I enjoy going to happy hours because it is a way to unwind from a crazy day at the office. It’s also a way to spend time having a few laughs and to enjoy some good food and drink. Because I haven’t been to Marina Del Rey in a while, I decided upon the Jamaica Bay Inn Happy Hour and I invited a friend to join me.
Beachside Restaurant and Bar is Jamaica Bay Inn’s hotel restaurant. The hotel is located along the marina’s tranquil Mother’s Beach. This is a peaceful lagoon where people learn how to paddleboard, launch sea kayaks and where young families can experience the water without waves.
Since I last visited, the hotel has gone through an extensive remodel which transformed the exterior. With gas-powered fire pit tables and numerous propane heaters, the area is designed for outdoor conversation. A large glass windbreak shields guests from the wind. This makes for an ideal alfresco dining experience.
The Warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip was a great way to begin our evening. As we requested, our server Courtney made sure that it was served piping hot. We observed the steam coming from the plate and the melted cheese stretched from the plate as we picked it up. It was perfect.
When Courtney ran down her recommendations, she did not list the Lobster Roll. Nevertheless, I ordered one. In appearance, it looked like a brioche bread bowl with a heaping amount of slaw. After digging through the slaw, I found a couple of chunks of lobster meat.
The Fish Tacos were made with a tempura batter. This gave the whitefish a nice crunch and some additional seasoning. It was topped with both tomatillo and pico de gallo salsas and sprinkled with cotija cheese.
My friend appeared skeptical as I selected Popcorn Shrimp. We were pleasantly surprised to find that they were lightly fried and not coated with a thick batter. You could actually taste the moist shrimp! The Chipotle aioli nicely enhanced the shrimp.
House wine, draft beer, and well drinks are only $7! Beer selections include 805, Hazy Little Thing IPA, and Saint Archer Lager. My friend selected the house chardonnay and I went for a whiskey soda.
The Jamaica Bay Inn offers an upscale beachside venue delivering solid happy hour food and drink. Combined with nearby Mother’s Beach, it’s the perfect place to walk Fido. Because they are dog-friendly, you can both have a grand time. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 4 – 6 p.m.
Beachside Restaurant at the Jamaica Bay Inn
4175 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292; 310.823.5333
jamaicabayinn.com