In this installment of "In Search of Seafood," I'm taking you on a seafood journey from Southern to Northern California. We will start in San Diego, stop in Orange and finish in San Francisco. Like "In Search of Seafood" posts 1, 2, and 3, this post will highlight some of the best seafood restaurants I have found, as well as stand out dishes at each.
Pacific Beach Fish Shop
Pacific Beach Fish Shop
I'll start with the Fish Shop located in San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood. (There are also additional locations in Point Loma and Encinitas.) If the quality of seafood here was ever a secret, the secret is out. No matter when I have visited, there is always a line out the door. The good news is that you can order one of their many local California beers to sip on while you wait.
Sashimi of the Day (Albacore)
All of the Fish Shop's fish has been freshly caught, so you can't go wrong no matter what you choose to order. That said, I usually ask about their sashimi of the day, which you can order on its own ...
Ahi Poke
... or poke style on occasion. I visited on such an occasion.
The fresh, raw, ahi tuna was marinated in soy sauce, ginger, crushed red pepper and sesame oil and served atop wonton chips. It was extremely good as evidenced by how quickly it was devoured by my family.
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Chips
If you are not ordering a special menu item, the Fish Shop regularly lists all available seafood from which you can choose. Pick a type, then pick a marinade and lastly, pick a preparation style. For our second dish, we chose the jumbo shrimp with garlic butter marinade, grilled and served plate style with a side of fries. So yummy!
Fish Shop Shrimp
I believe the most popular item at the Fish Shop is the Fish Shop Shrimp. It is marinated in Fish Shop Seasoning, a dry rub made with spices and brown sugar that is mildly spicy and sweet. The shrimp is sautéed and served with chipotle aioli. One bite and I understood why it is so popular.
Kids Fried Shrimp
On this particular visit to the Fish Shop, we came with four kids under the age of ten, so we had opportunity to discover a few items on the kids menu. On the seafood side of things, we ordered the fried shrimp which was crispy and juicy.
Kids Chicken Fingers
Our final dish, the chicken fingers, was a definite departure from the seafood theme, but was equally tasty. If you are in the San Diego area, I recommend a visit to any of the Fish Shop's locations.
O Sea
O Sea, Seafood for Thought
The second restaurant in this post, is located about 90 miles north of San Diego in the city of Orange, California. O Sea, Seafood for Thought, is in the heart of Old Towne Orange's historic district. O Sea began as a counter service restaurant that has since transitioned to a full service establishment with a great happy hour.
Minter Sweet Oysters
Happy hour occurs between 2 - 5 pm on weekdays and features discounted oysters, small plates and 50% off wine.
Steamed PEI Mussels in Green Curry
Though O Sea calls their small plates "snackies," I consider them a bit more substantial than small plates or snacks.
I started with the mussels. They were rich, flavorful and filling. The ample portion came swimming in a coconut milk broth flavored with ginger, kaffir lime leaves and a side of grilled rustic bread.
Spicy Tahitian Albacore Tuna on Crispy Rice
Next, we ordered the tuna on crispy rice which was equally substantial and flavorful and had some nice heat.
It was served with avocado, green onion, sweet soy and furikake.
Before I complete my review of O Sea, I have to touch on the wine. O Sea has an extensive wine list that received the 2024 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Come anytime to enjoy a bottle, but as I mentioned, if you come during happy hour, all bottles are 50% off.
You can also opt to bring your own bottle. I don't know if this is still the case, but when I visited, in lieu of corkage, the restaurant asks that you share one glass of anything you bring with someone in the dining room. This was both a creative policy and a great way to meet new people.
Hog Island Oyster Company
Last in this post, but certainly not least, is Hog Island Oyster Co. with locations in San Francisco, Napa, Petaluma, Larkspur and Marshall. Hog Island began farming oysters on a five-acre plot in Tomales Bay over 40 years ago. Today they have 250 acres spread over both Tomales and Humbolt Bays. Hog Island credits the quality and flavor of their oysters to the water in which they grow and the company's farming techniques.
Raw Oysters
We shared two of the following types of oysters starting with a Hog Island classic, the Hog Island Sweetwaters from Tomales Bay in California. In addition to those, we enjoyed Hama Hama oysters from Hood Canal in Washington, Pinkerton's Loot from Roquefeuil Bay in British Columbia and Glacier Point oysters from Kachemak Bay in Alaska.
Chipotle Bourbon and Jalapeño Grilled Oysters
I was always suspicious of cooked oysters until I tasted broiled oysters at F.I.G. and char-grilled oysters at Leon's, both located in South Carolina. While I still prefer the purity of the unadorned oyster, I have come to appreciate a great cooked oyster as well.
In that spirit, we ordered the following grilled oysters at Hog Island: Chipotle Bourbon made with butter, bourbon, brown sugar, garlic and chipotle and the Jalapeño made with butter, jalapeño and lemon juice. Both were great.
Fish and Chips
To round out the meal, we shared an entree of fish and chips. Hog Island battered and fried a mild and slightly sweet tasting, flaky, local, California halibut that they served with coleslaw, tartar sauce and Old Bay french fries.
That is it for this installment in the "In Search of Seafood" series. For more great seafood, check out my previous posts below.
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