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Dining Review: Manchego

By
the Palisadian-Post
-
Paella
Photo courtesy of Merv Hecht

2518 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-450-3900
manchegosm.com

By MERV HECHT | Restaurant Critic

After tiring of the usual Italian, Thai, Mexican and Japanese options, I decided to host a family gathering at a Spanish restaurant for a change.

I tried to book a table for seven at Manchego at 6 p.m., but the online system required a credit card up front—only to inform me they couldn’t seat all seven together. We ended up reserving two tables, one for four and one for three.

When we arrived, however, the manager kindly seated us together in a “back room” at a comfortable table for seven. The room featured a waterfall, and the occasional cool droplet added a refreshing touch—a perk you miss with online reservations.

Manchego offers a well-curated menu with a range of authentic Spanish dishes and a reasonably priced wine list that includes various Spanish wines. I appreciated the selection of grapes from different regions, including several Tempranillos, a Grenache and more. I didn’t sample any since I’d brought an Oregon Pinot Noir, but we tried a variety of dishes.

The Serrano ham was as good as any I’ve had in Spain, and the crispy croquettes were excellent. Our main courses included a tender beef rib on creamy polenta, which came with a delicious sauce but was a bit salty for our taste. The beet salad was a favorite, and the Brussels sprouts were easily the best we’ve ever had.

The main event for me was the paella. While it was nicely presented, with a few shrimp peeking through the saffron-colored rice, I was hoping for fluffier rice and a broader variety of proteins, such as shrimp, chicken, duck, octopus or scallops. Though we enjoyed the flavors, I wouldn’t return for the paella alone.

For dessert, we indulged in the flan, flourless chocolate cake and, of course, churros with melted chocolate—they were delicious.

Manchego is owned by a Jewish Persian gentleman who lived in Spain, and he’s done a great job capturing the essence of Spanish cuisine. The menu is authentic and varied, the waitstaff are friendly and attentive, and the wine list is both interesting and affordable. I’d hoped to meet the owner in person, though he wasn’t there during our visit. Hopefully next time.

Merv Hecht, like many Harvard Law School graduates, went into the wine business after law. In 1988, he began writing restaurant reviews and books. His latest book, “The Instant Wine Connoisseur, 3rd edition,” is available on Amazon. He currently works for several companies that source and distribute food and wine products internationally. Send comments to mervynhecht@yahoo.com.

Scout Trips

By
the Palisadian-Post
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Falcon Patrol
Photo courtesy of Marcus McCannel

Local Scouts from Troop 223 Share Their Experiences on Recent Good Turn and Career Trips

Marcus McCannel

The Falcon Patrol of Troop 223 had a Good Turn Trip dedicated to spreading positivity in our community on Sunday, November 10, with the HangOutDoGood group. The day began at my house, where we gathered, ready to donate our time and energy to those in need.

We started the project by spending the first 20 minutes decorating 50 lunch bags. On each bag, we drew positive messages and cheerful drawings to brighten the days of those receiving the lunches. Then, we split up, making 50 PB&J sandwiches and packing them with water and other food, like cookies, a granola bar, and chips.

Once our preparation was complete, we packed the lunches into our cars and drove to the designated drop-off location, where we added it to the growing pile of lunch donations those in the community provided.

This Good Turn Trip not only allowed us to provide meals to those in need but also strengthen the bond in our patrol. It was amazing to see everyone come together, focusing on service and helping the community.

We look forward to more opportunities like this, that show even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

August Brancato

Bruins Patrol
Photo courtesy of August Brancato

For the Troop 223 Bruins Patrol Career Trip, we visited the NFL offices with Mr. Andrew Uhm who is the director of engineering in the Next Gen Stats division of the NFL.

We toured the dynamic headquarters, with some incredible views of the NFL offices and SoFi Stadium. We saw the news studios, the podcasting rooms and the conference rooms where many famous athletes and coaches have been interviewed.

We learned about the purpose of Next Gen Stats and the colossal amount of data they gather from wearable technology. Next Gen Stats gathers this intelligence from RFID transmitters (built by Zebra Technologies) that are placed in the players’ pads, the footballs, the end zones and the yard markers, and how Next Gen Stats organizes the data that the transmitters provide.

They can use the data gathered to make charts upon charts of player statistics, team statistics and even game statistics. This information provides a more exciting and in-depth NFL experience.

