The Restaurant
Ellen McCarty and Kevin Weinberg opened Walnut Creek Yacht Club in May of 1997 with the mission of bringing the finest and freshest from the sea to Walnut Creek. Why do we call ourselves a yacht club? Because we want to bring the atmosphere of a day on the Bay to landlocked Walnut Creek. We want our guests to feel comfortable, relaxed, and welcomed. All of our guests are instantly members of the Club! No sponsorship required, you are already a member. But don’t forget to join our Loyalty Program, become a card carrying member, and start collecting points and awards.
Our décor includes many beautiful, nautical touches: teak, mahogany, stainless steel, and even an authentic jib which was a gift to Kevin from the America’s Cup Defender, Alinghi. In January of 2008 we completed an extensive remodel project, expanding the restaurant by twenty-five percent, and adding an oyster bar. We have been voted Best Seafood Restaurant in the East Bay by Diablo Magazine for 12 years and received numerous other awards, including Best Chef, Best Bartender, and Ellen has received the Best Sommelier award. We are Michelin Guide recommended 2010-2014. On the Bay Area A list we were voted Best Seafood Restaurant and Best Craft Cocktails in 2014, and Best Craft Cocktails in 2016.
The Menu
Our seafood is supplied exclusively by Osprey Seafood Company, which is recognized as the top seafood purveyor in the Bay Area. Our relationship with Osprey is more than just business: Kevin’s brother-in-law, Mike Weinberg-Lynn, owns Osprey. This relationship, coupled with our high standards and care, guarantees our guests the kind of high-quality seafood for which the San Francisco Bay Area is famous. When we say “fresh”, we really mean it. Our seafood has never been frozen, either in shipping or processing. When we receive it each morning, we keep it in its pristine state with very careful handling. After we portion it, we keep it packed in crushed ice until we are ready to cook it for you. Please accept our apologies if we run out of your choice. Some items’ availability are controlled by restrictions for sustainable fisheries, and of course by Mother Nature.
Our non-seafood items are also from suppliers who are top in their fields. Our house bread is Acme Levain and is made for us by Acme Bread Company. The beef for our burger and steak is Certified Black Angus, it is brought to us by Golden Gate Meats from Derek Kampfes 18,000 acre ranch south of Billings, Montana. Their Never Ever program means it is 100% hormone and antibiotic free, and is one of the few ranches in the country that practice sustainable stewardship of their land and caring animal husbandry. Our chicken is Rocky Jr from nearby Petaluma, and is also hormone and antibiotic free, and free range. Our produce is all hand-picked and delivered by Joe Rubino and family, a second generation Contra Costa County grower and purveyor. Our eggs are all from cage-free, free-range chickens from Great Valley poultry in Modesto. Our ice cream is from a small, top quality producer, The Latest Scoop, in Berkeley. Ninety-nine percent of our menu is made in house, from our WCYC Clam Chowder, which is already justly famous, to our mayonnaise, salad dressings, sauces for the fish, and all of our desserts. The quality of our products speaks for us. We think carefully about everything we serve and from whom we buy. We are transfat free, and we fry either in olive oil or canola oil only. We are also high fructose-corn syrup free. Our sodas are all natural and made from pure cane sugar, and even our ketchup is organic.
The Wine List
We have received Wine Spectator Awards every year from 2005-2022. Our sommelier and co-owner, Ellen, has hand-picked every selection on our list, which changes frequently in order to include new discoveries. We are grateful to all of the wineries that produce the wines on our list, but especially to the many small wineries, both locally and abroad, who trust us with their creative efforts. The staff regularly tastes the wines on the list, and is happy to make suggestions if you so desire.
The Bar
We have a full bar, and we pour a premium well. We have a fine selection of single malt scotches, and a super lineup of topnotch rums from around the world. Remember, rum is every sailor’s choice! We have six great, fresh beers on tap and close to twenty wines by the glass. Our bartenders are creative, charming, and professional, and are ready to shake you a fabulous martini, a delicious margarita, or to create for you your own unique concoction. We offer a great cocktail list which includes many of our award-winning drinks. Our bar is a great place to tie up and have a drink and some oysters, or a full meal. The entire menu is available at the bar at lunch and dinner.
The Market
Our market offers you the opportunity to bring our top-grade Osprey seafood home. If you would like to pick up some of our pristine seafood and homemade sauces to take home with you, just let your server know. We will have it ready for you when you are on your homeward course. Or phone ahead and we will have it ready for you to pick up.
Please do not hesitate to ask if we can get you something that you do not see listed on our market board. We’ll do our best to fill your special requests.
Gift Cards? We’ve got ‘em
Need to say, “Thank you”, “ Congratulations”, “Happy Birthday”, or “Happy Anniversary”? WCYC Gift Cards are a great way to say it. We will even mail them for you! Click on Contact Us or give us a call and let us know what you need.
WCYC Gear
We have T-Shirts, Kids and Baby Shirts, Dress Shirts, Polo Shirts, Hats, and Canvas Carry Bags, all great stuff for the golf course, beach, out to dinner or a day on The Bay!
After many requests, we now bottle and sell our famous Chef Kev’s “Hey mon, that’s hot!!” Habanero Hot Sauce. Pick one up the next time you stop in, and impress your hot sauce-afficionado friends.
We even have burgees if you would like to fly one from your yacht.
Be proud of your club! Wear our gear!
