Fishing With Dynamite

Can’t believe I haven’t written a review for FWD yet! I sure thought I did since this is one of my favorite restaurants.
Food: We were so happy with every item that was brought out. So flavorful and obviously fresh, you can tell it was made with a lot of care and high quality ingredients. What we ordered:
–Squash rolls: So good and fluffy, it came with rosemary butter which was so creamy and delicious
–Kumamoto oysters: we told the server that we wanted a more mild tasting oyster so she recommended these, my friend and I weren’t avid oyster eaters but really enjoyed these. It’s like fresh ocean in your mouth but in a good way. Definitely ask your server for suggestions based on your taste and preferences.
–Peruvian scallops: Amazing, fresh, and melt-​in-​your-​mouth texture.
–Crab cake: Yes!!! You know a seafood restaurant is can be considered at least good when their crab cake is full of fresh chunks of crab instead of just a bunch of filler ingredients. Excellent.
–Grilled octopus: I am not the biggest fan of octopus but my friend is and he absolutely loved it and said it was one of the best things he’s tasted ever.
–Soft shell crab: This was heavenly, served with a lot of butter. Once again, you can tell it is fresh. I highly recommend this dish, the only downside is that I wish they gave you a little more (even if it is a tapa).
–Key lime pie: This was a surprise!!! I mentioned it was my birthday while making a reservation on OpenTable but didn’t expect anything to happen, so I was shocked when I saw they were coming out with this pie with a candle in it (free of charge). I dream about this key lime pie. It is so delicious, perfect balance of sweet and tart. That meringue is just divine. The crust is the stuff of paradise. Get this!
Service: Super sweet and helpful. Our server was attentive and was there to answer any questions we had and to provide suggestions.
Atmosphere: Super loud, cramped, small. I understand the small location being a beach location, but it is not intimate at all. We were sitting perhaps a foot away from the ladies next to us, so we were kind of forced to listen to their obnoxious conversation. Hopefully you get seated next to some better folks haha. This being said, you have have have to make reservations! This restaurant probably only has the capacity for 20 to 30 people.
I absolutely can’t wait to come back, and also possibly try their new menu items (they update it often).

I had the pleasure of dining at Fishing With Dynamite with a co-​worker last Friday and really had a great experience. The staff (from the hostess, to our server, to the busboy) were all incredible attentive, offered great suggestions, and went out of their way to make our experience a positive one. We started with the raw scallops which were super yummy. We then shared the huge snapper for 2 and ordered a side of carrots. The snapper was prepared perfectly and it was quite the experience sharing this majestic little creature. The carrots were also divine and packed just enough flavor.
My two complaints were #1– The music. It’s a super tiny restaurant to begin with but the music was so loud that I found myself shouting across the table just to remark on the food. I am not sure why they have the music so loud (and I am not an 80 year old woman!). #2– The sun glare. While it’s beautiful to dine here with a sliver of the ocean as the backdrop, the sun is intense at sunset and they really should close the window so I am not blinded during my meal.
I will give it another shot though! I loved the décor and kindness.

I’m usually not very generous with 5 stars and try to be as fair as possible with reviews.
Chef Brad of FWD is F’in AMAZING!!! We ordered am the scallops from the raw menu, the blackened kale, the sea bass, the soft-​shell blue crab, the kichikari (I think that’s how it’s spelled) rice, and wrapped it all up with the key lime pie! Wowzers!
Now keep in mind the triple dollar sign icon next to this spot is no joke. Thankfully my dinner date is an employee so we got dinner for a steal! If you want to treat yourself to an amazing meal of FRESH (like the ocean is across the street) Seafood prepared with class, this is your spot!
Call ahead and make a reservation if you can. The place only seats about 20 people and it gets crowded QUICK!
All the menu items are meant to be shared. So don’t try and keep your entrees to yourself. Also, try one of their amazing wine selections. The service is sublime. So you get such amazing food, in a semi-​ritzy neighborhood, and stellar service. It’s winning all around!

