There aren’t a lot of things that will convince me to drive 40 minutes out to Isle of Palms in the offseason, but I’m about to add Coda del Pesce to the list of things that make the cut. The adorable and artfully designed restaurant is cozy without feeling cramped and OMG those views of the ocean. It doesn’t get any better than this.
**Heaven**
I’ve recently started to get a lot more into seafood, and seafood lovers will definitely be pleased with anything they order at Coda. Coda del Pesce (which translates to “tail of the fish” in Italian) is helmed by Chef Ken Vedrinski (also of Trattoria Lucca downtown), and you can rest assured that everything coming out of this kitchen will be fresh, flavorful, and perfectly done.
So pretty and blue and pretty!
Being an adventurous and indecisive eater, I decided to go with chef’s 4-course tasting menu, which features dishes both on and off the menu and offers a truly unique dining experience. I love ordering this way, as it forces me out of my comfort zone and helps me expand my culinary horizons. The first course was a crudo quartet, featuring 4 different cuts of fish prepared completely differently. Crudo is one of Chef Vedrinski’s specialties, so it was unsurprising that it was completely delicious.
4 fish are better than 3 fish.
Next up, a shrimp spaghetti with whole wheat pasta, fresh artichokes, and lemon in an anchovy sauce. I was concerned that the anchovy sauce would make it super fishy and salty tasting, but instead it was like a really deeply flavored garlic-butter-lemon sauce. It was a dream.
I usually avoid things with anchovies in them, but this was too tasty to pass up.
For the main entrée, Chef prepared a triggerfish scallopini with potato and onion. I loved how the fish was wonderfully crispy on the outside and perfectly moist and flaky on the inside. Basically exactly how you want a piece of fried fish to taste. The accompainaments were also delightful, and the potatoes practically melted in your mouth. The lemon sauce was perfect with the fish and I kind of wish they’d bottle it and let me put it on more things. It’s that good.
That sauce, tho.
For dessert, I had just enough room in my stomach for Chef’s butterscotch budino with dark chocolate shavings. It was decadent but I was very thankful it was on the lighter side after such a heavy meal. I highly recommend this dessert!
I mean, as light as can be with a dessert.
TL;DR: If you love Italian food and seafood, it really doesn’t get any better than Coda del Pesce. Plus, you really can’t beat the gorgeous views of the Atlantic ocean right from the dining room. It’s totally worth the drive to IOP.
Coda Del Pesce
1130 Ocean Blvd
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 242-8570
