In a charming one-story structure just two blocks away from the Pacific Ocean, chefs Katya Shastova and Kevin De Los Santos debuted an inventive and modern California bistro in late 2024. Don’t mistake Hermosa Beach’s Vin Folk for standard French cuisine; the youthful team puts captivating twists on classic dishes by incorporating the lead chefs’ international backgrounds with a cast of notable supporting cooks. Consider the intimate dining room and unusual approach to exceptional service, and all these elements easily place Vin Folk as one of the most unexpected gems to emerge from the South Bay in recent years.
Everything about Vin Folk is relaxed, even as the kitchen occasionally shouts a coordinated “Oui!” The candlelit room is romantic yet casual. Most diners share bottles and dishes within view of the large corner windows or settle nicely into a sidewalk table.
Don’t be surprised if a staff member in a chef coat appears at your table to take an order. Vin Folk is attempting to flip the script on front and back-of-the-house service — and it works.
Dining and Cooking