Amazing! We tried so many dishes, they were all wonderful and the service was also excellent. We started with a fries and a selection from the raw bar, 12 little necks and 12 oysters. Kumamoto oysters were the crowd pleasing choice. The fries were also good with the malt vinegar mayo adding an extra zing.
Looking back on the evening, I have to consider what were my favorites in a fantastic all around line up. The best dishes, besides excellent raw bar, were the hamachi and the dessert of pretzel and chocolate bread pudding.
We had to have two orders of the hamachi! The flavors were so balanced with tart ponzu, spicy jalapeño, crisp earthy radish and creamy avocado. Next we tried the koshihikari rice, it was creamy and rich, like risotto, with uni, crab, shrimp, and egg. Crab cakes were large with just the right amount of dill (one per order easily split). In order to take a small break from fish dishes we went for the toasted farro and peach salad. I thought it would the forgettable dish. Not so, it was brilliant with peppery arugula, sweet acidic peach and peach vinaigrette with creamy rich burrata. Finishing the experience, the four of us split the chocolate pretzel bread pudding. Mascarpone ice-​cream with warm caramel topping was just heavenly.
Ultimately, it’s the chefs ability to present a balance of flavors and variety of textures that make this dining experience unforgettable. Add to that the service and the upbeat vibe (fun music playing!) and it’s a winner!

My friend, Amy, and I found this place by accident. We were debating between MBP and this place. We came on a Saturday night with no reservation… crazy us… we put our names down for both places… waited for more than 1 hr and got seated at FWD first. Everything is good here, I’m not exaggerating! But everything is expensive here :(Cocktails are strong and refreshing. Seafood platter is very fresh from the oysters, clams, lobster, scallops, mussels ahh the list goes on! I highly recommend the clam chowder. It’s probably the best I’ve ever had. The crab cake is amazing… notice how it’s singular? You only get one crab cake but it’s very delicious. Do eat here but come with a big budget. Haha

4.5 stars
Ate here on a Friday night at 6pm. The place is pretty small so it gets packed so I would recommend making a reservation or coming early unless you are willing to wait.
Place is clean, bright, and loud.
Seafood is excellent. King crab was fresh, the ceviche was pretty amazing and unique, octopus legs were meaty and soft. They have a number of local craft beers available too.
Above food + 2 beers with tip cost about $ 90.00 Expect to pay for high quality seafood and location.
Service was excellent, food was great, but just a tad bit too loud out of a place for me. However, if I am in the area, in an upbeat mood, and have money in my account, I would visit again.

Came here to celebrate my bf’s birthday with his parents back in late April but unfortunately couldn’t write a review until now. I would most definitely recommend making reservations, as this place gets CROWDED especially during the weekends. It’s because the restaurant is fairly small with just a few tables and a bar area. (Free) parking is also pretty hard to find around here, but they do have the option to do valet parking for about $ 10.
They serve mostly seafood, as you can probably tell by the name ;) The four of us ordered a medium sized seafood platter (The Queen Mary) which had a variety of oysters, shrimp, lobster, crab, mussels, and clams for $ 85. I loved the dipping sauces that came with the seafood! I really liked their twist on the tartar sauce. We also got the famous fish and chips (Ale Battered Cod) for $ 16. The fish wasn’t overly breaded and was fried to perfection. They gave TONS of fries, which were delicious! We also got their crab benedict ($ 15), clam chowder ($ 9), Rockfish and Shrimp ceviche ($ 10). They were also good but not super memorable. Out of the three, I think I enjoyed the clam chowder the best.
The service was pretty great. Even though we weren’t able to get a table (because we didn’t make reservations), we got seats at the bar right away. The waitors were attentive and friendly. For my bf’s birthday, they even surprised him with a dessert! I chose the pretzel and chocolate bread pudding, which came with vanilla ice cream. The bread pudding was so good… I thought it was going to be a little weird and made out of the small salty pretzels, but it reminded me more of those sweet pretzels at Auntie Anne’s, which I love!
I’d come back here if I’m in the area or for a special occasion. FWD is worth the splurge and I would say the place is pretty reasonably priced for what they give you.

Lunch with a great corner window spot where you can see the Pacific. That is the spot I recommend for a party of two. Raw bar that will not disappoint. They have selection from different areas. To go along with the seafood there is a wide variety of sauces that can be paired with any of the raw bar options. For example, remoulade or ponzu. I had the SS minow and the clam chowdah. Although the oysters, clams, shrimp, and lobster were some of the best I’ve had; the chowdah blew me away. They leave the clam shells with the clam, used slices of baby potato, and a thin sauce that packs a rich heavy flavor.
I would rate one of the best restaurants in Manhattan Beach area.

Hands down one of the best seafood restaurants i have tried! The service is good and the food is amazing. Only downside this place is small, reservations are encouraged, and its casual dining.
Gf and I started with the seafood platter SS minnow, a good mix of seafood if you dont want to pick and choose yourself. The seafood is really fresh, some of the best oysters i have had, no joke. The chilled jumbo shrimp was amazing and by far my favorite. They mixed in some fresh dill, salt, olive oil and butter to the shrimp which gave it amazing flavor. I didn’t care for the cooked mussels or raw clam, just didnt have much flavor to me. The chilled lobster was good, but i was hoping for a sweeter flavor from the meat.
Also sampled the clam chowder, delicious! Creamy and buttery with plenty of clams and potatoes. Surprisingly a light chowder, not starchy and thick, just right to me and packs a ton of flavor.
The squash rolls are a must-​try! That is right, you will be amazed! They make the rolls with carrot and acorn squash juice, instead of regular water. The blended and baked flavors are amazing, especially spread with the rosemary butter spread. I can eat a whole order of 4 rolls by myself easily.
I was slightly dissapointed with the grilled yellowtail tacos, maybe the rest of the food was so amazing that i had high expectations. The tacos are good, dont get me wrong, fresh fish and good flavor on a freshmade corn tortilla. However i found the tortilla to be a tad salty and would have liked it to be crispier. Overall not a bad taco, just not sure its a $ 7 worthy taco.
If you want fresh delicious seafood, this is your spot! They have a wide selection of beer and wine on tap and bottle. The seafood is delicious and about as good as it gets. A casual relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff. And those squash rolls and chowdah blew me away. Prices are $$$, but well worth a splurge once a quarter.

Sooo Goood.
I’ve been wanting to try FWD for years, and I finally got a chance to come for a late lunch on Sat.
Décor: modern and clean, but it’s very small. I can see why you should have reservations if you’re planning on coming during peak hours.
Service: Very friendly and attentive, no complaints.
Food: Delicious! Kusshi oysters were succulent and briny, Santa Barbara uni was sweet and fresh, the jumbo shrimp was meaty and cooked perfectly.
Clam chowder was served with clams in their shells, which I liked. Soup was just creamy enough, and the amount of clams was perfect.
But their fish and chips! OMG, you have to get this if you go to FWD, because seriously it was the BEST fish and chips I’d ever had. The fish was fried perfectly with the batter so crispy and crunchy, I didn’t know it was possible to have such tasty fried fish. I believe they use cod, and when you bit into it, it was so juicy and flavorful, even my mother in law who doesn’t like fried food was amazed. She had initially told us not to order this dish, but one bite and she was saying how glad we didn’t listen to her, lol.
Fish tacos were OK, it was very good but the other items were more impressive.
Price: Not cheap, but for what you get, totally worth it.
I can’t wait to come back and try other items on the menu. I try to base 5 stars on whether I’d go out of my way to come back to the restaurant, and FWD definitely fits that bill. Hope the food is just as good next time. Recommend!

Excellent!
Came here during a random lunch day. Small dining area. No tables available to seat 3 but the bar was available so we took it! Didn’t catch the bartenders name but he was awesome. None of us were oyster connoisseurs so he filled us in on what to expect, differences of east coast vs. west coast and how the oysters live and its effect on taste and experience. Ended up trying a little of each and he was spot on.
Sunset Beach: Definitely more on the buttery side and smooth. I enjoyed them, but I like a lot of things strong, so what I enjoyed even more was…
Misty Point: Not too ‘fishy’, just good flavor. Definitely stronger than the Sunset, but still very enjoyable. Very fresh.
Peruvian Scallops: AMAZING! I really like scallops but never had them raw before. These were awesome! Very smooth and nice mellow scallop flavor. Again, super fresh. Thats the key here.
Grilled Octopus: Good char and flavor throughout. Consistency wasn’t too tough. Cooked just right.
Yellowtail Tacos: Again, well done (as in it was good, not overcooked). Got them grilled with soft shells so we could taste the fish.
Rockfish and Shrimp Ceviche: Great balance of flavors. Just the right amount of citrus flavors and fish and shrimp.
There are a few things that I consider go really well with a good craft beer and I think raw fish and oysters is one of them. They have some unique handles here. To my surprise was a sour beer called Duchesse de Bourgogne which I thought was amazing. If you’ve never tried a sour beer, give this one a shot. It’s so good.
The thing about fish places is the freshness. This place gets it fresh and you can taste it. Bartender said that they get multiple shipments a week and it shows. I’m really picky when it comes to oysters among other seafood items but this but this one is good. We will be back to try more of the menu. So far everything here has been outstanding.

