Addiction Aquatic - Tresors de La Mer - Seafood, Taipei, Taiwan

2F, No.20, Alley, Lane 410, Minzhu East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei Taiwan
+886 2 2508 1268
https://www.addiction.com.tw/lamer/

Hours: 11am-3pm, 5pm-10:30pm

Cash only

Last Visited: May 21, 2023

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Located in the Addiction Aquatic Development, also known as the Taipei Fish Market, Tresors de la Mer is the most upscale of the six eateries in the complex.  If there isn't space, you can stand at the sushi bar, try out the seafood bar, seafood bbq, seafood tapas, or hot pot.  There is also a market of prepared foods where you can buy items ready-made and sit outside on the patio. 

We arrived about 10:30am and walked around the market just to get a feel for things, but not much was open at this time except the prepared food market, sushi bar, and seafood bar.  The specials are listed on the board with beautiful seafood on display, but if you can't read Chinese, you'll have to ask for help like me. 

Since we didn't have reservations, we were first in line for a table.   Service by the hostess at the door is efficient, but not particularly friendly.  We were pointed to the appropriate spot to pick out our seafood  and were told we had 90 minutes for our dining - this seemed to include the time downstairs where you first select what seafood you would like to have made.  Whatever you select is weighed in front of you and then you get to choose how it will be prepared (e.g. steamed, grilled, and maybe some other options, but it's not so clear what those options are).    

After you finish ordering, you are told to go upstairs and someone there receives you and brings you to the table.  Despite being first to arrive, perhaps because we didn't have reservations, our party of two was placed in a corner of the room next to what looked like a makeshift storage corner.  This was slightly less pleasant, but we were still near a window and could see the happenings down on the floor below.   The area we sat in was very bright and the decor is modern and simple.  There is also an inner dining room which has little natural light, so it's a much different experience during the day because it's quite dark.

Service upstairs is okay.  You're given a menu of hand rolls to select from if you would like to order more food, but since we had such limited time and weren't quite sure what to expected, we skipped ordering more food.  Servers wear sailor themed tops, and for some of the men, it seemed the top was a bit too small.  You may also need to flag down a server if you're sitting in the corner - it took a bit of time to get someone to take our order for tea.  

- Deluxe Sashimi Combo - This dish could easily be an appetizer for four people - Salmon, tuna, scallops, oysters, mountain yam with ikura, yellowtail, abalone, shrimp, and I'm not sure what it's called, but I think it's a sea snail.  Everything was incredibly fresh.  What's strange is to say that each item was so superb that it was the tuna that was the least interesting, likely because it did have a little bit of silver skin.  From the lovely display on crushed ice to how each bite was just perfect, if you love sashimi, you will love this platter. Back in the US, this would easily be more than double the price. The quality is just amazing. It was easily the best tasting and most memorable dish that I had during my visit to Taiwan. 1280 TWD 

- Giant Prawns - As previously mentioned, you select the prawns and let them know how you want it cooked. They weight it downstairs before cooking so you know the weight and can estimate the cost.  Since I wanted to try multiple ways of cooking, I ordered one steamed with garlic and scallions and the other was fried.  It's really hard to choose which is better, but if you can only have one, the fried one has such an intensity of flavor because the shell is slightly salty and crispy, and the fresh lime is a nice accent to the prawn.  The texture of the fried prawn is a bit denser than that of the steamed one.  The steamed one is still wonderful and the natural juices with the flavor of the sea are absorbed by the cellophane (also known as bean thread) noodles underneath.  I wished I could have ordered extra noodles to go with it.   260 TWD per 100 gram

- Giant Clam - Sold by weight also, this giant clam was one of the specials of the day, so the price wasn't listed on the board.  We also ordered this steamed with garlic and scallions and you can taste how tender and fresh every bite is.  Similar to the steamed prawn, cellophane noodles also line the bottom of the plate to absorb the natural juices from the clam. I would recommend this dish too. Our clam was 250 TWD. 

- Fresh Fruit - I didn't realize that they ended the meal with fresh fruit, so the slice of watermelon and cantaloupe for each person in the party is a nice way to close out the meal.  

In general, service was a bit sporadic, maybe because of our location.  They will take away the metal buckets that you're using to hold your shells and discards as well as remove dishes, but sometimes it takes a while even if the restaurant isn't particularly full.  However, the servers do go out of their way if you are asking for help (like we asked for directions to a site and the server provided extensive directions on a hand-drawn map) and for that, I give the range of 3 to 4 stars for service.

