Eat Your Way Around Hermosa – Great food beyond the beach
By Zachary Gold, Hermosa Resident and Volunteer Writer
Coffee and a pastry at Gitana Cafe
2600 Hermosa Ave
It’s always great to get near the water and smell the sea air to start a day. The aroma of great coffee and pastries down by the strand at Gitana Cafe is unparalleled in quality. Gitana is a small, charming coffee shop with beautiful artwork, plant life, and some of the best coffee. For non-coffee drinkers like myself they have several teas and specialty drinks, but I love the lavender lemonade, which is a great refreshing drink on one of these hot, sun-clad days. I would recommend grabbing a drink and a pastry and taking a pleasant stroll down to the beach.
P.S. Be sure to take in the beautiful mural inside.
Bolt’s best breakfast tacos
190 Hermosa Ave
For another great spot to start the day, the breakfast at Bolt is unparalleled. I keep coming back to the Brisket breakfast tacos. As a BBQ aficionado, using their in-house smoked brisket comes through in these tacos. The tacos paired with a good muffin and a glass of fresh orange juice are one of my favorite ways to start a good beach day. Bolt has a great atmosphere and design, making It a great spot to stop and bite near the water, sit back, and enjoy great food.
P.S. Get there early to get the pasties right out of the oven.
The best avocados at Hook & Plow
425 Pier Ave
Hook & Plow is my favorite daytime spot
for a great meal with some intimate company, and the best thing to order for a small group is the Panko Avocados. These are my favorite appetizers anywhere in the beach cities; sometimes, they come out piping hot, so be sure to cut them first. But these are only the start of a great menu with unique, healthy, and hearty options for everyone. My favorite main dish would have to be the prime steak sandwich, but you can’t go wrong with anything at this restaurant.
P.S. Sunday morning brunches can be super busy, so best try and make a reservation for this spot.
Rocke it at Rockefeller
418 Pier Ave
One of the best gastro-pubs in the area, Rockefellers bode a great modern-meets-rustic atmosphere, fantastic food, and even better beer. One of my go-to meals sticks to the lighter side while I enjoy some other refreshments. The Rocke salad is a great light summer meal with some strawberries and a sherry honey vinaigrette that is to die for. When I feel more peckish, the menu has a great assortment of Burgers, tacos, and other sandwiches; I always love a good chicken pot pie. But this restaurant is a great place to have many people enjoy, thanks to the all-encompassing menu.
P.S. It’s best to come in the evening and grab a spot outside.
A new take on a classic at Creme de la Crepe
424 Pier Ave
Pier Ave is riddled with great restaurants, and one of the most recognizable ones is Creme de la Crepe. In an area with so many fantastic breakfast options, the long-standing French-style restaurant has been a staple since its opening in 2003. The amazing menu has stood the test of time in the changing area, and most patrons are brought in for the restaurant’s namesake, but I love something else on the menu—the Baguette french toast. This version of the classic dish is one of my favorites around the breakfast spots and is a wonderful carb-loaded way to start a day.
P.S. It’s an excellent spot for lunch on a nice hot day.
Wine and dine at Barsha
1141 Aviation Blvd
Barsha boasts a fantastic atmosphere for great nighttime events, and they do not disappoint. The menu has some culturally diverse dishes, which, paired with the constant music scene, is always entertaining. I love participating in the charcuterie board and a bottle of wine while taking in some tremendous artists who perform. The family-owned spot is a perfect stop for great nighttime snacks, an excellent meal, and great music.
P.S. Check the musician before you go to see what’s in store. ■