Fodor's Expert Review Santa Monica Seafood

A Southern California favorite that seems like a tourist trap at first blush but decidedly isn't, this Italian seafood haven has been serving up fresh fish since 1939. This freshness comes from its pedigree as the largest seafood distributor in the Southwest. Come for lunch or dinner, but make sure to take time to stroll around the market, read up on the history, and enjoy free tastings of the specials. The simple menu lets the freshness speak for itself, with options including pan-roasted Baja striped bass with butternut squash, as well as sandwiches (try the gorgeous Maine lobster roll with lemon aioli and chopped chives in butter-toasted Rockenwagner brioche), soups, plates for kids, and an oyster bar.