Voltaggio Strfsh Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade
/Top Chef siblings open Voltaggio Strfsh in the Gallery Food Court of Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade. Salmon and swordfish are on the menu at this fast-casual restaurant.
The Voltaggio brothers are both blessed with fabulous cooking genes. They competed against each other as finalists on Top Chef and both have well-regarded restaurants across the country. Now they've teamed up on Voltaggio Strfsh, a fast-casual seafood spot on Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade.
Strfsh is located in the recently revamped Gallery Food Court, about halfway down the Promenade. You order at the counter and pick up your food when it's ready. Because the upstairs isn't full of other businesses yet, there's plenty of room to sit and eat. You can even take your food outside to the outdoor patio.
There's just two main food items on the menu: salmon and swordfish. You start with your choice of fish and from there you can create a lot of different combinations.
You start with a rub that could include old bay, jerk, curry, and chile limon. Next choice is a smear, or condiment, like avocado, yuzu kosho mayo, chimichurri, cajun remoulade or cucumber mint yogurt. And lastly, you choose up to three additional toppings such as pepper jack, arugula, tomato, kimchi, pickles, caramelized onions, and pico de gallo.
This can all be assembled between a toasted potato roll, or you can go gluten free with a crispy tostada shell. Healthier still is to get all the Strfsh ingredients layered with mixed greens like I did.
There are some "favorite" combinations if there are just too many choices for you. And you just have one option for a side: natural cut fries cooked in 100% peanut oil, seasoned with sea salt.
As expected, The Voltaggio brothers work closely with suppliers and fisherman to ensure proper sourcing and sustainability for their ingredients.
I have to say, I wasn't expecting a lot from this spot, but was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it all was. The salmon and swordfish were both perfect cooked - crisp on the outside and tender inside. The rubs brought great flavor and I'm always happy when caramelized onions are in any dish I'm eating.
I shouldn't have doubted the power of the Voltaggio brothers. They know what they're doing, and it shows at Strfsh. I'm happy to now have a fast and healthy food option on Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade.
Voltaggio Strfsh
The Gallery Food Hall
1315 3rd Street Promenade
