Brix@1601 Restaurant, Hermosa Beach

Where else can you get good music, over a 10,000 square-foot restaurant, featuring stone fireplaces, leather seating, brick archways and a cross-vaulted ceiling and excellent food? Among the traditional brix burger fare appear elegant dishes that
rival less casual, fine dining establishments. A sizable wine list holds its own
alongside the beer and spirits. Brix@1601 is an equally ideal gathering
place for happy hour, a business lunch, or a large dinner party because
everyone, from the burger-lover to the gourmet connoisseur, is
likely to find something that pleases their palate.

Casual and fine-dining come together with wine and catering at Brix Chef Michael McDonald was most recently the executive chef at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and his contemporary American menu utilizes local fish and organically grown fruits and vegetables. The sommelier, Caitlin Stansbury (formerly of Tasca and the Lodge), has crafted a list of more than 300 wines to compliment dishes such as Dungeness crab salad with green beans, frisee, heirloom beets and meyer vinaigrette; hot smoked salmon with crisp potatos, crème fraiche, caviar and herb salad; braised oxtail sandwich with gruyere, caramelized sweet onion and grilled country bread and
veal chop with tri-color cauliflower gratin, hari convert and tarragon jus.

Expect strawberry shortcake with Gaviota strawberries, vanilla mascarpone and honey lavender ice cream for dessert. A three-course tasting menu is also available.

A separate wine and tasting shop called brixwine is connected to the
restaurant and a caterer called brixcatering is always on call.

Krug Champagne Long Island Ice Tea

I loved their large and gorgeous bar, The bartenders are very friendly and aware as well. The service here, in fact, is impeccable. You generally do not have to wait terribly long at the bar. The real kicker is when you see the bar's managers walking around and greeting everybody. They invite you to have a good time and to enjoy yourself. You feel very welcome at their bar. The friendly atmosphere may in fact be the greatest I have encountered in Hermosa Beach. Drink prices are reasonable, and all their drinks are fantastic, and the atmosphere is really great, I loved it, you feel like it is okay to wait for your table, because you can really enjoy yourself at their amazing bar. I enjoyed a bottle of the most amazing Champagne; Krug Grande Cuvée which
is one of the crown jewels in the LVMH wine division, placed alongside the Moët et Chandon's Cuvée Dom Pérignon and Veuve Clicquot's La Grande Dame and my guest enjoyed his favorite: A Long Island Ice Tea, both were amazing drinks
that was a perfect combination to enjoy their fun and sexy bar!

Chimay Beer White Corn Chowder

Our friendly server promptly arrived at our table and offered us a few of their specialty libations to begin the meal. My guest had a chilled glass of crisp, Angeline Russian River Chardonnay, while I decided to try one of their famous ‘yard of ale’ selections; in this case, a well-hopped Chumay that was also from northern California.

The menu at the Brix @1601 is diverse, to say the least. In addition to all of the
typical food that one might expect, such as burgers, sandwiches and finger foods,
Chef Michael McDonald oversees the preparation of a bevy of fine dining
favorites that are designed to delight the most fastidious gourmet palate.

Duck Confit Spring Rolls

One example of this type of fare is their succulent, Duck Confit Spring Rolls,
which are one of the best appetizers I have ever had, and delicious hot
mustard dipping sauce. The flavors and textures in this tasty appetizer
were refined, delicate and of the highest quality.

Spicy Tuna Tartare

While I was still working on my yard of ale, Jessica showed up with a magnificent Spicy Tuna Tartare that was comprised of a seared Tuna, Pine Nuts, Cucumber and Avocado puree. The generous chunks of tuna were perfectly balanced
by the slightly tart greens and were a Tuna lovers dream.

Brix Sliders

We also had the pleasure of tasting their splendid Brix Sliders, with Arugula, Gruyere and Caramelized Unions, another example of how a simple appetizer dish can be transformed into the most decadent appetizer, simply deliciously prepared and I
loved the flavor of the meat, one of the best sliders in town, and to finish our
selection of great appetizers, we tasted the White Corn Chowder with White
Water Clams, Apple-wood Bacon and Smoked Fingerling Potatoes. A great
and light soup, a dream for those who appreciate a great Chowder!

Prime Ribeye

The best, however, was yet to come, as our smiling server placed our entrées
before us with a flourish. My guest practically swooned at the first bite of his
Prime Ribeye which weighed over 16oz was fork-tender and came with
fingerling potatoes salad, broccolini & garlic chips chimmichurri.

Butter Raised Maine Lobster

I had another of their house favorites, the fantastic Butter Raised Maine Lobster. The lobster was exceptionally fresh, artfully prepared and topped with a splendid English Pea Puree, Sweet Corn, Cippollini Onion and Pea Shoot Salad. Both of these main courses were of a quality that was equal to the finest gourmet restaurants in the city.

Chocolate Mousse Bombe Coconut Coupe

All of the desserts Brix @1601 are made in house, save for the Chocolate Mousse Bombe is as rewarding as a house-made dessert can be. Like every dish that precedes it, the flavors are forward and real, the carefully selected components combined in such a way to bring out the best of each of them. With Valrhona Chocolate, Caramelized Banana, Praline Cocoa Butter Ice Cream. The flavors
are complex, elusive, and make us realize the amazing inherent qualities of
each ingredient. Another great choice was the Coconut Coupe; with
Coconut Lime Sorbet, Kalamansi Gelee, and Raspberry Marmalade.
Yes, indeed a nice way to close our spectacular dinner!

The Brix@1601 doesn't just serve up quality food, it pays homage to it. Each dish
is a tribute to its ingredients, put together in a way that elevates each component
to its highest potential. In a world increasingly full of restaurants each day, it is refreshing to find one that prioritizes quality ingredients and simple
presentations that showcase the best that our earth has to offer.

The brix @1601 is a perfect restaurant to bring large parties of diners who may have vastly different values in regard to their levels of taste and sophistication. Just as its founder envisioned it is a place that offers something to satisfy the gastronomic desires of nearly everyone who passes through their doors.

For map and location click Here!

For more information please visit their website at www.brix1601.com

Today is: Thursday, April 18, 2024