"The two brothers behind Woodhouse Fish Co. on Market Street, Dylan and Rowan MacNiven, have opened a second location in Pacific Heights. Just Tuesday, these Peninsula natives opened their doors for lunch, and what a welcome addition they are to the neighborhood. Located on Fillmore Street near Pine, this seafood haven is more spacious and offers a more evolved menu than its sibling. It’s a bright, comfortable, simple yet well-decorated spot executed with the help of Jamis MacNiven, their dad. Jamis owns Buck’s in Woodside and has built restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe which used to be on VanNess Street. When you go in, check out the big fish overhead and the framed flat screen featuring a boating and fishing video. Rowan and Dylan, whose middle name is Woodhouse, were friendly hosts who were rolling up their sleeves alongside their employees, greeting, seating, serving customers and answering phones. Gotta love that. Chef Jon Hearnsberger, formerly of Anchor Oyster Bar, turns out some seriously satisfying grub. My parents and I had a great meal there yesterday. The cup of clam chowder was very flavorful, creamy, and filled with clams. It wasn’t as piping hot as it could have been, but the recipe is a winner. The crab cakes were pleasingly light and crispy on the outside, filled with crab and had a nice crunch from chopped celery and green onion. Two crab cakes come with salad greens, tomatoes and beets in a light vinaigrette. The crispy calamari was equally impressive. Again, it had a perfectly light and crisp coating that wasn’t greasy or heavy, and the squid was incredibly tender. The Ipswich clam roll and lobster roll were both piled high on a hearty toasted bun and came with thin-cut fries and slaw. Hearnsberger uses local and sustainable ingredients wherever possible so you can feel good about endulging. Look at their chalkboard for daily fish specials. Yesterday, they featured health-conscious dishes such as halibut prepared in parchment light on the oil, as well as grilled salmon with asparagus. They don’t have their wine and beer license just yet, but for now, you can order a make-your-own lemonade to wash down all that tasty goodness. I can’t wait to go back with my husband and kids and try everything else on their menu! They will be open for dinner service soon, once they get that liquor license. And they’re not taking reservations right now, so feel free to walk right in. For now, their lot of two-tops and four-tops and 10 stools at the bar are enough, but once word gets out that they’re open for business, I can imagine lines out the door."
