Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Passionfish in Pacific Grove

4.6 (198) 701 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, United States

Categories

Seafood restaurant
Fine dining restaurant
Restaurant

Location on the map

Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California, US

Phone: +1 831-655-3311
Site: http://passionfish.net/

Opening hours

Monday:5–9 PM
Tuesday:5–9 PM
Wednesday:5–9 PM
Thursday:5–9 PM
Friday:5–9 PM
Saturday:5–9 PM
Sunday:5–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.6

198 Reviews for Passionfish 2024:

Review №1

2023-09-08 00:15:44

Really cute seafood restaurant in Monterey! 🐠The indoor felt very cozy, which would be ideal after a cold day out, or a walk on the windy coast.The staff is very friendly and one of the focus of this restaurant is to not overcharge for wine pairings, so theres plenty of great options at retail price! 🍷In terms of food, I really enjoyed the scallop on top of rice cake as starter, the seared tuna with artichoke and basil caponata as main course, and the warm maple banana bread pudding 🤤Pro tip: pair with the recommended tea for max level comfort! 🥰Highly recommend if youre out in Monterey! 😋🙌🏻Perfect for a date! 🌹

Review №2

2023-10-16 06:33:59

We came here for my wifes birthday. The service was good. The food was ok. Not bad, not great. We had 3 appetizers, scallop, fried squid, and buttermilk biscuit. The scallop is cooked perfectly. The sauce on the fried squid is interesting. It is a lemon sauce but the salad in the middle has ginger or something spicy in it. The main course we have two kids meal which is a rock fish and half of the duck confetti. Both taste ok. The duck sauce is a bit strong on the mable syrup so it is very sweet. The adults has the rainbow trout and the full duck confetti. Duck is crispy and tasty. Can do without the sauce. The rainbow trout is ok. The sauce is some kind of yogurt in it so it tastes odd for me. Overall it is an ok place to dine in.

Review №3

2023-10-10 20:41:39

The wine list and service are impeccable at Passionfish. Whether you are treating yourself to a solo dinner or eating with friends, Passionfish offers an intimate atmosphere where you can leisurely enjoy a great meal.

Review №4

2023-08-18 06:41:00

We were on our way to Big Sur and decided to spend the night in Monterey. We came across this restaurant and wanted to give it a try. The hostesses were so kind and friendly. Shanae and the other host went out of their way to suggest some hotel accommodations in the area to us. We ordered the duck confit, the halibut, and the crab salad. We loved the duck confit and the crab salad. They both had very interesting flavors. The halibut was also delicious, but was on the spicy side. We ordered the Yuzu Panna Cotta and the chocolate torta. We did not care for the desserts. The Panna Cotta was too firm and the chocolate torta came with a passionfruit sauce that was too salty. Our waitress Ojenia provided us with the worst service. She was just not nice or friendly. We would have ordered more food had she been nicer and had let us know about Last call to place an order. I do recommend this restaurant but hopefully you will not end up in her section.

Review №5

2023-03-26 04:00:41

Theres too many words to say how much I loved this place! I want to write in all caps, but I dont want to come off like Im screaming. Ingredients were sourced well and the dishes were cooked with intention and thoughtfulness. Wine pairings were great. The service was top notch.I also liked that despite the location (Montereys reputation is it can be pretentious), the pricing was very reasonable.This place is accessible luxury, what a treat.

Review №6

2023-02-28 23:41:37

Great Valentines Dinner experience! Good selection of Seafood and delicious dishes. Love that it doesnt get too crowded, so it feels still intimate. Got the Duck and Sea Scallops and it did not disappoint. For dessert, Maple Banana Bread pudding with bourbon caramel and banana ice cream. Perfect Valentines dessert! Staff are wonderful and parking is in front with plenty of free spaces.

Review №7

2023-01-27 00:57:23

Wow - the wine list was impressive and offered spectacular prices. I had carried a bottle in but couldnt beat what they were offering. Blake gave impeccable service and the food (especially the crab salad and duck comfit) was exceptional.

Review №8

2023-12-01 11:46:54

Excellent food and server was the best! Very romantic!

Review №9

2023-07-30 06:32:39

Had a wonderful scallop dish and bread pudding for dessert. There was plenty of wine to choose 5 we decided on a half bottle of a local pinot noir.

Review №10

2023-06-19 17:03:12

Fair prices with good but unsurprising fare. We had the mussels which were just okay, and the duck confit which was fantastic. We also started with the smoked trout tostaditas which were also great.

Review №11

2022-11-06 04:12:58

A must go to restaurant if youre visiting the Pacific Grove/Monterey area. I highly recommend getting a reservation because this place is popular.Ill start by saying the service and atmosphere were amazing. I never felt like I had to flag anyone down as they were incredibly attentive.The food was ridiculous. I started with the biscuit, and that thing is so good. You can definitely taste the buttery goodness. If it matches the recipe you can supposedly find online, it uses a lot of butter.Me and my partner ordered the Duck Confit and the Scallops as our entrees. The duck was incredibly savory and fall off the bone. The crisp skin also had amazing flavor and texture, while the meat just melted in your mouth. The Scallops were so buttery, and just seared enough to add some color and flavor without detracting from the freshness of the Scallops themselves. I was also extremely pleased to learn that all the seafood they use is sustainable, which is wonderful.The desert was super tasty. They use leftover biscuits to make the bread pudding for a delectably buttery treat.Overall I was super impressed with this experience and I will make it a point to come back here the next time Im in town.

Review №12

2023-12-06 22:27:38

We love Passionfish!We were so pleased with everything!The ambiance was just right!Food excellent - such creative seafood dishes!Wonderful wine list!We will be back!

Review №13

2023-02-18 17:38:58

Passionfish has really fallen from where it used to be, quality and freshness is not on par with what this restaurant always maintained. A lot of the dishes are half effort. Service was pushy, the waitress really kept pushing and pushing the $55 8oz ribeye special, she suggested it about 3 times, and when we finally decided on our main dish of duck confit her whole attitude changed. It was like she was made we didnt get it, (we came here for seafood not steak)The black bean goat cheese fritters for $10, left a lot to be desired, barely any goat cheese inside, basically a black bean fritter on pico de gallo salsa, 2/10We started off drinks with a rose of grenache sparkling which was very nice, second round was a red ale and a Cabernet franc.We also ordered the fries California squid with herb Salad and spicy tangerine vinaigrette. Pretty good although small portions, the herbs was just arugula.5/10The Nancy buttery biscuit was very good, 10/10Dungeoness crab salad was something we have had here about a half dozen times, this time it wasnt that fresh, it has a good portion size but I question its freshness, I feel like it may have been canned crab. 4/10Main course duck confit, it was tasty but not memorable, I feel like I already forgot about this dish, the crispy skin on the duck was tasty but it was slightly over cooked. Another let down from a once used to be great restaurant. 5/10I will add that the other waiter or busser, was very on top of everything and very nice, our waitress was very lackluster and I would never want her to wait on us again, but then again, we will not be returning to passionfish, its glory days are behind it.

Review №14

2023-03-23 06:29:30

Came here to celebrate a birthday and was really looking forward to the food, but our main courses were very disappointing. The duck confit was shockingly dry for a confit, and its accompanying squash was barely cooked. The halibut dish was worse - served room temp with a sauce that was just not tasty and topped with raw (not braised) jicama.The only salvageable part of the meal was the amazing biscuit on the appetizer menu. Even the dessert was okay. The wine menu is extensive though.

Review №15

2023-05-07 05:50:38

Went for our anniversary - split the fish stew as an appetizer - so flavorful but not fishy - magic! 😂 I also got a biscuit to eat with it and managed to make that last until right before the entree - worth taking time 🙂Got 2 different salads to try, both were awesome - got the mixed greens and the beet - a LOT of cheese on the mixed greens - and I love cheese, but there was definitely some left after the greens were finished.For entrees: I had the scallops - seared with a savory rice pudding sort of thing, and roasted radishes. The radishes seem like they might have been pickled or brined very lightly before roasting - had a really bright taste. Husband had the 12 hour spoonable lamb breast - I had a taste and it was super tender, and he devoured it too quick for me to have a second bite, so I think it was a winner 🏆We were too full to order dessert, but since I mentioned it was our anniversary on our reservation, they brought out a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a passion fruit syrup - and a candle 🕯️! So sweet 🥰Well definitely be back the next time were in the neighborhood 😍

Review №16

2022-04-13 04:00:30

One of the best restaurants in Monterey. Simple and refined menu with complex and flavorful dishes. The duck was rich and had a great crispy skin and the biscuits were amazing. Overall an amazing experience and they have a large wine menu if you enjoy wine. The host also had some great recommendations that the party enjoyed.

Review №17

2022-12-27 04:38:56

Good apps and desserts, but entrees are not refined. Trout was underwhelming, would prefer a pan sear. Lamb was hearty but nothing to write home about. Scallops on the table beside us looked good.

Review №18

2023-10-12 05:29:15

The food was SO good and the atmosphere was great! They were quick to accommodate our very large group. Great drink and wine selection. So glad we came here!

Review №19

2023-06-05 16:18:36

Great food, wine and service. Ingredients were fresh and inventive. Really enjoyed our meal here for my birthday!

Review №20

2023-09-02 04:19:47

This place are AMAZING!!!! Delicious food, non-standard combination of flavors, bravo chef 🙌🏼

Review №21

2021-08-01 20:43:21

Quick SummaryGreat food and service. Highly recommend to book a reservation in advanceFood- 4.5 starsFood was fantastic, but only docked down half a star for the cold cauliflower mash we received. The waitress was fantastic and attentive; she definitely made up for the mishapSea scallop appetizer- scallop was cooked to perfection and polenta was good as well. This was my favorite of the nightNancys buttery buttermilk biscuit- the description is correct as it is one of the richest biscuits Ive eaten. I thought it was worth the try, but probably would order more seafood dishes in the futureSpicy fish stew- this was solid, but wouldve just ordered another entree instead of the stew and biscuit for my next visitAlbacore tuna- this was pretty good and I liked that it was slightly rare in the middle (this is how they prepare it) to taste more of the freshness of the fishBlack cod- this was really good as well. It was okay at the first bite, but I liked it more as I continued to eat it. Flavors and the quinoa mixed together well, but surprised that it was slightly breadedStrauss Organic Mint & Espresso Mud Pie- great way to end the night. Delicious, sweet, and heavyService- 5 starsOur server was fantastic as she was attentive and had plenty of personality. The kitchen forgot our cauliflower mash side and when our server went to go get it, it was ICE COLD! She apologized and quickly replaced it (sadly, it seemed like it was just thrown in the microwave and sent back). Luckily our server did comp our albacore tuna (the entree that came with the cauliflower mash) due to the cauliflower mash mishapParkingPlenty of street parking availableBottom LineIt was a great dining experience with great ambiance. There was a mishap with the cauliflower mash, but our sever was excellent and gracious about it and it didnt ruin our dining experience completely.

Review №22

2021-09-09 15:50:31

I tried a couple appetizers. expensive but decent. the scallop w/ artichoke risotto cake was different and decent. i wish the scallop was seared more for the char and crispy top/bottom. the smoked trout ceviche tostada was good and has a little kick to it, but the texture is a bit mushy, plus the mini tostada got a bit soggy after awhile.

Review №23

2023-10-24 20:49:14

This was our favorite meal during our 5 day stay in the peninsula! the ceviche toasaditas and black bean fritters were 10/10. Loved the buttermilk biscuit too. My scallops were cooked perfectly. We got the bread pudding and rockerfurt ice cream (not typical desserts, not sure I’d do those again ha) but overall loved our meal here. We were seated quickly and everyone was so pleasant. Highly recommend!

Review №24

2023-11-05 04:54:34

An incredible dining experience. Great food. Great wines. Great service. You must try this venue. Bring a few others along. You will find it a most pleasant experience.

Review №25

2022-11-17 08:22:54

The customer service and cozy ambiance were top notch. The food was excellent and full of flavor. The waiter also made great recommendations on both the dishes and the wine.I ordered the biscuit and the spoonable lamb. Both were excellent but in retrospect, I should have ordered the grilled scallops. My friend had them and they were to die for. This place is a must if you are in the area.

Review №26

2023-01-01 20:01:55

If you are looking for a nice seafood dinner in Monterey, this is a place you MUST visit. Food was delicious, prices are reasonable, and the staff is super friendly.We ordered the following and loved it!- Ceviche appetizer- Beet salad- Scallops- Seared Ahi- Bread pudding

Review №27

2022-01-24 00:39:27

It was our 5th time dining in here. Every time we had a great time here for dinner. The scallop appetizer is simply awesome. We’d order two next time! Mahi entry was a good portion with yummy spicy sauce, pickled onions and side. We always end our meal with the classic lemon panna cotta.

