Restaurant Review: Moss Beach Distillery

One locale I keep coming back to, over and over again, is the Moss Beach Distillery. Located a picturesque thirty-minute drive away from San Francisco airport, this ‘haunted’ restaurant, perched on a cliff, is steeped in history and mystique.

In addition to its scenic views of the Pacific, well-designed interior, and hospitable staff, the restaurant offers excellent seafood and other options. There are a number of seating options, with the indoor bar and table dining options on the floor, both great spots to watch the game on overhead TVs or simply savor great cocktails. Giant windows on all sides offer breathtaking views of the ocean.

A stairwell, also surrounded with French windows offering more beautiful views, descends to additional indoor seating below, with still more views of the ocean. A glass door leads to the outdoor seating, where one can enjoy a fine meal by the fire and gaze at the magnificent ocean. On a prior visit, during daytime on a summer day, we could hear whistles and pulse calls from whales and also see their spouts appear like fountains at a distance in the ocean. It was a joy to behold.

On this visit, however, we arrived in the early bright hours of the evening and caught surreal views of the coast and ocean as evening turned to dusk before darkness took over.

During our many visits, we have tried several of their offerings like the clam chowder, calamari appetizers, fish and chips, their char-grilled steak, and the shrimp linguini. We are yet to be disappointed by any of their dishes.

This time we sat at the bar and tried some of their cocktails, including the Blue Lady Martini, the Prohibition Mai Tai, and their Irish coffee. They were all well-made. Unfortunately, we did have a not-so-memorable experience at the bar. We are still wondering if the apparition of the Blue Lady had something to do with it. (I’ll elaborate on this below)

The few bar stools were comfortable but secured to the floor. Moreover, some of them were stuck in the lower position and could not be adjusted for height. The bartender told us that their ‘suction’ was gone and that they would have it fixed soon. It was hard to sit a foot lower than my wife and make conversation. Hopefully, this situation will be rectified soon, and I do plan to come back, despite this minor unfortunate setback.

Two other aspects of this restaurant that fascinate me are its rich history and myth. Originally created as a Speakeasy in 1927, it was purchased by restaurateur Frank Torres and converted to a restaurant in 1933, after the Prohibition Era. During the prohibition era, illegal whiskey from the ships was brought into the restaurant and hauled away by vehicles into San Francisco. Many politicians and celebrities visited the restaurant.

There is folklore that tells a mysterious tragic tale about this restaurant. A piano player at the restaurant, in the 1930s, had an illicit relationship with a married woman. One night, the beautiful woman who was separated from her abusive husband, paid her lover a visit at the bar. The husband came to the bar too, caused a ruckus, and was thrown out by the staff.

The jealous humiliated husband did not leave but waited in the dark. Later, as the couple stepped out on the beach for a walk, the husband ambushed the couple, knocking the piano player unconscious and then proceeding to stab his ex-wife to death.

Ever since then, strange events have been reported at the restaurant, including levitating chairs, flying glassware, and mysteriously swinging lamps. The Blue Lady has also been seen from time to time by the staff and patrons.

She seems to have a naughty side, and some male staff have complained of being pinched or spanked when they bend down!

The distillery has been featured on numerous shows like Unsolved Mysteries and America’s Most Haunted Places. It has also been designated as a California point of Historical Interest.

If you have not guessed, I do recommend that you pay this place a visit for its great food, scenic views, and mystique. I will say that the prices are reasonable. Maybe you’ll be lucky (or unlucky) to get a sight of the Blue Lady.