Enterprise Fish Company

Love the Happy Hour...it's seriously one of the best in town - deals on appetizers & drinks.

Also love the combination seafood dishes - I usually get the dover sole.

Pros: Happy Hour, Patio, Combo Meals

Cons: Usually a long wait

Posted 10/04/09

I've been here a few times because fellow diners selected this restaurant. The last time I had "GOLDEN FRIED" seafood plater. It was golden fried and fried AND FRIED until it was so GOLDEN FRIED it was all dried out and contained very little shrimp or scallops. The plate was full of tough calamari, which of course is cheaper to serve then shrimp or scallops. And the TINY little pieces of fish were horrible. On the plus side, the martini was HUGE for the price. I usually will have two. But these are so big one will do. Our waiter was very pleasant. But again, the food. The time before last I had oysters on the half shell. They had NO EAST COAST oysters so I tried what they did have. They were so small I could have put them in a thimble. I know no one wants those huge pacific oysters on the half shell but I do like them big enough to spot without a magnifying glass. And their sole was over cooked. They are not really over expensive But they are not as moderately priced as they claim and CERTAINLY NOT WORTH what they charge considering the quality of the food.

Pros: nice ambience, decent service

Cons: food not good

Posted 09/17/09

Great Food and Great Atmosphere..

I had heard about this place for many years and had friends tell me how great it was.. I hate going to a restaurant after I have been hyped up.. I hate being let down since I am so dang particular..

HOWEVER..

Enterprise did not disappoint

From the greeter to the waitress they were all energetic and friendly, the vibe was very chill and I felt very relaxed..

The Drinks were perfect just the way I like them STRONG and the food was great. I had the Spicy Fried Calamari.. hell ya.. it was the lick with the jalapenos.. yum yum..

I ordered lobster for my main dish and it was perfecto..

The desert I had the ENTERPRISE STRAWBERRY'S.. get this for sure.. its there signature desert and its the BOMB.. all the deserts are fresh baked right there!!!

any how very highly recommended..

Pros: GREAT FOOD

Posted 07/30/09

Came in last night with some friends, and we left really happy. We all ordered the Lobster Special (a 2 pounder, with 2 side dishes, for $30!) and shared some some fresh oysters and spicy calamari to start. The fresh, briny oysters and crunchy, spicy squid were a very nice start with a round of cold beer. Next we all shared some Lobster Bisque and Clam Chowder, both very good. Then the Lobsters came out, and we were soon all elbow-deep in Lobster shells and butter and cheesy potatoes and tangy sourdough bread and more cold beer, it was quite the tasty feast. The young man serving us was attentive without being overbearing, left a good tip and asked him to give our thanks to the kitchen for a very good meal. We then headed to the outdoor patio afterword for some drinks al fresco, and I was surprised by how intimate and cozy the space is; deep-set fire pits, low lighting, large screen TVs, I had no idea they had this little hidden gem back there! All in all, we had a really nice evening, and I will be coming back soon for some more of their tasty offerings!

Pros: Food (especially the Seafood), Beautiful outdoor patio lounge

Cons: The Fish logo kinda weirded me out (I called it 'Frankenfish' when I saw it)

Posted 02/24/09

I was on Main Street in Santa Monica with a friend. We had parked in the large metered lot across from Enterprise, and on our way back from shopping, we decided to pop in the restaurant. Having never been to this restaurant before, we didn't know much to expect, aside from fish!

The hostess asked us if we wanted to sit for dinner or happy hour. We took a look at the happy hour menu, and were so impressed by the range of options, we decided to sit at the bar. We shared the steamed clams and chile garlic KING CRAB pieces, which were delicious! I was so happy to see happy hour options that WEREN'T your typical greasy high-cal options. My friend had a glass of wine (half-priced for happy hour), and I had an Arnold Palmer (which was made with pomegranate lemonade, which put a smile on my face).

Still sitting at the bar, we moved on to sharing some dinner: GREEK SALMON! Soooooo delicious, a really fresh piece of grilled salmon served over a greek chopped salad with feta cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes; it was even served with a side of pita bread.

