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Cetrella Bistro &
Cafe has consistently ranked a local San Mateo County favorite with good reason.
Crispy, crusty, fresh baked breads, a formaggeria (European cheese aging room),
extensive wine collection, and hearty, tasty meals with prime cuts of beef and
select meats make this a place to celebrate. The restaurant participates in a
farm fresh program dedicated to purchasing produce from local growers, and in
fact, holds weekly farmer's market at its property. This means that you will
not find fresher herbs, vegetables and fruits to savor as you dine at one of the
region's most popular bistros.
Warm
colors decorate the sprawling spaces and intimate tables where fun and food is
meant to be shared. You can't help but smile as the friendly waiters and
waitresses begin your service with occasional jokes. Humor, laughter, music and
food make dining just plain fun in an award-winning restaurant that serves up
live jazz music regularly.
Start with a cocktail or some wine—Cetrella's
list of over 400 wines from around the world, have been selected to accent the
restaurant's Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The collection includes wines
representing ten countries and over a dozen varietals. Grüner Veltliner from
Austria, Melon de Bourgogne from the Loire Valley, and Dolcetto from Piedmont
are a few of the unusual offerings not commonly found in West Coast restaurants.
Before each meal a small dish filled with
oil-rich olives is served. Salads and appetizers reflect the local in-season
vegetables and fish, often obtained from commercial fleets down the road at
Pillar Point Harbor. This harbor holds intense interest to Cetrella owners, Paul
and Julie Welch Shenkman. In the footsteps of their Mediterranean-inspired
restaurant launched in September 2001 in Half Moon Bay Growers Association
building, expectations are high for great food and commercial success to follow
at Pillar Point Harbor's former Anchorage. Launching a second restaurant in the
revamped building just north of Half Moon Bay at 4210 N. Cabrillo Hwy., Sam's
Chowder House will serve traditional New England-style seafood. Named for their
son, Sam, a large space with an oyster bar commands attention near the entrance,
competing with the floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views.
Cetrella chef
Lewis Rossman is the consulting executive chef for the new venture that will
feature a menu to include a New England favorite, pan roast, which is a mix of
seafood steamed in broth, cream and herbs. Grilled steak, pork chops and
chicken, plus many grilled fish entrees are served at the view tables or catered
to private functions at the beach next to the restaurant. 125 seats indoor
seats and 40 outside on a deck set on a bluff right above the beach offer
the ambience vacationers and locals love, highlighting San Mateo County's
fantastic year-round weather.
Cetrella, 845 Main St., Half Moon Bay.
Call: (650) 726-4090; www.cetrella.com.
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