California cuisine
The Beach House, Cardiff, Calif.
―Southern
California beaches are blessed with year-round warm weather, ideal for
outdoor dining. There's nothing more spectacular than sitting next to the
rocks that block the ocean waves from spraying you with mists of spindrift,
part of the excitement at a fantastic restaurant, The Beach House in
Cardiff-by-the-Sea. This small city north of San Diego is just a few minutes
from the Del Mar Racetrack and San Diego Fairgrounds and not far from
Interstate Highway 5. Visitors from as far as Los Angeles will take a casual
drive south to enjoy a meal at this unique restaurant. Southern California
is a region where people enjoy the sunshine, warm weather and ocean vistas
all year long. It is so nice, can it be real, guests ask.
The beauty of the Pacific
Coast location encourages exquisite preparation according to The Beach
House owners, Gale and Leonora Pike, who opened this second Beach
House restaurant in Cardiff in 1994. Designed by famed architect
Hubble, the restaurant includes two stories of ocean views and unique
treatments such as ocean-themed stained glass window accents. The only thing
separating the outside dining areas from the the beach is a row of boulders.
While you'd be happy enough to own a
ring-side seat next to the seagulls, surfers and spectacular sunsets,
there's a bonus at The Beach House. The meals are fantastic! An
extensive menu of salads and sandwiches for lunch, plus dinner entrees that
include all sorts of fresh fish, lamb, steaks and chicken, make The Beach
House dining extremely popular.
On a luncheon date, we
sampled sandwiches and Cobb Salad served with a tropical flower. The filling
salad contained a mix of gourmet greens, lots of avocado, turkey, bacon,
tomato and bleu cheese with fresh bleu cheese dressing on the side.
Fresh round loves of hot sourdough bread come to the table with soft,
whipped butter.
The day we dined there, dolphins swam by, a wind surfer skimmed across the
water and birds sat on the rocks, watching diners and hoping for a
morsel of food. It was a most relaxing lunch, watching the colorful
sights of the sea while listening to
the waves.
Choose from Fresh Ahi and
Dungeness Crab, Fresh Pan Grilled Mahi-Mahi, Pacific Salmon and Coconut
Prawns, Sauteed Ono, Sea Bass or Halibut served in a white wine sauce
accented with fresh basil, capers, lemon and cherry tomatoes. The New
Zealand Lamb Chops are rubbed with Dijon mustard, pan seared and finished
with a mushroom demiglaze. New York Strip Steak includes Jack Daniel's
peppercorn sauce. Prime Rib and Filet Mignon are equally sumptuous.
While there's one chicken item on the
menu, fish is the dish at The Beach House. Lobster Tail comes in a variety
of preparations. Order it with drawn butter or in dishes such as Lobster
Linguini, Lobster Thermador, served with a Filet Mignon or in a dish called
Clam Bake.
The Beach House includes
a full bar serving traditional cocktails, fine California wines and many
designer cocktail drinks to wet your appetite. The complete menu includes
desserts such as Creme Brulee and a yummy Cherries Jubilee with dark sweet
cherries in a reduction of spices, brown sugar, fresh fruit juices, and
brandy, served over French vanilla ice cream. Bananas Foster features
flambéed bananas, cinnamon, brandy and crème de banana over banana gelato
with caramel.
Prices on luncheon
entrees and sandwiches are in the $10 - 20 range. Dinner entrees are
slightly higher. Many are served with a basket of bread and butter.
While the cost of a meal is in the medium range, you're also paying for the
location at this unbelievable beach-front property. Treat yourself to a meal
but if you'd rather see the view, you can order a cocktail at the second
story bar and be equally delighted.
