This Thursday, December 1, holiday celebrations will be going on up and down the coast from Manhattan Beach to Hermosa Beach. Read on for a summary!

North Manhattan Beach Holiday Open House & Walkabout

The North Manhattan Beach Business District is hosting its Annual Holiday Open House & Walk About to thank loyal customers and the community.
See beautifully decorated participating storefronts and restaurants and enjoy an evening of Holiday festivities – music, shopping and dining. The street will be bustling with shoppers and strolling carolers. Restaurants will be serving their original menus and there will be discounts, samplings, and refreshments. Santa will be at Verandas and holiday photos will be complimentary. FREE parking at Verandas, 401 Rosecrans Ave.

• North Manhattan Holiday Open House
  Thursday, December 1, 5-9 PM
  Highland Ave. between 32nd and 38th St., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Hermosa Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce will host the annual traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 1st at 6 PM at the foot of the Hermosa Beach Pier. The event will feature holiday carolers, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Local businesses will also be taking part in the holiday spirit as they host open houses as part of the monthly First Thursday which will coincide with the tree lighting festivities.

• First Thursday and Tree Lighting in Hermosa
  Thursday, December 1, 6 PM
  Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA
  http://www.facebook.com/FirstThursdays

Under any other circumstances I’d be talking about the American Wine & Food Festival (AWFF) that has taken place around this time of year for the past 28 years. That event brought hundreds of restaurateurs and thousands of foodies to the Universal Studios Back Lot for a night of eating and drinking for a cause.

Well, that isn’t happening this year, but a very similar event is.

One of the biggest names behind the AWFF, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, broke away from the event and found new venues, sponsors, and chefs to work with to put on a multifaceted food & wine spectacle like none have ever seen. Its called the Los Angeles Food &Wine Festival.

Taking place over this weekend (October 13-16), the Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival will feature almost 60 events all over Los Angeles, including one right here in the South Bay.

Unfortunately, its not the Saturday Lexus Grand Tasting but the event still has some merit.

This Friday, the Los Angeles Food &Wine Festival presents “A Fall Harvest Lunch at M.B. Post”.

Quoting the event page, “This lunch is a unique opportunity for Chef David LeFevre to partner with guest chefs Casey Thompson and Lincoln Carson to create a Fall Harvest lunch showcasing the bounty of Weiser Family Farms. A reception with delectable passed hors d’oeuvres and some refreshing bubbles is followed by a Three-Course Menu paired with hand selected, perfectly paired wines.”

To get tickets or more information for this event and others taking place this weekend, follow this link to the LA Food & Wine Festival website.

• A Fall Harvest Lunch at M.B. Post, Part of the LA Food & Wine Festival
  Friday, October 14, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
  1142 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (Map)
  http://eatmbpost.com

• Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival
  Thursday, October 13 – Sunday, Ocotber 16
  Various locations in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Downtown LA, and the South Bay
  http://lafw.com

   

A Prime Manhattan Beach Location

The Strand House is located just steps from the Manhattan Beach Pier and the ocean front sidewalk for which it is named. Folks familiar with the location may think back to the days when the popular Beaches restaurant occupied the same address. Well, Beaches may be gone but the “life’s a beach” vibe and spectacular sunset views remain, updated with a heavy dose of elegance and bourgeoisie.

Floor to cieling windows in the second floor dining room open out to Manhattan Beach blvd.

Wines on Tap and Crafty Cocktails

To make sure guests start their meal with the perfect glass of of wine or cocktail, The Strand House is equipped with a Napa Technology Wine Station. The self serve stations allow visitors to buy wine in three measurements: a taste, half glass, or full glass. Prices vary depending on the wine selected.

Nicole at the Wine Station.

If wine isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other beverages to choose from. At the time I visited, the revular menu listed nine custom cocktails priced at $14 each. Of course I couldn’t try them all by myself, so I enlisted Nicole to help me sample a few.

