My girlfriend and I ate hear yesterday and loved it so much we came back to eat again the next…read morenight. The Food here is AMAZING. Our service Oscar was the best. Super sweet. Checked on us multiple times throughout the night to make sure we were doing great. Thank you Oscar!! The ambiance is also incredible. We love sitting by the fire pits. 10/10

We wanted a special dinner so my husband surprised us with a reservation here. The restaurant is…read morecute and the service was excellent. I did wish the food was better to make the cost more worthwhile. Maybe our expectation was a little high. We ordered: Drinks: husband had the old fashion (very good), I had grey goose martini (perf prepared) Duck Liver: very generous portion for $21 but it's not for everyone Caesar salad: delicious. Hint of egg in the dressing and it was just the right amount (I didn't taste anchovies which I don't prefer) Crispy potatoes: I can see why it's a favorite Crispy cod: small portion, I had a taste and it was ok for me Pork chop: beautiful presentation. Not as tasty as some of the ones I've had elsewhere Overall, we enjoyed our experience, but wished the food was more wow.

10 STAR EXPERIENCE - This restaurant is one of the best we've visited around the globe. From start…read moreto finish an absolutely delightful experience. The venue, service, food, live piano music, tour...ALL perfection. Even our mid-twenties sons, a notoriously difficult to please age group, loved every moment. Recommendations: Arrive early to view historic aspects outside the building, grab drinks near piano and view the many historic photos tied to the building, company and area. At minimum, order the Baked New Orleans Style BBQ oysters or Cooked Wild Sardines. All agreed one of best foods ever eaten. If you've never tried oysters or sardines, try these and I guarantee you will love! We also loved the crab cakes, cheese bread, wedge salad and abalone soup. For extra special soup, add any leftover sauce from oysters! Order the special Intermezzo sorbet as a "palate cleanser" before entree. It comes in a special presentation but I don't want to spoil the surprise. We ordered 1 for a table of 4 which was plenty. We each ordered different entrees and all were excellent. It seems you can't go wrong on this menu. For dessert we had the Chocolate Dipped Ice Cream Bon-Bons and Crème Brûlée and loved those as well! At this point the family gave restaurant 7 stars out of 5. Highest rating ever given. The tour jumped rating straight to 10 out of 5. We cannot emphasize enough...make time for the tour!!!

I love leaving a restaurant with a fat smile on my face knowing everything I paid for was…read moreabsolutely worth it! Our server Tim made that difference, and if he is working the time you are there, request him! He asked us amazing questions to dial in exactly what our appetite was calling for all while making us laugh and teaching us about the wonderful food we were eating. At one point my sister asked him to have a seat at the table, and even poured him a glass of red to lure him in. I will be eating at this restaurant next time I'm anywhere near Monterey!

What a gem of a restaurant We decided on a whim to head up…read moreto Napa and we wanted a stopping point which was Monterey. This restaurant is located in the Monterey plaza hotel It offers choice menu and chefs menu We did the choice menu, each course was exceptional. The service was spot on , the views from the restaurant can't be beat. On their Instagram page they point out service Food. This place for me is a class mlby itself. I can only compare to views from Yosemite. I can't wait return

Spectacular views - especially from the corner tables by the windows - and outstanding service are…read morewhat I'll most remember from a restaurant with Michelin-star ambitions and one of the best views of any fine dining restaurant in Northern California. The food is great, though portions were smaller than expected given the cost, and some dishes weren't necessarily as memorable as I'd hope. It's possible that had something to do with dietary restrictions (the kitchen is incredibly accommodating).Everything was wonderful on the plate, but sometimes I wanted more of it (the pork was notably thin, for example, and the cod was a two-bite piece). Some nice touches: binoculars by the table, incredible service, a beautiful room. Improvements: bathrooms shared with a hotel lobby is always strange. I wouldn't be surprised if in a year or two, Michelin upgrades the restaurant, and it's on the right trajectory for more acclaim.

3.5 Stars We came…read morehere after exploring the aquarium for an early dinner! We split a few apps - the ahi poke, calamari, and coconut shrimp. I thought everything was nicely presented and tasty! The views are amazing, the inside is sort of dated (old furniture and flooring), and the service staff are super friendly.

