Moonstone Grill
100 Moonstone Beach Rd, Trinidad, CA, 95570
Moonstone Grill Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Trinidad for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Trinidad for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
100 Moonstone Beach Rd
Trinidad, CA, 95570 - Phone (707) 677-1616
- Website https://www.moonstonegrill.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Beth M.
great place for drink / sunset. very nice location with quality food, great drinks at the bar too...
(5)Frank O.
The service was wonderful. Raw oysters incredibly big for Washington. Very tasty. F
(4)Lauren P.
I came to Moonstone one summer evening with my boyfriend for a special dinner. We called to make a reservation and my boyfriend noticed that the voicemail was changed daily, letting the caller know if the restaurant had any openings for the evening. We thought that was a nice touch. Unfortunately, we were confused about which time they put us down for (6pm or 630pm), so we ended up being 15 minutes late. Our table had been given away, but due to the confusion, we waited about 10 minutes for the best table in the house. The very kind host, Anton, gave us the corner window table for two that faces the sunset. It was very beautiful and made our time at Moonstone all the more special. I noticed that it was very busy on a weekday night, and the bar seating was full. It might have been happy hour. Our server was Kim, and she was awesome. She was very professional while maintaining a great sense of humor. We were given a basket of seeded and non-seeded bread (not warm) with a few butter balls. We bought a bottle of the Moonstone Crossing Pinotage, and started with the Potato Croquet appetizer. It came out quickly, very fresh and crispy, with a savory balsamic reduction type of sauce drizzled on the plate and garnished with a green onion. SO GOOD! I ordered the Tomato Heirloom Risotto and my boyfriend ordered the Halibut. The Risotto was a nice portion. It was enough to finish and feel full, but not too stuffed. Alex loved his halibut dish. He said it was buttery and delicious, cooked to perfection. I understand that Moonstone is mainly a seafood restaurant, but I appreciate the fact that they have two vegetarian options. It would be cool if they expanded the menu to include a few more vegetarian/vegan options, especially because the area is heavily influenced by veg-heads such as myself. We were walking the thin line between tipsy and ....quite tipsy when we took a look at the dessert menu. You know, to help absorb some of the succulent Pinotage. We opted for the Chocolate Lava Cake. We also received a small tasting flight of a few of the dessert wines. My God, it was one of the best desserts I've had in a long time. The cake was rich with a juicy lava filling. So damn goooooood. It was awesome to try a few of the ports since I never really explore into that realm. My only deduction from the 5 star review is the actual restaurant itself. Since the restaurant is mainly windows, and the whole point is to look through the windows themselves onto the view, I would hope that the windows would look a lot nicer. There were cobwebs in the corners, and it looked as if they could use a nice deep cleaning. The UV protectors that cover the windows are useful, I'm sure, but it might be nice to invest in the kind that you can roll up and down with the sun. I think the restaurant could do with a nice face lift to reflect the good experiences had here.
(4)Cassandra M.
The Hubby and I are visiting the north coast redwoods for the first time and had our first meal here at the recommendation of if our innkeeper. We weren't disappointed. Our dinner experience started off with a beautifully scenic drive along a skinny, almost washed out road. We were first seated at a noisy table near the bar and without a good view. When I asked if we could be moved to the back next to the window, the host graciously accommodated us. So glad I asked as that first table was really going to suck. We ended up at quiet table with a nice view of the Little River outlet and a sunset on the beach. We started off with oysters and the spinach salad. Spinach salad can usually be pretty blah, but their bacon-fig vinaigrette made for outstanding flavors. I tried the California red abalone medallions on a bed of angel hair pasta. While I don't think I'd spend $58 on abalone again, these breaded medallions were excellent and tender. They are worth trying at least once. We finished off with the lemon cheesecake which had a wonderfully creamy texture - kind of like buttercream frosting. Great dinner, great unobtrusive service. I'd come here again
(4)Kathleen L.
We were very much looking forward to dinner. The broiled oysters were fantastic. My husband and I shared coconut crusted halibut and grilled vegetables.My daughter ordered the duck and her boyfriend had smoked pork loin. With the exception of the duck the meal was uniformly good. However the duck was only partially cooked. When we pointed this out to the waiter he was astounded that we would want the duck completely cooked! He took the plate to the kitchen and returned with a bowl of bits of duck that was cooked. Given the reputation and the prices at this restaurant, I expected that she would be presented with a new plate. I'm very much hoping that she is not going to be ill since she inadvertently ate some of the uncooked duck. We enjoyed the desserts. However after the unfortunate duck experience, I cannot recommend this restaurant and I do not intend to return.
(3)Angelica Jayne T.
My friend and I went for a celebratory dinner. We started with the beet tower appetizer - that was the beginning to a great dinner. I had the seafood chowder & coconut encrusted halibut, and my friend had the house salad and baked chicken. Everything was delicious. The service was delightful and the view was incredible! Note: the menu is nothing like the menu online.
(4)Dominic O.
The first time we came to this "fine dining" experience there were ants constantly all over the table...second time we came back the table wasn't ready in time for the reservation, so we had to awkwardly stand there for almost 15 minutes until they finally had something ready. Our waitress forgot to tell us the specials, forgot our waters, and was generally slow and unprofessional. I will never return. As far as fine dining, larupins is right up the street in Trinidad and is better anyway. Good luck
(1)Stephanie V.
I can't speak for the food, but this is a nice spot to stop and have a drink after spending time at adjacent Moonstone Beach! Friendly service, and they have a nice cocktail menu. Wine selection is pretty horrible, but I'm from Sonoma County and I am spoiled!
(3)Missy P.
One of my favorite spots when I'm up in Arcata area. I've come here three times now and the service and food is always impeccable. Had the salmon which was cooked to perfection. Also had the crab cakes which had huge chunks (yes huge, in a good way) of crab inside; so flavorful and high quality crab. The oysters were also amazingly fresh and so delicious. I recommend going around sunset as the view is breathtaking over the ocean. We came with a group of 8 or more each time we went and the service was on point and attentive. If you're in the humboldt area don't miss the moonstone grill.