The atmosphere was so mellow, we felt totally comfortable in our jeans and t-shirts. There seemed to be some career-types in suits sharing happy hour after work, but the overall dress was casual. Food came out quick, the bartenders were cool, and we got out of there CHEAP!!!

Posted 02/17/09

I'm friends with locals, but even I don't mind the drive for Fish Co! The Happy Hour is to die for, with $3.50 well drinks, house wines, and draft beers, you can't go wrong. Appetizers are also reasonably priced and yummy! I'm not much of a fish eater, but the parmesan crusted Dover sole is fantastic! Crispy, buttery goodness. (Don't miss out on the lobster bisque, either!) My server, JJ, was attentive and friendly, with an indepth knowledge of the menu. He also helped us pick out the Justin Cabernet - one of the best Cabs I've ever tasted! Two thumbs up for Enterprise Fish Company! The only downside is the parking. I recommend carpooling. The metered lot across from the restaurant accomodates ALL of Main St.

Pros: Food, Ambiance, SERVICE!

Cons: Parking (metered lot)

Posted 02/05/08

Can't speak for the rest of the menu, I only go for the lobster bisque and the bread; haven't been disappointed yet.

Posted 05/28/07

I recently went there with friends and truly had the worst dining experience of my life. I am Santa Monica local and make it a point to support my local restaurants. As soon as we sat down, the service was terrible and terrifying. When asking for a simple re-fill of ice-t after another dinner guest had already asked minutes before, the waiter asked me why we didn't ask for it at the same time. I had never been talked back to before nor had I ever had a server ask me that kind of question. The service went downhill from there. The food came out late and when we did receive it was a disgusting mess. I ordered the clam chowder which was a goopy mess, a fish sandwich (had to ask for a knife and tartar sauce three time before just giving up!) which was basically a old piece of bait. We asked for bread re-fills which never came and we ended up getting it ourselves. We finally asked for the manager and the assistant manager came over to see how we were doing. We told him our situation and that we come here all the time and were not satisfied at all. We explained our waiter was beyond rude and please let the management know. He made it a point to tell us he was new there and there was nothing he would do. We proceeded to ask for the manager and the owner came over and was beyond rude. He was the most cocky arrogant Englishman I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. (I am English as well) The first thing he said was that he stands behind his wait-staff and Asst. manager and if we weren't happy, to please leave. I told him I didn't want one thing for free and was fine with paying, but that the service and employees were beyond unacceptable. He then told me his asst. managers handles everything and that he had been working there for two years!!! I told him that he lied to our table and said he just started and he called him over and the little slimy Asst. manager proceeded to lie and said he never said that. I beg everyone NOT TO GO! Just disgusting!

Pros: NOT ONE THING

Cons: Service, Food, Parking, Owner, and Wait-staff

Posted 05/23/07

Me and a friend went to the Fish Co. on a Thursday after work for Happy Hour. The only parking available was meter parking at 75 cents an hour. (Bring quarters.) Once we got inside we were impressed with the decor and ambience. It looks modern, dim lighting, nice bar with a waterfall behind it and rustic wood flooring with plasma TVs showing the College Bowl games. The staff was friendly and attentive but made a mistake in refilling my drink with the Hefe when I asked for Stella Artois. (No worries though, simple mistake since I was already drinking that in the first round.) The appetizers were great. We had fresh oysters, shrimp quesadillas and fried calamari. The calamari was awesome because we got it "spicy." It's served with sauteed jalapenos. Great deal on food during happy hour. Drinks are about $3 (wine, beer, mixed) and appetizers average $3.95. The tab: 4 beers, 2 appetizers, 6 oyesters: $27. I will go back for dinner.

Pros: Great seafood. Happy Hour gets you a pretty good deal on food and drinks.

Cons: If any, probably the metered parking lots, they can fill up at night.

Posted 12/28/06

I ate at Enterprise Fish Company this past week and had the nicest server who even made me laugh several times. He knew the menu extremely well and recommended the best dishes- I had the mahi which was delicious and a couple of excellent appetizers. But It really wasn't the food that made my evening, but the suprisingly good service that everyone swears is not present at this place- according to the other reviews at least. I can't speak for all of the waiters, but mine was very attentive and helpful. I will definately be back and recommend if you do go to ask for Christian.

