There seems to be a bad reciprocal reaction that the closer you get to the water, the worse the food is. It's as if the restaurant just says, hey, we gave you this ocean view, you don't expect great cuisine too do you? So it was with some trepidation that I went to try the Marina del Rey waterfront restaurant, Salt.

Salt Restaurant went into the remodeled Pacifica Hotel earlier this year. Its location couldn't be better at the end of Bali Way in Marina del Rey with water views from all sides. They were smart to capitalize on their outdoor space with tables, couches and fire pits to take in the view. Of course there are heat lamps as well, and a great happy hour to enjoy the sunset.

Craft cocktails include some originals like Mandarin Moscow Mules and Strawberry Basil Rickey's. But the question remains, can we have our cocktail and eat something palatable as well?

There are serious entrees on the menu like lobster pasta, "chateau" steak, and scottish salmon, but there's also a prime aged burger, fish & chips and cobb salad, all under $20.

While the red beets and burrata aren't going to take the culinary world by storm, they were still solid, well prepared with a nice spike from some aged vinegar and wild herbs. 

My Japanese hamachi, while again not groundbreaking, was really well balanced and enjoyable with fresh fish, citrus, olive oil and yuzu. 

Alaskan halibut was dotted with large chunks of mushrooms and summer squash, alongside pools of potato emulsion and lemon. Another delicious dish.

For half the price, the cobb salad with salmon had me continuing to reach for more.

Salt may not be pushing for Michelin stars, but they are providing well done cuisine in a wonderful waterfront setting.

Salt
Pacifica Hotel, 13534 Bali Way
424.289.8223