Tommy and Atticus Opens in Redondo Beach and Supper At Wrensmoor Castle - Here’s What’s Popping Up
July 20, 2023
The beloved Tommy and Atticus bakery, which has been a fixture at the Hermosa, Pacific Palisades and Larchmont farmers markets, opened a sleek new bakery and coffee shop in Redondo Beach last week. Within four hours of opening, they sold out of their popular brownies, breads, almond croissants and chocolate chip cookies within four hours in the first two days of operation.
“After working eight years as a CPA, I left my career in public accounting to pursue my passion for baking," owner and Gjusta alum Garrett McPerry tells L.A. Weekly. “After getting furloughed at the beginning of the pandemic, my wife Lauren and I expanded our sourdough bread business from baking everything in our small Brentwood apartment and selling our baked goods door to door, to expanding into farmers markets across Los Angeles, and now we’re so excited to open our first brick-and-mortar shop in North Redondo Beach.
In addition to their selection of breads that include super seed and nut, rosemary garlic and cheddar jalapeno, McPerry has added seasonal hearty country sandwiches to the menu.
Tommy and Atticus owner Garrett McPerry (Michele Stueven)
Tommy and Atticus (Michele Stueven)
We may be months away from Halloween, but things are already starting to get a little creepy in the culinary landscape. Just as The Horror of Dolores Roachwith its exclusive empanada recipe is streaming on Amazon Prime, a supper social is taking place at the historic Wrensmoor Castle for those with ghoulish tastes. Formerly known as the Pyrenees Castle and home to the late Phil Spector in Alhambra, it’s where actress Lana Clarkson was found dead at the hands of the record producer in 2003. It was sold in 2021, renamed, and is now an event space for weddings and other functions.
On Saturday, July 29, the first supper social takes place in the castle, described as a delightful evening of food and wine, as the golden hour gives way to a candlelit evening.
Hosted by Chef Cordelia Catering, chefs Cordelia Culver and Tiffany Sewell will present a four-course meal with wine pairings provided by sommelier Coly Den Haan, owner of Vinovore Wines. Tickets here.
Prosperity Market’s community pop-up at Pickford Market comes to Mid-City on Saturday, July 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be vendors including farmers, food and artisans, as well as music from DJ Myah Moves, activities for kids, community resources like Cal-Fresh enrollment assistance and banking resources, and Prosperity Bucks, which means FREE MONEY to shop the market.
Prosperity Market's Virtual Market also is open through Friday, July 21, with various vendors online, with options for local delivery in select zip codes, pick-up at Pickford Market, or national shipping.
This event is part of an ongoing series of community events in partnership with Prosperity Market and the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. Pickford Market is at 4566 Pickford St.
Courtesy Prosperity Market
The Milky Way Restaurant and The Jewish Journal will kick off the annual Summer Book Series on Sunday, July 30, with Mark Schiff, author of Why Not: Lessons On Comedy, Courage, and Chutzpah. There will be three intimate evenings of food and literature featuring celebrated authors, including entrepreneur Jennifer Cohen and politician and activist Zev Yaroslavsky. The evenings include a multi-course dinner as the authors read excerpts from their books, and then sit down with a moderator for an in-depth conversation about life and writing. Reservations are required and include a prix fixe menu and a signed copy of the featured best-seller.
The cost is $125 per person, with a portion of the evening’s sales being donated to each author’s charity of choice. Limited seating is available. For more info and to reserve your spot, click here.
Egg and scallion pancake (Courtesy Ms. Chi Cafe)
Inspired by her recent travels to Taiwan, Chef Shirley Chung will host a Taiwanese brunch pop-up this Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23, at her Culver City restaurant, Ms Chi Cafe, in addition to the regular brunch offerings. Specials will include egg and scallion pancakes, sheng jian bao, pan-fried pork meat pies and a smashed cucumber salad. The pop-up will run from noon to 4 p.m., on Saturday; and from noon to 3 p.m., on Sunday only.
Esters x Tóp Tép – On Thursday, July 27, Esters welcomes Tóp Tép co-founders Thao Pham and Nam Nguyen to take over the “little kitchen that could for one night only. The LA-based pop-up series celebrates the Vietnamese cuisine they grew up eating in Hanoi, with modern twists onclassic dishes. The à la carte menu includes banh mi, beef tartare, tuna crudo, dry chicken pho and seasonal ice cream. The Esters team will pair crisp wines and signature cocktails for the evening. Reservations via Resy are strongly recommended, but they’ll accept some walk-ins, too.
Birdie G’s Farmer’s Dinner with Alex Weiser takes place on Saturday, July 29. Executive Chef Matthew Schaler and team celebrate one of L.A.’s favorite farmers, the legendary Alex Weiser behind Weiser Family Farms. Guests can break bread with Weiser, learn about his family farm’s longstanding history, and enjoy a four-course dinner featuring peak-season, summer produce and organic, heirloom grains from his Tehachapi Grain Project. In addition to a sugar cube melon welcome cocktail and canapés, the menu features Benevento Tomato and Jimmy Nardello Salad with fried Tehachapi Grain Project hominy, Koji salt-baked potatoes with whipped avocado, potato tostones, avocado green goddess and smoked trout roe, pork collar schnitzel dredged in Tehachapi Grain Project Sonora wheat with watermelon rind and jalapeño relish, and melon ice cream with saffron, cherries and ginger. Tickets for the event are $115/person and can be purchased via Resy.
Melnificent Wingz will pop up at BlaqHaus in North Hollywood on Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. with traditional and gourmet wings, other southern menu items, and music, a full bar and hookah.
What’s Popping Up is a weekly column in the L.A. Weekly that explores all that’s new in food and drink.
Alex Weiser, right, comes to Birdie G’s Farmer’s Dinner (Michele Stueven)
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Tommy and Atticus owner Garrett McPerry (Michele Stueven)
Tommy and Atticus (Michele Stueven)
Courtesy Prosperity Market
Egg and scallion pancake (Courtesy Ms. Chi Cafe)
Alex Weiser, right, comes to Birdie G’s Farmer’s Dinner (Michele Stueven)