Untitled Document Home
Chef & Hotel Profile
Publisher's Page
Gift Guide
Travel Adventures
Epicurean Events
Health Minded
Spa Baby Secrets
Sips
Book Bites
Culinary Coup
Sense of Style
Kids Kaleidoscope
Tinsletown Tidbits
Wheels
Radio Show & Links
Contact Us


 

SANTA BARBARA SHELLFISH COMPANY

White Family Seafood Dynasty Since 1980

By Bonnie Carroll

In 1980 the White family opened The Santa Barbara Shellfish Company at 230 Stearns Wharf on Stern’s Wharf in Santa Barbara. The fresh seafood wholesale operation soon became the most popular place for signature lunches of steamed crab, local lobster and ridgeback shrimp. 

In 1999 they opened the FisHouse on Cabrillo Boulevard, which was their first full service dining venue, and they completed their dynamic trio of restaurants with The Boathouse Hendry’s Beach at 2981 Cliff Drive in 2007, where they successfully continue their commitment to serving fresh local produce, and sourcing the finest seafood anywhere in the world. 

The Boathouse Hendry’s Beach became an instant success by serving a complete menu of outstanding seafood recipes to enjoy while viewing one of the best ocean scenes in California. On a recent visit to this trendy venue I was delighted to enjoy several items they have become renowned for, along with side salads, desserts and a few signature cocktails. 

Due to the amazing view, the bar attracts visitors looking to savor original cocktails while de-stressing with each approaching wave. The “Cannonball” is one of their specialties, as is the chocolate martini, an exceptional after dinner surprise. Their wine list is also quite extensive and includes wines that can be perfectly paired with your lunch or dinner choices. 

The whole main lobster is a specialty, and is served with drawn butter. This dish is perfect with a signature wedge or green salad, and can be preempted with a beautiful fresh prawn cocktail. The oysters Rockefeller are one of the best to be experienced anywhere in America, and made #1 on the “Best of 2013” list for Life Bites News this year. The recipe is a spin on the classic recipe with bacon, parmesan, Pernod and covered with an outstanding citrus Hollandaise sauce. For meat lovers The Boathouse executive chef Pasquale Gonzales will prepare three huge scampi served with a top sirloin grilled steak resting on garlic mashed potatoes that is a pleasure to look at as well as devour.

        

Desserts are amazing and include an authentic Bananas Foster, crème brulet, a collection of chocolate favorites and more. The Bananas Foster with vanilla ice cream is flamed by the chef in the kitchen and rivals any I’ve had in fine hotel dining rooms over the years. The service is friendly and efficient beyond the norm for some relaxed seaside destinations, and the atmosphere is lively and fun, especially in the evening.

The Santa Barbara FisHouse, located at 101 E. Cabrillo Boulevard, overlooks the Santa Barbara Wharf, and is a favorite of locals and visitors to the City of Santa Barbara during the day and after dark.

 

At night the dining room and oyster bar is overflowing with people enjoying family dinners, or cocktails, local wines and brews with oysters on the half shell and small plates to enjoy at the bar. By day the entire place is filled with sunlight and the patio offers blissful views of Stearns Wharf. This patio is the place for guests who want to enjoy an ocean view, catch a few rays and be kissed by the ocean breeze while savoring some of the best seafood to be had in the city. 

A delicious signature cocktail is their coconut mojito. It’s light and refreshing and gently muddled with fresh mint. A few starters to savor with their unique beverages include an amazing fresh coconut shrimp or the grilled artichoke appetizer served with original dipping sauces. They are also renowned for oysters on the half shell. 

The shrimp Louis salad is filled with shrimp and fresh crab, avocado and hard boiled eggs, served with a fantastic dressing. It is my observation that the White family restaurants stand out in a town full of seafood places due not only to their understanding of perfect fish preparation, but also the delicious home-made dressings and sauces they serve to enjoy with them.

