An ordinance issued by the City Council of Long Beach has shortened the life span of plastic bags in grocery, convenience, and drug stores in LBC.

By the end of the year, plastic bags will not be available in most Long Beach grocery and department stores.

The ordinance banning plastic bags was issued on May 24, 2011 and will prevent large stores from offering plastic bags to their customers starting on August 1, 2011.  The ban will go into effect for smaller stores in January 2012.

Shoppers that want to carry their groceries home will either have to bring their own bags or buy a recyclable paper bag of $0.10.

Los Angeles County has already implemented a similar ban on plastic bags in unincorporated areas which went into effect on July 1.

In a video posted to YouTube, Long Beach Vice Mayor Suja Lownthal shared that these bans are an effort to prevent plastic bags from contributing to the pollution of local environments.

“The purpose is to reduce litter in neighborhoods, reduce plastic debris in waterways and stormdrains, and reduce waste transported to landfills” Lowenthal stated.

Its my opinion that most people will go along with the ordinance and either:

1. Re-use plastic bags from a previous visit (this will be me; i have kitchen drawer full of them!)
2. Buy reusable bags and take those to the store (I’m stashing a few in my car right now)
3. Shell out the ten cents to get a paper bag when they forget to bring something from home (with the other taxes, I dout they will notice the difference!)

I’m sure that there will also be people that will take exception to their “right” to get a free bag from a store.

To those people I say this:  go shop somewhere else.  But before you do, swing by my place.  I’d be glad to sell you a plastic bag for a nickel!

In the end, I think we will all be better off.  Long Beach is taking the lead and setting a precedent for doing this the right way.  it might be a pain for a while, but we will all benefit in the long run.

For more information on the plastic bag ban — and opportunities to get free reusable bags — visit the Litter Free LB website.

Every Saturday in April (darn it, we missed one!) Whole Foods Plaza El Segundo will be serving surf & turf BBQ lunches for $5.

Well, really its more like a surf or turf.

Choose from shrimp fajitas, chicken kabobs, or a taco with sauteed veggies if you’re a veg-head.  The deal kicks in nicely with extras including  potato salad, chips, a cookie, and a drink.

All that for lunch from Whole Foods!?  I’m thinking that’s $5 well spent.

Whole Foods Plaza El Segundo
http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/elsegundo/

Saturdays in April
11am – 4pm

760 South Sepulveda Blvd.
El Segundo, CA

That doesn’t mean we have to like it though!

The proof can be found in the grinding halt that comes over the hustle and bustle of SoCal life with even the mention of a sprinkle or a few showers.

Next time it rains, don’t sulk at home, withering away from starvation or going without your daily staples.  Here are some places to get what you need without getting wet!

Groceries: Cooke’s Market, El Segundo
Grocery shopping in the rain is no fun!  But if you dont’t fill your pantry in advance of torrential downpours, you and your box of Captain Crunch are bound to get wet.  Unless you go to Cooke’s Market!  Nestled in the heart of Downtown El Segundo, Cooke’s market sports a covered parking lot that will let keep you and your cereal dry without ever having to open an umbrella. Its certainly worth the trip to check out their meat department, hot food counter, and their well stocked wine department.

• 300 Richmond Street, El Segundo, CA 90245, (310) 615-1990

The warm, dry entrance of Target in Redondo Beach.

Household Goods and Groceries: Target, Redondo Beach
This two-story Target is one of the newer ones in the South Bay.  The benefit of its double-decker design is the covered parking under the store!  Slide into the spacious covered parking lot, glide up the escalator, and shop til you drop, all without getting hit by a drop of rain.  With the addition of a mini grocery store, they have just about everything you’ll need to stock up.

• 1601 Kingsdale Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90278-3928, (310) 750-0003

Movies, Shopping, and Dining: South Bay Galleria, Redondo Beach
Covered parking is king at South Bay Galleria, also in Redondo Beach.  Yes, Del Amo Mall in Torrance has a parking structure, a movie theater, and dozens of shops and restaurants.  But unlike South Bay Galleria, not all of the Del Amo amenities are available under cover from precipitation.  At the Galleria, you can park, watch a movie, stroll the mall, and even catch happy hour at Red Robin and stay dry the entire time.

• 1815 Hawthorne Boulevard, Redondo Beach, CA 90278-3436, (310) 371-7546

Don’t let a few drops of water from the sky shut you in.  The next time it rains, refer to this list and get out there!

Well known for its Chardonnay, Grgich Hills also produces several other wines all of which are made from estate grown, certified organic grapes.

Take a peek at the menu that Whole Foods has prepared to compliment the wine!

MENU:
First course
Seared sea scallops with fresh peaches, lemon fillets, Live Gourmet butter lettuce and champagne vinaigrette. Paired with Grgich Hills Fume Blanc

Second course
Smoked salmon pizza with Whole Catch smoked salmon, Cypress Grove “Purple Haze” goat cheese, Bellwether Farms crème fraiche and chives. Paired with Grgich Hills Chardonnay

Third course
Smoked and glazed babyback ribs, fresh shucked and buttered corn and sweet potato fries. Paired with Grgich Hills Zinfandel

Main Course
Filet of beef stuffed with Borough Market Stilton, wrapped with 365 center cut bacon, cabernet sauvignon reduction and sautéed spinach. Paired with Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

Dessert Course
Cow Girl Creamery Organic Triple Cream, with cherry merlot reduction, fresh cherries and raisin-walnut toast. Paired with Grgich Hills Merlot

To reserve a spot for this event, send your RSVP to kylethornton@wholefoods.com or call 310-333-1900. The five-course meal — including wine — is $70 per person.

Wine Dinner with Grgich Hills Estate
Whole Foods Market at Plaza El Segundo

Saturday, July 24th at 6pm

760 South Sepulveda Blvd.
El Segundo, CA 90245

Now, I’m a total omnivore but I was bummed to miss this dinner.  I was looking forward to what the minds at Whole Foods would come up with as they paired wines with each dish in this meal.  I’m thinking red wine goes with beef, right?

Thankfully, the dinner was attended by Shoshana from the vegetarian focused food blog Veggie 101.  She did a great review of each course, complete with pictures.  I’m referring you to her to get the details!  Follow the link below for the complete review.

Restaurant Review: Whole Foods El Segundo Vegetarian (Vegan) Wine Dinner, June 29, 2010

Summer Berry Salad from Whole Food's Vegetarian Wine Dinner (Courtesy of Veggie 101)

There’s just over a week left to enter this contest which ends on Monday, May 31. To get complete details and submit your design, go to http://www.freshandeasy.com/designabag.aspx.

What are you waiting for!? Oh, and if you win, don’t forget where you heard about it!

For just $40, diners will enjoy a four course meal paired with beers from Stone Brewing.  As always, space is limited in the cozy wine bar where they hold these events so get your RSVP in today!  RSVP by email to kyle.thornton@wholefoods.com or by calling 310-333-1900.

THE MENU

First course
Jalapeno and Crab Wonton Purse w/Leeks and Plum Wine Drizzle served with Stone Pale Ale

Photo Credit

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.

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

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.