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The Talent Behind the Taste

Meet Navio's Masters

Discover the passionate team powering Navio, the iconic ocean view restaurant Half Moon Bay dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton. and elite restaurant Half Moon Bay ocean view at The Ritz-Carlton. Led by Chef de Cuisine Xisco Simón, they master sustainable seafood, provenance-driven plates, award-winning wines, and brunch spectacles amid nautical elegance and Pacific panoramas—dedicated to unforgettable coastal gastronomy. Come see why our elite restaurant Half Moon Bay ocean view dining experience is rated among the region's best.

Chef de Cuisine

Xisco Simón

Xisco Simón, Chef de Cuisine, is an accomplished culinary leader with a refined approach to contemporary Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. With a passion for cooking cultivated from an early age, Simón brings more than 12 years of international experience in Michelin-starred kitchens across Spain. Most recently, he served as Head Chef at Enoteca Paco Pérez in Barcelona, where he spent four years working alongside acclaimed chef Paco Pérez, honing a modern, creative culinary style defined by precision, elegance, and innovation.

Xisco Simón, Chef de Cuisine
General Manager

Dominique Lemercier

With more than four decades of distinguished experience in global luxury hospitality, Dominique Lemercier is an accomplished dining and operations leader with a career spanning Michelin-starred restaurants, iconic fine-dining institutions, and five-star hotels across five continents. His journey began at the legendary three-Michelin-star La Tour d’Argent in Paris and evolved through leadership roles alongside renowned culinary figures such as Roger Vergé and Alain Chapel, as well as senior positions at Le Méridien (Singapore and San Francisco), The Ritz-Carlton, Muscat, and The Peninsula Hong Kong, where his teams earned Forbes Five-Star recognition. Most recently, Dominique served as Restaurant Operations Manager at a Michelin Star restaurant, leading high-performing teams and overseeing sophisticated dining operations with a focus on efficiency and guest connection.

Dominique Lemercier, General Manager
Sommelier

Marco Mendoza

With over 17 years of distinguished experience in the fine dining sector, Marco Mendoza is a seasoned hospitality professional specializing in luxury service within Forbes Five Star resorts across California. Throughout a career dedicated to excellence, Marco has consistently delivered sophisticated and memorable guest experiences, cultivating a deep expertise in wine service and hospitality management.

Marco Mendoza, Sommelier

Reviews

"Above all, my first and highest commitment is to quality. By valuing sustainability and community footprints, we are able to attract guests who feel the same way we do."

Xisco Simón, Chef de Cuisine