(closing up an old thread)

Thanks everybody for the great recommendations! We checked out the Duck Club in person last month... good food, but for some reason, on that particular evening the dining room had the strong odor of wet dog, or perhaps a large oven full of braised offal (not on the menu, so this is unlikely). Bodega Bay is a neat town and we enjoyed our evening there.

I love the Post Ranch Inn and have already used for it for a memorable romantic dinner (when I proposed to my financee).

Just thought I'd share the outcome of our decision: in the end, for this particular occasion we selected Murray Circle at Cavallo Point. Not ocean-front, obviously, as indicated above but my partner is happy with the views from the porch and the food is solid.

Thanks again!

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Murray Circle
601 Murray Circle, Sausalito, CA 94965

Cavallo Point
601 Murray Circle, Sausalito, CA

Duck Club Restaurant
103 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, CA

Thanks everybody for the great recommendations! Though I seldom head south of Big Sur, when I do I'll certainly check out the recs here... much appreciated. Neon Carrot catering is a fun idea!

I also definitely will plan romantic trips to Pacific's Edge in Carmel and Navio at the Ritz Halfmoon. Dramatic views for sure.

In the end, for this particular occasion we selected Murray Circle at Cavallo Point. Not ocean-front, obviously, but my partner was happy enough with the views and the food is solid.

Thanks again to everybody and I'm looking forward to surprising her with meals at some of these coastal gems in the future!

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Pacific's Edge Restaurant
120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, CA 93923

Sorry for not being clear on timing/guidance: am planning ahead for an early evening dinner in late May or early October, when we'll have more daylight and a few non-foggy days.

Thanks!

Touché. I was trying to think of some representative examples in that area, and just typed that one without remembering correctly that it's miles from the ocean. My mistake.

Greens is pretty solid. Great view, nice ambiance, generally good food (some hit or miss). Very good wine list, IMHO.

Can you think of anything on the Marin/Sonoma coast that might fit the bill?

Thanks! Great suggestion.

A bay view is lovely, I agree, and there are lots of great bayfront choices which come to mind in SF, Marin, etc. The Cavallo Point suggestion below, for example, and La Mar Cebicheria Peruana.

In this case, I'm planning a dinner for a partner who loves the ocean, and that's not my area of expertise, so I figured I'd make that part of the request.

Sorry for not being clear on timing: am thinking early dinner in late May or early October, when we'll have more daylight and a few non-foggy days.

Thanks!

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La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
Pier 1 1/2, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111

Cavallo Point
601 Murray Circle, Sausalito, CA

Sorry for not being clear about timing. I'm planning a dinner sometime in late May or early October next year. Agreed, I love the chef's food (and modern Peruvian cuisine, in general).

Thanks everybody for the tips! Much appreciated.

Thanks, yes, we're looking up North as well. Since the Bay Area board claims ownership of some prime coastal real estate, I wanted to check here too. Agreed Mendocino / Little River may have some good options (e.g. Ravens', La Petit Rive, etc.)

Thanks for the tips! I'll keep you posted as my search progresses.

glbtrtr: Catering is certainly an option, good point. Also, thanks for the Geoffrey's note: looks promising! A little concerning that they serve Chilean Sea Bass, but I'll check the LA board for advice as you suggest.

ambercontegssa: Agreed, those 3 establishments have great views. Glad to hear a positive review of Timber Cove; I'll drive up and check it out. Thanks.

Ravens is vegetarian, I believe, not vegan; has anybody dined there? Veggie is not a problem for us.

Gail: thanks for the words of wisdom... Nepenthe is gorgeous, and a great place to relax, agreed. Personally, my favorite coastal scenery is far away from buildings and people. In this particular case, I'm a dedicated foodie planning a dinner for an ocean-loving partner, so figured it was worth a quick check to see if I was missing some hidden gem.

(first-time caller, long-time reader)

This may be an impossible request, but: I'm looking for near-Michelin-caliber cuisine with an oceanfront view anywhere in the Bay Area. I've been researching carefully, and have only found a handful of options which come close to the level I'm hoping for.

I've followed this board's recommendation for years, and haven't seen a thread which really provides a good solution. Maybe there isn't one. Of course, most small town restaurants naturally tend to feature old-fashioned menus, and living in San Francisco spoils us all. But surely there must be some option, somewhere?

My wish list:

-- directly on the ocean or an oceanfront bluff, not a bay
-- patio or terrace for outdoor dining
-- locally sourced seasonal ingredients, line-caught fish, grass-fed beef, lots of fresh produce, etc.

An example of a contender might be La Costa Nera, which won a Bib Gourmand rating this year. I haven't been personally. Perhaps the Ritz in Halfmoon Bay, as well as the Olema Inn (which I thought was solid, but isn't strictly waterfront of course).

Non-contenders include places like the Moss Beach Distillery: costs notwithstanding, the menu is pretty dull and I walked away from our table after reading it last year.

Any advice or ideas, other than to give up? Have I missed any gems? I've also asked this question on the larger California board, with reference to non-SF locations.

Thanks in advance!

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Olema Inn
10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Olema, CA 94946

Moss Beach Distillery Restaurant
140 Beach Way, Moss Beach, CA 94038

(first-time caller, long-time reader)

This may be an impossible request, but: I'm looking for Michelin-caliber cuisine with an oceanfront view anywhere in California. I've been researching carefully from Mendocino south to Big Sur, and have only found a handful of options which come close to the level I'm hoping for.

I've followed this board's recommendation for years, and haven't seen a thread which really captures this request. Most of the recommended small town restaurants seem to feature fairly old-fashioned menus and don't emphasize the kinds of ingredients and flavors which one might find in, say, San Francisco.

My wish list:

-- directly on the ocean or an oceanfront bluff
-- patio or terrace for outdoor dining
-- locally sourced seasonal ingredients, line-caught fish, grass-fed beef, etc.

Here are a few contenders to set the tone:

-- Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn (ate there recently, some dishes excellent)
-- Beach Club at Pebble Beach (never eaten there, but obviously great views)
-- La Costa Nera (won Bib Gourmand rating this year, haven't been personally)
-- Pangaea, Gualala (now closed)
-- Sea Ranch Restaurant (have read mixed reviews)
-- Timber Point Inn, Jenner (also mixed reviews)
-- Ravens' Restaurant, Mendo (anybody been?)

Non-contenders include:

-- Restaurant at Ventana Inn (too far inland)
-- Nepenthe (great views, but very mediocre food)
-- Passionfish (solid food, but no views)
-- Moss Beach Distillery (overpriced, old-fashioned menu)
-- Café Beaujolais, Mendo (apparently nice food, no views)

Any advice or ideas, other than to give up? Have I missed any gems?

Thanks in advance!

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Passionfish
701 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Sierra Mar Restaurant
Highway 1, Big Sur, CA

Beach Club Cafe
3089 Norm Niver Rd, Thermal, CA 92274