Ocean cuisine meets stunning views at Navio at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

HALF MOON BAY, CALIF. - April 12, 2013 - Acclaimed Navio restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay has opened boasting a distinct seafood experience with the spirit family-style dining. A refreshed ambiance reflects the restaurant’s seaside setting, exuding refined comfort and subtle sophistication at Northern California’s only oceanfront five-star resort where the mountains and sea converge.

In line with a classic approach, cuisine is fresh and flavorful, yet not overwrought; while entree portions are large and meant to be shared. Signature dishes are inspired by the extensive world travels of its chef team. “For example, the olive poached halibut is simple and rustic, and is a great marriage of California and Mediterranean cuisines in one bite,” says Executive Chef Xavier Salomon. The petrale sole entrée is a nod to his love affair with the Bay Area, and a ceviche shack that Navio’s Chef de Cuisine Sean Eastwood discovered in Oahu inspired the Hawaiian hamachi “ceviche.”

“We are delighted to offer exquisite entrees with approachable flavors that reference the best of coastal dining from all around the world, ranging from dishes like rockfish bouillabaisse to a beet-cured king salmon—combing subtle sea flavors with fresh textures and light savory accompaniments,” says Eastwood. Utilizing a custom-built stone hearth oven imbues a wonderful smoky flavor to items such as the baby octopus, furthering Navio’s intent to highlight an ingredient’s integrity, rather than over-manipulate. Heartier meat dishes like grilled filet of rib eye, slow-roasted Jidori chicken and short ribs braised for 48-hours until they nearly fall of the bone are classically prepared and perfectly round out the restaurant’s offering.

Taking advantage of its premier location, Navio enjoys access to amazing ingredients. “Half Moon Bay is a coastal town that supplies much of the region’s most sought-after seafood and produce,” says Salomon. “At Navio, we have immense respect for the fisherman and purveyors working the neighboring Pacific Ocean’s land and sea.”

In addition to the dinner menu of daily fresh shellfish, lobster, diver scallops, jumbo prawns and more, Navio hosts an amazing brunch buffet with 200 different items, as well as a daily breakfast menu, including California sourdough “French toast” and “coastal” eggs benedict.

Navio’s cuisine is equally matched by a reimagined contemporary coastal California style. Understated, low-rise architecture and a relaxed yet elegant seafaring design pay homage to Half Moon Bay’s fishing roots. Additionally, textures and earthy tonal hues create a comfortable beach estate feel, while modern orb chandeliers illuminate the elegance of Navio’s soft space. Finally, the wide-angled panoramas and unobstructed views allow guests to embrace the sea - and the true meaning of Navio.

The new design and uncommon cuisine offer a cosmopolitan experience more closely associated with the metropolitan neighbor, San Francisco. But at Navio, guests leave the city far behind in exchange for the relaxed, coastal town of Half Moon Bay.

Navio serves dinner seven nights a week, breakfast Monday-Saturday, Lunch Saturday, and its famous Sunday brunch weekly. For more information or to request a Navio restaurant reservation, please call 650-712-7040. For room reservations at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, contact your travel professional, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/hmb or call Ritz-Carlton worldwide reservations at (800) 241-3333. Visit www.experiencehalfmoonbay.com to learn more about the destination. 

Situated 23 miles southwest of the San Francisco International Airport, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is a 261-room destination spa and golf coastal hotel and the San Francisco Bay Area’s only oceanfront resort. Set atop a rugged bluff overlooking 50 miles of pristine California coastline, the timeless oceanfront estate provides guests with a relaxed yet refined experience, whether for a romantic getaway, meeting or special event.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 81 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company website at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR)