Manhattan Beach entrepreneur-restaurateur-hotelier Michael Zislis has been a force in the South Bay culinary community for decades. The Palos Verdes native is behind thriving businesses like the Shade Hotel, Brewco, and Mucho Ultima Mexicana. Now Zislis plans to open a second ROCK’N FISH at L.A. LIVE in January 2009.

Architect Louis Skelton and designer Larry Drasin shaped the 6,000 square foot space at L.A. LIVE. His modern vision befits AEG’s $2.5 billion development in downtown Los Angeles.

Zislis plans to duplicate some signature ROCK’N FISH dishes that have made his Manhattan Beach seafood and steakhouse so popular. Notable menu items will include the hand-cut, Maui inspired Kapalua rib-eye. This prized beef cut luxuriates in a 72-hour pineapple-soy marinade before being cooked and served with “Hibachi” teriyaki sauce. ROCK’N FISH also sautées New Orleans BBQ Shrimp with bell pepper, onion, tomato, mushroom and lemon and serves over sticky rice. Oak-Grilled Artichoke is straight out of the California Central Coast playbook and comes with roasted-garlic aioli. To drink, expect “whimsical” martinis, “potent” Navy Grog, wine, and beer. Considering the owner’s longtime craft beer connection, expect a noteworthy beer list that’s bound to rotate.