Hermosa Beach Pier at Night by Tina Hsu.

This Thursday, May 6 – Hot on the heels of Cinco de Mayo — Downtown Hermosa Beach is holding the first of what looks to be a monthly observance of special deals on shopping, dining, and entertainment.

From 6 to 9 PM, Hermosa Beach businesses will be opening their doors and inticing shoppers in with sales, discounts, and freebies.

Gum Tree, a Australian inspired gift-shop-and-cafe, is the epicenter of the event.  They’ll be serving complimentary wine to shoppers and diners that stop by during the event.

Participating restaurants include Ragin Cajun, Zane’s, and Cafe Boogaloo.  For a list of participating shops, check out South Bay Events or give a thumbs up on the First Thursdays Facebook Page.

Photo Credit

The first new flavor, Chocolate Chipotle Butter Pecan, will be “unveiled” this Friday, April 30.  The remaining three flavors will be released to the public one per week over the next 30 days.

Fortunately, our friends at Paciugo Gelato & Caffè in Hermosa Beach are so excited about the first new flavor, they are offering a sneak peak for Facebook fans on the day before the unveiling.

On Thursday, April 29 between 6pm to 10pm, Facebook fans of the Hermosa Beach Paciugo — and readers of South Bay Foodies! — are invited to get a FREE SCOOP of Chocolate Chipotle Buttered Pecan before it is available to the general public.

If you need help deciding whether or not to try some of their very tasty gelato, consider these descriptions of the new flavors:

- Chocolate Chipotle Butter Pecan – offers a deliciously smooth and intense flavor that is smoky, creamy and crunchy, buttery and spicy. Made with extra brute chocolate from Belgium, a smoke-dried jalapeño pepper combines with a light spread of pecans that are buttered and toasted until crisp to perfect the flavor concoction.

- Roasted Banana Cashew Heath Crunch – an Italian twist on an ice cream classic! The ripe bananas are first roasted with brown sugar to create a silky smooth texture and intense flavor as it blends with gelato to create the right degree of extravagant sweetness. Buttery cashew pieces are lightly toasted to add a salty taste while chewy chunks of Heath bar create a combination guaranteed to make you want more.

- Durian – known in Southeast Asia as the “King of Fruits,” Durian pulp has the consistency of an avocado which creates gelato with a buttery, custard like texture. With a beautiful, golden yellow color and an equally unique smell, it’s no wonder toasted coconut was chosen as a complement to Durian Gelato. The crunchiness of the toasted coconut and the sweet aroma contrast pleasantly with the silky texture.

- Organic Maple and Caramelized Bacon – an interpretation of the Maple Bacon Crunch ice cream that took home the “Best in Class” award, chosen for its bold flavor and dark color. The maple syrup creates a heightened natural contrast of sweet and salty, smooth and crunchy when paired with caramelized bacon. Overall, a delicious treat.

YES!  Its no surprise that they would save for last what may potentially be the best flavor out of the four: maple and bacon! I’ll be looking forward to trying that one out.

Paciugo Gelato Caffe

On Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PaciugoGelatoCaffe

1034 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach, California 90254
(310) 379-2525

Pinkberry — the trendsetting frozen yogurt shop — is adding a new player to its all star line up: Mango.

Los Angeles area Pinkberry stores invite you to come in to try their newest flavor; a refreshing, light and fruity mango.  To kick things up a notch, the flavor introduction is being billed as a “Mad About Mango Happy Hour”.

On Friday, March 12 from 5 to 9 p.m.,  customers can receive a free 3 oz. serving of Pinkberry’s mango or mango swirl with all the toppings that can fit in the cup.  Customers will also be treated to music, in-store games, and giveaways.

To help folks decide how to best use the new flavor, Pinkberry has created a menu offering suggestions for toppings that pair nicely with mango.

“Our customers have told us they love mangoes,” said Ron Graves, CEO, Pinkberry. “It’s also one of our most popular fresh fruit toppings, so we decided to introduce the new fruity, light and refreshing flavor just in time for spring. It’s a perfect blend of authentic mango taste with Pinkberry’s signature tartness.”

Be sure to swing by your local Pinkberry to try out the new flavor!