Since they only take cash, plan ahead.  I could easily have extended our dining experience if we had more time and eaten at least another dish.  Every dish was terrific and I would highly recommend the food to anyone visiting Taipei, Taiwan.  So fresh and so affordable (by American standards), you won't want to miss this experience. Reservations strongly suggested.

Special thanks to Victor for recommending this spot - without you, I wouldn't have even known of its existence, and I'm so glad I fit it into the last day of my trip.

Poke Lab Fish Bar - Hawaiian, Millbrae - CLOSED

1069 El Camino Real, Millbrae CA 94030

(650) 627-7772

Parking: small parking lot or street parking

Last Visited: September 2, 2019

Food: 3 stars

Service: 3 stars

Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars

Price: $$ to $$$

This is a very late post, but still thought it was worth adding.  

Despite it being open for several years prior, unfortunately, this place didn't survive the pandemic.  

It was a decent model where you could create your own bowl - choosing from a regular or large, then base (sushi rice, brown rice, kelp noodles, spring mix, chips, or half and half.  Then you select your choice of protein (ahi tuna, salmon, hamachi, albacore, spicy tuna, shrimp, scallops, tako, or tofu).  

With choices for mixers, sauces, and toppings, you really are getting what you want, but alas, this place succumbed to the sheltering in place and people not eating out much during this period.

While I didn't find it to be the best poke I've had, it wasn't too bad either.  Goodbye Poke Lab Fish Bar.  

Old Port Lobster Shack 2016 review - Seafood, Redwood City

20 Woodside Plaza, Redwood City CA 94061
(650) 366-2400
Parking: shopping center parking lot
Hours: 11am-9pm
http://oplobster.com/ (Note that the address is still listed as Veterans Blvd)

Last Visited: May 9, 2016

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 2 stars
Price: $$$

I used to love Old Port Lobster Shack.  You can see the awesome review I gave them back in 2010.   I had been coming here for a number of years at their Veterans Boulevard location and would drive over an hour just to visit.

Sadly, this new location (opened just before Mother's Day this year) left me so disappointed and I don't know if things will ever get better.  Although it seems to be a bit more spacious, now that Old Port has merged with Rack & Roll BBQ, the quality has taken a major hit.  I arrived just after they opened and was surprised to see none of the regular staff members from the Veterans location.  There were two picnic tables full of open barbecue sauce bottles being refilled which seemed very unprofessional - most people do this in the rear of the restaurant if they do it during open hours.

I got my usual - two lobster rolls and two cups of chowder which set me back almost $45 for lunch.  However, the lady behind the register wasn't nearly as friendly as the one that worked at the Veterans location.

- The New England chowder still had the same great flavor as before, but that's probably the only thing that was the same.

- The dressed lobster rolls had the same flavor as before, but the bread wasn't toasted well enough and they had dents in them from too much handling which made the presentation less appetizing.  Far worse was the coleslaw - each bite was grainy as the sugar had not been thoroughly mixed into the dressing.

I had hoped that they were just going through a transition, but reading the reviews on the web, it doesn't seem to be getting better.  I overheard the Rack & Roll management talking about how she better change the music since Russell was about to come in and he wouldn't like the music that was playing.  This leads me to believe that this new partnership isn't going to allow for the consistency that I have come to expect.  This used to be my favorite place.  Sadly, I need to find another.

Woodhouse Fish Company - Seafood, San Francisco

2073 Market St, San Francisco CA 94114
(415) 437-2722
Parking: street parking
Hours: 11:30-10pm daily (until 10:30pm Fri, Sat)
http://woodhousefish.com/

Last Visited: March 21, 2015

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

An old classmate recommended Woodhouse Fish Company one day when we were chatting about lobster rolls and which place has the best one.  I was actually in the neighborhood planning to go to another restaurant, but since I found parking right in front of Woodhouse, it was clear that this was meant to be.

The place is cozy with the door and a short wall separating the the two sides of the restaurant.  You place your name on the waiting list posted on the blackboard in front of the kitchen.  Various fishing gear decorations are sprinkled throughout the restaurant and there are even framed pearls (likely from the oysters served) found atop specific tables with titles revealing that they were found at that table on a certain date - a cute personal touch.  Even the floor tiles have crabs running throughout the design.