(5)Pat W.
Great food, outstanding views and friendly and efficient staff. What more could you want. Our first visit since it was the old Merryman's many years ago and we were happy to find that they have maintained the reputation of that fine old establishment.
(5)Celiacgirl 2.
Excellent! Great food, great view. Staff is well trained on gluten free = celiac friendly!!!
(5)Michael A.
My wife and I have always had good dinners at the Moonstone, tonight's dinner missed the mark. Our waitress was great, however our food was not what I expected. The presentation of my Caesar salad was like nothing I ever seen, our Lobster was bland and slightly undercooked. My filet was cooked perfectly but slightly over seasoned. Our desert was average. I doubt we will return in the near future.
(3)Joan K.
Drove 7 hours to get to Trinidad and did not get into town until 8 pm. Restaurant closes at 8:30 but Joanne at the Trinidad Inn called over to Moonstone and when we arrived, the restaurant was packed but Nick, the host, greeted us and found us 2 seats at the bar within minutes. He said it was his first night hosting but he acted so professionally we found that hard to believe. He even stopped by mid-meal to make sure we were doing well. Kim, the very hard-working bartender, took great care of us. She's taking food orders and drink orders and chatting up the customers while training another employee all at the same time without breaking a sweat! And the food was delicious! We had filet mignon and king salmon, both perfectly cooked. The view is fabulous, too. Great evening after a long drive.
(5)Stephanie M.
We ate here while on vacation to see the redwoods. We made a reservation a month in advance and the table was not ready when we arrived. Turns out that is great news for us because the host places us at the special corner table...two stars. The view, through a few gnats, flies, and dirty windows is spectacular. The furnishings are really run down. Drinks arrive in fits and starts. My husband is amused with the large square ice block in his Old Fashioned until he realizes it has displaced 2/3 the volume of his beverage. We have five different servers throughout the meal and are an afterthought to each one. I have to ask if there are any specials because our server doesn't mention them. The service is oddly paced. I'm not sure at this point if it is the kitchen or waitstaff (or both) that are struggling. My husband requests a glass of iced tea five times. The bread basket arrives after a half hour and has a few skimpy slices of bread in it. It has so little bread in it we wonder out loud if they served us the leftovers from another table. All the "GF" hazard warnings on the menu should have clued me in that evil bread will be rationed. We wait 30 minutes for the scallop appetizer to arrive. As it is being served, the server watches me squish an ant that has wandered across my bread plate. The appetizer is served with two tiny thin crostini. Four scallops, two crostini, weird. We don't receive appetizer plates, so we eat the scallops on our bread plates, which renders the bread plates a gloppy useless mess for the remainder of our meal. The clam chowder and spinach salad arrives. Husband likes his chowder. I laugh out loud at my salad portion: 1/2 cup of bruised spinach, 3 walnuts, a few shards of red onion, and a vague fig flavored dressing with no visible fig pieces. Again, I wonder out loud if this is someone's leftover salad and then I start to wonder if the restaurant is going out of business. 90 minutes after we arrive, the entrees appear. I have salmon, quinoa that tastes like coffee and is partially burned, and undercooked asparagus. The salmon is borderline under-cooked, does not have the menu-described rosemary-grilled flavor, and the portion is skimpy for the $36 price. There is an entire sliced shallot in the quinoa which is really out of balance for the portion size. Husband receives his halibut over saffron risotto special that does not look appetizing (imagine white fish on saffron risotto with no garnish). My husband actually sends his entree back. One end of the halibut is over-cooked and one end is completely cold and raw. The server returns it to the kitchen and says she will have them make another plate. Nope, the same plate returns with the raw end removed (half an entree!) and the risotto ruined from going under the broiler. To add to the unpleasantness of the evening the table next to us is filled with the loudest patrons we have ever experienced who had been over-served by the establishment. We left without ordering dessert. The waitress did remove the halibut from our bill and apologized saying she noticed that they did not make a new plate as she had promised. It was a nice gesture, but too little, too late.
(2)S and B P.
The crab cakes are the best we've ever tasted. They are amazing. You should go to Moonstone and have a crab cake. Really incredible. The view is beautiful, on most evenings you will have a clear view of the Pacific Ocean and Moonstone Beach. It would be difficult to improve the view. The drinks are strong. On our last visit I ordered "The Vespers" and I would recommend it. The wine list is good, the beer offerings are good. You should expect to need reservations, although last night we arrived around 6:30 and were able to get a table with a lovely view, without reservations. The menu is clearly labeled with GF and vegan options (although I don't think enough care is given to the vegan choices - see below). The service is hit and miss. Too often a miss for a high end restaurant. Now that Gin (spelling?) is there (he used to work at Plaza Grill), maybe the standard of serviice will improve? Last night our server disappeared for fifteen minutes, then a new server arrived who seemed put out, never saw our server again. Classy?!? The produce is weak. Both salads were tepid, with vegetable past its prime. The brussel sprouts/mushrooms was barely edible, tasteless, and slightly shriveled veg. It was their "vegan" option, which made it seem like a throw away with how flavorless it was. I wish that they would improve their vegetables and work on training their staff. This is a special restaurant.
(3)ZN M.
Amazing pan seared filet mignon and such smooth and creamy mashed potatoes!!! I love the grilled asparagus. Great view when it's not foggy. Always good service always accommodating! And for desert Lava Cake!
(5)Jane H.
We came around the time the local university was graduating its most recent class, so most of the days were booked up! However, we were able to squeeze in a reservation. This place is popular for celebrations, and once you walk in, you can tell why. The view is amazing! Try to get a seat by the window, and come around sunset. The food was prepared well, and the service was excellent.
(4)De5tin4 U.
