Dock, Drink & Dine: Los Angeles Harbor
March 28, 2024
A pleasant cruise through the many marinas in Los Angeles Harbor will reveal a variety of waterfront restaurants and bars, ranging from small, family-run eateries to larger establishments with formal dining. All of these restaurants are popular venues with fine food enjoyed by boaters and harbor visitors alike.
The Chowder Barge
Like a scene from John Steinbeck’s novel, Cannery Row, the Chowder Barge on Henry Ford Avenue in Leeward Bay Marina, Wilmington, survives among shipping operations and old, worn-out sailboats and fishing vessels. Both the exterior and interior of this venerable, old floating hangout reflect a long history of catering to professional fishers, container ship crew and local families just out for a day of fun. Long before entering service as a floating eatery, the barge was used to transport equipment and personnel during the filming of the 1935 classic film, “Mutiny on the Bounty.”
If a bowl of clam chowder, a steak and potato, a burger or fish and chips with an icy mug of beer is calling you, this is the place where you can come as you are, relax and enjoy a hearty meal. Their specialty, of course, is their clam chowder made fresh every day right on the premises. If you are really hungry, try tackling the “The Revs’ Special Chowder Burger,” a 5-ounce burger floating in a big bowl of clam chowder. Other entrees include grilled salmon, grilled swordfish, fried clams, an assortment of sandwiches and more.
The interior of the barge, by the way, has an allure that will have you craning your neck in every direction, taking in the eccentric collection of memorabilia from bygone eras. The funky museum surrounding you includes classic surfboards, bronze ship hardware and even a collection of old-fashioned tube radios once used on ships. If you want to grab a table or a spot at the bar, just walk right in because the Chowder Barge does not accept reservations.
Marina Café
Another gem of a diner right off Henry Ford is Marina Café, a charming waterside restaurant with large windows and a clear view of the marina for inside dining, plus ample outdoor seating for sunny days, only a few yards from the many boats tied to their docks. The open, airy atmosphere, along with outdoor tables and brightly colored shade umbrellas, imbue this humble establishment with a refreshing, cheerful, retro 1960s look.
Owner/restaurateur Sheri Hadjis has operated her waterside restaurant for several years, adding tables to the exterior and more menu items as demand for the café’s dishes has steadily grown.
The Marina Café offers only breakfast and lunch, but their menu is worth waking up early to enjoy. For breakfast, their specialties include everything from a basic plate of eggs, potatoes and bacon to their Monte Cristo Sandwich, a combination of turkey, ham and Swiss cheese on French toast.
The lunch menu includes, among other things, fish and chips, Angus burgers and their list of “old school tacos and enchiladas,” a truly tantalizing array of authentic Mexican entrees.
“I just really love the setting and the many wonderful people who visit our diner,” Sheri beamed with a smile in a recent interview with The Log. “We really care about our customers, and we are always finding ways to enhance our menu and service to please the wonderful people who come to dine here.”
22nd Street Landing
If fine dining in a casual atmosphere is in your sights, try out 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro. Located upstairs next door to the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club, directly above the dock at the north end of Watchorn Basin (aka Hurricane Gulch), 22nd Street Landing covers the gamut in menu selections from brunch through dinner.
Breakfast specialties include blue crab cake benedict, lobster fritters benedict, Hawaiian style French toast, or for a more traditional breakfast, a Denver omelette. For lunch, you can choose from a lengthy menu of appetizers, soups, salads and light entrees like lobster bisque, wild shrimp Louie, California seafood cioppino or a variety of pasta dishes and sandwiches.
While looking over dinner options, start with a cocktail and an appetizer, such as their baked oysters Rockefeller, seafood stuffed mushrooms, Maryland blue crab cakes or steamed clams and mussels.
Entrees range from corn-fed Angus beef steaks to a wide selection of fish, all of which is grilled over an applewood-fired grill. Grilled salmon, mahi-mahi and snapper are among the many choices, but my personal favorite is 22nd Street Landing’s incredible ahi tuna filet grilled medium rare and served with a baked potato and salad.
If you have been looking for upscale gourmet fare at affordable prices in a scenic setting, 22nd Street Landing is a hard place to beat.
Hilton Doubletree
At the opposite end of Watchorn Basin, closer to Cabrillo Beach, is the Hilton Doubletree, located behind a long bulkhead on the west side of the channel overlooking Cabrillo Way Marina on the east side.
Hilton Doubletree restaurant and bar boast an array of signature cocktails, plus a sumptuous menu of premium meats, sustainably sourced food and fresh California produce. Their customer literature boasts, “Savor classic spirits, bottled beer and local craft brews at our fully stocked bar. Whether you seek a tranquil corner or a breezy patio with live music, your perfect table awaits!”
Having dined at the Doubletree in the recent past, I can attest to the mastery of their chefs, who actually enjoy the challenge of catering to special requests from picky gourmets. Looking for a quiet, serene setting for a formal dinner while gazing out over the water? Then the Hilton Doubletree in San Pedro is just the place you are looking for.
When seeking the right restaurant on the water in Los Angeles Harbor, remember, you can enjoy anything from a casual, dockside meal with your dog at your side to formal, upscale dining in a quiet atmosphere. Try them all!