• Tower 12 – a whiskey cocktail with fresh rhubarb juice and lemongrass cordial
• Hammerhead – a rum punch with licorice and spice flavors
• Sunset Over Manhattan Beach – a vodka martini with tangerine juice and blood orange cordial
• Au Pear – vodka mixed with muddled pear and house made ginger ale

My favorite was the Tower 12 but both of us agreed the Au Pear was the best of them all.

The cocktail version of The Sunset over Manhattan Beach.

Appetizers and Salads

Moving into the meal, we were excited to try some new appetizers and salads.

The Hamachi Crudo ($18) was a hit, even with Nicole who is anything but a fan of raw meat. Along with the flavor the combination of textures went a long way. The fish was tender, the avocado moist and velvety, and the sea salt was crunchy.

Hamchi crudo with avacado and sea salt.

We also tried the Heirloom Tomato Salad ($15), a beautiful representation of Californian gardening. In fact, some of the tomatoes in the salad were from owner Michael Zislis’s own tomato patch. I’m hoping the weather holds so that this seasonal dish can stay on the menu for as long as possible.

Heirloom Tomato Salad.

Wrapping up the appetizer course, we walked the plank of charcuterie platter with choices made by the chef. The selection of cheeses and meats made for a nice bridge to the entrees.

A selection of meats and cheeses on the charcuterie platter.

Surf, Turf, and Succulent Sides

Showcasing the best of their seafood and steak house capabilities, the chef selected two entrees for us to try, a sautéed New Zealand John Dory ($34) and a grilled Prime Hanger Steak ($24).

The John Dory was served with a basil nage that was stunning in presentation and flavor. The bright green sauce made the dish visually interesting and the flavor didn’t disappoint.

Sauteed New England John Dory with a basil nage.

Hanger Steak.

The sides ($8 each) at the Strand House are served family style in little cast iron pots. We sampled the Brussels sprouts and duck fat fingerling potatoes.

I’m a tentative fan of brussel sprouts, enjoying them when they are delicious, hating them when I have to cook them. These sprouts had me at “roasted in brown butter and maple”. They were smoky, sweet, and very tender. I wish my sprouts would turn out like this!

"These sprouts had me at "roasted in brown butter and maple".

The duck fat fingerling potatoes were also a treat, slightly salty and rich in potato flavor.

Perfect combination of potatoes and duck.

Save Room for Dessert

It was close, but we managed to save room for dessert. My suggestion for your visit is to look at their dessert menu first and plan your consumption accordingly. Or just skip entrees altogether and go straight for dessert! The two desserts we tried were novel and delicious in ways we had never experienced.

The Raspberry & Plum Melba ($10) was a nice palette cleansing dessert but the real winner on this plate was the buttered corn sorbet. It was like eating a cold, creamy version of the sweetest corn Summer had to offer. I told Mr. Zislis they should open a sorbet shop next door and sell this stuff by the pint.

Raspberry melba and the crazy good corn sorbet.

Competing for our dessert amazement and wonder were the Butterscotch Doughnuts ($10), sugary cubes of fried dough filled with a butterscotch center and topped with peaches. The real treat, though, was the bed of powdered bacon the doughnuts were served on. What appeared to be a bed of snow-like powder was actually a fluffy essence of doughnut flavor. Why can’t all doughnuts be served like this!?

Butterscotch doughnuts; the fluffy white stuff? Yeah. That's powdered bacon. How do they do that!?

Go for the Sunsets, Stay for Dinner

Some locals and fans of the old Beaches might yearn for days and menus past. To them I would suggest checking out The Strand House to see and appreciate the differences first hand.

Save up for a special dinner or just stop by for a drink and dessert. Make sure you get there just before sunset. The food and drinks may have changed but the view of the pier and the beautiful Pacific Ocean sunset that comes with it have stayed the same.

Nice view of the pier and the sunset from the Strand House dining room.