Pinkberry

http://www.pinkberry.com/

El Segundo
2004 Park Place (in Plaza El Segundo)
El Segundo, CA 90245-4773
(310) 414-9351

Hermosa Beach
900 Pacific Coast Highway
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 318-5888

Torrance
21157 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 540-5602

Palos Verdes
27 Peninsula Center
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
(310) 544-2306

Mediterraneo is located just yards from the Hermosa Beach ocean, but the waves found in this authentic restaurant come straight from the European Seas, bringing to shore the freshest seafood and ingredients.

You don’t have to make a sole decision because the assortment of tapas will satisfy your hunger for variety and allow you to get your fill of this universal spice. These small platters define delicious, and the mixture of cultural dishes include chicken brochettes, a potato omlette, grilled sausage with grapes, bruschetta, seafood salad, caprese, hummus, and baba ghanouch.

Sail into these bright blue waters, where the happy hour tide comes in between the hours of 5pm-7pm, Mondays through Fridays. This current carries half price draft beer, half price red and white house wine, and two for-one-tapas. You don’t want to turn your back to this ocean on Tuesday nights, because the two-for-one tapa deal will keep your finances and appetite afloat until closing.

Experience a coastal phenomenon at Mediterraneo, and get splashed with a multitude of spices and a rippling happy hour!

Mediterraneo

www.mediterraneohb.com
73 Pier Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-318-2666

Photo credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/southbayguido/

Every party leprechaun needs to put these establishments on top of their pub crawl agendas so they can click their heals in a lively and affordable tavern. This atmosphere offers a quick trip to Ireland with the great beers, burgers, and sandwiches and authentic meals like Irish nachos (made with potatoes instead of chips), fish and chips, corn beef and cabbage, and flatbread appetizers. The Hermosa Beach location provides the added riches of a large outdoor, dog-friendly patio and a rooftop deck with an extensive coastal view. Go up top for a drink or meal to heighten your enjoyment, and witness the beauty of nature’s wealth.

Hennessey's Roof Top Patio in Hermosa Beach. (Courtesey of hennesseystavern.com)

Regardless of your nationality, you can experience the Irish luck through Hennessey’s happy hours. Their multiple discounted offerings are like an endless field of four leaf clovers, and if you arrive at this green pasture between 4pm-7pm any day of the week, you’ll find the treasure of Early Bird Dinner Selections. This offers either a grilled flat iron steak, Jameson’s pork filet, lemon pepper tilapia, chicken pasta or Salisbury steak for only $10.

This isn’t the only pot of gold to be found.  Every Monday through Friday from 4pm-7pm there are $3.00 shots with the purchase of any drink, domestic draft beer for $2.50, $1.00 off craft and import draft beer, and house wines by the glass.  There’s also a $5.00 CaboRita with Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila, delicious shots for $3.50 made with Tuaca and Bailey’s, and a large pint for $13.00 (with the bonus of keeping the 64oz souvenir glass).

For those who really want to party like the Irish, a late night happy hour is available Sundays through Thursdays from 10pm until closing. And since a tavern would never ignore the biggest party day of the week, you can undergo Martini Madness on Saturdays; from 5pm to close, a martini is included with a dinner entrée. Come and get lucky on Two-Timin Tuesdays, and purchase a breakfast item or burger and get another one free. If you’re feeling exceptionally fortunate, order a Lucky Irish Dinner Entrée on Wednesdays and participate in the coin toss. If it’s in your destiny to win, you won’t pay for that providential meal. And don’t miss out on seasonal and special event good fortunes, such as Easter Sunday where a bottle of champagne and fresh squeezed orange juice is $15.00.

Hennessey's Manhattan Beach.

Hennessey’s Tavern

Manhattan Beach
313 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 546-4813

Hermosa Beach
8 Pier Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 372-5759

Redondo Beach
1712 S. Catalina Ave.
Redondo Beach, CA 
(310) 540-8443

Sharkeez is a well-known South Bay establishment that attracts the fiercest partiers in the beach cities and greater LA area. Here you can really sink your teeth into a good time and amazing food that is spiced with Hawaiian flare. Once you taste their fish tacos, fajitas, and blackened mahi mahi, you’ll understand why there’s never an open seat on the patio.

This delectable fare won’t only delight your palette, but your finances as well because Sharkeez offers unbeatable deals, along with themed discounts available from open to close. Make your way over to Monday Fajitas, take advantage of Taco Tuesday, weasel into Big Hamburger Wednesday, and taste the wonders of Burrito Thursday.  The daily specials are listed along with happy hour specials on their website.

