FISH 101: LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD IS WHAT THIS DOWNTOWN LEUCADIA SPOT IS ALL ABOUT
The Cost -$32 per person
The Atmosphere – Fish 101 may not be priced like the typical fast-casual eatery where you order your meal at the counter and are handed a number to take back to your table, but that is exactly what it is. With outdoor seating in front of the restaurant as well as a fair number of tables inside, people line up to place their order at this seafood spot, popular amongst locals and tourists alike. Reservations are not taken, and it can be hard to snag a table during peak dinner hours.
Located right on the Pacific Coast Highway just north of Encinitas in downtown Leucadia, you’ll find Fish 101, a seafood restaurant founded by John and Jessica Park. The husband-and-wife duo opened their ultra-casual eatery focused on local, sustainable seafood in 2011 and now has a second location in Cardiff. With a menu that generally brings out the natural flavors of the fish they serve, the Parks do add some spice to the mix with their seafood tacos and burritos.
The Order – White Clam Chowder, Poke, Seafood Curry, and a Grilled Salmon Plate.
The Great – Interestingly, my favorite dish of the night wasn’t one of the dishes that featured the natural flavors of the seafood. While the shrimp and mahi-mahi in the Seafood Curry were tasty, the Thai-style yellow coconut curry was excellent and was the star of the show. Served with your choice of white or brown rice, the dish was only moderately spicy and while I wouldn’t say that it was packed with seafood, it was filling.
The freshness of the manilla clams used in the White Clam Chowder came through and was the most notable thing about the tasty soup. However, the addition of the delicious bacon pieces was probably equally as important in making this typical seafood appetizer a success. With the difference in price being $3, get the bowl - especially if you think someone else may be taking a spoonful or two from you.
The Poke appetizer consisted of about five ounces of sashimi-grade raw tuna with some seaweed served in a small bowl that is accompanied by a plate full of homemade tortilla chips. The chips were good, but it’s the tuna you’re here for and it does not disappoint. If you like tuna for the taste of tuna, this is a dish you are sure to enjoy.
The Okay – The only miss of the night for me was the Grilled Salmon Plate. The entrée came with an average-sized piece of grilled sockeye salmon and our choice of two side dishes, for which I chose the Brussel sprouts and broccolini. The fish was unfortunately very overcooked, which made it quite hard to enjoy but the flash-fried Brussel sprouts with a balsamic reduction were excellent and were one of the highlights of the meal.
The Verdict – With a focus on fresh, local, and sustainable seafood, Fish 101 serves up great dishes in a very casual setting that befits the restaurant’s Southern California beach-town location. While it is certainly priced on the high end for a fast-casual restaurant, its cost is very reasonable considering the quality and sourcing of the ingredients. If you are looking for a more relaxed dinner while in the area, Fish 101 is a solid choice.