THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Ballona Fish Market

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Ballona Fish Market Restaurant Review:

Who remembers that Ballona was once a creek running from the La Brea tar pits to the ocean, across marshlands where the Shoshone Indians shared this humid habitat with grizzly bears? Today, brave hearts are fighting developers to preserve what's left of this original Californian nature, the Ballona wetlands. These as well as others will find comfort at the Ballona Fish Market, once an outpost of restaurateur extraordinaire Hans Röckenwagner. The full bar has mutated into a sushi bar where you can try, among fifteen other varieties, the Ballona roll, assembled with shrimp, asparagus (although it is not native to marshes) and avocado. In the main dining room, flanked by two private rooms (wine room and boat room), an eclectic menu is proposed. The Röckenwagner roots are still evident in dishes like the Pretzel Burger topped with Swiss cheese and caramelized onions and sided by pommes frites, or the filet mignon with mashed potatoes and green beans in a Cognac-pepper sauce. Chef Santi has added an Asian flair with a teriyaki beef plate marinated in the likewise sauce and served with steamed rice and vegetables. The ahi tuna was seared just like we had asked, served on a bed of spicy and cooked al dente vegetables. The quality of the tuna revealed itself in the tuna tartare, and for those who like the ocean pastures, the seaweed salad was crunchy and iodized. There are good wines by the glass and the wine list is reasonably priced. A casual, friendly service completes the pleasant experience.