Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay launches reconcepted restaurant

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay in Half Moon Bay, Calif., debuted the resort’s newly renovated and reconcepted oceanfront restaurant, The Conservatory. Boasting a modern beach house aesthetic and a new vibrant menu curated by executive chef Xavier Salomon, the newly transformed restaurant combines fresh, homegrown cuisine and carefully crafted cocktails for an elevated yet relaxed dining experience.

Greeting guests with dramatic floor-to-ceiling ocean views the moment they enter the lobby, The Conservatory invites guests to embark on a culinary journey inspired by fresh flavors of land and sea combined with Northern California’s rich local bounty. The new menu features handmade pasta dishes, the finest seafood and premium cuts, and decadent desserts that reflect distinct coastal flavors with a touch of Mediterranean flair.

Menu highlights include the ‘Towers’—offered in varying displays of seafood, cheeses, charcuterie and vegetables – along with items such as chickpea and avocado tartine with wild arugula and grilled ACME sourdough; lacinato kale salad with Point Reyes bleu cheese, satsuma, walnuts, and citrus vinaigrette; and grilled carrots with cherry tomatoes and roasted garlic caper vinaigrette.

Larger plates include quinoa pilaf with pine nuts, Meyer lemon, mushrooms, and arugula pesto; HMB cioppino with Dungeness crab, cod, mussels, manila clams, and spicy tomato broth; and heritage pork chop with lentils, eggplant, dates, pickled shallots, and Greek yogurt. Sweet treats, such as baked apple crostata with honey kataifi and vanilla ice cream and crème Catalan mousse with honey roasted pear and amaretti cookie, round out the menu.

To complement the dishes, The Conservatory also offers a full slate of hand-crafted beverages inspired by the elements of the coast, including cocktails on draft. Innovative favorites such as The Redlands—combining Meyer lemon-infused tequila, orange liqueur, and egg white—as well as nonalcoholic creations such as the Juniper Tree—featuring Fever-Tree elderflower tonic, juniper berry syrup, and lime—offer guests a variety of flavor combinations to explore. In addition, the reopened Conservatory bar features rare collectible bourbons, allowing guests to discover the range of this complex spirit.

Mirroring the resort’s elegant coastal décor, The Conservatory brings the beauty of Half Moon Bay’s pristine beaches and golden sunsets indoors with light earthy tones and hues of gray that combine modernity and high design with the familiar comforts of home. Thoughtfully curated design touches are found throughout the bright and inviting space, including woven rattan, custom designed area rugs on warm hardwoods and burnished bronze finishes. Ocean blue accents and sleek, neutral furniture complete the modern beach house look.