We are looking for a great dinner on our last night in California. We will be in Half Moon Bay and are considering the following:

Cetrella - www.cetrella.com

Pasta Moon - www.pastamoon.com

Sam's Chowder House - www.samschowderhouse.com

Looking for Mediterranean, Italian, Seafood. Don't minding paying for quality.

Comments on these?
Any other suggestions?

Thanks!
Deb

Of those three I would pick Cetrella or Pasta Moon.

I haven't been to Pasta Moon in many years, but it still gets great notices. We will be going in a few weeks to celebrate Martin's birthday so I'll let you know.

We just had dinner at Sam's last weekend and I'd give it a "B". The setting is great, but the food just so-so. Service was strange and disorganized. The food is better than the Miramar or the Moss Beach Distillery, but I prefer my old standby dive, Barbara's Fish Trap.

Have you thought about eating at the Ritz Carlton?

If you are in Half Moon Bay on a Sunday check out this place.
http://www.bachddsoc.org/

I would put Cetrella at the top. I think they just did a remodel of the interior.

I've never dined at Pasta Moon because when reviewing the menu, nothing seems exciting or interesting. The interior of Pasta Moon is not as nice as Cetrella.

I agree with iamq about Sam's. We've been there several times for lunch - just last Friday in fact. I think it's better at lunch when you can appreciate the views and you might want a lighter fare. We went there Friday to watch a storm hit the coast, & the ocean activity was quite spectacular. In December we were there on a sunny day & sat outside on the deck after lunch & soaked up the sun. Their white Clam Chowder is my second favorite in the Bay Area (behind Tadich), and I think the fried calamari is perhaps the best I've tasted in the region. Friday I ordered the fried seafood combo - shrimp, calamari, and cod. The shrimp was overcooked & over battered, the calamari was fantastic, and the Cod was pretty good. It has the best views by far of the three - so go there for lunch and Cetrella for dinner.

If you want a sandwich for lunch, the deli in the San Benito house is excellent. They bake their own bread and their French (white) bread is superb.

Stu Dudley

I would take Cetrella over Pasta Moon any day. The food is wonderful - and it is a nicer place to be. I have never had a good dinner at Pasta Moon - although we have dined there with friends many times.

I have not dined there, but have heard Cafe Gibralter is the best Mediterranean in the area? Any of you been there?

We're going to Half Moon Bay in about 2 hrs to pick up some crab for dinner tonight. I've never heard of Gibralter - but I'll try to find it & peek at the menu.

Stu Dudley

What has happened to Mezza Luna? Not on the radar screen?

Sorry, I should have done this link before.
My very favorite was Tuna Tartar at Red Ginger. Damn the devil's slide for all the harm done. Has anyone moved in to appreciate all the work that created such a lovely place? I will forever miss The Red Ginger but am so grateful I was able to enjoy it many times in it's day!

http://www.cafegibraltar.com/index2.html

I didn't check out Cafe Gibralter becasue it is not in Half Moon Bay - it's several miles away.

Stu Dudley

Cetrella is the best food. However, it's not on the ocean, which I guess is fine at night. But Sam's is on the ocean, as is Mirimar. Not the worst food on earth, and right on the water.

Thank you Stu, I'm so glad you mentioned that to me, you are absolutely correct, it is actually El Granada. I had not noticed that I think of Moss Beach Distillery to Ritz-Carlton as my Half Moon Bay. A habit of many many years ..... I must be careful when posting, I do see how I could be confusing visiters. I'm sorry. Thank you for your clarification.

Hi Stu, I had to laugh at us, all these years at the Anchorage, as I was coming out of Sam's looking across HWY 1, there is www.cafegibralter.com!

Any way, love both chowders and there bread but have you tried the White Anchovies?
Fabulous, packed in lemon olive oil and much less salt! Healthy and exceptional, if you already like anchovies.
Wanted to try the crab enchilatas from the shop, have you?

Nope & Nope - I'll have to give them a try also.

Stu Dudley

Just had the most amazing meal at Pasta Moon a few weeks back. I was very skeptical, but we ended being wowed by the fresh pastas, the delicious and inventive pizza and awesome meat dishes. It wasn't cheap, but I would head back there in a minute just for pizza alone. The wait staff is a bit full of itself, but it was harmless and easily brushed off. Recommended.