Sunday, January 29, 2012

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.

28 comments:

  1. Oh Lu, I'm so Sorry.... He must have been a wonderful man!
    The restaurant is lovely... Wish I could make a visit.
    Sweet Sunday to you!
    Hughugs

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful family and article! And the restaurant is beautiful! I'm sorry your daughter lost her husband, her children their dad, and you your son-in-law!love,andrea

    ReplyDelete
  3. Greetings from Greece !!!!!
    Oh Lu, how proud you sound about your grandson !!! I am very sorry to hear about the tragic death of Jimmy...I am sure your daughter and grandchildren continue to offer the same hospitality in their lovely restaurant.
    I wish I could return to L.A. some time (you won’t believe it, but I was there in 1984 !!!!).
    Hugs !
    Marie-Anne

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, what a sad and an uplifting story at the same time.
    A good reminder...do not talk or text and drive!!!

    What a handsome young man, no wonder you are proud of him!! And now if I ever get to CA I know where to eat!!Godd bless you dear Lu and your entire family!!

    Hugs, Dana

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely story of your grandson. I know you are very proud of him. Sad about his father...cell phones have no place in a car while it is moving.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a sweet post and I'm so sorry to hear of his death! I know you're so proud of your grandson! I wish I could visit the restaurant and I'd order pizza! :)
    Thanks for popping in to see me.
    be a sweetie,s
    shelia;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. MY DEAR LU,
    YOUR GRANDSON ANDREW IS LIKE HIS FATHER!!!!!! VERY PRETTY MAN!!!!!!
    LAST SEPTEMBER YOU TOLD ME ABOUT THE ACCIDENT AND NOW I SEE ON YOUR PHOTO, JIMMY WITH HIS ETERNAL SMILE!!!!!!!
    OH LU! WHY?
    PLEASE GIVE TO ANDREW KISSES FROM GREECE!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Most enjoyable post of the warmth of CA, It's cold here. sorry to here of the untimely death of your grandson. It's hard to take in and though time may pass they are always there with us.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yvonne,
      It was my son-n-law that was killed not my grandson. My grandson took his dads place at the restaurant as the chef.

      Delete
  9. It is a beautiful restaurant; one to be very proud of. I am so sorry about your family's loss. What a great sadness for everyone. I can imagine you are all proud and grateful for your grandson. The photo he took of the beach is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Lu. What a wonderful sunset your grandson took there. I'm so sorry that Jimmy was killed so cruelly like that. He has the most marvellous smile, and I am sure he lives on in all of you. It must have been so hard for your daughter and her children, but you have every right to be so proud of all that they have achieved with that restaurant. Hugs my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Lu, haven't been blogging for quite some time. What nice pictures with the sunset and thats a beautiful restaurant. You must be so proud of that talented grandson of yours! If we lived closeby we would surely come for dinner!
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your grandson looks so happy in his picture while at the restaurant! I bet he makes some delicious dishes!

    Thank you for sharing your story about the family restaurant. It was enjoyable to read.

    -M. Wildflower :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bel posto!Bel ristorante,sicuramente buona cucina!Peccato per la disgrazia successa!Che si abbia la forza di andare avanti,ricordando sempre il sorriso di Jmmy!Un abbraccio,Rosetta

    ReplyDelete
  14. Que lugar tan encantador, quien pudiera ir a comer esa pizza tan buena......
    Besss. Manoli.

    ReplyDelete
  15. my beloved friend Lu you have to be very proud of your grandson as he continues the tradition of his father, his hospitality and his love for cooking! the loss of a loved one hurts, but we've always become stronger after that .. hope you are always well and enjoy your beautiful family

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your grandson is very handsome and so was his dad..... I love the smile.
    So sad about the death of your son in law. I get so furious at people texting and talking on the phone while driving.

    Old Venice is a lovely restaurant!!! Love that beautiful sunset.

