A popular Italian proverb goes, “A tavola non si invecchia;" which means, "At the table, one does not age." Because in Italy, the meal is meant to be a leisurely pleasure shared with others. (I might add, also because time flies when you're eating pizza.) This is the philosophy of Locale 90, which recently opened its second location in the old Umami Burger spot in Hermosa Beach.

The Mentesana brothers came from a big Italian (via New Jersey) family, and it was a dream of John's to open a restaurant. He met wife Jennifer during their days working in LA radio. When bottom dropped out of that market, they decided to take the plunge. As a longtime beach city couple, they knew the South Bay was where they wanted to be. (Their partner, Frank, John's brother, lives in Brooklyn) When John interviewed Chef Michele Galifi, they bonded over their shared passion for rustic, no fuss Italian food, prepared with fresh, simple ingredients. And in 2014, the first Locale 90 opened in Redondo Beach.