Manhattan Beach wine and food recs

WINE TALK
1

I will be in Manhattan Beach for four days at the Shade Hotel. Are there any cool places to eat and pick up some wine. Im looking for stuff within a fifteen minute drive. What does this hamlet of Smell-A have to offer?

2

Tony,

Sepulveda Wine Company and Manhattan Fine Wines are good picks. You’re also not too far away from L.A. Wine Company, whose stock, though always a moving target because of changing inventories, is often very well priced.

Enjoy your stay down here and let us know how you do. [good.gif]

3

Thanks Kriss

4

Chez Melange in Redondo is wonderful and not too far.

5

I haven’t been there in years now, but I used to love The Ragin’ Cajun. Also, Gina Lee’s Bistro. Maybe someone who still lives there knows if they’re still good. I hit Chez Melange for breakfast whenever I’m in the South Bay, and they definitely haven’t lost it over the years.

6

Manhattan Fine Wines and Chez Melange are great recs. Also try Aimee’s in South Redondo right along PCH if you want some French fair. You won’t forget Aimee anytime soon.

7

Chez Melange has moved a few blocks and is now on Catalina (and doesn’t serve breakfast). I would also recomend Christine’s, which is about 15 minutes. If you prefer not to drive, Rock n Fish is walking distance.

8

Although not a wine place, you can get a decent brew and a ridiculously good burger at OB’s (on Highland & Rosecrans). They also carry chicken wings from the original Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY.

Cannot emphasize enough how good their burgers are – and they’re huge!

9

Perhaps they’d let one drink Cheval Blanc from a styro cup? [cheers.gif]

10

[rofl.gif] they’d probably apologize for serving dirty-looking water and take it away. I gotta say, although OB’s’ burgers are excellent, their (usually attractive) waitstaff are dumber than dirt. [blink.gif] [help.gif] … no worries, though, as it makes for an interesting experience. :smiley:

11

done and done.

12

No more breakfast? Say it ain’t so! They had the most incredible breakfast potatoes I’ve ever tasted! When did they move? I would swear I had breakfast there on our last visit, but maybe it was a couple of years ago?

Christine is a great recommendation too. Is Depot still around?

13

No more breakfast? Say it ain’t so! They had the most incredible breakfast potatoes I’ve ever tasted! When did they move? I would swear I had breakfast there on our last visit, but maybe it was a couple of years ago?

Christine is a great recommendation too. Is Depot still around?

The Chez moved in September. Not being attached to a hotel, they aren’t open all the time (as I learned to my dismay last Thanksgiving). They also have a little sports bar type restaurant next to the main restaurant with a killer lamb sandwich. The Depot is still around, but I haven’t been there in around 10 years.

14

Well im off! Thanks for all of the tips. I will report back.

15

For breakfast/brunch with an indoor/outdoor (and rustic) garden vibe, you must check out Sloopy’s. Truly uniquely California and unlike anyplace else I have ever been. Also on Highland next to OB’s.

The South Bay used to be my stomping grounds when I worked in wine distribution sales. Here are my favorites.

Top marks for:
Chez Melange (restaurant)
Manhattan Fine Wines/Liquors (retail)
Seplulveda Wine Company (retail and tasting)
Rajun Cajun (not the first place one might usually go to find a quality wine list - but this is worthy)

Not Mentioned but an absolute MUST Visit:
Friends of the Vine - fantastic wine bar and retail shop combo - GREAT place to hang out. In Redondo. Take a taxi and tell Fred and Traci I said hello. This was my most favorite place to have a glass in all of the South Bay.

16

I’ve walked right past this place a few times, and I’ve never stopped in. There are so many useless gift shops in Riviera Village that I’d somehow just lumped it in as a place that would have cutesie hand-painted corkscrews but not good wine. I wish I’d known better! Next time…

17

This is a cool place. Some great wine finds in there too.

Gina Lee’s is still decent but not worth the extra effort IMO. Fat Burger across the street is better.

Zazou (sp) in Hollywood Riviera used to be nice although it has been awhile.

Christine is always great.

Jason

18

Is Zazou still there? For some reason, I thought it was gone. I liked the food okay, but I hated how close together the tables always seemed. And would you believe that I lived two blocks up from that Fat Burger for eight years and never went in? How does it compare to In N Out?

19

Never at a t Fat Burger [wow.gif] I guess you were spending too much time at Texas Looseys.

Fat Burger is kind of the anti In N Out. I love them both but they are very different. You get a fried egg on your Fat Burger and it is peppery goodness. A little Tabasco makes it perfect.

BTW I didn’t know you used to be a home girl.

J

20

South Redondo, '95-'03! I usually go back to visit friends and family a couple of times a year.