Review №28

2019-01-13 08:49:04

Delicious food! The scallop starter was tender, and all the fish were flavorful, flaking perfectly off the fork. I really liked the albacore, and the salad complemented the char really well. We also had the dessert trio - very indulgent and I loved the creme brulee. Really great, attentive service, too.

Review №29

2021-09-15 14:26:04

Wonderful dining experience! Extensive wine list with minimal price markup, so you can really enjoy your dinner paired with a nice wine. Food thoughtfully sourced and prepared. Reservations recommend.

Review №30

2023-09-03 21:19:21

Passionfish aims high but didnt quite get there when we visited. I had the squid for starters and the tuna as a main. You wouldnt expect the squid to be crispy coated and fried in the fryer in a restaurant of this price range - well. The tuna was reasonably sized and well prepared but tasted of fish - which a fresh tuna shouldnt. Despite other reviews the dessert wasnt bad at all but tasteful. The wine selection is good as its the tea selection: loose leaf trees prepared in a Chinese tea pot - great idea! I wish more restaurants would offer this....

Review №31

2020-08-17 14:28:37

Passionfish is a very nice seafood restaurant in Pacific Grove. We ordered the Fried California Squid, Nancys Buttery Buttermilk Biscuit, Dungeness Crab Salad, Halibut, and King Salmon. All the dishes were delicious and had good flavor. The biscuit was very good, dense and buttery. The service was also good and the staff friendly. Despite booking our reservation on the wrong day, they were able to accommodate us in a short time.

Review №32

2023-07-01 03:05:39

The staff was top notch throughout our visit. The plate choices all sounded amazing and we were very pleased with our appetizers and entrées. The desserts led to more difficult choices, but we were happy to get an extra dessert because of the great prices. They all tasted incredible. Kudos to the whole crew.

Review №33

2018-05-21 21:25:23

Heard nothing but wonderful things about this local restaurant since moving to the area couple years ago. Finally, opportunity struck and made a dinner reservation for my family and me to celebrate graduation. What was really sweet was reserving a table via Opentable and their attention to the details. I wrote the reservation was to celebrate graduation and when we sat down, I noticed our menus had Congratulations! typed out on the header. I found that to be very sweet and thoughtful. That aside, the FOOD WAS FANTASTIC!!! From the appetizers to the dessert. Get the fish stew, fried oysters, the biscuits and any of the meat/fish entrees available. Honestly, anything you order will make your taste buds sail into euphoric happiness. Were usually not a dessert family, but then we tried their house bread pudding (spotted dick) and cheesecake ice cream. Sweet mother of all that is holy, Ive never had anything like it. Thank you again to Samantha and the wonderful staff at Passionfish, my graduation dinner will be a night to remember.

Review №34

2023-07-16 03:46:06

Fresh fish. Staff very friendly and informative. Fantastic wine selection and ambiance!

Review №35

2022-07-22 04:05:12

Very good restaurant with an excellent wine list and small but comprehensive menu. We were seated at a 715pm reservation promptly (arrived early) in the farthest room from the entrance. They have a great selection of 1/2 bottles which you don’t see often. Our waiter was excellent and attentive. We enjoyed the scallop app and Halibut entree; shrimp entree- all prepared very well. Enjoy!

Review №36

2022-06-07 06:55:59

Great food selection and excellent service. Ordered the King Salmon but was a little disappointed on the size of the filet. It was less than a half inch thick (see photos). Make sure you order honey for the biscuits.

Review №37

2023-11-21 03:13:51

Rainbow trout was flavorful. Served with wild rice pickled onions, yams and more. Cardomon sauce amazing. Halibut was adjusted to be served with lemon butter. Very nice

Review №38

2021-12-28 16:00:26

Delicious! Super friendly and helpful wait staff. The biscuits are amazing! We had the buttermilk biscuits, duck confit, spoonable lamb breast, and chocolate torte... all amazing; entrees paired with a wonderful wine suggestion from our waitress and our dessert complemented with some delicious desert wines chosen from a luxurious selection.

Review №39

2022-07-03 23:25:15

A lovely, small, and very tasty seafood restaurant in Pacific Grove. Visiting from LA but staying in the area for the summer I’m so surprised how many NorCal reviews call this Monterey when in fact the address and location is south in Pacific Grove. Do they call Long Beach Los Angeles as well? Anyway, as mentioned, It is very small and the inside with plenty of tables. It’s a bit cozy seating wise since the tables are pretty close together but honestly I did not get too noisy due to the lower amount of tables inside. We had 6:30 reservations and every single table was full so obviously this is a very popular place.I started off with the Spicy Fish Stew and it was very deep in flavor with a strong tomato sauce base; it was very good. It reminded me of a spicy version of Cioppino and I definitely finished every bit of it. For my entrée I chose the Alaskan Halibut and although I would change the jicama side the fish itself was cooked perfectly and seasoned well.I would easily and comfortably recommend this place to anyone looking for a good meal in Pacific Grove especially if you enjoy seafood. It’s a bit on the pricey side but still less than you would pay in San Francisco or Los Angeles so I honestly have no reason to complain.

Review №40

2021-07-28 02:33:54

Delicious food at reasonable prices and great service! All the dishes tasted fresh and flavorful, fish, crab meat, salads, etc. The butter biscuit was sinfully good! Nice!

Review №41

2023-03-10 04:53:25

Smoked trout ceviche was great, presentation was excellent! But main dishes were mediocre, not to mention that it looked like a pan seared tuna was being immersed into boiling water right before serving.

Review №42

2018-12-30 04:15:50

The meal at Passionfish was excellent. But the best part of the meal was the buttery biscuits. They were to die for. The fish selection was wonderful and the desserts were delicious. They have an extensive wine collection and enough options on the menu for everyone. Well worth the visit. Prices are reasonable, service was excellent. But be sure to make reservations, this place gets very busy.

Review №43

2018-07-03 22:47:47

Not only Passionfish offers great seafood, their service is amazing. I had them put a message for my boyfriend on the menu for his birthday and they also put candles on the dessert for us. We enjoyed the celebration there very much. The food is amazing -- fresh and the right portion. We ordered scallops, rainbow trout, and fried squid, with a really good glass of wine. Well definitely visit again.

Review №44

2017-11-09 08:28:45

This is a nice restaurant to have a tasty dinner in Monterey. The food is overall well made and there are some excellent dishes. However, the servers and service felt rushed, and some of the dishes were over-seasoned. The sauce with the Arctic char was overpowering and the duck, although perfectly cooked, was too sweet. Some dish presentations were sloppy. Service was a bit impersonal, water wasn’t refilled and we felt that since we ate a bit later they wanted us in and out.Overall, a tasty dinner but could use some work.

