'I Love You Man' Fish Tacos Meet Hype

By in Entertainment,

One of these places happened to be Venice Beach, California.,The Blockbuster hit "I Love You, Man," released on DVD on August 11, 2009, wowed audiences with its witty humor and abundance of awkward situations. After seeing it in theaters, I found that I recognized several places incorporated into the film.

One of these places happened to be Venice Beach, California. The scene which featured this familiar setting consisted of another one of Peter Klaven's (Paul Rudd) "man dates" in his quest to find a best man, and ultimately a best friend.

Despite Klaven's past experience and forewarnings, he agreed to join Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) for dinner at a place that he claimed had the "world's best fish tacos." The scene following their dinner featured a shot of the outside of the restaurant, revealing the name James' Beach.

I never thought I would actually have the desire or opportunity to investigate Fife's claim. However, I found myself watching "I Love You, Man" with a friend while in Orange, California for the weekend. As they say "When in Rome."

The restaurant's convenient incorporation into the film's plot certainly created some hype. James' Beach's Web site and menu both capitalize on the restaurant's presence in the film and further point to the taco's well-deserved fame.

I had the opportunity to dine in the very same place the dinner scene with Fife and Klaven was shot. James' Beach turned out to be everything it was made out to be and then some.

The restaurant is a classy beach venture with white tablecloths and candle light, dating all the way back to the '80s. It featured comfortably heated outdoor seating, surrounded by palm trees and decorative lights which set a fun, yet still swanky atmosphere.

The fish tacos were truly amazing and rightfully famous.

As I was enjoying my meal, I could not help but think that there was nothing more to be asked of a fish taco.

The tacos were served on a platter with black beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, lime and a piece of perfectly cooked fish. Each ingredient was fresh and completed the superior flavor of James' Beach's famous fish tacos.

The process of creating each taco also added to the experience. I thoroughly enjoyed placing just the right amount of beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, fish, lime and salt in each perfectly prepared tortilla, creating an unprecedented fusion of flavor.

Klaven was right about the tortillas too. Prepared in-house, as mentioned in the film, the tortillas were as fresh as a tortilla could get. They were perfectly toasted, warm and crispy, yet still soft and workable.

The guacamole was perfectly prepared and the seasoning on the pico de gallo was an instant hit with me.

Although prices at James' Beach run a bit high, the world's best fish tacos and the Venice Beach by candle light experience were definitely worth the money.

I can see why Fife insisted on taking Klaven to dinner at James' Beach. I now not only recognize certain settings within the film, I have actually tasted the very food featured in the film. It is true – James' Beach famous fish tacos are "Totes McGotes" to die for.

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