- New England Clam Chowder Cup - This thick bowl of chowder is unique because of the developed bacon flavor that runs through every bite.  There are lots of clams and chunky potatoes and just a hint of sour as you finish off each bite.  I noticed that a lot of recipes call for serving clam chowder with sour cream, so if you like that style, you'll enjoy this.  Good.  $7/Bowl $10

- Lobster Roll - I love lobster rolls.  This one is definitely at the top of my list, just behind one other place.  The bread is grilled and buttery - each bite is so scrumptious with the lightly dressed lobster chunks sprinkled with small diced celery and chives.  It's cool and refreshing lobster sandwiched by a warm crispy buttery bun, oh so good.  The fries were also crispy and golden.  The creamy coleslaw has very thin slices of granny smith apple throughout.  Wonderful.  Regular $18/Large $27

- Fish & Chips - Anchor Steam beer battered wild Alaskan cod with shoestring fries and coleslaw - It's been a long time since I've had fried fish with batter this good.  It's so light and flaky - somewhat reminiscent of the lightness of tempura, it's perfectly crispy.  The fish is fresh and flaky too.  The tartar sauce is pourable, so not very thick, but has good flavor.   I haven't been this impressed with fried batter in a while. Must try. Two Piece $12/Three Piece $15

Service was very friendly and they checked on us during the meal. Our server anticipated our needs, asking if we planned to share the dishes and bringing us a steak knife to split our lobster roll. The only thing that could have made service five stars would have been to check on us before we finished off the lobster roll and fish.

The atmosphere can get very noisy, especially when there are large parties.  It can be difficult to hear with the tile floors, and some of the tables feel close together.

Tuesdays are $1 oyster days and they also offer specials like Soft Shell Crab BLTs and Roasted Salmon.  The food is delicious.  I heartily recommend Woodhouse Fish Company.

R&G Lounge - Chinese, San Francisco

Best: Deep-Fried Crab

631 Kearny St, San Francisco CA 94108
(415) 982-7877
Parking: limited street parking, validated pay parking lot - Portsmouth Square - about a block away
http://www.rnglounge.com/

Last Visited: February 23, 2012
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$$$

R&G Lounge has been at this location since 1985.  I remember going as a kid and enjoying two of their now signature dishes - deep fried crab and steak cubes with bell peppers and onions.  When you mention crab prepared Asian-style and San Francisco, R&G always comes up in conversation.

Known for their crab, they offer nine preparations: salt and pepper (signature), fried with garlic and hot peppers (one of my personal favorites), black bean sauce, steamed, steamed with wine and egg whites, steamed with garlic, spicy garlic sauce, salted egg yolk, and ginger & scallions.
They also four preparations of lobster: supreme broth, salt and pepper, black bean sauce, and ginger & scallions.
When we arrived, we headed downstairs and were seated at a back room.  Decor in this section leaves something to be desired, but is considered above average for Chinatown restaurants.  Although the prices would make one think you're going to a fancy restaurant, it's not fancy in this section.  It's also pretty noisy as a whole. 

We ordered a table full of dishes to enjoy R&G's crab and other seafood.

- Live Crab with Salt and Pepper - A rather large crab is battered, deep-fried, and seasoned with salt and pepper seasoning (Chinese style).  It's hot and super fresh tasting.  We shared it amongst five people.  Prices are seasonal.  $38

- Crispy Chicken - Described as deep fried chicken with a crispy outside finish.  The skin was a beautiful brown and the meat was juicy.  This was also enjoyable.  The shrimp chips were large and very fresh  The photo shows a half of a chicken.  Half $15, Whole $28

- Garlic Noodles with Seafood (special) - The description conjures up an image like Vietnamese garlic noodles, but this definitely has more sauce.  Fresh tomatoes are cooked with fresh seafood and a lot of garlic.  While it tasted fine and the seafood was not overcooked, I thought the presentation left something to be desired.  I would also rename it so that there is less confusion with its Vietnamese sibling.  I can't remember the exact price, but it was just under $20. 

