Celebrate the Day After By Eating
Posted by: Jeff Solsby | 06/04/2008 6:23 AM
Since the political posters will predominate today, I'll take this opportunity to highlight one of Orange County's oldest and still best-kept local food secrets: Pearsons Port in Newport Beach. You seen the wooden shack under the PCH bridge? That's the place. Hidden in the parking lot of a marine / rv storage facility near a kayak rental spot, this seafood shop is a throwback.
Not only do the Pearsons own the place, but they also operate the boats and catch their own. Some things like their salmon and scallops--or the amazing Santa Barbara prawns--come from other small vendors, but the bulk of their crabs, lobster, mackeral, cod, snapper and other goodies comes from right off OC's shores. It's one of the few places where you can get really fresh local yellowtail. Their swordfish--when they've got it--is among the freshest anyplace, caught by local harpoon fishers, not the commercial foreign long liners.
The L.A. Times has a nice recipe / shop profile today.
You can visit by boat or car (North on Bayside drive from PCH, in the parking lot under the bridge). Their Pacific lobsters not only compete well in our family lobster races but also eat well especially when grilled with butter alone. And, Terese one of the owners gave us the best recipe ever for yellowtail marinade: half mayo half teriyaki. I had to contain the dry heaves while making it, but the final product once off the grill was amazing.
So celebrate the success or victory of election day by supporting some fellow OC residents who run one of the most unique and top quality seafood shops in the country right there in (your) backyard.
Not only do the Pearsons own the place, but they also operate the boats and catch their own. Some things like their salmon and scallops--or the amazing Santa Barbara prawns--come from other small vendors, but the bulk of their crabs, lobster, mackeral, cod, snapper and other goodies comes from right off OC's shores. It's one of the few places where you can get really fresh local yellowtail. Their swordfish--when they've got it--is among the freshest anyplace, caught by local harpoon fishers, not the commercial foreign long liners.
The L.A. Times has a nice recipe / shop profile today.
You can visit by boat or car (North on Bayside drive from PCH, in the parking lot under the bridge). Their Pacific lobsters not only compete well in our family lobster races but also eat well especially when grilled with butter alone. And, Terese one of the owners gave us the best recipe ever for yellowtail marinade: half mayo half teriyaki. I had to contain the dry heaves while making it, but the final product once off the grill was amazing.
So celebrate the success or victory of election day by supporting some fellow OC residents who run one of the most unique and top quality seafood shops in the country right there in (your) backyard.
Mr. Ayer registered as a Republican to be electable in an interim election with no incumbents. He did...
Jeff,
Great write up on Pearsons Port. It is indeed a quaint little shack and I have purchased lobster and other shell fish there.
I would also like to recommend the Dory Fisherman's area of the Newport Pier. Get there early on Saturday or Sunday mornings for treasures of the sea extracted that morning by members of Newport Beach's historic Dory Fisherman's Fleet. They too have an assortment of fresh crab, lobster, snapper, etc. You can also make arrangements with the individual fishermen to make special deliveries to your house during the week. Local lobster season runs from approximately October to February and it is delicious.
A special note to those who may not know, California Spiny lobster do not have two big front claws like the Maine Lobster. This means you get more tail meat per pound in the local lobster than those brought in from the East Coast.
While your at the pier that early in the morning, stay and have breakfast at historic Charlie's Chili. It is an institution amongst locals and has a great, reasonably priced breakfast. The owners are a fantastic family and I recommend it highly.