Gianni's Pizza - Italian, Monterey

725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey CA 93940
(831) 649-1500
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Mon-Thurs open from 3:30pm, Fri-Sun open from 11am
https://www.giannispizzamonterey.com/

Last Visited: May 9, 2015

Food: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Price: $$

It's been several years since I visited this place, but Edwin recommended it and he knows great places for large groups and good food.  It's one of those classic places with the red and white checkered tablecloths, a rather large space with tables of assorted sizes to accommodate small and large groups, and a general buzz that lets you know it's a place for locals and tourists alike.  It's old school in decor, but the flavors are solid and you'll feel right at home.  The place was getting packed even though it was pretty early in the dinner hour. 

We had a reservation and arrived with the table set for us.  The menu is comprised of Italian classics - pizza, pasta, calzones, sandwiches, and salads. 

Four of us decided to share a large classic caesar salad and a Gianni's signature pizza and a few of us got gelato afterwards from the front counter. 

- Classic Caesar - Available with or without chicken.  The salad was fresh and croutons were crispy.  Regular and family size available.  We got a family size and found it easily shareable. 

- Gianni's Special: Combination of cheese, pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, black olives, bell peppers, and fresh Italian sausage.  I really enjoyed the crust - just as it should be - crusty and soft as you bite the edge with a great sauce and good combination of toppings.  I can see why this is one of their signature pizzas.  Servings are hearty - they don't skimp on ingredients.  Five sizes of pizzas are available - from mini at 8" to XL at 18".  They also offer a 10" gluten free crust for those with dietary restrictions. 

There are 13 pizzas that they call their signature and of course, you can create your own.  I enjoyed two flavors on this visit. 

The gelato was located at the front counter and there were more than twenty flavors to select from.

If this place was in my hometown, I would surely be a regular.  If you're visiting, it's a great stop if you need a break from the local seafood or tourist spots.  I'll definitely swing by the next time I'm in Monterey and would gladly recommend it to others.

Tacos California Grill - Mexican, Seaside

400 Palm Ave, Seaside CA 93955

(831) 394-1080
Parking: street parking

Last Visited: May 10, 2015

Food: 3 to 4 stars

Atmosphere: 3 stars

Service: 3 stars

Price: $ to $$

When you arrive in the neighborhood of Tacos California Grill, you might wonder if you're in the right place, but if you keep an eye out, you'll notice the A-frame sign along the main road pointing you to tacos.  

Inside the little restaurant, you won't find any menus except for the homemade picture menu with labels on the wall. A quick scan of the wall will let you know that they have a lot of classic Mexican dishes - burritos and enchiladas - along with those that are identified with comfort food - sopas, huarache, chilaquiles.  Other offerings include menudo, fajitas, and pambazo. The decor is simple with bright yellow walls, a few Mexican paintings, and colorful tablecloths.  

- Fish Tacos - A fresh homemade tortilla serves as the base for seasoned fish, shredded purple and green cabbage, pico de gallo, and queso fresco.  The fish is very mild, but cooked right and the combination of ingredients provide a good contrast of textures.  Good. $2.99

- Sopa - You can select your choice of meat and I chose carnitas.  Refried beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream top the meat and sopa base.  Although it's not the best sopa that I've ever had, the base held together fine and was freshly fried.  Good. $3.50

Dishes are prepared to order, so it's best to give yourself plenty of time when you visit. The flavors are on the mild side, but they have a great salsa bar to spice up your dish to your tastes.  Overall, the dining experience was solid, but if you go in a big party, note that your dishes will arrive slowly, and chips won't come until everyone is done ordering at the register.  This is a great spot for a casual meal with fresh and simple offerings.

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Seafood, Monterey

39 Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey CA 93940
(831) 375-1331
Parking: pay parking lot or street parking within walking distance
Hours: 11am to 10pm
http://www.oldfishermansgrotto.com/

Last Visited: December 2009

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$$

Old Fisherman’s Grotto (OFG) is one of those regular stops for me in Monterey. Donny recommended it because he loves the clam chowder there. And who could resist it? It’s creamy and filled with clams – oh so delicious. It has also won the Best Clam Chowder 2010 award as voted on by readers of the Monterey Coast Weekly.

Located along the wharf, there are numerous choices for places to eat here. The Shake family has owned this place since the 1950s when it was first founded. The elder Shake is credited for innovating the tradition to hand out samples of the clam chowder to those passing by. Now you see that all over Monterey.

It’s a rather large restaurant with dining areas upstairs and it offers great views of the waterfront. You feel a bit like you’re taking a walk back in time into one of those old style Italian restaurants, except that here, it’s seafood. Local produce and seafood abound on the menu which offers a variety of items – hot appetizers including steamed mussels, fried calamari, and crab cakes, cold appetizers including shrimp cocktail and oysters on the half shell, many pasta dishes, grilled items, and of course, seafood. Portions are also huge, so there’s really no reason why anyone should go hungry.

When you step into OFG, you’ll be given a big basket of bread. If you have stopped in at a hotel beforehand, sometimes you’ll find specials for a complimentary appetizer, so be on the lookout for that.

- Original 'Monterey Style' Clam Chowder – I love the presentation of the clam chowder – in a bowl shaped like a clam shell – it’s so pleasant and inviting. The fragrance of clams is noticeable at first bite, and the creamy texture of the soup warms you up. I always get a cup of clam chowder when I stop in at OFG. Cup $4.95, Clam Bowl $11.95, Sourdough Bread Bowl $11.95

- Fried Calamari - Monterey Bay calamari strips and tentacles are lightly seasoned, floured and deep fried. These pieces are crispy on the outside and tender within. Served with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce and lemon, they’re a great way to start a meal. $ 10.95

- Caesar Salad - Hearts of romaine are dressed in a Caesar dressing and topped with anchovies. It’s served with a side of garlic bread. It’s a little bit pricey for just the plain salad, but the portion is very large and could definitely be shared by two. If you’re not stuffed from the bread served at the table, you will be after this additional piece. $11.95

- Fish & Chips - New Zealand cod is breaded and deep fried. The dish is served with French fries, malt vinegar, tartar sauce and lemon. While it’s not as good as what you might find in England, it’s definitely one of the better fish and chips that I have found on the left coast. $14.95

- Ocean Combo - From the photo at the top of the page, you can see that the portions are healthy. Here we have tilapia, salmon, and fried calamari. All are fresh and delicious. $22.95

I couldn’t find a mixed seafood Caesar on the menu on the website, but I’m pretty sure that’s what the picture is depicting. The grilled shrimp and scallops were tasty and very fresh.

After several visits, I have been consistently pleased with my food experiences in Monterey at OFG. In terms of food, the seafood is fresh, the food is served at the right temperature, and the flavors are great – never overwhelming or under seasoned.

The only issue that I have had with each visit is service. My first visit had excellent service. The wait staff is seasoned – they anticipate your needs and come check on you at just the right rate. Staff comes by to refill your water glasses frequently. However, one nice touch is that they always give a lady a flower, typically carnations, at the end of the meal before they leave for the night. While this gesture is quite generous and would make your day, I have never received a flower after any of my visits while those at tables around me seem to get flowers all the time. There are also times when the atmosphere has so many large parties that it’s very loud and hard to hear the conversation at the table.

As you can tell, the service or lack thereof has not deterred me from returning to OFG. I enjoy the food just that much. However, keep in mind that service has room for improvement. Also, wait times can be long on weekend evenings despite the larger size of the facility.

Note also that the Fish Hopper and several other local restaurants are also owned by the Shake family, so if you taste that same clam chowder elsewhere, don’t be too surprised.

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.