- Steak Cubes and Scallops with Macadamia Nuts - This has been one of my longtime favorites.  Macadamia nuts were asked to be placed on the side for this order because one of our dining companions has a nut allergy.  The steak cubes are super tender and the scallops are jumbo-sized and fresh.  The bell peppers and celery are still a little crunchy which gives a nice textural contrast.  This is a must try dish (or you can get the version without scallops) when you visit R&G.  I only wish there was more.  $20

- Minced Seafood in Lettuce Cups - Minced scallops, prawns, Chinese sausage, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots are stir-fried and served with fresh iceberg lettuce leaves.  While the photo displays a gorgeous looking lettuce cup, it looked pretty bland when it arrived - it was pretty much brown in color, making it less appetizing.  The flavor was okay.  While seafood is minced to make the dish, I found that the rusted edges of the lettuce and lack of presentation made the dish less worthy of its price. $18

- Eggplant with Garlic Sauce - Eggplant is sauteed with bamboo shoots, shredded pork, black fungus, and scallions in a spicy garlic sauce.  While they warned us that this would be spicy, I found the flavor to be more sweet than spicy.  This was a hit at our table, but the quantity was a little on the small side.  The flavor was great. $14

Our server was friendly and checked in on us during the meal.   Plates were changed after we ate the crab, but there could be greater attention to detail.  We didn't all get crab crackers and when plates were finished, they didn't remove them as quickly as one would have liked. 

While the steak cube dish and crab continue to steal the show, R&G lounge has fancy prices that are a little high for the atmosphere and level of service provided.  Reducing prices by 10 to 20% would feel more in line with what they are offering.

Plouf - French/Seafood, San Francisco

40 Belden Place San Francisco CA 94104
(415) 986-6491
Parking: street parking
http://www.ploufsf.com/

Last Visited: February 22, 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$$ to $$$$

Plouf is the sound a stone makes when it drops into a stream (a French one that is).

Amy brought me to Plouf and immediately, I was quite delighted by how Belden Alley had such a European feel about it despite its location in the city.  For those who have never been to the street, it's a narrow street with storefronts opening up to the alley and filled with tables.  The open air tables, with standing heaters which is much needed for outdoor dining in the city, are very quaint and the lovely hostesses of each restaurant invite you to come peruse their menus.

The name Plouf is what drew Amy to this place during her visit since the restaurant has the same name as her mother's maiden name.  We arrived early this evening and had our choice of seats.  Specializing in seafood, especially mussels, you'll find a variety of mussel dishes (seven in total) available along with plenty of fresh fish.  Coq au vin, duck and hamburgers are available too for main dishes.

The decor reflects the type of items served on the menu - large creatures of the sea along with deep red colors that add contrast to the dining area.  The servers where black and white horizontal striped shirts which seem to add to the French feel.

Upon our arrival, we were seated and served a baguette of french bread at room temperature.  With Amy's recommendation to try a mussel dish, I went ahead and got it as a main course.

- Plouf Mussels - Pastis, cream, shallots, roasted garlic, chili flakes, and herbs go into this mussel dish.  The mussels come in a rather large pot and there are plenty to share amongst your tablemates or to eat as a main dish.  They're not the baby mussels either - they're very good sized.  It comes super hot in temperature and the broth is very well-flavored.  The pastis has an anise flavor that was present without being overbearing.  If you love roasted garlic, you'll find tons of it in the broth.  Super rich and creamy, the broth was a great dipping sauce for the crusty bread. I did find a little bit of sand in a couple of the mussels, but overall, very good.  $15.50

- Pommes Frites - While the pomme frites had a great potato flavor and were certainly very fresh, the pieces were cut a little too small. The ones on top were fine, but those on the bottom were getting too tiny.   The photo on the website shows them a little more light in color and holding up on their own better.  Ours were slightly limp and the smaller size made them hard to handle.  $5

While we hadn't intended to get pommes frites, the server had accidentally ordered them for us.  He realized his error when he saw them at our table and kindly took the item off the bill.  I appreciated that response since you so often find servers whom don't take the time to notice or plain don't care.

With the sand in the shellfish, I think there is room for improvement, but in general, I was impressed by the food and would definitely return.  If you're seeking a bargain, I learned that Plouf has a happy hour menu - on weekdays, the bar serves happy hour all night and the terrameze serves it from 2:30 to 5:30pm.  Items such as the oysters and mussels come in smaller portions and are available at a lower price (personally, I enjoy the smaller portions because then it means I get to try more items).  Plouf is a fun treat for seafood lovers, especially those whom enjoy mussels.

