Moonraker Opens For Dinner On December 13, 2011 Overlooking The Ocean In Pacifica

- Pacifica welcomes a new dining destination on December 13 with the opening of Moonraker, located within the Best Western Lighthouse on Rockaway Beach Avenue. Returning to its original location, the latest project from brothers Shawn and Gary McNamara and Executive Chef Jason Yeafoli will offer modern seafood dishes with a twist in a completely updated and renovated space overlooking the Pacific Ocean, one of very few restaurants that can truly claim to be "coastal." The name is taken from the original restaurant that was open for more than 25 years in the same location.

"We wanted to bring back the magic of the old Moonraker that served as such a special gathering place for so many years in the Bay Area community," said General Manager and Co-Owner Gary McNamara. "We hope we've created a place where both locals and visitors alike can enjoy hearty seafood dishes, have a glass of wine or a cocktail at the bar, and enjoy the sunset over the ocean, surrounded by friends."

The historic space holds one of the most breathtaking views in the Bay Area, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the beach and the surf. Weeks of renovation have seen more than five tons of wooden beams removed and recycled for local building projects and a complete redesign of the space. Designer Michael Brennan, nationally recognized for his restaurant concepts in the Bay Area, was inspired by the 1979 James Bond film of the same name, as well as the close proximity of the ocean, creating a space that draws on retro accents but remains classic, modern and comfortable. Upon entering Moonraker, a wall of woven rope set upon black steel pays homage to the nearby water, as well as texturized treatments throughout the restaurant, giving a weathered, ocean-side feel. A row of oversized booths upholstered in deep tobacco brown leather face the windows and offer guests the opportunity to view dolphins at play and the occasional whale tail. Accents of black metal wrap around the original fireplace and contrast against the light plywood grid along the ceiling while more dark metal meets natural bronze in the 60s-inspired light fixtures hanging from the ceiling and along the walls. Brennan choose to open the space by removing a raised platform in the middle of the restaurant, thereby creating room for an open bar area with seating for 40.

Executive Chef Jason Yeafoli brings more than 25 years of experience to Moonraker, having led kitchens on both the East and West Coasts after graduating from Johnson & Wales University with a culinary degree. Locally, Yeafoli spent time at several Bay Area restaurants including The Lark Creek Inn (now The Tavern at Lark Creek) in Larkspur, Mooses and Rose Pistola, both in San Francisco, as well as the original Moonraker, before accepting the position of Executive Chef at Xebec Bar + Dining in 2002 where he met his future business partners, Shawn and Gary McNamara. The team came together to open a restaurant in San Francisco and following that, opened Barolo Restaurant in Pacifica, one the city's most well-loved and treasured dining destinations.

For Moonraker, Chef Yeafoli has created a menu filled with his own twists on classic seafood dishes, showcasing local, seasonal ingredients. "I want guests to choose dishes that they think they recognize, but then experience exciting new flavor combinations that leave them asking for more," says Yeafoli. The menu will be seasonally-driven and change approximately every six to eight weeks.

A selection of raw oysters on the half shell, chilled Maine lobster and Dungeness Crab can be found on ice and served with white truffle lemon vinaigrette and lemon caper aioli, respectively. First Course menu items will include Lobster Cappuccino with reduced Maine lobster stock and foam; Yellow Fin Tuna