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 Hermosa Ave. steps from the water in beautiful Hermosa Beach. The inside is bright with a coastal vibe. There are three separate dining areas, a conventional dining space, the bar area, and a “date room”. When the retractable doors are up, the bar area customers benefit from the cool ocean breeze.
Conness reinvents classic Parker House Rolls with an Italian spin and calls them Panini Rolls. They are served warm and topped with grated Italian grana cheese and fresh rosemary. Marinara and herbed olive oil dipping sauces are supplied and pair nicely with this rosemary flavored bread.
The Charred Eggplant starter was one of my favorite dishes that evening. Two thick slices of eggplant are roasted and topped with pepperonata and fresh basil. The eggplant is placed on a bed of greek yogurt and date honey. The eggplant is nicely charred and yet the interior is creamy smooth. The delicious combination of flavors effectively marries Italian and Greek cuisine.
Another dish that reflects Conness’ experience at Jaffa is the Moroccan Spiced Carrots. A rainbow blend of sliced carrots is roasted. The carrots are topped with pomegranates and crispy fried leeks. The result is a tasty carrot dish that is crunchy due to the pomegranates.
MOSA offers a number of fresh pasta dishes. They make the angel hair, lasagna, pumpkin ravioli, and the pappardelle pasta in-house. The Pappardelle was quite special. The noodles were fresh, heavily buttered and best of all, there was a large bed of lamb stew underneath the pasta.
Among their coastal dishes, I tried the Salt Spring Mussels. These British Columbia mussels were extremely tender and not chewy. The broth was made with mascarpone and espelette (a Basque pepper) and mixed with sliced fennel. The broth was reduced and reminiscent of curry seasoning.
MOSA has an impressive number of wines available by the glass. The Raeburn Chardonnay had notes of apple with a nice finish. I really enjoyed the CP Sangiovese Toscana. This paired quite nicely with the chicken marsala.
The MOSA Coastal Experience
A covered patio in the rear of the restaurant is internally named as their “Date Room”. The area is steps away from the bar area and noticeably quieter. It is furnished with a lot of indoor plants. The stone flooring consists of stone tiles with muted Mediterranean colors. Signs remind guests that residents live just beyond their walls.
Our server, John, was quite remarkable. Even though the restaurant is brand new, he knew the menu inside out. He reeled off ingredients like he was the chef and he provided thoughtful recommendations. John also provided excellent suggestions on wine to pair with food.
MOSA is a welcome addition to the South Bay and should be popular due to its Italian Coastal theme. The builder used sound-dampening features to make the restaurant pleasant for conversation. MOSA is an ideal destination to enjoy with a date, a friend or even by yourself.
MOSA, 190 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254; 310.504.0381
mosacoastal.com