588 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 (See Map Below) 415-332-9551
Neighborhood: Bridgeway Promenade. Website and reservations are here. Menus are here for lunch and for dinner.
Metered parking lot is about 3 blocks away to the north, and you can park for $5.00 per hour next door at Horizons, or park longer at the private lot across the street.
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Scoma's Sausalito
Fast Forward SummaryTM: One of the most visible "big view" special-occasion restaurants in all of the San Francisco Bay Area, and an excellent -- but expensive -- place to eat. Definitely make reservations if you plan to come here unless you're eating at an unusual in-between hour. Fabulous antique building but not all tables have that great view. Daily specials often terrific, good wine list. Back in the 1890's the Scoma's building and pier were called "Lange's Launches" and a tugboat and ferry service operated here. Note: There is a Scoma's in San Francisco as well.
Scoma's: The Details
Fog Alert: You can check this nearby webcam any time to see if morning fog persists or the afternoon fog has decided to visit. Fog on the Bay is most common in the summer, and the skies are most clear in September-October.
You absolutely positively want a reservation at this 19th century building. As you can see from the photo above, it's a fabulous building and location. The architecture is antique and interesting. But what the picture does not tell you is that the old building's windows do not align that well with the tables, so a minority of tables have really good views. Some tables in the bar area look across the water... for a distance of 50 feet, where you see the restaurant next door! I once had a great view of a cook at the other place filling large trash cans out in back while I ate my meal! The main dining room has better, but somewhat restricted views.
If you're going for the views as well as the cuisine, here are the two ways to make sure you enjoy your meal here, and if you follow these steps you're likely to have a great time.
Go at lunch on a nice day and sit at one of the outside tables. Some have nicer views than others, but there are several truly awesome spots.
For dinner or a cool-weather lunch: Call Scoma's well ahead of time, make a reservation and tell them that you would like a window table in the outer area at the far end of the restaurant. If you're not a local resident it never hurts to mention you're coming from out of town.
Like almost all local view restaurants, they will not reserve that outer-room window table for you but will note your request. This means your odds of getting one of those tables goes way up, especially if you're willing to wait. When you arrive, if a table in that area is not available you'll have the option to wait in the bar, which is in fact a nice place to wait, and there's agood chance you can get a great table when you're seated.
Some of those view tables that are "worth waiting for" are right on the glass, and another group of tables is just across from them in the small outer dining room. The outer tables have the best view but the inner ones are still very nice.
The everyday menu here is often not as stellar as the specials, although the latter come at a price. When you are seated, ask the server "What dishes currently on the menu have people been raving about the last few days?" If the price is not mentioned, be sure to ask to avoid surprises later.
Some highlights from the regular menu include Lobster Bisque to die for, and really great clam chowder. The video below shows construction work being done on the Scoma's pier back in 2009.
Google Map Instructions: Use the "+" and "-" buttons to zoom in and out, the arrow keys to scroll the map, and the SAT button to see the satellite view.
Something else that people should know about Scoma's Sausalito? Concerned that a Scoma's visitor might take a long walk off a short pier? Disagree with any of our suggestions? Please leave a comment below so our readers get the full story.
Over priced tourist trap
Posted by: Jack | 11/04/2009 at 10:19 AM
Usta go here for years.It was great food and drink for a very good price.Now it is pure crap.The food was micro wave garbage.Oh,I forgot it wasn't cheap.I had one drink.It was 12 bucks.Come on.It's 6-7 bucks elsewhere.My seafood was terrible.Everyone acted like it was the be all to end all.It isn't even close.What happened?Greed.Won't go there again,and I'm telling everyone I know to avoid the place.Yeah,I don't count in the total picture.Well,we will just see,huh?
Posted by: eric | 08/09/2010 at 03:13 PM