Ray’s Boathouse

Directly following my trip to Peru, I left on a research trip to the West Coast for two weeks.  What was I researching?  Glad you asked: a book on Stadium Eats!  Um, yeah, without a deal in sight currently (hint, hint, anyone reading this who is interested!), I went to preemptively scout out the 6 West Coast stadiums and eat my way up and down the West Coast at the same time, starting in San Francisco, working my way down to Los Angeles, then San Diego, back up to San Francisco and then to Seattle!  Phew!  Tune in at 4:15 EST (or 1:15 PST, lunchtime on the West Coast) for the next 6 weeks to see what I ate and where I ate it… and how I gained 10 lbs in two weeks!

Yet another recommendation from HB – well, when you’re going strong, why would you quit?  She’d said that Ray’s had a really great view of the water at sunset, so I made reservations and then realized I was kind of flying solo.  Never fear.  I snagged a friend and off we went. 

I’d requested a table near the windows, but I needn’t have worried – knowing full well how awesome their view is, Ray’s has a full wall of windows, every table in the house has a great view out the window, and the tables along the window are set up such that you face the water.  Awesome.  This was the view from our table.  Unfortunately, it was a bit overcast that day, so I didn’t quite get the sunset I wanted, but… close.  Still a great view. 

A local wine was chosen and consumed.  Tasty enough. 

Bread with salted butter. 

Interestingly, part of the menu listed a couple of dishes with two sizes – taster or appetizer.  Because I’m shrewd or rather because I like to try a large variety of items, I decided we should each choose a taster… the above was my choice, Alaskan Weathervane Scallop Tataki with Green Goddess dressing and Marcona almonds.  Really lovely- each flavor and texture offset the other very nicely. 

St. Jude Albacore Tuna Sashimi with pineapple sambal – usually served with toasted coconut, but a special request was made and granted because I’m allergic.  Pretty tasty, but I was busy concentrating on my own taster – yes, these are both tasters, way bigger than I’d thought a taster would be!  Very worth their price at $3 each. 

Appetizer of Dungeness crab salad – mixed greens, lime, peanuts, rice wine vinaigrette, again with toasted coconut normally but left out at our request.  Lots of crab, and very tasty mixed all together, but again, my focus was elsewhere… ($12)

On the big bucket of clams I’d ordered!  Little Skookum Inlet Manila Clams steamed in butter and dill broth.  I thought it was a little weird that I wasn’t given a lil bowl of broth to swish them in to loosen any grit, but it didn’t seem to be a popular habit in these parts so I didn’t fuss about it.  Sweet, succulent, plump and delectable, I was a very happy girl as I plowed through my share and then some.  ($12)

My dining companion opted to get Ray’s Classic Sampler: Alaskan King salmon, Chatham Strait sablefish in sake kasu, and Alaskan halibut.  The halibut and the salmon were definitely the two supporting players; the real star was the sablefish, though the dressing appeared to be a little bit cloying.  Sablefish is so awesome on its own, it hardly needs any adornment, but ah well, still a great dish to get a feel for what Ray’s all about.  ($34)

I decided to go super simple and ordered the Trident Alaskan Red King Crab Legs with corn custard (sadly, very soggy and not that interesting), green beans, parsley pistou (French for pesto), melted butter.  Served with scissors, not that mallet crap, tasting of the sea, and very tasty.  I actually cut myself on the very sharp spikes but it was worth it, to remove each piece of meat completely whole and intact… mmm, love this.  Simple and to the point.  Yum.  ($39)

While we waited for dessert, I saw a kayaker go by.  It was hard to get a good shot, but here is my attempt. 

Unfortunately I did not take notes nor take a picture of the menu here… so I just know it was a chocolate disk, and it was enjoyed. 

I had caramel custard, which was dense and creamy, a little on the too-sweet side for me.  I was hoping that sprinkle of salt on top meant that there was salt laced throughout, making this actually salted caramel custard, but not quite.  Ah well; to each his/her own.

Yvo says: Overall, a lovely place for a romantic date – a little weird not being on one, yes – with a great view, excellent and attentive service, and delicious food.  I’m sure our bill could have been lower, had we chosen not to drink wine, and not to order essentially 4 dishes per person, but I’m a pig and my friends all know and respect that.  If you go here, though, please don’t order anything besides seafood.  That’s just… weird.  (I saw more than one person with chicken fingers.  I still don’t understand.)  Go and have a lovely time! 
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