Da Best Beach Bar...Da Conch Shack!

Welcome to Da Conch Shack...Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands...one of the best!

I'm on a lifetime quest to find the best beach bars...all over the world. The task could be daunting but I'm up for the challenge.

I've been to several Caribbean islands over the last 20 years and this particular spot stands out for me. The fact that we had about 30 of our closest friends there with us at the same time didn't hurt...but even without that added bonus...Da Conch Shack is THE quintessential beach bar. Period.

Stunning Caribbean Decor surrounds a huge patch of sand with picnic tables for dining

It's laid back in style and cute as a button. Built in a U-shape with a huge patch of sand in the middle. That's where you can sit with your friends to munch down a few conch fritters before dancing (and drinking) the night away under the stars.

Front row seats to a beautiful ocean and sunset on one of the many picnic tables set up on the sand...cheers!

Rows and rows of gorgeous, polished conch shells line the sides of the bar...you can buy them as souvenirs.

After a few hours of taking in the beautiful setting on the beach we prepared for a long night of dancing and enjoying what Da Conch Shack had to offer.

View from my picnic table seat post sunset

Tommy and I...2 nights before our wedding...gettin' down on the dance floor

This bar should be in a movie...something like the 2012 version of "Cocktail" perhaps. It oozes that exact vibe that so many try to recreate...and usually fail.

The fun never ends!

Pretty, blue, island shutters...fun little things written on the walls and ceilings...details!

How cute is this place?

Even the bathrooms are kinda cute...interesting at least.

I'll be hard-pressed to find better...but excited to discover the equivalent!

Hitting it Out of the Park...The Strand House in Manhattan Beach

The Strand House in Manhattan Beach...Captain's Daughter cocktail

All hail Michael Zizlis! Between consulting chef Neal Fraser (known for BLD, RIX, and Grace, also winner of Iron Chef  in 2005), executive chef Travis Lorton (known for Gjelina in Venice Beach), and pastry chef Seth Caro (from "Top Chef: Just Desserts")...Mr. Zizlis has formed one heck of a team at The Strand House in Manhattan Beach. This new establishment is an obvious labor of love.

This past Sunday my husband and I walked in just 15 minutes after the doors opened for dinner. Since they are on a walk-in only basis until after Labor Day we figured it might be the only way to avoid the swarm of people that can only be expected from such an anticipated event. Within an hour we realized our assumption had been correct...as we looked around and the entire room was filled with excited patrons.

Best seat in the house!

We started off with an absolutely mind-blowing "Hamachi Crudo"--Garcia Farms avocado, tomato seed vinaigrette, red alaea salt, chives

Hamachi Crudo....MUST ORDER

The flavors in this hamachi plate came in multiple waves of deliciousness! The pickled onions aren't in the description on the menu but I can't imagine this dish without them. This whole experience from start to finish is just simplicity at it's finest.

Along with the Hamachi we started with the steamed mussels, which is a dish that my husband loves.

Steamed Mussels

Though I usually prefer clams to mussels I thought these were great. This version was different than most mussel dishes I've had and the broth was zesty and fresh.

Next up was the best heirloom tomato salad I've EVER had...with burrata that tasted like a stick of warm butter. Unbelievable.

Heirloom Tomato Salad--greens, balsamic onions, Burrata, avocado...MUST ORDER

This dish mixed with the ocean view...heaven

My husband's main dish was the Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin. One word for this...WOW. The Cider Sage Sauce is too good for words. The best pork dish I had ever tasted before this one was a pork chop at Mario Batali's Babbo in NY City. The Strand House pork loin dish is on the same level...could never choose between the two.

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin--rustic mashed potatoes, escarole, cider sage sauce...MUST ORDER

My main dish was the House-Made Chicken Sausage Pizza. Holy cow this was a treat. Our waitress had suggested it and since I knew that pizzas were a big thing at Gjelina (Travis Lorton's past restaurant) I went for it.

House-Made Chicken Sausage Pizza--asparagus, Midnight Moon goat cheese, fennel...MUST ORDER

Just so you know, I don't usually have as many "MUST ORDER" captions...the food is just that good.

We decided to go all out that night...so in addition to the 5 dishes that we had we also targeted 2 sides. The Roasted Brussel Sprouts and the Potato Gratin. Deeeeelish!

Roasted Brussel Sprouts--brown butter, maple, caraway seed...guess what? MUST ORDER

Potato Gratin--caramelized onions, bacon, gruyére...and again...MUST ORDER

The cocktails are designed by the pastry chef Seth Caro. Very inventive list...can't wait to try more. The two that we had were the Captain's Daughter and the Tom Hudson.

Captain's Daughter--Snow Leopard vodka, Persian cucumber, thai basil, lime juice

Super refreshing Captain's Daughter...before the masses arrived

The Tom Hudson--Tanqueray gin, fresh young coconut water, lime juice,
aromatic bitters...cheers to our front row seats staring out at the MB pier!

As if I haven't been enthusiastic enough about this new haunt...there's more praise coming. Our waitress Alexis (who was extremely knowledgeable and basically ordered our entire meal for us) recommended one last thing. She referred to this as the pastry chef's "baby". I had been studying the dessert menu earlier and had my fingers crossed that this suggestion would be the intriguing "Butterscotch Donuts" item. Indeed it was.

Butterscotch Doughnuts with a hot, liquid butterscotch center, served with powdered bacon and toasted peach jelly...MUST MUST MUST ORDER!!!

This takes the top spot as THE BEST DESSERT EVER...for me at least. If I could insert a picture of the heavens opening up and shining upon this dish I would...I did the best job I could (above).
I have been dreaming of this plate of heaven every night since.

For an obvious summary...run don't walk. The Strand House has only been open for less than 2 weeks and they are already hitting it out of the park.

Our walk home...gorgeous!