High End Greek Restaurant and other Manhattan Beach, CA Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Petros Greek Cuisine and Lounge

This restaurant is a pleasant new addition to the selection of restaurants in Manhattan Beach. The menu has a lot of different, creative offerings. Most of the menu is traditionally Greek, from the appetizers, like a selection of dips from hummus to tzaziki to babaganounsh, through to desserts and a selection of digestives, like ouzo and grappa.

The restaurant is new (opened Jan 2006) and the owner, Petros Benekos, is a first time restaurant owner (his background is in the clothing business and he has a clothing store next door the restaurant under the same name) and as you would expect there are some operational and service issues that will need to be worked out. I'm sure they'll figure it out soon.

The menu is delicious and the chef has done a terrific job. Their specialty entree is the roasted chicken. Doesn't sound that spectacular, huh? But it is awesome... still craving it. We also had the lamb chops which were great as well. We've had a couple different fish dishes as well, not as outstanding as the others. Portions are small... especially for the price.

Portion size isn't that important to me, but I even found these portions to be small. Especially when you consider the price of each dish, the portions seem even smaller. This place isn't cheap. The entrees are from mid 20's to high 30's. The drinks are pricey too.

All in all, I really dig this new place and I?ll be going back.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: (310) 545-4100
Address: 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 9026
Directions: The restaurant is in downtown Manhattan Beach, in the Metlox Center, right next to Shade Hotel
Website: www.petrosrestaurant.com

Restaurant Name: North End Cafe

This is a small locally owned cafe that specializes in breakfast/brunch/lunch items and coffee. All their food is prepared from very high quality ingredients and the price reflects it. You can find a cheaper breakfast meal elsewhere if you're only concerned about price, however the food is so good that I think it's a great value.

They have a large selection of egg dishes for breakfast and an even larger selection of hot and cold sandwiches for lunch.

The thing that I think makes this place so unique is that the owner and his whole family will be working almost every time you visit the place. John is the main guy taking your order and normally his son is working the kitchen and his wife and daughter in law are helping as well. They really take pride in the product they serve and you can taste it. Just watch John make your espresso drink... and you can taste the care he puts into it.

Favorite Dish: Coffee - the Capri. The fresh lemon zest is making my mouth water as I write this.

Food - the Big Jim. a couple of fried eggs with bacon over an open face turkey sandwich with a side salad. It's kind of breakfast meets lunch dish.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 310.546.4782
Address: 3421 Highland Ave
Directions: West side of highland at 35th.

Manhattan Beach Brewing Company
Good bar food. Nice TVs.

Favorite Dish: Spicy Chicken Strips (buffalo style) If you order this item, do so with caution. First of all, it is not on the menu, and therefore it is sometimes prepared incorrectly. I have found the highest rate of success with the following order: 'chicken strips, buffalo style... breaded and tossed in the wings sauce'. Secondly, you should be careful because they are very addictive. Most weekends you can find me there enjoying this appetizer along with the seasonal televised sporting events. Lastly, they are hot, so if you enjoy the milder side of life, I would stray from this reccommendation.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Directions: Manhattan Beach Blvd. Just west of highland, on the south side of the street.

Restaurant Name: El Tarasco

Hole in the wall Mexican food. After a long day at the beach or a long night at the bars, El Tarasco (or El T) is unbeatable. There have been many other El T's opened recently, but the original is in Manhattan Beach on the corner of Highland and Rosecrans. There isn't much seating inside... only about 10 seats, so you may have to take it to go. Don't expect to get warm service from the employees... they know their food is good and the people keep coming back so they don't kiss any ass.

Favorite Dish: For first timers... get the chicken tacos. You won't be dissapointed. I still order that at least half the time. The other half, I'll get the burritos, the enchiladas, the carne asada plate... it's all good. With every order, you get a heaping portion of chips and salsa. You won't leave El T hungry.

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Theme: Mexican
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 310.545.4241
Address: On Rosecrans, just up the hill from Highland.
Directions: Take Rosecrans to the beach... it's one your left just before Highland

Restaurant Name: The Kettle

The Kettle is open 24 hours a day and there is always someone in there. If you go on the weekends during breakfast or lunch expect to wait up to 45 minutes.

You can get anything from an omlette to a burger to homemade soups... it's American comfort food. That means its hearty and usually not too healthy, but it makes you feel good... like home cooking.

Favorite Dish: On Sundays my favorite dish is the Tortilla Soup... it's savory and very spicy... it's delicious.

