Elka Warner
Thanks to the newly published “Top Dishes Hermosa Beach Cookbook,” foodies now have access to some of the city’s most beloved recipes from restaurants like Balan’s, The Bottle Inn and Radici.
Leadership Hermosa Beach 2024 launched the 200-page book on Thursday, June 20th at a well-attended event at Underground Pub & Grill.
The cookbook features recipes for Fox & Farrow’s flavorful Buffalo Risotto, Radici’s Creamy Vodka Penne, and The Source’s popular Avocado Toast with Cashew Cream, as well as Hermosa Pie & Cake Company’s apple strudel recipe and bartender-friendly ingredients for Palmira’s “Head in the Cloud Carajillo” mezcal drink.
“I see this book as a business card for all restaurants,” says Rosanna Savon, who came up with the idea for the cookbook. “It’s definitely a book that brings attention to the local restaurant scene.”
Savone said the hardcover book, with color photographs, is modeled after a similar Grove book featuring recipes from the Los Angeles Farmers Market.
Hermosa Beach is maturing as a foodie town, she said, and the leadership group wanted to showcase its culinary diversity.
“Hermosa has so much diversity. It has everything from great tacos to really fine dining,” she said.
The project also included another component: a competition in April in which restaurants presented three signature dishes on a tasting plate, after which diners could vote for their favorites, many of which were featured in the book.
The contest and cookbook were a way to support local restaurants that have been hit hard by the pandemic and rising food prices.
“Many local restaurants were struggling or had closed,” says Rachel Acker, project manager for Top Dish. “Our goal was to get people to try new dishes at restaurants and go places they might not normally go.”
More than 2,000 people voted for their favorite dishes prepared by the 30 restaurants that participated in the competition.
Some of Fox & Farrow’s dishes included Buffalo Risotto, Sweet Baby Gem, and Pheasant Sausage. They chose the risotto recipe for this cookbook.
While it may seem counterintuitive to share recipes for popular dishes with the public, Savone said it will generate interest in other restaurants’ menus.
“I can make all the risotto I want,” she said, “but I’ll never make it as good as Fox & Farrow’s, because they make it every day.”
Kieran Harrington, managing partner at Fox & Farrow and a Leadership Hermosa 2024 participant, said the cookbook was a massive undertaking that ultimately resulted in a work of art that highlights Hermosa’s culinary history.
“This was a big project celebrating local cuisine and the community as a whole,” Harrington said.
Proudly Serving has released the recipe for their popular PS Burger, which features a pound of ground beef, four slices of American cheese and their special sauce.
“At Proudly Serving, every burger is made with love and care, and every bite is a testament to Matt (McIver) and his team’s unwavering dedication to quality and flavor. From the sizzle of the grill to the final garnish, every detail is meticulously attended to, ensuring a dining experience that exceeds expectations,” Top Dish said.
In addition to recipes, the book also features background on local chefs and a brief history of the eateries.
Radici’s owners, Laura Francesco and her mother, Lucia Gasbarri, hail from “Pacentro, a picturesque village in Abruzzo,” and pay tribute to their Italian roots.
“Lucia’s culinary technique is uncompromising; there are no shortcuts in her kitchen,” the book states. “From hand-stretched gnocchi to slow-simmered sauces, Lucia’s commitment to excellence is apparent in every aspect of her cooking.”
The cookbook will inspire aspiring chefs and allow them to compare their own creations with the real thing.
“Maybe this will become a Hermosa tradition, like a fiesta,” Savone said.
The book costs $50 and can be ordered at topdishhermosa.com.
