Brews Hauls: After three years in business, the Brews Hall on the Hermosa Pier Plaza has shuttered. The one in Torrance is still open and apparently successful, but the concept didn’t fly in this area, probably because so many well established places all around them serve the same items. The previous restaurant in this space, a branch of Rebel Republic, served a similar menu and also folded quickly. Whoever moves in next might want to think about what they bring to the area that isn’t already here…
The Pizza Report: Pizza Coast Highway in Redondo had an even shorter tenure, serving for only two years before being bought out by El Segundo’s The Slice & Pint. The newcomer brings a more eclectic variety of pies and toppings atop a crust that is among the best in the South Bay. Opening is imminent, so watch for new pizzas coming from the same ovens that have been turning them out since this was Cialuzzi’s decades ago… In more pizza news, the Pitfire Pizza at the edge of the Metlox Plaza in Manhattan Beach will reportedly soon become a branch of Great White, a mini-chain with three other locations. Great White is a morning-till-evening operation serving a smattering of everything, plus pizzas. Their focus on organic and small producer ingredients comes with slightly higher prices than Pitfire, but that’s to be expected. Pitfire will be missed – it’s one of the few family-oriented restaurants in this area offering good food at a modest price…
Coming Attractions: Vinfolk, the eatery in the former Chef Melba’s, looks like they’re almost ready to open, and the pace of construction seems to have picked up at Montauk, the former Chez Melange and Perfect Storm. Progress is slower at GrubHaus, the giant food hall on Artesia that was scheduled to open about now. The problem is a common one, the delays in getting permits through multiple city agencies, and they’re not likely to be serving before 2025. Attagirl has also been delayed by permit problems involving the notoriously slow Hermosa planning department. The backers of these projects are well financed, but if a small independent operator was in this circumstance, paying rent and racking up fees from lawyers and architects, they would be out of business… Several new restaurant projects are in the works at the Promenade at the Peninsula, of which the most advanced seems to be Sugo Social, an Asian fusion eatery. Other projects include a casual ramen spot and, a first for the area, a bakery serving the sweet Czech pastries called kolaches. Those pastries have a foothold in the American west thanks to the Eastern European immigrants who settled in Texas and Oklahoma, but are rare on this coast…
A Correction: In the previous edition of this column, I stated a burger pop-up called Spread Please was cooking in the parking lot at 200 Longfellow would be moving into the building when it was completed. That was their intention, but negotiations with the landlord were not successful – the property is still on the market…
Event Alerts: October has some spectacular ones. The big event is the two-day extravaganza at the north end of the greenbelt by Manhattan Village Mall on October 11 and 12. Friday night, 25 top chefs will host booths at which you can taste samples of their cooking, while boutique wineries, breweries, and distillers pour their wares. On Saturday, 25 different chefs will be on hand, so if you attend both evenings you’ll sample the products of 50 different kitchens. The event is hosted by Neal Fraser of Redbird, and there will be plenty of culinary star power on hand. Price is $209.67 for Friday, $294.95 for Saturday. For more information and tickets, visit manhattanbeachfoodandwine.com.
On to more intimate events… Carnivores will want to stake out the 10th on their calendar for the Silver Oak wine dinner at Fogo de Chao. Silver Oak was a pioneer in growing fine Cabernets in Napa and a cult favorite. Their vintages should be a great pairing with this meat-heavy cuisine. $139 plus tax & tip, probably about $165 – reserve on Open Table… Pescatarians who enjoy wine have their day on October 16 when Fishbar offers an informal four course menu for $80 plus tax & tip, probably about $110. These dinners are a bargain and a lot of fun – if you’re intimidated by wine events and want to experience one where winery representatives come to your table and chat, this is a great place to start. Reserve on Resy… Omnivores will appreciate the Caymus dinner at Paul Martin’s on the Ocrober 17, when scallops, Moroccan-style swordfish, and a flatiron steak with wild mushroom sauce are all on the menu. This is the 50 anniversary year for Caymus, and they’ll serve a commemorative Cabernet to celebrate. $125 plus tax & tip, about $150 – call the restaurant to reserve at (310) 643-9300… And looking ahead to November, dining events return to The Strand House after a long absence on October 18 with a five course pairing dinner featuring wines from Switchback Ridge. The menu is astonishing and adventurous, and can be found at TheStrandHouseMB.com/promo/switch. You can reserve there too. $200 including tax and tip, the only wine dinner this month that has transparent pricing. In the other listings above, I have tried to quote the actual price of events rather than the deceptive price that is advertised. If any of these estimates are off, I apologize – restaurants could make this easy by giving the accurate information about what you’re going to pay, but they don’t.
An Ambitious Undertaking: A South Bay restaurateur has unveiled a first-of-its-kind program – a wine club whose members will receive monthly deliveries of exclusive bottles, plus admission to special events. The instigators are Mike Simms of the Simms Group and eminent winemaker Dave Phinney, noted for his years with Robert Mondavi, Whitehall Lane, and The Prisoner before he founded his own winery, Orin Swift. Simms and Phinney are launching the Simms Wine Club to release wines featuring Gestalt Cellars. Members will receive a selection of wines monthly as well as invitations to exclusive events at Simms restaurants that include MB Post, Ryla, and The Arthur J. The inaugural event is on Friday, October 18 at Tin Roof Bistro. Free to members. Information at SimmsWineclub.com…
Odds And Ends: Cheers to Gabi James in Riviera Village for their Neighborhood Nights menu, which offers moderately priced meals for two or four people Tuesday through Thursday. $65 will get two people three courses with two glasses of wine, $95 will get four people four courses, and both include the weekly paella. This is a deal, and I’m going soon… A famed local restaurateur has found a new berth. Michael Franks is now welcoming guests to the BeachLife Grotto. Franks is a pro who loves the environment where people are happily eating and drinking, and he’ll bring his expertise to make the front of the house perfect… If you’ve driven past Dominique’s Kitchen and seen the place dark on a night when they’re usually open, don’t worry – they’re taking October off, but will be back next month….
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 EasyReaderNews.com/restaurants. ER
