Bay View Restaurant & Lounge

This place is really acceptable and that’s coming from a person who’ve been to 60++++ Michelin restaurants around the world. Acceptable for American cuisine, if you’re a real foodie you know what I mean. Knowing food in America is not a priority.

This review is for the restaurant. My fiancé and I are fans of the Doran Beach campgrounds area in Bodega Bay. We went for a couple’s weekend near Sonoma, drove through Sebastopol and on to Bodega for a little beach side canoodling and a romantic dinner. Upon our arrival, we didn’t receive the warm «Be right with you» or «Let me get the host/​hostess for you» that I’m used to, even at my local Chili’s. Finally a male server greeted us and looked up our confirmed OpenTable reservation. It IS a beautiful location and ambiance, so I didn’t let that bother me. Shortly after being seated, we were greeted again by a stone-​faced Maitre d’ who asked if we had a reservation (uh, yes I did, and the server who seated us assured us not to worry if we didn’t). He took away our butter for our bread. Apparently, there is a new employee who doesn’t curl butter correctly. Oh… OK.
We were promptly given a complimentary amuse-​bouche of Washington crab in a cold tomato broth with baby basil leaves. It was good. We ordered drinks. I had a Peroni and he had the Sapphire Tom Collins (kudos to the bartender because it is never made correctly wherever we go!) My man ordered the Dungeness crab and avocado tower and the Caesar salad. I ordered the scallop salad special. Crab tower was great. His salad was great. My salad had one good scallop and one over-​grilled scallop. The citrus and dressing on the salad was bright and refreshing. Before our entrees came, I asked the Maitre d’ if he could suggest a wine to accompany my meal. He said Pinot Noir, which I ordered, but it came after I had already eaten everything. I had ordered the seafood spaghetti and he ordered the Chicken Parm. He loved it. My spaghetti noodles were over-​done, sauce was good. Seafood tasted off. I’m just glad I didn’t order the cioppino, which would have been my other choice. The Maitre d’ took away his Collins even though he wasn’t quite finished with it yet. Weird… I skipped dessert and had a glass of the complimentary dessert wine, which was yummy. Our server was a nice lady and I kept telling her things were amazing, which they were, at the time!
I don’t know why it said the attire is dressy, people were wearing sweats, baseball caps, hoodies. I felt overdressed! I was wearing a nice dress and heels.
We left a nice review on the card and left my information hoping to be back someday. 4 hours later, I got extremely sick from the shellfish or something! I asked for recommendations on my reservation because I have a dairy allergy, but none were made either. I was devastated, because I really wanted to our night to be perfect. I would probably be back, not because I’m a masochist, but I would definitely have ordered something else. I assumed that since we were near a beach, the seafood would be top notch. My love really liked his food and the ambiance and piano playing was beautiful which was all I could have asked for. Just a shame to have my meal fall flat and he had the best dinner ever. So it goes… Maybe another time. Service was quick, despite some of the other reviews of slow service. Even Chili’s has off days.

We had reservations for Thanksgiving. 3:45 we called to see if we could be seated early they said they would try and we could sit at bar while we wait. Arrived at 3:00 pm no one a front podium waited around 5 minutes serving staff assured us that someone would be with us soon. Finally the male greater showed and we told him that our daughter had spoken with him about getting seated early. He said yes he remembers the call he will let us know when a seat is available we said we would sit at the bar and wait. Note there were two tables that were set right next to the bar and no one was ever seated at these tables the entire time we were at the bar. Then another two tables opened by the window Still no one came for us. We sat for the 45 minutes watching my husband went to the podium again and was told soon. 3:45 pm It our time another couple showed up and was seated. Unacceptable!

Had birthday dinner celebration last night.
The ambiance is beautiful, lighting, view, warmth.
The food was good.
The downside was it took 2 ½ hours to be served– we looked across the room and no one had food. They did not tell us, apologize or acknowledge the problem.
Big disconnect in handling breakdown.

My mother arrived from North Carolina and off we went for a wonderful tasty dinner by a view of the sunset and fireplace light. The atmosphere was relaxed and cozy yet elegant and respectful. The food was unbelievably good! Local fresh ingredients; fabulous beef and veal. I had Cream of Parsnip Soup that was the best! Servers were kind and attentive. Thank for the nice dinner with a view. That’s a hard combo to come by: GOOD VIEW & GOOD FOOD!

We stayed at the Inn at the Tide. This restaurant is attached to the lobby. Food and service were excellent. Fletcher our server was attentive and delightful. The manager stopped by at least 3 times to check in us once with a complimentary desert wine when he found out it was our anniversary. Stay away from the tourist traps across the street. We sat by the fire but also had a view of the bay as the sun was going down. We shared the crab and avocado tower and the halibut. Both were outstanding in every way. Coffee and ricotta cheesecake for desert. Also plenty to share. Everything is local and organic when available. Give them a try next time you come up. I recommend them highly. I will definitely be back next time we are in the area.

Thankfully we were not in a huge hurry otherwise we would have walked out after realizing how long the entire meal would take. The food was really great but the service was painfully slow. While waiting for our appetizers and meal, the wait staff never came back to our table to ask for more drink orders. The manager gave us one of our appetizers on the house (actually told us he would and then failed to take it off the bill). But our meal took us over two and half hours. It came out very hot so the problem must be that they don’t have proper help in the kitchen to prepare the number of meals that are ordered at once. At the end, my husband politely commented on the poor service and the manager asked us to write it on the comment card, but this is a better avenue. Hopefully the owner checks their Unilocal reviews. It’s a shame that a restaurant that serves really delicious food fails in the service department. They obviously need help in the kitchen.

