Woodhouse Fish Company (Fillmore Street)

Saturday Date Night: April 9, 2010 at 4:55 PM

4:55 PM:
Arrived at Woodhouse Fish Company. Found it empty except for mom and daughter having an early dinner. Server asked to to sit anywhere we wanted. Enrique  took a seat by the window overlooking the bustling Fillmore Street. Got our water and drinks (bubbly water) few minutes as soon as we sat down.

5:10 PM:
All of the sudden the restaurant got jam-packed! People were being asked to wait 10 minutes and put their names of the list, go window-shopping first then come back.

5:15 PM:
We got our appetizer of ROCK SHRIMP CROQUETTES W/ POLENTA CAKE. Delish! The polenta was the smoothest I've had. The croquettes were crispy on the outside and nice with big pieces of rock shrimp on the inside. This was a main dish but we decided to share as an appetizer. ($17)

5:15 pm, 5:30 PM, 5:45 PM.....
Admired the decor. Woodhouse is nautical: huge fish art pieces are suspended on the walls such as a giant blue marlin and giant squid with long tentacles. A rustic bar is at the far end of the restaurant. The ceiling is ornate and high. The whole place has a whole rustic fishmarket feel to it.

Still no food after almost an hour. We amused ourselves by taking pictures of one another. Fried food started to come out. We were the very first ones there but we still haven't gotten our food along with others. We wondered if the chef was late for work today.

6:00 PM:
An hour later and Enrique was suffering from hunger pangs. Our food finally came out;

ARTICHOKES STUFFED WITH CRABMEAT AND SHRIMP W/ CROSTINI: Enrique really enjoyed his dish and labored through each artichoke leaf until he was rewarded with the artichoke heart. The shrimp and crab were very fresh.

CRAB CAKES ON GREENS: I enjoyed my crabcakes which were crispy on the outside; creamy and packed with crabmeat on the inside. Definitely a generous crabcake and not a fake one with nothing but fillers. The green salad was nicely dressed.

SAUTEED VEGGIES: Good choice! I didn't know that Enrique ordered this. The sauteed green beans, carrots and broccoli in butter complimented our seafood dish.

6:35PM
Our friendly but busy server gave us our check. The restaurant was packed with people waiting. Some are families with kids in strollers. This is a family-friendly and casual date place restaurant.


TAB: $71 including bubbly H20, tax and 20% tip.

FOODIE GIRL'S RATING: 3 Stars
Charming neighborhood seafood restaurant. Trustworthy place for fresh good quality seafood. Does not accept reservations. Prepare to wait or come early. Super-super slow service.

Key:
0 Star: Never again!!! These people should not be in business.
1 Star: Chalk it to bad experience. Live and learn.
2 Stars: Some are good. Some are okay. Some are bad.
3 Stars: Like! I will return!
4 Stars: Love! I will be dreaming of you at night!
5 Stars: Perfection (or close to!)