South Bay Chef Darren Weiss Returns With New Hermosa Beach Gastropub | Eater LA

"An English hunting lodge–inspired gastropub on Hermosa Avenue opened by veteran chef Darren Weiss, it blends British comfort dishes with Asian and Pacific Rim influences. The menu ranges from pub staples—shepherd’s pie, pheasant sausage, and sautéed quail over fingerling potatoes—to fusion-forward plates such as a signature salmon with sweet Thai chile, peanut curry, crispy rice cake, and pickled cucumber, plus a duck confit salad with blue cheese and wild berry dressing. Shareable options include sliders, pulled-pork tostadas, grilled pork spare ribs, and braised buffalo shoulder risotto, while the duck orecchiette stands out for its umami-rich shiitake mushrooms, fresh spring peas, balanced herb-cream sauce, and al dente pasta served in portions big enough for two. The interior offers a grown-up, sit-down vibe with a wood-lined bar and cushy lounge seating, and a second-floor perch provides a nice beach-and-wave view. Cocktails run from classics like negronis and manhattans (and a chocolate martini) to originals such as the Sly Fox (whisky, St. Germain, tuaca, and lemon). Led by a CIA-trained chef with a long local track record who has overcome deafness and mentored others, the restaurant aims to fill a gap for more composed, upscale-ish dinner options in the South Bay. Open Tuesday–Sunday 5:00–10:00 p.m. (until 10:30 p.m. on weekends); closed Mondays." - Matthew Kang