There are not a lot of good restaurants in Humboldt County especially for the price. However, MoonStone Grill is an exception. The price can be lower for the quality but overall a great experience. The restaurants ambiance and service feels like a 4 star restaurant even though no one dresses up for dinner around here. We ordered: rockefellar scallops (the way all scallops should be cooked!!), filet mignon ("medium/Medium rare" = well done in this restaurant hence 1 star less :( ), and halibut (amazing and paired with even more amazing risotto- the best ive ever tasted), and finished with raspberry pudding with vanilla bean special dessert (great). They also had a good selection of wine and the wine was great as well. Our waiter was Superb. I did not get his name but he works on Sunday evenings. We will be returning!
(4)Michelle M.
Very tasty dinner. This is a dress up/look nice spot. Not your average laid back Humboldt dining but that is very refreshing. The views of Moonstone Beach, the Little River and the sunset setting over the endless ocean are utterly breath taking. We ordered pretty much onenof every appetizer. Raw oysters (fresh and famtastic) lobster and tuna cheese wontons, seared Ahi tuna, scallops Rockefeller, brussels and mushrooms (which had too much fennel) and steamer clams. All the seafood was very fresh and mouthwatering. Next time ill skip the brussels and go for crab cakes! We had surf and turf, the main lobster tail, Rib Eye and The Lamb special which was exactly the same as the one on the menu just had mashed potatoes and came with a salad(their house made Gorgonzola dressing is delicious). If you want to have a whole nain lobster you have to give them at least one week notice l (id give more notice if you can) but the 18 oz lobster tail more than satisfied my family. The galic mashed potatoes were delicate and delicious. The braised chard with bacon really got my taste buds going. The lamb and steaks (rib eye/filet mignon) were all cooked perfectly and the lobster was fantastic and perfectly cooked and seasoned as well. My brother had the smoked seafood chowder was good but was a tad under seasoned. We shared a slice of Cheesecake for dessert with was really nothing special just regular old cheesecake with raspberry sauce all over the plate. The signature cocktails utilized fresh fruits, fresh mint, house made infused simple syrup. My only quam was the lack of booze that was in them. But once I ordered a double vodka soda with a squeeze I was much happier! The service was better then good but not the best! It took 15 minutes to get our cocktails on the table and our server didnt seem as happy and outgoing as the others in the restaurant. Maybe she was having an off day. All in sll, the 5 of us left pretty happy and extremely stuffed! We will be back again! Im going to try and reserve the corner sunset table so I can sip wine and enjoy the beautiful scenery!
(4)Jason R.
This is a great place to have dinner and watch the sun set right from the bar. You don't need reservations for the bar but it does fill up quickly. If you want a table be sure to call ahead. The is one of the only full bars in Trinidad and the bartender Kim is very friendly. I ordered dinner and had the salmon with mashed potatoes and a special salad (was not sure what the salad really was but it was good). The flavors were outstanding. Desert was vanilla bean ice cream topped with caramel sauce and that too was really good. The only item I miss that is not on the menu is the BREAD PUDDING. I love it and hope they bring that desert back to the menu in the future!
(5)Claire P.
Delicious dinner, gracious servers, incredible view and atmosphere... what else is there to say?
(5)Cindy C.
This place was good but way too expensive. There was 2 of us we had scallop Rockefeller to start and the give you 2! my suggestion is either make it 4 or 2. Then we had clam chowder which I totally could have passed on . Way to bland no flavor at all. No so clammy clam chowder. We both had fish which the portion was very small . No tap beer . Nice place to go but I'm not going back .
(3)Julie R.
Been coming here to celebrate anniversary for several years. Service is always great and the good is amazing. Best of all is the spectacular ocean view
(5)Leonard K.
Everytime we go which is couple times a year the food is better than last time. The wife and I always celebrate our anniversary here. We love of course the filet mignon with the smoked albacore appetizer. I rate a 5 star because of the beautiful scenery. Awesome food. THE BEST PLACE IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY TO SPLURGE ON YOURSELF. The lobster is also awesome.
(5)Liz W.
This restaurant is all about the experience, and the absolutely staggering view. It overlooks a spot where the river winds into the ocean, with giant rocks and a beach. Every seat in the house has an excellent view and if, like me, you are not from these parts, you will hardly notice what you are eating because you will be so breathless at what you are seeing out the window. I've been here for both a business dinner and an anniversary dinner. Both times, the service was very good. The host was very solicitous both times, and even remembered me the second time (odd because I live all the way across the country). He let us choose our seat and talked with us about dinner options, and later even brought me binoculars. The server was equally helpful and good at wine pairing for our oysters, halibut and jalapeno roll, tuna, and salmon. The food was good on both occasions. It's not the best I've ever had, and it is certainly expensive, but the view plus the service plus the food make it a really excellent experience. Given the fact that our day prior to this dining experience included a hike in Fern Canyon, seeing a Roosevelt elk close up in the wild, and watching sea lions on Patrick's Point, maybe I was just overwhelmed by awe and happiness when we ate there. But Moonstone Grill was an excellent end to a wonderful day.
(4)Roxanne S.
I came here for drinks and appetizers recently, after not going in years. The experience was so so, the bar filled up quick, the sun was about to set and the view was beautiful. The drinks were pretty watered down, and they don't have much of a selection besides wine. The bartender came to take our order licking and wiping food off her hands while still chewing. This may not bother some people, but I think you should eat BEFORE you come to work. The inside could definitely use some redecorating. It's a little tacky and they rely mostly on the view to distract your eyes from the run down, slightly uncomfortable, bar and bar stools. The appetizers were fantastic; we ordered a small order of clams and albacore wontons, each only costing $5, which made them taste even better!
(3)Leah D.
Just had salads and appetizers but they were fabulous! Great view! Kinda pricey but tasty.
(5)Dianna H.
