiki bar in the city since then, but that’s about to change. The new lessee at the former Brews Hall is reportedly converting that space to a Polynesian paradise, a big bet on the resurgence of strong rum drinks with little umbrellas in them. No word yet on an opening date, or whether they’ll be presenting an elevated version of the Chinese and Malaysian pupu platters that Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic’s made famous in the 1930’s… A few blocks up Pier, Redwood Pie is serving pizzas in the former laundromat near the fire station. Their sign promises salads, sandwiches, and ice cream, but at the moment they’re just offering pizzas and sodas. There is a tiny counter for dining in and outdoor seating, but their focus is obviously on the takeout business. I looked carefully and did not see any actual redwoods near the location, but maybe one of those things that looked like palm trees was a botanical chameleon…

Burgers, Burritos, And Coffee: A pop-up burger stand called Spread Please was mentioned in this column a few months ago as a potential tenant at the corner of Longfellow and Manhattan Avenue, but I lost track of them when that deal fell through. They recently opened in El Segundo with an unusual timeshare agreement with Two Guns Coffee – that location on Main Street is a coffeehouse in the morning, but from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays, they’ll serve burgers and duck fat fries. The Two Guns operation closes at 5, so there is one hour a day in which you can enjoy both burgers and coffee. Look for them both at 321 Main Street in El Segundo… On your way into town on PCH you’ll pass the small food mall on the east side of the street, and there you may notice a new sign that portends the availability of the South Bay’s most popular breakfast burrito. Phanny’s of Redondo is opening a second location here, and may be serving before the end of the year if their permits all come through…

No Scum And Villiany Here: I couldn’t resist the Star Wars reference, because that’s the first thing that went through my head when I heard that The Hive had opened at the corner of Marine and Highland. Based on my first visit, this is not a hangout for desperados from multiple planets. They offer breakfasts, smoothies, juices, and both sweet and savory bowls, along with a variety of coffees and teas. The environment is bright and cheerful and prices are modest, which could attract the neighborhood clientele that anything in this location needs to survive…

Event Alerts!: December is usually a slow month for culinary events because restaurants are laser focused on holiday parties, but there are an unusual number of wine dinners coming up, and one spirit focused shindig too. One establishment has gone even further and is hosting several wine dinners a week – read on to find out about that… First, the timebound events. On December 3^rd you will have probably recovered enough from the effects of Thanksgiving dinner to be interested in food again, and Gabi James has a suggestion about what might tickle your palate. They’re partnering with Reeve Winery of Healdsburg for a three course menu, and they offer both an omnivore option and vegetarian pairings. The price is $150 including tax & tip – there’s a link from their website at gabijames.com… On December 5^th, Primo Italia offers a multicourse Italian feast paired with Tuscan wines from San Felice – the price is $175.77 per person including tax & tip. More info and reservations are available at the link at eatprimo.com… Ryla doesn’t host wine events often, so it’s noteworthy that they’re hosting an event with The Mascot on December 11. Five courses with paired wines will set you back $286.88 per person – reserve at the link from their site, eatryla.com… The Matanzas Creek dinner at Fishbar on the same day is a bit more modestly priced – four courses with wine will set you back $100 plus tax, about $122. It will probably not surprise you that seafood is featured prominently, given the name of the restaurant. Reserve on Resy.com… And finally, Primo Italia is hosting a dinner in the honor of Frank Sinatra’s birthday, featuring premium expressions of his favorite beverages, Jack Daniels bourbon. Dine in true rat pack style on Italian classics, and expect to hear ol’ Blue Eyes during the course of the meal. It would be no great surprise if your amiable host Lou sings a few himself – he has been known to do that. Price is $195.30, and reservations may be made through opentable.com…

An Everyday Delight: If you enjoy those perfect food and drink pairings by pros but can’t often arrange your schedule around them, Pacific Standard Prime has the solution. They’re offering wine pairings for twelve diners around a communal table every Thursday through Saturday for $150 per person. Sommelier Peggy Dean and chef Christine Brown curate and host the events, and the menu changes every month. Price is $150 plus tax & tip, about $180 – reserve on opentable at the link from pspsteak.com…

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 https://easyreadernews.com/restaurants/.