Restaurants

Ah, Malibu! It’s one of the most upscale, yet completely mellow and casual beach towns in Southern California. One restaurant that perfectly encapsulates the dual nature of Malibu is Geoffrey’s, right off Pacific Coast Highway. A meal here is accompanied by some of the best views a restaurant can have.

Pull into the driveway and parking lot of Geoffrey’s Malibu, and you know you’re getting a special meal. A valet will quickly take care of you, parking your car carefully amid a sea of shining BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and even a Bentley or two. These mega-deluxe autos belie what awaits inside: Jeans, t-shirts, and California casual attire along with a relaxed, happy atmosphere. Geoffrey’s reflects Malibu in other ways, as well. Subtle mirrors panel the rear wall, bringing the ocean views from the front to everyone (reflects Malibu, get it? Well, I like it anyway). There isn’t a “bad table” in the restaurant. Read More »

Armstrong’s Fish Market and Seafood Restaurant isn’t in itself worth the ferry ride to Catalina Island, but it makes for a pleasant, relaxed lunch during a day trip or vacation on this large California channel island. Plastic checkered tableclothes inside point to the informal atmosphere, as do the best-selling fried fish tacos, slowly enjoyed mugs of beer, and friendly, chatty waitresses.

Located quite near the ferry dock in Avalon, Armstrong’s has one of the best views of any of the Catalina Island town’s restaurants. Outside dining affords full-on views of the water, and people-watching galore. I recommend it for lunch, when the daytime sun sparkles off the water. It’s instantly relaxing, and even in winter the weather is balmy (it’s probably a little too chilly to sit outside for dinner during the winter months). Lunch at Armstrong’s is a lovely way to spend an hour outside.

The seafood here is fresh, therefore some choices are only seasonably available. The South Pacific mahi-mahi, grilled in lemon and butter, was very nice. The shrimp kabobs are a popular favorite. Also on the menu are lobster (the Pacific, spiny-tailed version), sea bass, sanddabs, and whatever else was in the catch of the day.

There are other, non-seafood options here (salads, burgers and the like). The Children’s Menu assures that picky eaters can still get their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and the otherwise seafood-averse can try the steak sandwich – this goes great with a cold beer. However, Armstrong’s isn’t solely a casual, quick seafood restaurant – it’s also a fish market. The specialty is seafood, the view of Avalon Bay is great, and if you’re eating there, you’re probably enjoying a Catalina Island vacation. I recommend staying with the ethos of the place, and ordering seafood. It’s what Armstrong’s does best.

Armstrong’s Fish Market & Seafood Restaurant
306 Crescent Ave, Avalon Bay
Santa Catalina Island
(310) 510-0113

View from Sutro

In San Francisco we are fortunate to have many fine dining choices that include spectacular views of the bay and our landmark bridges. Last month I gave a  suggestion for ocean and park view dining near the end of the Golden Gate Park.

Recently I returned to the Cliff House for a mini-celebration lunch and to take part in Dine About Town. Though the weather was very stormy, we had a wonderful window seat at Sutro’s, the upscale restaurant in the lower portion of the Cliff House. Sutro’s is a restaurant run by Chefs George Morrone, Brian O’Connor and their team.

If you are lucky enough to go out to the occasional business lunch or dinner, you will certainly recognize the name of Chef Morrone, due to his earlier fame at Aqua, a wonderful restaurant in the Financial District.

Famous Ahi Tuna Tartare

Chef Morrone created his signature Ahi Tuna Tartare at Aqua – and lucky for me – he serves this appetizer at Sutro’s.  It was as spicy and delicious as I remember! He uses pine nuts, asian pears, habanero infused sesame oil, mint and a quail egg with the Ahi. Fabulous.

The Cliff House has a few dining options within its historic walls and Sutro’s is definitely one of the nicest for a special occasion. They have the amazing team in the kitchen, attentive wait staff, a killer view and lots of parking out front. Those are perfect ingredients for a wonderful lunch and that is what we had.

Steak Frites

Unfortunately I discovered belatedly that Sutro’s does not participate in Dine About Town on Fridays and Saturdays. We did not get to try their special menu but we still had a great meal, including one of the most mouth watering steak frites.

The truffled fries, the red wine onion compote along with the bordelaise sent my husband over the moon and back. I had a wonderful fresh and locally caught rock cod fish that was served with cucumber & fennel salad.

We watched while others ate the other highly recommend seared day boat scallops – I would definitely get those next time.

Old Sutro Baths

This special occasion restaurant is a wonderful choice for first time visitors to San Francisco. The Cliff House and its history is pure San Francisco and not to missed. If you are early for your reservations, take time to enjoy the stunning views of both the brave surfers and walk down the stairs to the Camera Obscura below.

After all of the tasty food and dessert, if you need a little help with your digestion, the green (and newly restored) trails close by are a great way to see the old Sutro Baths footprint and the more unusual views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sutro’s
1090 Point Lobos,
San Francisco, CA 94121
415-386-3330

Lunch weekdays from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Dinner weekdays from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday 11:30 am to 9:30 pm

sunset from the pier by Skate

I spent a sunny Saturday at San Francisco’s Academy of Sciences museum with several friends. Afterwards, we decided to have dinner in the city. My pick was to go to Epic Roasthouse, a great steak and seafood restaurant on the Embarcadero. If you haven’t been here, be sure to read our recent post. However, one of our group, reminiscing on college days in Berkeley had a hankering to drive over to the East Bay. He recommended we try Skate’s on the Bay. So, over the Bay Bridge we went.

The restaurant is set off from Berkeley, next to the Berkeley Marina. It is literally on the water (think old wooden stilt beams). The actual building is quite lovely with high arched ceilings, floor to ceiling glass windows all across the back and one side and moody track lighting. The decor could use an update, though.

twinkling lights across the bay

We had a 30 minute wait (not bad for a Saturday night with no reservation) and chose to walk the pier next door while we waited. What a great decision! The pier was about 1/2 a mile long stretching out into the Bay. As we walked in the cool air, we passed bundled fishermen, trying their luck off the side. The twinkling lights of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate were in front of us as well the looming dark figure of Angel island. When we turned around to walk back, the lights of Berkeley trailing upwards into the hills was our view. It was peaceful, serene and beautiful.

Our table was ready when we got back to the restaurant. Skate’s terrific location could allow it to sit on its laurels in terms of food. People would still flock here just for the killer views. This is why I was so pleased to discover that it serves such tasty fare.

We shared an appetizer of fresh baked focaccia with an artichoke crab dip. The dip was sinfully rich and creamy but delicate enough in flavor not to mask the lemony artichoke or fresh tender crab flavor. I had their crab cakes with duck roasted fingerling potatoes. Other members of my group had the potato crusted sea bass and the prime rib. Everything was well prepared and enjoyable. After all this food we were not capable of ordering dessert. But, given my experience I am willing to return and try again!

This is a great spot to take friends and family in from out of town. Arrive early and walk the pier or have a martini in their large glass framed bar.

Skate’s on the Bay
100 Seawall Drive
Berkeley, California
Phone:(510) 549-1900
www.skatesonthebay.com

Photo credit to Ingorrr and Jeff Poskanzer