The tiny nook of a bistro is surrounded by sassy boutiques just a few steps from the Manhattan Beach pier, but it's not a place to hit in your bathing suit and sarong. The beachiness goes no further than earth-toned walls and a generally laid-back vibe.

Food and drink are taken seriously here, even when it's something as simple as a glass of wine and a steak. The menu, which changes monthly, sticks to seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients--a salad might be tart radicchio with charred red onions, white anchovies and creamy garlic dressing. Foodies can take comfort in dishes like lamb's tongue with Jerusalem artichoke and black truffle while the rest of us enjoy fork-tender braised short ribs with parsnip puree and Brussels sprouts. Interesting wines are available by the glass, but don't miss out on one of the bar's house concoctions like an apple martini kicked up with fresh apple juice. In short, Avenue is beach dining for grownups.