After feeding time, the sharks get thirsty. There are distinct drink offers each Monday through Thursday, along with two for one beverage specials every Monday through Friday from 3-7pm. Beware; these drinks have a strong bite! But you can numb the pain with a three dollar jello shot served straight up in a syringe, also available every weekday from 3-7pm. If you need extensive healing, you’ll probably want to go for five for $13.

Sharkeez doesn’t neglect the weekends to promote bargains, and between 9am and 10am, you can wake up to two eggs, two strips of bacon, hash browns, and either pancakes or french toast for only $4.25! To sweeten this deal, they throw in an hour of free mimosas, which is also available with any breakfast purchase between 9am and 2pm. And no shark attack would be complete without blood, so make sure to surf over to the bloody mary bar, and indulge in this eye-opening creation for only $7.50!

There’s an ocean of opportunity out there, so dive into the waters at Sharkeez with the coolest and thriftiest sharks in the sea!

Sharkeez Hermosa Beach

http://www.sharkeez.net/hb/home
52 Pier Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 318-0004

Sharkeez Manhattan Beach

http://www.sharkeez.net/mb/home
3801 Highland Ave
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 545-6563

In a recent email to its customers, Brix Restaurant of Hermosa Beach announced its exit from the business.

From: “Brix@1601 Information” <info@brix1601.com>
Date: January 10, 2010 11:44:24 AM PST
To: <info@brix1601.com>
Subject: Restaurant closing thank you for your support

Dear customers and friends,

Brix@1601 will be permanently closing on this Friday 1-15-10. We do plan on partying all the way thru Friday at midnight, please join us!. It has been a pleasure to be of service to you for the almost 2 years we have been open. All of our items are available for sale at great prices (up to 90% off retail on some items), such as our decanters (swan Reidel), glass and plate ware, all of our kitchen equipment from small wares to stoves, all the chandeliers and special lights, also all inventory in wine store along with several temperature controlled cabinets. Hey maybe you can pick up a commercial stove for your house. If you are interested or know of someone needing these items please call our office at 310 698-0700 or ask at restaurant. For those of you who are planning on visiting us PLEASE make reservations as it will make it easier on us to plan our week. Again THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Our hours for this last week will be Tuesday thru Friday bar opens at 4pm dinner service starts at 5:30pm

Without giving specific reasons for closing, the email comes off with high spirits and not a single ounce of defeat.  I’m hopeful I can join in the party this week before that commercial stove gets moved out or the last bottle of wine gets uncorked.  Thanks, Brix, for bringing a touch of class to the South Bay.  Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Brix Restaurant

Patrick Molloys has a prime location on Hermosa Beach’s pier, and when the South Bay partiers are contemplating where to spend their sunny afternoons (or evenings), this hotspot is bound to pop up for consideration.

The pub is conveniently situated in the middle of Hermosa’s party scene, and for over ten years has been spreading Irish merriment every day and night of the week. Patrick offers an array of weekly activities, and one should keep updated with the calendar of events to enjoy scheduled bar games, live music, talented DJs, and sporting events displayed on 21 high def, flat screen TVs.

The extensive menu satiates the hungry and thirsty party-leprechauns, and features appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a complete line-up of cocktails. Patrick Molloys’ lively atmosphere creates an ideal space to socialize, meet people, cheer for a favorite sports team, and/or dance uncontrollably. The establishment includes an outdoor patio that’s perfect for soaking up the rays, savoring a meal in the open air, and watching the action unfold on the energetic pier.

The day and nighttime partiers can experience genuine Irish fate, and get lucky with Patrick Molloys providential happy hour and endless weekly specials. The standard recession proof happy hour is available Monday through Friday from 3-8pm (half off food and drink specials), but it doesn’t end there.

Pub dwellers can strongly initiate the week with Monday Bar Olympics, and engage in intense bar games such as beer pong or flip cup (while enjoying the recession proof happy all day, along with $6 pitchers and half off jager bombs).

Turn it up Tuesdays provide live music at 10pm and two for one burgers and tacos from open to midnight. The musical experience is further enhanced with $3 drafts, $4 wells drinks, and $5 Redbull vodkas.

