After 26 years in the Palos Verdes Inn, South Bay classic Chez Mélange is moving about half a mile northwest to the space at 1611 Catalina Avenue that was last home to Paradiso Restaurant. Expect Michael Franks and Robert Bell to open the doors at their new home in early September with a "much bigger bar," "14 years on our lease," "new bathrooms" and "no more room service." Amen to that.
The Redondo Beach branch of Bluewater Grill has been completely remodeled, with a new interior by the Hatch Design Group, an expanded oyster-and-shellfish bar and a new outdoor patio and firepit. That's not all that's changed. There's a new small plates menu, along with a revised menu by chef Brian Hirsty – crispy-skin barramundi with fennel-and-olive reduction, anyone?