The Hook & Plow — Restaurant in Redondo Beach

Had dinner with family (group of 4) on Friday night. We were seated just inside the open patio on a chilly night but they had adequate space heaters running to keep it comfortable. We opened with a dozen oysters and a plate of Grana Padano fries. The oysters were fresh and tasty but dinky. I also got a taste of cilantro, a flavor I dislike anyway, but failed to notice being mentioned on the menu item (it IS mentioned, I missed it) Had I spotted it I would have asked them to leave that off. I requested a mignonette for them but that was a no-go. Anyway, as I said they were fresh and tasty minus the blast of cilantro sneaking in, but the sad part was that they were simply miniscule. I think they are buying them by the pound and selling them per oyster. Entrees at our table were 2 orders of the "Fresh off the hook" catch of the day item, that being Halibut, a "Jidori Brick Chicken Breast" and a "Hook and Plow Burger." The burger was HUGE and my niece thoroughly enjoyed it. My wife had the chicken and liked the spices and dish fine. My and my niece's beau had the Halibut. It is served atop a stewed concoction of red pearl onions and artichoke/sunchoke hearts. The flavors of this substrate were okay but nothing to write home about. The Halibut was a nice looking piece of fish but when I cut into it I found it rather soft and mushy and not spiced at all. Halibut is a firm, steaky, fish, and I like a nice toothsome bite. I would not order it again. Waitstaff servers were all great, nice people, but for seafood I think I would search for a...

Hook & Plow in Redondo Beach delivers a delightful dining experience with its farm-to-table philosophy and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Operated by twin sisters Lisa and Lauren Cassity, this family-run restaurant group has grown from its first Hermosa Beach location 10 years ago to four locations today. Their commitment to sourcing seafood, meats, and produce locally and organically is evident in the quality of the food, which is made from scratch and reflects the changing seasons.

We visited on a vibrant Friday evening and were lucky to snag an outdoor table with heating, thanks to our wonderful server. She even brought our dog a grilled chicken treat, which was such a thoughtful touch!

The menu, while concise, offers a well-curated selection of dishes. We started with the burrata salad, which featured fresh arugula and a hint of vinaigrette—a perfect balance of creaminess and zest. For our main, we had the short ribs, served with smooth mashed potatoes. The flavor was outstanding, though the short ribs could have been slightly more tender.

The Redondo Riviera’s lively ambiance added to the experience, making it an enjoyable evening of good food and a great setting. Hook & Plow is a solid choice for casual fine dining with a local, seasonal twist. We’ll definitely be back to explore more of their menu as the...

This used to be my go to place for date night with my husband, celebratory dinner spot, etc. I went specifically for the baked chicken dish. It was my absolute favorite. Even after the price went up, because I understood they had to make adjustments for the losses during the lockdown. For some reason, this winning dish was taken from the menu and replaced with another chicken dish that is sad in comparison. Instead of fresh sourdough, there are croutons. And the leek cream is minimal. It makes for a very salty addition to the tobacco glazed chicken. And to be honest it's not as attractive. We asked if there was a new chef and/or why they removed the dish and they told us no new chef and it was removed because it was too dry. The new chicken dish was dry. Even the spicy cucumber drink I used to get is gone and replaced with another that is too spicy. We have tried other dishes and found them to be bland. It's not the servers fault so we don't make a fuss. We still love the clam chowder and the ambiance, but they're not enough of a reason to spend $200+. I'm sad because I loved going to this place and it was always my choice when my husband asked for suggestions, but after the last 3 visits I just can't suggest...