Pacific Catch - Fresh Fish Grill
2027 Chestnut St (Fillmore/Steiner), 415 440-1950
Open 11am-10pm, seven days
At this spot, Pasta Pomodoro opened some 10 years ago, and was a sensation. I think Pacific Catch will follow suit. It is a fresh fish grill with the same 14 seats at the bar, and 11 seats at tables. The menu consists of fresh-fish tacos, fish sandwiches, large rice bowls and salads with fish, and fish and chips — all at affordable prices, with nothing over $10.
It’s counter-service. You place your order and pay at the register. The food is brought to your table or counter when ready. The servers are all young, cheerful, and attentive.
Pacific Catch is an extended hole-in-the wall, with four cooks busy behind the bar, and others assisting in making salads and sandwiches, and attending to the diners. It is a comforting sight to see the fresh food being made before your eyes.
The restaurant has a Japanese-inspired menu featuring organic ingredients, fresh sushi-grade fish from the Pacific – from Japan to southeast Asia, and Polynesia — Hawaiian-style fish sandwiches, Japanese-style organic rice bowls and salads with fresh fish and organic greens, and tropical desserts featuring Japanese ice cream.
Aside from price, a seafood grill is welcome in this city. There are over 3,000 restaurants in the City, but, leaving Fisherman’s Wharf aside, there are no more than half a dozen 100% sea food places. Thus, Pacific Catch fills a need, and I predict it will do well here for some time to come. Already, the place is packed nightly with young people who like the atmosphere, the food, the attentive service, and the decent prices.
The portions are sizeable and one can have a satisfying meal for well under $10. The other day, I had a BBQ salmon sandwich on organic greens ($6.95), a good-sized organic side salad ($3.95), and an ice cream dumpling for dessert (92 cents!). I couldn’t handle more.
Meal-sized salads with fresh fish for $8.95 and $9.95 are full-sized meals, as are the rice bowls at the same price. The Veggie Special for $6.95 is also a meal.
Island tacos include fresh grilled mahi mahi or catch-of-the-day tacos, with avocado, tomatillo salsa, lime crema, and shredded cabbage $2.95, tropical shrimp taco with pineapple salsa $3.95, or taco platter with two of the above tacos, and sweet-potato fries $7.95, a meal.
Sandwiches on grilled fresh-baked rolls with organic baby greens and sesame slaw — e.g., BBQ salmon with honey chipotle sauce, sliced tomato, red onion, and citrus aioli $6.95, California salmon with avocado and citrus aioli $7.50, Teriyaki mahi with sake teriyaki sauce and pineapple salsa $7.95, Wasabi ahi, sushi-grade, with wasabi mayo, avocado, and daikon sprouts $8.95. Also, for non-fish-eaters, spicy chicken with jalapeno sauce, or teriyaki tofu with shiitake mushrooms, pineapple, and avocado $6.95.
Japanese rice bowls with organic greens, e.g., with choice of ahi tuna (sushi grade), sashimi, or fresh salmon, served with cucumber wakame salad, avocado, sprouts, ginger, sesame seeds, shredded nori and soy-wasabi sauce $9.95, bowl with choice of mahi-mahi, shrimp, salmon, chicken breast, or tofu, served with grilled bok choy, asparagus, shiitake mushrooms, pineapple, sesame seeds, and sake-teriyaki sauce $9.95.
Meal-sized salads with organic greens, e.g., sushi-grade ahi grilled rare and served with cucumber, daikon sprouts, ginger, burdock root, tomatoes, toasted sesame seeds, shredded nori, and soy-wasabi sauce $9.95, chipotle mahi-mahi with corn, baby tomatoes, tomatilla-avocado dressing $8.95, Chef’s Veggie Special with organic greens, marinated shiitakes, edamame, daikon sprouts, cucumber, baby tomatoes and miso dressing $6.95.
An important feature – chicken breast or marinated tofu can be substituted for any grilled fish item.
Fish and chips, lightly battered and fried in 100% canola oil, served with sweet-potato fries, slaw, and dipping sauces $8.95, Tokyo salmon with sweet-potato fries, jalapeno tartar, and sweet-chili dipping sauce $8.95, Thai coconut shrimp in coconut-milk batter, coconut flakes, served with sweet-potato fries and sweet-chili dipping sauce $9.95.
Small plates and sides — include Hawaiian poke of sushi-grade ahi tuna with maui onions, and served with crispy rice chips for scooping $6.95, seeweed salad with sliced cucumber and lemon ponzu $3.95, side organic salad $3.95, sesame slaw $1.50, coconut shrimp and dipping sauce $5.95, sweet- potato fries $2.95 ($1.50 with sandwich).
Desserts, include mochi fondue with vanilla, chocolate, and coffee wedges and warm chocolate dipping sauce $3.95, tapioca creme brulee topped with candied ginger $3.95, Japanese ice cream dumpling 92 cents (two or three make a good dessert).
Drinks. Lemon-grass tea (house brewed) $1.50, hot green tea $1.50. Coming soon – wine, beer, sake.
Summation: This seafood grill astounds with the variety of fresh organic food and Japanese condiments, as well as low prices. The friendly, informal atmosphere and service by young help has already attracted a large crowd of young persons.
My only criticism would concern the sweet-potato fries. I liked the ones I had, but it’s not everyman’s taste, and I would be happy if they offered regular fries as well. Maybe one day they will also add miso soup and a ramen (noodle) dish.
I would not be surprised if this is the beginning of a small chain of seafood grills in other parts of the City. It’s a wonderful start. Be sure to phone for reservations. All credit cards accepted.
Pacific Catch reviewed 4/15/03 by Louis Madison
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