This place is absolutely wonderful and a great spot for a date. We went here to celebrate a birthday and were not disappointed with the decision. The food was outstanding. You can tell the chefs are dedicated to the craft. They're a 2025 bib gourmand restaurant and are hoping to aim for their first star, so their efforts into the decor, ambiance, and food shows (good luck!). The waitstaff/chefs were also very attentive. Mussels Tart - really delicious. Super unique and beautifully plated. No taste of fishiness or the ocean. Just overall a 5/5 dish that you must try. Beef tongue - I normally enjoy beef tongue thinly sliced at a Korean BBQ restaurant or coarsely chopped up in a street taco. They do it differently here. The beef tongue is one big cube. It's very flavorful and tender. Not as amazing as the mussels tart but still worth a try. Chili crab - this put them on the map. SUPER DELICIOUS. It's not what you'd expect from a creation called 'chili crab'. There's no shell to be seen and the crab meat is actually buried underneath. Scoop from the inside out. Tons of flavor and I wished the portion size was doubled. Lamb pappardelle - if you like lamb then you'll love this. Lots of different spices and flavors. It has a very deep flavor profile that makes you appreciate all the work and thought that went into designing this dish. I'd get this again also! Strawberry tiramisu - they brought this out for the birthday celebration. They prepared it in a gigantic bowl. Scooped out a generous portion and plated it right in front of us. I have a soft spot for tiramisu so I'd recommend this too. Best of luck on the Michelin star! I'd come back. 5/5 read more

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I really wanted to love this place. I read all the glowing reviews and convinced myself the negative ones were probably just misunderstandings... but wow, I had it completely backwards. First, the restaurant itself is undeniably cute and cozy, tucked away in a corner of Hermosa Beach. Our first impression was honestly great, and we were excited to try it. Our reservation was at 5:00 PM, but when we arrived, the staff was still inside having what looked like a team huddle or group therapy session well past opening time. At first I thought maybe I got the hours wrong and they actually opened at 5:30. Nope -- 5:00 was correct. I understand pre-shift meetings happen. But maybe do the motivational speech at 4:50 instead of making customers stand outside after your posted opening time? They finally opened the doors around 5:10. Once seated, our server introduced himself by saying he was also one of the chefs, and apparently everyone dressed in white both cooks and serves. I didn't really understand the concept, but honestly, I don't care who brings the food as long as the food is good. These are what we ordered: SQUID -- This tasted like it had been marinated directly in seawater. Painfully salty. I genuinely did not understand the dish at all. Boiled squid with egg salad? Why? The portion was tiny, and we were hungry, so we basically used the mussels tart to dilute the salt enough to finish it. MUSSELS TART -- Actually delicious. No complaints here. BISTRO SALAD -- This was honestly shocking. It was SO sour that it was practically inedible. -- we literally take straight lemon shots every morning but this dish was hard to eat. This wasn't "bright acidity." This was weaponized vinegar. Bitter, aggressively sour, and tongue-numbing after one bite. We had to send it back because it was simply not edible. CABBAGE -- Flavor was good overall, but parts of it were so burnt that I genuinely questioned whether it was intentional or someone forgot it existed in the kitchen. Maybe it's culinary art I'm too uncultured to understand. FISH DIANE -- Delicious. No complaints at all. What ultimately made us decide we won't return wasn't even the inconsistent food -- it was the attitude. They still charged us for the salad we literally could not eat after sending it back. Then the couple next to us asked to keep one menu because they planned to order more later. One of the servers told them not to leave it on the table because she didn't want the menu to get dirty. The menu was a single flimsy printed paper menu. Not leather-bound. Not handmade parchment from the 1700s. Just printer paper. The whole experience felt oddly pretentious for a place serving burnt cabbage and acid salad. Some dishes were genuinely good, but the hospitality felt nonexistent and the food was wildly inconsistent. Cute restaurant, but definitely not somewhere we'd return to. read more

We planned the romantically dinner at VF with anticipation...it was great but not a 5 star experience worthy of a Michelin star. -1 outdoor seating is not a vibe. You're eating on the sidewalk. Weather and noise is variable. -1 maybe because of sidewalk seating but service is slow. We like a leisure dinner but it took 3.5 hrs. Fun wine list. read more

This place has the vibe of a cozy neighborhood cafe (and I love cozy neighborhood type spots), but this place feels like it punches way above its weight in terms of food (creativity and presentation), hospitality, and general enjoyment. I mean seriously, the level service feels way more elevated than it needs to be. It's also a delight that when they bring you dishes, they give you a small background of each dish. Just a fantastic dining experience all around with great food. Easily one of my favorite new (to me) restaurants and my favorite in the beach cities. The menu had enough items where there was a good variety, but not so large as to overwhelm. What we ordered...and I really enjoyed each and every dish. Individually and as a whole. Headcheese Toast - a loose interpretation of a patty melt from Langer's Deli Bistro Salad - delicious light vinaigrette dressing Beef Tongue - a dish very personal to Chef Katya with roots in southern Russia Chili Crab - eats like a risotto and influenced by the famous chili crab of Singapore Lamb Pappardelle - perfectly cooked pasta with delicious lamb Fish Diane - an old timey way to prepare fish Jidori Chicken - just a really well prepared chicken that was juicy and flavorful with delicious vegetables read more

