Prepping for Valentine’s Day at Baleen Kitchen

If you’re like me, you tend to drive on the same streets all the time. Harbor Drive in Redondo Beach is not a street I typically frequent and because of that, I forget about certain restaurants like Baleen Kitchen.

I’ve been to Baleen Kitchen for Happy Hour a number of times and until recently was not aware that they had a separate dining room. As I entered, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fire in the fireplace and breathtaking views of the marina.

My most recent visit focused on sampling items from Baleen’s Valentine’s Day Menu.  I started with the following: French charcuterie, lobster sliders, duck carnitas and lobster mac and cheese. I learned that Baleen Kitchen’s lobster mac and cheese was a huge hit at last year’s Redondo Beach Lobster Festival. I actually enjoyed each of their starters; my favorite was the duck carnitas. The ingredients were served separately: cornmeal crepes, chipotle blackberry and apple slaw.

A nice assortment of cheese, olives and sausage in this charcuterie platter

A nice assortment of cheese, olives and sausage in this charcuterie platter

Lobster slider

Lobster slider

Mac and Cheese with crisp pieces of lobster

Mac and Cheese with crisp pieces of lobster

Duck Carnitas: cornmeal crepes, chipotle blackberry and apple slaw

Duck Carnitas: cornmeal crepes, chipotle blackberry and apple slaw

Grilled Maitake salad was the next course served. Maitake is a mushroom that is indigenous to Japan and is known to have medicinal properties. I really enjoyed the taste of the heirloom tomatoes. Haricot vert and avocado rounded out the salad.

Grilled Maitake salad with heirloom tomatoes haricot vert and avocado

Grilled Maitake salad with heirloom tomatoes haricot vert and avocado

Mer Soleil “Silver” 2012 unoaked chardonnay was the wine I enjoyed that evening. I immediately took notice as it is bottled in a light gray ceramic bottle. I found it to be refreshing, light and crisp and perfect to pair with seafood.

Mer Soleil “Silver” 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay

Mer Soleil “Silver” 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay

The third course was a roasted black sea bass. I’ve never had black sea bass before and I found it to be much denser and a consistency like grouper. It was served with grilled shiitake mushrooms and topped with pea shoots.

Roasted Black Sea Bass with grilled shiitake mushrooms and pea shoots

Roasted Black Sea Bass with grilled shiitake mushrooms and pea shoots

The dessert was a warm chocolate cake pared with vanilla gelato. I found both items to be quite delicious.

Warm chocolate cake pared with vanilla gelato

Warm chocolate cake pared with vanilla gelato

Baleen’s Kitchen is a great place to enjoy Valentine’s Day. Not only is the food prepared well, but I really enjoyed the ambiance. The fireplace and the incredible views set the tone for a special Valentine’s Day.  Follow this link for their Valentine’s Day menu (opens a PDF).

I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to Allen Taylor Photography for their generous permission to use their photos.

* Some items mentioned in this article were provided on a complimentary basis for the purpose of this review. This story was accurate when it was published and reflects the uninfluenced opinions of the reviewers.

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About the Author

Follow Bryan on twitter for the latest and greatest in food trucks and street food. @btsunoda.

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