Of all the restraunts in Humboldt County, Moonstone Grill is my favorite. The food is fresh, service is top notch, and the atmosphere while elegant is relaxed and casual. I recently took my Mother there for her birthday, and they put down the biggest and most beautiful lobster tail we'd ever seen, cooked to perfection. Simply delicious. Although many of the entres might seem a bit on the higher end, you can actually get a delicious cup of clam chowder for $5. We never go without getting one of their delicious crab cakes, best in the county. People often take advantage of the beautiful bar and watch the sunset over the ocean, surfers, horses, and or whoever else happens to be out enjoying Moonstone Beach. You will only be dissapointed if they don't have a table for you. Reservations are recommended, they are only open Wednesday through Sunday. This is a great place to take someone to impress them with the beauty of Humboldt, and enjoy a delicious dinner.
(4)Deb A.
Just outstanding! My hubbie and I stopped here when heading north after a Humboldt state graduation and took a chance on it even though they were completely reserved out for the night. We were going to just sit at the bar, but when we got there, they had a cancellation and seated us at a window seat looking out over the ocean. The view is breathtaking and whales were active. The food was amazing. I had the Red Abalone, best I have ever tasted. Hubbie had the lamb, also delicious. We had the scallops appetizer and it was great. Some people have mentioned it is pricey, which it is, but this is a high end restaurant with high end seafood and steak. It is a perfect place for a special occasion. Wine selection is good, and at relatively decent pricing for the quality wines being served. $40 for a great Rockpile Zin. The best part was dessert, chocolate molten cake was incredible. Next best part was an energetic group of 3 service staff who were awesome. The management of this place should be proud of the servers who just when to come, and when not to bug us. I HIGHLY recommend this fine dining restaurant on the north coast between Arcata and Trinidad. Call ahead for reservations.
(5)William H.
My wife and I love this place. We only wish we could afford to go more often. The atmosphere and staff are top notch. Oh and those Crab Cakes are delish!
(4)Gaye G.
I am so sad to have to do this but my husband and I returned on May 8 for our 15th anniversary and the dinner was so BAD- this was our 4th time eating there. Started with drinks in the bar which were great. Because it was a special day and they had live Maine Lobster I talked my husband into ordering it - I am allergic so I decided to try the abalone. My husband had a roasted beet and chevre salad and I had a ceasar salad to start. My salad was good my husband said the beets were flavorless. So far not great but not awful (forgot to say we had the coveted window in the corner which was great). Then came my husbands lobster it looked great until he tried to eat it - it was like rubber, he chewed and chewed and could not get rid of it. The waitress came over and he told her, she took it back to the kitchen. In the meantime I tried my abalone and was so disappointed. I love abalone, it has such a sweet flavor but this was dredged in bread crumbs and had so much garlic that you could not taste the abalone, in fact I smelled like garlic for two days after and the serving consisted of three very small pieces - I think this may be farmed abalone but the menu did not state that. Half way through they brought my husband another lobster and said the cook agreed that the first one was tough. First bite of the second Lobster and once again the tail was like rubber and inedible. The large claws were good at the big end and raw at the tip. The waitress was never to be seen, this time she did not check to see how the lobster was until I was obviously done with dinner. My husband told her that only part of the claws was edible and he had eaten that part - the tail and tips of the claw were still on his plate when she took it away. Then she brought us the desert menu and told us the desert was on the house. So $75.00 for the inedible lobster, $58.00 for the tasteless abalone and they comped us an $8 desert and gave us a $7.50 discount on the lobster (10%) when 80% was inedible... Whoever was cooking that night does not know how to cook lobster and Moonstone should be disclosing if the abalone is farmed. Total bill was about $175.00 - we'll be going elsewhere for our next anniversary.
(1)Mike H.
The view alone automatically earns a minimum of three stars, beautiful sunset over the beach right outside. The food should be better for a so called "5-star restaurant". My wife and I dinned here for a special occasion and I ordered the filet mignon, while my wife tried the salmon. While my dish was good, the salmon my wife ordered was average at best. The mood here was nice, had a slight elegance to it, but that quickly changed when we left because upon leaving, we witnessed a middle aged woman puking her brains out right in front of the restaurant... So romantic. That's Humboldt county for ya. Great view, decent food, but could be better.
(3)Hanna S.
Beautiful, fantastic view - right on the beach. Come have dinner at sunset! Food was very good, fish was very fresh and an overall enjoyable experience.
(4)Joan D.
I love the Moonstone Grill for drinks after a walk on the beach, but the experience depends on the quality of the bartender. Last time we were there, we had a fun, well-trained, happy bartender who got a big tip. This time..... well, the Bloody Mary tasted like sugar water. When I asked for some horseradish (nicely) the bartender exhibited "attitude" and stomped off to some distant part of the restaurant to get it, cause she definitely hadn't used it the first time. Ditto the hot sauce. But, with this kind of view...... really..... a sugary, weak excuse for a Bloody Mary is small stuff. The Moonstone Grill is a precious part of Humboldt. Wanted to have crab cakes, but we dawdled too long on the beach and missed them. Wish we had had the scallops. The people next to us were raving about them.
(4)Alicia L.
Wow, food was lovely. Service was a wee slow, but certainly friendly and professional at table side...Adam you were a pleasure. Would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for the 50-60 something's cruising through bottle after bottle of wine, while the 10-12 month old baby with them cried...overheard this crew of increasingly loud guests claim the baby was ill. Note to future guests....I don't care how well off you are or how old you are, have some manners!! Keep you loud pretentious volume down and leave ALL your toddlers and babies at home. Management at the Moonstone would do well to pay the attention to the guests experience...the food was certainly there!
(4)Julie F.
I doubt there is a better view from a restaurant on the West Coast of California. Not exaggerating. We sat next to the window (90% of the tables are flush with the view windows) overlooking Little River, the beach and the magnificent Pacific Coast. Drinks and dinner were great too. Fresh fish and vegetables with interesting light sauces and flavors. Loved it. They also have pre-dinner drink and small plates specials for a very affordable date. Loved the Host; one of the best.
