Cafe Del Rey Unveils New Menu, New Look And New Chef

From Cafe del Rey:

Since opening its doors 27 years ago, Cafe del Rey has served the seaside community of Marina del Rey with picturesque marina views and a sophisticated yet approachable fine-dining and drinking experience reflective of SoCal’s best in cuisine and ambiance. The iconic restaurant has undergone a complete ambient refresh while maintaining an elegant yet laid back beach vibe that is Marina Del Rey. To accompany the new look and feel of Café Del Rey, the menu has also undergone a complete revamp by Executive Chef Job Carder, bringing a modern seafood-focused dining experience to SoCal destination diners.

REVAMPED SPACE

In the Westside’s burgeoning and diverse dining scene, it’s hard to find a SoCal classic that proudly holds its own through every passing trend — Cafe del Rey has been that place since 1992. Now, the dedicated team behind Cafe del Rey imbues a fresh, modern dimension to both the food and look of Marina del Rey’s beloved restaurant.

Walk into Cafe del Rey and immediately feel the nearness of the ocean and the adjacent yacht-filled Marina with its nautical palate of greyish blues, whites and greens that pay homage to its waterside setting. Everything soothes and comforts and invites its guests to shut the door on the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and enter a drinking and dining oasis where it’s perfectly OK to kick back and stay a while. Just to the right of the entrance is an entirely new, light, spacious, high-ceilinged bar and fire-side lounge where both the inviting lounge area with table-tops and plush couches and the re-done, sexy dark oak, tiled bar are perfect for after-work social hour, a weeknight drink and nosh, or a pre-dinner cocktail. Perfect for groups, romantic dates, or solo sunset watching.

Move into the stunning dining room and choose between a gorgeous table over-looking the Marina or a newly upholstered booth with plush, down-filled pillows that also incorporate the picturesque views. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. The pleasing color palate of the walls and the new carpets complement the crisp, white table linen and china. Easy on the eyes and the soul, everything is meant to relax the Cafe del Rey guest and invite them to sit back and enjoy a wonderful meal.

The private dining room – an ideal setting for intimate parties and lively gatherings – ties in with the theme of the rest of the space, boasting new furniture enhancements to suit everything from a business dinner to a rehearsal dinner or an anniversary or birthday celebration.

NEW CHEF AND REFRESHED MENU

The new seafood-inspired menu created by Cafe del Rey’s new seasoned Executive Chef Job Carder, who visited Cafe Del Rey as a child to dine with his grandfather, the co-founder of Norm’s Restaurant, incorporates unique techniques and flavors, all while staying true to the restaurant’s coastal California approach. New menu standouts include lunch items such as the House-Smoked Salmon Club served with avocado, slivered red onions, crispy pancetta, tomatoes, butter lettuce, sliced cucumbers and garlic aioli, on toasted marble rye with house fries; Seared Tuna Burger with albacore tuna, avocado, pickled red onions, tomato jam, arugula, caper aioli, and a fried egg; as well as the Wild Boar and Butternut Squash Bolognese made with house made linguine and shaved Grana Padano. Guests can also experience signature dinner dishes like the Poppy Seed-Crusted California White Seabass, served up with butter poached wild mushrooms; the Lobster Ravioli featuring poached lobster tail and lobster mousse ravioli in a lobster truffle sauce; and the Bouillabaisse Blanc with Salt Springs mussels, manila clams, whole prawns and fresh fish in a clam cream broth. Brunch fare boasts favorites such as the Pain Perdue, a toasted brioche bread pudding; Lobster Hash with two poached eggs in a lobster hollandaise sauce; and Shrimp & Chicken Chilaquiles with sautéed rock shrimp and braised chicken topped with two sunny-side-up eggs – all of which pair perfectly with bottomless mimosas and harbor side views.

Those that join the restaurant and bar for happy hour in the lounge can experience delectable bites like the Tuna Tartare Taco in a crispy wonton shell; Blue Crab Cakes with a piquillo pepper rouille; Grilled Cheese & French Onion Soup, and more. Don’t skip out on in-house made desserts like the Chocolate Mascarpone Cake with bourbon caramel sauce, chocolate ganache and chocolate feuilletine; and the delightful made-from-scratch Ice Cream or Sorbet Trio, which features diners’ choice of any three fresh and seasonal daily creations by Chef Carder. To match the food and ambience, Cafe del Rey’s award-winning collection of wines from all over the world and selection of market-driven craft cocktails unquestionably elevate diners’ experience, allowing guests to immerse themselves in Cafe del Rey’s laid-back California vibe. Guests can surrender their taste preferences to Beverage Director Henry Marquis, who guides patrons through choosing the perfect wine or craft cocktail to pair with their seaside meal. A rotating selection of seasonal cocktails feature choices like the Cucumber Del Rey with white cranberry, cucumber, lime and Hendrick’s Gin; Jalapeno Infused Margarita with orange and jalapeno infused Milagro Silver Tequila; and the Bee’s Knees Martini served with Hendrick’s Gin, fennel syrup, honey and lime juice.

Whether it’s happy hour in the lounge, a sunset dinner or brunch on a lazy Sunday afternoon, Cafe del Rey feels like a beach vacation without ever leaving Los Angeles. Guests can now experience the unique mash-up of new and true that has drawn destination diners to the landmark location since its opening. The restaurant is open for dinner service on Sunday from 5:30pm until 9:30pm, and from 5:30pm until 10:00pm on Monday through Thursday, 5.30pm – 10.30pm Friday and Saturday; for lunch from 11:30am until 2:30pm Monday through Friday, and for brunch from 11:30am until 2:30pm on Saturday, and from 10:30am to 2:30pm on Sunday. Happy hour is featured from 3pm until 6pm, 7 days a week, with drink specials and light fare served daily in the lounge, and lounge hours run from 6pm until close. For more information, visit www.cafedelreymarina.com or follow along on Instagram and Facebook @cafe_del_rey.