Redwood City’s newest dining destination, Hurrica, is a gem quietly tucked into the marina.
The decor features accents of the sea.
On the edge of the Redwood City Marina is tiny Westpoint Harbor, a secluded and peaceful area that seems far from the noise of Highway 101 and the cluster of large office buildings it hides behind. The remote location might deter most restaurateurs, but it’s precisely what drew Hurrica Restaurant’s co-founding partner, MeeSun Boice, to the spot. “How can you not see the beauty of this space?” she asks. “At some point, you must trust yourself and your vision and not listen to what other people think.”
Guests will notice the restaurant’s nod to all things aquatic, including the turquoise accents, marine life-themed art and a spectacular 1,700-gallon jellyfish tank separating the bar from one of its dining rooms. “I accidentally built the second largest privately owned jellyfish tank in North America,” laughs Boice. “All I knew was I wanted a see-through tank in the middle of the room.”
The marina
Everything from the large, marble-countered bar to the glass-walled kitchen allows guests to experience the openness of this space. But there’s still plenty of warmth and soul here. “I think of this place as a true hidden gem,” she says proudly. “It’s immersive with all the little details from the decor to the art. We want to be a destination and make it a true experience for people dining here.”
The menu boasts a range of exceptional seafood dishes.
Dinner menu highlights include a variety of chilled shellfish, a pillowy soft milk bread with hours-long roasted kabocha squash puree on the side, and a tuna sashimi dish that packs an umami punch from the shiitake mushroom shoyu and an unexpected mix of textures from its chili garlic crunch. The lunch menu includes more casual items like beer-battered fish and chips, a shellfish chowder with shrimp and clams and an already popular fried chicken sandwich with spicy red cabbage slaw and a smoked honey sauce.
Tuna sashimi
The restaurant also offers plenty of outdoor seating with expansive views of the water and private dining areas for large groups. Boice says the venue will open a to-go counter with coffee, sandwiches and soft-serve ice cream for those who work nearby, live just steps away on their boats or are biking along the marina.
Umami toast
Even with all this attention to detail, Boice knows it’s all about the guests. “My passion is always about the people. It’s an honor that they’ve chosen to celebrate their special moments here. Life’s too short. Come out to eat and enjoy.” Westpoint Marina, 150 Northpoint Court, Redwood City, 650.499.4858, @hurricarestaurant
Photography by: ANNETTE CHU