Quaint and small little eatery joint right in the heart of the shops in Manhattan Beach. Stopped by for a late lunch and only waited 5 minutes before we got seated at the bar. Lots of really good food options, although a bit pricey.
Ordered the clam chowder. About 6 clams per bowl. Flavor is quite on point although I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t a bit more hearty. Broth was thinner than most clam chowders I’ve had and its a bit heavy on butter and cream unfortunately. Carrots were cooked just right and gave the soup texture. Croutons were really good. Oh did I fail to mention they have smoked bacon bits in their chowder? That was a nice touch. Wish they would have offered me some fresh ground black pepper!
The jumbo shrimp from the seafood bar are awesome. Super fresh, well seasoned and the cocktail sauce was money.
Would definitely come back to further explore the menu.

I really adore Manhattan Beach Post so when I found out that they opened a restaurant next door, I had to try it when they first came out! They were less busy back then (of course) but now the place is packed and reservations are recommended!
I really enjoyed most of the items on the menu! The seafood is extremely fresh! It feels as if they plucked everything from the ocean! It’s like the ocean exploded in your mouth! It’s soooo yummy!
I’ve gotten the big monster platter for 4, and dozens of oysters from here. I love how they put the sign of where the oysters are from so you don’t forget or get lost! They can also recommend types of oysters if you prefer like salty, briny, and sweet! My favorite oysters are sweet and they have really yummy ones!
The drinks are good and strong! I was surprised with how strong they were. Had some oysters, and fish and chips and I still had a great buzz going on! It was awesome! I forgot which one I had but it was the orange one.
The fish and chips were also so fresh! Lightly battered and crisped to perfection! MMMM. I can’t wait to go back!
Everything is a bit more pricey here, but I think that it’s worth it for the food and the experience! The little shop is just so cute too with the décor!

*** A unique spin on some familiar dishes here. ***
Rockfish & shrimp ceviche is definitely different … 3
Served on a small tostada over a thin layer of quac.
It has cranberries and a few flower pedals mixed in.
Little gems salad has beet chucks and beet chips … 4
Its blue cheese and apple wedges complement nicely.
Beer-​battered cod is the heartiest small dish of all … 4
Lightly battered and served over a plate of thin fries too.
Keylime pie is the perfect balance of sweet and tart … 5
By far my favorite. I’d probably finish every meal w/​this.
*** I enjoyed the tapa-​style plates that I tried; pricey tho. ***

Chef David Lefevre has a crown jewel of a seafood shack in Manhattan Beach.
This bookmark is a few years in the making as I don’t get to South Bay often although when the opportunity presented itself I pounced. Fishing With Dynamite is a passion project for LeFevre, who first became notorious at The Water Grill in Downtown LA. LeFevre made his name more locally at the MB Post Restaurant which is still packed to this day thanks to the warm service and first rate cuisine so I knew this was a stone cold lock.
Fishing With Dynamite is demure restaurant that reflects the traditional feel of a raw bar that any seafood house might be proud of. The live shellfish are neatly arranged on beds of ice and diners can enjoy watching trained chefs shucking, deshelling, and preparing oysters, scallops, clams, shrimp, and the occasional sea urchin. If you tried this yourself at home you would most likely end up in an emergency room.
You will be hard pressed to find a poor option on the menu that clearly leans to a raw «less is more» mantra but the seafood platters are what excited this Unilocaler from the jump and it took me little time to order the SS Minnow Platter along with a half dozen of the supremely fresh Kusshi Oysters as a side. The SS Minnow is designed to share and features 4 select Oyster varieties, 2 raw clams, 4 ice cold Shrimp, 6 smoked Mussels and a half Lobster. There was nothing on the table that I did not completely adore and at $ 45.00 I would argue this may be the best value in the Manhattan Beach area, a city that offers little in the way of true «value» on menus.
Matched with an IPA or say, a Red Ale, the seafood at FWD really shined on a hot SoCal day. There is no question of my return whenever it is that I get back to the South Bay for another platter of that outrageously fresh and delicious seafood.
Yes, you want it.

