Roe Seafood - Restaurant — Restaurant in Long Beach

My second visit to Roe Restaurant for breakfast/brunch was nothing short of exceptional, solidifying it as a standout dining destination in Long Beach. Initially discovering Roe after another restaurant turned us away for having our dog, we were delighted to find their pet-friendly outdoor patio, which welcomes furry companions with open arms. The interior is equally impressive, adorned with charming trees and ambient lighting that create a warm, inviting atmosphere. From the moment we arrived, the experience was seamless. We were promptly seated, and our server, Justin, provided impeccable service that elevated our meal. His friendly demeanor, attentiveness, and knowledge of the menu made every interaction a pleasure. Starting with the house Bloody Mary, garnished with a shrimp, bacon, and green olive, I was immediately impressed by its bold flavors—a must-try for any cocktail enthusiast. The small seafood tower was a delightful surprise, featuring fresh raw scallops that were a first for me and absolutely delectable. For my main course, I ventured out of my comfort zone with the Migas seafood scramble. The concept of seafood and eggs initially seemed unconventional, but this dish was a revelation. Perfectly executed, it ranks among the most memorable breakfast dishes I’ve ever had. The accompanying green salsa was a highlight—vibrant, perfectly spiced, and bursting with flavor, it’s easily one of the best salsas I’ve tasted. The kids enjoyed the French toast, which was equally outstanding and a hit with the whole family. Roe Restaurant consistently delivers an exceptional dining experience, from its pet-friendly accommodations and stunning ambiance to its innovative menu and top-notch service. Justin’s stellar service during both of our visits deserves special recognition. I wholeheartedly recommend Roe to anyone seeking a remarkable brunch spot in Long...

I was looking for some really good seafood, searched Google maps and this place looked pretty good.

Pros: -Incredibly fresh seafood: we ordered a half dozen pacific oysters and one of their yuzu scallops. Absolutely delicious. Hands down some of the freshest seafood I've ever had and the scallop was thoughtfully crafted. -Bacon wrapped Mahi was fresh and you get a nice chunk of Mahi Mahi with every bite. The bacon got lost in the dish a bit, but overall still really good and fresh. -The toasted baguette is very fresh and the perfect complement to their clam chowder which is tasty, albeit a bit on the runny side imo. Found a small crabshell, so be mindful when eating. -Atmosphere: great place to have a chat/catch up with friends. Music does a nice job of creating a cozy ambiance. They also have a full bar here.

Cons: -Service was lacking, we had to kindly ask that our drinks be refilled a few times and the waitress at other times was downright rude. This may have been due to working a holiday crowd all day.

-Entrees were terrible.

We ordered their signature ribeye with demi glace and catch of the day with pasta. The plates arrived lukewarm to the table. I assume that the hold up was my steak as all of the sides were no longer hot. The pasta dish needed a lot more pasta sauce as it got sucked up by the noodles while sitting and the halibut portion was very small for the pricing.

Overall: I was so put off by the entree experience I decided to go up the street to Sweet Jill's for dessert, but I was originally set to try the ti-roe-misu and the kabocha cheesecake. I'll never know, but all in all this place is great for drinks and apps, but I wouldn't go much further than that.

3.5...

Fast attentive service, good flavors, generous portions. Highly recommend the poisson cru. We also ordered the clam chowder (better than most), hamachi collar, chirashi and Peruvian scallops. Totally by chance but this combination of foods actually balanced out each other really well and made a great meal. The poisson cru has some spiciness, the hamachi saltiness, and the chirashi sweetness. Finished the meal not feeling icky and heavy but also feeling very satisfied. The chirashi is the one thing I would skip on next time. I personally thought it would’ve been better with more ikura, sashimi and shiso leaf. With that said, it still went along really well with the collar and poisson cru.

The restaurant most similar to Roe in Long Beach is El Barrio Cantina. Both are seafood restaurants with an extensive drink menu and trendy interior. Both incorporate international flavors into items on their menu, El Barrio Cantina with Latin flavors and Roe with Asian flavors such as yuzu, wasabi, and miso. At the same time, you can also find German noodles, a Tahitian form of poke, and a French style potato at Roe as well. Both also have a sea animal painted large on one of their walls, one an octopus and the other a jellyfish.

If I had to choose one or the other to go to, it would be Roe. Personally I felt it had slightly better flavors and the dishes seemed to compliment each other better. They are both great restaurants though and I would not be surprised if many prefer El Barrio Cantina while also finding it silly that I took two paragraphs comparing them when this review was supposed to be for Roe. My point is, if you like El Barrio Cantina, try Roe. You might...