I love to eat outside!! If there is an outside patio at a restaurant I am on it. Growing up in Northern California, the majority of the time it was just too cold to eat outside, so I think eating in the great outdoors is still a novelty for me. Sure I have lived in So Cal for 10 years now, however the excitement still hasn't worn off. It just makes me happy, plain and simple.


Today I had the pleasure of going to Beach House Fish which is on the Ventura Pier. Small random fact for the day, did you know the pier is from 1872? That is an old pier!! And I walked on it!! And I am still alive!! Yes, I have a lot to be grateful for at this moment. Anyway I digress.


Beach House Fish actually has several eating venues on the pier. There is a walk up taco shack style counter and then there is the fish market, bar and restaurant. Both venues have outdoor seating. Yes!!


I heard that Beach House Fish started as a food truck, however I don't see any mention of that on its web page and to be honest I failed to ask while I was there...because...well I was too busy eating...which is a testament to the food. As many of you know I love to talk and so if I am too busy eating instead of talking that must mean the food is good.


What I can tell you is that the location of Beach House Fish use to be Eric Ericsson's Fish Company which was a Ventura landmark. The restaurant opened it 1981 and took over the current location in 1996. Beach House Fish still belongs to the same family, however the torch has been passed from father to daughter with the new restaurant.


Beach House Fish has incredible food! The fish is amazingly fresh and you can taste the difference!! The menu has an innovative concept in that you can pick the protein (type of fish, shellfish, chicken, etc), pick the menu item (salad, pasta, tacos, etc) and then pick the sides. They also offer an eclectic craft beer, wine and cocktail menu. Yes, I was pretty much in heaven!!


So we decided to try a few dishes, however to be honest the menu looked so amazing I so want to go back and try more. For example, I didn't get to try the Oysters Rockefeller and those are usually one of my staples, but I needed motivation to return. What I did try was the Clam Chowder which was perfect!! It had big chunks of clams and potatoes, it was creamy but not so thick that it coated your mouth and it had great spice, a little zesty but not overpowering. My friend thought she may have detected even a hint of cinnamon, however her pallet is definitely more refined than mine.


We also tried the seared ahi fish tacos and let me just say the ahi was cooked perfectly. It was seared on the outside and still raw on the inside. The fish was fresh and it had a nice avocado sauce on it.


For me personally, I always judge a seafood restaurant on it's just plain 'ol seafood, so I ordered some crab legs. They were so good!! They were salty, cooked perfectly, fresh and meaty. It is always fun to fight with a crab cracker and a crab leg and I had a blast wrestling for my lunch.


And of course we had to try a few cocktails, so I tried the Ojai Rose which was light, crisp and refreshing. My friend had a blueberry and mint mojito which was also really nice!!


I really would go back to this restaurant in a heart beat. The menu has something for everyone, the ingredients are fresh, the location is gorgeous and you just can't beat sitting outside, listening to the ocean and enjoying good food and good company. Just so you know you do order from a counter and you have to go grab your food, but it is worth it, and if there is a line, it is still worth it. I love the rustic vibe and the food is served on metal plates with old school brown paper, it just feels chill and old school. Love it!

Here is the web page http://www.beachhousefish.com/#about Happy Memorial Day and please take a moment to be grateful. Cheers!!