Catch of the Day: The Haute 5 Seafood Restaurants in Orange County

If you’re in the mood for ocean fare, Orange County cuisine is the place to satiate your shellfish craving. Although they both sound like odd drinks, ditch the shrimp cocktail for a tasty Cioppino and you won’t regret it. From traditional lobster tail to sexy sliced sashimi, you can find everything under the sea on this side of Pacific Coast Highway.

Oysters

If you don’t trust the name, try them on the half shell and make your own judgment. The perfect setting for a date (Valentine’s Day wink wink), live jazz and low lighting set the intimate tone at this CDM landmark. Want traditional with a twist? Try your oysters Tobiko style with wasabi-infused caviar. Now, that is some spicy sophistication.

Oysters is located at 2515 East Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar 949.675.7411.

Wildfish Seafood Grille

A stone’s throw from Newport Coast, you may run into Kobe while chowing down on your ahi tartar. Known for a great array of dishes, head over for happy hour for a chance to try a variety of platters for 50 percent off. Plus, everything takes better with some Grey Goose on the rocks?

Wildfish is located at 1370 Bison Avenue, Newport Beach, 92660.

Claes

Nestled inside the charming Hotel Laguna, Claes brings the beauty of the outside in, serving sensational seafood while offering breathtaking views of the Pacific. Reserve a table for a sunset, bring a lucky date, and enjoy the view with their great Sashimi Platter.

Claes is located at 425 South Coast Highway inside the Hotel Laguna, 949.494.1151.

Scott’s Seafood

A seafood institution, after a long day at South Coast, Scott’s is the perfect place to kick off your Jimmy Choo’s and enjoy some ocean fare. While some five-star eateries leave you hungry with pretentious tiny sizes, Scott’s lets you fulfill your appetite with sumptuous servings fit to share. Too much to choose from? You can’t go wrong with the Black Mussels or Cioppino.

Scott’s Seafood is located at 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.979.2400.

Hush Restaurant

Ignore the name… it’s hard to stay Hush about this restaurant. The fare is just as hip and modern as the décor, presented beautifully in artfully prepared proportions and colorful arrangements. A mixture of high class and hometown, try the Mac&Cheese with Lobster and Truffles for a meal that has you talking.

Hush Restaurant is located at 858 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach 949.497.3616.