Jus’ Poke UPDATE - Redondo Beach

From my first visit six years ago to my most recent take-away last month, Jus’ Poke has never failed to deliver. 

There’s never been a single piece of tuna that hasn’t been fantastic, and unlike the mixed-to-order assembly-line style of their competitors, tuna from Jus’ Poke marinates all day long. Even the sample of tofu poke I tried out of curiosity was full of flavorful salt and soy. 

They have the freshest tuna, gem-sized chunks that glow ruby-red. The Shoyu poke gleams burgundy-brown, the Wasabi pink with a glint of green. The sides are always perfectly cooked edamame and fresh seaweed salad, and I always snag a Musubi when I can. 

There’s not a single piece of poke here that I don’t love, and this is an homage to one of my oldest favorites, one of the first to make poke before poke stormed the South Bay. Jus Poke put down its roots long before the slew of Pokebars, and with unquestionable quality and infallible ingredients , they’ll be here long after the others are gone. 

Fatto a Mano UPDATE - Redondo Beach

Fatto a Mano, this fatto has missed you and all your carbs!

The Gnocchi is the carbiest of them all, little potato pillows with with a fresh slurry of Pesto.

Ribbons of Pappardelle get evenly coated with anchovy sauce. There’s extra surface area for the fish-oil to cling, and the flavor is both bold and fragile, a flavor-burst like roe. This sauce also has some serious spice so every bite will bite you back.

The Fettuccini is a smooth and silky, covered in a luxurious Bolognese. The bits of ground meat are juicy and incredibly tender, much fattier than your average meat sauce, with a tomato base that is on the sweeter side with a hint of tang.

The Spaghetti highlights some fresh, tender Clams. The brine is minimal, and with a simple toss of olive oil and parsley, the end product will dazzle.

My first encounter with Maccheroni and my first with the Porcini Mushrooms and Sausage as well. The tubes are floppy and ribbed, and the ends taper like the shell of a snail. I've never seen a pasta this pretty, especially when paired with mushrooms a and mild sausage. I love that this sausage gives the porcini a boost, yet the pork doesn't overpower. 

I don't know when I forgot, but I forgot how much I appreciate Fatto a Mano. The menu makes is all seem so simple yet the result is anything but. The flavors are robust, the sauces are hearty, and the pasta is perfection. Some Italians brought the best of Italy to Redondo, and I’ll be bringing that home as I can for as long as they’ll let me!

Taishi Hainan Chicken UPDATE - Redondo Beach

What's better than a box of Hainan Chicken? A PLATTER of hainan chicken!

I married a white man, and aside from me, his Asian obsession is this white chicken. He loves his hainan, and ironically, it was me who wasn’t all in. Steamed chicken can be as white-bread as it looks unless it's done right and steamed chicken is easily slimy with a minimal margin of error. Taishi’s chicken is juicy and tender without being mushy, and I even prefer the steamed to the fried. The garlic rice is great as well, and the sauces are not to be skipped. One is biting and sharp and full of garlic, and the other is a smooth and simple soy. 

The platter comes with some Chicken Soup, a clear broth meant to lead into the meal. I barely sample the soup most days, but this one is exceptional. It is so savory and so flavorful, a sip of a chicken's soul. I swear I could have had nothing else and this broth would have been enough.

The broth is great, and I’ve heard the five spice soup is even better. Setting that up for next time, which should be soon because aside from being extremely delicious, Taishi is extremely affordable. For a pretty healthy take-out option on nights you just can’t cook, Taishi can easily become a staple. 

The Pan - Lomita

We used to say that breakfast was the most important meal of the day, but these days the opinions diverged. The battle between the “most important meal” crew and team “intermittent fasting FTW” is raging, but The Pan can be their Switzerland. 

Their all day breakfast menu serves up day-starters to break your fast whenever you think is best, and if you don't mind waiting, you and your crew of don't-eat-elites can still clink mimosas at 7 PM or whenever you choose to stop starving. 

Start with some Pancakes if you're looking for a classic. The Pan does all sorts, and all of them are all sorts of awesome. 

Cynical me always said that a pancake never changed my life, but these Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes are an obsession. The pineapple cooks like it's candied, and the syrup infuses that pineapple-y essence into this three-stack.

The Lemon Dream Pancakes are fluffy and sweet with a whipped cream topper that turns curd into chiffon. Enough of a sugary tang to keep the lemon lighter but enough creamy curd to keep it filling and bearably dense. 

A little less sugar in the Georgia Peach Corn Cakes if you’re wanting a little more savor. Cornmeal tempers gooey summer peach in the form of a pancake-and-cornbread love-child.

If you're feeling something savory, don’t let my careless Ubereats guy turn you off to the Short Rib Benedict. The photo makes it look like short rib regurgitated, but the flavors are super fun. The short rib is barbacoa style, and it's full of lots of juice. I’m a sucker for sweet corn cakes and the smooth drizzle of street corn calls to me. The creamy poblano sauce adds some spice to bite through all the goo. Beware: the poached eggs will cook en route so the yolks will lose some run.

Don't overlook the a la carte menu either. Get a Biscuit and Gravy for a sample of southern comfort.

They make a good side of Hash Browns as well, but why settle for just hash browns...

When you can have them Loaded? Pile on sunny side up eggs and interweave bits of sausage and bacon. Melt some cheese on top with stripes of aioli with a bit of spice. It's a heart attack on a plate, but I can think of worse ways to go.

Just want a simple breakfast? The Lumberjack has all the things. Get your bacon, your sausage, your eggs any way you want them, and some notable well-seasoned, evenly-cooked house potatoes. 

Covid has forced all couples to compromise, but at least at a place like The Pan, breakfast doesn’t have to be a sacrifice. Eat it or don't and eat it if they won't, but it's an option anytime you’re willing.