INDUSTRY INSIGHT: 
Fins Creekside Calabasas
23504 Calabasas Rd
Calabasas, CA
818.223.3467
Fins Seafood Grill in Westlake
982 S. Westlake Blvd
Westlake Village, CA
805.494.6494
Fins
A Local Tradition
By Alyson Dutch
For more than 20 years Fins Restaurant has been a hallmark of good food for the LA Uptown community. At both the Westlake Village and Calabasas locations, you will find super fresh fish selections with global twists and a manager who feels like your best friend. Everything from lobster to their signature halibut is prepared with Thai coconut sauces, blackened Cajun rubs, Japanese eel glazes, panko crusts, Mexican chipotle peppers, and Chinese ginger garlic sauces. Their signature macadamia nut crusted halibut with Thai peanut sauce and jasmine rice is a favorite, but the Spicy Wok Lobster in ginger garlic sauce or delicate crispy panko crusted Chilean Sea bass over mashed potatoes and chive oil are close contenders. Fins’ titanic selection of fish is swimmingly staggering, but also includes filet mignon which can be dry rubbed, garlic stuffed, peppercorn sauced, or gorgonzola crusted. The rack of lamb is served with mint infused squash, and a crispy chicken breast might be paired with shitake mushrooms or stuffed with crab and asparagus.
One of the nicest attributes of Fins is their classic warm cherries jubilee flambéed tableside and a local limonello which comes from a family in Ventura. The wine list is approachable and features mostly local Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles bottles. The Fins Westlake dining room is comfy with leather-topped tables and a copper-coiffered ceiling, and it’s a place to actually hear your dinner guests from across the table.
The front patio is charming and perfect for a casual warm weather evening (above left).
The bar (above right) is comfortable and features a Stockholm Krystal vodka based menu of cocktails, and the well drinks are poured with premiums like Jack Daniels, Dewars White Label, Tanquerey, Bacardi, and Jose Cuervo. An informal happy hour springs up when Michael Cardone, formerly of the Saddlepeak Lodge, is inspired by the conversation and might bring out a plate of crab cakes or the spinach and artichoke fondue.
In Calabasas, Fins serves a Sunday brunch with a crab cake, salmon or Mexican Benedict, or a spicy dish of chilaquiles. A prix fixe lunch menu is also offered.
The Westlake location is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. In Calabasas, the restaurant serves Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
