Beach April 2016

Sunday Brunch
Fish & Chips
Italian over $20 Italian under $20
MB Post
What are you going to have for your next brunch at MB Post? We don’t know, and neither
do you. One of the joys of this place is the ever-changing menu. You may come in dead set
on ordering something you liked last time but suddenly see a special or new item you can’t
do without. There are constants on the menu like the chimichanga and those bacon cheddar
buttermilk biscuits and we’re sure they’ll be delicious if you order them again, but the art
of this kitchen is in tempting you with the new. Chef David LeFevre is a whimsical genius
who keeps his job interesting by keeping your choices difficult. If it’s ever easy to decide
what you want he’d probably be disappointed.
1142 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. (310) 545-5405.
Hermosa Beach Fish shop
There are many different elements to the perfect fish and chips, and some people have
strong opinions. Should the chips be fat potato slabs like they are in Britain, thin-cut fries
with the skin on, or some other variation? Is shatteringly crisp beer batter best, or lacy
tempura, or do you like the softer, thicker variety and should it be seasoned or not? At the
Hermosa Beach Fish Shop, this year’s winner, the batter is thick, relatively soft, and lightly
seasoned, the chips skin-on, thin cut, and very crisp. Four pieces of fish and a good sized
mound of fries run just over 12 bucks, a substantial meal for a modest price. Cocktail and
tartar sauce are on the tables, as is malt vinegar, so there need be no argument about which
is the best accompaniment.
719 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. (310) 372-3480.
Server Julie Marcelletta with a “betto” box. Photo by Brad Jacobson (Civic-
Couch.com)
Bettolino Kitchen
Italian cuisine can be comfort food or daringly original. A few restaurants are skilled
enough to offer you your choice. Bettolino Kitchen is one of those rare places and their versatility
is breathtaking. If you’re in the mood for a traditional eggplant Parmesan or steak
with potato and veg, they can deal out an expert version, but if you’d like something daring,
say, a grilled peach and chicken salad, or Prosciutto-wrapped sea scallops with squash and
asparagus tips, they have you covered. Whatever you select, mild or wild, it’s served in an
elegant modern space by people who know
their wines and are service pros. Bettolino
Kitchen is a gem and a worthy winner in a
category with tough competition.
211 Palos Verdes Blvd.,
Redondo Beach.
(310) 375-0500.
Charlie’s
If you showed up for dinner at Charlie’s and were asked to guess the prices of the entrees,
we’re willing to bet you’d miss by a mile. The dining room has understated style and the
view of plates of housemade ravioli, fresh seafood, and other Italian delicacies would prepare
you to part with some serious dough. Surprise, at dinner almost half the entrees run less
than 15 bucks, which leaves you some room for an appetizer or glass of wine without hitting
$25. At lunch the prices are even better, though you’ll be directed to the more casual area
by the bar. A plate of pasta with soup or salad and garlic bread may be had for a mere 10
bucks. Charlie’s is one of the South Bay’s rare places where a great meal is a great bargain.
601 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach. (310) 374-8581.
Health
Food
Spot
Vegetarian food isn’t necessarily healthy.
It takes a balance of vitamins and proteins
to keep the body in top shape and that
sometimes escapes both home cooks and
professionals. Those calculations come naturally
at The Spot, whose owner Tonya
Beaudet has written a vegetarian cookbook
and keeps the nutrition of each dish in
mind. If you have special requirements like
gluten-free or vegan food they can provide
it, and there will be no compromise in flavor.
That sense of satisfaction after a meal
at The Spot is your body thanking you for
giving it what it needs.
110 Second Street, HB.
(310) 376-2355.
“Bold and contemporary,
the ingredients top shelf”
bites $5
chicken wings, kale caesar (add chicken $2),
meatball marinara sliders,
mushroom flatbread, margherita flatbread,
truffle fries, hummus
drinks 1/2 off
draughts and bottled beer, select wines
by the glass, mango bellini & sangria
16 Craft Beers Homemade Sangria Peach & Pomegranate Bellinis
Farmer’s Market Vegetables Catering Grass-fed Beef Outdoor Dining
Open 7 Days A Week Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10am-11pm (Brunch)
36 Pier Avenue Hermosa Beach (310)798-6585 www.greenbelthb.com
44 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • April 14, 2016
April 14, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 45