A brand-new seafood restaurant called Salt & Pearl is opening in the former King Harbor Brewing Company space in Redondo Beach on Friday, January 5. Behind the Riviera Village restaurant are South Bay entrepreneurs Mickey Mance and Justin Essman; the duo also own and operate the neighboring modern Mexican restaurant Vida. The restaurant’s design comes from Santa Ana-based Vanrooy Design.

Chef Alex Schwartzman’s classic seafood menu includes Connecticut-style lobster rolls and fresh oysters served on ice. The restaurant’s cocktails are from barman Ken Gray, with creations like the Tokyo Bootlegger featuring re-proofed pomegranate moonshine, house-made rouge grape coconut water oleo, and citrus. The Lady Churchill drink combines re-proofed black cherry and umami-bonded Old Forester bourbon with Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, bitters, and a hand-cut cube.

Salt & Pearl is located at 1719 South Catalina Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.

Ben Gibbs

A legend reopens in Little Ethiopia

The Los Angeles Times shares the news that Meals by Genet is reopening for dine-in service on Friday, January 5 on Fairfax Avenue in Little Ethiopia. Chef and owner Genet Agonafer will operate the restaurant from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday to strike a better work-life balance.

The best of the Original Farmers Market

Timeout restaurant critic Patricia Kelly Yeo spent 2023 eating her way through the Original Farmers Market and has compiled a rundown of the spots worth checking out. She names the churrasco plate from Pampas Grill the best dish of the year and Monsieur Marcel Bistro the best restaurant of the bunch.

Pampas Grill

Stella Barra is serving its final slice

Santa Monica stalwart Stella Barra is serving its final slice on Friday, January 5. Since chef and owner Jeff Mahin opened the restaurant over a decade ago, the pizzeria has become a neighborhood staple, turning out dependably great pizza in a casual setting. There were six locations between LA and Chicago at Stella Barra’s peak.

Omakase comes to Eagle Rock

Ikigai opened in late December at the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock boulevards in Eagle Rock. The casual Japanese neighborhood spot serves a menu of nigiri, sashimi, and rolls, as well as homey comforts like tonkatsu, tempura, udon, and more. The restaurant’s three omakase options include eight pieces for $45, 10 pieces for $55, and 12 pieces for $65. A full beer, wine, and sake menu is slated for later this month. Co-owners Peter and Sooji Park previously operated Peter’s Sushi Spot in Anchorage, Alaska for two decades. Ikigai is located at 2146 Colorado Boulevard and is open from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Tuesday through Sunday.

Ikigai