Santa Monica restaurateur Jennifer Morton conquered California comfort fare (Blue Plate) and New England-style seafood (Blue Plate Oysterette), but she still had a chip on her shoulder — namely, the kind that goes great with guacamole.

So she teamed up with eco-resort Shore Hotel to open the adjacent Blue Plate Taco, a casual Mexican joint that serves fresh, flavorful food with killer views of the Pacific.

Get the fiesta started with tacos ($3.50 a pop) and shareable small plates (flautas, salmon chilaquiles) before moving on to mains bolstered by bright veggies and well-marinated proteins (kale chopped salad, grilled jidori chicken).

Savor an agua fresca (watermelon, strawberry, elderflower) or hibiscus-infused Frozen in Thyme cocktail bar side or migrate to the patio, where drop-down shades keep both harsh rays and nosy passersby at bay.

Go with pals or that charmer you picked up on Pico (otherwise known as Pico de Guy-o).

Blue Plate Taco, 1515 Ocean Avenue, at Broadway Street, Santa Monica (310-458-2985 or blueplatesantamonica.com).

Photo: Assembly / Getty Images