Review №45

2019-05-05 19:46:27

Great food hands down, reasonable prices, and not too heavy portions, which I like. Service and location are great.Recommend the scallops and halibut for the entrees. Scallops were big and juicy. The tomato truffle butter sauce was terrific and not overpowering, and I enjoyed the custard rice that came with it.The halibut with the parmesan cheese went well together and was cooked a different way from how halibut is typically served.Got the Nancy’s buttery buttermilk biscuit and dungeness crab salad for the appetizer.The biscuit was very flaky and soft. Well made and I recommend getting seconds on that. Crab salad was great and the sauce and veggies complimented each other.For dessert, ordered the mint and espresso chocolate mud pie. A good choice to wrap up dinner if you want a lighter chocolate dessert.

Review №46

2023-06-01 15:21:18

One of the best meals we have had in a long time. We shared the scallop appetizer with the biscuits and were immediately impressed with their quality. My wife had the halibut entree which I thought was a bit too spicy for me but she absolutely loved it. I had the rainbow trout and was blown away.We finished our meal with the torte and banana pudding. Both were outstanding. The waitstaff were exceptional as well. Next time we are in town, we will be visiting again!

Review №47

2021-07-22 15:42:21

We dine hear every time we are in the Carmel / Monterey area. Great service but the real star is the amazingly fresh food/seafood. Keep up the good work and well see you again soon!

Review №48

2022-05-05 02:36:43

Romantic vibes, high quality food. I love how transparent they are about their ingredients & do not mark up their wine prices like majority of restaurants. Definitely recommend their biscuits, super addicting!

Review №49

2021-12-28 18:49:00

Perfect dine-in experience. All staff are vaccinated and friendly. Food is prepared dedicatedly. Mussels are very fresh. I specially love the lamb breast which was stewed with eggplant, chickpeas and chopped olive with a glass of Cabernet, wonderful!

Review №50

2018-03-31 16:28:22

Fantastic dinner, great ambience.Went here on a recommendation from our AirBnB host. So glad we did. Mom 1 had the Arctic Char (amazing), my wife had the Duck Confit (amazing), I had the Lamb (amazing) and Mom 2 had the Ahi (so/so).Dishes are portioned the way I like... a bit small, so you can try an appetizer and dessert without feeling stuffed. The only disappointment was the tuna... overcooked, though the flavor was excellent. The chef here has gotten the flavors of everything to perfection... the glaze on the Duck was the best Ive ever had.If youre only going to get 1 dessert, get the bread pudding. While the others were very good, the bread pudding was to die for. More like a dense bundt cake, the flavor and texture made this dish worth the extra calories.

Review №51

2020-01-20 06:27:17

We ordered dungeness crab salad (with avocado and fennel and vinaigrette), rainbow trout (with basil braised vegetables), fried california squid (with herb salad), and maple banana bread pudding. all are great - the main dishes are specially good with very delicate taste and very fresh seefood. my favorite is the crab salad - the mix of the ingredients is great! the braised whole trout (with crispy skin) is rare to see in American dishes (at least for us) - it has a special tasty flavor that we all like! the squid dish is also with vinaigrette - Ive never got enough of this type of salad!

Review №52

2023-08-10 17:15:08

Passionfish was our favorite restaurant out of 7 different restaurants we tried during our stay in Carmel and Monterey. The food and drink options were varied and well curated. The quality of the food and service was top notch. Love the focus on sustainability. We can’t wait to eat here again!I highly recommend the grilled shrimp cassoulet and the biscuits!! Just order lots of biscuits :)

Review №53

2023-07-08 00:19:09

Working the Womens Open at Pepple Beach and got this recommendation. Wow!I walked in and was immediately greeted and felt welcomed. I had the beet salad🤤 which was amazing. The squid/calamari was fried nicely, and the tangerine vinegrette was amazing. A nice change from the typical red sauce. My entree was the whole trout with sweet potato rice and an amazing cardamon syrup underneath. The servers were efficient and polite. Oh, and the red wine)Silencio?) was fantastic.

Review №54

2022-04-14 22:13:22

We had a great experience dining at Passionfish. The service was excellent - attentive to food restrictions, knowledgeable about ingredients used, provided great wine and deserter recommendations.

Review №55

2022-06-05 05:00:09

Appetizers, main courses, desserts, and drinks were all excellent!We had the spicy seafood stew, duck and scallops, and panna cotta and banana bread pudding.

Review №56

2022-07-18 05:14:36

While the food looked amazing the taste was definitely missing for the flavor. The Duck Confit was extremely dry, the smoked trout ceviche tostaditas had very little flavor. The only reason I gave two stars was for the sea scallops that were cooked to perfection. AND LASTLY the restrooms. If you are a man and stand there is no problem. When you are a lady and you have to lower the seat only to realize there is urine on the rim of the toilet that is definitely something that does not favor you. I cannot say I would recommend the restaurant.

Review №57

2021-09-27 19:57:06

Wonderful dine in experience. The flavors are exquisite as is the staff! Also great wine pairing recs.

Review №58

2023-05-16 17:33:18

Great small plates and reasonable wine list. We made a late reservation on mothers day and still got in with good service. Be experimental and enjoy some unique tastes. Had the halibut which was perfectly cooked and fun tasty slaw with jicima and apple.

Review №59

2020-11-15 14:15:28

Wonderful, delicious, and just perfect. They use the outdoor terrace for dining during COVID. You are asked to wear a mask when the staff comes to your table to service you. Heat lamps outside as well. I also ordered a bottle from their wine list that was perfect with dinner.

Review №60

2021-04-12 04:54:28

Hands down the best biscuit I’ve ever had. And only two bucks! We took 6 to go after our dinner ended. I’d give Passionfish 5 stars based on that alone, but of course the rest was also delicious.I don’t consider myself a scallop fan, but the scallop appetizer was buttery and the mix of capers, raisins, and walnuts served with it was unique.The service was great, and the rest of the dishes - especially the fish ones - made for a great meal. I would come back here in a heartbeat before going to some other place I haven’t been to in the area.

Review №61

2021-03-28 02:15:58

Well-designed, flavorful dishes, our seafood and meat entrees (duck, Arctic char) had a strong acidic balance for their richness. Wonderful service, very safe with COVID for their dine in experience (we were outdoors): they ask all guests to put on masks when servers approach the table.

Review №62

2023-08-06 00:57:29

Great authentic seafood restaurant. Laid back vibe, great service, food was amazing and not too unreasonably priced. Also had a wide-selection of desserts. Highly recommend!

