Now that July is here, summer is in full swing in the Bay Area, and people are converging on the water and waterfront attractions.
The industrial décor of the BoilerHouse Restaurant incorporates several of the original pieces of machinery that used to power the entire 525,000 square foot Ford automobile factory throughout the mid 20th century. Photo by Joel Williams
Published: July, 2009
Now that July is here, summer is in full swing in the Bay Area, and people are converging on the water and waterfront attractions. The City of Richmond is a waterfront lover’s paradise, with 32 miles of shoreline offering stunning views of the Bay and 6,000 acres of City and Regional Parks offering all kinds of recreational opportunities. Some of the most striking of Richmond’s parks are located along its gorgeous shoreline, and Richmond’s shoreline is also the location of many great restaurants where you can enjoy fabulous views while dining.
The new Craneway Pavilion at the Ford Building, which opened to much fanfare last September during the Homefront Festival By the Bay, is now a complete event center and will be the place to be over the Fourth of July weekend. Among the several events scheduled for the holiday weekend is the grand opening of Richmond’s newest waterfront eatery, The BoilerHouse Restaurant.
The BoilerHouse is located just off the Craneway by the waterfront at the south end of the 525,000-square foot Ford Point Building. The restaurant’s name is derived from the fact that it is located in the former power plant of the Ford automobile factory. In fact, several of the original pieces of massive machinery, now painted silver, highlight the unique industrial décor.
The BoilerHouse will serve fresh, fast, local and healthy food. The menu, which will change daily, will feature seasonal market specials based around local fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible. According to James Madsen, who handles business development for the BoilerHouse, “Our motto will be ‘Slow Food Fast.’” He adds, “If you don’t need to send a truck from 50 miles away to get produce, your carbon footprint is less and it’s less expensive to buy what’s in season. Our model for this is the Italian countryside, where you can get really simple but really delicious food made with local, seasonal and organic ingredients in a waterfront setting but at an affordable price.”
During breakfast and lunch, the BoilerHouse will be operated in a self-serve cafeteria-style mode that will allow people quick access to freshly prepared food as they are served at one of the multiple chef stations available. In the late afternoon through the early evening, the BoilerHouse will switch to pub mode, where standard seated service will offer basic pub-style food with an emphasis on local ingredients as well as locally produced beer and wine. A full brunch menu will be offered on the weekends.
A floating dock has also been installed for local sailors, and Hornblower Cruises can also be chartered to provide ferry service to the waterfront restaurant for special occasions.
The official grand opening for the BoilerHouse will be on Sunday, July 5th with a waterside brunch in conjunction with the Bay Trail Bike Brunch Bash benefiting LiveStrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The event will also mark the official opening of the Bay Trail in front of the Craneway Pavilion.
The Craneway Pavilion will also be hosting an Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 3rd featuring a free performance by the Oakland East Bay Symphony; the BoilerHouse will be serving a limited menu of BBQ style fare to go along with the holiday event. The 7 p.m. event is being billed as a patriotic celebration for the whole family featuring music, food and fireworks.
On Saturday, July 4th, the Craneway Pavilion will host the live touring performance of “Disney’s High School Musical: Summer Celebration,” and the BoilerHouse will be serving a buffet dinner that is included with VIP tickets and also available for purchase separately. With over 40,000 square feet, the Craneway Pavilion has emerged as the Bay Area’s premier entertainment venue.
Just a few blocks away from the Ford Point Building, in a picturesque, waterfront Victorian overlooking Richmond’s Marina Bay, is Salute E Vita Ristorante. Salute serves authentic Italian cuisine, with updated, creative dishes as well as traditional pastas, pizzas, raviolis, salads and entrees and the restaurant’s own handmade delectable desserts.
The owner, Menbere Aklilu, grew up in Italy. She speaks four languages and worked with family restaurateurs in Rome before moving to the United States in 1995. Aklilu says, “When people think of Richmond, they have the wrong mentality. Then, they come here and are surprised because they see this beautiful atmosphere, gorgeous views and nice location.”
Aklilu insists on fresh authentic ingredients and sauces. Everything on the menu is made from scratch with local, fresh and organic ingredients. Even the tomato sauce is always made with fresh tomatoes, never canned ingredients. The result is a true representation of what you would find in Italy in a restaurant operated by knowledgeable staff native to that region.
Although Salute has always done well with the local business crowds for lunch, and has been a popular destination spot for discerning diners throughout the Bay Area, the recent new residential developments around Marina Bay have proven to be even more beneficial to the restaurant’s business. Salute has now become the de facto gathering place for the thriving Bayside community that Marina Bay has become. Families and couples come to dine in the evenings, while complimentary homemade appetizers help the bar maintain a brisk happy hour business.
Salute also features a spacious open-air dining area that Aklilu calls her own little private “Piazza” complete with a water fountain. The very popular patio area seats up to 65 people and offers wonderful views of Marina Bay, while also offering the temperate climate that Richmond’s waterfront has to offer, in a quiet and welcoming atmosphere.
Looking back, Aklilu says she is very happy with her decision seven years ago to take over the reins at Salute, and particularly happy with the way Richmond’s Marina Bay has developed around her. She makes particular note of the recent renovations and occupants of the Ford Point Building as being very helpful to the area, by bringing business back to the waterfront.
If you are looking for a much more casual way to enjoy a meal by the water at Richmond’s Marina Bay, try grabbing a sandwich at Amini’s By the Bay, which is right next door to Salute. By the Bay also carry a wide selection of beer and wine and other grocery items, so you can stock up on everything you would need to have a picnic by the water. Or, just enjoy a custom-made sandwich on the restaurant’s wind-shielded patio overlooking the marina.
BoilerHouse Restaurant
1414 Harbour Way South
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 215-6000
Open Monday through Friday
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Salute E Vita Ristorante
1900 Esplanade
Richmond, CA 94804
510-215-0803
Open daily for lunch & dinner
Sunday Brunch 10am – 3pm
Richmond Community
Redevelopment Agency
Office of Economic Development
(510) 307-8150
Photo by Billy Hustace Photography
Salute’s open-air “Piazza” offers wonderful views of Richmond’s beautiful Marina Bay. Photo by Joel Williams
