Uptown Dining
If we’re just talking ambiance, it is safe to say that Watermark a true product of its California environment. Flowing out of the vision of restaurateur couple Mark and Kathy Hartley, it seamlessly balances a hearty California Central Coast vibe with sophisticated big-city touches emblematic of West Los Angeles (the bar scene, the beachside scene) and San Francisco (artisanal cocktails and food pairings). The ambiance is not quite “beach house” but not quite “craftsman” either, which is a good thing as it reflects the multi-dimensional personality of the Ventura neighborhood it calls home.
However, what is most fascinating about Watermark is that it also has hallmarks of top Australian restaurants, in terms of mixing salt-of-the-earth comfort food classics and adding that surprising Asian, Latin, or Mediterranean twist (or any combination thereof). While this echoes the excitement that is taking flight at West Hollywood’s Eveleigh, another local outpost of Aussie innovation, Executive Chef Peter Edwards has his own unique approach to blending the multi-cultural culinary influence of his home with the wonderful raw California-hewn materials at his disposal.
The menu is eclectic yet accessible. Popular selections include Niçoise-style striped bass, blackened scallops with achiote cream sauce, a lobster pot pie and (weekends only) a seafood raw bar. Steak lovers will not only appreciate the various cuts of beef listed, but also some inspired accoutrements. For example, their prime filet may be flanked with potato-parsnip pancakes, huckleberries and red onion confit. The pork tenderloin is dressed up with a mildly spiced rub coating on it. While Kobe sliders and calamari are hot items on many menus, locals seem to swear by Watermark’s versions. Dessert highlights include a dark chocolate salted caramel tart cheesecake stuffed chocolate-covered strawberries.
As you may expect from an Australian chef emerging from a culture known for its embrace of seasonal vegetables, outdoor dining, and approachable red wines, Watermark offers much to whet the appetite. Menu selections handily cross-pollinate now popular California restaurant genres, specifically “Contemporary California,” “Pan Asian,” “Farm-to-Table” and “Upscale Gastro-Pub.” Though it is a precarious balance, the sum of these parts make Watermark a refreshing change of pace from the steakhouse and seafood parlors that dominate the Ventura landscape. However, factor in the ocean and palm trees, and the overall effect is an enduring memory waiting to happen.