• The Strand House – Restaurant + Strandbar
  http://www.thestrandhousemb.com
  117 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (Map)

The Farmhouse, Then and Now

I visited American Farmhouse in August for a re-introduction to the restaurant. Foodies in the know might recall American Farmhouse at a location other than their present spot, just a few blocks up the street. With the departure of Szechwan, American Farmhouse chef and owner Orlando Novoa saw an opportunity to expand their operation and took over the location. With the move came a liquor license and plenty of room to work with.

Getting a lesson in the history of the original farmhouse back in Oklahoma.

Inside, the walls are covered with pictures that evoke farm life from the early 1900s. Keeping true to their theme, the pictures and décor are from the Oklahoma home of the chef-owner’s wife Kristen. Quilts hanging on the walls were made by her grandmother and tractor seats at the bar are original pieces from her family’s farm.

Getting Into the Menu

The first thing I noticed coming into the restaurant was the sweet smell of a smoky grill. Just outside the back door is the Farmhouse’s signature pit grill, fueled by red oak wood and complete with a turn spit. The grill is the key to the “ranch style” flavor of their grilled meats and vegetables.

Featuring an authentic Santa Maria style grill fueled by sustainably gathered red oak wood.

Speaking of vegetables, entrées from the dinner menu are rounded out nicely by complimentary stews and side dishes. Each dish is accompanied by a deconstructed stew, allowing diners to mix their soup just the way they’d like with broth, cattleman beans, and Santa Maria style salsa.

Do it yourself stew with vegetables and broth, cattlemans beans, and salsa.

Also included is a seasonal wedge salad with a choice of dressing. I tried the salad with the house made Cabernet vinaigrette and found the dressing delicious.

Forget the other dressings! Go for the Caberney Vinaigrette and be amazed.

Fresh off the grill, the entrees continued to please where the stew and salad left off. I sampled the Spit Roasted Cornish Game Hen ($23), the Atlantic Salmon ($25) , and a Santa Maria style tri-tip.

Santa Maria style tri-tip.

All of the meats were true to their flavor but were smoky and succulent from the grill. I need to get some red oak for grilling at home!

Each entrée also includes “something sweet”, an after dinner liqueur or a scoop of sherbet or ice cream. I tried both (don’t judge) and was won over by the liquer which had the essence of a Bailey’s and cream.

After dinner, the group I was dining with retreated to a room in the back of the restaurant. Decked out with a rosy pool table and seating for twenty or so, this hall would be great for a private dinner or small celebration.

Playing pool in the private dining room.

Another thing that has been wanting to get back to American Farmhouse is their happy hour. Starting early during the week (4-6:30 PM, Monday – Friday) and late on the weekends (9 – Midnight, Friday – Saturday), their happy hour seems reasonably priced to the point of being a bargain given the quality of the food and the vibe of the venue. They also have daily specials like Wino Wednesday and my favorite: Thirsty Thursday.

Happy hour and daily specials are sure to keep the "farm hands" coming back for more and more.

I didn’t visit American Farmhouse at their old location but I’m happy to have been introduced to them at their current one. Given the grill, the cocktails, and the fun farmhouse theme, I’m sure they will be setting the standard for Taverns & Dining Halls for a while.

• American Farmhouse Tavern & Dining Hall
  http://www.americanfarmhousetavern.com
  924 N. Sepulveda Blvd. (corner of 10th & Sepulveda), Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (Map)

PS: American Farmhouse is also participating in dineLA’s Restaurant Week for Fall 2011. Check out their fixed priced lunch for $16 or dinner for $26. Both are great deals!

That’s not going to stop me and the other South Bay Foodies from enjoying another SoCal summer weekend.  This one has plenty to choose from.

Here are a few of the events we will be checking out.  Maybe we will see you there!

Navy Week Comes to the Port of Los Angeles

All this week, four Navy vessels have made the Port of Los Angeles their home.  Navy Week — held in conjunction with the 2011 X-Games — brings the first aircraft carrier to dock in LA in more than 20 years.

