Dos Pescados

Dos Pescados: Mexican Seafood Restaurant With Gorgeous Monterey Bay Views Will Open This Summer in Aptos | Eater SF

"Reopening this summer as Dos Pescados at 21 Seascape Village in Aptos, the space will be the latest seafood venture from Trent Lidgey—currently executive chef at Campbell’s One Fish Raw Bar and formerly of Atelier Crenn, Brae and the Lexington House—teaming with restaurateur Brandon Smittencamp. The turnaround will be quick, with an aesthetic revamp, efforts to retain much of the current Palapas staff, and new hires for chef de cuisine and general manager roles. Lidgey describes the menu as rooted in “coastal Mexican,” drawing on his travels through Mexico, the seaside location, and California’s bounty, with fishermen bringing daily ingredients. Expect a robust raw bar (aguachiles, ceviches, oysters with a margarita mignonette, and little neck clams with calamansi and guajillo), tacos that marry Mexican ingredients with Californian influences (for example smoked short rib tacos with a fermented salsa verde topped with purslane), and shareable dishes like a whole roasted achiote-rubbed hamachi collar assembled with roasted pineapple salsa on a house-made blue corn tortilla. The bar program will highlight lesser-known tequilas and mezcals and cocktails built with ingredients such as hoja santa and fresh passionfruit, aiming for solid, tasty, refreshing drinks for hot coastal days. Despite the elevated food, the vibe is intended to be chill and unpretentious—come in off the beach, grab a pitcher of margaritas, enjoy outstanding food and the view—Dos Pescados debuts summer 2024." - Lena Park