Greetings everyone, as we inch closer to Christmas and, thankfully Dear God, 2021. As the shuttering of California drones on, I want to continue to salute, support and applaud local establishments, who are fighting for their lives. As I read my monthly Food & Wine magazine, I sadly peruse the list of great Los Angeles places that have closer permanently during this siege. Broken Spanish, Ray Garcia’s terrific take on modern Mexican has sadly closed it’s doors and Here’s looking at you Kid, Lien Ta’s eclectic and memorable Koreatown establishment has also, sadly, closed. In the South Bay, Brooke Williamson’s Hudson House has drawn the blinds and so many more are in danger. If you can get Take-out from a locally owned spot, please do and let’s do our part to save this industry.

Bar of the Week– THE CREST Old Town Torrance

All of the places that I have written about have a personal importance to me but The Crest has a special place in my heart. The Owners, Jason Rath and Shane McColgan aren’t just friends, they’re family to me. Fun, funny and terrific guys, they, along with little Jimmy Wenceslao, set the pace of this Old Town Torrance spot.

A longtime staple of Torrance, these gentlemen have turned this one time dive into a full fledged bar and grill. Terrific food highlights this B ‘n G, and a thriving night life adds character to the area. Sadly, due to too much bureaucracy, their outdoor patio took longer than needed to open but finally it was and it changed the look and face of the place. And then, of course, the newest shutdown.

Old Town Torrance has had a solid restaurant revival and The Crest has stood in the middle of it. Always a key stop on the Annual Joe Jost trip (Monday’s upcoming blog), The Crest is always a favorable option for me. Although salad bars are going the way of the Dodo, The Crest always had a solid salad bar and a much needed influx of greens for me.

Give them a visit and order Take-Out of one of their great sandwiches (they make their own bread in-house) or order one of their pizzas. The Crest is a locally owned business and the epitome of what needs local support. Visit and ask to meet Shane; you’ll immediately begin working on your impersonation of him.

This week’s Tip of the Cap goes to the first wave of the vaccine. I have no idea what people’s thoughts are on vaccines but just the emergence of one (two?) feels like the beginning of the end of this nightmare.

A stern Wag of the Finger to the Ground’s staff at Green River Golf Course in Corona. I know times are tough but Jesus, could you tend to the rough just a little bit. I’m not talking grass too high, just flatten some areas for us to drive the cart on. Bumpy? I think the original Oregon Trail was smoother (not for the Donner family, of course). Riding the golf cart was like taking on moguls at Big Bear and my kidney’s thought it was a stick up. How about a little effort boys!

That’s it for me this week. Stay tuned for Monday’s homage to the Annual Joe Jost trip and our annual Haj to that Mecca. Be good to one another as we enter Yuletide season and, hopefully, the fourth quarter of this pandemic. We can do this everyone! And to all my friends, please take my advice; pull down your pants and slide on the ice.

Kevin R. Andrade