Best seafood soup: Fishbar
Fishbar’s popular chowder bread bowl. Photo
Fishbar has won this award multiple times, possibly because there are multiple things to love here – South Bay restaurants have been serving chowders and fish stews since the era when patrons arrived in Model T’s, but not in the variety or quality displayed at this establishment. New England and Manhattan style clam chowder are both offered – and don’t think we’re going to take sides in the argument about which is best, because we know better – and both are excellent. The smoked salmon chowder is a rarer thing, a delightful thing with herbal overtones accenting the seafood in creamy broth. All are available in either bowls or poured inside a hollowed-out loaf of sourdough bread, a nifty presentation for a filling and enjoyable meal.
3801 Highland Ave., MB 310-796-0200, www.fishbarmb.com
Runner-up: Bluewater Grill, 665 North Harbor Drive, RB (310) 318-3474, www.bluewatergrill.com