Slay Hermosa — Restaurant in Hermosa Beach

The Baseline: For a sit down upper-scale restaurant is the quality of the food, existence of any unique offerings, quality of the service, and ambiance of the overall dining experience.

Food: There was not a single dish that we had at Slay Hermosa that wasn’t great. Appetizers were the Fried Calamari and Watermelon Salad and wow to the salad. The Watermelon salad had an incredible white vinaigrette and tajin spice. Get this salad! The Double Smash burger was a solid burger. The entree star was the Pork Chop that was cooked perfectly and the bed of sweet corn risotto made it wonderful. For the finish was the Butter Cake that was warm and dense like I love it. Mixed with the ice cream with berry drizzle and my Cafe au Lait it was a perfect ender to the meal.

Service: Fantastic top notch service that covered us for our visit. We were always asked at the right time if we needed anything. Also we got the best suggestions from our waiter.

Ambiance: Hermosa Beach on a rooftop dining area right at sunset… perfect time to dine and all will be fine. Great setting for a great meal. Didn’t use the restroom but it was getting cleaned when I left. The dining area was clean and the restaurant while compartmentalized is very...

I love the atmosphere and design choices at Slay Hermosa, from the neon light up sign to the murals. The lower patio is dog friendly although you’re right on the busy street corner, and they also have indoor and upstairs seating available if you don’t bring a dog. We were able to make a reservation on OpenTable, and they had parking available on the nearby streets. The lamb meatballs appetizer come in a soup-like broth, and while it may seem tempting to enjoy it like soup after the meatballs, it’s really intended to be eaten together with the lamb, as it can be a bit salty on it’s own. Unfortunately, the server and menu didn’t mention that there were only 3 meatballs, so the 4 of us had to do an awkward split.

If it’s cold like it was when we went, I recommend the mussels entree, $26. If you’re gluten free, they’re able to remove the macaroni noodles and two pieces of bread, and if you’re dairy free they’re able to remove the butter. Although it wasn’t as filling without the bread, I was really glad that they were able to accommodate for dietary...

The BRISKET GRILLED CHEESE at Slay Hermosa ROCKS!

While the atmosphere was fantastic, the absolute showstopper was this sandwich. This is not your average comfort food; it's a truly original and awesome culinary experience that you simply must try.

This sandwich is a genius combination. It perfectly balances the richness of the smoky, tender brisket with the sharpness of the yellow cheddar and the creamy melt of the Havarti cheese. What truly elevates this dish is the Strawberry & Calabrian Jam. This sweet and surprisingly spicy kick cuts through the savory cheese and meat, making every single bite dynamic and unforgettable.

The bread was perfectly crisped and buttered, providing that ideal grilled cheese crunch. It’s hearty, filling, and utterly unique. If you are looking for a bold twist on classic flavors, skip the standard menu and order this.

Highly...