(5)Don M.
This was our second dinner at Moonstone Grill (6/14/13). It was the perfect dinner when everything goes smoothly and everything is "right." From the wait person to the kitchen, this was an extraordinary meal. Now, we have had the locals tell us they have experienced the same at Moonstone...and also less than outstanding dinners. It seems there is the possibility of catching them on an off night. But as far as I'm concerned, it's worth the gamble. The halibut was terrific and the ahi was killer. The 14th was a Friday and our reservations were for 6:45 (be sure to call at least five days before your intended arrival); the bar was crowded and the restaurant was full, but although we're usually sensitive to noise, the level must have been acceptable as in retrospect neither of us focused on the volume.
(5)Sarah F.
The only reason I'm giving this place 4 stars instead of 5 is because it's a great place but since there aren't many fancy options in the vicinity, my opinion if I gave it 5 stars would probably be unfair. Pros? -Great view! Right on the beach, and on stilts at that! -Beautiful and cozy inside -Flawless service -Original and fresh meals Cons? -Expensive Tips? -Make a reservation, just in case
(4)Cindi W.
Ok, new menu for our fave spot here. WOW! It was sure delicious. OMG! I started off with Hamachi Crudo. Yes, they now have a raw bar and lets say, this was so fabulous. I get chills thinking about it.. Hubby had Moonstone Oysters. Garlic, caviar and melted butter. He shared. I enjoyed. For entree, he had the Pork Chop and I had Polenta. Dessert was a lemon tart with blueberries. It was a bit too liquidy and it only came with 3 blueberries. (really? Cmon!) Otherwise, dinner was out of this world. And we, enjoyed a last visit to this spot before we are off to live far away. BUT, we will be back, I am sure!
(5)sandee m.
The view and food is outstanding - you won't be disappointed. Two meals, two glasses of wine and an app - $117 not including tip. Well worth the price!
(5)Jaime O.
wow! The israeli couscous was devine. Also had (tiny) oysters, scallops rockefeller and smoked tuna wontons, Tried a couple of cocktails. The sundown was amazing and the service attentive. Recommended.
(4)Joy E.
Call ahead to reserve the fresh lobster! Beautiful Panoramic view before the sun sets. Best Filet burger I've ever had! Dont count on their bartender for amazing drinks or anything....it was a challenge to get a lemon drop martini(seems like a pretty standard bar drink these days)...and when they did make one, I couldn't finish it(gross) Other than the bar, it's the best bet for a very special dinner out in Humboldt. Much preferred over Larruppins. Also, we visited their Sunday Brunch and it was super! And very light, fresh, and reasonable.
(5)Humboldt C.
One of The best filet mignon in Humboldt, and the only place you can order abalone. This is a special place. Eat dinner and watch the sunset over the ocean with that special someone in your life. Service is top notch and the cooks know what's up. This place is pricey but worth it.
(5)Shannon B.
The view is breathtaking, especially at sunset. The food is spectacular, always well portioned and delicious. Their wine list is one of the best I've come across in Humboldt County. The wait staff are perfect for this kind of place, its all about taking it slow and drinking everything in, they understand that and do not pester, but our drinks were never empty, nor did we have an empty plate on our table for long. 5 stars all the way and rave reviews to anyone who would ask!
(5)missy a.
Wonderful restaurant for dinner. We went here for the Sunday brunch and were disappointed, however, the dinners are excellent! Best view in Humboldt County, excellent service, and really good food. The owner is on top of things; he even provided us with binoculars to watch the whales migrating up the coast. When you go, try to get a window table, the view is just too pretty not to. Excellent value for the money also. Tip: if you are local, swing by Costco and buy a $100 certificate for $75. The certificate is good for Moonstone, Abruzzi's (excellent, btw), and Plaza Grill (so-so) - all owned by the same people.
(4)Matt S.
Although it is expensive, this is one of the finest restaurants on the North Coast. Eaten here twice, both times were very memorable. The ocean views will make you feel like a millionare, and the ambiance is delightful. Fish is always fresh, potions are adequate and will actually fill you up. If you like fresh halibut, old Sam Merrimans Moonstone Grill serves up a fat slab of it, and it melts like butter.
(4)Duke B.
SOOO happy they stepped their game back up! I feel bad for my last review but I guess that is what yelp is for. The lobster issue is resolved and they now have some amazing sushi choices and a whole new menu. So many tasty new things to try. Some of their classics made the the new menu and overall the vibe and food are great. You can still get live Maine lobster, (the only place in Humboldt I know of) with a one week notice so you know its fresh!!! Otherwise they now have frozen Maine lobster tail as a constant which I had last time and it was fantastic. Great wine choices as well. I love the beau freres pinot 75$, so good. (The wine list says its a 08 but I think I drank the last one because the next bottle was an 09 but I will let is it slide. Super fair restaurant prices for some top notch wine) Go here around 7:00 during the summer and enjoy mind blowing sunsets and great food in one of Northern California's best restaurants. Thank you Moonstone. The potential has been met and in many ways exceeded. LOVE all the new sushi options...
(5)Cassie C.
Wonderful food and views! The view is phenomenal even at night...even after a hail storm! It actually looked like snow on the beach... And the food was even more bizarre. I ordered the Caesar salad which was by far the most unique way of serving this salad because they grilled or baked the Parmesan and then presented it on top of a whole leaf of romaine lettuce. My date enjoyed it especially, and even asked me what that was exactly he ate?! I've never been let down from a dish, but they are very pricey in my book. But I guess you can say the view and ambiance are priceless. Wait staff is stand offish and slow to serve your beckon need, but sit at the bar and you will not be ignored.
(4)Jon B.
Amazing view, great dinner and dessert. The beach is fantastic for a post dinner stroll.
(5)Robyn Y.
