Tag Archives: Seafood

BLUE PLATE TACO

WHERE:  Blue Plate Taco is located at 1515 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, just across the street from the Santa Monica Pier.

The menu is diverse, serving everything from a Mexican Chopped Salad with kale and quinoa, Carne Asada Tacos, and Lobster Tacos (a crowd favorite), to Grilled Yellow Peaches and Crispy Plantains.

Reservations are not accepted here, but you can call an hour ahead and put your name on the list.

This is a great family spot, there is something for everyone.  We love sitting outside in the moonlight under the palm trees enjoying the cool ocean air.

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char with moon

 

blueplate-taco

MOTHER SAYS:

The Ceviche Amarillo is original, it has yellow pepper blended with lime, pineapple, onion and ginger.  It is light and refreshing, but the cilantro and onion slightly overpower the dish.  However, others think it is the most delicious Ceviche ever.

The Pumpkin & Squash Puree Soup (a special for the night) is very rich and flavorful.  Charlotte and I love it.

My favorite is the Vegetable Taco, the best Vegetable Taco I have tasted…ever.  I enjoy the taco with their famous “Westside” drink – vodka, cucumber, mint, fresh lime, soda water and agave.  Maybe, just maybe that’s why the taco is so good!

Sadly, they are out of their Chocolate Pot De Creme, so we have the Churros & Raspados, (Mexican Shaved Ice) which is good… but it is not chocolate.

ceviche

soup

westside

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

We start with the home made Chips and Guacamole, YUM!!!! Then the waiter says he is going to freshen up our plate, I think, “This is music to my ears. A clean plate, and MORE food”.

I share my mom’s soup, which I love, but a few bites are enough.  I also have the Steak Tacos & Beans, I eat it all.  I adore this place.

Chocolate desserts are really the only desserts I can rave about, so I will refrain from commenting on the Churros & Raspados, it wouldn’t be fair.  Rivers (my 5 year old brother) loved it, so most other kids probably would too, as he has a sweet tooth. My mom loved dipping her Churro in her Mexican Coffee.  I still want to try their Chocolate Pot De Creme, I bet it is delicious.

snocone

foodies-blue taco

 

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE:  8 out of 10 – A great Santa Monica Restaurant with outdoor seating, and a light, chic, airy indoor bar and seating.  This is one of the better Santa Monica spots we have been to.

SERVICE: 9.5 out of 10 –  The staff is overly friendly, and accommodating.  They are on top of it.  We loved getting Mexican blankets when the ocean air became too cold for us.

FOOD:  8 out of 10 – So many flavors, so many options.  We are really impressed.

OVERALL: 8.5 out 10 – This is such a great place for families or a night at the bar.  We will definitely go again, we have to try the Lobster Tacos.

sissys

 

 

 

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

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FISHING WITH DYNAMITE

WHERE:  Fishing With Dynamite (FWD) is one of the newest hotspots in Manhattan Beach, it opened about three months ago…

FWD is a tiny upscale cafe on Manhattan Avenue.  It definitely has an east coast vibe, it is a breath of fresh air.  We only wish it had outdoor seating.

FWD features an incredible selection of oysters, clams, lobster, mussels, scallops and shrimp.  We did not order any of their famous platters, but the couple next to us did and it looked insane – I almost asked for a bite or at least a picture, but my manners got the best of me.  We will be back to try it all.

This is not really a kid-friendly spot unless you have a very well-behaved foodie as a child.  The restaurant is very small, there is no kids menu and the items on the menu are very sophisticated apart from the mahi mahi fish tacos which are very spicy.

We went with my aunt and uncle from Arizona, and Rivers (my 5 year old) of course. We were all impressed and had the best time.

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foodies 2  fwd

MOTHER SAYS:

Charlotte and I split the mahi mahi fish tacos.  They are ‘muy delicioso’, just as it says on the menu.  The house made corn tortillas are the best part aside from the perfectly crisp mahi mahi, fresh guacamole and spicy sauce… need I say more?

