Los Angeles - February 16, 2009

You’ve Got to Sea It to Believe It

Santa Monica Seafood Market and Restaurant Opens

There’s something very fishy going on around here.

Looks like we got a line on the new Santa Monica Seafood, a whopper of a temple to mollusks, crustaceans, and finned friends.

The soaring space has the same direct-from-the-fisherman cuts Westsiders have been snapping up at the establishment’s original location since 1939. But the owners have also added cheeses, European condiments, fresh-cut flowers, wine, and ready-to-go desserts (like limoncello gelato in champagne flutes) to the wares.

Stay awhile for simple dishes like grilled shrimp panzanella salad, pan-roasted halibut, and excellent cioppino. Or make your own seafood tower at the oyster bar (it’s not on the menu; just ask).

The first day’s catch is set to arrive in the wee hours of the morning, so fingers crossed it opens today.

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