Murray Circle at Cavallo Point: Brilliance beneath the bridge
Marin is best known for its wealth, boasting the fourth-highest per-capita income of any county in America, and its uncompromising environmentalism, which has foiled many a developer’s plans. So when a high-end lodge and restaurant was proposed for the site of an abandoned fort right below the Golden Gate Bridge—on National Park Service-administered land, no less—the hoop jumping resembled a tiger act at the circus. It took 14 years and $100 million for Cavallo Point Lodge and Murray Circle restaurant to finally open. But in the end, even the recession that coincided with its debut in 2008 hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of locals and tourists for its rare blend of opulence and a commitment to sustainability.
Like Cavallo’s full-service lodge, spa and bar, Murray Circle meets resort standards—and charges resort prices. The frugal-minded should consider the breakfast or brunch, or an evening drink at adjacent Farley Bar, to enjoy the splendid building, grounds and Golden Gate view without the hefty bill. For special occasions, however, dinner at Murray Circle is a worthwhile treat for those who appreciate fine dining.
The three menu categories are Fruits & Vegetables, Fish & Shellfish, and Meat & Poultry. If you’re hungry, start with several slices of the excellent breads (which include seaweed and beer breads) from the bread waiter, because the items you’ll be ordering are quite small. The emphasis is on quality, but the quality is exceptional. The chefs were hired away from some of the best restaurants in Northern California; Murray Circle was the only new restaurant in the U.S. to receive a Michelin star in 2008.
The menu constantly changes so that seasonal, organic fruits, vegetables and seafood can be used. The February menu, for example, featured a salad highlighting roasted baby beets, an oyster bisque and pasture-raised lambed—all from Marin County. The wine list draws from a 2,000-label collection to complement the cuisine, and in turn, the ambiance of the restaurant complements the food and wine. The dark and spacious interior, century-old tin ceiling and four fireplaces provide a romantic atmosphere complimented by a view of the Golden Gate Bridge from some of the windows.
If you want to spend the night afterward, you can stroll right over to one of the 142 rooms ($250-$650/night) in the renovated officers’ quarters that form a crescent around a large lawn and in new buildings on the hillside. Cavallo is the first national park lodge and the first hotel on the National Register of Historic Places to be LEED-certified.
Murray Circle is open for lunch weekdays from 11:30 to 2:00: $8-$21 per item or $23 for the tasting menu. The weekend brunch is 11:30 to 2:30: $5 to $21 per item. Dinners (weeknights 5:30-10:00, weekends 5:30-11:00) feature items from $10 to $29 or tasting menus for $65 to $85. Reservations are recommended. The bar is open weekdays 11 -11; weekends 11 a.m. to midnight.
- by Bob Cooper, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro
(Click to leave a message)
Bob CooperBob Cooper is a full-time freelance writer (www.bob-cooper.com) who writes about travel, outdoor sports and health. He is a monthly contributor to Runner's World and has written recent articles for other national magazines such as Continental, Ladies' Home Journal and Inc.