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Came here for my birthday and it did not disappoint. My husband and I had an early reservation at 5pm, so the restaurant was just opening its doors for dinner. The ambience is lovely, and it is located within a short walking distance to the ocean. Try and plan it for a sunset meal if you can! Our meal was delicious and beautifully plated. All the staff are extremely helpful and informative; amazing service. read more

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This is a review... I don't know how I can ever give this place a review above 1 star. I'm just entirely perplexed that this is a Michelin Bib restaurant where the majority of my meals missed the mark entirely. Was it an off day for Vin Folk? Maybe. But if you're charging the prices that you are and holding the status of a Michelin Bib, to miss the mark in many all our ordered dishes is not acceptable. For the record: Service was great. Being served your meal... not so great. What was ordered at our table: Head Cheese (7/10) -$14 Pan de Cristo (7/10) -$12 Tartare (3/10) -$24 Chopped Salad (6/10) -$20 Fish Diane (0/10) - $46 Half Jidori Chicken (0/10) -$62 Lamb Parppadelle (0/10) - $36 Chili Crab (8/10) -$42 Beef Tongue (5/10) - $23 Turon (8/10) -$18 3 beers -$30 Mushrooms (4/10) - $28 TOTAL w/ TIP was over $467! We arrived there at 5:30 PM and stayed there until 8:20 PM because the service to bring your food out was ridiculously SLOW. We thought two hours minimum would be a stretch, but time we are willing to commit to. This really should've been a 1-1.5 hr. dinner. The Good: Service was as good as it can be. The interior of this place looked great. The head cheese, which was an appetizer, was the best thing there out of the 11 dishes we ordered. The BAD: Service was as good as it can be for having to wait 30 min. to an hour+ for food to arrive at our table. The amount of refills of water that were poured in our cups by the chef(?) in between meals waiting for our food to arrive was ridiculous. I would have had a better experience waiting at the DMV eating a cold sandwich than go through that experience again. In fact, thinking about it, I've had better experiences at the DMV than the experience at Vin Folk. We were seated outside where turned on heat lamps made absolutely no sense to have on. They positioned the heat lamps towards the street and not down at the customers waiting for their food. Bottom line: Food was mediocre. Nothing about it was memorable other than never forgetting how long it took for us to be served our meals. Stake fish was horrible and full of bones. Half jidori Chicken tasted awful. Oh! And I found HAIR IN MY DISH! Try it out if you must, but let my review be an "I told you so" feeling once you leave that place. One and DONE. read more

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It's been several months since my visit here but in a nutshell, everything we had was amazing. We all have those friends who are at a higher level than what our everyday life is so this was one of those days. The place is near the beach so it's a fancy place but with a casual vibe if that makes sense. The service was amazing. Some of the chefs came out and explained the entrees with how they were prepared and the thought process behind it. You could definitely tell they are proud of their food. I believe one of the chefs and one of the partners have a Filipino background and I love to support my people. It's great to know Filipino influences are breaking through the fine dining world. Anyway, I would come back! read more

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I visited Vin Folk back in June. It's a very good addition to the Hermosa Beach food scene. I can see it earning 5 stars given its potential, and I wanted to give it 4 stars. But unfortunately, there were just a few things off with my visit resulting in 3 stars for now. Food: The dishes are obviously prepared with care and skill. I ordered the Mussels Tart, Headcheese Toast, Tartare, Beef Tongue, Chili Crab, and Koko Crunch. The Mussels Tart is oh-so-close to being great, but there was a slight sourness to the tart I received that made for an odd flavor. The Headcheese Toast was interesting, but I'm not sure I would order it again (despite loving all things offal). The Tartare was was okay, but I'm not sure the Chinese five spice worked here (despite being addicted to tartare). The Beef Tongue was good, but ultimately unmemorable. The Chili Crab was good, essentially a light risotto that faintly recalls a Singaporean chili crab. Finally, the Koko Crunch was an enjoyable chocolate dessert. Service & Seating: The service in friendly and professional. However, I was seated in a corner along walkway to the right of the entrance, and it was somewhat cramped and made getting a server's attention a little difficult. Bottom Line: Vin Folk has gotten rave reviews, and I can see why. I will return to give it another chance. Unfortunately, there were just a few things that didn't work (maybe just an off night) in my initial visit. read more