We viewed some playthroughs from recent games and noticed how each of the transmitters are programmed to follow their specific player on the field. We saw how the transmitter embedded in the football clearly showed where the football was on the field and its relationship to each player on the field.

We heard a story about early days of the transmitters where the frequencies they were using to transmit information from a game at SoFi was the same frequency that police choppers were using to survey the area—it disrupted the Next Gen Stats information stream! Luckily, the NFL quickly made a compromise with the sheriff’s department.

We as a patrol learned about many career opportunities in the NFL and realized how fun it could be working there. We admired how incredible it was that such a huge and influential company does all these things just in our backyard.

The Bruins Patrol includes: August Brancato (patrol leader), Rowan Woodruff, Lincoln McCannel, Leo Holmes and Leo Huang.

Maxton Flaherty

Kahunas Patrol
Photo courtesy of Maxton Flaherty

On November 16, the Kahunas Patrol went to the VA to help rebuild the Japanese Garden built by Japanese American veterans after WWII.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the famed Japanese Garden of the VA was not maintained. It served as a place for many veterans to heal; it was a staple of the veteran community. Being left unmaintained, it was subject to overgrowth.

As a patrol we helped clear lots of overgrown plants from the garden, further beautifying it.

Lauren Whiteley

For the Foxes Patrol Career Trip, we visited the Lexus dealership in Santa Monica where we learned about selling cars and how to connect to a customer.

We first learned about what a day was like for General Manager Matt Unger and Product Specialist Golnaz “Naz” Mojtahedi. They told us how it can be exciting meeting new people. They also enjoy when customers can be a challenge, it’s more fun and a good experience for them.

Foxes Patrol
Photo courtesy of Lauren Whiteley

Naz said she spends a lot of time connecting with her customers. She said that it is important to keep in touch with her customers even after the purchase. If you treat the customer right and have a good time selling the car to them, it’s a nice memory for the seller and you.

The last thing we talked about was how to sell to the customer. Pitching a product is easy, but in order to get the sale, you need to listen to the customer’s needs and understand how your product will address them. Matt said it is always important to give the customer good service and a great time.

Overall this experience was great! We even got some delicious cookies in the end. Thank you, Matt Unger and Golnaz Mojtahedi.

For more information about Troop 223, visit troop-223.org.

Lois Ann Dunne

By
the Palisadian-Post
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Screenshot

Longtime Palisadian Lois Ann Dunne passed away October 23. A bright and wonderful woman who was dedicated to her family, friends and Catholic faith fought a courageous battle against cancer.

Lois was born on January 3, 1941, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to parents Ann and Louis Manza. She grew up in Towson, Maryland.

After receiving her BA in English from Goucher College she left for NYC to begin her career. There she met her husband, Allen Dunne, on a blind date.

Early in their marriage, the couple moved to the West Coast and settled down in Pacific Palisades. It was here where they raised their two boys, Tony and Stephen, and became part of the Corpus Christi community.

After many years as a stay-at-home mom, Lois re-entered the work force. She worked in the Gerontology Department at USC, was a fundraiser for St. Anne’s Family Services, then later settled into a successful career in planned giving for Mount St. Mary’s University.

Lois was an avid reader and was often at the Palisades Branch Library. Later in life she volunteered at the library and was a member of local book clubs.

She loved the theatre, often going to plays at the Mark Taper Forum in downtown LA. She was a longtime member of the Irene Dunne Guild at St. John’s Hospital. Lois also enjoyed knitting, especially doing projects for her grandchildren while listening to her favorite singer, Frank Sinatra.

Despite her health challenges later in life she never stopped moving forward, facing those challenges with grit and determination. Her star shall forever shine. She may rest now in peace with her husband Allen.

Lois is survived by her two sons Tony and Stephen (Lacey), her two grandchildren, brothers Lou and Stephen, and a sister Jane.

There will be a private family memorial service. Memorial contributions can be made to everychild
foundation.org.

Stuart Hansen

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

Stuart Hansen, longtime Santa Monica resident and dedicated general contractor serving West Los Angeles and surrounding communities, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 21. He was 75 years old.

Stuart (also known as “Stu”) was born in Seattle, Washington. As a child, he moved frequently due to his father’s career as an aerospace engineer.

At the age of 11, he, his dad and sister relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, where his father worked for NASA. Eventually, they settled in Woodland Hills, California, when Stuart was 15, and he attended Taft High School.

