Best Healthy Restaurants in Monterey

We absolutely know we will be treated like royalty when we visit Old Fisherman’s Grotto. Once again they delivered. Sal made us feel like family. We started with calamari and artichokes with a nice drink from the bar. The calamari was crispy with the sauces adding a bit of excitement to each bite. The artichoke was creamy and rich. Bread and butter was served. We felt relaxed and never in a hurry. After the appetizer we put in the order for dinner, double lobster tails for him and 1/2 crab, salmon and grilled shrimp for me. We were both so happy with our meals. Dessert was the cherry on top, ollalieberry pie a la mode for him and and beautiful chocolate and vanilla cake with strawberries for me. Our water was constantly refilled. The view of the harbor was also very relaxing. I can’t wait until we are in town again to enjoy the hospitality once again.

Server was friendly, Bridget, if I recall, and on top of it. Husband’s birthday. They brought not only the birthday desert, but a nice taste of the strawberry gelato and blood orange sorbet — because she heard how we wanted to taste it. Husband had the filet perfectly cooked. I had the short rib very tasty, but maybe a bit too much salt. The ambiance was warmly inviting. Just the right amount of light added to a feeling that we were welcomed.

Such a great restaurant. We were there early (long story), but were seated anyway. Monterey had just experienced a huge rainstorm and power outage (although Fisherman's Wharf seems to have gotten its power back sooner than the neighboring area). The servers and staff were unbothered and waitstaff was prompt, cordial, and friendly. Plus the food was great! you can't go wrong with seafood in Monterey. But this was a notch up.

What is a 3 star Michelin Restaurant? According to the Michelin guide: A three-star restaurant is one that offers “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.” My wife and I travel over 2500 miles each year to celebrate our wedding anniversary at nowhere else other than the Coastal Kitchen with Chef Michael Rotondo and his wonderful staff. From the initial warm and friendly greeting from Conrad the Maitre D’ Hotel and Sommelier you will be experiencing a 5 course tasting delight never to be experienced anywhere else on the Monterey Peninsula! Chef Michael makes it a point to welcome each guest table before dinner service to ensure they are ready for culinary experience like no other and ensures there are no allergens to affect their tasting experience. For an additional charge, each course will be paired with an exceptional wine to highlight the nuisances of every dish. Rachel our wine server had extensive knowledge of each wine served and made the pairing so much more enjoyable. Jesus and Eli our food servers were always on point and added to the attentiveness of the entire staff! We truly appreciated the attention to detail and the quality of the food served at every course. The Basque cheese cake was off the chart! The French Laundry was an icon of the Napa Valley in its day but the new rising icon of the Monterey Peninsula is the Coastal Kitchen! Thank You Chef Michael and the Monterey Plaza Hotel for a wonderful 3 star Michelin dining experience! The Coastal Kitchen truly offers exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey!

Food was 5/5, highly recommend the corkscrew burger. Service was 5/5, the server was attentive and friendly. The drinks were 2/5. A margarita is not complicated to make, yet this one seemed to be missing both the flavor of the lime juice and the tequila. There was a sour taste to it. It was a birthday celebration not sure if anything special is done but it wasn’t acknowledged. Other than that, I do recommend coming to eat here but hold off at the cocktails.