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This is a jewel box. Dining here was the first time since Budonoki I was compelled to order the entire menu and now wish I had. The Concept: A short bus of rotating professional Chefs prepare signature dishes from their personal repertoire making a winner dinner. The result is a curated, composed, desirable ever revolving, evolving menu of playfully serious food that will amaze and amuse your bouche. V. F. is small and has space limited. You can opt to sit curbside and watch the locals walk their French Bull Dogs but I prefer a cozy table indoors. The Decor has a Euro vibe. Paris hip but charming and casual at the same time. Walk in (with a reservation) and the second runner up in the Taylor Swift look-a-look contest will greet you like you're Travis Kelce. Once greeted you will be seated and one of the Chef's will be tableside to guide you through the menu. Be prepared, this is a magical place where everything on offer will be a delicious delight. The Bar: Set way high, even though V. F. is a Wine Bar only. Idean is an ideal Somm with an encyclopedic knowledge of what grows where and what shows up on his list. The Wine List is Idean's love letter to the Grape. And if your personal cellar is deep I say let Idean work his magic for you. The Food: How good can it be? I began slow to test the kitchen. The Pan de Cristal (a simple Country Bread) is outsourced due to the limits of space. Just cubes of Bread, I thought. But, picture a "cake slice" of Huitlacoche. (Yes, there was a corn fungus among us). Creamy Avocado dotted with crispy Chicharrones swapped for Butter Cream. Not a lick left of that. The Mussel Tart was crazy good. Puff Pastry providing housing for Smoked Clams, Pickled Smoked Mussels, in a Fennel Cream Sauce with a flicker of heat. Just describing it makes me wiggle. The Mushroom was a plate of Chanterelles, Egg Yolk, Potato Wedges, Green Cherry Tomatoes, and skinned halved Hazelnuts. All helped to create a cornucopia of tastes and textures. Only a Mushroom would fail to order this as it was better than wonderful. Cabbage. Yes, the lowly Cabbage appeared on the menu. This dish would have had Careme, Bocuse, Brazier, Escoffier, Ducasse, and Robuchon high fivin' each other. The Cabbage was cleaved in half as perfectly as Yamada Asaemon, the famous Japanese Executioner. One half was coated with Chopped Chives and the other coated in Allium Dukkah (finely chopped toasted detritus from Leeks, Scallions, and Garlic). Both halves were laying in a ladle of Creamed Pistachio with with Meyer Lemon quarters to tart things up. This Cabbage dish was resurrected from some Eastern European Stew Pot and reimagined as a center piece dish at the Bocuse D'or Competition. How bout half a succulent juicy Jidori Chicken? Cut into chunks and settled on a mound of Black Eyed Pea Cassoulet, Okra Coins, mini split blistered Eggplant Spears, and Roasted, Crispy Gigante Beans to pick out and enjoy on their own. There's enough food in this one dish to feed the entire 82nd Airborne. I could've swapped the Chicken for a Roasted Pork Loin...next time. A coil of Comte Cheese with Fruit Compote and a Cinnamon Twist and a Fresh Pear Tart rounded out dessert and my belly. The Tart had a Pate Sucree Crust with a Quenelle of Almond Frangipane. The Tart had me tap out but not before poking every crumb with a finger because I wanted every bit of this. The Food was fabulous and and you don't need Oprah's income to enjoy it as it's all fairly priced. I dined at Vin Folk and now I'm wholly woke. read more

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I am not quite sure if I would give this place 3 stars or 4 stars? Maybe more like 3.5 stars but rounded down? I had high hopes for the restaurant as menu seemed promising. My husband and I dined there for his birthday, upon checkin we were seated right away on the outdoor patio area. The restaurant was very relaxed, our outdoor table had a nice view of the beach/ocean, and we were able to enjoy the incredible sunset before the start of our dinner. The service was good but not amazing. While their concept of everyone is a chef there and there would be different chefs serving/helping with the table sounded good, it quickly became kind of confusing as we would have different people asking if they could bring us drinks or take our orders, and the pacing of dishes was pretty horrible which made the overall experience not amazing, definitely a lot of room to improve, between a couple of our dishes, we literally sat in the cold and waited about 25-30 mins for each dish, which isn't really a pleasant experience and when we alert the staff, they just said that's the "bistro" style they were going for...which I found funny because our first two dishes were served less than 5 minutes apart from each other. Dishes we ordered were good, we love the fact they were not too salty, but they are on the smaller size given the price tag. Overall I think this place has potential to be better and has a lot of room to improve if they wanted to. read more

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This was an incredible dining experience. Every dish was wonderful and you could really tell how much thought and preparation went into it all. The mussel tart was unlike anything i've ever had, the flavors were addictive and just so dang good. My other two favorites were the kanpachi (the texture and flavor combos wow!!!) and the chili crab which was sort of like their take on a risotto, it had the perfect amount of heat and such unique flavors. The service was excellent, everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable and their passion for it all really stood out. I also love how cozy of a space it is, not stuffy at all. Vin Folk is one of my new favorite restaurants and i truly cannot wait to come back! read more

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What a wonderful all-around dining experience! Came here to celebrate an anniversary. You'll need to make your reservation about a month in advance as the place is in high demand. It's an intimate space with both indoor and outdoor seating. Owned and run by a husband and wife chef team, and everyone on the staff is a chef. They rotate who works front of the house and who prepares the food each night. Service was impeccable: warm and welcoming and knowledgeable. The food was gorgeous works of delicious art. read more

