San Diego Unseen: An Urban Portrait
This is why Fish 101 in the Encinitas community of Leucadia is such a lovely addition to our ocean-food options. The “101” in the name not only speaks to the Coast Highway location, but also to the back-to-basics approach of serving fresh seafood in a casual atmosphere that nonetheless exudes quality and polish.
The behind-the-counter chalkboard announces the various catches of the day, usually three options that can be prepared various ways. I love having a piece of whatever’s fresh, from Baja Yellowtail to California Sea Bass, all seasoned well and simply grilled.
I’d also recommend the hefty, yet elegant, fish sandwich. A deliciously grilled slab of your choice of swimmer is wrapped in a soft and slightly sweet roll, spread with a garlicky aioli. Accompanying the fish are tomatoes; some dark, leafy greens; and the quietly dominating condiment powerhouse of pickled onions (seriously, I’m seeing these little stinkers everywhere). If I had any complaint about my sandwich, it’s that there was a hearty amount of bread to get through before I could taste all of those fresh ingredients together. But, at the same time, a lighter or thinner bun would merely create a soggy mess. So, I’m pretty much complaining without offering any helpful solutions. You’re welcome.
Fish 101 also does well with small dishes. A fresh sauté of sweet corn and tomatoes visits a hot skillet only long enough to bring out its natural sugars and crispness. On a recent drizzly coastal evening, I enjoyed a simple but tummy-pleasing cup of the house New England clam chowder. The soup is not as thick and gloopy as most versions, and while normally I appreciate the rib-sticking quality of a well-thickened bowl of chowder, the lighter version from Fish 101 still tasted just as fulfilling, and more natural in its creaminess.
Oysters are advertised proudly as a house specialty, evident by the humorous staff T-shirts featuring oyster-related jokes: “This place shucks!” As the weather gets colder and we get deeper into the months containing the letter “R,” why not try a plate of the slippery little creatures with Fish 101’s mignonette, cocktail sauce and a squeeze of tart lemon?
The dining room is comfortable and noisy like a boisterous family gathering. Order your food at the counter, then grab some silverware and a glass of water from the self-serve counter. I’d recommend grabbing a seat on the back patio, lit to a golden glow by numerous strings of cheerful, round light bulbs and walled in by warm wood planks evocative of the seaside.
The quieter neighborhood at the northern end of Leucadia has seen many restaurants come and go from this particular locale along the Coast Highway. But I think Fish 101 will be sticking around for awhile. From quality to the efficient service and bustling atmosphere, this is a seafood joint worthy of becoming a tradition.
Write to jennym@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com. Follow Jenny on Twitter @jennymontyinsd.
