Salt Marina Del Rey: A Beautiful Eatery by the Sea

Picture this: the sun is setting over the harbor, pink and purple, and you’re surrounded by a plethora of yachts in a stunning environment that, too, is reminiscent of the ocean. Such is your experience at the new SALT restaurant at the Marina Del Rey Hotel.

Inside you’ll find blue hues, water tones and natural wood, which perfectly complements the fresh, seasonally inspired and locally sourced fare. Outside, you’ll find lounge-like seating areas and fire pits, which lends a magnificent ambience to the eatery.

Its menu, as you might expect, is heavy on seafood (and why wouldn’t it be, given its location?) The modern American fare/new school California cuisine is sourced from local farmer’s markets; in our opinion, it offered a unique, contemporary take on standard favorites.

Start with oysters on the half shell before moving on to lighter fare like hand-cut Japanese yellowtail hamachi with avocado and tea smoked plum Japanese citrus and a Maine lobster roll with Nantucket-style lobster on a toasted brioche.

Entrees we recommend include the Prince Edward Island steamed mussels, linguini and clams with Japanese udon noodles, little neck clams, lemon and garlic; house-made zucchini ravioli with mascarpone, basil and dehydrated orange; lobster pasta with Maine lobster and Japanese udon noodles in a yuzu brown butter dashi sauce; and Scottish salmon on a potato emulsion, with grilled shiitake mushrooms and tarragon butter.

Thought you might be full, don’t leave without sampling the brown butter cake with roasted apple and maple ice cream as well as the banana split with handmade ice cream, salted caramel, strawberry and marshmallow.

It wouldn’t be right not to mention SALT’s extensive cocktail list, so we’ll mention a few of our favorites. There’s the Golden 50: Absolut Elyx Vodka, St. Germain Liqueur with housemade simple syrup; the Monaco Martini: Absolut Citron, Cointreau, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice and grapes; and the Captain’s Order: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, pineapple juice, coconut water, fresh lime juice and hibiscus syrup.

All in all, if you want a great meal in a beautiful place, SALT is a completely sweet experience.