Stopped for a late lunch. Has the vibes of a cruise ship…read more Or server was attentive and quick to greet and serve us. I ordered the crab and bacon melt. It was quite tasty. My only regret is that I would have just ordered the crab cakes because the sandwich was huge. Fish tacos are also a good choice. The view is great. It's easy to access and our lunch was tasty. Stop in and try it for yourself!!

Fresh, delicious food, and wonderful service!…read more We came to Monterey for a quick getaway vacation and we had a wonderful dinner at Passionfish. Located in Pacific Grove, this restaurant is well known for its sustainable seafood and fresh ingredients. Street parking is available but you may need to drive around to get a spot close to the restaurant. We made a reservation online, and we were notified our table was ready 15 mins prior to our reservation time. When we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the hostess. The restaurant was mid sized, but it felt warm and cozy. The menu was quite simple, but the selections were solid. We had the salmon cervice as appetizer, salad, scallop entree, and halibut entree. The cervice was delicious and we loved the innovative concept. The salad was great with perfect balance of veggie, dressing, and cheese. The scallop entree was very flavorful as well. For desserts, we gad the banana pudding with ice-cream, and it was the perfect way to wrap up our dinner. As for service, our waiters were attentive and friendly. The bill for our meal was around $200, which was very reasonable for the quality of the meal. Highly recommend!

This was our first time going to Passionfish! And it did not disappoint us! The crowd was super…read morenice. We ended up talking to a few people which made it nice. The food was excellent. We had the bread rolls which are absolutely to die for! We had the jicama salad and the halibut. We shared this between two adults, and it was more than enough. And their wine selection is incredible! We will definitely be returning!

The food here was so good, and the service was so quick and friendly, would definitely come again!read more

The service was fast and friendly! The smoked salmon on…read morepotatoe pancake was fresh flavorful and an iconic dish. I will be back !

We had another delicious meal at Montrio with family while we visited Monterey. Located downtown,…read moreit has indoor and outdoor seating. On some occasions, they will open up the front wall which provides a great environment during good weather. Our food was excellent. I had short rib ravioli, which I never had before. The dish convinced me it should be one of my favorites. For desert, we had Chocolate cake with ices cream. The service was fantastic! Looking forward to coming back and enjoying their food again next time!

Montrio is a restaurant struggling with the same dilemma everyone wanting to open a fine-dining…read morespot in a touristy area does. The closer you are to ground zero-Fisherman's Wharf in SF or Pikes Market, Seattle-the harder it is to remain profitable. Geographically, the density of Taco Bells and tee shirt shops increases. So, kudos to Montrio for trying to run an up-scale business as close as they are to the Wharf. Unfortunately, they fall well short of the mark. We arrive early and the place was nearly empty. To start with, we ordered the Porcini Pomme Frites ($14) as an appetizer. The fries came out limp and starchy-raw in the center. I sent them back. The replacement or refry of the original batch came back a little past GBD. They pushed the limit on the far side of doneness. And they tasted exactly and precisely like In-And-Out's awful fires. The match was amazing. For reasons known only to the Snyder family, and in spite of endless terrible reviews from food critics, I-A-O refuses to double-cook their fries. So they come out tasteless with an off-putting consistency. Not qualities anyone should try and emulate, IMHO. Now, ostrich and octopus, for example, are famously difficult to cook correctly. But fries are the polar opposite easy to do well. To screw them up twice in a slow kitchen at a $14 price point is inexcusable. I knew we were in for a rocky ride. I ordered the scallops. Yes, you guessed correctly, the kitchen screwed them up big time too. They had a light seer and were stone-cold raw in the center. The creamed corn side was excellent BTW, but not forty nine dollars good. Why didn't I send them back? Well, first, I knew they couldn't cook fries or scallops. Why would their second effort on the second course hold out any promise. Secondly, I refuse to be that guy who sends every course back, even when it should be. At a certain point my philosophy is shut up, learn your lesson, and share an honest review so that other might avoid the sad experience. My wife had the short ribs and enjoyed them. I thought they were dry, which is hard to achieve with fatty short ribs. Her mashed potatoes were okay, though under-seasoned. But if she was happy, so was I.

