NANAS Italian & Mexican in Redondo Beach is a tribute to the vivacious cultures and matriarchs behind the inspiring recipes — the abuelas and nonnas. It started off as a dream for partners Jonathan Anzaldi, 32, and George Torres, 34. Anzaldi is Italian. Torres is Mexican.

"We're partners not only in business but I guess in life, too," Anzaldi told Patch. "We went on our first date and one of the first things we talked about was what we wanted to do with our lives," Anzaldi said. "Both of us were super into the idea of opening a restaurant."