During his time in high school, Stuart began to develop his independent temperament. Being the new kid in town, without an established group of friends, he spent much of his time observing the world around him and immersing himself in books. These early experiences shaped the thoughtful and introspective man that he became.

Stuart founded his contracting company, Hansen Construction, in 1987 and became a highly respected general contractor. Structural engineers and architects valued him for his ability to grasp complex blueprints. Clients admired him for his exquisite taste and his talent for creating sophisticated and beautifully designed spaces.

Stuart was a pragmatic thinker when it came to design with his credo being: “have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” His Danish heritage shone through in everything he did. He embodied the essence of Danish modern design, with its focus on minimalism, functionality and simple elegance.

Above all else, nothing mattered more to Stuart than his two daughters. They were his greatest miracles and reflections of his character and heart. As a loving father, he instilled in them the values of strength, resilience, curiosity and determination. He inspired them to live courageously and become the deliberate builders of their own lives.

Stuart’s love for his daughters was deep and unconditional. He took immense pride in their achievements, found pure joy in their lives and nothing delighted him more than spending time with them.

His granddaughters were bringing new joy into his life. He relished being called Poppy and showering them with love.

Stuart often said he wanted to work until he could no longer do so, and he fulfilled that desire working right up to the very last day. He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his business and local community, his steadfast loyalty, the genuine and admirable bond he shared with his family, and his remarkable generosity and selflessness.

Stuart leaves behind his former wife and devoted lifelong friend, Sue Hansen, his beloved daughters, Austin Hansen Cowden and Logan Hansen, his son-in-law, Josh Cowden, his two granddaughters, Connelly and Bracey Cowden, treasured nieces and nephews, and many extended family members, friends, and colleagues.

Week 14: Palisadian-Post Football Contest

By
Steve Galluzzo
-

The annual Palisadian-Post Football Contest, giving readers a chance to predict upcoming game winners, continues to week two.

“Every week, the Palisadian-Post will have a selection of NFL and college football games,” according to the contest rules. “Check the team you predict will win each game. The person with the most correct picks wins. In the event there is a tie, the tie-breaker will be used to determine the winner.”

There is an online submission process: Contestants can download or copy their entry form, fill in their picks, take a photo, and email it back to footballcontest@palipost.com by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline. This week’s deadline is Friday, December 6, at 5 p.m.

One entry per person per contest will be accepted. Winners will receive a $10 gift card from our contest sponsor, The Yogurt Shoppe, via email. Last week’s winner was Richard Olsen (+8, 51 PTS).

Week 13: Palisadian-Post Football Contest

By
Steve Galluzzo
-

The annual Palisadian-Post Football Contest, giving readers a chance to predict upcoming game winners, continues to week two.

“Every week, the Palisadian-Post will have a selection of NFL and college football games,” according to the contest rules. “Check the team you predict will win each game. The person with the most correct picks wins. In the event there is a tie, the tie-breaker will be used to determine the winner.”

There is an online submission process: Contestants can download or copy their entry form, fill in their picks, take a photo, and email it back to footballcontest@palipost.com by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline. This week’s deadline is Friday, November 29, at 5 p.m.

One entry per person per contest will be accepted. Winners will receive a $10 gift card from our contest sponsor, The Yogurt Shoppe, via email. Last week’s winner was James Ryan(+8).

Scoring Spree

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Harrison Carter weaves through Eagle Rock’s defense on his way to a 23-yard touchdown in the third quarter last Friday night.
Photo: Steve Galluzzo

Dolphins Set School Records in 63-45 Win at Eagle Rock and Advance to City Division I Championship Game   

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

While congratulating Palisades players in the handshake line after last Friday night’s contest, Eagle Rock head coach Andy Moran hesitated when he got to Harrison Carter, patting him on the helmet and joking: “Great game but I never want to see you again!”

The junior tailback was a headache for Moran and a nightmare for Eagles defenders who were helpless to stop one of the most breathtaking performances in Dolphins history.

The busiest person in the stadium was the scoreboard operator, who  struggled to keep up with Palisades’  high-octane offense, which marched up and down the field at will to the tune of nine touchdowns, the most  the Dolphins have ever scored in a postseason game. When the dust settled, Palisades had dealt the No. 1-seeded Eagles a 63-45 knockout on their home field. The resoundning victory also broke the school record for most combined points in a postseason game (108), surpassing the previous total of 100 when the Dolphins lost at Birmingham 53-47 in the first round of the City championship division in 2000. Palisades’ 63 points is the Dolphins; highest total ever in a playoff game, topping the previous record of 60 against visiting South Gate in an Open Division quarterfinal in 2021.

