The South Bay is attempting, successfully I might add, to make a name for itself in the Los Angeles food scene. With restaurants like Little Sister and MB Post, both on this year’s 101 Best Restaurants List by Jonathan Gold, they are doing a good job of that. While this evolution is exciting, it’s a little weird to think about foodies traveling from Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles to come to the South Bay, my old stomping grounds, for dinner.

Making waves in this culinary movement is Fishing With Dynamite. Chef David LeFevre made his mark in Manhattan Beach with the popular as ever MB Post, which opened in 2011. Next came Fishing With Dynamite, a true reflection of Chef LeFevre’s travels and love of seafood. Upon entering, I was surprised at how small and dressy casual the space was. It had the perfect vibe and decor for the beach cities crowd. I came here after I read Jonathan Gold’s review highlighting the New Zealand snapper. Gold is always spot on with his selections and he did not lead me astray this time. Along with the delectable Hamachi and Crab claws, the Whole Fried New Zealand Thai Snapper was perfection. The combination of garlic, bok choy, ginger, and lime was heavenly and addicting. We ate and ate and ate until there was no longer a beautiful fried fish, but merely an empty plate of bones. Since we didn’t really indulge in the Raw Bar section of the menu, it was a treat to have the table next to ours order about 5-6 Raw Towers. It was a sight to see and something to look forward to for next time if the snapper isn’t a special for the evening. If it is, I guarantee you I will order nothing else.

Run, don’t walk, to Fishing With Dynamite if seafood is your game because New Zealand Snapper is the name.