I drive by Killer Shrimp every workday (I cut through MdR heading to my office in Santa Monica) and haven't ever stopped in. My secretary loves it-- and loves its Happy Hour. Now, in the late 80s I used to work at the restaurant in the space (Harbor House, maybe...?), announcing swimsuit fashion shows during their Happy Hour.

How's THAT for an odd résumé entry?!

Nice to hear you like Parker's Lighthouse. I find the food maddeningly inconsistent, but the space is unbeatable, there at the end of the pier in Shoreline Village. The views are killer. And I must admit-- the last time we went, the food was surprisingly great.

Trivia: Several years ago, they employed a pre-douche-y persona Guy Fieri (I presume as a line chef). He does talk fondly of working and living in Long Beach, so I guess he isn't all bad. He loves Schooner or Later, like all of us LB-ers do.

Another views-and-seafood place we've enjoyed is Duke's, at the Huntington Beach Pier:

http://www.dukeshuntington.com/

It does get a tourist crowd, of course, but one sees a few locals there treating someone for a nice birthday dinner (like when we went there for my mother-in-law).

The Yard House up in Long Beach is the flagship location for that chain. The food is elevated bar food, but it's good. But let's face it, one goes to that location for the dozens of beers on tap, the dozens more in bottles, the full bar (when you get tired of beer) and the incredible patio views of the Long Beach Marina. Nothing better on a summer day.

http://www.yardhouse.com/CA/long-beach-restaurant/

Still, I've been grooving to my local favorites White Wasabi and Benley more and more lately. Nothing "authentic", just really, really great food. Any sushi place that will serve flash-fried rock lobster on endive leaves with crème fraïche, mango and whatever fresh berries the chef finds at the farmer's market that day is doing something unique; the fact that the result is perfectly delicious is just icing on the cake. Or shoyu on the sushi. Or something.

Bon appétit, y'all!

Someone upthread asked about Spaghettini in Seal Beach. It's on our list to go, but we still haven't.

However, friends of ours whose opinions we value highly have gone recently (and yes, they live in Leisure World), and they report that it was very good. I heard of a downhill slide a few years ago, but I presume the owners brought in new staff; others who have dined there have also told us it was good. With all the construction on that 405-22-605 cluster*$#% interchange and the SB Boulevard overpass, their business must be hurting.

rjw_lgb_ca "Nice to hear you like Parker's Lighthouse. I find the food maddeningly inconsistent, but the space is unbeatable, there at the end of the pier in Shoreline Village. The views are killer. And I must admit-- the last time we went, the food was surprisingly great."

I've had no issues with Parker's food over many years. The only issue that I have is I hate the drive to get there (from Pasadena). Smiles. If it were closer by, I'd eat there way more often. But, it makes a nice day to go to the Aquarium of the Pacific and then also eat at Parkers.

Happy Travels!

We also have found Parker's Lighthouse to be inconsistent. We like to try different things on each visit to a restaurant and that might be our problem. Next time I will try the things we have liked there. My least favorite thing at Parker's Lighthouse is the parking. We always seem to go there when it is super busy. We have been to Spaghettini in Seal Beach a couple times and have had inconsistent meals there also. We are going to meet friends from Naples (CA) there this weekend so hope it is wonderful. Will report back.

rjw, have you tried the sushi place in the mall across from Costco Signal Hill?

Old Japanese guys with traditional sushi.

Not sure that they are still open on Sunday, although the website says so.

http://www.kashiwarestaurant.com/about-us/

In Long Beach, we really liked the Attic (3441 E Broadway). I think I did a review above somewhere.

mlgb: That's a sushi joint we haven't hit yet. We don't spend a lot of time in Signal Hill other than to go to Costco or the Wine Country (or that big PetSmart), so we rarely have the time over there to get a bite. Other than the samples in Costco .... It'll go on the list.

maitaitom: You did mention the Attic upthread, and it's very much on my list. Not that long ago I lived up the street from that place in Belmont Heights-- back when Ray Lasher was serving up his great specialties in that lovely old Craftsman (oh how I miss Lasher's...!). We're trying to schedule a Date Night with some married friends of ours. But we're also helping another married couple on the weekends (BOTH fighting cancer! So unfair...), which eats into free fun time.

So many great places, so little time, so many calories to work off!! *sigh*

Your friends are lucky to have you, rjw.

maitaitom: You did mention the Attic upthread, and it's very much on my list. Not that long ago I lived up the street from that place in Belmont Heights-- back when Ray Lasher was serving up his great specialties in that lovely old Craftsman (oh how I miss Lasher's...!)

I'm still in mourning for Hamburger Henry.

mlgb: Sweet of you to say...! But it's just being a good friend. People need to think about OTHERS once in a while...!!!!

Gardyloo: Hamburger Henry?! Me too!! I loved that place. I even miss the old Shorehouse. Oh well, I can always drive to Jongewaard's Bake & Broil when I need good diner food.... Or any of the other breakfast joints in LB like the Coffee Cup or Park Pantry (I'll always have love for that place). Now THAT'S locals-only eating!

Hamburger Hamlet?

Nope, Hamburger Henry. You'd have to be an old-timer around here, they closed in 1996. For a long time it was one of a handful of restaurants that stayed open after 10 pm.

Article
http://www.presstelegram.com/technol...uccess-in-food

Thanks, mlgb. We went to the Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset, back in the 70s. It was a chain, too.

Speaking of burgers, I think we need more recs for Places to Eat Like a POOR Local. Haha.

DS keeps us apprised of less expensive places. We went with him to the Fish Grill on Beverly Blvd. Funky covered seating area outside, with fresh fish cooked about any way you want. They are Kosher, and it closes on the Sabbath. They now have 4 locations.
http://www.fishgrill.com/location.html

He also likes Top Round beef sandwich places.

And True Greens, in Culver City. I just sent him a gift cert to this place for Easter.

We ate with him at Ugo's in Culver City and had a very nice, more expensive meal. They have a very cool wine bar attached.

Oops: Tender Greens in Culver City

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tender-greens-culver-city

Here's Top Round:

http://toproundroastbeef.com/

This is the one DS goes to, and it might be the only one. Its a kick, if you like diner type places and unhealthy food! Fries fried in deep fat. Frozen custard desserts. Decadent sandwiches.

This place was mentioned in some magazine article I saw, described as a go-to place for production companies' go-fers, feeding people on film sets and in sound studios in that 'hood.

And, finally, ugo:
http://www.cafeugo.com/

This is on a revamped-by-Sony street, in Culver City . We walked around and saw Tender Greens, a fried chicken place DS likes, and other little appealing cafes. .

For cheap, don't forget Little India in Artesia. I just treated my nephew and his GF to Sunday Easter lunch at Udupi Palace. It was $45 including two drinks and tip for 3 people, and they had food to take home. It's lots of fun afterwards to walk around and look at wedding saris, gold jewelry, and the spice and sweets stores. They even have a few parking spaces out back.

http://www.udupipalace.net/

"Speaking of burgers, I think we need more recs for Places to Eat Like a POOR Local. "

I'm here for you! Burgers are big enough to split. Fantastico!

Dog Haus, 105 N Hill Ave. Pasadena

http://doghaus.com/menu

Thanks, maitaitom! Will tell DS.
His friend's family lives in Pasadena, so they might be in the vicinity now and then.