Unfortunately Anthony's Sea Grill has closed.
mmm-yoso is not on vacation. Cathy is blogging and Kirk is apparently traipsing about, probably researching someplace new and different.
Hi. There should be a "seafood" or "fish" category for me to select from, but there isn't...and Anthony's is technically a San Diego chain, so I categorized it that way...but, well, if you've lived here for any length of time, you know Anthony's. The Star of The Sea Room downtown..fancy schmancy...they used to require all men wear a jacket or suit coat to eat there...can you imagine? Its good seafood. The Ghio family has had restaurants in San Diego since 1946..Anthony's Fish Grotto. The three Grotto's are less expensive and still have great seafood. Then a few years ago, Anthony's Fishette's opened...and one remains. Now, to meet the needs of today's guests, Anthony's Grill has opened. Its in the mall at the SE corner of 805 and Clairmont Mesa Boulevard, next to Niban.
So, there are healthy, grilled items on the menu and quite a variety. You order, pay and they bring the food to your table.
There is a take out counter near the door, with "Grab and Go" wraps and salads and a few Anthony's products (the basting butters, spreads, dips, seafood salad, and smoked fish).
The 'old' Fishette that used to be in this location had an appetizer of smoked fish which The Mister and I used to always get. This time, we had to buy a vacuum sealed, 4.5 ounce hunk of smoked albacore for $3.79. Of course, we have a bowl of New England style clam chowder also ($2.95). There is a "sauce bar" with a variety of sides...tartar, cocktail, pesto salad dressing, louie dressing, catsup, lemons...everything you could possibly need to add to your meal.
The clam chowder is made with real cream...a skin forms on top . The flavor of the broth is nice and with clam juice and there are many larger pieces of chopped clam, some celery and small diced potato. Its excellent clam chowder, as always, served with oyster crackers.
The smoked fish was excellent. There is an expiration date n the back of the package. Its smoked fresh here in San Diego. The Mister got the Fish and shrimp plate with fries ($8.95) and a side of cole slaw ($1.75). I love the cole slaw here. Not too much dressing and a tiny bit tangy with the cabbage chopped finely. There are five large shrimp, lightly breaded and fried perfectly...juicy and sweet. The piece of cod is light, flaky, fresh and classic. The fries are not bad. Crispy and light. Not greasy.
I got the fried calamari salad ($7.50)
Mostly iceberg with some romaine lettuces, tomatoes, avocado slices, cucumber slices, onion, homemade croutons and a slice of garlic ciabatta bread (which is used for the sandwiches here) . Oh yes, and the fried calamari. Light, slight seasoning and perfect. There is quite a bit of food here.
Oh, the grilled stuff...we haven't tried it. We like the "original" Anthony's flavors.
Anthony's Sea Grill 781 Clairmont Mesa Blvd. San Diego 92111 (858)244-0228
Perfect just when the weather is getting cold again, Yummm Clam chowder I need to make myself a batch. So easy to make I wonder why they charge and arm and a leg just for a cup of it.
Posted by: nhbilly | Wednesday, 10 January 2007 at 08:04 AM
Its easy for you to make one bowl for yourself, Billy...but Anthonys serves more than one million customers over five million pounds of fish a year...and there are costs associated, besides high end supplies (the Boston clam chowder uses real cream),suppliers and shipping, spoilage, costs of runnung the restaurant itself, taxes and trying to have a little profit...well, it is a business. Sorry...I'm in rare form today.
Posted by: cathy | Wednesday, 10 January 2007 at 02:05 PM
No harm taken...sometime you just forget what really goes into a big pot. :-)
Posted by: nhbilly | Wednesday, 10 January 2007 at 03:24 PM
It is an excellent clam chowder...and 45¢ more than the New York Style one...cream versus tomatoes...
Posted by: cathy | Wednesday, 10 January 2007 at 04:17 PM
I actually like my clam chowder light on the cream. Too much coats the tongue with fat and makes me less able to taste the clams. I think most restaurant clam chowders are so salty because they need to compensate for the palate deadening power of fat.
- Chubbypanda
Posted by: Chubbypanda | Thursday, 11 January 2007 at 11:18 PM
Hi CP- The Anthony's family has teh ratio correct. This New England Style Chowder has the proper proportions and is not salty. You can taste the clams, the juice, the celery and the potatoes. I have had many chowders in my life, and The Mister was raised in the Boston area and has had a tad more experience with chowder. He does like it from Anthony's. I do usually add some pepper and a few oyster crackers, after I have had about half of the bowl 'straight'.
Posted by: cathy | Friday, 12 January 2007 at 07:02 AM