Any Fish You Wish...

What's more fun than to dine with every tourist in your city? Actually almost anything, but we love The Lobster so much that we put up with this small annoyance because a) tourists are a major source of income for Los Angeles(this means you too Peoples' Republic of Santa Monica) and b) because the food and service are always outstanding! Don't be a tourist. Make a reservation well in advance or you will be dining at either 5:30 or 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the cantilevered, open-air deck and 180 degree panoramic ocean view while you dine on fresh seafood at the base of the Santa Monica Pier.  We love to go for dinner or lunch and enjoy the Crispy Calamari and & Prawns ($14) with fennel and anchovy stuffed olives, garlic and anchovy aioli, ponzu, and sweet chili sauce. The Little Gem Salad ($13) is something we never miss. Blue cheese dressing, smoked bacon, cherry tomatoes, heirloom cauliflower, pickled red onion, croutons and basil combine to make one tangy, tasty pre-meal delight. Clam Chowder ($12) does not disappoint either. Starring applewood smoked bacon, and my favorite Weiser Farms heirloom potatoes, this is one of the finest"chowdahs" west of Boston! On our last lunch visit I enjoyed the Dungeness Crab & Shrimp "Louis" Salad ($20) with romaine, eggs, radish, avocado, cucumber, olives, and cherry tomato. We also couldn't resist the Weiser Farms Whole Roasted Carrots ($5). For dinner we always go with the Steamed American Lobster (1and 1/2 lb-2 lb $32) and the Truffle Parmesan Fries. ($7). Whether it's a special occasion, or you just fel like indulging, The Lobster has something for everyone! The Lobster 1602 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica (310) 458-9294. Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:30 a.m.- 10:00 p.m. Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.

One always thinks of seafood as a relatively healthy food, unless, of course that "one" is me. Now those of you who really know me know that I don't eat huge quantities of food, but enjoy the quality far more, which brings me to my point. Quality. Connie and Ted's is all about the quality, and the wait for a reservation...and the wait...and the wait. But do make one. And don't go with a huge group, because you won't be able to hear anyone. Ask specifically to be seated on the patio; its much quieter. However, inside is where it's at. Watch the action at the live lobster tank, raw bar, or just view the kitchen staff hustling all night long. Maybe you'll even , rub elbows with Larry David. If you do, please try to curb your enthusiasm, because Larry is there to enjoy the food too. Start off with a small glass of Bread & Butter Chardonnay ($12) then try the best fried clam strips ($16) with tartar sauce and fries, other than New England. This large portion of clams makes the perfect appetizer to split. Fries are crunchy, hot, and salty, three words I love to write. Lobster Roll ($24) is served hot with drawn butter or cold with mayonnaise on a perfectly crunchy buttery roll and is sublime. I ate the entire thing. The fresh catch of the day (Market Price) was a gorgeous piece of salmon basted in herb oil and lemon. All of Connie and Ted's fish are wild caught and sustainable. Of course we couldn't pass up the crusty Macaroni & Cheese as a side. Don't forget to order the Hot Buttered Rolls ($5) and the Onion Rings ($5). The rolls are baked to order and come out in a cast iron skillet dusted with sea salt. Four come to an order and you will polish them off. Onion rings are lightly battered. Save room for dessert ($8). The Craig's Devil's Food Cake or the Blondie with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel sauce are two favorites! If you're in the mood for seafood, Connie and Ted's is number one!  Connie and Ted's 8171 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood. (323) 848-CRAB   