Review №63

2019-12-30 20:53:44

Wow Wow Wow. Another stunner of a restaurant.First and foremost is the food. The dishes were innovative and fantastic. The scallop appetizer is perfection. The dungenous crab salad is divine. And the black cod is from another planet. And the biscuit. WOW! The hidden gem of the menuOnly dish that fell short was the striped bass crudo. I was so excited for the pomegranite-ginger granita, but it just didnt get there. A for effort though.2nd. Their commitment to sustainability makes this place beyond awesome. They even re-purpose menus to become the holders for the bill.Also, Giovanni is an incredible waiter. Immaculate service. He was so knowledgeable about wines and gave us 3 tastes before we settled on a 4th wine.Go go go go. This place is fantastic.

Review №64

2021-08-01 13:02:11

I really liked this place. Took my parents out to eat there, it was a nice, cozy seafood/french-oriented restaurant. Duck confit with appetizer of scallop served on top of bacon risotto blend. Yum.

Review №65

2023-11-05 18:05:47

Very lovely restaurant for special occasions. Food and service is really nice.Price is quite reasonable for the food, atmosphere and professional service.

Review №66

2023-06-18 06:51:35

Passionfish is a must visit when in Monterey/Carmel! Amazing seafood, creative but homey flavours. The scallops were excellent for both starters and main, as was the duck.We ordered every dessert and there were no missed. Highly recommend!

Review №67

2018-07-08 05:06:51

Nice place. Only open for dinner and it was full when we went on a Saturday night, so reservations are a good idea.Very extensive wine list, but it was somewhat disorganized. Per glass prices were a little high, but beer prices reasonable.I got the Arctic char, which is similar to salmon. It was cooked just right. The rice purée thing it came with was good. The sauce was solid, but a touch too spicy. The only problem with my meal was the vegetables... which consisted of a few thin slices of raw red onion and small pieces of what I think was jicama. The flavors went well with the fish and sauce, I just wish 1) it was more of a cohesive side, like a slaw and 2) there was a larger portion.Others in my party has the scallops, which were huge and very popular. My dad had the rockfish, which he said was good, but the slaw was a little too vinegary.My wife is gluten free, there was a separate menu and the server was very helpful about what would work for her.Overall, a good place, but the food could use a few minor modifications.

Review №68

2023-09-02 05:28:17

Amazing service by ChrisProfessional and very friendlyThe tostadas of trout was divine for the appetizersThe tuna and the trout for the main course were excellent with fresh and tasty ingredients and so much flavors ❤️The dessert was wonderful a banana bread pudding wit banana ice creamThe wine list is superb and the price for the quality is very raisonnableThé chablis premier cru was absolutely fantastic and we know wines!Do not miss this place in Pacific GroveFar away the best restaurant is this areaA Gem ❤️

Review №69

2018-10-01 04:04:52

Very nice place, good service and great food. We had the black beans and goat cheese fritters, the trout ceviche tostadas, the fried calamari and the tuna. Everything was delicious! Desserts were great too.

Review №70

2017-10-05 23:02:51

Fish dishes were a bit overcooked, but the buttermilk biscuit was good (big enough to share) and the sides that accompanied the main fishes were great. Melon sorbet tasted exactly like it sounds, and was tasty!

Review №71

2023-04-03 06:18:38

What a wonderful dining experience! The service was literally perfect, wine selection was extensive and surprisingly reasonably priced, and the food was delicious. I had the scallops and my wife the duck, both highly recommended. Desert was bread pudding with an amazing banana ice cream.

Review №72

2020-07-11 07:46:07

Exceptional food- great flavor, well-balanced. I had rockfish main entree, tostadita ceviche for appetizer, and mint & espresso mud pie for dessert. Everything was delicious and beyond expectation. Staff had excellent customer service, respectful and attentive. Beautiful venue, reasonable price. Definitely worth going back to.

Review №73

2023-06-14 15:43:09

Our visit came as a recommendation for our honeymoon and was spot-on. The plating matched the rich flavors of every dish and the service was extremely professional and warm! I will be pointing everyone I know in the direction of Passionfish!

Review №74

2020-02-21 04:40:49

Nice staff! The rainbow trout and black cod is excellent! Fried squid is not bad but the ceviche is not good and the bread pudding is gross. Overall good experienced.

Review №75

2022-01-23 01:04:01

Passionfish was amazing! The service was incredible and our waiter provided excellent recommendations! I would highly recommend making a reservation!

Review №76

2018-07-23 03:08:35

Good flavors overall and fresh ingredients. But the portion is rather small and theres no rolls / buns on the house

Review №77

2016-09-12 08:22:38

The most completely satisfying meal Ive had in a long time. Price point was reasonable for the quality.The buttery buttermilk biscuits were amazing. Buttery, flaky, rich goodness. We ordered 2 and I wanted to get a 3rd for dessert but was vetoed by DH. It would have been great though.The best fried oysters that Ive had outside of Japan - fresh and mildly sweet, the tempura-like batter was lighter than it looked. DH even finished one, and he doesnt like oysters. The accompanying kimchi was very light, and rather had a refreshing effect. I didnt think it particularly matched the oysters but thats just me. I didnt really need anything for the oysters anyway. DH liked the bean sprouts in the kimchi.The scallop appetizer on top of artichoke risotto was tasty. DH really enjoyed the risotto, and I enjoyed the resemblance to Japanese cream croquettes. I would have enjoyed a stronger artichoke flavor, but the chunks of artichoke added a nice texture.The black bean and goat cheese fritters were delicately balanced with the accompanying salsa. I found it a very harmonious dish, where all the flavors could be identified without one overpowering the other, but DH wanted a stronger goat cheese flavor. I enjoyed it but it wasnt a standout for me. Hard to compete with fried oysters in my book though, so its not exactly a fair contest. DH particularly liked the salsa.The king salmon special was very nice - medium rare as desired. The corn and daikon sauce was amazing - the corn was so sweet! I prefer my daikon a bit softer, but thats a personal preference. As we were sharing, they kindly plated the entree in 2 servings without our asking - excellent service.They ran out of the dessert special - grilled figs (so sad! I love figs) - so we tried the mudpie - very good. I also got the chamomile rose etc. tea, which came in a nice heavy metal pot so I could enjoy multiple cups of tea. I appreciated this generous serving choice.All in all, a delightful meal with excellent service. I wish we lived closer!