The chefs in the FisHouse kitchen, including Jon Kennedy, Mario Perez and Chuy Charco, are stars and work in unison to put out fantastic and delicious plates every time. Their fish dishes, including Ahi tuna and Skuna Bay salmon served with rice and steamed vegetables are an outstanding choice for lunch or dinner, and the dessert selections include sinful sweets like the cheese cake with strawberries or light sorbets. 

A short walk across Cabrillo to Stearns Wharf will lead you to the Shellfish Company, where is all started, and where there is always a sign-up list on the door to reserve a table to enjoy their award winning chowder and seasonal bisque or one of the countless items on their seafood menu. Some waiting guests take a short walk to the Conway Winery tasting patio near the candy store, where they enjoy tastings of wonderful Deep Sea wines poured by Laurie the manager, until their name at the Shellfish Company reaches the numero uno spot. 

Santa Barbara is clearly a destination that specializes in fine seafood and great local wines. The White family has done their best to bring you a variety of Santa Barbara restaurant locations to enjoy it all, and I heard through the grape vine they have recently opened the Casa Blanca at 330 State Street, where fantastic Mexican dishes, created by Chef Onofre Zungia, can be savored with a choice of 120 Tequilas. 

For information, hours of operation and menu details on all three White restaurants go to www.FisHouse.com.

 


2008
March 08 | April 08 | May 08 | June 08 | July 08 | August 08 | September 08 | October 08 | November 08 | December 08 | January 09 | February 09 | March 09 | April 09 | May 09 | June 09 | July 09 | August 09 | September 09 | October 09 | November 09 | December 09 | January 10 | February 10 | March 10 | March | April 10 | May 10 | June 10 | July 10 | August 10 | September 10 | October 10 | November 10 | December 10 | January 11 | February 11 | March 11 | April 11 | May 11 | June 11 | July 11 | August 11 | September 11 | September | October 11 | November 11 | December 11 | January 12 | February 12 | March 12 | April 12 | May 12 | June 12 | July 12 | August 12 | September 12 | October 12 | November 12 | December 12 | January 13 | March 13 | February 13 | April 13 | May 13 | June 13 | July 13 | August 13 | September 13 | October 13 | November 13 | December 13 | January 14 | February 14 | March 14 | April 14 | May 14 | June 14 | July 14 | August 14 | September 14 | October 14 | November 14 | December 14 | January 15 | February 15 | March 15 | April 15 | May 15 | June 15 | July 15 | August 15 | September 15 | October 15 | November 15 | December 15 | January 16 | February 16 | March 16 | April 16 | May 16 | June 16 | July 16 | August 16 | September 16 | October 16 | November 16 | February 17 | December 16 | March 17 | January 17 | April 17 | May 17 | July 17 | August 17 | June 17 | September 17 | November 17 | October 17 | December 17 | January 18 | February 18 | March 18 | April 18 | May 18 | June 18 | July 18 | August 18 | August | September 18 | October 18 | November 18 | December 18 | January 19 | February 19 | March 19 | April 19 | May 19 | June 19 | July 19 | August 19 | September 19 | October 19 | November 19 | December 19 | January 20 | February 20 | March 20 | April 20 | May 20 | June 20 | July 20 | August 20 | September 20 | October 20 | November 20 | December 20 | January 21 | February 21 | March 21 | April 21 | May 21 | June 21 | July 21 | August 21 | September 21 | October 21 | December 20 | November 21 | December 21 | January 22 | February 22 | April 22 | May 22 | March 22 | June 22 | July 22 | August 22 | September 22 | October 22 | November 22 | December 22 | January 23 | February 23 | March 23 | April 23 | May 23 | June 23 | July 23 | August 23 | September 23 | October 23 | November 23 | December 23 | January 24 | February 24 | February 08 | January 08

2007
December 07
| November 07 | October 07 | September 07 | August 07 | July 07 | June 07 | May 07
April 07
| March 07 | February 07 | January 07

2006
Dember 06
| November 06 | October 06 | September 06 | August 06 | July 06 | June 06 | May 06
April 06 | March 06 | February 06 | January 06

2005
December 05
| November 05 | October 05 | September 05 | August 05 | July 05 | June 05 | May 05
April 05 | March 05 | February 05 | January 05

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved