Maybe you’ve noticed the neat-as-a-pin, white-washed café with red trim when you pass by Moss Landing on Highway 1. I have many times. And also wondered how good the food might be. A month ago, Mom and I stopped in for lunch at Moss Landing Cafe.
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The wood-paneled interior lends the feel of an unpretentious, working man’s place. Mostly a breakfast and lunch spot, coffee is served up quickly, if you want some. The cute coffee mugs depict the café’s red outline.
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The café’s known for fried artichokes but we didn’t try them. Besides the standard diner fare on the printed menu, three different white boards placed around the dining room list the fresh fish and specials of the day.
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Mom had the fish and chips, $11.50. Made with fresh mahi-mahi and not overbattered, I thought they were pretty good. Mom did not like the firmness and felt the fish was overcooked. Very good skinny fries, the battered type that stay crisp after they cool down. Also, the housemade tartar sauce was excellent with a cleansing jolt of acidity.
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For me, grilled Hawaiian seabass over a spinach salad, $13.95. Topped with freshly fried onion strings and garlic bread on the side, this plate made me very happy. My fish was cooked perfectly, and the snappy red wine vinaigrette on the salad made it a great accompaniment to seafood.
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Moss Landing Café is more of a locals place without an ocean view. I liked my lunch better than anything I’ve eaten at Sea Harvest or Phil’s Fish Market.
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Sea Harvest Fish Market
2420 Highway 1, Moss Landing, CA 95039
Phil's Fish Market & Eatery
7600 Sandholdt Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039
Moss Landing Cafe
421 Moss Landing Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039
On Saturday I stopped for a mid-day bite at Moss Landing Cafe after buying live crab and fish from F/V Beticia at the docks. It has set up a tent behind the restaurant for outdoor seating and provides table service there.
A few years since my last visit . . . I'm pleased to report that the fried artichoke hearts here are still my favorite version around. Made with fresh and not frozen artichokes capturing nature's sweet and almost nutty flavor that others lack and a crisper, less oily batter. They were served with the very good housemade tartar sauce and a sinus-clearing horseradish-laden cocktail sauce that was surprisingly good with it. I did wish for other choices in dipping sauces as I've had ranch dressing in the past. Maybe it's on request. A bountiful serving was less than $8.
The cafe still offers many choices for catch of the day and fresh seafood preps continued to be a bargain and < $20. This kitchen does a great job with seafood and draws customers from the local fishing community.
Year-round hours are Monday to Friday 7am to 2pm and Saturday and Sunday 7am to 3pm. During the summer, the cafe stays open for dinner on a few weekends and has announced dinner slots on 4/30, 5/14 & 5/15, 6/4 & 6/5. Reservations for dinner are accepted by phone or in person.
Moss Landing Cafe
421 Moss Landing Rd
Moss Landing, CA
(831) 633-3355
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