Salt Creek Grille opening on Sepulveda near Manhattan Beach - any bets on it?

[Cinnamon]

This is going in at the new plaza in El Segundo on Sepulveda, near a Sur la Table, just down from the new Whole Foods/Best Buy/bookstore/Cost Plus ...
http://saltcreekgrille.com/

It's a chain. Never tried it before. Not having high hopes but thought I'd ask.

[gaylenwaydelich]

Had lunch there today. Had the softshell crab sandwich. Very tasty and had the right amount of dressing. I would have prefered the garlic aioli as the dressing. The garlic fries were some of the best I've had in years. Hot, crispy shoestrings with a light shaving of fresh parmesan that was slightly melted. Perfect touch. Ask for the garlic aioli for dipping and make it up later at they gym. Ordered the apple tarte for desert. First impression it looked "commercial". I was pleasantly surpised to find the apples were nicely balanced between tart and sweet, cooked but still firm and not the least bit mushy. The crust was a butter cookie drizzled in a so-so caramel sauce. The ice cream was the real shinning star on the plate. It was the creamiest, smoothest ice cream I've had in years. Next time I think I will order just the ice cream with fresh raspberries. Today was my first visit, and I will be back. Not bad for a "chain". Wait service was outstanding, although the seating hostess was very laid back and almost too "beachy" for an upscale chain.

[Wenx]

I've been to the one in Dana point countless times. They have a great lobster bisque. sandwiches and salads are good too. Dinner has not been impressive, niether was the sunday brunch. It's a good spot for lunch though.

[beachcats]

At the risk of being contrary, I've been to Salt Creek in El Segundo twice already. I enjoyed it. Was it perfect? No, but overall it was good. I've had the lamb and the NY strip. Be sure to order them with any sauces on the side. I almost substituted potatoes or rice for the mac and cheese side with the NY and forgot. Thank goodness...it was really good adult mac and cheese.

The martinis are excellent. The salads were disappointing. The outdoor fire pit was a nice touch.

[blackandgray]

I work in El Segundo so we go there for parties sometimes. Have never eating in the dining room, only bar. The burgers are good, everything else is very mediocre. The wine is good. The mixed drinks are not. The bar is fine for a party if you don't want to leave ES.

[wogezekiel]

Just went to the one in El Segundo. It was DEAD in there! I had to send back my house salad TWICE because it didn't have the incredients listed on the menu! And by the way, all the employees there looked miserable...like I was afraid to ask for ketchup for fear my food would be contaminated. I hear there's a Marmalade Cafe opening up in the same center. Better food, cheaper...and hopefully better service.

[Cinnamon]

Great word on Marmalade Cafe! (By the way the one in Malibu does a very nice steak salad.)

[Lisa Kim]

My boyfriend and I went to the location in El Segundo last night and it was very disappointing. It was our first time going dining at Salt Creek Grille and I heard it was good. I ordered the Filet Mignon and he ordered the New York Strip (both being steak conosseuirs). The steaks had NO flavor. We were embarrassed to ask for the A1 but we were left with no choice. If you are looking for a very delicious steak drive down Rosecrans and go to Houston's or Flemings. It was a $140 waisted on a bad meal. LK

[Cali Boy]

The one time I ate at the one by Salt Creed it was mediocre food and poor service. 5 years ago and never went back!

[tusinace]

This location opened last week. I haven't given it a try yet and won't until the servers get trained......I have high hopes for it based on my experiences at Dana Point.

[carter]

Each one of them has a separate owner, a la franchisee, if you will. Somewhat consistent product, though, but the one in Valencia is or at least was the weakest link a few years back as the overseeing of the operation was too far from the main Orange County office. Hear it is better than it was back then, which was not bad.
Stick to the Prime rib, grilled fish, the basics, etc. and you will be just fine. Wine list is generic yet they do a good job on drinks.

[Midlife]

The one in Dana Point is a nice enough place with good service, a good menu, and a large outdoor patio...... salads and sandwiches are good, but we find the main entrees to be only so-so. Nothing really bad, just lacking in any special flavors. They are a chain in that they have five (?) locations, but one would hope for a little creativity or special touch from the kitchen. It's been my understanding that the owners used to be with the Islands chain. Doesn't necessarily mean anything except maybe that they're working on a 'lowest common denominator' concept.

[ChinoWayne]

Visited the Valencia branch once, had a decent piece of broiled sword fish; but this joint exists to see drinks.

[Sugar Jones]

I've been to the one in Dana Point several times. The holiday buffet is fair. Took Mom for Mother's Day. We also ate there on Thanksgiving - the food was good, and the service was excellent. They had a special menu, but not a buffet. I've never eaten off the regular menu.

[rlknapp1]

Looks like it may be a while ... very much under construction still.

[justagthing]

I use to go to the one in Dana Point, but it is just too far to drive. I did like the food back then, but it was a few years ago. They are also known for their jazz music, as you can tell from the web site and their outside firepit, which I do like. I would be willing to try it again.

[Cinnamon]

Thanks. We'll give them a try for the outside firepit, if one of those pops up!