Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach was once all sand dunes. When it was developed, some of its sand was actually sold and sent to Waikiki to make over its rocky beach. The city is so picturesque that it’s been showcased in many films and TV series, including “The O.C.’’ and “Veronica Mars.’’ Don’t pass up the opportunity to show your clients this beautiful beach town with a VIP gourmet experience at three of its finest restaurants. It comes complete with immediate seating at the best tables at each venue, where they’ll enjoy an array of tantalizing signature dishes.

Manhattan Beach’s downtown is imminently walkable with boutiques, restaurants, a farmers’ market, and even a Volleyball Walk of Fame. Your clients can soak up that lively atmosphere as they dine at Petros, an institution to Hellenic cuisine that was immediately dubbed “Top New Restaurant’’ by Zagat when it opened in 2007. Its ethos for farm-to-table cooking is so ingrained that it even has its own farm in the Santa Ynez Valley that grows vegetables for the restaurant. Petros also has its own wine label, OINOS, produced from grapes grown in Santa Rita Hills and Central Coast vineyards. Founder Petros Benekos is such a stickler for authenticity that he imports feta cheese, olive oil, honey, olives, oregano and yogurt from Greece to use in his dishes, too.

Next, it’s on to Esperanza for a modern take on Sonoran cuisine that highlights the freshest seafood and prized prime beef in an elegant setting. With a dining room punctuated by fluid organic shapes, and a building façade that is meant to mimic the white sand dunes of Los Cabos, Mexico, it even won the “Best of Year’’ Award in 2021 for fine dining hospitality interior design.

The last stop is Slay Italian Kitchen by restaurateur and vineyard owner David Slay. A third-generation restaurant owner, who began his training at age 11 in his father’s kitchen, he now operates six concepts in Southern California. His Slay Italian Kitchen spotlights rustic Italian cuisine with stone-fired pizzas, fresh and dried pastas, and premium meats. His farm grows the vegetables featured in the restaurant’s fresh, seasonal salads. His Slay Estate & Vineyard wines have won medals in the prestigious New York World Wine & Spirits Competition.

For those who want to imbibe, an optional beverage package is available for this experience that includes a specialty cocktail at each venue. The pre-paid price is all-inclusive of taxes and restaurant gratuities. For utmost ease, a professional guide is provided to lead the way to each restaurant, too, entertaining with fascinating facts along the way.