El Segundo, a city of approximately 17,000 residents in Los Angeles County, is experiencing a culinary renaissance, with new upscale dining establishments opening amid a broader trend of rising wealth in the area. This boom comes months after the initial public offering (IPO) of SpaceX, an aerospace company with a significant presence in the region, which reportedly created thousands of new millionaires among its employees.
While restaurants in Los Angeles have faced closures, El Segundo has seen a surge in trendy natural wine bars, upscale eateries, and popular pizza joints. Among the new establishments is EZPZ, a Brooklyn-inspired pizza restaurant opened in June by Hollywood producer Beau Flynn and his wife, actress Marley Shelton Flynn. "We've discovered that El Segundo is LA’s best-kept secret," Flynn told SFGATE. The restaurant features premium California ingredients and organic soft-serve ice cream.
Mayor Chris Pimentel attributes the city's welcoming business environment to its efforts to "reduce friction" and foster a positive climate for commerce. El Segundo is home to around 100 aerospace firms, which have attracted approximately $6 billion in venture capital, according to reports. This economic activity supports the growing demand for sophisticated dining options.
Vinoteca, a natural wine bar located within Blum, a wine and floral shop, is another new addition. Co-founder Julia Blyum noted the growing interest in natural wines in the South Bay. Other popular Los Angeles-based establishments, such as wine bar Barsha and Japanese pasta restaurant Unico, have also opened locations in El Segundo. The breakfast taco chain HomeState opened a branch in September at The Point, an open-air retail destination.
Chef Jackson Kalb, who opened Jame Enoteca in 2018 and Jaime Taqueria last year, has observed the city's evolving culinary landscape. "The way I see things, the more great food we have in town, everyone wins," Kalb told SFGATE. His restaurant, Jame Enoteca, has expanded three times since its opening.
