San Diego’s iconic Marine Room restaurant has officially unveiled a refreshed dining room and new oceanfront lounge concept.

Named “Lounge at The Marine Room”, the intimate space offers stunning ocean views from the most desirable tables and will offer a globally inspired, seafood-forward menu of whimsical small plates, one-of-a-kind dishes, and curated list of chef-driven cocktails, wine, and beer.

Luxury & Indulgence

Executive Chef Mike Minor says that The Lounge, located in the heart of The Marine Room’s current footprint, will become an integral part of The Marine Room ethos.

“We’re excited to offer our guests an exclusive experience to match our incomparable views of La Jolla Cove and Shores,” Minor said. “The lounge gives us a stage from which to showcase an all-new menu presented in a way that’s engaging, seductive, and creative. It’s all about luxury and indulgence in an atmosphere that’s refined but with a vibe that’s more relaxed than diners have known in the past.”

The Menu

Chef Minor is passionate about cooking with premium ingredients and jaw-dropping presentation, and the new lounge setting aligns the food with the experience. The dishes include:

• Dry Aged Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio served with lemon oil, ginger, yuzu, black winter truffle and a garlic chili oil.
• Surf & Turf with Hokkaido scallop, Kurobuta pork belly, caviar, and a bacon whiskey jam.
• The Tenderloin Tartare tempts with fermented pineapple mustard aioli, bone marrow butter, and pretzel, topped with black truffle.
• Caviar Flight pops with premium champagne pairings.

The Beverages

Signature cocktails to complement the menu include:

• A house-made Wagyu Infused Old Fashioned with rye whiskey, aromatic bitters, and an orange twist presented with a bubble of smoke for a distinct fiery finish
• Deconstructed Margarita with Extra Anejo tequila, orange bitters, agave, and lime served on the rocks, as well as a selection of rare single-malt whiskies, bourbons, scotches, and aged tequilas.

The Marine Room was recently honored by Wine Spectator with a “Best of Award of Excellence” for its exceptional wine list, and The Lounge offerings will include an equally impressive by-the-glass selection.

The Setting

To elevate and update the interiors, Studio UNLTD took inspiration from the seaside location. The palette cheers with ceilings painted bright white, blonde wood flooring, and shades of blue ranging from pale seafoam to deep turquoise. A white oak cladding in a ribbed pattern was installed on the soffit above the bar and accentuates its unique wave-live shape.

Swiveling bar stools in velvety pewter-colored upholstery allow bar guests to pivot and join in the collective experience of the dramatic oceanfront location. Brass elements and custom tabletops in a mosaic pattern of golden-hued glass add a bit of shimmer and luxury to the space.

A bold carpet with colors and shapes inspired by turbulent waters serves as the backdrop for meandering seating that includes a custom curvilinear sofa in luxuriant bone-colored chenille with flecks of gold. The space is finished with a lushness of plant life at the entry and stand-alone planters.

Attracting a Younger Clientele

“The Marine Room is an 81-year-old restaurant with classic appeal and historic charm that our guests love,” said Michael O’Donohue, Managing Director of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. “We have an Executive Chef and culinary team that have the talent and ideas to evolve our offerings and expand our audience. The lounge is designed to attract a younger clientele who appreciate our upscale cuisine, fine wines and well-crafted cocktails but enjoy a laid-back atmosphere.”

See you there

The Lounge at The Marine Room will be open from 4-11PM. This unique 2-hour experience has a minimum food and beverage spend of $100 per person. Menu prices vary based on items ordered. Taxes and gratuities are not included. A $100 deposit per person is taken at time of reservation and applied to the total of the final check.

Reservations are strongly recommended and can be booked directly here or by calling 858-459-7222.

For those wanting a more traditional dining experience, The Marine Room will continue to offer its mainstay menu of global and coastal-inspired starters, entrees, and desserts crafted with local and sustainable ingredients in the newly refurbished dining areas.

Dinner is served from 5-11PM, Wednesday to Sunday. For reservations or more information about chef’s special menus, visit here.

See you there, San Diego!