Bluewater Grill Serves Seafood With a View

Sitting on the marina in Redondo Beach makes any restaurant special—especially on these long summer evenings.  The sun goes down beyond the rigging and masts of boats while diners linger over coffee, finding room for one more bite of crème brulee.

Sound idyllic? Then hand your keys over to the valet (it's only $3) and venture into Bluewater Grill, a restaurant full of wall-to-wall windows, polished woodwork, and framed black and white photographs of fishing scenes. Our friendly hostesses took us to a table by the window—at least half of the 80-plus tables seem to be next to windows—and soon we had soft bread and butter to munch on, with drinks en route.

The spectacular setting and views are reminiscent of Bluewater Grill's previous incarnation as a Charley Brown Steakhouse.  A large paper menu, printed twice each day, lists the fresh fish and mouth-watering specials and engenders high expectations. Between the comfy big-room ambiance and the ocean vistas, you can't help but hope that the food will be spectacular as well. And much of it is.

Of the appetizers, Sashimi of Ahi Tuna ($12.75) melted in the mouth with exactly the right tinge of ocean freshness. Crabcakes ($13) were not quite so satisfying. They were decent but easily overwhelmed by the accompanying Cajun remoulade.

Soups at the Bluewater Grill are wonderful. The Lobster Bisque ($6/cup), thicker than usual, carries the perfect balance of flavors. Likewise, the Manhattan Clam Chowder ($5/cup) with clams and potatoes cooked exactly right.

The July special—Fresh New England Style Maine Lobster and Clambake ($27)—did not disappoint. The lobster was rich and succulent, with an almost nutty flavor. The steamed Manila clams on the side were cooked in broth and butter, with little if any seasoning. Corn on the cob was tender but not buttered; ditto the two boiled red potatoes. The cole slaw, prepared sans mayonnaise with oil and cilantro didn't thrill, but that's probably a matter of personal taste.

Other dishes sampled included fresh Shrimp & Scallop Skewers ($18.50) and the fresh Alaskan Halibut ($26). Both tender scallops and shrimp were perfectly cooked, but the halibut was a bit dry. Sides with the meals were spinach—cooked quickly in light oil to retain nutrients but with no discernable seasoning—and mashed potatoes. Plain ol' mashed potatoes with bits of skin were delicious!

Not to worry if you can't make it in to Bluewater Grill by the end of July. The New England Style Maine Lobster will still be on the menu, though the price may be a dollar or two higher since it's no longer the featured special. The August special (and yes, there is a special planned for each month) is a tasting of ahi, sashimi, and sushi tuna.

Some additional notes to lure you in:

A popular offering these days is Bluewater Grill's First Seating Dinner, available from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Three course meals for $20, with the third course being either wine or dessert. Also, on Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to closing, the Sushi Bar features a Small Plate Menu and drink specials at very low prices.

Bluewater Grill's wine list emphasizes California whites and reds, with over 30 vintages available by the glass.  

Finally, Bluewater Grill is committed to buying high quality seafood from sustainable fisheries. This means avoiding some fish during their spawning season and using environmentally responsible methods to catch your dinner. So besides having the best seafood dinner this side of  New England, you get to pat yourself on the back for supporting the Bluewater Grill.

Bluewater Grill

665 North Harbor Drive

Redondo Beach, CA 90277-2004

(310) 318-3474

Monday through Thursday: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Friday through Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.