This weekend Navy ships -- including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln -- will be docking in the Port of Los Angels for the first time in 20 years.

The highlight of the event is the opportunity to tour each vessel for a close up look.  Be warned, though, the turn-out for this event has been phenomenal and wait times (especially for the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln) are two hours or more.

Follow the links below for details on tours, parking, and more!
http://www.portoflosangeles.org/pdf/Navy_Week_LA-Flier_Final.pdf
http://www.portoflosangeles.org/pdf/Navy_Days_Parking_Map_Public.pdf
http://www.navyweek.org/losangeles2011

Navy Week in the Port of Los Angeles
Saturday, July 30 10AM – 5 PM; Sunday, July 31, 10 AM – 4 PM

International Surf Fest

Surfers, and Lifeguards, and volleyball? Oh my!  The beaches of Manhattan and Hermosa will be invaded this weekend (not to be associated with Navy Week) as the 2011 International Surf Festival takes place in the South Bay.  Competitors from all over the world will paddle, swim, and bump/set/spike to be the best of the best in their sport.

A popular portion of the festival has returned:  The Charlie Saikley “Six Man”  Volleyball Tournament (link goes to Facebook).  Teams of men and women — often dressed in outlandish costumes, or next to nothing in some cases — play volleyball while posing for the thrill of spectators.  While Manhattan Beach police and officials have vowed to keep this event wholesome, know in advance that the 6 Man Tournament has a history of not being very family friendly!

International Surf Festival
Friday, July 29 – Sunday, July 31
http://www.surffestival.org

Chocolate The Event

Chocolate lovers will find their dream event this weekend in Anaheim.  Chocolate the Event promises to be a “myriad of epicurean and chocolate delicacies to tantalize and delight the palate”.

You can see their website for details….I’m not going to even try!  Just imagine chocolate….everything!  Wine, coffee, and other gourmet dishes will be available to sample along with the good stuff.

The event is free with attendees purchasing tickets to sample the chocolate cuisine throughout the venue along Center Street Promenade in Downtown Anaheim, CA.

Need a sweeter deal?  The event is is a fund-raising effort for charities benefiting at-risk youth and children throughout the region. You’ll be eating for a cause!

Chocolate The Event
Saturday, July 30, 10 AM – 10 PM
http://chocolatetheevent.com

Today we’re checking out Manhattan Beach’s Il Fornaio and Second Story at The Belamar.  Come back tomorrow to see what’s on the menu in Redondo!

Quoting their website, Il Fornaio serves “creatively prepared, premium-quality Italian cuisine based on authentic regional Italian recipes.”

For Restaurant Week, the Manhattan Beach location – as well as the Beverly Hills, Pasadena, and Santa Monica branches – will be serving lunch ($22) and dinner ($34).

The best bang for the buck is at dinner which features Carpaccio for the appetizer and the option for Petto di Pollo al Peperoncino: “Grilled double chicken breast marinated with sage, rosemary, thyme, crushed red pepper, white wine and dijon mustard; served with organic sautéed spinach and roasted Yukon Gold potatoes”.

Whether you go for lunch or dinner, save room for dessert and get the tiramisu!

The Second Story restaurant is a cozy den, tucked away on the second floor of the boutique Belamar Hotel.  Manhattan Beach locals retreat to Second Story for their daily happy hour specials and weekly deals on wine.

For Restaurant Week, Second Story is only offering dinner ($26).

I might not select roasted chicken for an appetizer but theirs is paired with shrimp and yam risotto which has me curious.  If I could get that served with the ginger crusted salmon, my mind would be made up.  Maybe they will allow substitutions?

For dessert, I would choose (and not share!) the chocolate lava cake with pomegranate sauce.

A few tips:  Second Story can be hard to find!  Their address is on Sepulveda but the entrance is just off Sepulveda on Valley Drive.  If you’re travelling North on Sepulveda, you’ll need to make a U-Turn.  If you’re travelling South on Sepulveda, be ready turn right on Valley just after you cross Rosecrans!  Also, the Belamar Hotel offers free valet parking for restaurant guests.