“We came here hungry, but we’ve still got more to eat,” coach Dylen Smith said after the Dolphins advanced to their second Division I final in three years. “One more and we’re City champs!”

Palisades will take on King/Drew in the championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday at Birmingham High. The Golden Eagles upset No.2 Kennedy 35-23 in Friday’s other semifinal.

Eagle Rock (10-3) got the ball first and needed four plays to score,      the last an eight-yard run by Ajani Rivera. Palisades needed less than three minutes to answer, as Jack Thomas threw a sideline pass to King Demethris, who raced 30 yards for a touchdown. The Eagles regained the lead on a three-yard run by Jonas Leal-Paz, but Palisades again responded on a 20-yard scoring strike from Thomas to LeHenry Solomon. Jack Malloy’s point-after  kick put the Dolphins in front for the first time, 14-13, with 37 seconds left in the first quarter. Malloy would end the night a perfect nine-for-nine on extra point tries, setting yet another school record.

Leal-Paz caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Liam Pasten to regain the lead for Eagle Rock, but Thomas hooked up with Solomon again to make it 21-19 Palisades midway through the second quarter.       

On his team’s next drive, Thomas  scoired on a 20-yard keeper, but the Eagles gave their fans something to cheer about with a 21-yard pass play from Pasten to Leal-Paz to cut the Dolphins’ lead to 28-25 with 1:47 left in the second quarter. However, Thomas hit Carter in stride for a 63-yard touchdown  just 16 seconds later to put Palisades back up by 10. Eagle Rock, though, came right back with a five-play, 70-yard drive capped by Pasten’s five-yard run, but the two-point pass failed and Palisades took a 35-31 lead to the locker room.

The Dolphins’ offense switched to an even higher gear in the third quarter—one with which the Eagles could not keep up. First, Carter scored on a 23-yard run, breaking tackles all the way, to widen the lead to 11, then mideay through the quarter he ran 84 yards for a score. Thomas’ 13-yard touchdown run with 24 seconds left in the quarter  gave the fifth-seeded Dolphins (11-2) a commanding 56-31 advantage.

Eagle Rock never gave up, scoring on a four-yard run by Leal-Paz to pull within 17, but Shilo Beavers barreled into the end zone from two yards out to to widen the gap. Rivera closed out the scoring on a four-yard run with 8:11 left and four minutes later Nico Townsley intercepted a Pasten pass and returned it 17 yards to seal the deal.

Thomas wound up completing 12 of his 21 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns to go along with  his 85 yards rushing and two scores.

Carter carried the ball 16 times for a whopping 262 yards and added three catches for 87 yards. Max Hejazi had four grabs for 79 yards, Demethris and Solomon each had two catches and Augie Evans had one.

Linebacker Jake Treibatch made 13 tackles, Jayden Joch had 11, Mike Tobin added eight and Adrian Romero had two sacks.   

“On some of those plays he just makes it happen on his own,” Smith said of Thomas’ ability to extend plays. “We watched a lot of film and today was about attacking the gaps and taking what they gave us.     I’m proud of the whole team. We played fast and physical. If we practice hard consistently no one can stop us.”

Dolphins Hope Fourth Chance Makes History

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Quarterback Jack Thomas scrambles for a first down.
Photo: Steve Galluzzo

Since the school opened in 1961  the Pali High football team has never won a section title. The Dolphins hope to change that Saturday.   Here is a look back at the Dolphins’ three previous trips to the finals:

1974

The closest Palisades has ever come to winning a gridiron title was 50 years ago when the Dolphins came up one play short in the championship game against a San Fernando squad conisdered one of the City’s best ever. Back then there was only one 16-team division. The Dolphins reached the final at the LA Coliseum by shuting out Cleveland, Roosevelt and Gardena. Trailing 12-10 with the final seconds ticking away, Dick North’s team had a chance to pull off the upset but Rick Myers’ 43-yard field goal in the fog was wide.

1987

This time the Dolphins were vying for the 3A Division crown riding the arm of quarterback Perry Klein, whose 3,896 passing yards were at the time the second-most ever in a single season nationally. Under Jack Epstein the Dolphins won their first league title since 1978 and qualified for the middle of three playoff tiers. The final was played at East LA College and the Dolphins trailed 21-14 through three quarters before losing to Franklin, 30-14.

