76524 Thu Dec 15 18:59:26 -0800 2005 4 2 Los Angeles Area 0 421812 The salty sea air whipped past our ears, frigid and biting like icicyles on naked skin. It was barely 5:30 pm, but the sun had long ago dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky and sea as black as ink, the two merging into a singular dark void, vast and cold. We could hear the soft sound of waves breaking on the sand in the distance, but could not see it. San Clemente Pier stood before us, stretching out far and long, distinguishable only by a line of faint, flickering dots of light reaching out into the darkness of space. On the pier, nearest to shore, was Fisherman's Restaurant, our dining destination for the night. It's split into two halves, separated by the creaky wooden walkway of the pier itself. On one side was the bar, filled to capacity with Friday-night revelers; on the other, the seafood restaurant, which was relatively somber by comparison. We walked up to the restaurant and flung the door open, our cheeks red and raw from the onslaught of the brisk wind. Inside, it was toasty warm, cozy and cramped, every table occupied with people who were just as glad to be out of the chill. The far side of the room was adorned with wide plate glass windows looking out into the pitch-black. I looked around and noticed immediately that a majority of the diners were from the "Lawrence Welk" generation, whom I dare say, were there to partake on "Sunset Special," available only between 4-6pm on weeknights. For $13.95 they are heartily fed with chowder or salad, a choice of main entree with roasted red potatoes or rice pilaf and steamed vegetables, followed by vanilla ice cream or sherbet for dessert. All this can be enjoyed while presumably basking in the last drops of daylight and listening to lapping seawater. We were too late to enjoy the Pacific sunset, but were fortunately early enough to take advantage of the special. The clam chowder was good and hot, a thick and rich elixir chock full of clams and chunked potatoes that slowly brought up my plummeting core temperature with each spoonful. It was nothing fancy or gourmet, but its warmth was just the thing I needed. The calamari steak entree was lightly breaded, pan fried to a golden crisp, and topped with zesty capers. Contrary to my expectations, this slab of squid meat wasn't the least bit rubbery. Instead it yielded easily to my butter knife, and chewed much like tender shrimp with all of its sweetness. The capers functioned like concentrated flavor pellets, becoming tart and salty counterpoints. The tartar sauce, glopped on to a cupped leaf of cabbage, was almost unnecessary. Another surprise was the side of steamed vegetables. When I see carrot, cauliflower, broccoli, and zucchini piled in a heap, it's usually the sad, tasteless, wilted, and soppy mess of microwaved Bird's Eye. This was different. Cut in-house and steamed to order, each chunk of produce was cooked crisp-tender, with not a single mushy morsel in the bunch. The roasted potatoes were well-cooked too; crusty brown skins left intact, leading into buttery-soft pulp, perfectly and simply seasoned with dill and salt. In case you're keeping track, that's three for three! The second dish was grilled ono. This thick slab was grilled over mesquite, rendering the fish flaky and moist with the smoky flavor of the wood permeating deep into the flesh. A dusting of Cajun spices, to borrow an already overused and clichéd catchphrase, "kicked it up a notch." This was accompanied with the same steamed veggies and fluffy, nutty rice pilaf. Finishing this hot meal with a frozen dessert seemed counter-intuitive, but everyone else was doing it. And since it's included in the price of the meal, how could we refuse? We drove away, into the city lights and the freeway back to Irvine, with full bellies and warmed spirits. Fisherman's Restaurant (949) 498-6390 611 Avenida Victoria San Clemente, CA 92672 Link: http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2005/12/fishermans-restaurant-san-clemente.html Thu Dec 15 18:59:26 -0800 2005 0 elmomonster 1 421847 HOLY whatever, Elmo!!!!! Been going to Fisherman's and actually eating dinner, maybe once every two years (23years+ by now), and keep waiting for the food to match up to the daylight view. Maybe the thing is to go at night, as you did. I can only say the the food has been just mediocre every time we've gone. These days we go to the bar side only. Any appetizers are fine, with appropriate libation, when the view is 180 degrees and you're literally on top of the water. It's not that it's bad...... it is just VERY ordinary and just OK. Nothing at all to remmeber, at least food-wise. Your visit sounds like a first time thing. If anyone can say, for sure, that the food at the restaurant is better than it has been all these years, we'll definitely give it another try. Otherwise it will remain sunset drinks, or the very occasional out-of-town guest who "must eat on the water". Thu Dec 15 20:17:20 -0800 2005 421812 0 Midlife 2 421885 Decent fish is easy to find in OC, but truly memorable is much more challenging. The sea bass at Issay was incredible, but they're long gone. Years ago, had a great slab of sword Sicilian style at Rumari, but haven't had a chance to return so don't know what awaits these days. Also, heard Pascal does some nice fish, but haven't yet had the pleasure. A simple test: Get fresh cooked Dungeness at Pavillions for $4/lb this week, pair with TJ's sourdough and a Warburn Chard from 99 Cents Only. Then go to your local seafood restaurant and see if you can beat the experience at 5x the price. If so, grab your laptop and share the secret with your fellow hounds. Fri Dec 16 00:24:40 -0800 2005 421847 0 bernardo 2 421927 Really? Could my first and only visit have been a fluke? I honestly did like it...a lot! My benchmark for comparison for a restaurant in this price class was King's Fish House (which I love), and I can truly say that on particular night, with that particular meal, Fisherman's Restaurant equalled all the great experiences I've had a King's. The price of that Sunset Special which included soup and a bowl of vanilla ice cream, also added to my enjoyment. One thing I will concede was that the clam chowder was nothing different than your average bowl of Campbell's. But it was just the exact thing I needed that night, which probably made it taste better than it is. But everything else tasted like it should. It's way too far from Irvine for me to make a repeat visit soon to validate whether I was just lucky, but maybe someone else might chime in to confirm or refute. Link: http://elmomonster.blogspot.com Fri Dec 16 11:14:49 -0800 2005 421847 0 elmomonster 3 422057 Been to Kings and thought it was much better than Fisherman's every time. Not sure when I'll get to try the pier again, but it's only ten minutes from home, so we'll put it on the list for a re-try. We'll go for the Sunset Special to avoid potential recriminations..... at least the price will be reduced if it hasn't changed. Fri Dec 16 19:08:58 -0800 2005 421927 0 Midlife