The farro and beet salad is so hearty, flavorful and crunchy, with roasted beets, orange, arugula, feta, beet chips and pistachios, you should try this along with a fish dish, when you go.

The maple pudding with rosemary sandies is a must for dessert.  It has hints of bourbon in it and delicious candied pecans.  The little cookies with rosemary are tastefully original and are the perfect pairing for this pudding. YUM!

fish tacos fwd  beet fwd

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

The fish tacos get a thumbs up.  I love the soft, warm, fresh corn tortillas.  The fish is crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside.  They come with a yummy guacamole and a green spicy sauce to pour over the tacos.  I love the spiciness.

The fries are so good, sprinkled with fresh rosemary, they are served hot.  I finished the entire cup.

The pudding is delicious, but I do not like the candied pecans.

I will definitely go back with my mom to try more fish.

fries fwdmenu fwd

 

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE:  7 out of 10 – In the heart of Manhattan Beach, it is a great addition.  The restaurant is small and feels a little cramped along with being a little noisy.  The small bar area looks like a fun place to sit.  There is a small ocean view, we wish we could sit outside.  The decor is perfect, it sort of has a Nantucket/lighthouse feel.  We like it.

SERVICE:  8 out of 10 – Incredibly friendly staff.  It is a little slow at times, but the perfect place for a leisurely lunch.

FOOD:  8 out of 10 – We really need to go back and try more.  We loved what we ordered and appreciated the originality of the food.  They serve from the “traditional school” as well as the “new school.”  Items like thai shellfish coconut soup and black miso cod appear on the new school menu, while new england chowder appears on the old.

OVERALL: 8 out 10 – It is a fun, sophisticated, quaint spot to explore your taste buds.  You should definitely try it.  Make sure to try one of their famous platters.

 

thankful fwd

 

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

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MALIBU SEAFOOD

WHERE:  Malibu Seafood is located on Pacific Coast Highway, just north of Pepperdine in Malibu.

It was founded in 1972 and is owned and operated by commercial fishermen.

Malibu Seafood has been a longtime favorite for us.  We love the picnic tables overlooking the ocean as well as the uber relaxed vibe – bring your own tablecloth, juice boxes and wine, and you will be set.

Dining here in the summer can be tricky, go on a weeknight or off hours, otherwise wait until the fall, because the fair weather crowds can be insane.

We went with six kids, it was the perfect spot for them.  They loved being outside.

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moda Ma Seafood

MOTHER SAYS:

I ordered the grilled mahi mahi, which is what I always order.  I am never disappointed.  The grilled fish here is simple, pure and fresh.  I love it.

I love bringing a bottle of yummy wine, setting up a picnic table overlooking the pacific ocean (and PCH) and enjoying a casual, relaxed meal.  I have always loved Malibu Seafood.

 

mahifried shrimp

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

The fried shrimp is so good.  The chicken strips are good too.  Don’t order the kids meals if you are hungry, they are not enough.  I ate two kids meals and all of my mom’s rice pilaf.

My favorite is the beachy cream ice cream sandwiches we get at the end!

It is so fun sitting outside and running around.

 

lovely seafood

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 8 out of 10 – Is there anything better than sitting outside, overlooking the ocean?!  It is super casual and up to you to provide your own ambiance.  Bring a tablecloth, glasses, a bottle of wine and whatever else you think you might need.

SERVICE: N/A – There is no service.  You walk up to the counter and order, grab your food when it is ready, then you clear your own table.  Considering there is no service at all, it may be a little overpriced, but the fish is so fresh it just makes me want to forgive them!

FOOD:  8 out of 10 – The fish is so fresh.  The fried shrimp is crispy and sweet.  The sauces provided are traditional and delicious.  The ahi burger is a favorite.  So much good seafood.

OVERALL: 7 out 10 – We love sitting outside on a warm night, overlooking the ocean eating fresh fish.  It does require some effort on your part, but so worth it and so fun.  It is one of our favorite spots.

 

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

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