Wednesdays bring mid-week delights with half off pizza, select appetizers, whisky, and Heinekens (8pm-close), and a live DJ at 9:30. Hump day is Industry night, and the hard workers of the food service industry are appreciated with $2 select shots and half off jager bombs.

Thursdays are especially thirsty with $3 drafts and $4 well drinks (8pm-close), and a DJ at 10pm. Finally, Fridays celebrate the week’s end with bottle service, V.I.P birthday parties, and a DJ at 10pm.

The weekends bring more exclusive treasures, such as a brunch from 9am-noon, where bottomless mimosas are poured for an hour within ordering a breakfast entrée for just $3. All mimosas are $3, and bloody Mary and screwdriver pitchers are available for $5 (from open-3pm). Patrick will feed the weekend warriors wings (for a special price), $4 pizza, and keep their spirits alive with discounted buckets of beer (3pm-9pm). Saturdays provide a DJ at 10pm, and Sundays prepare the partiers for the coming week with V.I.P guest bartenders, half off jager bombs (8pm-close), and live acoustic music (8pm-close).

Next time you’re deciding which Hermosa hotspot to attend, stop by Patrick Molloys, and experience the Irish revelry and continual happy hour fortunes!

Patrick Molloys

www.patrickmolloys.com
50A Pier Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 798-9762

The happy hour shark will grace you with its presence every Monday-Friday from 4-6pm, and it will bite you with amazing deals like $4 Sam Adam pints, $14 premium and $11 domestic 60 oz. pitchers, and $4 well drinks and house wines.  You can supplement these affordable drinks with a free game of pool. This shark, who is obviously a football fan, comes back during the weekends to offer 60 oz. pitchers of Bud Select for $11 and 2 for 1 180 bombs during the Saturday and Sunday football games. The bloody battle does not end there, as he resurfaces every Sunday to bring amazing breakfast deals and $4 bloody Mary’s and mimosas until noon, and $3 domestic 16 oz. pints, $4 premium 16 oz. pints, and 2 for 1 180 bombs from 5pm-closing.

You deserve to visit a vicinity that’s devoted to serving your needs—join the other party sharks, and bite into amazing deals at the Cove!

Sharks Cove

1220 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 798-3932

Also in Manhattan Beach (but without pool tables).

Sharks Cove
309 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-5316
(310) 545-2683

Described by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce as the “largest arts & crafts fair in Southern California”, the event features 270+ painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers, sculptors, and other artists displaying and selling their crafts and creations.

We are always thankful for the the art, but real South Bay Foodies go for the food vendors and the beer garden!

Before you go, check out this page on the Fiesta Hermosa website for information on how to have the best experience possible.  Thousands of people come out and parking can be a mess!  If you don’t use the sponsored shuttle, I recommend parking in one of the neighboring communities (Manhattan or Redondo Beach) and walking or biking the strand to Hermosa.

Unfortunately, I may not be able to make it to this weekend’s Fiesta.  Fortunately, it comes around twice a year – Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends – and I made it there this past May.   Following are some of the highlights.  Hopefully they will inspire you to head over to Hermosa Beach and enjoy this Beautiful Celebration!

	California Pizza Kitchen was there sampling three of their gourmet pizzas: Buffalo style Chicken, Chipotle Chicken, and Spinach Artichoke. The Buffalo Style Chicken was a winner by a landslide…at least by my judging.
	The Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog is a standard of outdoor events in Southern California. No visit to a carnival or festival is complete without getting some “death on a bun”.
	There are food vendors all throughout the festival but the main area to check out is the food court near Hermosa Ave and 11th St. There are tables but it does get crowded. Be prepared to eat on the go or share a table with some new fiesta friends. For a kid free experience, head to the beer garden! There are tables and chairs there too and plenty of Astroturf covered ground space for picnic style dining. Oh, drinks will be close by too!
	For the Memorial Day Fiesta, Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ of Harbor City had some great offerings of barbecued beef and chicken along with salads. We didn’t try the Jungle Juice!
	A highlight for me was the gyro from this tent (can’t recall the name of the business).
	Oh, did I mention they had baklava too! This stuff is like Kryptonite as far as I’m concerned.

Be sure to check out the Beer and Wine Garden too.  In addition to being an slight oasis from the crowds (no kids or pets allowed), all proceeds from the garden go to charity.  You’ll be drinking for a cause!