The nights are getting cool, but the local dining scene is hot as ever, with lots of openings to report and more on the way. First, though, news about a few places of note that we have lost.
The Market Report: Moon’s Market offered friendly service in a cluttered, slightly shabby environment, and had a strong local following. They closed recently and will be replaced by Nick & Sons, operated by restaurant veteran Nicholas Nahigian. Nick is refurbishing the space and enhancing period details that were previously obscured, and will keep stocking everyday groceries while bringing in an upscale deli. The sons mentioned in the market’s name won’t be helping run the business immediately, since the older one just turned three and is not quite ready to recommend wines to customers. Watch for an opening in November…
Two Going Down: The Aristo Cafe in Torrance has been a destination for Arabic food for 25 years, popular despite an odd location on a side street near Hawthorne and PCH. Their building is being redeveloped so they will close by the end of the year, and they haven’t found a new space yet. They’ve delivered standard dishes well made, and will be missed. The redevelopment won’t affect the neighboring Hank’s Pizza location… Las Brisas, which has served Mexican food on Artesia since 1972, has a “For Lease” sign up. The restaurant is still in operation, but will close in December. The Gutierrez family has operated the place with very few changes in style and menu, and when they serve the last burrito here a local landmark will be gone…
Happier News: There were lots of openings in the last month, and we’ll start at the north of our range and work south. Sauced BBQ turned the former Salt Creek Grill in El Segundo into a Texas roadhouse on steroids, with yee-hah decor, an impressive bar, and very loud country rock. The outdoor patio is a quieter place to try their barbecue and eclectic sides. On the day we visited they were still getting the kinks out of the operation and the meat was a bit overdone, but their sauces have plenty of flavor and the jalapeno cheese grits were quite good. (2015 Park Place, ES)… The Little French Bakery’s second location in Manhattan Beach has slightly more interior space, but don’t count on dining in – it means
A server greets customers at Encanto in Hermosa. Photo by Richard Foss
there’s room for two tables rather than none, and a couple of stools. The pastries are baked in-house and are as luscious as the ones at the original location. (3319 Highland, MB… There’s an even smaller food service outlet that has no seating at all, the Bougie Bakes cart in the Manhattan Village Mall. It’s owned by local residents Meghan and Ryan Quinn, and is a rare example of a locally owned operation in a place otherwise inhabited by chain stores. Their specialty is gluten free and sugar free cookies, and they offer some vegan options (inside the mall by Mercado)… Encanto Colombian Restaurant is open in Downtown Hermosa, offering a cuisine that most Californians have never sampled. The flavors draw from Spanish, African, and indigenous cuisine, and seasonings are mild and nuanced. On our first visit we found things running smoothly for a new restaurant, with friendly service and good food. Note – portions are gigantic! (934 Hermosa Ave., HB).., Up on the highway, the Starbird chain has opened and is already very popular. It’s a simple menu, chicken by itself or in tacos and sandwiches, fries, salad, and that’s it. Based on my experience, anybody else in the area who sells chicken sandwiches should be very nervous (429 N. PCH, HB)… And moving to the Hill, the Lunada Bay Market’s deli has proved so popular that they’ve expanded the menu and created the Lunada Kitchen. Currently they’re only open Friday through Sunday with a limited but enticing menu, but both the hours will expand soon (2201 PV Drive West, PVE)….
Coming Attractions: Boa Steakhouse and Sushi Roku are scheduled to open this Friday in the Manhattan Village Mall. Both restaurants started out as LA-based independents, and though now part of a large operation have managed to maintain a good reputation for individual takes on upscale Japanese dining and steaks. Our area has a lot of steak and Japanese options now, and it will be interesting to see whether these develop a local following (3110 N. PCH, MB)… After months in which nothing much has happened, interior work is going on at the former Mosa. The new restaurant will be called Bolt, third in a chain of LA-based restaurants that specialize in breakfast and brunch. This one is expected to offer dinner too, but I don’t have details yet. Expect an opening in late November… You may have seen a banner announcing a “Cal Mex Gastropub” called Who Song & Larry’s on the Redondo Pier next to El Torito. Don’t plan on visiting very soon – they would only say that they hope to open by the end of the year… Work is going faster at Porterhouse in El Segundo, the former Second City, but I haven’t been able to find out their schedule. Tips, anyone?…
Sweet Move: Local chocolatier Marsatta Chocolates moved out of their old location on Anza to 1972 Del Amo, Suite D. Their new location is called a “Chocolate Experience Center” and is a place to learn about every step of the process and then take some home. Good luck in the new space, Jeffray…