Big Fish Sea Grill

**** Big Fish has closed

One day while driving past Diane Village Shopping Center, on the way back from one of my many trips to Ba Ren for take-out, I noticed a sign that said "Big Fish". Big Fish......"what kind of big fish"? was the first thing that went through my head. So the next day I set out to hook myself a "Big Fish".

 

If I recall, this was a sushi bar of some sort in a previous life.

 

The menu is what I'll call classic "SoCal Fish joint"; grilled fish dishes, fried seafood, sandwiches, fish n' chips, with ceviche and fish tacos thrown in.

I didn't realize what a huge patio area this place had.

 

On my first visit, I decided to try out the fish n' chips. According to the menu, you can get them two ways, beer battered or panko crusted. I ordered the beer battered option, but for some reason, it wasn't available, maybe due to the fact that the place hadn't even been open for a week? So I went with the Panko Crusted Fish n Chips. According to the menu, the fish used for the fish n' chips was Cod, not Haddock or Pollock.

As I had a seat, the rather large gentleman dropped off some chips and salsa:

 

And soon enough my plate of Panko Crusted Fish n' Chips ($8.75), arrived. For some reason "panko crusted", and "fish n' chips" really doesn't click in my head. Undoubtedly a personal issue.

 

The pieces of fish were a good 3 inches in circumference, and looked bigger in real life than in photos. The panko had soaked up a bit of oil, so I'm thinking that the cooking temperature was a bit off. The flesh had a nice opaque look, and if not super moist, was decent. With regards to being able to tell the difference between cod and haddock, for me, it's mostly an appearance issue. Cod, in my opinion is much more dense, whiter in color when cooked, as this was, and has a bit more of that "fish flavor". Haddock, in my mind is a bit more delicate and perhaps a bit sweeter, with smaller flakes. I'm sure someone out there is an expert in such matters and can perhaps educate me a bit further. The quality of the fish was prefectly acceptable.

 

Lacking a great batter, this was fairly bland. The saving grace was the malt vinegar.

 

The waffle cut fries looked really pale, but stood up for the entire meal. The coleslaw was tasteless.

 

Overall, not great, not bad.....

A few days later, I was pretty tired, and wanted some Ceviche to perk me up. But for some reason, La Playita was closed. I decided to give the ceviche($8.95) at Big Fish a whirl. 

 

This version came with those multi-colored mass produced tortilla chips instead of the usual crackers or tostadas. The bowl was pretty hefty in weight, but man this was bland. The shrimp seemed like they were blanched in water, and the pieces of fish though well "cooked" in texture and color, had very little flavor. As you can see, it was also pretty dry...... This was obviously no La Playita.

For some reason, a week later I found myself back at the counter of Big Fish wondering what I was doing here. I decided to march forward and ordered the fish tacos($8.75):

Geeez, it had everything but the kitchen sink on it. Again the panko crust was a bit greasy, but one thing for sure, with panko you can't hide a little pinkie sized sliver of fish in batter. The "creamy chipotle sauce" was more like a slightly, very slightly spicy, thousand island dressing, and the usual cabbage was replaced by salsa fresca. I used up the two limes and ended up going through two little cups of the salsa. Again the waffle cut fries seemed a bit pale, but held up rather well.

 

In the end, Big Fish provides on several levels; it is "gringo safe", un-offending food. Perhaps a bit bland to my palate, but may be perfectly fine for yours. The seafood seems to be of decent quality, and the portion sizes and prices are good. The service is unabashedly male, and ranged from friendly, to grunts and nods.

Big Fish Sea Grill
4706 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard (In the Diane Village Shopping Center)
San Diego, CA 92117

Open 10am to 9pm daily
858-490-2205

Postscript: It seems like the Clairemont Mesa, Diane Avenue area, has a few new additions:

 

A post is coming soon.......

Comments

[Carol]

Looking forward to the review on Fat Tony's.

[Cathy]

It used to be Beach Boy Sushi, or something like that. Went there for The Mister's birthday and did not want to do a post-would have needed the Thesaurus. Seems the same people took over...But at least it isn't decorated by Ikea...I still have the photos on the Memory Card.

[kat]

looking forward to fat tony's review :9

[nhbilly]

I made some fried fish last night. What a coincident and not to mention I used Japanese panko - the best IMO.

[Kirk]

Hi Carol - OK, i'll try to get to that ASAP.

Hi Cathy - Yikes, a thesaurus....what in the world were they serving?

Hi Kat - Will get to that soon.

Hi Billy - I think folks use panko and forget to season sometimes.

[cathy]

All the sauces were home made. Teriyaki by mixing soy with sugar and cornstarch; the spicy dip for calamari was kind of Thousand Island mixed with vinegar or Tobasco; the fried tofu was made with *very* firm tofu and battered and deep fried and so got firmer...oh and the teensy individual teacups each got their own tea bag and was *very* strong. Rice was crispy, because it was old and we got scrapings, not because it was supposed to be. And really, the decor in that patio room...every hanging light Ikea made (one of each), upside down umbrellas and knick knacks with no theme, sort of 'garage sale finds'.

[Green Turtle]

Big Fish has an ad in the Pennysaver which includes a grand-opening $5 fish & chip coupon. Not sure if I'd pay the regular $8.95 price. I'd be more inclined to go with Convoy Fish & Sushi's $5 special in which you don't need a coupon. They also added a halibut fish taco plate to their $5 line, but I haven't tried it yet.

[Kirk]

Hi GT - Five bucks would be a good deal for this stuff. BTW, Convoy Fish and sushi moved the fish counter out....and is building a sushi bar?

[gayle]

does anyone remember the name of the old family mexican restaraunt at diane village shopping center? i remember it started with an "s" They had the best sopapillas!

[Maria]

This is so true!!! I use to wor there and ended up leaving! It was just a boring atmosphere! I totally LOVE seafood and this place isn't good at ALL!