Palm Lined Streets of Riviera Village in Redondo Beach.

This weekend you can get a generous dose of arts, crafts, food, and live music at Redondo Beach’s Riviera Festival.

Spanning two days — Saturday and Sunday, June 26-27 — this festival is centered in the Hollywood Riviera neighborhood of Redondo. The Riviera is home to many great restaurants and shops.  The prime location is just a few blocks away from stunning cliff-top views of beaches, the Palos Verdes peninsula, and Catalina Island (if skies are clear).

Check out the festival website for directions on where to park or how to get there via shuttle from Redondo Union High School.

I’ll be taking a closer look at the festival this weekend thanks to an invitation from the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce.  Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks as I report on some of the hot spots that make Redondo Beach a great vacation destination — for all you folks out of town — and a great place to live and hang out for the rest of us!

Riviera Village Summer Festival

http://www.rvsummerfestival.com
Saturday, June 26th & Sunday, June 27th
At the corner of Catalina and Avenue I in Redondo Beach.

Toma Tequila Mixology Competition

First up is a challenge to pros and amateurs alike to mix up the next great tequila cocktail.  You know how people are always going back and forth about who invented the margarita and when?

Wouldn’t it be awesome if the creation of the next-most-famous tequila cocktail was well documented….and created by you!?

Ortega 120′s Toma Tequila Mixology Competition is your chance to come up with a tasty tequila cocktail and be rewarded and recognized for it.  Along with bragging rights and a championship title, the winner gets a $250 gift card to Ortega 120, their winning tequila cocktail on the Ortega 120 menu, and an editorial feature in Mutineer Magazine.

Entries will be judged on taste, creative use of ingredients, visual presentation, and mixology practicality.  Winners will be announced during the “Toma Tequila” Event Finals on Monday, May 3, 2010 at the resatuarant.  Download your application today!

Sister Cities Fundraising Event

If you want to get your Cinco De Mayo celebration started early, consider The Sister Cities Fundraising Event, hosted by Ortega 120.  On Sunday, May 2, The Hermosa Beach Sister City Association — representing the beach towns of Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo — will be holding a fundraiser to help in their efforts to provide care to their sister cities in Baja California, Mexico.

For just $25 in advance ($30 at the door) attendees can sample tequila, enjoy tastes of some great Mexican food, and benefit from happy hour pricing on house margaritas.  The event also includes music along with live and silent auctions.  Funds raised go directly towards cultural education, medical assistance, educational funding and more to the Sister communities in Mexico.  Follow this link for more information and to buy tickets.   http://hb-sistercity.org/cinco2.html

Sister Cities Fundraising Event, May 2, 1 – 4 PM
Toma Tequila Event Finals, May 3, 7 – 10 PM

Ortega 120

http://www.ortega120.com
1814 Pacific Coast Highway
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 792-4120

Cook a Brunch Mom Would Be Proud Of

Many of our area grocery stores have deals going on. So you know where to go to get what you need, but will you know what you need when you get there?

Fresh & Easy has put together this handy Easter Brunch shopping list to keep you from missing anything. To make the prospect of cooking that much sweeter, it comes with a coupon for $10 off your purchase of $50 or more.

Of course, you can use the list anywhere but the coupon is only good at Fresh & Easy!

South Bay Fresh & Easy Locations » http://www.freshandeasy.com
ROSECRANS & AVIATION, 1700-C Rosecrans Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
PALOS VERDES & WESTERN, 26640 Western Avenue, Harbor City, CA 90710

Plenty of Options for Dining Out

If cooking isn’t part of your Easter plans, here are a few places that have special deals for brunch or dinner.

• Fuego at Hotel Maya » http://www.jdvhotels.com/dining/losangeles/fuego
  700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802, (562) 481-3910

  They’re not technically in the South Bay but the venue alone makes Hotel Maya worth the drive. This Sunday they’re serving a Latin-inspired brunch with a ceviche bar, a taquito station, and plenty of authentic Mexican sweets. You can check out my review of their brunch for for info. Be sure to check out the big umbrella!

The Big Umbrella at The Maya Hotel in Long Beach.

