Sanddab
Citharichthys sordidus · Fish
Top 10 pairings
The Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus) is a small, delicate left-eyed flatfish of the eastern Pacific, with a mottled light-brown upper side and sweet, tender, nutty white flesh. Long a humble West Coast by-catch, it has become a prized restaurant favourite from San Francisco to San Diego — typically pan-fried whole or filleted and sautéed in butter.
Picking a good onedrag
Just landed: eyes bulging, seaweed-freshOff: eyes sunken, smelling sour
Counter freshEveryday bestPan-fry, saute or grill to 63 C / 145 F; thin and lean, it gets there in minutes. Sold previously frozen, eyes and press can lag, but the smell must be fresh and mild.
Eyes and gills, head-on fishEyes slightly sunken; gills paler, slime clear
Skin and its slimeBright but not lustrous; slime slightly cloudy
Press the thickest partLess elastic, still springs back
Smell at gills, belly or fleshNeutral and mild, no seaweed left