Posted 12/05/06

I've been here a couple times at the invitation of others. Their shrimp dishes are okay. The staff was somewhat rude and didn't come over to check on us. With other, better places in the area, I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again. There's a huge parking lot across the way but it's metered. I've had better meals at Red Lobster.

Cons: tourist trap

Posted 11/14/06

Had my Birthday party on the patio this past weekend. The patio is great, DJ is great, atmosphere is great, but the service is bad. Very slow, didn't pay attention to the guests for drinks, food came in spurts, brought out the cake with no plates, etc. All in all had a great time, just don't expect much from the service.

Pros: Great patio for having fun, appetizers were very good

Cons: service was slow to lousy

Posted 11/12/06

This should be a fantastic restaurant, but it's just a jumble of mixed messages. The waitstaff is an LA cliche of aspiring actors, all taut and pretty and young, but the patrons are for the most part older people, families, and a few business travellers from nearby hotels. Other than happy hour and the Mon-Tues specials (lobster and king crab - both quite good and reasonably priced on those days) the menu is actually pretty expensive for what it is. My husband and I keep going despite ourselves (mostly for the the steamed mussels at happy hour). It's almost lame and themed enough to be kitchy, but not quite.

Posted 10/26/06

I live in Santa Monica and have been to the Fish Company 7 times.
Each time I say I will never return.
The service is simple awfull. The wait staff has not been trainned, do not know the menu or specials, and only seem to be interested in flirting with the customers?
This place is geared toward tourists. The tour buses actually stop in front and let off their visitors.
And Now the food.
Not so good and over priced.
The lobster was small and tastless, the tuna over-cooked.
They seem to be good at fast tasteless tourist fare.
Not my kinda place.
Especially at the prices they charge.

Skip this joint- there are so many other places with quality food and service.

Pros: good location. can walk to beach.

Cons: food terrible.service bad.

Posted 09/19/06

I've eaten here about 12 times in the past 3 years and have never been disappointed, except when I ordered the Ahi Poki (but that's only beacause at the time I had no idea what it was). Feel free to dine at this restaurant with the comfort of knowing you'll get delicous food and good service.

Posted 09/05/06

Every dish reflects the pure passion of owner's to strive for the Best! Constantly new items on the Blackboards eveytime we've eaten there. Grilled over real wood fire.

Pros: Resteraunt is actually in an old turn of the century Railroad Wharehouse. Great Ambiance

Cons: Parking. Valet nowhere to be found

Posted 07/17/06

Really good happy hour and great outside terrace. Fantastic for a special occasion or just to have a really nice dinner. I little pricey, but worth it.

Pros: Friendly staff, great food

Posted 06/06/06

very good happy hour and great food....had some of the best appatizers there...and when I order blackened dolphin they actually knew that I was ordering the fish, not flipper!

Cons: none I found

Posted 03/07/06

The info is misleading: I just talked to the hostess at the Enterprise Fish Co. today (8/29/05) and she said its a misprint. There is no "Wednesday and Thursday specials include all-you-can-eat king crab legs" but rather just 1 pound of King Crab Legs for $24.95 on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

And the Two Pound Maine Lobster is $24.95 only on Monday and Tuesday.

This price is for all day and not exclusively for lunch or dinner.

Posted 08/28/05

Enterprise has THEE best happy hour in Santa Monica. The beer selection, the calamari, the outdoor fire pit - it's all spectacular. The only problem is that the wait staff knows it. In fact, it is the employees that occupy most of the out door patio leaving absolutely no room for you and me. I'm glad the bosses are cool enough to let their staff hang out, but it's been discouraging the last couple times I've been in there because there's no where for regular paying customers to sit. At first, we'd just relocate to the inside bar, but it's not the same. So now, when I see those same faces crowded around the fire pit, I just turn around and leave. If the management is going to be lax with their employees, then they should alteast open up the rest of patio (half is normally closed off). Problem solved.

Pros: Lots of BEERS, Great Food, Great outdoor hangout

Cons: Employee Lounge, No room for customers

Posted 08/20/05