• Ortega 120 » http://www.ortega120.com
  1814 Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, (310) 792-4120

  Here’s another option for doing Easter fiesta style. “Back by popular demand, for Easter, Mas y Mas Brunch! $25 for adults & $10 for kids 12 & under. Reservations are in two hour increments & strongly recommended. 9:30am-3pm”

• Chez Melange » http://www.chezmelange.com/
  1611 S. Catalina Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, (310) 540-1222

  In addition to a special A La Carte Easter Brunch & Dinner, Chez Melange is offering a gift for ladies who wear Easter bonnets. Put on your big hats!

• Samba Brazilian Steakhouse » http://www.sambaredondo.com/
  207 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA, (310) 374-3411

  If you’re really hungry — or want to see some dancers in feathers and not much else — head over to Samba. They’re offering “all-you-can-eat BBQ meats grilled on open fire, endless salad bar, glass of champagne or orange juice. $40 adults and $20 kids 4-12″.

• Admiral Risty » http://www.admiral-risty.com/
  31250 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275, (310) 377-0050

  After a month of “fish on Friday”, seafood might not be your first option for Easter. If it is, check out Admiral Risty. Starting at 11 AM on Sunday, they’ll be serving Easter dinner all day. Oh, be sure to check out their menu online. I love their funky old-school website! Its Web 1.0 but totally gets the job done with complete menus and prices.

Photo credit: Fresh & Easy.

The event takes place this Saturday, March 27,  starting at 1 PM and going until 4 PM.

All cooks — from individuals to professionals — are invited to prepare their best New England or Manhattan style clam chowder.  If you think you have what it takes to whip up a chowder that will have the judges raving,  download an entry form and rules.

If you’re more inclined to simply sample a wide array of chowders, public tasting will begin at 1 PM.  Your $7 “Tasting Kit” will include tickets for five samples and a ballot to vote for your favorite.

May the best clam win!

On Wednesday, March 17, everyone in the South Bay becomes Irish!  From sunrise to sunset, the streets of our beach cities are likely to be packed with green-clad leprechauns chasing rainbows and pots o’ gold.

Here are a few suggestions to get your St. Patty’s Day celebration going.

Harry O’s, El Segundo
http://www.harryoselsegundo.com

“Let out the Irish in you!  If Guinness and Irish Car Bombs are your thing, you’ll feel right at home at Harry O’s. “  Look for St. Patrick’s day specials all week long.  Happy hour all day Monday – Wednesday and 4-7 PM Thursday-Friday.

(310) 322-2255; 226 Standard St, El Segundo, CA

Bluewater Grill, Redondo Beach
http://bluewatergrill.com

Celebrate the luck of the Irish all day Wednesday with these and other specials:  $3 Guinness or Green Draught Beer by the Pint; Guinness Beer Battered Fish & Chips for $12.95 at lunch or $15.25 during dinner; $5 shots of Jameson or Bushmill’s Whiskey.

(310) 318-3474‎;  665 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277-2004

Daily Grill, El Segundo
http://www.dailygrill.com

All week long, Daily Grill is serving up hand-carved corn beef sandwiches during lunch for $12.95 and any draft beer for $4. On St. Patty’s Day after 4 PM, they’ll be serving the traditional favorite corn beef and cabbage.

(310) 524-0700; 2121 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245

Whole Food’s Market, Plaza El Segundo
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com

If you think there might be too many leprechauns in the streets, have your own celebration at home with St. Patty’s Day goodies from Whole Foods. They have specials on their own including: Plowshare Stout, a “slightly sweet, rich delight of a beer has chocolate and black coffee flavors with a creamy vanilla character”; Beer-Infused Dubliner Irish Cheddar with Stout, a “12-month-aged cheese…double-milled with Irish Stout”; and corned beef briskets ($5.99/lb). Check with the staff for cooking suggestions and receipes.

(310) 333-1900; 760 South Sepulveda Boulevard, El Segundo, CA 90245-4717

For a more detailed list of what’s going on at the regular South Bay haunt’s like Hennessey’s, Sharkeez, and Patrick Molloys, check out this page at South Bay Events.

Have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Photo Credit: marco

This Sunday, March 14, Hudson House Bar is celebrating its first anniversary with a party just for you.  All you have to do is eat, drink, and be merry.

Known to many as one of the best gastropubs in the South Bay, the Redondo Beach venue  will be celebrating one year of operation with free drinks — Guests will be able to choose from a complimentary Hudson Ale or Blood Orange Chinaco Tequila Cocktail — and free bar snacks.

