Casual lounges and a beautifully lit bar greet fresh-from-a-
Located one block from the pier in downtown Manhattan Beach, Memphis at the Beach will be part of the popular group of Memphis restaurants that have already made their mark on Orange County. The Memphis Group has established itself as company known for soulful down to earth establishments within vibrant districts. Quietly opening in 1995, Memphis Café in Costa Mesa, the Group’s inaugural restaurant, transformed a condemned dive bar into casual yet sophisticated model that set the precedent for the rest of its establishments. The overnight success of the cafe can be attributed to the volume of top rankings and press received, including a glowing review from Los Angeles Times Magazine food Critic Irene Virbilla, but also to a county starved for a unique, independently owned restaurant that exuded a big city feel.
"We are focusing on the Memphis brand of down-home yet sophisticated food offerings – especially weekend breakfasts, with a food strategy based on fresh local produce and affordable, healthy contemporary Southern cuisine. Chef de Cuisine Laurent Saussy has worked in some of LA’s top kitchens ( JiRaffes in Santa Monica.. Joes in Venice) in the past decade and will lead a 20 person strong kitchen at Memphis.” said local beach life guard Kevin Barry, Partner. Further, “Laurent has been training under Memphis Group Executive Chef and co-founder, Diego Velasco, for months to make sure we deliver Diego’s vision.” “Diego Velasco is the Executive Chef, worked under master chefs such as John Sedlar (st. estephe of Manhattan beach, bikini of Santa Monica, abiquiu in san Francisco and the newly opened Rivera, downtown l.a.), Hans Rockenwager (rockenwagner, Santa Monica), Thom Fox (corona bar and grill, acme chop house both in san Francisco)
Tracy Stickney, Memphis at the Beach managing member and Owner adds. “Our management team is comprised of young, food-service focused professionals that will take our vision for the restaurant as the ideal place for locals and families to dine and relax to the next level. We want our guests to make Memphis their home away from home for breakfast, lunch or dinner.”
"The entire Memphis team has a concentrated commitment to our local community. We are dedicated to providing locals with a comfortable and casually elegant place to relax and enjoy the completely transformed restaurant, one block from the backdrop of the beautiful beach. Memphis will be a Come As You Are dining experience that captures the simple pleasures of coastal life." Says Justin Safier, General Manger.
Designed by Poon Architects, both the interior and exterior of the restaurant will be spectacular and fresh for Manhattan Beach. Poon Architects are Eco- conscious designers of large scale public projects throughout southern California as well as funky venues such as the award winning Chaya Downtown. The outside of Memphis Café features beautiful shades of blue and green glass surrounded by lush green organic faux grass with interiors warmed with eco-friendly high design furniture, wheat board panels and booths, low VOC paints, cork bar with recycled scrap metal resin bar top, low flow amenities, LED lighting, as well as utilizing recycled bags and biodegradable take out containers. Large glass doors will open and invite a cool breeze during hot summer days.
Stroller friendly dining spots cater for local families who can enjoy weekday lunches, or coffee and breakfast during the weekends. They welcome guests to casual beachside dining, which flows freely from inside to outside and takes place throughout the day and well into the night.
Distinctly gourmet Southern food, Memphis’ menus showcase fresh produce and premium seafood and meats selected exclusively for the restaurant, appeal to beach-going, and health loving Manhattan Beach goers. Memphis combines authentic Southern cuisine and contemporary classics. Breakfasts are delectable offering crawfish omelets, southern eggs Benedict, pancakes and French toast. Some menu items provide full Southern comfort while others are more health conscious with a little “comfort” on the side and the children's menu features loads of good food such as healthy grilled chicken, steamed vegetables and fresh fruit parfaits. House specialties and favorites include the Angus beef herb-baked meatloaf stack, marinated and grilled center-cut pork chop with balsamic-dried-
The perfect place to host friends, family or for a couple’s night out, Memphis At The Beach café and bar offerings have been developed with attention to every detail of the experience. Opening for guests in late June, the team is dedicated to leading the way and setting a benchmark for casual elegant dining, by providing stand-out hospitality and service for locals, and guests from all over the country.
Memphis At The Beach Café and Bar is located at: 1142 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 T: 310.545.5405 and is a sibling to the popular Memphis Cafe in Costa Mesa and Memphis at the Santora in the Artists Village, Santa Ana. Hours of operation: m-thurs lunch & dinner 11 am till 11pm - F lunch & dinner 11 am till 12 midnight - Sat breakfast, lunch and dinner 8 am till midnight - sun breakfast, lunch and dinner 8 am till 11pm
Owners: Tracy Stickney, Manhattan Beach residents, Kevin Barry, Hermosa Beach resident, Chris Bredesen and a host of local investors in partnership with the Memphis Group Corp.
