South Bay restaurants
![The bar of 1321 Downtown Taproom and Bistro in Torrance. The restaurant is run by chef Greg Paul, formerly of the Oaks Gourmet in Hollywood.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/47a0f1b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/600x369+0+0/resize/600x369!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F52%2Ff2%2Fa90018283a24263a8e70b324e96a%2Fla-fo-0616-southbay01-lmiem0nc.jpg)
The bar of 1321 Downtown Taproom and Bistro in Torrance. The restaurant is run by chef Greg Paul, formerly of the Oaks Gourmet in Hollywood. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Candles provide soft lighting at 1321 Downtown Taproom and Bistro in Torrance. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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A dish of rock shrimp and Chilean crab cake at 1321 Downtown Taproom and Bistro in Torrance. The menu here is Latin-flavored comfort food with adventurous edges. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The crowd of diners at M.B. Post in Manhattan Beach seems to verify that the wealthy beach community can sustain high-end restaurants. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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One of the features of M.B. Post in Manhattan Beach is long, wooden communal tables. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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A ham and cheese board at M.P. Post includes jamon serrano, picante salami, Challechocker cheese, Mycella blue cheese, pretzels, pickles, olives and fruit. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)