The celebration takes place on Sunday from 4 PM to closing time.

Hudson House

www.hudsonhousebar.com

514 North Pacific Coast Highway
Redondo Beach, CA 90277-2103
(310) 798-9183

Photo credit: Hudson House Bar

Subtle hint of things to come in the Manhattan Beach Target.

For the past couple months, Target stores in the South Bay have been shuffling stock from one part of the store to another, only to move it back a couple days later.  What’s all the fuss about?  They’re making room for groceries.

Target stores already carry many staple items like milk, bread, and canned foods.  The new mini-grocery sections will add fresh produce and additional frozen goods.

Signs around the Manhattan Beach and Gardena stores — both of which are in the middle of remodelling — report fresh groceries will arrive in April.  The Redondo Beach and Torrance stores are also adding new grocery section although construction has not begun at the Torrance location near Del Amo mall.  As for the two Carson locations, I haven’t been there in a while and wasn’t able to get anyone on the phone

“The Street” is saying that Target is adding groceries to its list of big-box-store items in an attempt to beat the on-going recession.  Others say that Target is trying to compete with Wal-Mart for more discount shoppers.  Granted, both of these articles are from 2009, but they still have some truth to them as household budgets continue to shrink and new grocery sections open in stores branded with a bullseye logo.

As for me, I’ll be happy I can get my contact solution, laundry detergent, and fresh fruit all in the same place.

Will a grocery section in Target make you more likely to shop there compared to a regular grocery store?  Knowing their marketing and pricing style, do you have any opinions on how Target’s grocery might compare to Wal-Mart’s or a regular grocery like Ralph’s or Albertson’s?

South Bay Target Stores

Target has several stores in the South Bay area.  These are the ones that I know have grocery stores coming to them.  Ask the manager at your local store if your neighborhood Target isn’t listed below.   Find more info online at Target.com.

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

I’m so glad to see so many restaurants and businesses making it easy for us to contribute to the Haitian relief effort by doing what we already do: eat and drink!  Ortega 120 is doing just that and more with great options this weekend.  I’ll have some more info on ways to eat and give next week.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday  if you dine in at Ortega 120 and text a donation, you’ll get 10% off your bill and Oretga 120 will donate 10% of your bill to the American Red Cross.  They also have events and specials all weekend.

• (Friday) Watch the George Clooney MTV Telethon in the Frida Room
• (Saturday) Zerimar and Fritz play live Latin inspired music.  They are a very entertaining and lively guitar duo!
• (Sunday) Happy Hour All Day in the Bar and Frida Room

If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation (which is encouraged) contact the crew at Ortega.

Ortega 120

http://www.ortega120.com

1814 S. PCH
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

The Bluewater Grill is conveniently situated amongst the sails and ripples of Redondo Beach’s King Harbor. The view from this dining establishment paints the ideal picture of a harbor setting, supplying images of the adjacent waves and unique boats. The seafood is fresh from the bordering ocean’s floor, and no matter how it is requested, the chefs prepare it to perfection. Each meal is initiated with warm French bread, and the butter quickly melts over this crunchy and soft loaf. You cannot visit this shoreline attraction without sampling the raw oyster bar, or indulging in a bowl of warm, homemade clam chowder (available in a cream or tomato-based broth). The restaurant houses a large, appropriately decorated bar, and this area of amusement encourages laughter, relaxation, and enjoyment.

The happy hour boat docks every Monday through Friday from 3:30-6:30pm, and it brings to shore delicious food deals and affordable cocktails. During Monday night football games, this boat stays put until the final play has concluded. Various small platters and beverages will be sailing your way, and they can be purchased for either $3, $4, or $5.

The $3 deals include:

• Light draft beers
• Burger slider and fries
• A pair of oyster shooters
• Grilled fish tacos

$4 can get you:

• House wine
• Calamari fritti and cocktail sauce
• Shrimp ceviche lettuce wraps
• Salt and pepper shrimp

And for only $5, you can order:

• Mini steamer pot
• Crab and artichoke dip
• Tenderloin tease

The food will make your tastebuds dance for joy, and the house wine lacks a high price, but does not lack quality! The happy hour ship is docking, so hurry over to the Bluewater Grill, and explore a sea of affordable delights!

Bluewater Grill

www.bluewatergrill.com
665 North Harbor Drive
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Tel: (310) 318-FISH (3474)