CyberEater Review

Renovation And Expansion

 By David Rottenberg

David Rottenberg is the editor of Dining San Diego Magazine, a guide to many of the city’s favorite restaurants. He is a member of the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association and vice president of the North American Travel Journalists Association. He is also the restaurant critic for the exciting new downtown website, www.sdgodowntown.com © 2008 David Rottenberg All Rights Reserved

Some restaurants merely throw on a coat of paint and call that “renovation”. Not so at Humphreys Restaurant on Shelter Island. Formerly known as “Humphrey’s By The Bay”, serious renovation meant new décor, new menu and new name.

Humphreys offers many attractions as a venue. The restaurant is best known for its dramatic water views, the bay on one side and a marina on the other. The latter view is particularly stunning, with the backdrop of the hills of Pt Loma. At night, the twinkling lights clearly visible through the broad glass windows set a romantic tone to the evening.

The cuisine created by Executive Chef Paul Murphy is perhaps the best reason to visit. Murphy has trained and worked with some of the best in the business, including Wolfgang Puck at Postrio in San Francisco and Tom Dowling at the local favorite, El Bizcocho at the local Rancho Bernardo Inn. He served in Belgium, the best place to enjoy French cooking, and in the prestigious Ritz Carlton chain.

The interior of the restaurant was changed, creating a chic new décor and romantic lighting that amplifies the charm of the setting. And the name of the bar, where live music is played nightly, has been changed to Humphreys Backstage LIVE.

Finally, the restaurant is a stone’s throw from Humphreys music venue, where some of the summer’s best music can be heard in a small, intimate area that really allow close connection between performers and their audience.

Executive Chef Paul Murphy’s new menu has taken on global perspective, featuring influences from around the world, including Asian, North African, American and more, embellished by his classical French training. It is a fusion of top quality ingredients and a world full of unique flavors.

The menu focuses on seafood, with such items as Mirin Sesame Shrimp, with wasabi sauce and Lemon Pepper Calamari with sweet chili sauces, Entrees include beautiful Pan Roasted Georges Bank Scallops with black trumpet mushrooms and a tasty Maple Glazed King Salmon On A Plank with a spicy maple sauce. Always the iconoclast, I opted for Brandt Natural Prime Rib, which was fantastic. The meat was warm and moist on the interior, perfectly prepared. The portion was large, well marbled but not too fat. It was delightful. I felt I really received value.

Try Humphreys Restaurant, with its new look, name and menu. It is hard to beat.The restaurant is located at 2241 Shelter Island Drive. Call 619-224-3577 for information and reservations.

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