I know, I know, I've been on a brief hiatus, if you will. But I'm back with a vengance! Last night we took a ride out to Playa del Rey to the hip new eatery Dockside, at Playa Provisions. Now
let me explain what Playa Provisions actually is. Top Chef runner-up Brooke Williamson and her husband, Nick Roberts opened a 7,000 square foot beachside eatery four months ago. The model includes four different restaurant concepts in one building, so to speak.
For seasonal seafood, Dockside provides a high-end dining space. Small Batch, the ice cream shop boasts, you guessed it, small batch, in house made ice creams that are out of this world! The back room is a Whiskey Bar called Grain, with a separate
whiskey menu. Finally King Beach is a casual market counter open for breakfast and lunch. At $2, valet parking is a great deal too. Our server, Dee Dee, recommended a wonderful sauvignon blanc, a 2013 Le Grand Ballon ($8). The wine list is extensive and the
bar scene is vibrant! Cocktails like Margaritas ($12) are creative and refreshing made with Mezcal, Tequila, Pineapple, and Lime. I can't say enough about the food at Dockside and what my favorite dish is, because everything we ate was fabulous! Let's
start with the Garlic & Pepper Fried Calamari, Clams, & Rock Shrimp with Cocktail and Spicy Tartar Sauce ($14). It was plenty for two and the smell was intoxicating! We also had the Grilled Wild Alaskan King Salmon ($23) with Summer Squash and Cashew-Kale Pesto
on the side. Salmon is cooked medium rare and is moist, tender, and juicy. Sourdough Bread ($4) is a good-sized loaf baked in-house, served piping hot with salted butter and roasted garlic spread. Need I say more? Umami Buttered Parmesan Dusted Corn on the
Cob ($4) is over the top delicious. The Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese ($14) is one of the best I've tasted. Big chunks of crab, pasta, and cheesy goodness make this killer dish one Dockside should be proud of! So what to eat first? All of it!
Then eat dessert! Oh yeah, you won't want to miss the Frozen Banana Sundae ($9). Small Batch banana ice cream is topped with a real frozen banana, house made ice cream cone, hot fudge, candied peanuts, whipped cream, and for us, two blueberries. We duked
it out for the frozen banana and I won. I loved every single dish that we ordered. I already have my next meal at Dockedside planned. I'm having the Connecticut Crab Roll with drawn butter, Grilled Baby Romaine Salad with Cippolini onions, radishes, and
breadcrumbs in creamy garlic dressing, and a half a dozen jumbo shrimp! Take a drive to Playa del Rey. This is one place you will not want to miss! Playa Provisions 119 Culver Blvd. Playa del Rey (310) 683-5016 Hours: Dockside: Sun-Thurs 5Pm-10 pm, Friday
& Sat 5pm-11pm, Saturday & Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm, Happy Hour M-F 5pm-6pm
Grain Whiskey Bar Hours: Open Daily 6pm-2am
King Beach Hours: Open Daily 7:30 am-6pm (food served until 4pm)
Small Batch Ice Cream Hours: Sun-Thurs. 11am-0pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm
Recommended Dishes: Sourdough Bread, Calamari, Salmon, Corn on the Cob, Mac and Cheese, Frozen Banana Sundae.