Tonight I had the pleasure of seafood at Waterbar, right on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Not for the night when you're low on funds, but what a wonderful place to enjoy a seafood dinner (definitely the place to take visiting family)! Right on the waterfront, you just can't beat the view - the San Francisco skyline, the ferries scooting back and forth, and then there is the people- and dog-watching along the Embarcadero! Tonight, there was a S.F. fireboat moored to the wharf - I've never had the opportunity to examine such a craft, so it was a fun addition.
The restaurant has just the right mix of busy conversation going on around the bar, and peaceful settling in at the dinner tables. The dining room is flanked by floor-to-ceiling columns of water which are fish tanks, stocked with enormous fish who swim lazily through their habitat. We felt like we got to know one such fish, who seemed to be settling in at the bottom for a rest.
All that would make for a fun evening, but Waterbar has a more-than-interesting menu. It's the kind of brief menu that leads you to believe the chef is concentrating his/her efforts, and the dishes didn't disappoint. We opened the evening with oysters - they feature $1 oysters before 6 pm every day. Then, entrees - each one is not only an original idea, but the description includes not just where it came from, but the kind of fishing that produced it (long line, nets, etc.), the fishing boat that captured it and the Captain's name! (OK, maybe that's a conceit - but it was fun to imagine, anyway.)
Mom had the bluefish, straight from Massachusetts - breaded in brioche crumbs, served on a corn relish. It was great, but since I just got here from the east coast, it seemed a shame to eat east coast seafood! So I opted for the local salmon, served with yellow beets and blackberries - a very satisfying dish.
Capuccino was served with a sweet touch - a little biscuit that was just sweet enough and just crispy enough. Hate to say it, but who needed to order dessert?
As if that weren't enough, the wait staff was attentive in all the right ways. We were carefully served and it did indeed make me feel special. Valet parking is available on the curb.
If you're a West Coast-er (or West Coast visitor) looking for a special evening, Waterbar can't disappoint. And if you're more of a landlubber at heart, word is that the same owners operate Epic, the steakhouse next door.
Waterbar
399 The Embarcadero San Francisco, California 94105 |
