Fonz's @ Manhattan Beach, CA

Went here with a large group last weekend.  I haven't been here for a while as my husband & I weren't impressed.  It was much better than the past.  I had the Lobster salad which was very good and the Seafood Risotto, also good.  It likely helped that we brought very nice bottles of wine in and just paid for corkage vs. off the menu.  That may have lifted my spirits to enjoy the place more.

All in all, I'll give Fonz's another try.

Union Pizza @ El Segundo, CA (next to Bristol Farms)

Went here on a suggestion and waited for a Chicago Deep Dish.  I thought this was very good, although I haven't had true Chicago deep dish much.  I will definitely order from them again.  You can call ahead and order, sit outside with your own beer/wine (no corkage), or have them deliver. 

All in all, this may be my new pizza place.

Cliff's Edge on Sunset @ Silver Lake, CA

Went here last night and unfortunately, it was raining.  This place has a large uncovered patio that I'm sure everyone wants to be seated in.  While some seating was covered, we opted for inside.  Place had a ski cabin feel to it and we were seated at 2 tables for 2 pushed together.  Both tables were unbalanced and their solution was to wedge the 2 table tops together, something that eventually came undone.

We had a smattering of items and all were good, not great.  Some were just OK.  The Roasted Brussels Sprouts were under cooked and very hard; the Chickpea Fritters were good but a bit gooey/doughy in the middle, and the Squash Blossoms had too much cheese to even notice there was a Squash Blossom.  For entrees, which we shared, the Flat Iron Steak was good but nothing special, the Skate Wing was good, and the Crispy Polenta was the star of the night.  Also had the Bread Pudding which was classically good. 

Reviews on some sites have been negative, but we thought it was fine for the price ---- $200 for 4 people and we all had drinks. 

All in all, I'll go back again and likely order other items to give them a try.

Sabra Beirut Mix @ El Segundo, CA

Went here for lunch yesterday.  It is located near Grand/Sepulveda and there are several other restaurants in the complex.  The area caters to the office buildings nearby so lunch was crowded.

I had my favorite Baba Ghannouj and a Greek salad.  Neither was great.  Baba Ghannouj wasn't very flavorful and the salad was over dressed and oily.  While the food wasn't memorable, the cook using his bare hands to put grilled chicken on a bed of rice was.  Yuck!

All in all, I will not go back, but do want to try Five Guys and Which Wich.

Hotdoggers @ Manhattan Beach, CA

This place opened a few months ago.  The signage is somewhat confusing as it refers to Rad BBQ but it is in fact a hot dog place similar to Pinks.  Atmosphere is nice, they spent some money on the decor and there is parking which is nice.  It is located across from the Manhattan Beach Target.  The location has been somewhat doomed with a revolving door of restaurants trying to make it a go before closing and unfortunately, I think Hotdoggers will be next.  The building footprint seems large but the dining area seems small, leading me to think the kitchen is too large.  Price points aren't too high so they will need to make it on volume and while they are trying to get a liquor license, my check was just $11 so that's a lot of dogs. 

I had the plain sauerkraut dog with onion rings.  It was okay, not the memorable.  In fact, the onion rings seemed to have too much flour or cornstarch and so were a bit gummy to eat.  I did not get their more unique dog offerings so maybe those would have been better.  The place is fine, just doesn't stand out.

All in all, if you like hot dogs, go now as not sure this place will make it. 

Sauerkraut dog & onion rings

Father's Office @ Culver City, CA

Went here for lunch today.  The place opens at noon and there is a line waiting to get in.  The place filled up in no time and I had to wait to order.  I got the beet salad which was good, but nothing special. Atmosphere is great, with nice outdoor seating.  They are known for their burger which I've had before and thought it was just okay, but then I'm not a burger person.

All in all, great place for a beer and some small bites.

Hampton's @ Manhattan Beach, CA

My husband & I went to this place on Monday night, for me the second time.  He's heard very bad things about the place but my first experience was okay.  Keep in mind this is a new restaurant and they are still working out the kinks.

We had the crab cakes (good, not the best I've had), pork sliders (good), and the beet salad (good, a bit too much cheese).  I thought they did a great job even though they were busy.  They give you a flat bread with lots of cheese/garlic on top which for me was over cooked.  They offer a lot of fish for grill or blackened which I suspect would not be good, at least not until they work out kinks.  Cooking fish to order takes practice, perhaps this is what the people who had bad experiences had.

All in all, I'll go back for the more casual food.