Right off the beach, located on cliffs, this is definitely a touristy spot (places to avoid usually) however we were trying to get to Lloyd's, a smaller mom and pop eatery next door that supposedly had fantastic food but alas was closed due to renovations on Saturday taking us slightly downwind to Cliffhouse. Walking into the glass/concrete establishment, you can go right (Sutros) or we chose the left (The Bistro). We waited for about 15mins for a table, noticed the dinner rush coming in, almost sidelined out of there for a quick phone order to a korean bbq up the road I googled but just as the plans were developing, buzzer was off and we were at our table a few feet from the bar. In all that, I had accidentally left my beast's only big umbrella at the waiting bench which never found it's way home. Someone in San Fran decided it was best to steal the umbrella than walk around wet which is inexcusable but I left it, therefor I guess it's fair game? This place is right on the waterfront, the main entree portions are more inland based and that right there, warmed my heart and stirred my belly! After the debacle with the motel, I needed some comfort food that would last me all night long and then some and this place delivered surprisingly with taste and quantity...my two favorite things. Not only was the view of the ocean fantastic but the vibe inside was that laid back, unpretentious bar feel that I have grown disdain for in L.A. Since I had the 6 hour trip homeward bound, I passed on the wine (to try and stay awake for my zombie driver) and ordered Cliffhouse potstickers (pork/shrimp) as the appetizer and Frutti de Mare for the main course. Now, potsickers are usually all the same all the way around but it's always the sauce that changes everything...this sauce changed everything. Sweet/tart ponzu feel, less soy saucy with chili spice, chopped green onions made this oh, so very nice! For $12 a plate, only 6 came in this tasty bit of joy so I ate half and saved the rest as an emergency snack for the long ride back. The Frutti de Mare ($24) looks easy to consume however, don't be fooled, this plate is chocked full of shredded crabmeat, loads of shrimp, tons of scallops, plenty of mussels and a few clams that just took over and kicked penne pasta's bootay! Along with the "not to be missed" chunk of sourdough bread, I was in heaven. The red sauce was super flavorful with a pinch of creaminess that allowed all the flavors of the sea to be pinpointed on the tip of your tongue which made for sourdough dipping time between bites of taste sensations amazing. Can I say YUMMY!!!! I can and I just did!!! I almost forgot to take pictures and had eaten a big chunk before snapping a shot but I ate about 1/4 of the bowl and had to doggy bag the rest, only to eat 1/2 of the leftover seafood pasta and slice of sourdough on the ride home, leaving the rest for a snack on Sunday. Ate the 3 potstickers the next day with some veggies and fruit, then reheated the pasta to pour over some mache leaves for a warm salad, pasta dish. So for $36, I had one full meal, 1/2 dinner fill up, 1 snack and 1 lunch...what's not to love? So when in San Fran, do this one thing that tourists do...eat at the beach, preferably Cliffhouse.
Right off the beach, located on cliffs, this is definitely a touristy spot (places to avoid usually) however we were trying to get to Lloyd's, a smaller mom and pop eatery next door that supposedly had fantastic food but alas was closed due to renovations on Saturday taking us slightly downwind to Cliffhouse. Walking into the glass/concrete establishment, you can go right (Sutros) or we chose the left (The Bistro). We waited for about 15mins for a table, noticed the dinner rush coming in, almost sidelined out of there for a quick phone order to a korean bbq up the road I googled but just as the plans were developing, buzzer was off and we were at our table a few feet from the bar. In all that, I had accidentally left my beast's only big umbrella at the waiting bench which never found it's way home. Someone in San Fran decided it was best to steal the umbrella than walk around wet which is inexcusable but I left it, therefor I guess it's fair game? This place is right on the waterfront, the main entree portions are more inland based and that right there, warmed my heart and stirred my belly! After the debacle with the motel, I needed some comfort food that would last me all night long and then some and this place delivered surprisingly with taste and quantity...my two favorite things. Not only was the view of the ocean fantastic but the vibe inside was that laid back, unpretentious bar feel that I have grown disdain for in L.A. Since I had the 6 hour trip homeward bound, I passed on the wine (to try and stay awake for my zombie driver) and ordered Cliffhouse potstickers (pork/shrimp) as the appetizer and Frutti de Mare for the main course. Now, potsickers are usually all the same all the way around but it's always the sauce that changes everything...this sauce changed everything. Sweet/tart ponzu feel, less soy saucy with chili spice, chopped green onions made this oh, so very nice! For $12 a plate, only 6 came in this tasty bit of joy so I ate half and saved the rest as an emergency snack for the long ride back. The Frutti de Mare ($24) looks easy to consume however, don't be fooled, this plate is chocked full of shredded crabmeat, loads of shrimp, tons of scallops, plenty of mussels and a few clams that just took over and kicked penne pasta's bootay! Along with the "not to be missed" chunk of sourdough bread, I was in heaven. The red sauce was super flavorful with a pinch of creaminess that allowed all the flavors of the sea to be pinpointed on the tip of your tongue which made for sourdough dipping time between bites of taste sensations amazing. Can I say YUMMY!!!! I can and I just did!!! I almost forgot to take pictures and had eaten a big chunk before snapping a shot but I ate about 1/4 of the bowl and had to doggy bag the rest, only to eat 1/2 of the leftover seafood pasta and slice of sourdough on the ride home, leaving the rest for a snack on Sunday. Ate the 3 potstickers the next day with some veggies and fruit, then reheated the pasta to pour over some mache leaves for a warm salad, pasta dish. So for $36, I had one full meal, 1/2 dinner fill up, 1 snack and 1 lunch...what's not to love? So when in San Fran, do this one thing that tourists do...eat at the beach, preferably Cliffhouse.
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