Things to Check Out: OFF THE HOOK Seafood Festival Sat October 14 at the Santa Monica Pier

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Thank Cod for National Seafood Month!   Edible Skinny is super excited to be checking out the 3rd Annual OFF THE HOOK Seafood Festival which returns to the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, October 14, 2017.  Presented by Capital One, this year’s festival benefits the Surfrider Foundation Los Angeles and is 100% Sustainable!  Holy Shrimp!  

The third annual seafood tasting event (not the new squid on the block...) features chefs from around the Westside showcasing their favorite underwater ingredients.  Attendees will enjoy food and drink tastings from restaurants such as Herringbone, Tar & Roses, FIG, Sushi Roku and The Lobster, beer and wine gardens, live music, games, an oyster shucking competition and more, all while helping to raise funds and awareness for the Surfrider Foundation Los Angeles Chapter. 

Finally an event with some porpoise.  "Off the Hook is a great way for us to spread the word about how to help preserve and protect our great oceans," said Surfrider Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator, Graham Hamilton.  "In an effort to help build a more sustainable future, this year's event will be free of all single-use plastic containers using all recyclable cups, straws and disposable items.  We hope that all who attend this event will not only enjoy great seafood, but learn about ways to reduce their single-use plastic footprint in their everyday lives and help build a more sustainable future for ocean ecosystems."  

This year's festival will honor those who have made an impact on the sustainable seafood movement including Greg Moreno; Owner The Albright, Pappy's Kitchen and Cast Iron Catering. Greg and Yunnie Kim Morena and their team have been trailblazers in sustainability and greening efforts and are recognized as the first sustainable business on the Pier being awarded the 2016 SQA Award.  Whale obviously, the Albright, will be sponsoring this year's raw oyster bar and 2017 Oyster Shucking Competition, where professional and novice "shuckers" will compete on presentation, time and overall ability.

Chef and Restaurateur Andrew Kirschner of Tar & Roses and Chef Yousef Ghalaini from FIG at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows will be among the many restaurants participating along with The Lobster, BOA, Sushi Roku, Herringbone, Red O, Butchers Daughter, 1212 Santa Monica, The Albright, Enterprise Fish Co, Del Frisco's Grille, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Spinfish Poke House, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Pretty Little Bakers, and many more.

Tickets are $50.00 in advance for general admission, which include tastings, access to beer and wine garden, spirits tasting, live music, games and more and VIP tickets are $75.00 in advance and include early entry at 3 p.m. and access to the Capital One Cafe Sustainable Seafood VIP Lounge sponsored by Santa Monica Seafood, with curated cocktails from Kikori Whiskey and specialty seafood dishes from FIG, Tar & Roses, Red O and more.  Not even squidding.  

So if you’re looking for something to check out head on over to the Santa Monica Pier next Saturday afternoon, because this event will be krilling it!

Salty, Squishy Goodness at Santa Monica's Herringbone

A couple of weeks ago Edible Skinny was lucky enough West of Lincoln to experience all things mollusk at Herringbone, Santa Monica.   Our date: the delightful Miss Katie Johnson!

Chef Brian Malarkey opened the company’s third ocean-to-table location a little over a year ago at the Seychelle 310 at 1755 Ocean Ave.  The space quickly become an aquatic dining hotspot.

Photo Marie Buck

Inspired by The Taste alum’s passion for expertly crafted coastal cuisine infused with seaside whimsy, the restaurant features dishes that evoke his signature “Fish Meats Field” philosophy alongside new, market-driven offerings that are unique to its beachside locale.

Herringbone first opened its doors in San Diego’s coastal community of La Jolla in spring 2012.  The acclaimed restaurant has since been awarded “Best New Restaurant,” “Best Atmosphere” and “Best Chef” by San Diego local newspaper, La Jolla Today, as well as “Best Design/Atmosphere” by San Diego Magazine and most recently was one of two San Diego restaurants to be named in OpenTable’s 2013 impressive “Hot 100 Spots to Dine in America” list.

Miss Katie and I started off our lunch date with a couple of complex cocktails.  I partook in the Jalé Berry ($11) with a delightful one two punch of sugar and spice compiled of Strawberry jalapeño Infused tequila, lime, agave.  Our bartender informed us it was one of the most popular drinks on the menu and I was delighted to discover the masses had made the right choice.  Miss Katie went with the Grow A Pear ($12) Cucumber infused gin, cilantro, jalapeño, pear, lemon.  I have to say I don’t enjoy gin, but I enjoyed that drink…

Photo Marie Buck

Herringbone has a Salt & Brine Bar offering the fantastic choice of an Oyster Sampler ($32).  I being the Veg, Miss Katie volunteered as tribute to consuming a variety of crustaceans from a variety of countries and providences.  Included in this Wild Bunch was Fanny Bay (British Columbia), Raspberry Point (Prince Edward Island), Wildcat Cove (BC), Holliewood Zen (BC), Hood Canal (California), and Malpeque (PEI).  From creamy to complex the mollusks were “salty, squishy goodness.”

After oysters we dabbled with health food greens with two of Herringbone’s summer salads.   The first was their Stone Fruit Salad ($16) a composite of Mizuna, Burrata, Smoked Almonds, and Oregano Vinaigrette.  The smokiness of the nuts balance beamed the creaminess of the cheese for a perfect 10.  

Katie entrée-ed with the Albacore Poke ($15) a mixture of Tuna, Ginger, Soy, Spicy Mayo, Avocado, Nori Chips.  “The chips are what makes the dish,” she squealed with delight! I dined on veggie pasta dish that was hearty yet not too heavy as to feel overwhelmed.

We girls finished off our lunch with the delightful Herringbone Sundae ($11) composed of Chocolate Ice Cream, to die for Sea Salt Blondies, Marshmallow Cream, Caramelized Cocoa Nibs, and Creamy Caramel.  It was an absolute delight in our mouth. 

Photo Marie Buck

FYI, along with lunch and dinner, Herringbone is open for Oyster Hour (Herringbone’s take on happy hour) where oysters are a $1 a piece!

So here’s to life being delicious and all your bites being salty, squishy goodness.