Solana Beach Fish House (SB)

Yo, NYUGirl, this one's for you! (and you too, my other dear readers, but this is more in NYUGirl's neck of the woods).

Toddler and I successfully broke free from going to Coco's for our night out - woo-hoo! In honor of you all, we tried a new place ....Solana Beach Fish House (the Dad is at the NCAAs, so no prob that it's not his kind of place!). Verdict: yummy! Not a must-do, but definitely a nice option to have in SB, esp. so close to the beach and the Fletcher Cove playground.

It's right across from the train station on the north side of Lomas Santa Fe - little unpretentious place on the 2nd floor of a strip mall. Relatively inexpensive, super-fresh fish - grilled or fried into sandwiches, platters, tacos or salads. Coupon in get1free.com and other flyers that come to the house. Beer! (though I didn't let myself have any).

Mom had: grilled seabass sandwich (exceptionally fresh and delicious), with french fries for Boy, plus sides of salad (meh), black beans (delish) and veggies (carrots and zucchini sauteed in garlic: respectable). Grandma had: grilled salmon salad (salmon: 10, salad, 4). Boy enjoyed hot fresh dinner roll, salad, and french fries, but wasn't all that into his fish taco (is very picky about when he likes or doesn't like fish). Off-menu, turns out you can order grilled cheese or a quesadilla.

Ambiance: Boy did not like the restaurant inside - wanted out. However, there are tables on the sidewalk (with a view of parking lot, Lomas Santa Fe, and out toward ocean - may not sound scenic for you or I, but kept Boy very interested - he watched neighborhood kids on scooters, people coming in and out of restaurant, trucks delivering food [fresh fish even on a Sat. night], etc. etc. And when he wanted to get up - well, we were already outside! Staying power in his seat in this environment: a 7, definitely better than many alternatives.

Definitely worth at least one visit!