Photo courtesy of Larkspur Hotels & Restaurants

The location at 1019 Manhattan Beach Blvd has seen a lot of turn over.  Tapa Meze (a Mediterranean bistro that I never tried) and Chicago for Ribs (who had a wonderfully meat-focused happy hour) have called this address home during the past few years.

After seeing the “coming soon” and “now open” signs for months, I stopped in to visit with the current resident, KAH Asian Restaurant and Lounge.

It was nice to see how they have redecorated the place.  The hues from the burnt orange exterior are reflected inside and complemented with wood, browns, and reds.  Next to the bar and under a flat screen TV is a small lounge area.

Unfortunately, I didn’t dine in to soak up the ambiance but instead carried out to get back to the office.

A quick look at their menu backed up their mission statement:  “A fusion of the best Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and other exotic Asian dishes”.  Sure enough, classic dishes from the cultures mentioned were all present:  pad thai, gyoza, fried rice, noodle dishes, and various curries.

I was drawn in by their lunch specials which pairs some of their house specials with salad, a wonton, and a choice of jasmine, brown, or garlic rice for around $8.

I must have been on some kind of a chicken trip because I ordered the chicken pad thai and thai bbq chicken.

I will admit that I am not a fan of pad thai.  I will eat it but I won’t ask for it.  Nicole, however IS a fan so I ordered some to share with her.  However, Trying the noodles from KAH actually changed my opinion.  I’m still not a fan but I did enjoy their addition of a spongy eggplant to the dish.  It was smoky and slightly minty and added a nice flavor to the chicken and noodles.

The thai bbq chicken was good but not rave worthy.  The flavor on the chicken was muted but was enough to satisfy my craving for meat barbecued Thai-style.  I still put my endorsement on Culver City’s Original Thai BBQ as holding the title in that genre.  I’m happy to have a local option for this dish though, since driving to Culver City for lunch is hardly ever an option.

In addition, KAH’s thai bbq chicken comes in a nice portion size.  The $8.95 lunch special is plenty to provide leftovers for dinner or to share with a hungry coworker.

I can’t say enough about the wonton that was included with the lunch special.  This crispy shell was dry on the outside (not greasy) and stuffed with a cream cheese and crab mixture that was right on point in flavor and texture.  Sadly only one comes with the combo.  I would suggest ordering more for a side dish!

Along with a calming, pleasant interior and a menu that can please almost all Asian tastes in one location, KAH has other things going for them.

For the after-work crowd, they are featuring a happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 5 – 7 PM.  To keep folks coming in during the weekends and evenings, they are bringing in live entertainment and DJ’s.

They have also made steps to improve the historically sad parking situation on their lot.  The parking stalls have been repainted and a sign indicates that additional parking is available just behind the restaurant at an adjacent business after 6 PM.

With a menu that has plenty to offer, a well timed happy hour, and other incentives for diners, I hope that KAH finds success as this location.  I will certainly go back to try more!

KAH Asian Restaurant & Lounge

www.kahasian.com

1019 Manhattan Beach Blvd.,
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 545-4888

Yeah, and then we get over it.

Let’s hope that the rain clears up for this weekends events.  Folks will be walking from pier to pier, racing pumpkins in Manhattan Beach, and tasting all kinds of goodies on Abbot Kinney and in Downtown LA.

Read on to find out more!

Skechers Pier 2 Pier Walk 2010, Manhattan Beach

This Sunday, Manhattan Beach based Skechers is back with a great event that raises awareness and funds in support of our kids and our communities, the Pier 2 Pier Friendship Walk.

The walk benefits The Friendship Circle, “an organization devoted to making a dramatic difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational programming.”  Also benefitting are the educational foundations for Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Torrance, Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes.

The walk starts at the Manhattan Beach Pier and heads south on the Strand to the Hermosa Beach Pier and then returns. Water and first aid stations are provided along the way as well as a few surprises.

