Vegan Italian in Redondo, Middle Eastern to Mexican in Hermosa, Fusion at Manhattan Mall SHARE A La Carte column for 04 March 2021 A vote of confidence: Six months ago malls were closed, and some people questioned whether they could survive. Restaurants in these developments are betting on a brighter future, because work has resumed at stalled projects. One eatery is scheduled to open on the day that you read this — Joey in the Manhattan Mall. The Canadian chain is noted for flamboyant interiors and an eclectic, multicultural menu. This will be their sixth location in the US. (3120 N. Sepulveda)… What’s Italian for “Vegan?” If you ever thought, “What Redondo really needs is a vegan Italian wine bar,” you’ll be thrilled to know about Pura Vita, which recently opened on Catalina Avenue just south of the Redondo Pier. They’re serving Italian classics that are free of animal products, and there are gluten-free options for just about everything. I haven’t visited yet, but have heard it’s a showcase for how good plant-based cheeses and meat substitutes have gotten. And in case you’re wondering about the question I opened with, the Italian words are vegano or vegana, depending on gender. Yes, there are still gendered languages, and that may take a while to change (320 A. Catalina)…