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Reviewer: Foodnut.com Pacific Catch 243 South B Street (Near 3rd avenue) San Mateo, CA 94401 650-558-1000 |
Why did we dine here? – Pacific Catch is a small string of restaurants in the Northern California area. They were started by the founders of World Wrapps. The first location open in San Francisco on Chestnut Street in 2003, with the San Mateo branch opening in 2014, right next to the Century Theaters multiplex.
Insider Tip – Make reservations, it gets busy at peak times.
Cuisine – Pacifc Rim
Location – Downtown San Mateo
Opened – 2014
Service – Pacific Catch had more professional service that most places nearby, making this a pleasant surprise. Service has never been very good at any place around San Mateo.
Verdict – Pacific Catch impressed us with good food at reasonable prices. The decor and service topped off this unexpectedly solid meal. We intially wrote this place off as another Elephant Bar style restaurant.
Nearby worthy restaurants include Osteria Coppa and Vault 164.
Pacific Catch Signature Dishes – Rice bowls, poke, Meal sized salads, Tacos
Pacific Catch’s Menu includes a variety of items from starters to Poke to Sushi to rice bowls. Big emphasis on seafood, though there should be something for everyone.
Pacific Catch Food Picks:
Mojito ($7.50) was reasonably price and wicked strong. Could have used more sugar to tame the tartness. On our next visit, it was too tart.
Original Poke ($12) sushi-grade ahi tuna in a sesame-soy marinade, spicy seasonings was recommended by our server and hit the spot. Some freshly fried chips along with good quality tuna. Not as good as Hawaii, but not bad.
On another visit we had the Trio ($19) the Ahi Macadamia Nut was worthy, but the Lomi Lomi was fishy.
Fish & Chips (3 pieces – $12.50) Catch of the day, lightly battered & fried in 100% canola oil served with sesame slaw and a choice of sweet potato, regular or spicy fries & house-made sauces. Good quality fish but very low in quantity. Each Fish piece was on the small size. Fries are pretty basic.
Korean Barbecue Rice Bowl ($15.50) with Sticky Ribs (+$1) with ½ rice & ½ greens. Green onion panchan, seasoned cucumber, shredded omelette, daikon sprouts, shredded nori & Korean BBQ sauce looked really interesting with all the mix-ins. Good quality ribs with a sweet, spicy glaze. All the greens made this a unique rice bowl, much more fun than pure rice.
Thai Curry Rice Bowl ($15.50) with chicken was a bit on the spicy side. Glad we had the sauce on the side.
On another visit, the marinated skirt steak was slightly sweet but good.
Grilled Salmon Salad ($15) fresh salmon, green beans, shitake mushrooms, tomatoes & crispy salmon skin “croutons” with citrus-miso dressing looked good and proved to be a solid salad.
Salmon Special ($22) was suggested by the waiter. Cooked very well, high quality fish, and accompanied with a lite dashi broth.
Side of Vegetables ($5) was asparagus that evening.
OK: (Order if you like this dish)
None
Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
Coffee Ribs Special did not have much of any coffee flavor. The BBQ sauce tasted like it came from a jar.
Do you agree with our review? Have you found other similar restaurants that are better?
Restaurant Map:Pacific Catch Overall Rating: 
(Very Good
Come Back? 
| Food Rating: | (Very Good) |
| Service Rating: | (Good) |
| Atmosphere Rating: | (Very Good) |
| Value Rating: | (Very Good) |
Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary
| Alcohol: | Beer, Wine |
| Attire: | Casual |
| Parking: | Street |
| Reservations: | Yes |
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