My fiance and I ate here after a long day of hiking in redwood national park. Not only was the food incredibly fresh and delicious, but we unknowingly timed our dinner perfectly for sunset. Got some great pictures! To any vegetarians, the pad thai was actually VERY good! My fiance had the salmon which was also very fresh and tasty. The chocolate meringue cream pie was one of the best desserts I have had in a long time. Great place to spend a last evening in Humboldt together!
(5)no n.
The Brunch was Horrible , they served my Chicken Apple Sausage in Red Meat Grease & the pancakes are Dry Crapes !! All my friends agree NOT to eat their for Brunch !! v
(2)John F.
I went here for my anniversary and thought I'd get the pricey fillet mignon... it was definitley worth it and certainly delivered in taste. It was the best fillet mignon I have EVER had! There was also a great view of the ocean and I even found out they have a little event area down the hill for all sorts of things. I will definitley be back. This is number one on my list of great tasting food!
(5)E M.
A complete and total disappointment .I had wanted to try Moonstone Grill since it open a few years ago but had never done so due to the comments I had heard from friends and family. At Christmas I received a gift certificate and was excited that if I was going to be disappointed at least it wouldn't be out of my own pocket. How our night started...We missed the sunset...boo... but that was our fault so I can't blame that on the restaurant. But what I can say is that I don't want to see the bathroom when I first walk in, nor do I want to be able to see it during my entire dinner. Not only is it unnerving having people walking by every two seconds I don't particular care to know where you're going or what you're doing but because the bathroom is right out in the open its pretty obvious that nature calls. When you're paying 50 dollars a plate I feel like there should be a certain setting that comes with that expense. I am a fan of the Plaza Grill which is also owned by the same people who own Moonstone Grill. So I was sorely disappointed when there weren't a lot of options on the menu and I was extremely upset when they informed us that they were no longer serving the lamb and someone had just taken the last lobster. Taking the 7 main courses that they serve down to five options. We order cocktails and they came. Great. We didn't order salad but they came as well. Great. When we mention that we didn't realize that salad came with the main course because we hadn't see that on the menu the waitress immediately frowned, said excuse me and took them to the table next to us. I ordered the Caesar salad which was three leaves of lettuce, one crispy Frisbee of cheese, and four croutons. My boyfriend ordered the New York Steak which was very good but honestly it's not that hard to cook a New York Steak. The entire time the staff hovered over us. I could barely finish what was on my plate before it was being taken off the table. I guess having an over attention paying waitress is better than having one whose ever around. All in All I would not recommend this place. I feel likes it's extremely over priced and the setting(besides the view) feels cheap.
(2)Jennifer W.
Wednesday evening at The Moonstone Grill we had an unforgettable dining experience. Starters: the raw and roasted local oysters were wonderful, plus the best crab cake ever and delicious scallops. Entrees: the fresh halibut was cooked to perfection, as was the wild caught King salmon; spring lamb with polenta fabulous, steaks medium rare, and a large succulent lobster. The wait staff enhanced our meal with their friendliness and attention to every detail. Their recommendations for wine and dessert were outstanding. The magic of the evening was accented by a red sunset. This is definitely a place to return to again and again.
(5)Tara M.
Everything about this place is great. The food, the view, the service, all top notch. This is the best place to eat in Humboldt without a doubt. My favorite!
(5)Jenn G.
Great location in a groovy little town, with surprisingly good food. My stepdad would give it a 5th star for the abalone alone (apparently this is the one place in the county that has farm raised), and while the rest of the food was very good (including a steak that my BF got, and the fresh oysters the rest of us enjoyed), the service was slightly chaotic. Chasing the local cat out of the place a few times was fun, but the confused bus boy's inadvertent gift of additional bread cause our server a bit of consternation. But if you're looking for a nice restaurant with fantastic views and well-prepared food, check this place out.
(4)April M.
Amazing food, incredible view to watch sunset, friendly staff. I would definitely go back
(5)g p.
Big fan of the view- right on the beach. Great selections included abalone and scallops. Service is great and just the right blend of attentive and not overwhelming.
(4)Delya S.
This place is phenomenal! I enjoyed an outrageous dinner of fresh seafood with an astounding Cosmo a while ago. I can't wait to go again.
(5)Hugh D.
Limited selection for vegetarians. No vegetarian appetizers, 2 salads, 2 entrées. The house salad with gorgonzola was nice, however, the pasta primavera entrée, though tasty, was unartfully prepared. It's just one big bowl of fusilli, with a few slices of zucchini, smothered in pesto cream. For the price this dish fell well short of its potential. My wife (the carnivore) enjoyed her scallop appetizer, house salad, and filet mignon and would award at least one more star than this somewhat disappointed vegetarian.
(3)J.K. D.
We had dinner here last night and we are still talking about how delicious it was today! We ordered the following: Scallops Rockefeller House salad with gorgonzola dressing Grilled Filet Mignon Colorado Rack of Lamb Chocolate Mousse The food was very delicious and flavorful. Meats were cooked perfectly, sides were perfect. The scallops were heavenly and if we could we would eat those everyday for every meal if we could! Dessert was rich and decadent. The cocktails and house salad were okay. Service was amazing and friendly. Views were beautiful and vast. The lighting was intimate and decor was simple but sophisticated. We will be going back very soon!
(4)Dave C.
My wife and I ate there last night for her Birthday, the best meal either one of us has had all year, and the best on the North Coast since we moved here 6 years ago. We started with the Scallops Rockefeller, and it was one of those things that at first bite, your eyes roll back in your head..large, succulent, melt in your mouth, truly delectable! Next, we shared a bowl of the Clam Chowder, which was, once again, delicious. For the main course, my wife had the grilled Salmon, and I chose the New York Strip steak... both were cooked to perfection, and the sides that came with it (mashed potatoes for her, along with steamed vegetables, twice baked potatoes and asparagus for mine) were done to perfection. All was presented beautifully, and since I was the "designated driver" I stuck to coffee, but my wife really enjoyed her two glasses of Keenan Winery 2009 Chardonnay, she said it was very "oak-y" Our server was a nice young lady named Jaime, and she was quite nice, attentive, and polite. All in all, we have to give the food, the service, the ambience, and everything else 5 stars. We'll be back as soon as we can afford it !
