Restaurant of the Week: Sally’s Fish House & Bar

Widely regarded as one of the top waterfront seafood restaurants in Southern California, Sally’s Fish House & Bar serves up much more than a homerun lobster roll. It also offers diners front-row views of San Diego Bay in a setting that delightfully blends the line between family-friendly and fine dining.

Located near the bustling areas of Gaslamp Quarter and Seaport Village in San Diego, Sally’s Fish House & Bar offers a moment of serenity (and deliciousness) in an busy, tourist-filled stretch. Marked by the turquoise umbrellas that line its expansive patio, with only a walkway separating it from the water, Sally’s is hard to miss.

Inside, the dining room is accented with coastal touches, like fisherman’s netting used as modern décor and a large mirror surrounded by glistening mother-of-pearl. Though the interior is a beautiful space to dine, there is nothing quite like drinking a cold beer (a Thorn Brewing barrio lager, to be exact) in the salty, breezy air on Sally’s patio.

To start, the grilled octopus will kick off the meal with a bang. The beautifully charred octopus is surrounded by a swirl of avocado puree, black bean chili and cilantro-lime vinaigrette, and sided with crispy jicama matchsticks. And to prove that Sally’s excels even outside of seafood, the hickory-smoked wings are among the tastiest we have had.

Fish and chips and lobster rolls are as “dining by the water” as one can get, and both of Sally’s offerings are top-notch. The sea bass is lightly battered and utterly tender and flaky, sided with thick steak fries; of course, the usual suspect of malt vinegar is included, as well as a delicious tartar-tamarind sauce. Brimming with beautiful chunks of shell meat cushioned by a pillowy bun, Sally’s Maine lobster roll has all the makings of a winning seaside sandwich.

Sally’s Fish Market & Bar is open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch, until 2 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday for dinner until 9 p.m. To learn more, visit sallyssandiego.com.