Decadence — Restaurant in Hermosa Beach

The problem a lot of locals find with nicer bars and restaurants that attempt to open in the area is that they're either run by poor local management or they serve tiny, fancy food portions, the donut all cater to a beach crowd who wants to be fed, full, and happy with wine by the time they leave.

That was not the case with Decadence. I went here today just as a trial run with my laptop to check the place out and have a glass of wine. I stayed for about three hours. They have an absolutely extensive wine list that has 1 to 3 variations for all wine lovers and wine types. The food list is actually smaller, making it much easier to pick out a main dish versus spending 45 minutes turning pages back and forth to find something you think you might like. It very much gives the feel that they took time perfecting six to seven dishes per type vs. being mediocre at 30 different food types.

I eventually made dinner plans and had a couple friends join me. We ordered the roasted chicken, scallops, and the burger, and the charcuterie board as an appetizer. Everything was perfect! all three are easy to overcook if you're not paying attention just for a couple minutes. The scallops is were seared on top but perfectly moist throughout, the burger (medium rare, as it should be) had a lot of taste for very minimal toppings, and the chicken was lightly seasoned with a very light au ju sauce. They have a fantastic way of creating a lot of flavor with minimal ingredients and moderate seasoning. I loved it!

And finally, the staff consists of nothing but rock stars. never did we have a drink below half empty without being offered a new one, never did an empty plate or napkins sit on the table without being cleaned up in seconds, and it was just great to have such friendly, organized people in a city that typically consist of bars who cater to the lowest possible denominator (don't get me wrong, I frequent most of them).

What I wanted to see in Decadence, as it seems like business owners are trying to make us look more and more like Manhattan every day (I've lived there too), is a bar that doesn't frown on us for wearing flip flops but easily welcomes high heels. It's a tough spot to be in near the beach but I think this place...

Hosting my party at Decadence in Hermosa Beach was an absolutely fantastic experience! From the very beginning, working with Skylar and her staff was seamless and stress-free. Skylar was incredibly accommodating and ensured that every detail was taken care of. Our group of 32 guests had ample space with a perfectly arranged setup of tables that allowed everyone to mingle comfortably--whether sitting or standing.

The food was outstanding, featuring a delicious spread of meats, cheeses, fruits, crudités, and dips that catered to every palate. To top it off, the passed appetizers were both creative and flavorful, leaving our guests raving about the variety and quality.

The highlight of the evening was the live music. The violinist was not only a talented musician but also an engaging performer, adding a lively and elegant touch to the event. It was the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable night.

If you're planning an event, I couldn't recommend Decadence more. Skylar and her team went above and beyond to make our celebration memorable, and I look forward to hosting another event there...

Once upon a time, they had one of the best burgers in the world. And this is coming from a burger aficionado that's travelled the world looking for the best one.

That was perhaps for the first 6 months or a year. Then, they either got a new chef, or decided to pare down on the quality of ingredients, but it is just not anywhere close to as good. What's worse, it's actually worst than most of the other burgers around the rest of Hermosa.

The last straw was 2 weeks ago when our 4-top ordered 3 burgers, cooked differently. 1) they came out separately, 5 minutes apart. 2) the simple additional changes requested weren't there. 3) the service was actually about as forgetful as is possible.

Decadence - go back to what you had. It was a winning combination. Now... there's a reason that you're one of the most empty locations...