Vin Folk

The story

Vin Folk: Bib Gourmand Bistro in Hermosa Beach, Torrance

A Family-Run Bistro in Hermosa Beach

Vin Folk is a family-run neighborhood bistro in Hermosa Beach, California, that takes pride in supporting local producers and cooking for its community. The restaurant’s approach to contemporary Californian cuisine is both personal and precise, shaped by the experiences of its chefs and owners.

The Team Behind the Stove

Chef and owner Kevin De Los Santos brings a background that includes stints at Michelin-starred restaurants Somni, Vespertine, and Maude, as well as Bazaar, Nobu, and Ink. He holds a certificate from the Culinary Institute of America and believes cooking is a craft that must be constantly sharpened. Chef and partner Katya Shastova, who has worked in restaurants since she was 17, trained at Nomad DTLA, Etta, and the same Michelin-starred kitchens as De Los Santos. She views food as honest and holistic, with a deep attention to detail. Together with director of operations and partner Christina Montoya, a seasoned hospitality veteran and aspiring sommelier, they bring their vision to the South Bay.

What’s on the Menu

The menu is a thoughtful mix of snacks, cold dishes, and hot plates that reflect the chefs’ global travels and local roots. Snacks include Pan de Cristal with Salty Coast stracciatella and huitlacoche, Squid “Al Ajillo” with sauce gribiche and peanut, and a Mussels Tart with puff pastry and fennel-leek cream. Cold offerings range from a Bistro Salad with butter lettuce and cured egg yolk to Hokkaido Scallop “Kinilaw” with sweet potato, coconut, and aji amarillo. Hot dishes feature Lamb Pappardelle with cumin lamb sausage and “mala” butter, Chili Crab with Arborio rice and rock crab, and a Half Jidori Chicken with black-eyed peas cassoulet. Desserts include a Pear Tart with almond frangipane and tonka bean gelato, and a Turon with banana crèmeux and crispy phyllo.

A Michelin-Recommended Spot

In 2026, Vin Folk earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, an award that recognizes good quality, good value cooking. The restaurant’s warm, welcoming atmosphere and commitment to honest, locally sourced food make it a standout in the South Bay dining scene.