Fishwife - Seafood, Monterey

1996 1/2 Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove CA 93950
(831) 375-7107
Parking: street parking
http://www.fishwife.com/

Last Visited: August 18, 2009

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Glenn referred me to Fishwife located at Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove. Each time he and his wife visit the area, they always go to Fishwife and enjoy the good food. Their menu includes Carribean, Mexican, and Californian combinations.

I've now visited the location at least twice. Lunch menu prices are slightly less expensive than dinner prices. My first visit was for dinner and I was really quite amazed at the quantity of food offered and the value of it. The place was pretty packed, and luckily, we had come just before the crowd arrived. By the time our dinner was over, the line was out the door.

In general, the atmosphere was quaint with white paper lining the tables, smooth service, and a buzz about the place with all of its customers. Window seating doesn't offer much of a view, but knowing you're in Monterey and that just a short walk out the door allows you to hear the ocean waves and feel the sea breeze serves up a more romantic atmosphere. Admittedly, during my second visit for lunch about a year later, the value remained, but the luster had been lost a bit - perhaps because I had high expectations from my great first visit. The food during the second visit, while still fresh and in a lot of quantity, wasn't quite as eye-popping and mouth watering as during the first visit. However, I would still be willing to go back and try it again - perhaps sticking with grilled items.

- Boston Clam Chowder - Although a hearty helping and containing many clams, the texture was more starchy than creamy. I would probably pass on this if you have high clam chowder expectations. If not, you might still be okay as it has good flavor, but not the texture that I desired. Cup $4.25, Bowl $5.95

- Dinner Salad - I like the freshness of Fishwife's salad - romaine or green lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, red onion rings, and carrots. Good. $4.75 (also available at lunch with a bowl of Boston clam chowder $9)

- Alfredo Seafood Combo - Served with two pieces of soft garlic bread, pasta is combined with shrimp, scallops, and fish in a creamy alfredo sauce. The sauce is very rich and a bit heavy, but I guarantee that you'll be full after eating this dish. Nobody should walk away hungry. $15.95

- Golden-Fried Calamari - Unfortunately, I ate most of the calamari before I had a chance to tartar sauce which take a photo. Large calamari steak strips are lightly breaded and fried until golden brown. They're served with a wedge of lemon and Carribean style is a light orange color and has a bit of a kick. Since I didn't realize it was going to be calamari steak versus calamari tentacles and pieces, I was a little disappointed, but the flavor was still nice. If you like calamari steak, you'll probably enjoy it. If you're staying in the area, look for a coupon at the hotel that offers a free appetizer with an entree. It's a great way to get more value out of your visit. $7.75

- Crab Cakes served with habanero cream sauce. Two rather large crab cakes were plated with a cream sauce on top and an accompanying lime wedge and mound of salsa. When the menu described it as 'served with' sauce, I didn't realize it would be topping the entire cake. I prefer to have the option to dip into the sauce, so this was another miscommunication on my end. Another hearty dish, but as a crab cake purest in that I want to taste it without sauce, I was slightly disappointed. The sauce overwhelmed the cake for me and all I could taste was the spicy sauce. Just Okay. $9.50

- Tilapia Cancun - This was my first main dish at Fishwife and I found it quite impressive in terms of value and quantity. Spiced with achiote, the tilapia is grilled and served on a cashew cilantro pesto and topped with salsa bravo. While I didn't know what salsa bravo was going to taste like, I liked the fresh flavors combined with the grilled fish. They offered an option of beans and as you can see, nobody should go hungry with this dish. $13.95 Lunch, $15.95 Dinner

- Fried Tilapia Lunch Plate - Served with steak fries, salad, and black beans, this was great for lunch to allow a portion of vegetables, but still allowing you to enjoy some fries with your fish. Good crunchy crust on the fish and an ample serving of salad. This time, the salad was a little more wilted than last, so the food wasn't quite as impressive. $11.50

Some of the dishes get a solid three star rating, but in general, I dropped their rating after the second visit to the two to three star range because while the food is fresh and comes in good quantity, I find that the mixture of flavor sometimes prevents one from tasting the beauty and freshness of the seafood itself. Some of their dishes are a little overly dressed. While I would visit again, I found that the second visit during lunch had only fair service despite it being later in the lunch hour and there being fewer tables. Fishwife reminds me a little of watching a restaurant makeover show - it's a place with its regulars that like what they serve, but I think their menu could use a little updating to allow the seafood to be presented in a new way that simplifies the flavors a bit.