“The stew was one of the most challenging recipes to perfect. It took about 3 years. I was adamant that a proper cioppino, bouillabaisse, fish stew is the hallmark of a great seafood restaurant. In fact, I think it is the ultimate litmus test of any seafood menu. The problem with most stews is twofold: the base is too thick making the tomatoes too overpowering, and secondly the stew sits in a pot all day. Our stew overcomes these limitations by balancing equal amounts of plum tomatoes and tomatillos in the base. The tomatillos lighten the weight of the base and provide a piquant flair to the dish. And, in the restaurant, each stew is cooked to order, so the proteins do not overcook. Saffron, Hungarian sweet paprika and the cooking technique are what make this dish.”

-Local Ocean Seafoods founder, Laura Anderson

Chef Charlie Branford, who helped open Local Ocean in 2005, originally made this dish for his sisters after they got back from the Amazon. The key to this dish is seasoning the fish with lime juice, salt and pepper prior to cooking. The base is a coconut milk and green curry. The scent of it is intoxicating.

Your new favorite lunch - bite into a juicy piece of local rockfish with smoked bacon, tomatoes, romaine, smashed avocado, Mama Lil's pickled peppers, and tartar sauce, served on a herb butter-crusted hoagie with fries. This sandwich is a favorite of our staff and regular guests!

“Growing up in a fishing family, we ate a lot of fish - but never deep fried! So, when I opened the restaurant, I wanted to keep the Fish & Chips simple - egg washed, breaded and grilled, like my mom used to make it (she would coat with bread crumbs, ground up Ritz crackers or even corn flakes!). Chefs Bruce Jackson and Charlie Branford decided buttermilk and panko were essential in this recipe and our Grilled Fish & Chips was born.”

-Local Ocean Seafoods founder, Laura Anderson

Fish tacos are a mainstay of coastal restaurants. We love to pair local lingcod or rockfish with mango pico de gallo, as it adds a sweet zip that complements the fish without overshadowing it.