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During dinner I said, "This place is so good I want to cry," and my son laughed. Why would anyone would cry over good food? What he doesn't realize is that this restaurant is exactly what I've been waiting for in Hermosa Beach -- finally, an upscale, Michelin-quality spot right here. Every dish was innovative, with flavor combinations I've never experienced before. That's not easy to do: to create something unique and also make it taste incredible. Many of the dishes even came with stories from the chef, which gave them even more meaning. Squid I've had a lot of squid in my life, but never like this. It was elevated yet deeply personal. The chef explained that it was inspired by a dish from her childhood, reimagined with ingredients like nuts and celery that she ate almost daily while struggling in New York. I'm definitely ordering this again. Mussel Tart Comfort food made fancy. There was a spice in it that instantly provoked that feeling of home and the holidays. HeadCheese on Toast with Sauerkraut It's like an elevated take on a cheese sandwich. My husband despises American cheese (I've never seen him touch it in the 12 years we've been together), but he not only ate this -- he loved it! Kampache Crudo You think you've had every crudo that crudo has to offer until you try this one! Trust me. We literally licked this dish up. Beef Tongue Melt-in-your-mouth. The chef that sliced this has talent and a very sharp knife for it to not fall apart because it's so tender. The bed of pink purée underneath was just as delicious. Cabbage Boiled, charred, and topped with pistachio. Proof that food can be both healthy and indulgent without relying on cream, butter, or frying. I devoured my vegetables, and it was amazing. Chili Crab A Filipino-inspired dish that felt like risotto married crab. Absolutely stunning, especially served on an ocean shaped bowl made in the Philippines. We were told the bowl incorporates ground shells. Jidori Chicken We are fans of beans and veggies, and every component of this dish was done right. You don't get bored with it -- every bite brings something different. I also love the smoky flavor which is weirdly addicting. Definitely to be shared. Goat Cheese Dessert I've never had anything like it. Cold, warm, crunchy, soft, sweet, salty -- every sensation was stimulated in one bite. It wasn't a "typical" dessert, and yet it was stunning. I'm ordering it again, partly because it's still a mystery how it worked so perfectly. Peach Tiramisu I make tiramisu at home, so I know the work that goes into crafting the zabaglione cream. And they make their own ladyfingers! While it wasn't as avant-garde as the goat cheese dessert, it was comforting, refreshing, and perfectly executed. A homestyle finish to an extraordinary meal. I'm coming back to try the other dishes!! I bought my 6 and 8 year old and they were so good but I was nervous. They also have outdoor seating. Every staff was super kind and thoughtful. So lucky we have a restaurant like this in town. Go VinFolk! read more

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Ambience is cozy, romantic, welcoming. Battery operated lights on each table allow you to read the menu. Menu had deliberately light printing in a difficult to read font for all of the prices. According to Yelp photos, this is a newer feature. If you look closely, you can make out that the half chicken is now $60, up from $42 in one Yelp photo I found. A unique service feature at Vin Folk is that chefs are waiting tables (and washing dishes) here. They're very knowledgeable about the dishes as you would expect from someone who prepares that food. They take a team approach here where many of chef/waiters and the hostess will interact with you, take orders, bring food, clear plates, remove your silverware, bring new silverware and ask you of you need anything. This service solution introduces the customer to a number of trained culinary professionals. When your dish is brought out, the chef/server will recite a paragraph about the food you are about to eat. The description is very thorough, informative. I appreciate the effort to educate. There is a lot of information with references to a variety of ingredients and traditional dishes, so you'll have to pay attention and have some food background to follow along. Food is interesting, unique, flavorful, creative. Great care was taken in the menu creation and preparation in the kitchen. I would describe the theme as French-Asian fusion. Kampachi had lot of ingredients on top of the fish and a flavorful sauce underneath. Complex. It took at least another half hour to 45 minutes after my kampachi to get my risotto. Chili Crab Risotto was spicy with a bunch of differences from a common risotto. A pile of crab meat and an egg are added to the middle. I also had a glass of white wine. My bill was $105 for my two small dishes and a glass of wine after tax and 20% tip. read more

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Adorable little restaurant that has a great use of space and nicely decorated. Service was outstanding, they are very attentive and I liked the idea that all of them had a culinary background and were chefs. So a waiter isn't just your waiter, they are also your chef. Food was delicious! Everything we ordered was so flavorful and had such umami and depth. Pictures don't do the food enough justice. I initially didn't have that high expectations from looking at the menu, but this place blew my mind. I'll definitely be coming back again! read more

