When the sun shines in LA, is there anything better than quaffing a cold beer and a lobster roll? If you asked Knuckle & Claw owners Nikki Booth and Chloe Dahl, they’d probably say no. Their chic seafood “shack” in Santa Monica, which is inspired by those found in New England, is equal parts quirky, fun, and perfectionist. The latter in regards to the food. It’s simple, but in that most beguiling of ways, where the appearance of effortlessness belies the attention to detail and the quest for seafood excellence.

And excellence they have in spades, from the New England Clam Chowder to the Knuckle Sandwich (toasted sourdough, with molten Cotswold cheddar and your choice of blue or Dungeness crab, Maine shrimp or lobster). Most likely though, you’ll opt for the lobster roll, at least on your first visit; with juicy lobster piled into a soft split top bun, with a little mayo, some butter, a squeeze of lemon, and a final sprinkling of Nikki’s Secret Seasoning, it’s the Goldilocks of lobster rolls.

The Knuckle & Claw in Santa Monica is all white tile and exposed brick, and the outside area is strewn with picnic tables and sparkly lights for extra ambience. But if you find yourself in Silverlake, you can swing by the original location for another K&C roll. Just remember, on Thursday evenings, Knuckle & Claw invites you to “go shuck yourself”, with dollar oysters and half-off beer and wine. Well, we don’t need to be told twice.