Chez Melange
Chez Melange was an American seafood restaurant and gastropub located in Redondo Beach, California, which closed on February 29, 2020.[2] It was opened in 1982 and owned and run by Michael Franks and co-owner and head chef Robert Bell.[1][3][4][5][6]
Chez Melange | |
---|---|
Restaurant information | |
Established | 1982 |
Closed | February 29, 2020 |
Owner(s) | Michael Franks, Robert Bell |
Chef | Robert Bell |
Food type | Seafood, gastropub |
Street address | 1611 South Catalina Avenue[1] |
City | Redondo Beach, California |
County | Los Angeles |
State | California |
Country | United States |
Reservations | Yes |
Other locations | No |
Website | chezmelange.com |
History
Chez Melange was originally located on Pacific Coast Highway and after the lease was up it moved to its new location in January 2009 on Catalina Avenue.[2]
Chez Melange ran three restaurants at the same Redondo Beach, Catalina Avenue venue, Sea Change, a sea food themed restaurant, Bouzy, a gastropub and The Oyster Bar.[2][3]
Robert Bell said when first meeting Michael Franks, "I remembered thinking, I don’t want to work with this guy. I’m from Brooklyn, he’s from London. He came from what I thought was an upscale upbringing, I was just off the line of being poor. He went through restaurant school, I barely made it through junior college. But we were both very driven, very passionate about what we were doing, and that’s the only reason we got along."[7]
Chez Melange closed on February 29, 2020.[8]
In 2021 the Chez Melange location was reopened under different ownership as a new restaurant called Table Manners[9][10] and was later renamed Perfect Storm.[11]
See also
References
- Shindler, Merrill (January 10, 2019). "Where to find the best seafood in the South Bay". The Daily Breeze.
- Avelino, Bianca (September 11, 2010). "Q&A: Chez Melange Co-Owner Michael Franks". Patch Media.
- Harris, Jenn (January 16, 2018). "Ranchero Mexican restaurant in Pasadena is closing after 49 years". Los Angeles Times.
- Davis, Genie (March 22, 2018). "These special farmers supply fruits and veggies for Chez Melange restaurant in Redondo Beach". The Daily Breeze.
- Lindsey, Robert (August 18, 1985). "California Grows Her Own Cuisine". The New York Times. p. 9.
- Jenkins, Kathie (October 10, 1993). "No Vacation for Chez Melange Partners". Los Angeles Times.
- Foss, Richard (September 30, 2016). "Mama Terano's Boy Chef: Robert Bell". Easy Reader.
- Holland, Emily (January 14, 2020). "Chez Melange To Close After 37 Years In South Bay". Patch Media.
- Foss, Richard (March 30, 2021). "Learning Table Manners [restaurant review]". Easy Reader.
- Guzman, Richard (February 26, 2021). "Former Chez Melange in Redondo Beach has been split into two new restaurants". The Daily Breeze.
- Foss, Richard (October 28, 2022). "Potential realized in Redondo". Easy Reader.