New Seafood Restaurant to Open in the Old Papadakis Taverna Building

By Gina Ruccione, Cuisine and Restaurant Writer

There have been a few restaurants to grace us with their presence since the Papadakis Taverna closed in 2010. We’ve seen them come and go under abrupt and sometimes even tragic circumstances, so it’s about time we see a little life at the corner of 6th and Centre Street. Maybe it’s time for that space to embrace something that does well in San Pedro—seafood.

Enter Greg and Yunnie Kim Morena, a Santa Monica-based couple who together have more than 30 years of entrepreneurial ventures between them. Their most recent venture was inthe takeover of SM Pier Seafood, a mainstay and seafood staple on the Santa Monica pier.

Kim Morena  took the helm from her parents, who first opened the restaurant the 1977. Her parents, who emigrated from Korea, arrived in the United States with hardly any money and managed to lease a space on the Santa Monica Pier. They got in just in time. It was only a couple years before that the pier was at the brink of being shut down, but only to be replaced by a bridge leading to a man-made resort island. With unwavering protests within the Santa Monica community, the proposed bridge idea was soon shut down.

After taking the helm, the Morenas changed the name to The Albright in reference to the nautical Albright Knot, which symbolizes tying together two generations of a local, family-run business.

The Albright now remains the longest running restaurant on the Santa Monica pier.

This spring the couple plans to open Pappy’s—a seafood restaurant boasting a fresh, locally sourced fare and craft beer, which should prove to be an exciting addition to San Pedro’s dining scene.

So, what can we expect from Pappy’s? If it’s to be anything like The Albright, think rustic-chic fish house; a perfect combination of a low-key atmosphere with high-quality design making it both upscale yet approachable. This would no doubt suit downtown San Pedro quite well.

And what’s with the name Pappy’s? Fun fact and I’m glad you asked. Here’s a little bit of history: Popeye the Sailorman was supposedly inspired by spinach-chomping and rather aggressive sailor, who used to hang around the Santa Monica Pier. Just recently The Albright acquired the license for Popeye. Both Popeye’s father and John Papadakis, the long time owner of the San Pedro property, share the same nickname–Pappy.

Details: http://thealbright.com/

 Gina Ruccione has traveled all over Europe and Asia and has lived in almost every nook of Los Angeles County. You can visit her website at www.foodfashionfoolishfornication.com.