A Santa Cruz area resident for more than 30 years, Jennifer Lawrence owned a coffee shop in Moss Landing for over a decade until it became one of the many pandemic casualties. But when that door shut, another one opened: the owners of a boatyard in the Moss Landing harbor asked Lawrence to do some accounting work. Then, when they decided they wanted to revamp their space next door and open a restaurant, Lawrence offered her industry expertise and she became the general manager.
Lawrence and the owners did a complete renovation and opened Woodward Marine Market in October 2022, Lawrence describing the waterfront ambiance as a combo of modern and speakeasy vibes with an “upside down boat feel.” The scratch-made menu is a blend of classic and traditional seafood with an Asian flair. Appetizer favorites include Monterey Bay calamari and tater tots with jalapeño buttermilk aioli. Entrée bests start with a classically French bouillabaisse burgeoning with mussels, clams, local rockfish, diver scallops and squid in a saffron, tomato, fennel and wine sauce.
Other mains to munch on are the crispy artichoke and prosciutto sandwich with gouda cheese and Meyer lemon marmalade, and fish and chips with tempura-battered Alaskan cod. For dessert, one rotating chef’s selection is offered, such as myriad bread puddings.
Describe the chef’s daily special.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE: They can range from seared ahi paired with miso-infused polenta to diver scallops with plantain purée. It gives executive chef Nichole Robbins an opportunity to showcase local seafood and how well she pairs flavor profiles. My all-time favorite, and a dish that we are soon putting on our permanent menu, is a prawn meatball that’s deep-fried and stand-alone delicious.
What inspires you about the Moss Landing community?
What we’re trying to bring is more awareness to what the area holds with its sea life and ecology, as well as its potential for a research footprint that’s becoming larger. A major marine biology facility is being built nearby, which dovetails with our chef’s philosophy of sustainability, being aware of where our food comes from and how hard people work to provide it. There’s really a respect there.
Dark on Mondays, hours are 11:30am–6pm (4pm Sunday). 10932 Clam Way, Moss Landing Harbor, 831-632-0857; woodwardmarinemarket.com.