Review №78

2023-02-19 23:17:26

We went here for a belated Valentines day dinner, and wow... Just wow. The service and atmosphere were both impeccable, and that was WITH a giant party of about 30 people that walked in at the same time as us! It still stayed quiet... Impressive.The food: her trout was cooked and seasoned perfectly, which can be very tricky to pull off. I went with the seared albacore tuna... And it was perfect as well. The desserts both were similarly spot on... Literally the only thing I could find fault with was that the calamari came with a small salad that had cilantro in it (tastes like soap to me!) But thats a tiny quibble.Great place and worth every penny we spent.

Review №79

2021-07-24 18:10:19

Had an excellent dinner here. Got the duck confit, which was tender and delicious. Good wine, friendly service, and decent number of outdoor tables. Good choice for a romantic outing!

Review №80

2021-10-23 05:12:04

Fantastic french classics with a touch of contemporary flavors. Its a great place to celebrate a special occasion or enjoy a nice meal with endless wine options with loved ones.

Review №81

2021-07-06 04:10:25

Friendly but service sub par. The server was nice but we were pretty much forgotten by the time we sat down. Had to ask for water more than once. Server never checked on us after our apps or main meal was delivered. Never even thought of asking if we wanted more wine when our glasses were clearly empty. Not sure if this is due to the lack of labor (as it is with most places) and while I can empathize, at least a quick sorry for the delay or how are things?....would have been appreciated.

Review №82

2023-07-01 22:23:57

The food was quite good, and the wafting was so tender, I could use a spoon to cut it. I would definitely recommend the wagyu, but the service was kind of slow, but I was with 70 other people, and the waiters were very welcoming and friendly . Would definitely recommend, was a great experience!

Review №83

2021-07-14 14:55:09

Nice restaurant. Great vine list, service and menu! Was surprisingly pleased. Definitely planning to be back.

Review №84

2017-12-18 18:14:05

Wow! I am absolutely blown away by this restaurant. We visited from Canada for a family members birthday and werent really sure what to expect. We got there a bit early and they were able to accommodate. The hostess sat us down and gave us custom Happy Birthday menus. I personally have a new dairy allergy and was trying to figure out what I could eat. We asked the waitress a few questions (she was very knowledgeable about all the food) and ended up bringing us an allergy menu that listen what items were in each item on the menu and which menu items were customizable. We were very impressed.The beverage menu was reasonably priced (beer/ cider from 3-7 $). We wanted to taste a little of everything so we ordered 5-6 apps and 2 fish entrees. Everything was perfection, although anything that mentioned spice, was definitely spicy! Something to note if spice isnt your forte. At the end, we were brought a complimentary dessert for the birthday boy.What a wonderful experience, I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the area, for a quaint meal.

Review №85

2023-08-21 08:21:33

Very good fish meals. The desserts are worth it too. Nice selection of matching wines.

Review №86

2022-06-21 04:05:16

Its said that this place sparks passion amongst star crossed lovers. Good food can do that sometimes.

Review №87

2022-02-15 00:38:43

The biscuits here are a must order. The Duck is also really good.

Review №88

2019-09-15 14:36:38

Its all about the (really excellent) seafood here. The ambience is simple and casual - no need to dress up. Good wine selection.

Review №89

2023-04-27 10:28:49

Fresh seafood, interesting menu, great service, lovely atmosphere. But my trout was staring at me as I ate it! 😂

Review №90

2023-07-30 20:46:55

Fantastic quality fish reasonable prices and very reasonable wines. One of the best fish places Ive eaten at in a long time.

Review №91

2023-04-23 16:43:29

When we first walked in we were surprised by the first person who greeted us. It didn’t seem that she would have been the hostess as she was dressed like she was just hanging out at home. The outfit was so overly casual that we both were taken aback. Her appearance just didn’t fit the higher end image of restaurant.Also, it would be nice if the menu changed more often for the regular folks.

Review №92

2023-01-16 20:39:59

My adult family and I recently dined at Passionfish and I can equivocally say that it was one of the best restaurant experiences weve had in recent memory. The food is impeccable and the service outstanding, making it a truly special meal, one I will be happy to repeat. In fact, if I lived in the area, I expect that I would visit Passionfish monthly, trying something new each time. One of the most pleasant surprises was the biscuits, which I didnt expect to find in an establishment known for seafood, and I have to say they were larger, and more flavorful, than any Ive had before.

Review №93

2023-07-08 02:04:22

Food is tasty but weve been there three times and doesnt seem like their menu ever changes. Sides are interesting

Review №94

2017-07-13 04:22:53

Very fresh and great sea food. We couldnt decide which appetizers to order, so we ordered 6. : )

Review №95

2023-05-22 20:22:13

I am going to disagree with most of the reviews saying it was the best biscuit they have had (I am from Texas which might affect that) but the service, flavors, and fish creations were stunning! Thank you Passionfish for a nice night!

Review №96

2018-04-15 05:07:57

Amazing food, creative flavor combinations and above all excellent service. You cant come to Monterey without tasting Passionfish!

Review №97

2022-10-12 02:54:52

OMG! This is one of the best restaurants I ever went to… seafood is fresh and tasty, dessert are juicy, and delicious.😋

Review №98

2022-11-07 03:48:25

Small intimate restaurant. Great for dinner for two but we had nine. Service is awesome...very attentive to your needs. A person in our party had to step away to take a family call right as entrées were coming out so the waiter informed us they were waiting to deliver their plate until they came back to the table. Upon their return, the food was right behind em.

Review №99

2021-11-28 05:27:13

The hostess was very polite and helpful, the waitress was knowledgeable, the support staff was attentive, the food was delicious. A must stop if you are in the area.

Review №100

2022-01-01 03:06:27

Best mussels in my lifeSea scallops, crab salad and Mud cake are also delicious

Review №101

2022-10-11 04:02:24

A very solid experience. Food was good. Great menu. Sustainable approach is awesome. And the biscuits. Just Yumm. Loved the at retail wine approach. Food just came so quickly it obviously wasn’t freshly prepared which I guess is ok but made the experience less special than it should be. Staff were great.

Review №102

2023-02-20 18:38:53

We had the best meal at Passionfish! If I could give more stars, I would. We started with the trout ceviche tostaditos, scallops and biscuit for appetizers. Don’t skip the biscuit, you won’t regret it. For mains, we ordered the halibut and the duck confit. The star of the show was definitely the perfectly cooked duck, I would come back just for that. And finally for dessert, we got the banana bread pudding and chocolate torte, both delicious. Yes we were hungry and we left more than satisfied. Special thanks to our server whose name I wish I could remember, he was amazing. Thank you for making our engagement dinner extra special!

