El Pascador's Fish Market Offers The Freshest Fish in the Area

Imagine for a moment you are standing on the beach and a local fisherman walks in from the reef and throws a bucket of jumping fish in your hands. El Pascador’s Fish Market is the very next best thing. Buy some of the areas freshest local caught fish or sit down for a quick bit to it. Located blocks off the Pacific Ocean you can enjoy the ocean’s fish without getting out your tackle box.

El Pascador Fish Market was started by a teenage surfer by the name of Jeff Norris in Del Mar. In 1974 he bought some cheap refrigeration equipment and started selling fresh fish to locals. Over the years the offerings continued to grow and the customer base swelled. Locals flock to the market in search of fresh and affordable fish. 

 

The restaurant is based on the fishing history of the area. It is designed like a 1950’s meat market and has a few tables for guests. Many of the customers come in and purchase fresh fish to take home and prepare. A few sit down to enjoy a simple meal of quality fish for a price not found in the area.  It is a simple place that serves its food on paper plates and plastic utensils.  

 

The menu is fairly simple with soups, salad, seafood cocktails, sandwiches, and char-grilled seafood. Most of the items between the sandwich and the char-grilled seafood are the same with different side dishes such as rice or salad. You can get a sandwich for around $10 and a plate for around $16 which is cheaper than standard restaurants. Throughout the day the place is busy.

627 Pearl Street

La Jolla, CA. 92037

http://www.elpescadorfishmarket.com/

Tips for Eating Healthy While Dining Out

Eating at restaurants can be one of the most damaging activities for your diet if you don’t know how to handle it. Healthy choices and options are available if you avoid fast food establishments. Knowing how to lower the bad effects of exceptionally tasting food is important for both enjoying your life and maintaining your fitness goals. Don’t bite your nails…make the right choices!

Most restaurants cook for taste and price while ignoring the health needs of their customers. A growing trend in healthy and organic eating is pushing many restaurants to both label their calories but also their ingredients. Offerings are slowly but surely changing to be healthier but yet are not consistent enough across the country. 

Delicious bread, creamy pasta, and butter packed potatoes. Tastes great….more filling! It is also filling out your pants. Look for options and choosing alternatives will help you dine in style, enjoy your offering, and avoid gaining weight. 

Taking a few steps can save you those extra calories and may keep the unhealthy foods away. Consider the following approaches when eating out:

-Understand the Menu: Read closely and ask questions if you are unsure.

-Avoid Pasta, Rice, and Cheese-based Sauces: Pasta, Rice and Cream-based sauces are loaded with cholesterol raising agents and fat. Find items that are better alternatives. 

-No Bread Basket: Don’t even both bring the white bread basket to your table. It is way too tempting when you’re hungry. 

-Order a Glass of Red Wine: Red wine is known to have positive health effects. You can choose this option when browsing the drink menu.  

-Ask for An Alternative Side Dish: The menu might include something beneficial with a poor side dish. Ask to remove the side dish and exchange it with vegetables or something better. 

-Go for the fish or lean meat: If you are unsure what to order then seek the fish, meat or chicken breast. 

-Pick restaurants with a healthy menu section: Some restaurants offer a health section that has a great benefit in selecting appropriate options. 

-Choose Salad and Soup: When there is no option choose a salad and soup.

-Look up Menus Online: Looking up menus and prices can help in saving you time, money and your waistline. Make sure they have what you want before frequenting.

Fresh Shell Fish at Crab Catchers in La Jolla

Crab Catchers provides premier steak and seafood.  It is a high end restaurant that matches the eloquence of their menu with a pristine view of the ocean. Sit inside under the open air, within the restaurant or on the patio listening to the wave’s crash upon the shore. One can expect to find three different atmospheres in a single establishment.

Ranked 4.5 out of 5 stars by 142 local and out-of-town visitors on opentable.net the experience matches the perception.  They are known for some of the freshest shell fish in the area. As prices for an individual range from $30 to $50 it can be beneficial to attend their Happy Hour.  “Our full bar features a Happy Hour from 3 - 9pm, with $3^.00 margaritas, domestic beers, champagne, half price on selected menu items and $2^.00 oyster shooters.”

During our visit we sat on the patio and ordered fish tacos, oysters, and calamari. The menu is small plate by nature. The restaurant is immaculately taken care of and the staff well trained on customer service expectations. The staff appears attentive to the overall speed of clean up and resetting. Overall it was a pleasant experience and worth repeating.

http://www.crabcatcher.com/Hours-Location

Poseidon in Del Mar-Beachfront Dining

Poseidon Restaurant in Del Mar provides a California beach atmosphere in an upscale environment. Visitors stroll along the oceanfront and stop in for lunch or cocktails. Watch the waves crawling up the sand as you dine in style.  A full service establishment with a spacious bar area, indoor dining, and open patio seating.

Known for both breakfast and dinner the establishment has gained a following among Del Mar residents. Breakfast retails for around $12 while supper is closer to $33. Mediterranean Seafood Linguini, Rack of Lamb and Mussels are just some of their main attractions. If you have money to burn, look toward the lobster.

If you are like me and on a budget, you can opt for the happy hour. Items like a large half-pound burger with fries, mussels, and fish sliders are for $ 7.  Beverages are equally discounted off their happy hour menu. Four people engaging in leisurely conversation ate approximately 8 plates and six drinks for $110.  Don’t miss happy hour Monday - Friday 4:00pm - 6:30pm.

The restaurant is the right atmosphere for romantic dinners or beach strolling lunches.  Watch the sunset during the evening hours. The lighting is low and heating lamps keep the patio warm (must order from full menu). Service is quick and the staff friendly. Valet is easiest but is relatively cheap at the price of $4.   

Website