Manhattan Beach Area

[flowergirl]

Looking for a place for dinner on Friday in the South Bay. We have tried Tin Roof, Salt Creeke, Kincaids and Truxtons. I have heard Lido is good. Any thoughts on Lido or any other suggestions? looking for good food and a restaurant where you can hear yourself talk. Anything except Mexican or Chinese is fine.

[Benwesten]

There are a few places not yet mentioned... If you like Italian food there is Talias, Mangiamo's both in Manhattan or La Sosta Enoteca in north Hermosa. Fonz's is a good steak and seafood spot also in Manhattan. I would at all cost avoid Lido. I've been in the So Bay for 20 years and the only people who eat at Lido are those who can't wait to be seated at the Houston's next door.

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La Sosta Enoteca
2700 Manhattan Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Mangiamo Restaurant
128 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[mlgb]

Has Lido's not improved since being "Gordoned?" I heard he was just there for the followup show within the last week or two.

We like the Matisse restaurant inside the Ayers hotel but I'm not sure of their Saturday schedule.

[OC Mutt]

The Depot, in of all places downtown Torrance might be one of the best in the South Bay area http://www.depotrestaurant.com/. I also hear good things about Cafe Pierre and Petros but haven't been personally.

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

[TailbackU]

Don't go to Lido. It's horrid. The owner lady is nice but the food is very uninteresting.

Good suggestion on Cafe Pierre. Haven't been but have heard from different sources that it's good.

Flemings is a pretty good option for a steak dinner.

Unfortunately, there's aren't too many good options in the South Bay area.

[wienermobile]

Agree, don't go to Lido. The restaurants only claim to fame is they were on TV's Kitchen Nightmares.

Paul Martin's American Bistro on Rosecrans is very good.
http://www.paulmartinsamericanbistro....

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Paul Martin's American Bistro
2361 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 180, El Segundo, CA 90245

[lil mikey]

I'm afraid I will need to the contrarian here. I've had nothing but good meals at Lido, and nothing but mediocre meals at Paul Martin's.

I've had some good meals at Petro's, too. But not every dish is good. And I've had an awesome steak at Flemings.

Paul Martin's seems desperate to be a chain. It looks like a chain, the servers dress and act like it's a chain, and the food is like a chain. There's very little creativity, and very few good dishes. Kind of like Truxtons, but nicer.... The chain restaurant without that pesky chain. Truxtons reminds me of a Coco's. Paul Martin's reminds me of a Houstons. But I like Houston's better.

Petros is nice, and might be a good choice for a Friday dinner. Make rezzies.

And as mentioned above, I quite like Lido. Like Petros, it has personality. The owner is nice, and I quite like the food. Pastas are good and I had a lamb tartine that I really enjoyed.

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

[Bradbury]

I think you hit the nail on the head re: Paul Martin's. It's basically a Houston's, with less efficient service and higher prices. And there's a Houston's right across Rosecrans, so I'd go there instead. (There's also an Il Fornaio across the street, which can be good but erratic).

Also agree on Petros. I like it but, as I've noted on other threads, I think the mezes (and some of the desserts) are more interesting than most of the main courses.

Cafe Pierre left me a bit underwhelmed. It might be the best French bistro food in the MB area, but that's not exactly setting the bar too high. For upscale food/atmosphere in that immediate area I'd sooner go to Darren's.

Given a choice between Petros and Darren's, it would come down to party size and weather. Darren's is a bit snug and cozy, thus better for cold nights or small parties. Petro's has a great patio facing the Metlox fountains and is well-suited for a big party on a warm night.

[Densible]

Chez Melange in Redondo/Riviera Village
HT Grill right down the street in Riviera Village
Aimee's in Redondo
Chef Melba's in HB

My fav is Melba's.

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Chez Melange
1716 Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

[Densible]

My other fav is Japonica in Redondo.

[westsidegal]

tried japonica about a year ago or so, and was underwhelmed.

but then again, i normally travel north from LAX.

[paulpaez]

Run, do not walk, to Cafe Pierre on Manhattan Beach Blvd. Excellent food, atmosphere and service. We've had the steak Florentine and steak au poivre as well as one of their pasta dishes (can't remember exactly what was on it, but basically fresh vegetables and cheese) and it's probably the best food in the south bay. And don't miss the brioche bread pudding if it's still on the menu--they change things up.

[wienermobile]

Darren's is very good California cuisine.
http://www.darrensrestaurant.com/

I also like Petros for their upscale Greek food.
http://www.petrosrestaurant.com/

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

Darren's Restaurant and Bar
1141 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266