RESTAURANT REVIEW:

When cousins Jeff and Sam began King’s Seafood they decided to focus on quality. Their philosophy has served the company well.

King’s Fish House is a commercial venture by the brothers to bring more seafood facilities to the masses. The quality, however, is the same as the high-end restaurants in their portfolio because it is all purchased through its main seafood company.

The inside is inviting and warm, nicely decorated in rich woods and quality furniture. The staff is sincere and pleasant.

The menu is large and varied, and features selections that allow families to enjoy seafood in a comfortable atmosphere. But at the same time it provides food seafood enthusiasts will covet. One of those items is the oyster shooters. They come in two styles, Baja and Miyagi, and for me it was tough to choose. The Baja comes with a pico de gallo sauce that gives a little kick, but nothing compared to the Miyagi style. That has roe cured in wasabi and with the pickled ginger will wake you up quickly.

One of the surprises I found was the tuna on the appetizer menu. Flash grilled, it is simple, yet tasty and comes with a nice ginger-based sauce.

Some tamer fish appetizers such as crab cocktail, popcorn shrimp and fish tacos are also available and should satisfy novices not quite ready to make the leap. The fresh seafood menu is extensive and includes daily specials. There are 18 items on the charbroiler section. I had the Ecuadorian mahi mahi, which I had blackened, an option available for all fish.

The Maine lobster and Alaskan king crab legs are pricey, but worth the cost. The jambalaya has a generous mix of sausage and shrimp, while the basil-pesto sauce in the penne pasta with shrimp and scallops looked intriguing.

There are two chicken dishes and three steaks. Of course the traditional steak and lobster is served here.

King’s has been at Bella Terra nearly 18 months and has thrived in the location. I am sure it will for quite some time.

Address: 7691 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach

Phone: (714) 793-1177

Cuisine: Seafood

Alcohol served: Full bar

Dress: Casual

Family friendly: Yes, children’s menu with about 10 items

Credit cards accepted: American Express, Discover, Visa and MasterCard

Rating: ***

JOHN REGER reviews local restaurants for the Independent.