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I did not grow up in a seafood-eating family. My mother, an incredible cook, only ever made us one seafood dish because of my dad’s deadly shellfish allergy — fried whole trout that we would smother in a lemon, garlic, tahini (sesame paste) and parsley sauce. 

As I got older, got a little more “experimental,” I began the great and I assume life-long hunt for great seafood. 

This newsletter is partially a request for help. Reply to this email and send me your favorite seafood spots (and what to order) in and around Long Beach, so next time I’m craving a dose of something delicious I’ll know where to go. 

Recently, I went to a restaurant just outside of Long Beach. The first was Seal Beach Fish Co., which recently opened just across city lines. Its philosophy is to bridge the gap between fishermen and consumers, so the fish is sourced off the business’ fishing boat out of Seal Beach and their network of commercial fishermen up and down the coast. 

I ordered crudo (an Italian-style raw fish dish), which on that day featured albacore, which was doused in a perfectly acidic yuzu and caper dressing and topped with mild fresno chili peppers (seeds taken out) and microgreens. The fish was true to the business’ motto of freshly caught and you could taste it. The albacore was sliced thinly, but enough to still feel like you could get a good bite and it wouldn’t just dissolve in your mouth.  

Main course was the poke and ceviche nachos ($28). I couldn’t choose between a poke bowl or ceviche, so I went with their generous offer to combine them. Raw fish chunks and cooked white fish and prawns dumped over tortilla chips and topped with an unagi sauce, lime-crema, wasabi tobiko and more made for a delicious, and large, lunch. 

The ratio of chips to toppings was perfect. While I was slightly worried about how the wasabi tobiko and fresno chili could ramp up the spice factor, it was the perfect level of heat to cut through the rich unagi sauce. 

Seal Beach Fish Co. is at 1025 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, 90740. Directions | Website

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New eats around town

ISM Brewing, which replaced Beachwood Brewing’s Downtown location, is in its soft opening phase which means you can finally try out their eight new beers. Read more here. 

Zaferia has a new cafe with Mangette (Buvon’s sister cafe) now open. Read about their European-style menu here.  

Early next year, the city is getting a new breakfast sandwich spot in the heart of Downtown. Eggbred, an Orange County staple, will be serving up breakfast sandwiches, burritos and more. Read more about it here. 

Have you been to any new restaurants or have some recommendations for me? I would love to hear your thoughts. Make sure to reply to this email or email [email protected]. 

Events and Specials

Port City Tavern has a holiday pop-up bar with festive cocktails and nautical Long Beach-inspired holiday decor going until Jan. 2. They’re also hosting an ugly sweater silent disco party on Dec. 14 with DJs, holiday decor, and a photo booth, an ugly sweater contest, of course, and perhaps a surprise visit from Santa.

Hotel Maya will have real reindeer for you to meet on Dec. 10 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the sculpture garden adjacent to Fuego. Grab some festive photos and enjoy the waterfront winter wonderland setting. 

SantaCon in Bixby Knolls is back on Dec. 10 from 1 to 5 p.m. The holiday costume pub crawl is a fundraiser for  BKBIA & Bixby Knolls Community Foundation. For more information and tickets, visit here.