New England Lobster - Seafood, South San Francisco

170 Mitchell Ave, South San Francisco CA 94080
(650) 873-9000
Parking: street parking
Food Truck Hours: Weekdays 11am - 3pm
http://newenglandlobster.net/

Last Visited: January 6, 2012

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

My coworker, Audrey, had been raving about the yummy lobster roll at New England Lobster.  If you live or work near the airport or South San Francisco area, this convenient spot offers a market for fresh raw and cooked lobster, crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams, but it also offers a food truck open weekdays that serves up crab sandwiches, lobster rolls, and lobster corn chowder. 

The food truck is parked just outside the shop and its fire engine red exterior is hard to miss.  The board shows the offerings for the day, and you place your order with the person standing outside the truck who punches it into the iPad.  A few minutes later, your name is called, and voila - goodness awaits you. 

- Lobster Roll - The lobster roll is buttered and toasted and is authentic in true New England style.  The lobster meat is lightly dressed with mayonnaise and comes without toppings.  Toppings such as diced red onion, diced celery, and jalapenos are available at a side table for you to dress your roll the way you wish.  Old Bay and other seasonings are also available.  Along with the roll comes a wedge of lemon, a bag of kettle style chips, and a small container of coleslaw.  The coleslaw was ok - nothing profound either good or bad.  The length of the roll is longer than what you find at other places in the area.  I found the meat to be  sweet and succulent. If you're a purist, you'll really enjoy this one.  Good - I give it four stars.  $15.50 (includes tax)

While I prefer my lobster to be dressed with a few scallions and a thicker dressing, this is no shabby roll.  The location is convenient, and I wouldn't mind trying their other menu items next time.

If you're concerned about the wait, you can also call in your orders ahead of time and pick up at your leisure.  Two large picnic tables and benches are set on the grass, but seating is fairly limited. 

Also note that they'll be opening up a cafe in Burlingame that will be open on weekends, so keep an eye out for it.

Gi Kee Seafood Restaurant - Chinese, Hong Kong

2F, CFS4, UC Wong Nai Chung Complex, 2 Yuk Yau St, Happy Valley, Hong Kong

Ph: 2574 9937

Hours: 5.30pm-12.30am

Last Visited: November 2010

Food: 4 stars

Atmosphere: 2 stars

Service: 3 to 4 stars

Price: $ to $$$$

Unless you are told about this place, it's super easy to miss it.  Gi Kee is located in a food court in a giant food shopping center.  The lower floors contain grocery stalls for fresh fish, fresh meats, and vegetables.  It's a bit reminiscent of a farmer's market, but more permanent. 

From the sign advertising the restaurant near the elevator below, one might think that you're going to a large restaurant, but then you arrive and see the signs on the wall and the common dining area.  It's noisier than a food court you would find at a mall, but picture that and you will have an accurate picture.  Be wary of where you sit because certain tables are designated for certain restaurants.  If you don't tell them which restaurant you're looking for, you'll be directed to another restaurant's table.

Our first visit was for lunch and we came during rush hour without knowing it.  The place was completely packed with a number of local construction workers.  Each day, Gi Kee offers a limited number of terrific values including fresh fish for under $10US.  It even comes with rice.  For that price, you know a lot of people are excited to go there.  There are other specials available, but I was pretty much set on trying their crab which came highly recommended by a family friend.

Our style of dress and the fact that we don't dress like locals do really made us stand out from the other diners, but that didn't deter us.  We ordered a much more expensive meal than what many order during lunch, so all of these cues informed the wait staff know that we weren't regulars.  The gals were really nice - you kind of feel like mom is there to help you through the process of ordering, suggesting dishes, and making sure that nobody shares your table.  Most of the time, there just isn't enough space, so tables are shared by all patrons.  They were super friendly and I really appreciated their looking out for us.  Don't worry if you're not Chinese.  The menu has English available and there are other tourists there, though not many.

Since we weren't sure we would have time to return for another visit, the two of us ordered three dishes. 

- Deep Fried Garlic Crab - The flavor was incredible.  If you like fried garlic with red peppers and spices, this is something you'll love.  The crab meat that has touched the batter is slightly crispy and the flavor packs a punch.  It was amazingly fresh tasting since it was still alive and they showed it to us for approval before cooking it.  The only thing I didn't like is that if you're accustomed to dungeness crab which is often served in the US, you'll find the meat in the Hong Kong crab to be too hard to get at since the crab is more the size of blue crab. 

