Moonrakers

Sitting on Front Street with water views and local art on the walls, Moonrakers feels like a place that takes itself seriously enough to earn a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence without taking itself too seriously. The wine list lands in your hands and reads like a California greatest hits record — recognizable names, no curveballs, nothing that'll confuse your parents. That's not an insult; it's a deliberate choice, and they execute it well.

This is a California-forward list, full stop. Jordan, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, Cakebread, Rombauer — these are the headliners, and they show up because they work. The 80-120 bottle range gives enough depth to feel like someone thought about this, even if the regional diversity is narrow. There's no real Old World presence to speak of, and adventurous drinkers looking for Burgundy or Barolo will come up empty. What you do get is a well-curated California canon anchored by a sommelier, Jessica Sabiston, who clearly knows why each bottle earned its spot.

With 10-16 pours running $10-$18, the by-the-glass program is a legitimate asset here — not just an afterthought. You can work through several California styles without committing to a bottle, which is smart when the seafood menu pulls you in multiple directions. No obvious rotation or special glass program noted, but the range covers the bases.