Greg and Ron Newman—the team behind Baja Sharkeez in Manhattan Beach and Panama Joe's in Long Beach—have opened an upscale Mexican eatery and tequila bar at 39 Pier Avenue in Hermosa. The walking street by the beach is known for casual dining concepts and sports bars, so Palmilla should be a welcome addition. The sexy design was carried out by Gula Jonsdottir and G+ Design (responsible for Red O and currently taking on SBE’s Hyde Lounge in Las Vegas).
Executive chef Christina Cipres is focusing on ceviches, including one made with fresh fish, ginger and aji amarillo (spicy Peruvian yellow chile). For the most part, it's typical Mexican fare but with a twist: nachos are topped with Dungeness crab and white shrimp; taquitos are filled with short rib. From the taqueria, hand-made corn tortillas come with a choice of cilantro-lime carne asada, Baja-style fried fish, and chicken adobo. Larger plates feature traditional roasted pork with refried white beans and corn relish, sautéed prawns with Spanish green olives and wood-fired oven dry-aged Angus New York strip served with a queso-stuffed grilled pasilla chile.
The bar features one of the largest premium tequila collections in the South Bay. Margaritas will be mixed with raspberry, mangos, watermelon, cucumber and Serrano chile. On a chilly night try the Mexican Hot Chocolate Martini which you can order from the walk-up bar on the patio. The beer list boasts several brews from South and Central America, as well as eight Mexican beers on tap. [The Feast]
Photo Credit: Carole Dixon