    Thanks for sharing this sweet story.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hola guapa ,
    que fotos preciosas.Buen fin de semana .besitos.

    ReplyDelete
  18. HI DEAR FRIEND LU.YOUR GRAN SON SMILLE IS WONDERFUL ALSO HIS DAD HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SMILE.THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.I WILL TELL YOU THIS FRIEND I DO NOT LIKE CELL 'S,ONLY FOR EMERGENCY'S ,I DO NOT LIKE TO TEX AT ALL IS EXPENSSIVE PLUSS IS NOT TASTFULL AT ALL YOU SEE ALL THIS PEOPLE TEXTING WHEN THEY ARE DRIVING ..THE GOVERMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS .I AM SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR SON IN LAW. YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL HANSOME GRAND SON..MY BLESSINGS TO YOUR FAMILY AND YOU AND BLESSINGS TO THE RESTAURANT TOO...SINCERELY YOUR FRIEND..SANDRA!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. LU SOME DAY I WILL VISIT THE RESTAURANT,THANK YOU FOR COUNTING THE DAY'S FOR VALENTINES DAY IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYS!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. HI DEAR FRIEND LU.YOUR GRAN SON SMILLE IS WONDERFUL ALSO HIS DAD HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SMILE.THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.I WILL TELL YOU THIS FRIEND I DO NOT LIKE CELL 'S,ONLY FOR EMERGENCY'S ,I DO NOT LIKE TO TEX AT ALL IS EXPENSSIVE PLUSS IS NOT TASTFULL AT ALL YOU SEE ALL THIS PEOPLE TEXTING WHEN THEY ARE DRIVING ..THE GOVERMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS .I AM SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR SON IN LAW. YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL HANSOME GRAND SON..MY BLESSINGS TO YOUR FAMILY AND YOU AND BLESSINGS TO THE RESTAURANT TOO...SINCERELY YOUR FRIEND..SANDRA!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Lu, What a wonderful place to visit and enjoy a lunch or dinner made by your handsome and talented grandson.
    I am so sorry for the untimely passing of his father. I know he is very proud of his son and watching over him as he carries on the family tradition with Old Venice. Love that name and the cucine sounds wonderful of Greek and Italian dishes. I would love to visit here one day.

    Thank you for sharing a bit about your wonderful family. Wishing your grandson continued success in his career path. The article was fantastic.

    Blessings and hugs my friend,
    Celestina Marie

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a wonderful story Lu. Yes, I love Greek food. Did you know that my heritage is part Greek? I have heard of this place before, but never been to it. I smiled when I saw your grandson, Andrew, the Chef. My son loves to cook, and was interested in Culinary Arts at one time. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Jimmy looks so Greek in that picture.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

    ReplyDelete
  23. Dear Lu,
    Oh my gosh, I am so sorry for your family loss...What a tragedy to lose such a vital man with such a loving family. It was also good to see your grandson--he's adorable and the restaurant is gorgeous...I'll bet the food is delicious. It only goes to show you that in blogland, we never know what has transpired in people's lives. Sending blessings your way and now I am so glad that you are reading the angel book...I know it will have special meaning for you. XO Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  24. nice post thanks for sharing..i found out about your blog..looking at to visit more...blessings..

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a lovely blog! I am visiting from Sandra at Veranda House. Sorry for your tragedy. Like your homemade Madonnas...beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Lu, I love Italian and Greek, would not dare to go there with all of my six KIDS.
    I am so sorry to read what all happened.

    Blessings and a hug

    In Him,

    Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hello, Lu, dear heart.... how I enjoyed learning about your family and the resteraunt...I am so sorry for y'all' loss of Jimmy... but I am so thankful God gave you such a precious daughter and grandson....and I can tell you know that you are blessed, too!

    Hugs from Texas,
    Jenni

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by. I read and love all the comments. Blessings to each and every one of you.
Hugs and smiles...Lu

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...