To get signed up and get more info, check out their website.

• Sunday, October 24, 8 AM – Noon
  http://www.pier2pierwalk.com

World Famous Pumpkin Race, Manhattan beach

Here’s an event for the whole family.  Immediately following the Pier 2 Pier walk, hang around for the World Famous Pumpkin Race!

With a history that dates back twenty years, the Pumpkin Race is a South Bay tradition.  The event founders agree that “The World Famous Pumpkin Race has rekindled a sense of good old-fashioned family fun for our own families and for hundreds of other families and friends who attend the race each year.”

The event also includes a costume parade for the kids and a sunset concert after the races by a special guest.

Wanna race?  OK!  Its free and no license is required (what would THAT road test look like!?).

Start with your pumpkin and race car kit, available for purchase at Grow Produce in Manhattan Beach and at the festival while supplies last.  Then, make sure you are familiar with the rules of the race.  Finally, be sure to brush up on tips from the pros.

You’ll be speeding your pumpkin down the fast lane in no time!

• Sunday, October 24, Noon – 6 PM
  http://www.pumpkinrace.com
  

Taste of Abbot Kinney, Venice

The typical stroll down Abbot Kinney Blvd on an empty stomach might cause some soul searching and indecision.  There are so many great places to try: the crafty eats at Joe’s Restaurant and Bar, the succulent cafeteria fare and namesake beverages at Lemonade, or the best cup o’ joe you ever had at Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea.

Its enough to drive a foodie crazy!

Well, put your straight jacket back in the closet and head to Venice this Sunday for the Second Annual Taste of Abbot Kinney.

Along with the aforementioned venues, you’ll have the opportunity to graze and sip from the some of the best restaurants in West LA.  Food Trucks will be getting in on the act as well.

For more info and to get your tickets, check out the Taste’s website.

• Sunday, October 24, 3 – 7 PM
  http://www.tasteofabbotkinney.com

Artisanal LA, Downtown LA

Yes, there are events taking place on Saturday of this weekend too!  In particular, you might want to check Artisanal LA, “a weekend long community event celebrating the city’s finest local, sustainable and handmade edibles all under one roof”.

Taking place in a Downtown LA penthouse, this event brings together food, beverages, and other products from local artisan vendors.

Included in the line up are the South Bay’s own Sweet Détente, offering “elegant, individually-sized, organic, international desserts”; and Domestic Doll, who reinvent “the retro 1950’s apron with vibrant colors, playful patterns, and intriguing cuts”.

Visit the Artisanal LA website for the complete line up of vendors and to get tickets.  This event is a bargain at $10 advance and $15 at the door, both of which get you in Saturday and Sunday.  Your admission includes samples of food and spirits (21+) along with classes from the vendors.

• Saturday and Sunday, October 23-24, 11 AM – 6 PM
  http://artisanalla.com

Chef Makoto doing work in the kitchen! (Courtesy of Sashi MB).

On hand to share in the party will be renowned Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto along with Michael Voltaggio, winner of Top Chef Season Six.

In a previous review of Sashi, I mentioned that Iron Chef competitions were nothing new for Chef Makoto.  He’s worked side by side with Morimoto on more than a dozen challenges in Kitchen Stadium.  This episode will be Makoto’s debut as the challenging chef.  Food Network listings reveal the challenge will be against Iron Chef Michael Symon.  No word on the secret ingredient though!

Of course, Sashi is pulling out all the stops for this event with a six course tasting menu ($120) and private viewing of the show.  The party starts with cocktails at 5 PM.  Space is limited but you might still be able to get a seat!  Call for reservations at 310-545-0400 or check out their website at www.sashimb.com.

I’ll be rooting for the home team.  Show ‘em what you got, Chef Makoto.  “Allez Cuisine!”