- Braised Tofu with Vegetables - Fairly standard in flavor, I appreciated the hot temperature of the tofu and the tender mushrooms that it was served with.  The greens were also really fresh.

- Sauteed Clams with Garlic Sauce - While I didn't notice any particular difference with other clams that I've had, I did note that these were very fresh.  There was an abundance of clams too and thus the slightly higher cost was very acceptable. 

The three dishes together were about $100USD.  The tofu and clams were fairly reasonably priced, but the live crab was priced by weight, so that was our most expensive dish.

Our second visit was for dinner and we brought family to enjoy the meal with us.  Our mission this evening was to try some of their regular seafood dishes and also to sample more of their flavors.  Dinner service is much less hectic.  We arrived early, around 5:30pm, and found that there were many places to sit.    

Gi Kee's atmosphere definitely fits with Hong Kong family style service - They put plastic around the table and instead of placing shells and bones on a plate, you just place it on the plastic.  It's certainly not fancy, but the food is good.  -  

- Braised Fish Fillet with Broccoli - Fresh fish fillets are braised with yellow chives and carrots and served over broccoli florets.  It tastes like home, but has the wok air of a restaurant.  Super delicious and flaky, the fish is succulent and good. 

- Minced Pork with Preserved Vegetable and String Beans - Another great homestyle dish, this has a lot of flavor.  There's a bit of sweetness from the preserved vegetables and you can tell their access to the farmer's market downstairs pays off when you taste these crunchy green beans. 

- Preserved Red Bean Curd Roasted Chicken -  Similar to deep-fried Chinese style chicken, this dish is seasoned with preserved red bean curd which almost makes the skin a little crispier and more flavorful than usual.  To get the skin crispy, the chicken is air-dried, and then deep-fried.  The meat is juicy too.

- Braised Eggplant in a Clay Pot - The temperature of the braised bean curd is so hot that it makes the eggplant super tender while keeping each piece intact.  Sauteed bell peppers, onions, and carrots accompany the eggplant. 

- Steamed Scallops and Tofu with Black Bean Sauce - Super succulent scallops and fresh preserved black beans are placed on top of tofu and steamed until the scallops are just cooked. 

Gi Kee has the full range of offerings from simple homestyle dishes with fresh seafood to more decadent dishes like their crab which would be much more challenging to make at home even if you have a deep fryer.  The flavors range from simple to rich.                                                   

If you don't mind the setting, you can really enjoy some fabulous food that matches up with the best restaurants in Hong Kong.  I really enjoyed the experiences for both lunch and dinner - lunch is amusing, especially if you like people watching and can handle the hustle and bustle. 

Another good thing is that if someone can't eat shellfish or seafood in general, they do offer other options as well. 

Now if only I could find some place in the San Francisco Bay Area that can cook up a dungeness crab this way....

Swan Oyster Depot - Seafood, San Francisco

Best: Seafood, Clam Chowder

1517 Polk St, San Francisco CA 94109
(415) 673-1101
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon to Sat 8am to 5:30pm

Last Visited: 2008

Food: 5 stars

Atmosphere: 4 stars

Service: 4 stars

Price: $$ to $$$$ (note that the listed prices here are from 2008)

Oh how I love this place - let me count the ways! Swan Oyster Depot was recommended to me by Hank. It has been an institution amongst San Franciscans since 1912 when the Danish first opened it. Around the middle of the 1900s, an Italian family purchased Swan’s, and it has been run by members of this family since.

Reputation has it that there is ALWAYS a long line outside the door during meal times. Today was no exception as I waited almost 50 minutes for lunch this Saturday afternoon. Avoid meal times for faster seating. Also, take public transportation or bring a buddy to hold your place in line as someone goes and feeds the meter.

When you see the fresh seafood in the window, you’ll know why there is a line. Beautiful octopus and calamari sit in the window on ice along with fresh whole salmon, shrimp, prawns, crab, scallops, and cut fish. Swan’s sells items for retail sale and take out too.

There are about 19 counter spaces in this crowded little store. Each person feels like family when you dine with these charmers. They are a casual bunch – all male – at least during my visit with a large age range. These folks are the ones taking your order, shucking your clams and oysters, and making those wonderful salads. Swan’s has found their niche and stuck with it – and being themselves has kept them in business all of these years.

