California Fish Grill — Restaurant in Fairfax

First Look: California Fish Grill, Fairfax Stepping into the newly opened California Fish Grill on a random Thursday with my mother felt like walking into a culinary hot spot; the word is clearly out, and Fairfax is lining up to see what all the fresh fuss is about. The concept—what feels like a cross between upscale, healthier fast-casual and a sit-down spot—is immediately appealing. The staff is genuinely friendly, offering warm greetings despite the understandable chaos of a grand opening. That said, if you’re looking for fast fast food, be prepared to practice patience; the service is operating at a leisurely, perhaps more "California time" pace. The menu is robust, featuring an impressive array of sides, and the quality of the ingredients is immediately apparent—everything tasted wonderfully fresh. The fried catfish was a definitive highlight, perfectly prepared with a beautiful crunch. On the other end of the spectrum, the lobster roll failed to impress; a disappointing detour on an otherwise promising menu. We also had a minor mix-up with the kids' meal, where the stated fish wasn't in fact that kind of fish, and, alas, a shrimp skewer I ordered went missing entirely. Here's where the logistics earn their own star: a quick review of the receipt before leaving confirmed the skewer was never charged, saving me the awkward conversation. But the true game-changer was the exceptional intervention. A gentleman, who was the CEO, observed that my mother wasn't thrilled with her dish. He promptly introduced himself, listened, and without hesitation, offered her a gift card to return and try something new. That gesture was not just kind; it was a masterful display of business acumen. It shows a genuine commitment to the customer experience, turning a few opening-week stumbles into a resounding win. While not every dish was a home run on this first visit, that level of proactive service ensures I will be giving California Fish Grill a "do-over" much sooner than later. They are certainly leaning in the...

California Fried Grill offers a charming, rustic plate that brings a touch of Southern comfort to the table. The presentation is appealing, with the golden-brown fried catfish taking center stage alongside vibrant kaleslaw and what appears to be a hearty side of beans. However, my recent experience left me with mixed impressions, highlighting both commendable aspects and areas ripe for improvement. ​The undeniable star of the meal was the fried catfish. Visually, it looked perfectly cooked, with a promising crisp coating, and indeed, it delivered on flavor. The fish itself was flaky and tender, and the seasoning was well-balanced, making each bite enjoyable. It's clear that the kitchen has a good hand with frying fish, and this is certainly a strong point for the establishment. ​Turning to the accompaniments, the kaleslaw provided a fresh and crunchy counterpoint to the fried fish. Its vibrant colors were inviting, and the texture was pleasant, adding a welcome crispness to the meal. While not revolutionary, it served its purpose as a refreshing side. ​My main area for constructive feedback would be directed towards the beans and the overall portion sizing. While the bowl of beans looked substantial in the picture, in practice, their consistency was quite watery and thin, which unfortunately detracted from their potential flavor. A richer, more robust texture would greatly enhance this classic side. Additionally, for the price point, I felt the portion of catfish, though delicious, could have been more generous to provide a more satisfying and complete meal. ​California Fried Grill has a solid foundation with its delicious fried catfish and a visually appealing presentation. Addressing the consistency of the beans and re-evaluating portion sizes to offer greater value would undoubtedly elevate the dining experience significantly. It's a spot with good intentions and the potential to truly shine with a few thoughtful...

I was excited to try a new spot and I really wanted to give it 5 stars but I think they just need to iron out a few things. The ordering process is great and easy w both register and self serve screen options. The menu has quite a few items that both look and sound delicious. I was in a fresh fish mood so I went w a rockfish platter w white rice and zucchini. My bf got branzino w the same sides. We also ordered the Parmesan bread appetizer and because we joined their rewards program we took advantage of the promo which was a free shrimp skewer. You can also pick your fish topping sauce from 5-7 options. I opted for half butter garlic and half Jamaican (?) jerk and my bf got sweet chili. We also picked two fountain drinks. The total was $44. We took our ticket and waited. And waited. And waited. Approx 20 mins later they called our name to pick up our trays. They looked fantastic! Unfortunately the first bite for us both was zucchini and the amount of dry rosemary pretty much blew out our paletes for the rest of the meal. So. Much. Rosemary. And the zucchini was nearly raw and cold. Move onto the fish. Luckily for me the rockfish was wild caught but my bf had the “sustainable” branzino which means farm raised and as such the main taste was the chili sauce. The fish itself was bland and tasteless. I def recommend the rockfish or any other wild caught option. The Parmesan bread was probably the best item we ordered which is saying a lot. The half and half sauce I got was also bland and whoever is in charge of rosemary should probably switch and use that heavy hand for any other herb or spice on the rack.

Now the service? 5+ stars. The cleanliness also amazing and the vibe was nice like a Mezah or Cava. I will def try again after a few months and I hope they iron out some of the wrinkles because it’s a great concept and has lots of potential.

Until next time, California Rosemary,...