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My new favorite restaurant...10'stars. We were seated in their lovely outdoor patio, with peekaboo views of the ocean. The service was exceptional, but the real star a the dishes! We started with the squid that was delicately & perfectly cooked so it soft and now chewy, over a bed of Dijon, egg salad type dressing, so tasty. Then we had the head cheese on toast with layers of flavor. The third appetizer was the softest beef tongue perfectly paired with long beans & a salsa Fresca. We were the first to order the hamachi Kama, served with sautéed veggies & onion served with Peruvian flavors, which we cleaned the dish & sucked the bones. Then came the sambal flavored risotto topped with tender Dungeness crab so comforting we scraped the bowl clean. Then we ended with the el papillote which was somehow creamy but light & flavorful with green veggie sauces & delicately steamed white fish. We got their artisan rustic bread to sop up every last drop! Wow, dinner was Executed to perfection! We weren't wow's by their dessert offerings as we were pretty full already. To add the cherry on top, the bill was so reasonably priced! I will be back! read more

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Incredible experience start to finish. 10/10. The dishes were elaborately crafted and painstakingly well thought out. You can tell a lot of love went into curating the menu. Staff were all welcoming and knowledgeable - no question was left unanswered. Def a well oiled machine. Honestly all the dishes were standout dishes. It's difficult to pick a favorite - so I won't. So glad a place like this exists in the So Bay. Will one thousand percent be going back for round two. read more

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Think east coast cozy apartment vibe where a friend who is a crazy good chef invites you over for dinner... Vin Folk was an amazing experience to have dinner for my birthday with my boyfriend. Everyone working there is so friendly and warm. The beef tongue here was so melt in the mouth...can't wait to eat it again! And our server was so nice to bring me a scoop of strawberry sorbet for my birthday!! read more

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My two foodie friends and I dined at this latest addition to the South Bay and the whole experience was amazing. It's a cozy little restaurant that also has patio dining. We were fortunate to reserve a table inside. The entire staff was so welcoming and helpful with suggestions in choosing our dishes. The dishes are meant to be shared so go with 3 or 4 diners so you can enjoy more dishes. We started off with the Pritto, a fried Jidori chicken, which had the perfect crunch with each bite. We followed up with the Mussels Tart, which was served like a small pop pie with fennel cream and smoked clams. Beef tongue was next and it was cooked to perfection tenderness. Don't be afraid to try it. You won't be disappointed. Three outstanding dishes soon followed with the Hokkaido Scallop, Chili Crab with risotto, and a sole dish served with capers and a cream sauce. For dessert we had the pear tart served with a quenelle of ice cream and everyone agreed the flaky crust elevated the tart. This is the kind of dessert you would lick the plate if you were home. My friends and I have gone to the Arts District and West Side to try new and different restaurants so it was a wonderful surprise to find such an exciting snd unique restaurant so close to home for those of us who live in the South Bay. read more

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What a delightful culinary experience! My husband arranged for date night here the other night. The chefs here have worked at Vespertine in Culver City and Maude in Beverly Hills - both Michelin star establishments- so needless to say it is quite a treat to have them both here in our neighborhood. To start, the place was tastefully decorated but not stuffy. We were promptly greeted upon arrival and escorted to our table. Within minutes our waiter came to greet us with menus and wine list. There were as many staff as there were diners - this place runs a tight ship and nothing was left unnoticed. They know what they're doing and they're amazing at it! It is recommended that for two people about 6 plates should be ordered. The menu will most likely change the next time we come back but here is what we had : Mussel Tart : 4/5 (it was vinegar forward fyi) Chopped Salad : 5/5 (so yummy! I could eat this as a meal!) Yellowtail : 5/5 (Must have) Chili Crab : 4/5 A bit too rich and creamy however the spice really does sneak up on you which makes the dish quite addictive. Jidori Chicken : 5/5 The flavors were wonderful but it's the texture that makes it so interesting - because in mouthfuls of beans and chicken you'll be greeted with periodic surprises of something crunchy. The menu was solid but the chicken was quite large so I think we could have easily skipped the chili crab and have been just fine with the Jidori chicken. I had a glass of bubbles , the Simpsons Estate and it was quite nice and elegant. For dessert we had the Chocolate 6 Ways and it was absolutely divine! Will be back and highly recommend. Cheers! read more

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I throughly enjoyed my experience at this restaurant. From the hospitality, to the food, to the design of the restaurant, it's all well thought out. It's a neighborhood bistro that doesn't cut corners. Our server/sommelier, Idean, was knowledgeable and very attentive. Everything we ordered that he recommended was out of this world. I've done over 80 of the LA Time's 101, and this is one of the very few places that I highly recommend. The owners/chef partners were also very sweet and accommodating. They took time to talk to us about the food and answer any questions we had about how it was prepared. As someone who loves cooking, when a chef will take time to share their secrets with me, it tells me a lot about how they see their guests and are proud of the food they serve. I can't recommend this place enough. It's one of my favorite places I've gone to in 2025. The menu is creative and eclectic, it doesn't fall into a specific category. With the ever-changing seasonal menu, I'm excited to come back and experience new menu items. read more

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Fine dining in Hermosa Beach/ I made reservations but was seated in an outdoor table - not exactly what I wanted but I didn't want to wait longer for a table. Ordered the chopped salad, half Jidori chicken, beef tongue. The chicken was delicious. Price point was expensive. read more