No stars. Wouldn’t let me close without one star. If the service wasn’t as bad as it was, the food would get a better rating. When telling the manager how awful everything was his only response was «well sometimes there’s a wait, dessert is on us». Normally that would have been a great offer but it was really bad. Reservations at 8. Dinner not even over at 1030. Still no bill or any apology. We are staying at inn at the tides hotel and because of the restaurant being so horrible, we will never come back and neither should you. Shameful.

Took a ride up highway 1 from San Francisco and stayed in Bodega bay for my husbands birthday. Food was amazing I got the filet minuet and my husband got the crab and veal. Excellent service and beautiful view of the bay. We are planning on making this a annual tradition for the two of us. We will be back for sure!

Stayed in Bodega Bay for a night while headed up the coast and looked on line for a place to have a nice dinner. Apparently not an easy thing to do in Bodega Bay. The food was excellent; a very nice presentation and selection. We had:
BARCHETTE AGLI ASPARAGI — asparagus served in puff pastry boat with walnut sauce — Two small pastry, light and airy, with asparagus and sauce — very good
CESAR SALAD — Good Cesar and you had anchovies on the side to add to taste
PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE — sautéed eggplant, tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella — This was a good portion and and very tasty
I had Crab Ravioli — This was a special and was so so.
A young man served us who was all smiles and tried to be helpful but should be wearing an «In Training» badge.
Excellent view of the bay and nice ambience.

Normally, when my husband and I eat out, we make reservations, but last night was an exception. After finding our first choice,(where reservations aren’t needed) closed for remodeling, we kept driving to the Bay View. The maitre d told us it would be a 15 to 30 minute wait. Then he said to track him down to remind him later because he would be all over the place. That seemed absurd to begin with. He didn’t ask for a name or anything. We went over to the small bar to wait and after awhile he came over to the bar and said «Who’s waiting for dinner?» Everyone raised their hands. Then he said «Who was here first?» Another couple was seated at a table. After 45 minutes of waiting, he came over and pointed to a table where we would be seated as soon as it was set up. We watched the empty, set table for quite some time. My husband went up to ask him if we could be seated then and he had the nerve to say it was reserved for someone later. This was after an hour of waiting! When I told him we were leaving because of it, there was no apology, but an attitude instead!!! I felt like we were in an episode of «Restaurant Impossible».

My Wife and I Celebrated my Birthday at the Bay View Restaurant. I had the Filet Mignon stuffed with Crab Meat I was the most tender and dilcious as was my Wife’s Halibut. The Server we had Christopher and Michael were Great. We never had wait for water or drinks they were very attentive. The atmosphere was amazing views of the Bay and very quiet no clanging of plates. The Starter we had of gaspachio was again amazing.
My Wife and I will always go back as I lived in Occidental for over 40 years and did not even know this Restaurant was even there, what a treasure we found. It was Fantastic Fine Food Dining Experience.

We recently had dinner at the Bay View Restaurant. The food was very good and if we were just rating that, I would probably give it 4 stars. Unfortunately the service was awful. Our waiter did not seem to have a clue. It took about a half hour for us to get our salads and then another half hour to get our main courses after we eat our salads. We spent almost two and ½ hours dining when it should have taken a little over an hour. If it was not for the manager interceding, we may never had gotten served. We may try it again, because the food was so good. But if the service is this bad next time, there will not be a next time after that.

The food was outstanding the support staff was very good. Our waitress however missed the mark horribly. 2 hours for a dinner service is way too long not to mention being left awkwardly unattended. We watched the other wait staff help other customers and they did a very good job. We were not offered fresh cracked pepper our soup was brought out luke warm and the main coarse came out with the plates super hot because they had been sitting under the lamp dying in the window. 25 mins to get our dessert.

On Christmas Day evening, we stayed at the Inn On The Tides, so ate at this adjoining restaurant. Although the Maitre d’ ignored my parter and I on entering the restaurant to book, and later to be seated, our server Rachel was excellent. Rachel was chatty, friendly and well informed about the menu. We enjoyed our chicken and Fillet Mignon. Both were perfectly cooked basic dishes.

Food was delicious. Service by the manager Michaelscott and our charming server Andrea was perfection. The experience made our trip. Must have the filet and the molton chocolate cake. Best ever!!!
Thank you for a fantastic experience.

One of the best meals we have had on vacation. Our filet mignon stuffed with crab melted I your mouth. The meat cooked to perfection and was the most tender cut we have had in years. The crème brûlée was delicious. Angel our server, was delightful and helpful. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

went here for my boyfriends bday an the view was great could see the water from our table an also had some nice plants that you could see from the table they were outside an light up the food was good service was great

Oh my… This Restaurant is to die for. The frutti del mare with pasta is delicious!!! We had the clams for appetizer and the wife had the sauté eggplant. Both was delicious. I recommend the seafood as it is freshly prepared and served.
When I first read the reviews I was concern but since we are staying not too far I decided to try it. I was blown away with how great the food was. I don’t understand why the previous people rated it so poorly…
Try this place, Janelle was helpful and courteous. She made some excellent recommendations.

This restaurant is a fabulous dinning experience. When compared to the other establishments in the area who can be stuffy, disinterested, or just bad at feeding folks, the Bay View Restaurant puts them to shame. It did not sound like a high school cafeteria. Instead we sat in respectful peace and enjoyed the nautical/​Italian ambiance. We had a great view of the bay and their garden. We really enjoyed our food. I had and recommend, the clam chowder and swordfish. The staff made the evening comfortable. They made us feel welcome, they did not act like they were tired of tourists or couldn’t wait to get off work. Both Brenden and Marcelino know their trade and made our time by the window memorable.
I look forward to going back.