Upon our arrival, we sat on the stools at the counter right in front of the seafood case and clam shucking station. The stools vary in height, so don’t expect the most comfortable seating – you’re in here for the experience and the food. If you expect to be sitting comfortably sipping wine for a few hours, you’re not in the right place. If you want a taste of San Francisco, this is a great place to be. We were asked about what we wanted to drink and given a few minutes to take a look at the menu listed on the wall. Also on the wall are various posters depicting crabs and lobsters, small barrels, and an eclectic collection of years of photos, trinkets, and more.

The menu includes seafood cocktails, salads, oysters and clams on the half shell, clam chowder, cracked crab, and drinks. If you’re a bit indecisive or want to try one item before ordering the next, the staff is friendly and happy to let you think about what you want to get. They go help another customer and return when you’re ready. It’s great – so low key and casual that despite the long lines outside, they never rush you within.

- Clam Chowder – I started with a cup of clam chowder. First, I was given a plate of bread and butter. It’s great San Francisco French bread – crusty on the outside, soft on the inside – perfect with seafood. The chowder was then brought to me and it was rich and creamy. This was delicious from the first spoonful to the last. Potatoes, clams, and a wonderful fish stock made this creamy white chowder melt in my mouth. Without thickening agents and with a taste of the sea, this cup or bowl is perfection. Oyster crackers are available on the counter, but it’s terrific with the bread. A must have. Five stars. $2.50 cup/$4.75 bowl

- Oysters – Kumamoto, Drakes Bay, Bluepoint, and Miyagi were offered today. Served on the half shell over ice, we ordered a variety of these oysters. They first shuck them onto a plate and then reserve the juices to put back in the half shell before placing on a chilled platter containing ice. Lemon wedges are available in a communal bowl on the counter. We also received a small bowl of cocktail sauce – sweet and just a little tangy, but I preferred the mignonette as the accompaniment with my oysters. The Kumamotos were my favorite with their plump nature, but all were just wonderful. More freshness from the sea. Delicious. Another must have. $8.50 per half dozen

- Crab Louie Salad – Swan’s offers salads with shrimp only, crab only, prawns only, combination, and lobster. I opted for the crab salad which is served with shredded lettuce topped with louie dressing, and an abundant quantity of crab. This salad easily serves two people if you enjoy some other items. The amount of crab is incredible. This is one of the few places where you might say – I need more lettuce because there’s too much crab. More than ten crab claws are placed on top of a mound of crab meet. The louie dressing is creamy and the flavor is light so it doesn’t overpower the crab or other seafood. The lettuce is very fresh and crispy. Another five star item. $15.75

- Calamari Salad - Fresh calamari is cut right in front of you and cured with olive oil and diced red onions.  The calamari has a perfect texture and every bite is scrumptious!  Terrific.

If you’re brave, you can have clams on the half shell. The Cherrystones looked meaty, and there is plenty of smoked fish – smoked salmon, trout, or white fish that is available with salad. You can also have octopus salad too. Each item is extremely fresh and Swan’s is generous in its portions.

Be sure to bring cash since Swan’s doesn’t accept credit cards. Enjoy the delicious eats, the vibe of the servers and the crowd, and have a delightfully entertaining experience. And if you don’t have much time, they are fast for preparing take out items. Just skip to the front of the line and go to the counter. Great seafood six days a week.

Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong

Last Visited: 2008

Cheung Chau is an island southwest of Hong Kong and accessible by ferry from the Central District. It looks a bit like a dumbbell in its shape and has acquired the nickname 'dumbbell island.' The photo here shows only a portion of the island, specifically, the area where this restaurant was found.

Visiting these islands off the coast of Hong Kong is always fun. Every time I go back, I try to go to an island that I haven't visited before. The islands typically feature a more rural lifestyle, a slower pace, and exceptional seafood - both fresh and dried. Many local Hong Kong residents come for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of busy life in Central.

Youths visit to get a taste for what camping, hiking, and beach life are like. I remember telling my cousins that one of my chores was to prune the tree in our backyard, and my cousin was shocked that we had our own tree. Here, trees are abundant, and so is sand - and with that, comes tourists. The shoreline is often lined with restaurants featuring open seafood tanks. These pictures show clams and fish drying on baskets. The shrimp paste in fried rice here is delicious. Unlike the salty dishes you might find in a restaurant at home or in a bottle back in the states, this is so full flavored without tasting fishy. While most of the restaurants don’t have an English name listed outside, you can look for the building based on the photo. You pretty much can’t go wrong – the island is so small that any place with a bad reputation probably won’t last very long, so more than likely, the only thing to take into consideration is the price of seafood – since it’s so incredibly fresh, and usually quite large in size, it may be somewhat more expensive than what you would find in Hong Kong itself.

