Business & Tech
Sprouts & Shutters: Rock & Brews PCH, Abigaile's 'Little Sister,' Dolce Vita Cafe
Here's the latest roundup of retail, restaurant and other business news and happenings in South Bay's neighborhoods.
Wondering what new businesses are moving into your neighborhood, and which are saying farewell?
Our Sprouts & Shutters column highlights the latest restaurant, retail and other business news in South Bay's neighborhoods.
Sprouts:
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
The opening of the Rock & Brews Pacific Coast Highway on Wednesday in Riviera Village brought out the stars, including KISS rockers Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. The two are partners in the expanding Rock & Brews restaurant chain and they led the list of celebrities at a grand opening benefiting the Torrance Education Foundation.
The restaurant moved into the space formerly occupied by Oliver's Cafe at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Palos Verdes Boulevard.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
"This is an awesome area," Stanley said. "This is a party town and that doesn't mean everyone isn't responsible, but everybody likes to get loose and enjoy the weekends and enjoy the evenings."
The Mesko Restaurant Group's Jon Mesko and Michael Zislis amended their plans for the restaurant after running into opposition from the Torrance Planning Commission and residents, who were concerned about noise, traffic and other issues. That behind him, Mesko said he hopes the neighborhood will take to the restaurant's upscale but casual feel.
But perhaps not TOO casual. Patch editor and beer news columnist John Schreiber took some ribbing from Stanley for his relaxed, plaid-shirt attire at the Rock & Brews opening. "You can dress up—look how good I look—or you can dress down like you went to the forest and chopped some trees," Simmons joked, pointing to Schreiber.
In Manhattan Beach, Chef Tin Vuong and restaurateur Jed Sanford are opening a new restaurant at 1131 Manhattan Ave. that Vuong called a "relaxed and welcoming chef-driven social environment featuring dishes that will exercise your palate."
According to a press release, the menu will reflect Vuong's take on the "interesting and rich collisions of food and culture" from the European colonization of Southeast Asia. French, Dutch and British influences will be intermixed with the spices and flavors of Southeast Asia.
Craft beer, both domestic and international, and a beverage and wine menu curated by Vuong will be a part of the restaurant's offerings.
Vuong and Sanford are the creators of Abigaile in Hermosa Beach and WildCraft Sourdough Pizza in Culver City.
Shutters:
Riviera Village's Dolce Vita Cafe has closed, according to the Easy Reader. Chef Mario Martinoli bought the restaurant at 1718 S. Catalina Ave. last year and played host to wine tastings and mixers for various groups. Just what will take its place is an open question.
If you've noticed any other new businesses moving into your neighborhood or businesses closing up shop, leave a comment at the bottom of this article and we'll check it out.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.