By David Landis, The Gay Gourmet—
You’d think that finding a decent place to dine on the waterfront on San Francisco Bay would be easy, right? There’s Waterbar on the Embarcadero, Greens at Fort Mason, Fog Harbor at Pier 39, and Scoma’s at Fisherman’s Wharf. But it’s always been a quandary to this restaurant-goer to find a place that combines great food with a panoramic view.
Of course, there are a bunch of touristy places (including numerous ones that I won’t even begin to name on the Wharf). And I thought The Spinnaker in Sausalito—which I’d never visited in all the years I’ve lived here—was just that.
Well, buoys and gulls (pardon the pun!), I’m hear to tell you: The Spinnaker is the real deal. I’m calling it a “piquant pelican pod port,” because of the pelicans circling the restaurant and its protected rooftop. More on that (and the food) later.
First, let’s dive into a bit about the history of this fine dining establishment. According to the owners, “The Spinnaker (for over 61 years) has been a dining destination for generations of locals and visitors alike. An iconic restaurant perched on piers over the San Francisco Bay on the Sausalito waterfront, it all started in 1960 when Bill McDonnell and California
State Senator Gene McAteer built the Spinnaker on a spit of land in Sausalito called Shell Beach. The beach was so called because oyster shells from all the local restaurants were deposited there. The Spinnaker is one of the rare family-owned and operated restaurants in the Bay Area. Bill’s son Tim McDonnell is at the helm with Jeff Scharosch, a partner and the general manager who has been with the company for 27+ years.”
First off, there’s free parking and free valet parking right out the restaurant’s doorstep. Now, that’s a plus! Then, when you walk through the doors of this seaside eatery, you are warmly greeted by the host, and your eyes are immediately drawn to the sweeping floor-to-ceiling views.
You are literally perched on a pier, which makes dining here feel like you are hovering over the water. Recently, my husband and I visited for lunch (best for the view), and we were able to score one of the premiere corner tables. Our view was an expansive outlook onto the bay. You’re also overlooking the Amalfi-esque Sausalito waterfront, as well as the San Francisco skyline. In a word, stunning!
Back to the pelicans. As you take in the gorgeous marine vistas, you start to notice something very special: pelicans skimming the water, then swooping up at the last minute to avoid the windows, and flying to their nesting habitat on the roof. And, yes, you also see that aerial maneuver in reverse: pelicans flying down from the roof, and then passing close to the surface to fish for their own lunch. That, right there, is worth the price of admission. Note to the proprietors: maybe install a pelican-cam?
At The Spinnaker, there’s so much more than just those ancient flying birds, including: professional service, white tablecloths, inviting décor, and a menu to match those superior qualities.
Our server, Maya, was incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming. I really am not a fan of the robot-like waitstaff at many restaurants these days who just recite a stagnant script. Maya was the exact opposite: She knew the menu so well that she guided us appropriately to dishes that were tailor-made for us and our appetites. Plus, she could also wax poetic about the pelicans!
So, what to order? First, the restaurant has, not just an extensive wine list, but a welcome, full bar as well. So, we started with a gin straight up for moi, and a vodka on the rocks with an orange slice for my husband. Incidentally, does anyone remember that famous vodka drink from San Francisco’s yesteryear? It was a favorite of the iconic San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen, who dubbed it “Vitamin V.”
For appetizers, we split another throwback, the Oysters Rockefeller, baked with fresh, local Miyagi oysters. The Spinnaker’s version includes brandy, parmesan cheese, and spinach (whereas the original recipe from New Orleans has a special green sauce that’s usually made with watercress, parsley, celery, shallots, garlic, and absinthe or Pernod). I’m a stickler for freshness when it comes to oysters, and these tasted as if they’d just been harvested from the sea that morning. Plus, doesn’t parmesan cheese and brandy make everything taste better?
For our mains, my husband ordered the seafood Cobb salad, and I ordered the bay shrimp Louie, accompanied by a half avocado. The Cobb had local scallops and shrimp, alongside crumbled Point Reyes bleu cheese, chopped egg and bacon, and tomato. The seafood version of the Cobb is a refreshing change to the regular Cobb you see on virtually every menu these days, and it was yummy. The bay shrimp Louie was a perfect size; in my humble opinion, bay shrimp are tastier and sweeter than regular shrimp or prawns. Plus, doesn’t the Louie dressing remind us all of our Thousand Island days growing up?
Clearly, The Spinnaker is known for its seafood choices, but there’s also an ample menu of pastas, steak, chicken, and pork from which to choose.
Before we ordered dessert, we were treated to another marine visitor: namely, a friendly sea lion who popped his head up to survey the scenic surroundings.
Onto the next course: I always like to try a New York-style cheesecake because so many are sub-standard. This version differentiated itself with a not-too-sweet huckleberry sauce; it sported a thick, dense, and creamy interior. Take that, Big Apple!
To finish, I ordered an espresso, but my husband ordered the espresso martini. The Spinnaker’s is on par with the best-in-class espresso martini at the Balboa Café: not too sweet, and not too bitter. In short, it was a perfect ending to a perfect meal.
So, when you’re looking for great food with a view to match, head over the Golden Gate Bridge to The Spinnaker in Sausalito. It’s the mini-vacation you deserve. You won’t be disappointed.
Bits and Bites
My pal and former San Francisco Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik gave me a tip about a hot new bakery in the Nopa neighborhood: Sol Bakery. I hear that the seasonal menu includes an excellent guava tart; a Danish with passionfruit and strawberry jam; sourdough focaccia with rainbow chard and ramps; and mini polenta cakes adorned with kumquat.
Graton Resort & Casino recently held a series of star-studded grand reopening events to mark Graton’s new expansion that includes AYA, the resort’s first rooftop restaurant from Chef Roy Ellamar; Playbook, a high-energy sports bar; SoCo Dough Co., an artisanal doughnut and dessert concept; and a new 144,000-square-foot, fully smoke-free gaming floor. AYA was the centerpiece of the grand reopening. The David Rockwell-designed space overlooking Sonoma County is home to an original farm-to-table concept blending coastal Californian cuisine with Filipino and Hawaiian influences.
If you’re in the South Bay, Yutori has opened an expansive enterprise in Palo Alto that includes a Japanese-style market, a café, and a yet-to-open restaurant and bar. Jerome Ito helms the business, and his credits include serving as the former chief sushi chef at Google, plus currently running Taro San Noodle Bar and Go Fish Poke Bar (also in Palo Alto). According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Yutori “will operate all day, serving miso lattes and Japanese sandos during the day, then, eventually, cocktails and Wagyu steak at night.”
The Spinnaker: https://www.spinnakersasausalito.us/
Sol Bakery: https://tinyurl.com/4kpyecd8
Yutori: https://www.yutori-pa.com/
David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. You can email him at: davidlandissf@gmail.com Or visit him online at:
www.gaygourmetsf.com
The Gay Gourmet
Published on May 7, 2026
Recent Comments