The Fancy Fish (Mira Mesa)

mmm-yoso!!!, a blog with postings about places in San Diego and beyond, focused on food.  Kirk, Ed(from Yuma) and Cathy usually write here.  Today, Cathy is at the helm. 

It was late March, or maybe April and I was on Mira Mesa Boulevard at the corner with HMart, Daiso, In-n-Out, The Kebab Shop, Go Go Sushi and Ramen and many other places and noticed new signage. Finally, The Mister and I had a chance to stop here; glad we did.    Walk in, order, pay. Find a seat and your food will be delivered. Platters, salads, bao and tapas.  Everything customizable and made to order.  Could be plain, could be fancy.

Customizable: 1. Choose the VIP (very important protein): tilapia, white fish, tofu, swordfish, shrimp, jumbo shrimp, salmon, mani mani, chicken, catfish, albacore or ahi., pick the preparation, pick a sauceWe have tried a variety of offerings already.

2. Choose a style of preparation:Fried, pan cooked, grilled or steamed.

3. Choose a sauce: Cajun dry rub, honey dijon, cilantro lime, lemongrass satay, curry, creamy sriracha, teriyaki, sweet and sour, garlic butter, toasted sesame, hoisin.  Each of these sauces are made in house and each that we've tried has been delicious.  

4. 5. 6. Choose a salad mix, salad dressings and sides.

Really, many decisions to be made...this is why it's a long post.  We needed to figure out what we liked and wanted more of for future visits.   We have tried all the preparation styles, which is the focus of this post.  
 There are a variety of seating areas, some with a great view of the open kitchen. Let's start with fried.   The first time here, trying the whitefish platter ($9)with a salad and slaw as the sides- a large piece of fish, perfectly fried. Salad dressing  made here, a good ranch.    Here's a closeup of the lemongrass satay sauce.  There's a touch of heat in it, and it is good.  The Seafood Sampler ($9) is interesting in that each seafood is prepared with a different batter for frying.  Calamari , Shrimp (wrapped in rice paper), fish bites, shrimp chips and fries.  I do so appreciate a good fry.     The Bao; "Asian tacos' on the menu.   This one is soft shell crab ($6) (it is $4 on Tuesdays).  Cute how the Fancy Fish branding is on each fresh made, steamy bun.   Shrimp (crispy or grilled ($5.50, $3 on Tuesday) great, large, different than the shrimp on the Sampler.    Grilled chicken and grilled fish (an a 'light meal' visit ($5/$5.50).  Again, really nice and a different preparation.  The bao are filling!

The seared ahi tuna salad ($12) with cilantro lime dressing.  Wonderful, fresh, good ratio of tuna to salad.  Will order again.
Grilled tilapia ($10) this was meaty steak and really good.  Shrimp chips and salad as sides made this a 'healthier' choice.

That first photo of this trio is of the steamer. The whitefish steamed with lemongrass satay was recommended by the owner...we had to. We did ask for the sauce on the side, but usually the fish is steamed with the sauce.  Choosing the grilled zucchini and cole slaw made this another nice meal.  Both of us really liked this preparation of the fish.

All in all, a great way to get exactly what you want.  Great service, nice people and great food.

 
The Fancy Fish 9430 Mira Mesa Blvd #5B San Diego 92126 (858) 586-6228 Website Open Sun-Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Comments

[nhbilly]

Sure looks like they know how to fry their fishies.

[Sandy]

I had no idea that there was a new restaurant in this mall! The food looks very good, and I like the branding on the bao.

[Eddie]

I've seen the sign since they've opened, but haven't given it a try. I enjoy fish but never really got that hang of cooking it myself.

Since the HMart opened I've largely avoided trying to park there, maybe it's time to brave the parking situation.

[Cathy]

Yes they do, Bill. I very much appreciate good frying techniques.
The signage on the street caught my eye, Sandy...only because I was stuck at that signal light forever. The fresh bao is so good.
So many types of fish as well as cooking styles done here, Eddie, you should find something you'll like. We park in the back-North on Westview and instead of turning left at the Taco shop and into the main parking area, turn just *behind* the taco shop. It's usually not filled up unless peak times on the weekend.

[caninecologne]

I think this is the same spot that used to be Po and Pho (a combination Cajun and VN place). Great choices for seafood, preparation, etc here. Very nice! That parking lot is not fun to navigate. Whenever I've gone to H-Mart, it is usually pretty early and I like parking in the back.

[Lynn @ Oh-So Yummy]

I stopped by here for the first time on Wednesday and was hoping to come back for the Tuesday bao special. That soft shell crab looks really good!

[Soo]

Mmm... Fried fish. :-) I gotta check this place out.

[Cathy]

Po and Pho was next door (it's GoGo Sushi now), cc. The interior of this shop is kind of an odd triangle shape (gets wider the farther inside you go). I think all three of you would like the variety of choices here...once you find parking (yes, going behind the stores is the way to do it).
I'm glad you got to stop here, Lynn; there's such a variety of choices ...the concept of 'customizable' meals as part of the ordering (instead of appearing picky and changing a menu item) is a little different and appreciated.
The fry here is done right, Soo. You will like it.

[Sandy]

To park in the back of the strip mall, it's north on Westview (not Westfield). The parking isn't as crazy as it was when H-Mart first opened. Speaking of H-Mart, I have heard that they're opening a store at the old Sports Authority on Balboa Avenue near the 805.

[Cathy]

Thanks, Sandy, I corrected it. Also thanks for the HMart information- it's a nice store...that location will be a bit closer for us.