You warned me that it would be loud, it was! You said it was packed….and it was!

I had my first taste of MB Post this past Saturday when I walked in for our late night reservation with the place overflowing with the beautiful people and the speakers blasting some really fun music.

There were communal style tables everywhere but thankfully we got a table of our own. The MB Post as its name implies, occupies a spot that was the original post office for Manhattan Beach. They transformed it into a trendy industrial looking loft.

Despite the business of the restaurant, our server was on top of everything.

The menu had quirky headings like “Pass the Bread” “Eat Your Vegetables” “Seafood, Eat Food” We were also told right away that the menu changes daily, also indicated by the date that was put on the menu. Then the server told us that the portions are small, not tapa size but not gigantic either.

First up was the Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits ($5) with maple butter. While I felt the price was a little steep for two small biscuits, they were still really good. Remember those cheddar biscuits at Red Lobster? Well, these were those, and then some. Fresh, and delicately crumble in your hands. Also paired very well with the maple butter. I just wish there were more!

Next was the Chilled English Pea Soup ($5) with olive oil, poached tomato, and creme fraiche. Maybe it was a post on a pea soup recipe I saw earlier in the day but it really had me craving the pea soup. This one hit the spot. I didn’t care that it was chilled. It was unique, different, and something I’d probably order again.

While the sounds of Outkast, Lenny Kravitz, and Missy Elliott played over the speakers, I enjoyed a freshly pressed Tanzania Edelweiss coffee ($5) as I waited for the main course. I liked this coffee because it was infused with almond and stonefruit which gave it a very smooth and sweet flavor. I barely had to put any sugar in it and I left the creamer out of this one.

Finally the main course, the Vietnamese Pork with Papaya Salad ($13) arrived in a piping hot skillet. Fabulously fatty and cut like butter, it was very sweet and not greasy. Although not a traditional main course size, it was just right for me. I didn’t feel too full afterwards. I also enjoyed the papaya salad which had a slight heat to it to counter the sweetness of the pork.

We finished off the late night dinner with a Three Point Tart ($6) with strawberries, rhubarb, and buttermilk panna cotta. It was a delightful way to end the meal.

Other than the biscuits, I felt that everything was priced right and were a good portion as long as you weren’t overly famished. We got in & our of there in 90 minutes. Not bad for a busy Saturday night! I really hope this restaurant is buzzing as much as it was today a few years from now too.