While I wanted to like Vin Folk for what I'd heard about it, I was disappointed. The food was decent. Very fancy with the flavors and brave with the dishes, but they were just good. I did have my favorite dishes, but overall, nothing was too memorable other than the beef tongue, and bread with the different toppings and cheeses. The meal for us 5 took upwards of 3.5 hours and we were sitting outside in the cold with one blanket between us. They definitely need some stand up heaters if the meals will take nearly that long, which it shouldn't. The meals should have been epic, not the time we spent there. read more

The atmosphere, vibe, expertise and wines/drinks are all there. We were pleasantly greeted by a server/cook who knew his stuff and helped us understand various menu items. The limited menu offers small plates, salads, and mains. We thought it was more of a wine bar than restaurant based on the name, but we're happy with a Sonoma cab and two tasty items. Their take on 'popcorn chicken' with fried zucchini was intriguing, as was the beef tongue with fresh greens and tomato/ horseradish. Sadly, as much as we enjoyed the creative dishes, nothing wowed us. I worry that perhaps the Hermosa Beach crowd won't appreciate the amount of thought invoked with each dish. read more

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We went to Vin Folk in Hermosa Beach for a celebratory dinner and it was such a gem! The space is cute, rustic, and intimate. We sat inside in a cozy corner booth (highly recommend requesting one for date night/parents' night out), but the patio looked equally lovely. I loved that they offer complimentary house sparkling water, though I'll admit I wished it was a little more bubbly (Topo Chico has spoiled me). The concept of the restaurant is really unique: everyone is a chef and takes on all roles from dishwashing to cooking to serving. Our chef, Nathan, was fantastic! He was attentive, personable, and full of great recommendations. He suggested 4-6 dishes for two people; we went with 6 because everything sounded too good to pass up, and we left absolutely full (4 would've been plenty since the dishes are quite rich). We also ordered a bottle of orange wine, which paired beautifully with everything. Highlights of the meal: * Mussel Tart: deliciously creamy, balanced by a light and flaky puff pastry. * Headcheese Toast: exquisite! The meat, cheese, and bread were packed with flavor, and the spicy mustard was the perfect kick. * Bluefin Sashimi: locally caught the day before, so fresh and melt-in-your-mouth good. * Chili Crab: rich and filling; we couldn't finish it but happily took leftovers home. * Cabbage: served two ways; the half with dukkah was especially flavorful, and both preparations melted in your mouth. * Yellowtail Collar (Peruvian style): charred perfectly, tender and flaky, paired with fresh veggies, a standout way to end the meal. Sadly, we had to skip dessert (had to get home to our babysitter!) but I'm already excited to go back, try new dishes, and finally order something sweet to finish. If you're looking for a special, creative dining experience with amazing service in Hermosa Beach, Vin Folk is absolutely worth a visit. read more

Vin Folk - Restaurants Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

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I would say this is my favorite restaurant in Hermosa Beach. The cuisine leans more toward French with an Asian twist. The head chef has experience at Somni, Maude, and Vespertine, so he has a lot of Michelin, fine dining experience, which shows through all of the dishes. The location is great, it's located very close to the beach and luckily there is a lot of paid street parking all around the restaurant, which we were able to find close by for our 7 PM Saturday dinner. There was an issue with our table however. I booked a corner table and I guess the person dining at my reserved table decided to read a book after his meal so we had to sit at another table and then move an hour into our meal. Not ideal, but the staff made it tolerable and everyone that we encountered was very polite and helpful. Pricing is a bit high, but that's to be expected with any fine dining restaurant and I feel the price point is still worth it. The dishes here are more share sized and designed to split so it's a great place to go if you like to mix and match your meal. Inside is very small, there are only a handful of tables where you can watch the kitchen prepping the food. There's also a small outdoor dining area, which is covered and really nice because you get to smell the ocean breeze. Being our first time we want to try a lot of different items. We started off with the Pritto which is fried jidori chicken, zucchini & fennel pollen togarashi. I especially like the togarashi and how crispy the chicken was. It almost tasted like popcorn and away and was a great snack starter. Next came the Mussels Tart which is comprised of puff pastry, fennel cream, smoked clam & escabeche. At first bite I did not like it very much, but after my second, it really started to grow on me. Is it it is a bit strange but honestly, it's very unique and really good. The flaky crust with the medium muscles was really a great combination. Next was the Bistro Salad which had butter lettuce, castelfranco, radish, fennel, shallot vinaigrette $ cured egg yolk. The cured egg yolk was my favorite and the salad is a perfect summer salad. It's light but very flavorful and felt very refreshing. We ate it much quicker than we expected because it just had that bright, sunny flavor to it. Next came the Yellowtail with fried shallot oil, ikra, Aleppo & capers. I think this was my second favorite dish of the night because it almost had a spicy flavor to it, but you'd only recognize it after a few bites. It had some really deep, rich flavors and I almost wanted to drink the sauce after we had finished it. Finally to top it off I had my favorite dish of the night, which is their French take on the Singaporean chili crab which they call the Chili Crab which is Arborio rice, Santa Barbara Rock Crab, & egg. This was absolutely fantastic and something that I would go here specifically for. The Dungeness crab in the center was absolutely fantastic and I would say that I'm addicted to this dish. It's probably one of the best entrées I've had this year. We really wanted to order dessert because they have many great options but by the end of the meal, we were just too full. I live close by in Marina Del Rey so I plan to come back very soon to try other dishes that I did not try and would highly suggest to anyone in LA or visiting to give this place a try. read more

