Mexican over $10: Palmilla Cocina y Tequila
Our readers show an adventurous streak this year, selecting the most modern Mexican restaurant in the South Bay. The menu and decor here are like nothing else in the area. You dine in an Aztec fantasyland by the light of candles and overhead lanterns, next to a bar that looks like a shrine to tequila. […]
Tapas/appetizers, Mediterranean: Mediterraneo
Small-plate dining is a tradition around the world. Danes with their smorgasbord, Turks with their meze and Indonesians with rijsttafel all enjoy meals that involve a profusion of small tastes. The gold standard for the world is tapas, the Spanish tradition of snacks meant to be enjoyed with wine. In the South Bay, that means […]
Burgers: Simmzy’s
It is an odd bit of marketing that Simmzy’s menu and website call the place a pub, but it does feel like the South Bay’s version of one: loud and lively with plenty of beers on tap. Bangers and mash are not on the menu, but a pair of excellent burgers are – a cheeseburger […]
French: Dominique’s Kitchen
There was a time when French food in the South Bay was complex, expensive and not very good. For proof that times have changed, you need go no further than this bright, cheerful cafe in Redondo. Many of the items are simple in concept but brilliantly executed, the natural ingredients enhanced by Chef Dominique Theval’s […]
Barbecue Ethnic: Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ Bar and Grill
Brazilian barbecue is very simple when compared to the American variety. Rather than a spicy rub complemented with a sauce, the flavor of the meat is emphasized with a dash of rock salt and perhaps a grind of pepper. A meal of tri-tip or the popular cut called picanha at Silvio’s by the beach in […]
American Barbecue: Lucille’s Smokehouse
The favorite restaurant for Southern barbecue among readers of this coast-oriented publication is miles inland. Lucille’s is decorated like a traditional barbecue shack, and the massive smoker you see as you enter the dining room turns out ribs, chicken and brisket that have the flavor you get only from lots of time trimming the meat, […]
Crepe: Crème de la Crepe
This mini-chain is one of the great success stories of the South Bay. It started with one location in Hermosa and now has five stretching from Long Beach to Culver City. Though details of menu and decor vary, they all have one thing in common: a commitment to serving country French comfort food at moderate […]
American Contemporary, Brunch over $15: MB Post
Contemporary is defined as “ belonging to or occurring in the present,” and it’s hard to find a better example locally than MB Post. Though many of the menu items have roots in American, European and Asian cuisines, the selection changes daily. It’s a tribute to the skill and dedication of the servers that they […]
Italian Over $20, Wine List: Bottle Inn
One of the errors some people make is thinking that for a restaurant to have a great wine list, it merely needs a lot of money. One need only consider the people he knows who have expensive homes decorated in bad taste or modest ones that are a pleasure to contemplate in order to see […]
Yogurt Shop: Yogurtland
Yogurtland Opened its doors in California in 2006 and has set itself apart from chains like Pinkberry with a focus on freshness. Yogurtland frozen yogurt is made with California milk, real sugar and real fruit. Appropriately, their slogan is “get real.” According to the folks at the Riviera Village location, each day Yogurtland hand-cuts about […]
Independent Coffee House: Java Man
Located in the heart of Hermosa Beach, Java Man Coffee House has been waking up South Bay residents with their coffee and treats for 23 years. Java Man’s not your everyday café . Located in a 1920s bungalow, the shop feels more like a living room than a café, and their top-notch baristas whip up […]
Omelet: Martha’s 22nd Street Grill
Best Omelet Breakfast at Martha’s is the quintessential California beachside morning. Sidewalk tables are covered with big, colorful umbrellas and dogs, tied to the railing, wait by their human’s table while beautiful breakfast and lunch platters are served on the outdoor patio. Located near the Strand in Hermosa Beach, the restaurant is open from 7 […]
Best Deli: Ashley’s Deli
For over 15 years Ashley’s Deli has been serving up sandwiches and suntan lotion to hungry and sunburned beach goers. “We’ve watched Hermosa Beach kids grow up to be adults and now parents,” Kristine, owner of Ashley’s said. Their top-notch sandwiches are made with Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses, and they’re well known around […]
Sandwich: Mickey’s Italian Delicatessen and Liquor Store
Mickey’s Italian Delicatessen and Liquor store has been a must stop spot since 1953 for boaters on their way to Catalina, surfers on their way to down south and people who just want a good, dependable sandwich at a fair price. The deli offers pizza and pasta dishes as well. “We’re very proud of what […]
Sports Bar Food: Sharkeez
Since its re-opening in 2008 after a 2006 fire destroyed the restaurant, Sharkeez has been catering to the sports-crazed South Bay. Fanatics can indulge in food and drink while watching their favorite teams on more than 60 HD flat screen televisions. Alumni groups from across the country meet at Sharkeez, where complimentary appetizer platters are […]
Sports Bar: Charlie’s
“We’re a family restaurant with a Cheers attitude, where everyone knows or get to know each other,” said Charlie’s night manager Terrence Moriarty. “Watching sporting events here is like being in your living room.” Moriarty said that although NFL games are the largest draws, people come to watch the Kings, Lakers and baseball games later […]