Water Grill

Register/SCNG) 10. Water Grill (2018 ranking: 6) If you want lobster or crab, check out the massive fish tanks behind the raw bar at Water Grill. These are the best lobsters and crabs money can buy. If you like oysters, Water Grill offers a better selection

order: Giant appetite? Order a tower of seafood. Need just a nibble? Start with the uni toast. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 949-208-7060, watergrill.com Server Louie Reyes at Water Grill, across the street from South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. (Photo by

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I was prepared to spend a lot of money at the new Water Grill. This was, after all, the crown jewel of Sam and Jeff King's seafood-restaurant fiefdom, which includes about a dozen King's Fish Houses and the affordable Fish Camp in Sunset Beach

(which, by the way, I love). Water Grill, however, is the upmarket label of the brand, the Banana Republic to King's Fish House's the Gap and Fish Camp's Old Navy. So I expected it to be expensive. But then there's conventional wisdom about any seafood

Water Grill has opened in the spot vacated by Scott's Seafood in Costa Mesa, across from South Coast Plaza. Water Grill is part of the King's Fish House chain, which already has Water Grills in Santa Monica, Downtown Los Angeles, and San Diego. The

very best beef is still plentiful: high-end restaurants. 30-ounce dry-aged ribeye from Water Grill in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) When the lockdown first began, some of the best steakhouses quickly pivoted to

continue, at least for now.  I purchased raw ribeyes from The Capital Grille, Mastro’s, Old Brea Chop House, Selanne Steak Tavern and Water Grill. Here’s what I found: The Capital Grille The steak: 22-ounce bone-in ribeye, USDA Prime, $40. This was an

by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Water Grill This seafood restaurant currently operates a pop-up market three times a week where they sell various cocktails by the quart ($35), including excellent margaritas. These have been

consistently the strongest margaritas on this list. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 949-208-7060, watergrill.com/southcoast Classic margaritas from Water Grill in Costa Mesa, available to-go by the quart. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG

in South Coast Plaza (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Water Grill The scene: Water Grill’s sprawling patio attracts a see-and-be-seen crowd, even as the tables are now divided with plexiglass. Plus, inside, large street-side

windows roll away almost like garage doors, creating a breezy, airy ambience. What to order: Chilled lobster, grilled turbot, uni toast and ribeye steaks. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 949-208-7060, watergrill.com Uni toast at Water Grill in Costa Mesa

offer great oysters with creative granitas. I love starting a meal like that.  On the other hand, if you’re looking to make an entire feast of it, my favorite place to go overboard is Water Grill in Costa Mesa (3300 Bristol St.,949-208-7060

and Henderson Bays from Washington and Kumamotos from California’s Humboldt Bay. If that sounds like I’m speaking gibberish, sit at the oyster bar and let their knowledgeable shuckers walk you through the nuances. Water Grill also sources some of the

Vaca tonic from the temporary takeout menu at Vaca in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Margaritas from Water Grill Textbook classic (and very strong) silver margaritas, sold by the quart. Unfortunately these are no

longer available for takeout. 3300 Bristol St. Costa Mesa, 949-208-7060, watergrill.com Margarita from the temporary takeout menu at Water Grill in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

: No Dining at the bar: No Tables sanitized: Yes Chairs sanitized: No Seating properly distanced: Yes Touchless menus: No Plastic screens between tables on the large covered patio at Water Grill in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County

Register/SCNG) Water Grill, Costa Mesa COVID Comfort Rating: C (July 2020) Temperature checks at door: No Masks enforced for customers: Yes Masks worn by staff: Yes Gloves worn by staff: No Hand sanitizer available: At entrance Outside dining: Yes

your Duffy. Seafood: Water Grill 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 949-208-7060, watergrill.com One of the best places to dine inside Water Grill is also the spot where almost no one thinks to sit: the oyster bar. First off, you don’t need a reservation to

nothing wrong with a large booth next to an open window, either. The point is you’re here for seafood, and Water Grill has the best selection of fish and shellfish for miles. If the West Coast’s prized Dungeness crab is in season, this should be your first