StantonHyde

A co-worker and I are going to Long Beach this Thursday for a class on Friday. We are staying at the Marriott on Airport Avenue. We won't have a car so will cab it. Looking for a good seafood restaurant with a decent wine list that won't break the bank. Not looking for a raw bar or oyster place. Any ideas??

rjw_lgb_ca

If you're looking for a fine seafood restaurant not too far from the Long Beach Marriott on Airport Plaza Drive, the best in the area is just across the Orange Curtain in Los Alamitos:

http://www.originalfishcompany.com/

This is a bar, seafood restaurant and fresh seafood market; menu changes daily based upon their fresh selection and chef inspiration. The wine list isn't a phone book, but I've never had a dud in years of ordering there. They are finishing up a major expansion/renovation, and the new room is vast and stylish, with a big central bar area (and great bartenders). Their signature dish is their New England clam chowder, which is approved as "authentic and delicious" by my New Bedford-born mother-in-law. My husband and I ate there Saturday night and it was as great as always. And they were quite busy as well, so there might be a bit of a wait. Call the concierge at the hotel; it might be too far for them to shuttle you there (about 4.5 miles, but it's literally "right on Spring, right on Los Alamitos, right into the restaurant lot"), but you never know.

In downtown LB there's King's Fish House:

http://www.kingsfishhouse.com/

It's quite good as well-- the room isn't as "nice" as OFC, but the food is just fine.

In Shoreline Village in downtown LB there's yet another choice-- Parkers' Lighthouse:

http://parkerslighthouse.com/home/

The views are unbeatable of downtown LB and the Pacific, no question. I've had good meals and "meh!" meals here, but I will say that the last time I dined there the food was wonderful, so I think it will be a safe bet (and they have a full bar with view). There's a steakhouse upstairs from the Lighthouse now-- I haven't dined there yet. The Lighthouse's claim to fame is that pre-fame Guy Fieri trained there (and he still hits Long Beach now and then for our honest takes on world cuisine).

None of these places are super-cheap, but all are reasonable considering the quality of the seafood being served. I strongly recommend the Original Fish Company over the other two if you want the best, however.

StantonHyde

Thanks so much!! These all look great. I will see where we can get reservations.

rjw_lgb_ca

There's still a trend in our area of "no reservations for parties less than 8", but don't let that stop you. For two, the wait should be short.

Cali

I have been to all 3 restaurants listed by rjw_lgb_ca above and of the three my very favorite is Original Fish Company. It is fabulous. We go out of our way to go to OFC.