Iron Chef America: Synmon vs. Okuwa

Chef Makoto Okuwa, a former sous chef to Iron Chef Morimoto enters Kitchen Stadium for the first time as a challenger to Iron Chef Michael Symon. Will Okuwa break under the pressure of leading his own team, or impress the judges with his treatment of the secret ingredient? Tune in to see whose cuisine reigns supreme!

So whether you’re getting up at 6 AM this Friday to watch Brazil play Portugal, or catching up with the late-night replays on Sports Center, there are many places to watch the game and experience some Wolrd Cup cuisine.  Some of the places are partnering with the LA Galaxy to put on viewing parties* with give aways (event tickets and genuine world cup soccer balls!) and apperances by Miss LA Galaxy.  Be sure to bring your vuvuzela!

I suggest starting in Pasadena and working your way south.  You’ve got until July 11!

World Cup Street Food at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena
http://pasadena.langhamhotels.com/restaurants/dining_special_offers.htm#world_cup
1401 South Oak Knoll Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

LA "Dirty Dog" mini Kobe hot dogs...topped with bacon!

• On-going specials through out the tournament including chances for freebies.
• They didn’t pick sides at The Bar in the Langham Hotel of Pasadena.  Instead, they picked the best street foods from several of the participating countries and re-created them with a gourmet spin. They’ve made dishes from South Africa (semi-sweet millet puffs shaped like soccer balls), England (fish & chips fried in duck fat), and my favorite from USA: LA “dirty dogs” — kobe beef hot dogs on pretzel buns w/ Bacon, sweet peppers & onions. Different teams and their foods will be featured each week of the tournament. They’re also giving away some of their items for free. Check their website and follow @LanghamPasadena on twitter for details.

Ye Olde King’s Head British Pub
http://www.yeoldekingshead.com
116 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

• LA Galaxy viewing party on Thursday, June 24; Saturday, July 3; and quarter-finals on Wednesday, July 7
• Get your “England” jerseys out and order a pint at Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica.  They have enough draft beers on tap to keep you unthirtsy for an entire football match and then some.  In traditional pub-fare fashion, the eats are also covered nicely.  Go for the sampler platter.  With a taste of just about everything on the pub fare menu, you’ll have enough to share with the rest of the crowd…or plenty for yourself!

OB’s Pub and Grill
http://obsmb.com/
3610 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

• LA Galaxy viewing party on Friday, 6/25; Saturday, 6/26; Tuesday, 6/29; and quarter-finals on Friday, 7/2
• Right here in the South Bay, OB’s get’s the prize for being open as early as needed for all of your World Cup viewing.  On their website they say, “Come in for every game, no matter how early or late.”  If you’re there at the butt crack of dawn, wake up with a cup of coffee and the Pork Chops & Eggs — two chops served with 3 eggs and a choice of sides. In late? Stay up with a beer and OB’s Meatloaf, served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and steamed veggies .

Alpine Village
http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/
833 W. Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90502

• LA Galaxy viewing party on Sunday, 6/27; Saturday, 7/3; and semi-finals on Wednesday, 7/7
• Another South Bay spot, Alpine Village will be showing all of the German matches…as well as those of the USA.  They’ll have beer specials and more men in  lederhosen than you can count!

K.C. Branaghan’s
http://www.kcbranaghans.com
5734 East 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803

• LA Galaxy viewing party on Thursday, 6/24; Monday, 6/28; Tuesday, 6/29; and semi-finals on Tuesday, 7/6
• You’ll need lots of enery to cheer your team on at 7 AM.  That means eating a breakfast that will stick with your for 90+ minutes of fast paced football action.  At K.C. Branaghan’s, you can get a breakfast that’s bigger than an Irishman’s heart! Their traditional Irish breakfast is served with eggs, banger, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and soda bread.

The final match of the World Cup takes place on Sunday, July 11 at 11:30 AM.  Where will you be watching it?

*http://www.lagalaxy.com/worldcupviewingparties

(Photo courtesy of the Langham Hotel.  I took some, but mine turned out crappy! )