Humphreys
San Diego, CA
Photo courtesy Bosko & Truus

Check out the big A-frame at Humphreys, where the entrance gives dinner a little extra ceremony. The steep roof and exposed beams make a fine Shelter Island sight, especially for anyone who appreciates a restaurant that does some of its decorating on the outside.

Built in 1964 as the Tahitian, the restaurant was designed by Armet & Davis. Its roof borrows the look of a Polynesian meeting house or canoe shed, with projecting beams and stonework adding to the effect. Quite a bit to admire while deciding whether it’s time to eat.

UPDATE continues operating as a waterfront restaurant, with the adjoining Concerts by the Bay venue bringing live music to the property. The tropical setting now comes with a concert calendar, giving visitors another reason to spend the evening along the water. 10-26

Yacht Sales
San Diego, CA
Photo courtesy Bosko & Truus

A few extra angles make this Yacht Sales building another Shelter Island stop worth a second look. Check out the zigzag treatment alongside the A-frame. The roof seems to have found more than one way to get noticed above the waterfront offices.

The combination brings a little space-age geometry into the island’s tropical scenery. A steep roof would have done the job, but those additional angles give passing architecture watchers something else to study. Apparently, the yachts weren’t meant to have all the interesting lines.

UPDATE: For now, the zigzag A-frame keeps a little mystery along with its roadside character. 10-26