(5)Stephanie B.
This would definitely be my favorite restaurant in the County. You can't go wrong, whether you just want a glass of wine and bowl of chowder or Smoked Albacore Wontons and a salad. The entrees are amazing...freshest fish and best cuts of meat! Hands down, you will be happy when you leave! Oh, and don't forget the Creme Brulee....delicious! omg...the oysters! Actually, everything on the menu is amazing!!!
(5)Tony L.
Agree with the reviewer who said Moonstone has great food and a great view. We had the oysters (au natural) and the filet mignon. Delicious oysters and possibly the best filet I've ever had. Our waiter was attentive and friendly. Oh yeah, the chocolate moose was over the top. Will definitely be back!
(5)Tim F.
Great little place and the food was fantastic. I was a bit surprised regarding the lack of seafood options. However, we had heard that Humboldt county was known for the oysters, so that was what brought us here. We tried every kind of oyster preparation that they had, and enjoyed them all. I ordered the filet, I have had better but this one was very good. The wine was outstanding. The service was ok, but our waitress seemed indifferent to us. There was plenty of room in the restaurant when we arrived, but she tried to seat us right next to this young couple who were obviously trying to enjoy their early evening meal. With an 8 an 10 year old in tow, we opted to take the table one setting away. When the waitress saw what we had done, I felt a little chastised. She mentioned that she seated us at the other table because she needs to keep track of where she is putting people. If this place wants to charge the prices that they do, they need to step up the service just a touch. If it weren't for the waitresses attitude towards us, this would have been an easy 5 stars.
(4)Elizabeth M.
Had a fish called "kelp snapper" and I thought it would be tender, I asked what it was, and was told it was a fish that liked to swim in kelp, I figured it would taste like rockfish, but it was rubbery and tough. I found out later there is no such fish called "kelp snapper" so was very disappointed in the meal.
(1)april r.
Let me ask- When you go to a restaurant located on the beach what type of food do you expect to have on the menu? Yes, I hear an overwhelming cry for seafood. However, there was only ONE main dish on the entire menu which included seafood. There were oysters and crab cakes for appetizers, but that's it. Where did all the seafood go? I noticed this establishment significantly cutback their menu, but to this extent is pretty ridiculous. There is one chicken dish, one fillet dish, a lamb dish, pasta primavera, and a duck dish. From my memory, that's almost the entire menu. Oh wait, and four side salads. Why so many salads? Since, we were at a restaurant at the beach, I thought for sure, there were going to be specials, i.e. "Fresh Catch of the Day." Nope, no specials whatsoever. I opted for the fillet. It was good, but a little salty. The veggie that came with the meat was kale. I have to say I've never been to a restaurant that served steamed kale. Kind of weird. I also have to mention the bread basket. We were given a basket with three cubes of bread for the two of us. These cubes were the size of a salad crouton. It was a pathetic site. My date and I laughed at the portion. Dear Moonstone, are you going out of business? Are you behind on payments and therefore not receiving food shipments from distributors? Are you just being cheap? There doesn't seem to be a lack of business, as the restaurant was packed on Saturday night. What's the deal? Won't be back anytime soon on my own accord. If I had wanted beef, I would have gone to Shamus T Bones. If I want seafood I'll now go to The Sea Grill where they have fresh fish. This was just an overall strange experience.
(3)L C.
the crab cake was delicious, that scored a 10 with me. the spinach salad was not that good at all, something was off with it. the lamb was delicious, the mashed potatoes were delicious but the gravy sauce was a tad bit on the rich side. we enjoyed it very much just the same. creme brulee for dessert was a little burnt and cold on the inside, i've had way better but could be delicious if done right. very nice wait staff. I wish that the portions were bigger for the price. excellent views for a sunset, but make a reservation.
(3)Joli W.
7 adults on a Saturday night. The menu looked very interesting and seemed like it would satisfy each one of us, although I was surprised at the prices, which were more San Francisco than Trinidad. That said, this was probably one of the best meals I've ever had, supplemented by outstanding service. And I wish I could recall the server's name, because she was so efficient, informative, funny and unflappable with our large group. Thank you!!! Some of the items ordered were the Smoked Albacore Fried Wontons (delicious and not at all greasy), Scallops Rockefeller, Wide Eyed Tuna over sticky rice, a vegetarian Penne Pasta, crab cake, and 2 steaks. My husband and I split the Spice Rubbed Bone-in Ribeye, so tender and tasty, cooked to medium-rare perfection. We also ordered 6 desserts (oink oink), all were good but my favorite was the sweet potato cobbler - don't ask, just order and enjoy. I have no hesitation in recommending Moonstone and will happily return.
(5)Don Z.
Beautiful location and view of the beach. Excellent food. Very generous portions. Great wine list. Great service.
(5)Winona A.
I went there for brunch. It was my first dining experience there. I had heard mixed reviews, but thought it it would fun to try on my birthday. The beautiful view and adequate service are worth two stars, but the food was sub-par. My food was obviously burnt, yet it was still brought out to me. I will not be returning to this restaurant.
(2)J Q.
Gorgeous location, exquisite food, somewhat mediocre menu selections. Atmosphere: 4 stars Pricing: 3 stars Service: 5 stars Last Impression: 4 stars
(4)Brian J.
The view of the beach deserves six stars but the place is a little run down and could use an update, the food is good but very average, and the service was a little slow. I had a filet mignon for dinner and ordered it medium rare and it was delivered well done.
(3)Chef Laura A.
