"Dumpling Mix, a newish Chinese restaurant in Redondo Beach, has a pleasant modern interior (think blond wood panels, mid-century modern chairs, woven lantern light fixtures) and a menu full of Chinese and Taiwanese favorites sure to please a crowd. The right thing to do here is to honor its namesake with mixed-and-matched dumplings — from classic wontons in chile oil to ones packed with steamed fish and fresh herbs. The corn and crab egg soup or braised beef noodle soup are salves for colder days; Taiwanese sausage-pocked fried rice feels similarly warming. Head to Kirari West or Confections by Kirari West in the same complex after the meal for rice-flour-based breads, cakes, and cookies. — Nicole Adlman, cities manager" - Matthew Kang