Review №103

2023-01-27 05:43:47

These 5-start reviews are all FAKE. Good atmosphere, HORRIBLE food! The cheap chicken thigh skewers were served charred outside, raw inside. The trout was mushy, flavorless and gross--and that is difficult to do! The accompanying rice dish was dry, dark and inedible--was that even real rice??? Tartar sauce doesnt go with unfried fish--are you serious? The lamb was just so-so, tasting like cafeteria food. Where has the good chef disappeared to? Yuck--never going back. Disgusting all around.

Review №104

2019-07-15 02:23:41

Our go to place when we are in town. Great fish and reasonable priced.Just wish they would mix up the menu a little bit more often.

Review №105

2022-03-01 04:22:41

Beautiful atmosphere along with attentive staff. The menu was really inviting with many great selections of great fare. The wine list was vast with many amazing hard to find wines at very reasonable prices. Dishes were spot on as everything was creative, tasty and well composed. A true gem with everything you need for a great dining experience.

Review №106

2022-08-28 04:16:50

OMG. Its been a long time since Ive experienced such service and amazing food. The scallop starter was incredible and tasty yet paved a way to our main course. I had the trout which was incredibly plated and the flavors were layered and inviting. My husband had the scallops and Ive never seen him scape his plate before. The wine list was extensive, interesting and very reasonable. Thank you. This makes the whole experience more interesting and less pretentious. My husband even went for dessert which is something he never does. Cant wait to go back already. The world is ok when restaurants like Passion Fish are around and feeding the culinary soul. Thanks. See you soon.

Review №107

2016-11-21 04:42:47

The food was good, the waitress was friendly, and the service was great. Quicker than anticipated! The biscuit they had on the daily specials page was very tasty.

Review №108

2019-08-12 19:14:50

Innovative recipes! Great atmosphere! Great service! I wish we had a restaurant like this in our area!

Review №109

2021-05-19 16:02:36

Delicious!! True coastal California seasonable and sustainable cuisine. Also an amazing priced wine list. The dishes were executed so well. We sat outside and were warmed by heaters and the great service. We were the last table to leave and not realizing that because the staff was so welcoming. Thats a first and very appreciated. Everything was so fresh and tasty. Try it all!!

Review №110

2022-10-15 03:48:56

The taste and portioning were perfect. The biscuits were fluffy inside and crispy on the outside, and the ingredients fresh. Service was attentive and really nice. My mom said this is food for human beings

Review №111

2022-05-19 02:00:00

Very good restaurant with a very nice atmosphere. Enjoyable evening. Highly recommended.

Review №112

2022-11-12 16:30:18

The MAPLE-BANANA BREAD PUDDING with bourbon caramel sauce and banana ice cream is one of the best desserts I have ever eaten in my life. Congratulations to the pastry chef, because they inspired my 14 year old niece to try to recreate it at home. She bakes all the time at home and it was the best dessert she has ever tried.

Review №113

2021-08-26 01:01:47

Don’t miss this place… seafood is phenomenal, wines are creative, everything is intentional, and staff was great.

Review №114

2022-01-12 02:50:10

Was highly recommend by a friend. As others have said the wine list is incredible. We tried the Mataro and it was perfect. Really surprised the prices of the wine weren’t marked up at all! Definitely try the buttermilk biscuits… truly amazing. Scallops were cooked perfectly with a rich tasty sauce.

Review №115

2022-11-05 14:06:51

If I could give more stars, I would. Amazing food, atmosphere and service! We were a party of five in town for a conference. Luckily, we made reservations as they clearly were fully booked and for good reason. I wish I had the presence of mind to take photos, but we were all so impressed with every aspect of this place that I know I was fairly overwhelmed. There were oohs and ahhs as plates were set on the table and as we began tasting each dish. Our server was spectacular as well. Wonderful and memorable evening. I highy reccommend Passionfish and know where Ill be dining again the next time Im in Monterey.

Review №116

2023-03-14 23:50:38

Probably the best service I have ever received at a restaurant. Server was extremely knowledgable about wine. The food was phenomenal, particularly the duck and scallops.

Review №117

2023-07-25 10:36:51

If youre visiting the area, dont miss it. Creative food, attentive staff, and a great place to eat!

Review №118

2021-11-23 23:45:15

Everything was acceptable, but it clearly isnt a restaurant that has been renewing itself (both the environment or the menu). The food we ordered was okay, the wine selection wasnt that great. For that price, a home-cooked meal with high end ingredients would have been far better and cheaper. I have the impression it once was a good spot in the early 2000s, and its been riding that wave ever since. Would not recommend.

Review №119

2022-03-29 00:34:20

11/10 appetizers, 6/10 mains. Overall dining area is pretty, albeit cramped at times. The servers are kind and responsive. The appetizers are phenomenal; its nice to see a restaurant that isnt afraid to make things spicy. Outstanding biscuits. The dishes, for what they were, were overpriced. They were fine. What youd expect, nice fresh fish. It was underseasoned- unlike the appetizers. Very run of the mill nothing special. May come back just for the appetizers however.

Review №120

2022-02-26 06:11:27

Made reservations through OpenTable app, very easy-to-use. We enjoyed our anniversary quite a lot. Our server was stellar and the biscuits are nuggets from the hand of the Almighty. The beet salad woke our buttered taste buds right up, and the black bean fritters gave a wonderful warmth. Trout was excellent, the grapes in the rice sauté were off-putting. Salmon creeps right up to that almost-too-spicy line like a maverick, and the lentils were great. Our dessert was sweet, crunchy, hot and cold; in short, bananas!

Review №121

2022-02-27 15:48:55

I must say that this is one of the best restaurants we have been to; every item on menu that we had was just exceptional.Started with fish stew and biscuit. Wow: the flavors in the stew are just awesome and the biscuit is to die for.I had Duck Confit and my wife had lamb for main course and both were truly great. The duck was so tender with meat falling off the bone and so many flavors kicking in. The duck at every place I tried so far is always very chewy: not this one.Now let me tell you about the wines. Their wine prices are truly great with almost retail price. I have been dying to get my hands on Saxum wine for a year and found it at this restaurant at a price which was almost same or even less than retail. The wine was truly amazing and deserves all the kudos it gets. The winery has 7 year waiting list and they had the wine!!!!! THANK YOU !!Last but not the least: the bread pudding. Out of this world. I mean it. I will go back just for that !!

