Hamptons @ Manhattan Beach, CA

Went to this new place in downtown Manhattan Beach.  At the site of the old Sun & Moon cafe and across from MB Post.  It is very much a New England seafood place with lots of lobster on the menu.  I had the lobster roll and it was good, not great.  The bread was wonderful -- lots of butter no doubt but soft and sweet.  The lobster salad needed a bit more flavor either from lobster not being in season or in need of some spice and likely salt.  I saw the lobster mac & cheese which looked good but very rich.  The overall atmosphere is nice.

All in all, I'll go back and give them another try.

Mendocino Farms @ Marina del Rey, CA

OK, so I went here again today for lunch.  I went much earlier to avoid the line.  I still like this place but wouldn't order the same sandwich.  Today, I had the Pork Belly Banh Mi which I'm relatively certain did not contain pork belly.  It was more like over cooked, tough pork rib meat than the juicy, succulent and tender pork belly I expected.  Further, they put thick slices of raw jalapeno on the sandwich which was over the top.  Thinner slices would have given the sandwich the kick it needed.  I also tried 2 side salads and will someday order the spinach salad with figs. 

All in all, I'm less impressed than the first time but hopeful this place will get better.

Bin 73 @ Marina del Rey, CA

Saw this relatively new place in Sunset magazine.  It is a small plates / large wine list place very near the water on Washington Blvd.  It was good.  I shared a cheese plate, stuffed peppers, truffle mac & cheese, and a small pizza with a friend.  My husband had the breakfast sandwich.  Wine list was good size and dinner menu had lots of interesting items on it.

All in all, I'll go back and hopefully be as lucky as today to get close parking.

Mendocino Farms @ Marina del Rey, CA

Went to this relatively new sandwich place yesterday.  It is quite the talk of the town.  The line was long and it took 20 minutes to order & pay and another 20 minutes to get our food.  I had the signature Papa Mario's Italian deli sandwich and my friend had a 'build your own' steak sandwich.  Both were good and the salads and other menu items looked good as well.  I'm not sure it was good enough for the wait, but the atmosphere was intriguing. 

The entire outdoor mall area surrounding the place was quite nice and worthy of a visit -- Loft, Black/White Market, Pinkberry, CPK, etc.

All in all, I'll give Mendocino Farms another try, albeit at a less busy time.