Shaffer's Avenue to close

Shocking news for fans of the South Bay's beloved progressive-American restaurant: Chef Christian Shaffer has decided to close Avenue, the stylish place he opened in downtown Manhattan Beach just under three years ago. (He continues to be associated with Auberge at Ojai as a consultant.)

Shaffer has expressed a desire to spend more time with his wife, Tedde, who has been the hostess of several of his restaurants, and their two children. A business reason also exists, though. "My business partner and sole backer wanted to get out of the restaurant business," he said by phone this afternoon. "He bought a large block of property in Argentina and wants to get into the wine business."

Meanwhile, Shaffer is contemplating a new restaurant venture. "Maybe where my first restaurant, Chloe, was, in Playa del Rey," he said.

"We have enjoyed operating in Manhattan Beach and hate to say goodbye," reads a note on the Avenue website. "However, after much consideration we have decided to close Avenue on Friday, October 5, 2007."

That's time to get at least one farewell dinner in; say, leek and gruyere tart with tarragon aioli followed by "sticky" chicken with glazed root vegetables and cumin jus, topped out with a peach upside-down cake.

Avenue, 1141 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach; (310) 802-1973.

-- Charles Perry

Photo by Lori Shepler