I visited the second annual Saturday—the first day of the two-day event. The clear, warm day and the beautiful blue ocean were the perfect backdrop for this free event. Patrons strolled along the boardwalk as live music wafted through the air. There was face-painting available for the little ones, free samples of tea and a booth for the upcoming South Bay Food Fest, but what dominated the event was food.
Food tasting tickets were available at $1 a piece with proceeds benefiting the and the Redondo Beach Educational Foundation. Quite a handful of restaurants participated, and it was easy to fill up on the offerings.
The served a small sample of its fish and chips. The crinkle-cut french fries were golden, warm, crunchy and not overly salty. The single piece of fish was also quite crispy; it fell apart easily but still retained some moisture. It was a nice snack that was perfect for strolling along the pier or sitting and enjoying the view.
Along with its million-dollar oceanfront views, offered diners a four-piece portion of its California rolls. The fresh rice, moist crab and crunchy cucumbers contrasted well with the salty soy sauce drizzled on top. Just this sampling was enough to make me want to come back for a full meal.
, a busy, quick-service stand served clam chowder. The small cup of soup was warm, slightly peppery and creamy with bits of soft potatoes. The stand definitely did not skimp on the chewy clams which were found en masse. Not bad for a sample.
Maui Wowi gave patrons just a hint of the islands with its sampling of Hawaiian coffee—or in my case, a small mango orange smoothie. Served in a cute sample size cup complete with a paper umbrella, this small serving helped cool me off on the warm afternoon. The melding of mango and orange tasted quite like bubblegum—not overly sweet, yet retaining its fruitiness—and it was blended to a creamy consistency.
These, of course, were just some of the restaurants featured. It was quite possible to try every participating restaurant as long as you came with your appetite. It was a great way to spend the afternoon and a highly organized event filled with warm smiles from both the businesses and the diners. I look forward to the next event.
The Taste of the Pier event is scheduled to continue Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. at the .
