87 Central

The address explains the old name, but the current official presentation tells a broader story. The venue at 87 Central Square in Seaside is now branded online as 87 Plaza, a wine-centered gathering place from chef and restaurateur Jim Shirley. Its role changes over the course of the day: the bar opens before the evening kitchen, giving visitors a place for wine, cocktails, beer, and conversation, while restaurant service begins later with food intended to complement the drinks. Anyone searching only for “87 Central” may still reach the correct location,.

Shirley describes this concept as a reflection of the present rather than a retelling of his culinary history. That makes the venue less predictable than a restaurant built around one regional category. The public materials emphasize the overlap of cultures, current tastes, and food that the kitchen wants to serve now. Confirm 87 Central's current operating details directly when those details affect the visit. Because the text version of the official food menu is limited online and dishes can change.

Wine is the clearest constant. The published list ranges across California, Oregon, France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, and New Zealand, with choices by the glass and bottle. It moves from approachable everyday pours to rare bottles intended for a special occasion. Sparkling wines, rosé, zero-proof selections, cocktails, mojitos, draft beer, and packaged beer broaden the bar beyond traditional wine service. A current happy-hour section promotes discounts on selected wines and cocktails, but prices and eligible beverages should be checked on the day of the visit rather than treated as permanent.

The open-air location overlooking Seaside’s central activity makes 87 Plaza useful in several ways. It can serve as an afternoon meeting point, a pre-dinner glass of wine, a casual shared-plate dinner, or a stop for adults who want a more beverage-focused experience than the nearby quick-service counters. Official hours currently list the bar from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and restaurant service from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Those two schedules are important: arriving at noon does not necessarily mean the complete dinner menu is available.

Public parking serves the larger Seaside town center, so walking or cycling from nearby accommodations is often preferable during crowded periods. Seating is exposed to the energy and weather of Central Square rather than isolated in a conventional enclosed dining room. Families can visit, but the wine-forward format will appeal most strongly to adults, couples, and small groups. Guests seeking a specific table, event, menu item, or bottle should call the official number before arriving.

The most accurate way to present this location is as an evolving Seaside plaza restaurant and bar, not simply a sushi counter or static wine shop. Its identity rests on Jim Shirley’s changing food perspective, an unusually deep beverage list, and a setting that allows a brief drink to become an entire evening.