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.