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Restaurants like Vin Folk don't pop up often in the South Bay, so I had to support. From the moment you walk in, the space feels intimate and welcoming, almost like you're dining in a chef's living room. The energy is warm, intentional, and full of passion. I made a reservation hoping to sit near the kitchen because I love watching chefs work. Even though it was busy, the team was incredibly accommodating and made sure I got the best seat possible. I was greeted by chef Katyusha and hostess Stella, who checked in on me throughout the wait and made sure I was comfortable the entire time. The menu is limited, but in the best way. Every dish looks worth ordering. Portions lean more toward a tasting experience, so it's great for sharing with one other person. If you're coming with a larger group, just know this isn't a tapas-style spot where everyone shares everything. That said, the quality, care, and execution make it absolutely worth it. Our server and sommelier, Idean, was incredible. He walked us through every dish, answered all of my questions, and paired each course with the perfect wine. You can tell he truly loves what he does. Every recommendation hit, and the wine pairings elevated the entire meal. Plus, his personality and energy made the experience even better. At one point, the staff realized I had waited a bit before being seated and went out of their way to make sure my birthday dinner was special. Between the service, the attention to detail, and the hospitality, it honestly became one of the best dining experiences I've had in the South Bay and even in LA overall. To top it off, dessert was incredible. I ordered the pear tart and was surprised with two additional desserts and sherry. Everything was thoughtfully done and absolutely delicious. Vin Folk isn't just a restaurant, it's an experience. The food, the service, the atmosphere, and the people behind it all deserve their flowers. If you're in the South Bay, do yourself a favor and go support this amazing team. read more

Felt like I had been transported to London or France. Such exceptional cuisine & a lovely ambience as well. The Somm, was incredibly knowledgeable and offered some amazing pairing suggestions. Only note would be I wish there was more space between tables but that is the neighborhood vibe you get in cozy spaces so maybe it's a trade off, after all. Favorite items were: mussel tart, crudo & last but not least, the peach tiramisu! I would highly recommend a visit :) Adios! read more

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I cannot say enough about Vin Folk! We had a sunset outdoor dinner for a birthday and I have literally been telling everyone about it. The service was amazing. Joshua really spent time with us. I love how the chefs are the servers. His passion for the food was contagious. Beyond that, everything we tasted was crave worthy. The bread starter as a "deconstructed pizza" is enough to go back, but honestly everything got better and better. BEST espresso martini I have ever had. The rock crab dish was amazing, as well as the jidori chicken. BUT if you leave without dessert you are truly missing out! Obviously we will be going back. read more

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It's good. It's very good but it didn't blow me away. I really enjoyed the chopped salad and the beef tongue. Not a fan of the mussel tart. It's just me. I like savory and this was slightly sour with mussels. I guess I have a simple palette. The popcorn chicken was ok. Nothing out of the ordinary. They give a lot too. Service is definitely a highlight. They do a great job taking care of you. Servers (chefs) are attentive and knowledgeable. Inside is very small with outside seating available as well. Just beer and wine and mocktails. I hear they change the menu every few months. I'll definitely come back and give it another try. read more

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I dined here again the other night and the reason I am changing my rating from 5 stars to 4 stars is because of how long it takes for the food to arrive. PAINFULLY SLOW. Food- still excellent, creative, amazing flavors Ambiance- casual and chic, great welcoming vibe. Service- super friendly but sooooo slow. This is at minimum a 2 hour meal. 25-30 minutes between dishes. read more

This is the single best restaurant in the South Bay and is in my top 10 of anywhere in the world I have visited (I'm 66 and have been all over the world). The service, food, ambiance and concept are all 10 out of 10. Their wine list is good and very reasonably priced. We had 9-10 dishes and not one of them disappointed. All are sharable plates and between each dish, they change out the plate and flatware. I thought I was eating in DTLA or Beverly Hills or Malibu, but no, we were in Hermosa Beach, 1/2 a block to the beach and 15 minutes from the house! If any restaurant in the South Bay will receive a Michelin star this is the place! read more

Vin Folk - Restaurants Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

Cute little restaurant down at hermosa downtown! Such a cool concept where everybody that works there is a chef. Menu looked so interesting that we wanted to try everything! We got their rye focaccia with red pepper spread, beets and radish, pritto, chopped salad, yellowtail, their chili crab and 30 day aged steak. Everything was well plated, unique and tasted really good! Everybody there were so nice and service was awesome- I highly recommend this place! read more

