At Vin Folk, Fine Dining Veterans Bring Polished Bistro Fare to Uber-Casual Hermosa Beach | Eater LA

"In a charming one-story structure just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean, this inventive, modern California bistro debuted in late 2024, with chefs Katya Shastova and Kevin De Los Santos leading a youthful team that puts captivating twists on classic dishes by drawing on their international backgrounds and a cast of notable supporting cooks. The intimate, candlelit dining room is romantic yet casual, and everything feels relaxed—even as the kitchen occasionally shouts a coordinated "Oui!"—with most diners sharing bottles and plates by the large corner windows or at sidewalk tables. Crudo may be ubiquitous in LA, but the bluefin tuna with fried shallot oil, Ukrainian eggplant caviar (ikra), and capers is one of the most memorable bites; headcheese toast is as briny and savory as it sounds, with pork headcheese and sauerkraut over Hokkaido milk bread; the chili crab risotto, made with Santa Barbara rock crab and crowned with a creamy cooked egg, will slay at every table; and the spin on fish en papillote resembles an impressionist painting, its folded-back parchment revealing a fresh catch layered with seasonal ingredients like summer corn, saffron, kohlrabi, leeks, squash, and edible flowers. Partner and wine veteran Christina Montoya curates an outstanding list from small producers, and don’t be surprised if someone in a chef coat takes your order—this unusual, front-and-back-of-house approach to exceptional service works, helping make this one of the South Bay’s most unexpected gems." - Mona Holmes