Marina del Rey

[Gail]

Please suggest a good seafood place for lunch in the Ritz and Marriott area.
Thanks

[mollyomormon]

I think Cafe Del Rey is probably your best bet.

[Gail]

Thanks to both of you. We could drive a bit further if you think there's something better. It's just that we will have driven 3 hours.

[westsidegal]

the fish at cafe del rey is fine, and, for a fine dining restaurant, their price/quality/quantity ratios are, imho, very good.

if i were in your shoes, i would be happy going to cafe del rey.

if having the finest fish in town is your goal, though, then:
for japanese, urasawa (about $500 or more PER PERSON all in--i believe dinner only, though)
or for continental, providence (never got out of there for dinner for less than $150/PER PERSON even when ordering carefully --starters are about $20, entrees about $50 or so. would expect lunch to be somewhat less.)

[Gail]

Ah....since you put it that way, it does rather separate the "men from the boys", or in our case the women from the girls. The cafe does get mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. But, I think you've made our choice an easy one...thanks.

[westsidegal]

another few advantages are
1) cafe del rey is continuously open between lunch and dinner, and if they aren't closed for a private party (this is the time of year for that, so call and check), it is easy to get in there so you are likely to have a lot of flexibility in terms of scheduling.
2) the room is beautiful
3) the wine list is good and reasonably priced
4) the service is good.
5) it is walking distance from the ritz and the marriot on admiralty

[westsidegal]

just know, that at cafe del rey, if you order the bouillabaisse, the primary flavors will be those of the excellent fish used in its preparation. you will not have the fish's flavor drowned out by butter, salt, tomatoes, herbs, or anything else. same story with the ahi, and everything else i've ever ordered there. the basic ingredients are top quality and they are prepared in a fashion that shows that off.
if you need a pound of butter on your food in order to be happy, this is not the place.

[mollyomormon]

If you're open to Mexican seafood, Mariscos Chente is also nearby. Much less ambiance than Cafe Del Rey, but absolutely incredible seafood.

[wienermobile]

I second Mariscos Chente. Wonderful, fresh and unique seafood.

-----
Mariscos Chente
4532 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

[westsidegal]

i adore both these restaurants and they are both on my regular rotation.

cafe del rey is a fine dining establishment.
mariscos chente is a mom and pop that serves a particular ethnic style of seafood--the style of sinaloa and nayarit.
for both of these restaurants be sure to call before you go.
cafe del rey could be closed for a private holiday party, mariscos chente will close if there is a family emergeny.

[westsidegal]

cafe del rey.

http://www.cafedelreymarina.com/