"Vista" provides an enjoyable and delicious eating experience

by Sydney Lamich

When Hermosa’s well-known eatery Mermaid closed its doors for good after more than 50 years of steak and seafood goodness, it seemed likely that whoever took over the business would continue this norm.

After two attempts that failed to last more than a few years, I expected another one to take its place, serving simple steaks and fried seafood. Especially with Hermosa’s other pier restaurants, greasy seafood and burgers seem to ft right in. However, in December 2021, the South Bay got "Vista," a modern refnement of tiki bar food, infuenced by Polynesian and Asian cuisine.

Walking down the Hermosa Beach pier quite often, I kept seeing the newly renovated restaurant surrounded by string lights, a variety of plant decor and a cornhole game set up. When I fnally got the chance to try it, I was greeted by the owner, Justin Safe: an East Coast seafood lover wanting to show the South Bay his take on savory, favorful meals, cooked to perfection.

My family and I decided to sit inside where minimalist color palettes, vinery and modern table settings made the place even cozier. Contemporary pop music fowed throughout the restaurant, creating a fun and youthful atmosphere.

The menu included a variety of “small plates” (appetizers), ranging from palm sugar monkey bread smothered in coconut butter (or placed on the side) to blue crab nuggets topped with tartar remoulade and shichi-mi, diferent kinds of salads and “large plates,” consisting of diferent entrées that are made to share or enjoy on your own.

We started of with the jumbo lump crab & yuzu guacamole for $18 and the blue crab nuggets for $17. I ordered the signature double “butter” burger for $16 and I did not regret it.

It took around 3 minutes before we saw the beautifully put-together masterpiece of an appetizer. Garnished with edible orange and yellow fowers, topped with a lemon and lime to fnish it of, the guacamole looked too pretty to eat. Served with homemade fufy tortilla chips that melted in your mouth, this guacamole was the highlight of my dining experience. The lasting lemon and lime favor blended perfectly with the salty chips, sweet crab and fresh avocado.

After two more minutes, the blue crab nuggets came out, served in a cute pastel green bowl, topped with ci lantro and a few more edible fowers. The breading tasted like a light, crispy panko crust bordering a buttery warm sweet blue crab cooked beautifully.

Following the two meals, our waiter, who was very nice and happy to answer any of our questions about the menu, brought out my burger. The juicy double-deck er patty dripping with warm butter brought this meal to life, additionally covered with classic cheese, crisp lettuce, smashed avocado and roasted garlic aioli. My tastebuds were in heaven as everything came together and made a truly fantastic burger.

Vista, with its charm, was reasonably priced for the area and showed a unique on simple meals. Considering it’s a couple of steps away from the sandy beach, the spectacular views of the ocean sunset, pleasant atmosphere, great service and mouthwatering food make sure this restaurant will stay in Hermosa longer than anpat -