Nagomi Cake House - Gardena

A well-kept Gardena secret, this elite bakery never ceases to charm with its collection of not-so-sweet slices and pretty cakes. 

Baked Cheesecake is probably my favorite, though it's the simplest of the bunch. Baking dries up the moisture, making it dense and more flavor-packed. Rare Cheesecake finishes with a very berry tartness that gives it life. Passion Fruit Mousse Cheesecake is another sweet and tart, a pretty little slice. 

The Chestnut Mont Blanc is like a white nutella, strands of chestnut over a bed of cream. 

Strawberry Shortcake is a safe option, a classic wedge of fluffy strawberry air. They were out of the hochija cake I wanted, so we jump from tea to coffee. The Tiramisu is an acceptable sub. Lots of cream, but still much lighter than most. 

Love this bakery, but all the stuff is fancy. Too much for an everyday snack but perfect for any occasion. 

Uncle Tetsu UPDATE - Torrance

A small price increase from $10 to $12, for a cheesecake worth every cent. 

I forget how much I love them when I don't remind myself, but I could almost eat one in a single sitting. The Original cheesecake is so airy and light, you barely notice how quickly you're shoveling it down, this mildly cheesy, just-sweet-enough circle of fluff that melts in your mouth.

Matcha is my least favorite, mostly because it's bitter. Still like it, but prefer all the others.  

Ube tastes like the original, tbh, but it's dyed a gorgeous purple. 

I love Japanese cheesecake - it's like cheesecake lite but better than the original. And I love Uncle Tetsu because they make it way too easy to get a good, reasonably-priced cheesecake.

Sampa's Gourmet Pizza UPDATE - Lomita

I’ve been ordering the wrong things from Sampas and that’s really saying something. 

Lauded as the best pizza chef in Brazil, they know what they're doing here. The Funghi Al Tartufo is perfection, a creamy concoction of mushrooms, parmesan and creamy ricotta sauce, enriched by all that truffle. There's no pizza quite like this one - if you only try one thing, let this be it. 

Prosciutto has slices of the perfect cure, roses in an arugula garden. 

Halfsies on the Strawberry Nutella and Churros for dessert, and the churro pizza wins, an indulgence of dulce de leche. Strawberry and nutella can't fail, but it does make the whole pizza a bit too rich. 

Every slice is splendid, simply superb. Two of the South Bay's best pizzas, all on a single plate. 

Ensenada's Surf & Turf Grill - Lawndale

When it comes to ordering dinner, I'm as indecisive as I am irritating. The one place we can always agree on is Ensenada. 

Inexpensive fresh-fish Baja's Burritos always hit the spot, and it's a two-meal deal of fried fish and shrimp. Generous portions with rice, beans, and condiments in even proportion. Get it grilled if you want less guilt. 

Burrito de Carne is hubby's favorite when he wants some steak. Same difference but not a standout like all their seafood. 

A Shrimp Ceviche is a cool starter too, cold and thoroughly marinated, though not too sour. It's a good size of a serving, and the quality is good for the price. 

It doesn't look like much on the outside, but Ensenada is exceptional. Eats like a fancy fish grill, priced like a Taco Bell. 

Top BBQ & Noodle - Gardena

Heralded as South Bay's substitute for San Gabriel, Top BBQ opened to lofty expectations. 

One of few places serving dim sum, they don't have much competition, but they are competitive all the same. 

Shrimp Hargow are among the better ones I've had. Good filling, and the wrapper has real texture despite falling apart too easily.

Shu Mai are standard shu mai, but the chewier wrapper gets props.

Char-siu Bao are more bao than char siu, but they're fluffy and filling. 

Steamed Spareribs are tender,

and I love a good Bean Curd Roll. 

Egg Custard Buns have a grainy filling, smooth without being too creamy. 

Duck Buns are a substantial appetizer, and two or three would make a meal. Pretty colors with cabbage and cilantro, but I prefer more duck, less bun.

Shrimp Chow Fun with "Thai sauce" resembles a drunken noodle. Delightful overall. 

Dry-fry Green Beans are a break from all the heavy meats. 

I also love the sauteed Cabbage, but quality will cost you, and here their whopping $16 for a one-dollar dish is a bit of a punch to the gut. 

Dinner is decent too, when dim sum time is over.

I didn't care for the Salt and Pepper Squid. Giant pieces of tough squid with a batter that tastes strangely sweet. Not like tempura, more like pancake. 

Char-siu Pork is sweet and sliced thin, a good standard,

but the Soy Sauce Chicken is a bit bland.

But they do make one heck of a Hainan Chicken. The rice is ripe with garlic and chicken broth, and the chicken is perfection.

I like it overall, a lot of solid stuff. It's quite good and I'm happy with it, but I don't think it's quite the SGV equivalent that was promised.

If you order on an app, the price is $3 extra on every single item. Call in your order - the staff are polite and helpful, and pick-up is easy with ample parking.