Was invited back to the restaurant after having a bad experience. This time everything went very well and we had a much better time.
Operation Koh Samui (⁴⁄₅): tasty and refreshing yuzu drink.
SS Minow (3.5÷5): most of the seafood was very fresh, but some of the oysters were a little fishy.
Uni (⁴⁄₅): very fresh and melted in my mouth.
Hamachi (⁴⁄₅): this was delicious, wish it came with more pieces!
Fries (³⁄₅): average, could be better.
Pretzel Chocolate Bread Pudding (⁴⁄₅): love this dessert, had a little too much caramel on the bottom but really good.
Keylime Pie (³⁄₅): good, wish there was actually a crust to bite into instead of graham cracked pieces.
Customer service was a lot better this time and we didn’t feel rushed. Still thought the music was on way too loud and some of the songs were too much for this type of restaurant. Overall I would say this a great spot for those who love seafood and like to come for drinks and appetizers as there weren’t many items that were really entrée-​like to me.

Hands down, one of the best meal I’ve had in ages!
FWD is located inter middle of Manhattan Beach.
It’s a tiny, cute restaurant, I recommend to make reservations because it’s always busy specially during weekends.
I love coming here, I leave breathless after every meal!

Came here by recommendation of a friend and really enjoyed the food and dining experience.
The restaurant was so tiny but we never felt rushed. The seafood was succulent and perfect and the service was excellent.
I would definitely return!

Oh South Bay! I am still taking my sweet time exploring you but this was a good place in Manhattan Beach. There are other seafood places that are in Downtown Manhattan Beach but this tiny yet mighty restaurant is a great spot for lunch or dinner. The food was on the pricey side but the quality was great. Kumamoto oysters! Check! Fish and chips, check! Himachi, check! Their clams and homemade cavatilli, check check. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because we waited for a table with our 8 month old daughter. The hostess said she would text us. After 30min, no text but we showed up again and there were plenty of free tables. Maybe she has no idea what it’s like to have a baby but that wasn’t cool. We ended up taking a majority of the meal home via take out because baby couldn’t wait for 2 hours plus.
Overall, a great place and I can’t wait to try the rest of the menu.

Party of 4, Tuesday night 7pm
A few notes:
1. Parking is a nightmare in Manhattan. Meters and limited garage parking. Luckily it’s the holidays and all public parking is free (if you can find one), which makes the 15 – 20 minutes of driving around circles slightly less maddening.
2. Whatever you order, save room for the chocolate pretzel bread budding. Plan ahead, it is totally worth it.
3. This place is not meant for parties bigger than 4. It’s tight and cramped and loud.
Great service. Most dishes are small plates — ordering one order allowed for one decent bite per person in our party of 4. Fresh seafood and an extensive raw bar.
We ordered:
~ French fries — perfect
~ Queen Mary seafood platter $ 85 but serves 4 people and it comes with a lot of seafood! Oysters, clams, mussels, giant shrimp, lobster and crab legs with 8 different homemade condiments. Very fresh, not bring and the lobster is pre-​cut for you.
~ grilled octopus was cooked perfectly. Not chewy, great flavor.
~ Maryland blue crab cake — good amount of crab and the breading kept to a minimum. Tasty though not my favorite crab cake. I’m actually from Maryland and can be very judgy about these things.
~ Koshihikari rice: most expensive rice dish I’ve ever had but it’s probably the uni, shrimp and blue crab. Very creamy, very flavorful.
~ chocolate pretzel bread pudding: this was so freaking good that we ordered a second one. yes, we did, like fat kids. we ordered a 2^nd one, even though we were so full. trust me, you must have this dessert.

Une petite appréciation en français pour ceux qui seraient de passage.
Restaurant découvert grâce a Unilocal.Super, très bonne cuisine. Très beaux produits C’est fin et goutu, plein d’imagination et de belles idées. Le service est rapide … J’ai goûté les crevettes et je vous conseille la petite sauce Yuzu …
Seul petit reproche on aimerai être plus «cosi» avec ce type de cuisine l’ambiance est plutôt fun et la musique même si elle est excellente est un poil trop forte a mon goût.
Sinon ils sont très sympa, souriants et efficaces. Une bonne adresse !