Esperanza Cocina De La Playa

Amazing Mexican food! So good we almost went back twice in the same weekend. If visiting Manhattan Beach again, I would definitely consider returning. Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $50–100 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

I have visited Esperanza multiple times, sometimes just for drinks with my husband. However, this time I made a reservation to celebrate my friend's birthday, as it was her first time there. The food was okay, but our experience was marred by the hostess, who made us feel discriminated against. When she tried to seat us right by the entrance, we asked for a table farther away from the constant flow of guests coming in. Despite there being several open tables, she insisted they were reserved for larger groups. Even on a quiet Tuesday night, these tables remained empty. When we asked to split the table due to limited space, she seemed displeased and had to consult with the managers. Eventually, a manager agreed to our request, but the hostess was unwelcoming when she returned. The small table size made it difficult to enjoy our food, as dishes arrived one by one and felt cramped. When we asked for an extra table, the hostess's response made us feel unwelcome. As a local and paying customer, I felt our requests were reasonable, but we were left feeling discriminated against. Our experience was unpleasant, and I will not be returning to or recommending Esperanza to others. It is disappointing that in this neighborhood, not fitting a certain profile can result in disrespect. I urge the owner or manager to provide training to the hostess on how to treat all guests with respect, regardless of their background. Our requests were reasonable, and she should prioritize her work over personal distractions with her cellphone. The current treatment of customers like us is damaging to the restaurant's reputation.

This restaurant is a must-visit! The atmosphere is lively and the food is phenomenal. I would give the food, service, and atmosphere all a rating of 5 out of 5.

I ordered takeout at the bar for dinner. The customer service is amazing. Everyone I spoke to was friendly and helpful. A fabulous experience. Service: Take out Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Nice people but loud, and a salad for $25 Was small and not testy at all. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $30–50 Food: 3 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4