Marlin & Ono Grille Wants to Bring Fine Dining Italian Seafood to Sherman Oaks

It’s taken just about two years, but that Sherman Oaks seafood spot slated to take over the former Señor Fred on Ventura looks to be nearly ready to roll. Called Marlin & Ono Grille, the seafood-focused spot had been anticipating a May arrival, but is now looking towards mid-June as a likely start.

In the meantime, the Southern Italian restaurant from chef Martin Colman (El Dorado Ranch in Baja) has been snapping up a storm of photos showcasing their coming menu, which includes everything from shrimp lollipop skewers to fresh tuna crudo, with some dry aged steak thrown in for good measure. There’s an active license for a full bar as well, which should come in handy for late nights on the patio that overlooks the boulevard.

So far, no shots of the interior, but locals say that the build-out for the new fine dining restaurant has been extensive, and should include a full raw bar where chefs prepare plates right in front of diners. That full black and heavy drape treatment from the old Señor Fred days is gone too, with the exterior of the restaurant getting a clean white paint job and understated signage — no more neon here. There will also be wooded flooring, a tin ceiling and lots go blue and grey touches.

Colman recently talked to Ventura Blvd. Magazine about the coming attraction, detailing it as a from-scratch fine dining option for Valleyites wanting top-notch service and seafood flown in from Hawaii. No confirmed opening date as of yet, but their active Facebook page says very, very soon.

Marlin & Ono Grille
13730 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks