This restaurant is conveniently located right next to the Portola Hotel & Spa lobby. I came here for a quick dinner and ordered the Pacific Salmon ($16) and the Ginger Peach Iced Tea ($5). The salmon had a nice, sweet crispy skin that was cooked perfectly, but the vermicelli that the salmon was paired with was too salty. The vermicelli and hoisin vegetables was doused in whatever sauce they used to season it, and it tasted like it was sitting in the sauce for far too long. This was definitely an Asian inspired dish, but there's a reason why most Asian places serve salty dishes with rice! It's a nice spot to have dinner, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here if I wasn't already staying at the hotel. read more

Jacks Monterey - Pacific Salmon - Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

Came in for lunch and tried the mushroom risotto with a Caesar salad. Both were fantastic. The mushrooms were diverse, fresh, and earthy, rice perfectly cooked and just creamy enough. The Caesar salad was large with fresh anchovies for added umami and saltiness. The restaurant is beautiful and enclosed with live trees and comfortable chairs. The bar stocks my favorite gin, Bummer & Lazurus so I'll be back again for cocktails. My server Samantha was fantastic. Very attentive and knowledgeable. I can see myself coming back weekly to try the rest of the menu. read more

Stopped by here the other night to grab a couple drinks before dinner. Nice looking bar! I enjoy the open atmosphere and how spacious it was however, I wasn't impressed with the service or drinks I had. Staff seemed annoyed by me when I declined the food menu and only opted for a drink. The bartender wasn't very friendly either. She didn't make eye contact, give a warm greeting or anything. I just got a weird vibe from her to be honest! Maybe they just get annoyed at people stopping by here asking if its happy hour and thinking that it's Peter B's! No clue, either way...bring your own bottle and drink it in the hotel room or stop by any of the other restaurants right down the block. I closed out after 2 drinks because I didn't feel welcome. 2 stars for the nice venue, but that's it! Final Piece of Dirty Donovan Life Advice? $33 for a watered down Jameson/Ginger Ale & a Manhattan is way overpriced for the area. read more

Just had an outstanding meal at Jack's Monterey. Apps were incredible. Recommend the iron skillet rolls and the veal cheeks. The butter lettuce salad was beautiful and tasted fresh from the garden. I had the goat moussaka - pure comfort! I also really liked their options on the "zero proof" / non alcoholic cocktails. Wish they offered a flight so I could try them all or maybe just 3-4. Will definitely be back to check out the the rest of the menu. Service was great. The acoustics are a little loud because of the high ceilings, but I liked the natural light and all the views to the outside. read more

Amazing food and amazing wait staff! Jaime and Santiago were especially kind and made our experience even better!

We came here for dinner on a Tuesday. It was quite empty here. The restaurant is located in the hotel. There was no sign, so it was a bit of a scavenger hunt to find the hotel. The design of the restaurant is great. You can eat under the tree indoor. Service was great. Waitress was very friendly and attentive. Food.....I was disappointed. We got the artichoke roll baked on a cast iron pan (a cheese dip with bread rolls), the bread was great, dip was too rich and creamy. Too thick. Also got the veal cheek. Disappointed. The meat DOSE melt in your mouth, super tender, but the sauce.... too much starch, and the flavor was weird. Feels like they were trying to cover something. Would be great with maybe just balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Also got scallop three way, that's good. Shrimp and grit, like the grit which is very flavorful, but the rest...too salty. read more

Jacks Monterey - Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

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We stayed at the Portola Hotel, and on our last night decided to eat at Jack's, the hotel restaurant. Menu is very limited - surprised to see no pork or chicken entrees (other than a chicken sandwich) - just scampi, salmon and three "steak"options. We shared a Caesar Salad, which was ample for two and nicely presented. We followed that with Monterey Bay Salmon and the New York Steak. Salmon was good, but the New York Steak was very disappointing. Frankly, it was no better than a shrink wrapped steak from the grocery store - something I would expect from Sizzler. If you want to be recognized as a fine-dining establishment, you had better age your steaks and be more selective of your cuts. The potatoes and asparagus that accompanied the steak were very good. Added to the mixed review of food was the fact that housekeeping/maintenance wheeled trolleys across the tile floor adjacent to the restaurant (and in close proximity to our table) throughout our dinner experience, which was very noisy and disruptive. We might as well have been eating in a mall cafeteria. So overall, there is room for improvement if Jack's wants to consider themselves a fine dining experience. Disappointing considering it was our last night in Monterey. read more

Overpriced and underwhelmed to serve you. Cool ambiance but terrible service which make the prices not worth it. Won't be back!

Fantastic spot to have a drink, unwind, and relax. Drinks are delicious and strong, customer service is superb, and the food is delicious (I ordered the Clam Chowder and a Skillet Roll). I highly recommended this place! read more

Jacks Monterey - Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

The food, service and ambiance were top flight. The restaurant is inside a 4.5 star hotel and the food and beverage prices were quite reasonable and there was good variety. Our server (Colleen?) was very attentive. We sat inside, facing the bar. The only draw back to the entire evening was a very LOUD wedding party. Oh well, the bride looked happy. read more

I really like this place and have been there many times for lunch or special events. The food is always good and the service is friendly and helpful. I really liked the prime rib and cioppino special over the holidays. Good beers and wine and lunch specials too. Overall it's a nice place to eat in a good location in downtown Monterey. Happy hour is good too. read more

The cocktails were delicious and the service was fantastic! Samantha took great care of us! We stopped in for drinks before heading to dinner outside of the hotel. We enjoyed Jack's so much, we stopped back for another round after dinner! We had the Cucumber Martini and the Monterey Old Fashioned- both were very well balanced and really yummy! read more

Undercooked plate of greasy pizza with a watery tasting dough. The calamari was soaked in cooking oil as well. Not many interesting choices on menu. Go eat elsewhere. So many other choices. The only reason we ate there was we were dead tired from our days activities didnt want to leave hotel. We should have just walked two hundred yards to anywhere else. read more

The bar/restaurant located inside Portola hotel. Was there for a late night drink and snack. It is set up well and I really liked the fireplace. They have seating inside or outside under the atrium which is nice. Food, drinks and service were just OK. read more

It's a nice space with friendly, attentive and great staff but the food is mediocre. I stopped in for lunch and ordered the clam chowder and papusa . I was excited to see papusa on the menu, a traditional El Salvadoreño dish. The clam chowder was average, nothing more than a frozen and reheated flavor with bits of corn. The Papusas was well presented ( be weary the pork is outside of the papusa not packed in and melted together with the cheese as it is traditionally served. The pork was bland but the flatbread and cheese had a nice crunch and was rather filling. The price was reasonable for the lunch menu. My disappointment is really in the lack of salt, seasonings and just flavor. Else it's a cute place to stop in for a drink or two! read more

My Husband and I went here I love our food it was delicious and nice place inside Portola *****

Honestly... I don't know why this restaurant has such a high rating. But I came here along with my bf for an anniversary dinner. The multiple entrances made it really confusing as to where the host was or if it was self seating. A server had to go locate her and a few minutes went by before she finally approached us. I was already turned off by the first impression. Our server finally came to us, he looked a bit nervous and rushed our order so I quickly decided on a drink and the hamachi crudo... The drink was good, the appetizer was disappointing with the portion size, flavors were good. Wasn't impressed and won't be returning. If you're coming hungry, don't even waste your time. It could potentially be a good place for a casual gathering that didn't involve the food. read more

Came here late on a weekday, entrance is a little difficult to find due to this restaurant being located in a hotel. Honestly wouldn't have come here if I'd known that. Seating was a little awkward unless you were in the bar.. host took awhile to come seat us, we weren't sure if we were supposed to just seat ourselves. Our server was very friendly but I think she got busy and the host ended up clearing our plates and checking us out. I usually don't get pizza unless that is what the place is known for but the BF got the mushroom one. The toppings all slid off from the grease between them and the cheese.. there was marmalade blobs instead of "drizzle". Drizzle would have complimented it much better. 2/5 for the pizza. I got the eggplant parm (always my go-to when it's available) and it ended up being pretty good! Only downfall is that it was more like an eggplant parm slice of lasagna? A little different than what I'm used to but I'd give it a 4/5. I guess we were subconsciously in the mood for Italian and should have just gone elsewhere lol. read more

Jacks Monterey - Dinner menu - Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

Food is good and the service is amazing. My wife and I ate at multiple restaurants during our stay in Monterey. Jacks service really stood out. We will be back. read more

Beautiful hotel, AMAZING service! We stay once a year and it's our favorite hotel in Monterey! The bar/restaurant is wonderful... ambiance with the fire pit is beautiful and relaxing and the drinks are GREAT! Will (the bartender) is top notch! Highly recommended!! read more

Jacks Monterey - Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

We were staying at the Portola and were looking forward to a meal here but it was really disappointing from start to finish. Service was pleasant enough but the food was not good and a terrible value. My strawberry salad with "goat cheese fritter" was missing the fritter and the $14 single crab cake I ordered was sitting in a pool of congealed aioli. My husband had the salmon and it was a very small portion for $22 and the noodles it came with were so salty he could barely eat them. My sons pepperoni pizza tasted extremely greasy- one of the worst pizzas I've tasted and I'm not picky about pizza! All in all, not a good dinner and would not return. read more

I was so excited to try this place, and the food was not good. I got he baked/fried chicken. The red sauce on the plate is very sour/sweet and it was all over the food. I couldn't push it to the side just to try to eat the rest of the food. The mashy's were good, the green beans were good but the chicken has a sour smell to it. The restaurant was in the Portillo hotel and it was a nice scene but it has a lot going on... construction, gift shops right behind the restaurant. My boyfriend likes his food, he got the hamburger. I wouldn't go back again. I think there's better places down the warf. I liked the appetizer we got the panned artichoke dip, that was good! read more

Jacks Monterey - Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

Food was fantastic and servers even more informative. Great dinner experience. Especially for a late nite arrival!

You dont know Jack ! Jack is probably The happening Est Place in all of Monterey. All of Monterey ? Yep. All of Monterey Most places in Monterey Are in desperate need of Rennovation. Jacks is not. Very new Very clean Very Sharp Top notch staff W a top notch ambiance N a top notch menu puts Jacks Very easily on a well deserved pedestel. read more

Stumbled upon this place for lunch, got the Ahi Tuna burger, wife had the grains and greens (?) salad; food and service were top notch. Decided to stop in for dinner, had the gnocchi, halibut carpaccio, pork shank and strawberry salad. Again, great service, perfectly cooked and prepared food. Shank was crisp on the outside, flavorful, tender, excellent. Salad, again, as with lunch, was fresh. Greens tasted like they were picked from a personal garden- great texture, just the right amount of dressing. Sunday rolls around, we decided to come for brunch. Ordered the heuvos rancheros and salad (again the grains and greens). Again, outstanding. They're doing things right. Hope they continue to. read more

Went to Jacks for Thanksgiving since we vacationed in Marina for a week. It is a very cute atmosphere and the service was very good despite the hectic crowd. They were a little slow but understandable and we enjoyed visiting. The food however was not the best. We had the choice of the Thanksgiving menu or we could order off the menu. My husband chose the Turkey Pot pie and said it was good, but MC was better. My son had Mary's Chicken and he enjoyed it. He said the polenta was grainy but tasted good. My daughter in law had the Portola Burger and really enjoyed it. Now the Thanksgiving fare. The beet salad was very good. My plate of Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and green bean casserole came out in a mess. It was also less than lukewarm. The green bean casserole looked like a glutenous blob and was not appetizing at all. The turkey was pretty good as was the mashed potatoes and stuffing, but not at all excellent and not worth the price! The pumpkin and pecan pies were OK. There was no rolls or bread unless you ordered them separate. All in all very dismal experience and we will steer clear of Jack's our next trip. read more

Wondered why this place would be rated so marginally. Menu looks good. Nice feeding etc. Know I guess I know.... Although I can't speak to the food, I won't be back. Tried ordering drinks a few minutes after midnight on new years. Couple dozen people around with their drinks. Went to the bar and was ignored by the waitresses. When I got the bartender's attention, he simply said"no more. Were done." Done is right. First impression of 2022 is save your time and go directly to a place that wants your business. read more

This is a terrible restaurant! Two stars because the ambiance is nice and the wine list is decent; otherwise DREADFUL. Service was indifferent and the server kept rushing me to pay my bill because she was going off shift. After she left I couldn't get anyone to respond to me and had to walk up to the host to get any attention. But, it's the food that is the worst. Calamari tempura was all stuck together in a greasy clump and overdone. One of the dipping sauces tasted like dish soap. From the kids menu, the "chicken fingers" were inedible dried out clumps you could break a tooth on. The fries, at least were ok, but not great. Overall a crappy experience. I recommend you walk out to the wharf for food. The convenience of the restaurant in the hotel just isn't worth it. read more

OMG. Good portions, good service [thanks, Lauren! (I think I got her name right) and all the other staff we interacted with--except for the hostess, who wouldn't look me in the eye]. And most importantly of all, GREAT food. Even the leftover portions I had today were delicious. The fig salad was amazing. Capay Farm figs (probably the best I've ever had), mixed greens, goat cheese, hazelnuts, and just enough roasted shallot vinaigrette. And the halibut paupiette (cooked in parchment paper) with Asian vegetables (mostly strips of colorful bell pepper), mushrooms, black bean & garlic sauce--smoky and delicious. I could quibble that the fish may have been a hair overcooked, or the veggies a tad underseasoned, but it was so good, I really can't complain. Nice wine flight, too. And my buddy liked his salmon and wine. Pleasant atmosphere, but not at all snooty. ______________________________________________ Taking them down a star after our latest visit (Jan. 2018), which was just okay. The halibut offering has changed, and not for the better. The preparation is fine--served under a crayfish chili sauce--but it was not prepared as the menu stated. Blackened? No--it was white as snow. It was moist, and the portion pretty generous (it should be for $27). But it was lukewarm, and instead of broccoli and basmati rice, it came with fibrous broccolini and white rice. Not that big a deal, but along with the uncomfortable chairs in the bar area, our very nice but overtaxed server, the $8 beer that wasn't quite cold enough, and the flat screens above the bar that are a bit too small, it wasn't an ideal dining (or sports-viewing) experience. read more

The great thing about Jacks Monterey is...everything! The remodel of the restaurant has relocated the guests and tables out amongst the trees below the soaring skylights of the Portola Hotels unique indoor arboretum, a truly memorable ambience for fine dining. Off to the side is the attractive new bar area, along with a fireplace and lounge that is very inviting. I highly recommend getting one of the brass pineapples with the delicious Tuyets Elixir, a mixed drink that defies description and will leave you wanting more. But be careful, its goes down dangerously smooth... The wait staff were very polite and attentive throughout the dining experience and even though the place was quite busy our drinks never went empty and they cleared the dishes quickly to make room between courses. And then there is the food, which lets be honest, is the real attraction! Everything we tried was amazing, but there were few items that really stuck out. The veal cheeks simply melt in your mouth, a tender and savory delight that is so good that you are going to want to keep the "share" portion all for yourself. Another appetizer that we couldnt get enough of were the rainbow carrots, glazed with honey and better than any carrot has the right to be. Of the entrees, our favorites were the salmon, the filet (which was perfect!), and the seasonal pizza which was a pesto with fresh arugula, all of which were served as soon as the appetizer plates had been cleared away for a seamless dining experience. And of course we stayed for dessert, and it did not disappoint! I would recommend the brownie sundae, but you better save room, because the portion of the chocolatey goodness is no joke. Which brings me to another highlight, the surprisingly affordable bill at the end of the night, despite splurging on a meal that could easily run you twice as much as elsewhere! The value is unparalleled, especially considering that the Chef sources his foods locally and prioritizes sustainability, something you wont find a lot of places and typically pay a premium for. Overall, I cant recommend Jacks Monterey highly enough, its something special that I guarantee you will love! read more

Jacks Monterey - Group effort - Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

We had a fantastic time at Jack's! The lobby setting is beautiful. Our waiter, Michael was incredible! He had just become certified as a sommelier and had great recommendations for us. He even sent out a free dessert for our Anniversary . Will definitely come back to Jack's on our next trip to Monterey! read more

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We were looking forward to our dinner at Jack's at the very nice hotel Portola in Monterey Ca. We will not come here again to eat. They allow dogs to eat at tables within 5 feet of the restaurant. This is completely nuts. Not sure where our world is coming to. Do not recommend you come here. read more

Janine, sorry but you are incorrect. Nothing was resolved by the manager. I simply apologized for the way I spoke to our server. If the policy of Jack's is to allow dogs to sit in a chair and eat from the table I will never be back! read more

EXCELLENT RESTAURANT. a bit pricey, but good food and service. Would totally recommend and can't wait to come back.

Me and my wife Paty went there for are 16th anniversary. Stayed there along time ago. Checkin was good, then went to have a cocktail! They called and room was ready and it was amazing. Time to go for dinner and thats where the magic started. Great time from start to finish. Our server was the best Kiim"KIMMY' Cervantes. was great with knoweldge of wine and food. Best cowboy steak ever ate and mama had salmon. I told Kimmy to mention to the chief it was great, next here comes her mgr Karla, then Danny the chief and the cook Ozzy came out. This staff was the best ever seen, and the food was the best ever ate. "KIMMY" deserves around of applause cause it was great time and she's the best!!!!!! STEVIE C FRISCO415 read more

Usually, I tend to always avoid hotel restaurants but the good reviews and our hunger made us give it a shot. The Carnivore pizza was solid, good crudo and delicious burgers. Give a shot to the non alcoholic cocktails too, tasty. read more

Jacks Monterey - Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

My husband and I stayed at this hotel and decided to dine here once we saw the menu and the good ratings. The food was delicious! We had the strawberry arugula salad with balsamic reduction dressing and the best prawn and capellini pasta we have ever experienced. It is so good we are planning to go back soon. I highly recommend this place and will tell my friends and family who live in the Monterey Bay Area. Our server was Kevin and he was so friendly and attentive. We will ask for his table the next time we go there. read more

This place should be shut down. I'm calling the health department. Raw chicken on a salad, stale old bread on a rancid burger, horrible service and no effort to really make it right. I will definitely be filing a complaint with the health department. It's bad enough that the we are dealing with coronavirus as a society, so why should we have to worry about getting sick from our food prepared and served by a staff that shouldn't be in the food industry to start with? Fire your chef and your night manager. Absolutely appalling and pathetic. read more

Our new favorite brunch spot! Everything was good. Came for Sunday brunch, enjoyed a relaxing atmosphere with live music, and delicious food. Will definitely be coming back for more. read more

I love the new remodel. Out in the beautiful lobby with the trees. Love the new music. I used my Groupon voucher for the New York Strip steak. I ordered it medium well. Delicious. My dessert, The Bomb, was great, too. Please see the description with the photo. read more

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