Cafe Del Rey
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: (310) 823-6395
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Bali Way
- Best of Citysearch:
- Waterfront Dining 2006, Power Lunch 2005
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm, Fri 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm, Sat 11:30am- 2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm, Sun 10:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm
Message from Cafe Del Rey
Winner Distinguished Restaurants of North America award
- Waterfront dining
- Extensive wine list
- Prix fixe brunch menu
Paid advertisement by Cafe Del Rey.
Editorial Review for Cafe Del Rey – by Martha Burr
The Scene
Plate glass windows look out onto the waterfront's pristine boats, masts silhouetted by the sunset, which later turn glowing white in harbor lights as darkness falls. The lively bar scene offers cozy couches, a fireplace and corporate gossip. Comfy booths and cushioned chairs seat businessmen from the nearby Ritz, well-heeled Marina locals and yachtsman.
The Food
Mediterranean dishes artfully meet classic French and Pacific Rim cuisine, all brought into focus by extraordinary fresh seafood and California seasonal produce. Start with a plump Dungeness crab cake in lobster emulsion, a robust, seared Hudson Valley foie gras, or the citrusy light spinach salad with hazelnut crusted goat cheese and roasted beets. Fish standouts include curry blackened ahi tuna, which hints of lemongrass, and a buttery-rich skate wing on sweet pea-morel risotto. Tender rack of lamb comes crusted with violet mustard, and sublime depths of flavor shoot through boar bacon-wrapped filet mignon dancing in bearnaise and cabernet sauces.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkAn award-winning wine list includes a dazzling collection of California wines, moderate to, cellared in a temperature-controlled display room. Premium wines are also available by the glass, and there is a full bar.
Look GoodJoin the Cafe Del Rey e-club on its website and receive special online offers such as a coupon for a free wine flight.
The ExtrasThe restaurant is available for private functions; its lovely food and gorgeous views make it ideal for a wedding reception.
User Reviews for Cafe Del Rey
06/23/2008 Posted by Nancy1313
Cafe del Rey is the place for foodies. I recently attended a dinner & wine pairing there in the private dining room overlooking the water. I learned so much about the geographic area of the wine and how they matched the food with it. It was a four course meal with a reception and about six glasses of wine. Amazing value. Met some really nice people at our table and had a fabulous evening. The tastebuds were dancing. They are having another one on June 26th if you are interested.
Pros: Food, View, Wine
06/17/2008 Posted by eatdrinkmerry
I live in the Marina and finally had to give it a try last night. FYI, check the prices on the website before you go... they've doubled since Morrisette took over. Mains are now $29-$43. Trying to pay for that new sign, I guess. Kudos, because the old sign was truly atrocious, but don't make me pay for it. Started out in the bar where 4 cocktails (2 Early Times drinks, 2 Makers Mark drinks,) came to $52. Are you kidding me? 2 of those were WELL drinks! Early Times, for Pete's sake! Our server was very friendly, but very inattentive. We needed salt for the (underseasoned) fish and not only did she not come by to check on us, but I simply could not wave her down... she was pulling the old, "I'm staring into space as I walk because if I look at my section, I'm afraid someone will need something" strategy. I finally had to get up and stop one of the busboys to get salt & pepper. Water glasses were never re-filled without the same battle for attention. The food was merely okay. I had the Wild Sea Bass ($34). It was modest in size, semi-soggy pan-fried and slightly dry. The "braised" celery was tough and stringy, the beets were good and so was the jus, but a very average dish and something I would expect from a Cheesecake Factory for around $15. Dining companions had the fried calamari & prawns appetizer ($14) which was nice in that it had many tentacle pieces, but otherwise average. Also the seared Ahi ($32), which I'm pretty sure was albacore and not Ahi; (and it's not like Ahi (=yellowfin) is high-end as far as tuna goes anyway,) was rare only in the very center; i.e. more than "seared." The half-bottle of '06 Merry Edwards Sauv Blanc ($42) was ridiculously overpriced. They serve decent food, and if the prices were decent I might try it again, but for $365 for 4 pax (4 cocktails, half-bottle wine, 2 beers, no dessert), I want something I can't do better myself at home. I wont go back. Those prices for that food says their lease must be exorbitant.
Pros: Great views of Marina, friendly staff
Cons: Poor service, mediocre food, ridiculously overpriced
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