Lemonade in the News

By Teri Roughen

Lemonade. Just the word conjures up sunshine, picnics, memories of childhood, and the wonderfully simple things in life.

Lemonade the restaurant recently opened in Manhattan Beach with much anticipation from those of us who used to drive to Venice for our Lemonade fix.

So, what can you expect when you get there? Well, for starters the white and yellow, bright, fresh décor hits you like a splash of cold water and is refreshing and airy. It’s clean, simple, and to the point.

Grab a tray and get in line. Oh yeah, it’s cafeteria style. This is a cafeteria like no other, plumped and perfected like a shiny, well, lemon!  

Standing in line, tray in hand, it’s a bit easy to get overwhelmed, but luckily there is someone on the other side of the counter ready and waiting to help you.

I stood in line recently behind a girl of about 10, her eyes as big as saucers and I watched as she peered through the glass discovering and pointing at all of the delights. I found myself doing the same thing and I was eager to try everything I saw.

My best advice is look first, start out with a couple of items, share the “portions,” ask for suggestions, and know you’ll be back again.

The beauty of Lemonade is that you can choose just a salad, or an entire meal that includes braised meats, mac ‘n’ cheese, soup and salad, bread, and of course, dessert!

Keeping it simple, they’ve posted an allergen key in plain view and items are labeled accordingly. Another consideration is their catering menu, which comes via a very user-friendly order form with boxes to check. It’s a perfect solution for our busy lives when we want to serve the closest thing to a home-cooked meal.

I have yet to try everything, but the fun part is going back and discovering something new. I’m partial to the super flavorful red miso beef short ribs, the mac ‘n’ cheese, the avocado and cherry tomato salad (yum), but I would go back for any one of the braised meats (served with greens and rice), especially since I just don’t cook like that at home and when I’m craving a proper hot meal of comfort food, they’re perfect.

The end of the line is like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Their selection of refreshing and lovely lemonades includes blueberry mint, peach ginger, cucumber mint, blood orange, watermelon rosemary, ginger guava, Arnold Palmer, and of course old-fashioned pink or yellow. All are delightfully delicious!

If I owned a restaurant, I’d want it to be called Lemonade. I just love the concept. Their mission is to bring the best seasonal Southern California comfort food and serve it in a modern cafeteria setting.

It was founded four years ago by Alan and Heidi Jackson out of a kitchen catering business they owned. Then about three years ago they teamed up with local Manhattan Beach resident Ian Olsen who had his eye on the perfect location to open Lemonade in his hometown.

 “Our brand is all about its sunny disposition,” Ian told me. “So opening a Lemonade in one of the best beach towns on the left coast was a no brainer.”

The latest Lemonade to open is in the LAX terminal 5. It’s just the kind of place an airport needs; fresh, delicious food served simply and timely. I wish I’d thought of it, but I’m very happy someone did!

Lemonade is located in the Metlox Plaza at 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Call (310) 545-5777 or go to lemonadela.com.

Teri Roughen blogs at beachcitylifestyle.com.