South Bay Dinner

[flowergirl]

Looking for a place to have dinner with another couple in Manhattan Beach or Redondo or Hermosa. Medium priced ($20-$25 entrees okay) - nice atmosphere - Italian, Continental, seafood. Nothing too ethnic. Any ideas?

[degustateur]

Hi flowergirl

Chef Melba’s Bistro in Hermosa Beach may well be exactly what you are looking for. Small, low key, quiet and guilty of serving up deliciously prepared fresh seafood among a few solid turf offerings as well. The Sea Scallops with Shrimp Hash and Thai Curry Sauce, the Almandine Basa (Vietnamese/Thai Catfish) with Lemon Caper Sauce and the Cioppino are excellent choices. Low-carb and gluten-free selections are available too. Very nice international wine list. Superb service and cordial atmosphere complete the makings of a highly pleasurable dining experience. The only thing missing is an ocean view. C’est la vie.

Chef Melba's Bistro
1501 Hermosa Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
[phone]
Closed Mondays

www.chefmelbasbistro.com

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Chef Melba's Bistro
1501 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

[Clinton]

http://depotrestaurant.com/info.html

Chef Mike Shafer does an excellent job. He also has another place across the street which is also excellent. They are also listed on Zagat.

[flowergirl]

Is Salt Creek Grille okay? I know it's a chain but sometimes chains can be okay. I happen to think Cheesecake Factory has tasty food

[stevedi]

Petros in MB is excellent. It's classified as Greek, but it's not ethnic. Gina Lee's (RB) is also very good, though lacking in ambiance.

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Petros Restaurant
451 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[wienermobile]

I second Petros. Very good food and a real nice patio.
http://www.petrosrestaurant.com/

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Petros Restaurant
451 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[peonies]

I wasn't a huge fan of Tin Roof. My fish was very overcooked and the salad overdressed.
If you want a casual atmosphere and a nice ocean breeze Simmzy's on Manhattan Beach Blvd. has some of the best burgers I have ever had. They also have an Ahi Tartar that's pretty delicious. The beer list is great and the sangria is refreshing. They open a whole wall of the restaurant so you can even get a nice view of the ocean if you are sitting on the patio. That's a pretty great atmosphere!
Just up the street is Cafe Pierre for some delicious French cuisine. The jarred goodies are the highlight for sure.

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Simmzy's
229 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA

[Nicole]

Funny enough, the Simmzy's burger that you so highly recommend is on the menu at Tin Roof Bistro! One of the Tin Roof Bistro owners also owns Simmzy's. Simmzy's has a cool patio, but it also tends to have a loud, frat party-esque vibe, which may not be what the OP is seeking.

Cafe Pierre is a mixed bag. Some dishes are great (jarred goodies peonies mentioned), some not so great (I had a beef tartare there that was practically inedible). I've eaten there a couple of times, and basically enjoyed my meal, but wished I were somewhere else better for that price. To that end, price point is probably higher than what the OP is looking for.

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Simmzy's
229 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA

Tin Roof Bistro
3500 Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[wilafur]

go to chez melange in redondo beach.

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Chez Melange
1611 South Catalina Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

[wienermobile]

For Italian you might want to try Eatalina. It's new and it's very good. Everything is made fresh on site including wonderful gelato (and soon their own mozzarella cheese)
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7132...

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Eatalian Cafe
15500 S. Broadway St., Gardena, CA 90248

[DrSouthBay]

Strongly second Tin Roof. Good cocktail/beer/wine list, and really well done American food. Gina Lee's is excellent, but it is Asian fusion seafood. Buona Sera is a great Southern Italian place in South Redondo.

[Nicole]

Tin Roof Bistro in Manhattan Beach would probably be ideal. Great food, reasonable prices, atmosphere is nice but also relaxed.

Also consider Rock n' Fish in MB and Gina Lee's Bistro in RB. Maybe Gina Lee's Bistro in HB (would have to check if entrees are under $25, I think I remember them being around $25).

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Gina Lee's Bistro
211 Palos Verdes Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Tin Roof Bistro
3500 Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[DrBruin]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/700164?tag=main_body;topic-700164
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/3607...

that should get you started.