By Joylynn Lee
Arts Editor
Esperanza enters Manhattan Beach, raising standards with its unique interior and savory food and drinks.
Esperanza, Manhattan Beach’s newest Sonoran restaurant, gives a modern and exciting feeling once you enter. The bustling noises of customers and the quaint and modern feel of the restaurant’s design gives people a cozy place to sit, eat, and to talk with friends and family. Right before you enter and take a glimpse from outside, you’re immediately aesthetically pleased since there’s a large, beautiful shimmering gold bar that your eyes immediately get drawn to the moment you walk in.
Located near the pier, Esperanza made its opening in Manhattan Beach on July 29. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants and shops had their openings delayed, and Esperanza was one of them since it was set to open in 2019. Although, even with delays, this new restaurant is a great addition for Manhattan Beach.
The location of Esperanza is placed perfectly, as it is walking distance to the beach. Opened less than two months ago, the restaurant is already packed and full of customers. Therefore, it is necessary to reserve a table two to three weeks prior before dining in. On Fridays and Saturdays they open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. The rest of the week has dining hours from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
The menu contains a variety of items: Appetizers, Salads, Soup, Vegan Selections, alcohol/non-alcoholic drinks, and includes a Dulce (dessert) menu. Esperanza has an amazingly diverse selection of foods to choose from. In the drinks menu, Esperanza can make non-alcoholic margaritas and mojitos. All the drinks usually come out in a very aesthetic way, with bright and popping colors. The entire drink menu consists of categories titled Margaritas, Cocktails, Sangrias, Bloody Mary’s, Tequila, and wine. Esperanza can make an exceptional non-alcoholic strawberry margarita. This bright pink drink that overflows over the brim is the drink to order when you just want to sit down and enjoy the feel of the restaurant. The strawberry margarita is very sweet and can definitely lift up a mood.
The Ceviche Tres Maneras is a one-of-a kind dish to order when coming to this restaurant. It comes with either plantain or tortilla chips that can be dipped in three different sauces: Blanco, Los Cabos, and Pineapple Camarones. The Pineapple Camarones have a perfect balance of many flavors, while the Los Cabos is typically a sauce that contains a lot of spices that can upset customers that aren’t particularly fond of spice. The restaurant menu is heavily based on seafood, since they’re well known for their ceviches. Therefore, if one is looking for typical Mexican food, this restaurant is definitely not the one to go to, since many dishes leave a fresh taste.
Esperanza made a great selection when hiring the employees, since all of the employees were very approachable. Every one of the staff was very welcoming and made sure to always come frequently to each table in order to to make sure that everything was going well. Some would even stay, eagerly explaining how to properly eat a dish so it would be a better experience. Also, the employees are welcoming and talkative, often starting conversations with customers despite the restaurant’s high demand for service.
The interior design of this restaurant is incredible. There are lavish bright yellow leather seats handcrafted from Italy. It has perfect dim lighting indoors, and when the sun goes down, Esperanza dims the lights more, bringing attention to the beautiful authentic and original lamps from Mexico and Italy hanging from the ceiling. There’s also a beautiful sunset to view right outside. Esperanza leaves all doors open during business hours, so the beautiful sunset can be seen by everyone dining in the restaurant. The overall environment is calming, featuring light grey paint and a few small shelves glued onto the walls, adding a unique style of patterns and designs. These aesthetic additions to the design make up the overall unique and modern look of this restaurant.
This Sonoran Cuisine has a great presentation, but the food and drinks can take a while to be served to the customers. For instance, waiting for a drink can take just as long as the main dish to arrive.
Esperanza is overall a wonderful addition to the current restaurants found in Manhattan Beach with its beautiful interior presentation, flavorful food, and welcoming employees. The lively environment makes Esperanza a great place to lay back and enjoy. This Sonoran restaurant is beyond exceptional with perfect employees, great variety of food and drinks, and beautiful interior patterns and designs.
Esperanza is located at 309 Manhattan Beach Blvd, open 4P.M. to 12A.M. from Sundays to Thursdays, and 4P.M.. to 2A.M. on Fridays and Saturdays.
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