We had a lot to celebrate this Valentine's Day and I'm so happy that Water Grill was a part of it. Our server, Taylor made the evening super special and for us and for that, I sincerely thank him. The service, location, and food is all top-notch and we couldn't have been happier. While Los Angeles does enjoy a 100-mile coast, not all of it's restaurants have it all like Water Grill does. We started off with a glass of lovely Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc ($17). The bread itself is warm and addicting. The cheesy garlic is my favorite. Even the butter has a unique taste. Be warned: you'll want to overindulge on the bread, but don't! Rich, creamy New England Clam Chowder ($11) with tons of clams is A+. Wedge Salad ($11) with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Blue Cheese followed and was one of the best we've had. Both were delicious and filling. For dinner we had the New England Lobster Roll ($27) Connecticut style, tossed in hot butter. Big chunks of fat, juicy lobster were stuffed into a soft roll and were paired with crispy fries. Farmed Raised Loch Duart  Scottish Salmon ($35) was absolutely out of this world! Flaky tender salmon was accompanied by "toy box" squash cipollini onions, and smoked bacon. We were so full that we, yes "we" passed on dessert. But don't worry, we made up for it at Gladstone's Donuts the next day! Water Grill 1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica. (310) 394-5669. M-Th 11:30 am-11 pm, Fr 11:30 am- 12 am, Sat 11:30 am- 12 am, Sun 11:30 am-11 pm.

Recommended Dishes: Clam Chowder, Wedge Salad, Raw Bar, Salmon, Lobster Roll.

Looking for great fish at an affordable price? Hungry? If your answer is yes, Lure Fish House & Oyster Bar is the perfect place for you! Created to give diners top quality seafood at reasonable prices, Lure definitely delivers. Locally caught seafood and organic produce combine to make Lure's cusine as fresh as can be. The full bar features specialty cocktails and the oyster bar serves a variety of seafood items that change daily. Mesquite broiled seafood is Lure's claim to fame. The restaurant is gorgeous and sports a modern, classy decor. The dining room is large and the volume high. Sit at the oyster bar for a treat! Wine is sourced from many local vineyards and the selection is huge. Start off with Lure's hot, crusty fresh bread. Made to order fresh Guacamole ($7.95) is addicting! Served with fresh tortilla chips and pico de gallo, this appetizer is enough for three. I love it with the hot bread! New England Clam Chowder ($3.95-$5.95) is served piping hot and creamy. Loaded with clams, you'll drool over this! Seafood Louie Salad ($14.95) is great to split. Dungeness crab and Gulf shrimp abound along with hard boiled eggs, avocado, and traditional Louie dressing. Organic Tuscan Kale salad ($6.95) is another favorite. Chopped raw kale meets quinoa, wild rice, red peppers, green onion, and red grapes. Sunflower seeds and parmesan are mixed in and the whole shebang is dressed in citrus champagne vinaigrette. From the oyster bar try some Blue Points ($11.95), a half dozen of them to be exact. Oysters vary by the season so be sure to call ahead!  The Pacific Sand Dabs ($13.95) are topped with a lemon caper sauce. Be sure to ask for extra sauce as you might want to drink it! We also love the Idaho Trout Almondine ($13.95). Fresh trout is broiled with butter, bread crumbs, and parmesan. We skip the almonds but you don't have to! If you are in the mood for lobster the one and a half pound Maine Lobster ($24.95) is steamed then lightly grilled. Add a glass of bubbly and you have a romantic meal. Linguini and Clams ($13.95) boasts Little Neck clams with garlic and wine sauce. Standard Fish and Chips ($10.95) are crispy Alaskan cod, beer-battered, and served with fries. Two side dishes come with each entree. We love the pineapple coleslaw, the parmesan potato cake, creamed corn, and rice pilaf. Local brussel sprouts ($1.95) and asparagus ($1.95) are farm to table fresh! For dessert try some Flourless Chocolate Cake ($6.95) with caramel drizzle, vanilla ice cream, and organic cocoa nibs. This chocolate treat will soothe your sweet cravings. For those less decadent, the Lure Key Lime Pie ($6.95) hits the spot. Friendly staff makes Lure even more fun. No reservations accepted. Lure Fish House and Oyster Bar 30970 Russell Ranch Road, Westlake Village (818) 651-6611 and 60 California Street, Camarillo (805) 567-4400.

Recommended Dishes: Sand Dabs, Trout, Maine Lobster, parmesan potato cake, guacamole, kale salad.