Pacifico’s Hopes to Thrive on a Latin Seafood Menu

Get Your Mariscos: Howdy Kabrins, founder of the La Salsa chain of Tex-Mex fast food, has had another brainstorm--a Latin seafood place called Pacifico’s, “home of the huachinango “ (red snapper; in this case, a deep-fried red snapper). This first of a projected chain is a brightly decorated indoor-outdoor place featuring a shrimp and octopus cocktail ($10.95), fried calamari ($7.95), swordfish skewers ($10.95) and, of course, whole fried snapper ($12.95 at dinner, $10.95 at lunch). Outside tables are under straw umbrellas and on cool nights the fire pit is stoked up. Pacifico’s is open daily for lunch and dinner. * Pacifico’s, 9341 Culver Blvd., Culver City; (310) 559-3474.

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The Fund-Raising Continues: Here are some upcoming and ongoing Sept. 11 relief efforts:

A charity cookout is being held at Chimayo at the Beach today from 6 to 10 p.m. DJs will spin tunes, and chefs from neighboring restaurants such as French 75, Sorrento Grill, Savannah Chop House and Culinary Adventures Catering will help cook. Hors d’oeuvres will be served all evening at this grazing event. The tab is a $25 donation to the American Red Cross.* Chimayo at the Beach, 315 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach; (714) 374-7273.

Owners Andrew and Rae Lord of the recently opened Ruffino’s in Studio City will donate 50% of their lunch proceeds today and Friday to the Uniformed Firefighters’ Assn. Widows’ and Children’s Fund. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Expect Cal-Ital dishes such as chilled seafood salad ($11), portabello mushroom sandwich ($8), and spinach and ricotta ravioli in porcini sauce ($11.50). Ruffino’s also serves dinner Monday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m.* Ruffino’s, 12321 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; (818) 761-7696.

Henri Abergel, owner of the Mistral French bistros in Sherman Oaks and Beverly Hills, will donate his proceeds from dinner on Monday to the Red Cross. Dinner begins at both bistros at 5:30 p.m.* Mistral, 13422 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; (818) 981-6650; and 310 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 275-2900.

Josiah Citrin will donate 5% of gross profits from lunch and dinner at his high-end French restaurant from now until Oct. 31. He’ll send the proceeds to the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund aiding the families of culinary professionals affected in New York. Lunch is noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, dinner from 6 p.m. nightly.* Melisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 395-0881.

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For the record: Gladstone’s Malibu raised more than $50,000 from the day’s restaurant sales in its fundraiser on Sept. 16, not $5,000 as we reported last week.

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Reach Angela Pettera at (310) 358-7647 or pettera@prodigy.net