When you think of vintage LA restaurants, you probably envision venerable establishments such as Phillipe’s the Original, Musso and Frank’s, and the Pantry in downtown LA. You would be hard-pressed to think of one when asked about the South Bay. I was surprised to learn that Mickey’s Deli will celebrate its 70th Anniversary on Sat…
Hermosa Beach
Barsha Adds Tunesian Cuisine To The South Bay
I first became aware of Barsha when it opened as a boutique wine shop in Manhattan Beach. Barsha was not only a wine retailer but a destination for drinking wine by the glass and enjoying fine cheese, charcuterie, salads, and homemade spreads. Unlike many Manhattan Beach businesses located on Highland or Manhattan Ave, BARSA has…
Chef Melba’s Bistro, Seafood Heaven in Hermosa Beach
I’ve always thought of Hermosa Beach as a bar town and not somewhere you can dine on anything except bar food. Despite driving, bicycling, and skating on Hermosa Ave right in front of Chef Melba’s Bistro, I never felt the urge to visit. Due to a friend’s recommendation, my wife and I recently dined there. …
Greenbelt, A Hidden Gem On The Hermosa Beach Pier
Recently, my wife and I walked The Strand from Redondo Beach to Hermosa Beach. It’s a beautiful walk with an unobstructed white water view of the Pacific. Once you pass Herondo St, you transition to the Hermosa Strand, where you see multi-million dollar homes constructed with lots of glass. After arriving at the pier, we…
Baran’s 2239 Collaborates with Papadakis Taverna
Baran’s 2239 is a cozy bistro tucked into a strip mall on busy Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach. They became popular quickly and in 2019 Michelin placed Baran’s 2239 on their Bib Gourmand list for LA. Owners Jonathan and Jason Barans recently collaborated with long-time restaurant owners John and Tom Papadakis of Papadakis Taverna…
Succulent Roast Chicken at Poulet du Jour
If you enjoy eating chicken, one of the best ways to prepare it is with a rotisserie. When it is done right, the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and moist. Some restaurants such as Poulet du Jour use a middle eastern spice rub. Because the chicken is so tasty, they create a…
Week 8 – Coronavirus Dining in LA
Two months after LA’s restaurant’s were ordered to close their dining rooms, a somber mood still covers LA. Some have figured out how much they need to pay the rent with no dine-in customers and others have simply given up. I continue reviewing restaurants that are currently in operation. Hurry Curry of Tokyo Hurry Curry…
Week 4 – Coronavirus Dining in LA
This is the 4th week of dining after restaurants were forced to close or convert to a delivery or “to go” operation. I’ve watched well funded operations sell their wine and beer inventory at heavily discounted prices and covert their menus to “comfort food to go”. Small family owned restaurants operate with empty dining rooms…
South Bay Restaurants Offering To-Go This Weekend
Confused about what you can and cannot do right now? You are not alone. Fortunately, the staff at LAist consolidated the rules into an easy-to-read article. Fortunately, it is still permissible to pick up “to go” food at a restaurant. If you don’t know how to cook or are getting tired of your own cooking,…
MOSA – Italian Coastal in the South Bay
When I learned that Chef Anne Conness created a menu with an Italian coastal focus, I had to pay a visit to MOSA to experience the food. Conness has extensive experience having worked with Michael Cimarusti, Mark Peel, and Nancy Silverton. More recently, she led the kitchens at Sausal and Jaffa. MOSA is located on…