Chef Brett Hickey makes the Palos Verdes Art Center a destination for food, as well as art. This exciting new addition, Stripe Café, is focused on plant-heavy, farm-to-table fare. Not to say that this is a vegetarian restaurant. The most popular item on the menu is the short-rib grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onions and fresh horseradish root.
“We really see this as a place to bring the community together by using food,” Hickey said. “In a sense, going back in time, where food is fresh, organic and more natural. We want everything to be made here; we make everything in-house and we bring the seasons in, while having good, quality food and good prices.”
The culinary team is led by executive Chef Brett Hickey, a Long Beach native. Hickey spent four years training at Johnson and Wales Culinary College in Denver. Upon completion, he traveled to Europe, cooking in Italy and Croatia, and through his school he enrolled in a study-abroad program in Peru.
“I catered events at the Arts Center a year before. The offer was so unique, the place was so interesting, and I had a chance to work with a visionary like (museum director) Joe Baker… I couldn’t say no. We took our time figuring out what we wanted to do, what we wanted to be, and what the area needed, and decided that it was a light, healthy, seasonal menu where as many things as possible were made in house.”
With an emphasis on health as well as flavor, Hickey’s menu features innovative twists on old classics, like salads, sandwiches, homemade soup, as well as a short list of specialties. It’s also full of delightful surprises: salmon smoked each day, Nutella latte, lavender-infused olive oil cake topped with lemon curd, and daily fresh soups.
Stipe is currently open for lunch hours, but as the café becomes more established Brett hopes to be open at least a few nights every week. In the meantime he’s testing the waters with occasional pop-up dinners.
“We do pop-up dinners every four to six weeks. They’re based on whatever is fresh at the farmer’s market and people are welcome to bring their own wine or beer. The feedback is giving us a good idea of what the market is here. Lunch and dinner are different meals and we need to get a feel for the style of food and service they want. We’ve made bone marrow biscuits, octopus, adventurous ingredients, but I don’t want to get too outlandish. I don’t like to put too much on a plate. I prefer the Mediterranean idea of using fewer than seven ingredients and accent simple flavors.”
For the next pop-up dinner, visit our South Bay events calendar. The cost is $50.00 for three courses. For reservations or further information, call 310-541-2479.
Stripe Café at Palos Verdes Art Center
5504 West Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 541-2479
Website
Monday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.