This was the old Merriman's Restaurant and it was fantastic and still is, as Moonstone Grill!!! As a culinary chef, I think this place rocks big in my book. Merriman's had the best abalone I have ever eaten. They called it "Abalone Ala Kathy" and it was mouth watering good, pounded to perfection, perfectly seasoned, dusted with flour and stuffed with real crab meat, chives and potato chips, with a white wine sauce over it. .. Gee, I'm hungry. Check Moonstone's menu out, their menu is awesome and the views are spectacular! Sometimes you can see whales migrating! I am a creature of habit at this place, not sure they have abalone on their menu any longer.
(5)Christian P.
Excellent every time I go.
(4)Jenna G.
I love Moonstone. The atmosphere is one of its kind, at least around here. Its beautiful; it really is gorgeous inside and the view is great. And it is clean, and the wait staff is gracious. I'm not totally in love with the menu, but I do love their salmon, I get it every time. Moonstone may be expensive, but since its one of the only "top end" restaurants around, it's worth it. I dine there whenever I have out of town guests, or when I just want a nice romantic dinner with my boyfriend, or even just for drinks with friends. It gives me a nice fuzzy feeling. And I have been attempting to try their Sunday brunch for a long time, so I'll let you know how that goes when I finally do. Oh ,and Monica the bartender, is great!
(5)Greg M.
I'm convinced that the best thing about this place is the view and location...stunning. In the 70's and 80's Sam Merryman was running the place. The food was nothing special then and downright lousy at times (overcooked cold baked potatoes..Yikes!). But, hey, that view. The bar was always an annoyance. At least they got rid of the cash macine in the dining area. I finally went back after a 20 year hiatus and the vibe is amazingly similar....a wierd mix of locals and wannna be fine diners.The thing that really struck me was the expense. Wow! Totally over priced. Wine started at $30 a bottle. The bottled beer was $4 a pop. The house salad was mickey mouse and an extra $6. The 5 or 6 menu selections were in the $30 to $40 range. My pork chop was good but nothing special...The same could be said for the other meals of the 14 diners in our group. We had no appetizers, several deserts, and most of us had a drink or two. Our bill was $850. If you do the math that's about $60 a plate. I guess I've been livin in Humboldt to long because that just seems wrong to me. If we would have had the view it would have made everything all right but it's mid December and guess what? :-(
(2)Paul M.
We are full time RVers, travel all of North America, coast to coast and border to border. We wrote the first Yelp review of the Moonstone Grill in 2007, returned in 2011. WOW! Great ocean views, wonderful menu, excellent service--professional, yet friendly. Moonstone Grill is still our all-time favorite restaurant.
(5)Autumn D.
Even before the cuisine the view and service alone would have garnered this fine establishment 3 stars, but my first dining experience here was beyond superb, my date and I started with the Scallops Rockefeller a delicious medley of fresh ramps from the East coast (an upscale cousin of the scallion I believe) with a savory red wine reduction served with Crostrini. Next was delicious and succulent free-range rack of lamb just spiced enough as not to overpower but enhance the quality of meat. Next was the seared pork loin with goat cheese potato cake. The waitress accompanied these gastronomically luscious food creations with the Moonstone Pinotage 2006 and the Prosecco were a more than apt accompaniment to our meal. Not to mention we were seated at table 5 a two seater in the western corner of the grill facing out toward the best view of Moonstone rock, Camel Rock and Strawberry Rock. Though filled to the brim I had to partake in their dessert selection, I attempted to finish their Creme Brulee with a a bottle of Moet and Chandon, but alas the bottle won. Not one minute detail was overlooked at Moonstone Grill, and in my opinion is the finest restaurant in Humboldt County hands down. From the eclectic new American Cuisine featured on the menu to the ambiance and service I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an amazing evening. Oh, and by the way their brunch is not to be missed, Crab Benedict, Chef's Strata, house-made pastries and all.
(5)OffToRio B.
My brother has been a commercial fisherman in the Trinidad area, and he has zero tolerance for bad seafood so when he suggested the place I couldn't say no. We walked in about 5 pm with 3 adults and a 13 year old. Although we were just having appetizers and wine, they gave us a window table with a view of Moonstone Beach and the sunset. There is a plaque on the front door asking you to turn off cell phones, and I must say it contributed to a really relaxed outing. The interior has high ceilings, lots of wood, and the bar and the wrap-around big windows pay attention to the view. We ordered a clam, mussel and andouille sausage dish that could have been a full meal for one. The clams were tiny, the mussels huge, and the sauce was absolutely worthy of sopping up with the good bread. The scallops were still attached to the shells and served with a wine and citrus zest. My personal favorite. You can choose from 3 types of oysters at $2 each - we went with the BBQ'd and were not disappointed. The appetizers were in the $3 to $12 range and the 4 of us did not eat dinner later because we felt well-fed. The beer was a reasonable surprise $3.75 for a Stella Artois. The dinner menu looked pricey but heavenly. Turned out the waitress was also an abalone diver, and she had a lot of interesting things to say about the seafood on the menu. I'd go back for the view, the food and the ambiance - what a treat.
(5)deb h.
Got married over looking the ocean at Patrick Point. Cast and friends - dinner at the Moonstone Grill. It doesn't get better than this! Great service, fabulous food, wonderful view. A bit pricey, but worth the extra bucks. Didn't charge us (is that called a cork fee?) for bringing our own champagne, either. Yum!
(5)Alison R.
Go for drinks at sunset if nothing else so you can sit at the bar and gape at the amazing view. Don't go here if you are on a budget - cause you'll blow that, but it is VERY worth it. You won't regret it. Not technically in Trinidad, so don't be fooled by the address. Situated above the mouth of the Litte River really in Westhaven. Besides Larrapin, Folie Douce or Abruzzi's - one of the best dining experience on the Northcoast.
(5)Meloknee H.
moonstone grill is one of the few places with a great view and great food. i love settling in for dinner with the fog rolling in or out....their wine list is great, and i have enjoyed all the different meals. their desserts are super also.
(5)