It’s always a special occasion for me to dine at Café del Rey. Plop yourself down, and enjoy the many boats bobbing in their sweet slumber, while you feast on the succulent offerings from their seasonal menus.
This evening, we were privy to the autumn creations from Café del Rey’s new Executive Chef, Chuck Abair. His winning personality set the stage for a festive evening of seasonal samples, complimented by a slew of specialty cocktails and wines.
Their housemade bread got us off to a grand start, flanked with a blend of capers, olive oil and garlic. I’m a slave to good bread, and when it’s good, I know I can count on the meal following in fashion.
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All of Chuck’s creations reflect inspiration drawn from the coastal towns of the Mediterranean, sourced locally for optimum flavor and freshness. And who can argue with the Mediterranean diet? It’s loaded with colorful food, which is heart-healthy in so many ways. I’m ready to be spoiled.
Favorites for me included their Salmon, made with red chard, butternut squash, sage, brown butter and balsamic ($28), Equally enticing was the Lamb Osso Buco served over mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and pine nut gremolata ($33). My dining companions agreed. These two dishes deserved an encore.
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Desserts were to die for, including their Huckleberry Pie, Ginger Molasses Cake and the Crème Brulee, all of us descending on the sweets like a herd of locusts.
If you’ve never been to this restaurant, you owe yourself a visit. Many of the restaurants in Marina del Rey cater to tourists with predictable menus, and middle of the road flavor. Café del Rey is one of the few places that still gives me hope that fine dining can prevail, even in the most popular of destinations.
Café del Rey
http://cafedelreymarina.com/
4451 Admiralty Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
310.823.6395
