My Grandson the Chef

Hello Dear Friends,
The end of January is here and the weather here in CA is lovely, so decided to take you to the beach today, Manhattan Beach to be exact, let's enjoy lunch at Old Venice. This restaurant belongs to my daughter Julie and her son Andrew and daughter Natalie. Her husband Jimmy, Jimmy the Greek, as people called him was killed by a woman using her cell phone and not watching the road. Natalie is the manager and Julie, well she takes care of everything, she is a busy girl.

Here is a beautiful sunset at Manhattan Beach taken by my grandson Andrew, who is the chef at the restaurant.

And here he is, I am so proud of him taking over after his dad was killed. This photo appeared in the magazine Southbay in the culinary section.

This is the restaurant the way it looks now after rebuilding cause of a fire.


This is the article:
Old Venice, a family owned and operated restaurant featuring Greek and Italian food, has been in business in Manhattan Beach for more than 25 years. Owner/Chef Andrew Hantzaritez, who oversees a culinary team of eight, has been a resident of Redondo Beach his entire life. Andrew's parents, Jimmy and Julie Hantzarides, first opened the doors of Old Venice for business in 1984, the year Chef Andrew was born. He started cooking at the restaurant "as soon as I was old enough to stretch out a pizza" the chef says at about age 2.
The original restaurant was destroyed by fire in 2006 and despite the untimely death of Jimmy in 2008, his family rebuilt Old Venice in a manner that would honor his legacy. Jimmy was famous for his Greek hospitality and he is Chef Andrew's culinary role model. Here is Jimmy with his eternal smile.

Well dear ones this is the story about my daughter and her family. Jimmy's pictures are on the walls of the restaurant and a tile sign which says, Jimmy's Cucina. It has beautiful art work on some walls. If you are ever in CA drop in and enjoy Greek or Italian cuisine. Sandwiches and other items also available. Have a wonderful weekend.