Since I am the one who gets to choose where to go for date night in the relationship (lucky me!), I told Mr Sweetie to head West and drive towards Half Moon Bay which is less than half an hour past San Francisco. We were wowed with such marvelous beauty as soon as we made the turn towards this coastal town. A lucky wrong turn first took us deeper onto the famous California Highway 1 where we made a stop at San Gregorio Beach. We were rewarded with more scenic wonders. We drove by picturesque towns that looked as if they belonged on postcards showcasing fall where all the leaves have already turned red and golden. We also drove by farms still teeming with pumpkins, as well as Christmas tree farms.
I guess I failed to mention that I also had a delicious hidden agenda in picking Half Moon Bay as this Saturdate's destination. I have been craving seafood -- not just seafood but deep-fried seafood! Half Moon Bay Brewing Company is the perfect spot!
It was a cold fall evening yet we opted for the outdoor seatings. We lucked out and we were seated with this view right in front of us!
Half Moon Bay Brewery is a craft brewery and restaurant. Although I am not a beer drinker I was tempted to try their yummy-sounding menu of craft beers including a coffee and milk brew! It was too cold though for beer (definitely next time!) that I opted for a glass of chardonnay. It was a great choice to go with our meal.
Mr Sweetie and I could not resist getting the Crab Cheesy Bread $23-- Housemade
beer bread, broiled with a blend of cheeses and garlic; topped with
Dungeness Crab; served with housemade marinara sauce.
Definitely pricey at $23 but we thought that it was worth it. It was packed with delicious fresh Dungeness crab meat and fed both of us until our main dishes came.
And you know that soul-satisfying feeling of eating what you have been craving for?! I finally got it when I got to bite into the deep-fried seafood goodness that I have been mentally drooling over for quite a while. I had a basket of Prawns and Chips $19.95 --Six prawns, signature BrewCo beer batter; served with fries, housemade tartar and cocktail sauces.
Mr Sweetie went further and had the Crispy Seafood Sampler $23.75 -- Crispy calamari, BrewCo beer-battered fresh fish and prawns; served with fries, housemade tartar and cocktail sauces.
We could not get over how plump the prawns were. At HMB, they definitely give you the seafood and less of the batter which was what made our tummies happy.
Our tab was less than $100 after tax, tip, a glass of chardonnay for me and iced tea for Mr Sweetie. We could not finish our meal and took them to go. I was happy to eat my leftover prawns with rice the next day!
It was a perfect date night. My soul was nourished with natural beauty while my body was satisfied with fresh ocean wind and delicious food. This beautiful evening added another happy page to our date night memories.
DATE NIGHT TIP: Half Moon Bay has many boutiques and art shops, as well as delicious restaurants within walking distance from one another. Make sure to allow some time for browsing at these stores and romantic stroll by the water before or after a meal in this town.
*Note to self: Go back next fall before Halloween and visit pumpkin farms.
YUM FACTOR: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
WALLET FRIENDLY: $$
STAFF FRIENDLINESS: ★ ★ ★
VALUE: <$25 per plate
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