2022

It took Palisades 35 years to make it back to the finals, albeit in Division I after making the Open Division the year before. Chris Hyduke’s bunch beat Huntington Park, Dymally and Narbonne to secure a matchup with No. 1 Granada Hills at Valley College. Utah-bound tailback Dijon Stanley ran for 367 yards and five scores in the Highlanders’ 44-7 rout.

Pali High Boys Hoops Off to Promising Start

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Mo Butler scored 12 points on four 3-point baskets in the Dolphins’ 74-52 triumph over Taft.
Photos: Steve Galluzzo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

A new era in Palisades High boys basketball annals got underway last week at the Leon Wood Tipoff Classic and the Dolphins gave their fans and first-year coach Jeff Bryant reason for optimism, finishing 2-2 in the tournament at St. Monica High.

In its first game Nov. 19, Palisades led most of the way but lost to Da Vinci 52-48 despite the stellar debut of guard Tommy Pickens, a senior transfer from Grand Blanc, MI, who scored 26 points. Jack Levey added seven while fellow returners Mikal Sims and Mo Butler each had five.

“It felt new… we’re still learning  to communicate with each other,” said senior co-captain Aten Hassan. “Coach Bryant is doing a great job and we’ve gotten a lot better since the summer.”

The Dolphins resumed pool play the next day and beat Taft 74-52 led by Pickens’ 16 points, Butler’s 12 (on four 3-pointers) and Levey’s 10 points and five assists.

Bracket play began last Thursday and the Dolphins improved to 2-1 with a 72-51 victory over Western League rival LACES, last season’s City Open Division runner up.Sims scored 17 points, Levey had 16 with seven assists and Kye Davis, who 

Guard Tommy Pickens had a team-high 26 points in Palisades’ season opener versus Da Vinci.

just received a Division 1 offer from Pepperdine, added 11.

Despite losing to West Torrance 50-46 Saturday in their tournament finale the Dolphins found plenty to build on before returning to action Dec. 19-23 at the Winter Slam Jam.

“A nice start, but we have a long way to go,” Bryant said.

Palisades did not pick up its second win last winter until its 13th game on Dec. 30.

California Connection

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Palisades High and California football alums (l-r) Geoff McArthrur, Eric Beegun and Mitchell Schwartz reunited last weekend in Berkeley for the Golden Bears’ annual “Big Game” last Saturday against Bay Area rival Stanford. McArthur (Class of 2000) remains Palisades’ career leader in receptions (139), touchdown catches (35) and receiving yardage (2,517), won the Palisadian-Post Cup Award as the school’s outstanding senior athlete and went on to enjoy a stellar collegiate career at Cal, graduating in 2004 as the program’s all-time leader with 3,188 receiving yards. Beegun (Class of 2002) was an All-Western League first team selection in both baseball and football at Palisades before beginning a productive gridiron journey at Cal, where he contributed at tight end, H-back and on special teams from 2002-06 while earning his Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies. McArthur and Beegun both played for Ron Price at Palisades and Beegun even returned to Stadium by the Sea on Nov. 1 to participate in a pregame ceremony in honor of his former coach. Schwartz (Class of 2007) was a four-year starting offensive tackle for the Dolphins (the last three under Coach Leo Castro), earning All-League and All-City honors as a junior and being named City Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior. Following in the footsteps of his big brother Geoff, a three-sport star at Palisades and later an offensive lineman at Oregon and the NFL, Mitchell picked a Pac-10 program too. After redshirting in 2007, he started every game—a total of 51—over the next four seasons at either left or right tackle for the Golden Bears, missing only one snap because his shoelace snapped and had to be replaced. At the 2012 Senior Bowl, Schwartz started at right tackle for the winning North squad. Schwartz spent nine seasons in the NFL (four with Cleveland, five with Kansas City), including an iron man  streak of 7,894 consecutive snaps, was a starter on the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV championship team and, after undergoing back surgery that caused him to sit out the entire 2021 season, announced his retirement on July 14, 2022. He and his brother were both inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. McArthur, Beegun and Schwartz were thrilled to see their alma mater rally for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to defeat the Cardinal 24-21 Saturday afternoon in the schools’ first matchup as members of the ACC.

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