The Catamaran Names Its New Signature Bayfront Restaurant

The grand restaurant being built on Mission Bay as a new showpiece for the Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa and a showcase for executive chef Steven Riemer has just been dubbed Oceana Coastal Kitchen.

Due early next year, the $2.1 million, 8,200-square-foot project is getting an interior from Kristine Smith Design Studio, who also designed The Lodge at Torrey Pines. The tropical design plan for Oceana Coastal Kitchen includes an 800 gallon jellyfish-filled aquarium, a waterfront dining room with ocean-inspired colors and significant outdoor seating; the trellis-covred outdoor dining area with also have a tiki torch-lit lounge complete with lava rock fire pits.

Dining options include a cold bar that will plate up sushi, oysters on the half shell, ceviche and shrimp cocktail; entrees from Riemer's "California comfort food" menu range from Mary’s Farm seared duck breast with leg confit and Japanese pumpkin to a cold-smoked Niman Ranch pork chop with goat cheese grits and white sea bass with ancho chili, orange, beets, faro and baby kale. The bar will feature all local beer, wine and tiki drinks.