We have been to Aliotti's Victorian Corner restaurant a few times over the years. I'm not sure what…read morehappened to my review, but I will write another one! It's been around forever! If you ask the locals for a non touristy place to eat, this is it! We've had breakfast and lunch here. You cannot go wrong with any of their menu options. The people working here are down to earth and friendly. We normally will ask them for recommendations. We enjoy their Classic BLT's, the Meatball sandwich, the Hot Pastrami, and the Cobb Salad. As far as breakfast is concerned, we love their chicken fried steak, Denver Omelette, French Toast, and pancakes. Overall, a great local restaurant with years of experience. The food is delicious and the employees make you feel welcomed. We will have to come for dinner next time!

I'm sorry but I didn't found anything special in their food or menu…read more Egg Benedict same to any other placer, I know is a classic but flavor wise aren't in the good side, Hollandaise sauce tu much lemon. Country potato arrived as we order crispy but no onion, no bell pepper.... Just potato French toast , you can innovate a lot with this dish, but thin slices of whole wheat bread for a French toast? If you looking for something healthy to eat, you don't going to order French toast . The good in this dish the orange sauce. Portions are generous and price fair. The place really needs a good face lifting and cleaning. Most of the time you can see how clean is the place when you use the restroom.....and wasn't clean........... Best overall Rhonda our server, she was very nice, talking with us, checking our table and refilling coffee very often. Great job Rhonda, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Unfortunately I do not coming back to this restaurant if I'm around the area.

(+) $$ I know this is a tourist trap in a way and you can leave the aquarium to eat nearby then…read morecome back.. but it's so convenient to just grab a bite here. Nice ocean views too at least. (+) Sustainable seafood, that's good. I'm glad they source responsibly. (+) My fish bowl was tasty! Generously sized portion and I enjoyed everything they include with the cod. Gilroy garlic fries were fine. Of course the kids saw the spread at the dessert bar and had to get something sweet too. (+) Variety of drink options and at least you can get refills (I confirmed with the cashier). I like that there isn't just the usual big name brand sodas available. Long line for the main station, not sure how they could make it more efficient as they had some items already prepared and were well staffed. The price is killer, for a family of four things sure add up, but at least the quality and portions were decent.

{ 3.5 stars }…read more Haiku: The Monterey Bay Aquarium Restaurant Pricey, large portions Sustainably sourced seafood It's convenient. --- Museum cafes are always hit-or-miss, but I was surprisingly impressed with the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium cafe's seafood selection and sustainable practices. However, you pay a premium for the convenience. At least the portions are generous, and seafood is sustainably sourced. They have a wide selection of seafood-forward & the usual food items: poke bowls, soup bread bowls, sandwiches, burgers, pizza & fish & chips. My kid loved the all-you-can-drink soda fountain. (You keep your receipt and come back throughout the day to grab a new cup and rehydrate at the soda fountain) The clam chowder was thick, filled with clams, bacon, and veggies; however, it lacked flavor. My poke bowl was well-balanced and satisfying. I'm thoroughly impressed with their fruit and dessert selection. Everything is presented beautifully at the stations. The restaurant itself is gorgeous. There are large windows table seating facing the picturesque Monterey Bay. The view here is spectacular and unparalleled to any museum I've been to.

My family and I would definitely recommend this restaurant. We came to Pacific Grove with our dog…read morefor the second time and we had to eat outside. The owner gave me a blanket and turned on the outdoor heater and made us feel welcome. We weren't very hungry to start, but we ordered the escargot appetizer, the Sea-bass special which included soup or salad and we had the Caesar salad with that. My husband and I had wine and we enjoyed the red blend Behringer and the Pinot from Monterey. Our Apple galette is coming right now and we know it's good because we had it last time. So remember, dog, friendly, and great customer service!

Went to a wedding reception here and the food was incredible, got the salmon dish and loved the…read moresauce, fish and vegetables were so fresh. Crème brûlée was also solid. Interior is beautiful, honestly no complaints and want to come here for dinner now sometime.