All other days, the best thing they have is the French Onion Soup... it's off the charts.

Non-soup favorites include the Johnathon B. It's a cheese burger and then some... it's got everything you could wish for including ham.... mmmmmmm good. If you like burgers, the Johnathon B will not dissappoint.

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Theme: American
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 310-545-8511
Address: Corner of Highland and Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Directions: Center of Downtown Manhattan Beach

Restaurant Name: Katsu Sushi

This place used to be called Kina Sushi... before that it was BBQ joint. It has always been tough for restaurants to make it in this location because there isn't much parking. However, it looks like Katsu may be catching on. I've only been there once so far (July 2005), but I will be going back. It was packed when I was there and because of that the service was really slow. The sushi was good... not great but for small, neighborhood sushi place it was good enough. I'll try it again and update the food description.... jury is still out.


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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: Corner of Rosecrans and Highland

Restaurant Name: Sloopy's

This place is truly unique. You order at the counter and then take a seat at one of the many tables constructed from driftwood or a wagon wheel. At night they light the fire pit in the middle of the dining area... there's no roof on the dining area but because of all the ferns, trees and other vegetation, you won't know be sure if you're sitting inside or out.

If you want to call it in and pick it up, the number is below.

Favorite Dish: It's all good and this place has range. From the banana/chocholate milkshakes, to the Mahi Mahi sandwich, to the bacon gaucamole cheddar burger, to the mother nature (all veggie) sandwich... the food is solid. Take it to go and eat it at the beach, or sit in the attrium and enjoy they greenhouse-type dining area.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 310.545.1373
Address: Highland between 34th and 35th

Restaurant Name: Penny Lane Sushi

You will never find this place unless someone tells you about it. I've lived in Manhattan for 6 years now and just tried this place for the first time last week. It was a very pleasant suprise. I've seen it a couple times and even heard many people say how good it is, but for some reason I never gave it a chance... but now i'm glad i did. I'll need to try it a few more times but from my first visit i think it's the best sushi in Manhattan Beach.

It has a real local feel to it because they have a membership program whereby the frequent dinners get their own chopsticks and other benefits. Non-members like myself have to eat with the standard wood chopsticks. I think members get discounts too... but i'm not sure. I'll report back as soon as i earn member status... i'm on my way.

When people walk in everyone gives a shout out to "Jack"... i think he's one of the sushi chefs and probably the owner, but that is only speculation at this point.


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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Directions: 9th street between Manhattan Ave and Highland. Across the street from the SideDoor bar if you know where that is.

Restaurant Name: Daily Grill

This place is terrible. We go here a lot, and everytime, we all walk out of the restaurant saying it will be our last time. The reason we keep going back is because it's easy to get a table for a large group .... and that should be a bad sign in itself.

The quality of the food is best part of the restaurant and the food can best be described as AVERAGE. Everything on the menu is AVERAGE... it's like eating at a convalescent home... everything is bland and flavorless as if not to offend a senior citizen's palet.

The service is horrible. You'd think the managers are trying to run the place out of business. The management is rude and that rudeness flows down through each one of the servers.

It is really strange because this is a chain restaurant and you'd think they'd have some better training and controls on their staff.

If you're looking for lunch in the area, try Houston's across the street... they take reservations now so you don't have to wait for ever... their phone number is 310.643.7211.

Amendment as of 6/13/06. I hadn't been back in over a year, but recently tried it again. Food hasn't changed, but at least the new managers and staff seem to much, much better. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the food will improve the same way as the staff has.

Favorite Dish: There is no favorite. There is nothing even a shade above average on the menu.

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Theme: American
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Directions: on Rosecrans... but this is a chain, so you may see them elsewhere... just run away.

Restaurant Name: Houston's

This place is always packed. If you want to go for lunch, you need to get there by 11:30, or call for a reservation. They have recently started taking reservations for parties of 4 or less. Since they have been doing that, i've been going much more frequently. If you don't have a reservation, you can wait up to an hour to get in at lunch and it can be even worse for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night.

Favorite Dish: The spinich artichoke dip is the best. It is often imitated at other restaurants but i don't think anyone has matched it.

The prime rib french dip is unbelievable. In fact i have one friend who eats at Houston's frequently and he has never even tried anything else on the menu. It is a little strange because i've noticed that at some houston's the will use a different bread than the one in Manhattan Beach, so if you try it elsewhere, the bread might not be as good.

They are famous for the ribs.

All the food is great.

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Theme: American
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 310-643-7211
Address: 1550-A Rosecrans Avenue