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Can't say enough about what a great experience we had at Vin Folk. Amazing food, but even more the PEOPLE are amazing and went above and beyond. All the food was A+++ and the team that takes care of you makes dinner more of an immersed EXPERIENCE. Definitely THE spot in Hermosa by far! A must go! read more

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My friend and I have a monthly dinner (visiting 4-5 "$" restaurants) and we have been talking about our visit here since last month's dinner. After reading Ashley M's review (she's related to the owners/operators), we were really looking forward to it. Ambiance: Nice; we sat inside near the kitchen. We didn't find that we could have a conversation very easily (and no, we don't have hearing issues. LOL). Servers: We were served a couple of things by one chef, but also served by the hostess. Food: This is where it started to fall apart... Wine Suggestion was good; we truly enjoyed the Land of Saints Pinot Noir. Snacks Pritto: COMPLETELY over salted...to the point my tongue was numb. Also, quite a large portion. We didn't finish it between the fact that it was the first thing out and we wanted to make sure we didn't stuff ourselves and the fact that it was so so so salty!!!! Cold Chopped Salad: one of the two best things we had. The dressing was delicious and light. Having the Lap Xuong was quite a nice change; we are both Asian so we were wondering how this would taste. No disappointment here. Hot Chili Crab: Ridiculous amount (maybe a serving spoonful or rice with an egg on top) for $42.00. Didn't see any crab, but did taste a bit. This was seriously overpriced for the portion size. Dorade: So many bones that my friend gave up after a bit. It wasn't because she was getting full. She asked for a separate dish to put the bones. She filled one small bowl they gave her and was starting on the second when she just gave up. $48.00 for a lot of bones. She said this dish was also over salted. Jidori Chicken: I was very pleased with my chicken. It was the best thing that hit the table and it was NOT over salted. The chicken was juicy and well cooked. It was served over babaganoush that was quite tasty. The black eyed peas cassoulet was also pretty good as were the market vegetables. This dish is $60, but was worth it. Dessert Condensed Milk Ice Cream: This was good except....you guessed it...SALT. If there wasn't an issue with other items being over salted, we probably would not have batted an eye, but not the case. Parking is awful, but fortunately, I work walking distance so I parked at the office. read more

We had an 8:15pm reservation on the patio for four people. Arrived at 8:13pm to check in and they said our table is being readied. At 8:30pm, they finally sat us.. inside at a two top max three where they expected to squeeze four full adults. After politely pointing out that we had a reservation for the patio and that the table was much too tight, they said oh ok we have a table outside we just need five minutes to prep. Dear reader - it did not take five minutes. We finally got sat around 8:45pm after having to check again, they finally led us to the patio table that had been empty the entire time we were waiting. Set for five people. Not a big deal yeah but not the kind of refined service you would expect from a restaurant that prints their menu prices in really light text. We ordered most of the menu because we are foodies and love to try a variety of dishes. Unfortunately because we had been sat so late, the steak was sold out. The meal service was painfully slow. They make their chefs serve the tables and uh, I would not recommend that. Our poor chef definitely needed to be in the kitchen. When I let him know at the end of the meal that it had not been a positive experience, he literally pretended to ignore me and hurriedly typed away at the checkout pad to be able to escape. Zero acknowledgement of any kind which was extremely weird. Bill was close to $500 which was normal for our group but nowhere worth it. Cute place, great location but absolutely would not go back due to the odd service and the food was sadly not good enough to make up for that. Feel free to give it a try if you like to waste your time and money. read more

Wow! Everything about this new Hermosa restaurant is exceptional--the food, the ambiance, the creativity, and the people. There's truly nothing like it in the South Bay. We dine out often, and this place stands out in every way. The dishes were unique, flavorful, and beautifully executed. On this visit, the highlights were the yellowtail, Jidori chicken, and their 30-day dry-aged steak--easily one of the best steaks I've ever had. I've heard the chefs come from Michelin-starred backgrounds, and based on this experience, I wouldn't be surprised if this spot earns that recognition too. The space is warm, intimate, and upscale, with a lively, fun energy. Can't wait to come back! read more

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A more accurate rating would be 3.5 only because I had asked to pack our leftover chicken liver away along with the salad. I got home to find they only put the salad in! So make sure you check! Service and Ambiance both were great. - Pea Chawanmushi - it was different. I couldn't pinpoint if I thought it was good or not. It wasn't bad but wasn't amazing. - Chili crab - this was pretty salty but overall the flavor profile was really good - lap suong salad - fine - focaccia + liver pate - this was good! read more

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The food here was a breath of fresh air and very tasty. The staff was close-knit and welcoming. And the lighting and flora was spot on.

The mussels Tart is a must order! The texture and the flavor is very unique and I love my beef tongue too it was so tender and melt in your mouth. The spicy crab also good too have good amount of crab meat in it. We will definitely going back trying different dishes. read more

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