Back Home In Lahaina - 916 N. Sepulveda Boulevard, Manhattan Beach
(310) 374-0111
11:30 - 9:00 (Monday - Thursday)
11:30 - 10:00 (Friday & Saturday)
9:00 - 9:00 (Sunday)

This is a great place to eat and hang!  I love their dishes and being there makes me feel like I'm back in the islands.  Must see: their decor!

El Tarasco -  Various locations throughout the South Bay:

316 Rosecrans Ave, MB; 1402 S Pacific Coast Hwy, RB; 26344 Western Ave, Lomita
210 Main St, El Segundo; and more!!  Great, cheap Mexican food!  It doesn't get much better than this to sate your hunger for basic Mexican food!

Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar - 2301 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo
(310) 643-6911
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Sunday - Thursday)
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Friday - Saturday)

Wicked Cajun Barbecure Shrimp - yes!  Flemings Potatoes - uh huh!  Meats and Seafood - very nice!  Wine selection - excellent!  Acoustics - don't even think of having a conversation!  It's definitely not an "intimate dinner for two" place but if all you care about is eating/drinking, this more than fits the bill!

McCormick and Schmicks - 2101 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo
(310) 416-1123
11:00AM-11:30PM (Monday - Thursday)
11:00AM-11:30PM (Friday & Saturday)
11:00AM-10:30PM (Sunday)

Seafood, fresh seafood!  Fairly decent wine list.  Food has always been good.  This place is always busy though you can still get in at times without a reservation (though recommended).  We always go there when we can't get into P.F. Chang's (haven't made it in yet; wait is TOO long!)

New Orleans Cajun & Creole Cuisine - 140 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach  ^updated!
(310) 372-8970
Open for Lunch and Dinner
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

We always have excellent meals here; always!  Casandra not only knows how to cook but is one of the nicest folks around, y'all!  I drool just to think of going back!  This is a great place to go for Cajun (if you can find parking).  They now serve beer and wine and do catering!

The Counter - 700-A Allied Way, El Segundo (in Plaza El Segundo at Sepulveda near Rosecrans)
(also at 21209-B Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, 310-406-3300)
(310) 524 9967
11am-10pm (Monday-Thursday)
11am-11pm (Friday-Saturday)
11:30am-10pm (Sunday)

We finally tried this place (although the Torrance location is closer).  Basically a "build-your-own-burger" place but with a twist.  A bit of a problem at first with how the beef burger should be cooked but they immediately fixed it.  When it came back, it was perfect and really, really yummy (one of the best I've had)!  You choose the size and meat choice of your patty then go from there.  I loved the onion strings and fries but can't wait to try the chili cheese fries.

The Loft - 23305 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance
(310) 375-4051
11am - 9pm (Monday - Thursday)
11am - 10pm (Friday)
10am - 10pm (Saturday)
10am - 9pm (Sunday)

Not as nice as Back Home... but since this is much closer than the other, we go here more often.  Try their Hawaiian Nachos (made with portugese sausage and won ton skins)!  Note: The last time we ate here, we were extremely displeased.  We haven't been back but it still looks awfully busy so if someone goes here and has a nice meal, please let me know so I can try again.

The Whale and Ale - 327 W 7th Street, San Pedro
(310) 832-0363
11:30am - 9:30pm (Monday - Friday)
Noon - 10:00pm (Saturday - Sunday)

Though the wine list is a definite plus, our last outing there was less than superb.  The meat was a little chewy and not exactly the best cut.   But the authenticity is most definitely there!  The Fried Calamari is some of the best we've had.  What a thrill it was to see that they had Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert!!  Andrew is an absolute delight to chat with.