We tried several dishes for our lunch visit. It was a pretty substantial meal for five people.  The sizes are not enormous, but we were also saving room for dessert.
- Fried Rice with Shrimp Paste – This dish is absolutely delicious. It might sound odd, and if you were to try to make it at home with the shrimp paste that you find in the United States, you’ll probably say it’s much too salty. However, on the islands, this dish is fabulous – so full flavored, tasting of shrimp, and yet, you don’t see the shrimp at all. I would liken it to an Asian version of dirty rice, where it’s the shrimp paste that gives the dirty appearance and the flavor. Go to any of the nearby islands in Hong Kong and order this. You’ll be pleased.

- Fresh Shrimp Boiled in its shell – Super fresh, you don’t do much with the shrimp except boil it and serve with a sweetened soy sauce that contains jalapeno and pepper slices. And yes, the head stays on the body during the cooking process to preserve the juices. Yummy! Plus, some people like to suck on the shrimp brains.

- Salted Chicken with Ginger and Green Onion dipping sauce – This is a fairly standard dish no matter where you are. I thought it was good, but nothing special.

- Steamed Scallops in the shell with Garlic – This is another one of my favorites! Chopped garlic (usually the type you find in a jar) is spooned on top of fresh scallops and steamed with some glass noodles. The glass noodles absorb the moisture and sauce from the scallops during the steaming process. The scallop shell acts as a natural holder for all of the juices. While you may not be kissing anyone after eating this, it’s fantastic!

When visiting the island of Cheung Chau, you’ll appreciate seeing the contrast of life in Hong Kong from ages past right next to modern technology (cell phones, televisions, laptops). However, the food and the fresh air are great things to be enjoyed here. Be sure to try some delicious shrimp paste fried rice and steamed seafood. Also, enjoy some of the scenery. A lot of people enjoy a swim or go for a bike ride along the waterfront. It's a great place for a relaxing holiday. Lastly, look for the little shops that sell sweet tofu and black sesame dessert. They're a nice treat to balance out your savory meal.

Ivar's Fish Bar - Seafood, Seattle

Pier 54, 1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle CA 98104
(206) 624-6852
Parking: pay street parking (except Sundays and certain evenings)
Hours for Fish Bar: Open until 11pm
Hours for Acres of Clams Restaurant next door: Mon - Thurs 11am - 10pm, Fri - Sat 11am - 11pm, Sun 9am - 2pm, 3:30pm - 10pm
http://ivars.com/

Last Visited: June 30 2009

Food: 4 star fried fish
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

As I walked along the waterfront on my way to Pike Place Market, I walked past Ivar's fish bar. It was open, but it was way too early in the morning for fish and I had my mind and stomach set on touring Pike Place. Knowing that I would more than likely pass Ivar's on my way back to the rental car, I was not feeling a loss about walking by.

Located along the pier, you'll find Ivar's Fish Bar, a walk by/order counter with a covered seating area right next to Ivar's Acres of Clams, a sit down restaurant. If you're like me and stuffed when you visit, the Fish Bar is the perfect place to go because they'll let you order a la carte.

- Fillet of Cod - The cod was lightly battered and fried crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Look at how beautifully golden it is. It was delicious. Something is very addictive about their tartar sauce - I could probably dip a whole bunch of stuff in their sauce - fries, fish, scallops, you name it. You just want to keep eating it. $2.39 a piece

As you can see from the menu, you can get salmon, cod, prawns, scallops, chicken and there are many other options. Once you have ordered, you go into the covered seating area containing picnic tables and enjoy your food. Beware of the seagulls - if you are fearful of birds, you may want to try to find another location. They are rather harmless birds, but you do feel like you've entered into the movie The Birds because of the quantity in the seated area hanging out there.

Also note that if your timing is right, you can get a great deal at the restaurant. The Beat the Tide Menu is available weekdays from 3pm to 5:30 p.m and you get a starter, entrée and dessert for only $19.38. 1938 is when they opened. Also enjoy some great views from the restaurant.

I would love to go back and try more of their dishes.