Review №122

2022-02-26 05:11:42

Excellent food. Amazing mussels from British Columbia. Scallops were out off this world. The wine selection is great and our server was lovely as well as all the support staff! Wonderful evening!

Review №123

2022-04-10 23:49:51

Always amazing. The dishes are bold and unapologetic, creative and well-executed. The wines are well-curated and so obscure that we tried to take a bottle of one to-go but they declined since they were having trouble sourcing more.

Review №124

2021-12-08 03:27:40

Overall quite good. The service was excellent, as were our waitpersons wine pairing recommendations. The standout dish was the spoonable lamb, which was absolutely delectable. We also ordered the mussels, which were very disappointing. They were cooked with potatoes, and the broth lacked flavor, I would strongly recommend they make a drastic change to that menu item. We had pannacotta for dessert and it was fantastic. Also, the buttery biscuit is to die for.Overall, a wonderful experience, we will certainly be going back.

Review №125

2021-10-22 21:44:21

Interesting menu with several fish dishes, no bar, wine and beer only. Food was good, service was good.We were seated next to a large and boisterous group. It was really loud where we were seated, a narrow room with walls and ceiling that reflected the sound. Atmosphere was attractive and cozy.

Review №126

2022-02-12 19:30:55

The food here is amazing - yum! We have been eating here for around 20 years when we are in town. The service is mostly efficient but the portions and pours are scant- even for coffee, which is ridiculous given the prices. Our server allowed for no flexibility on the menu which also seemed ridiculous given the cost and made it more difficult to eat with a kid. There were only three kids there in a busy Friday night so I get the impression it’s not the best place to go with the family.

Review №127

2022-10-10 17:19:25

Very tasty with decent prices. Tried to accommodate us with toddler and were very friendly.Would have loved to have seen a bit more fish options on the menu considering its supposed to be a fish restaurant

Review №128

2021-09-03 09:07:10

Maybe not the very best seafood in PG, but for the price its pretty hard to beat. Appetizers were delicious, but small. The scallop app is literally a single (delicious) scallop. There are lots of interesting options, so if you know theyre small and like to try lots of things, it could be a positive, but if you dont know when you order, its a little disappointing. The entrees were great, not amazing, but better than just good. The fish isnt local, but is sustainable. The wine list is long... too long. The server basically described it as tons of options and affordable. If I didnt recognize Cotes du Rhone, I would have been completely overwhelmed by choices. Despite the cons, its quite good and the service was absolutely stellar, so would go again.

Review №129

2022-01-23 23:48:00

Very nice dinner. We were able to get a reservation day-of. The Rainbow Trout was perfectly done and prepared with a delicious sauce somewhere between sweet and savory. The passionfruit flourless cake for dessert was fantastic as well. Our waiter was friendly and offered lots of guidance about the wine list as well!

Review №130

2021-11-03 17:34:16

Great food and ambience for a special night.

Review №131

2022-10-18 02:06:17

Excellent food, pleasant atmosphere, great wait staff. Reasonably priced for the quality of food. Dessert was great with a well paired wine.

Review №132

2022-08-07 15:17:30

Let me start by saying we walked right in and were seated right away, staff was friendly, service was great but…….. the food was edible but not tasty at all!!! It was SO disappointing, the reviews are great, we did our research but our meal had NO flavor, the chef seriously could not actually be tasting what they are making or they would NEVER let the food leave the kitchen!!! Unless you enjoy overpriced, tasteless food, drive right past this place and go somewhere else!!!!

Review №133

2020-02-08 06:36:51

Excellent menu, and specials in seafood. Wife had the duck, it was fantastic. I had the albacore and scallops. Wine selection excellent.

Review №134

2023-04-17 01:50:52

The dishes look beautiful, but taste very strange! Too heavy mix of herbs and fusions make them go nowhere. NOT recommend at all

Review №135

2021-07-05 22:30:54

Expensive but delicious. Portion sizes are what youd expect at a fancy restaurant; the prices also reflect the more sustainable fish sources. One star off for slow service, but Ill come back for the great food. The halibut was our favorite dish, followed by the scallop appetizer. Oh and everyone loves the biscuits but they are a bit oily, so maybe get one to share.

Review №136

2022-07-04 05:00:24

The restaurant is nice and pleasant. Our servant did not care much about us and was not proffessional. The ceviche was extremely spicey and had nothing to do with ceviche. The Salmon was boaring, definately didnt worth $38 (!). We asked for desert menu. She left it and came back after more than 10 minutes. She never brought the water. Felt like she is pretending to care, but she didnt really.Bottom line; this meal did not worth more than half of the $200 we paid. 😡

Review №137

2021-09-05 16:48:48

Delicious food, the halibut was cooked to perfection, savory custard rice was so tasty. Well priced bottles of wine. Cindy was absolutely wonderful, she made our visit extra special. Will definitely go back.

Review №138

2022-07-28 04:11:26

Outstanding chef-owned spot with inspired dishes and an exceptional wine list of unique wines, including some great half-bottles, all at retail level prices instead of the usual restaurant pricing.

Review №139

2022-04-28 03:40:11

They pride themselves on sustainably harvested seafood and reasonably priced wine. Certainly the extensive wine list was priced more like 1.5xretail rather than 2x. Corkage was $30 for the bottle we brought.Food was delicious; we had the scallops and the spoonable lamb (sort of Moroccan style)Minus 1* only because we felt a little rushed, being in and out in about 75 minutes.

Review №140

2022-01-02 04:58:48

Dont let the photos put you off as they dont really get across that this is a stylish and well put together locals (not touristy) spot. Both the menu and wine list are very well put together, our meal was fantastic.

Review №141

2021-07-28 03:14:45

Really is my favourite seafood restaurant. Every dish is fresh, beautifully presented and flavor are sophisticated and complex. Way better than most simply prepared seafood restaurant.Also drink is the most reasonable we have ever had. 700ml Pellegrino sparkling water was only $3.50. Wine will also be about you paid at retail.

Review №142

2020-01-27 23:09:12

Our sea scallop appetizer was very good. The fried calamari was very good as well but a very poor herb salad, nothing but flat leaf parsley. The Brussels sprouts were not warm and mushy!! It was disappointing, unfortunately.Our server was excellent, however, and we enjoyed her hospitality.

Review №143

2019-04-03 13:28:42

Service was really good. The menu had a nice selection and our meal was delicious!

Review №144

2021-11-06 06:51:35

This is my familys favorite restaurant in the world. Its about 4 hours away from us, but we drive there a few times a year at least. The bread pudding and the scallops are my favorite, but everything is wonderful, fresh, and beautifully made.

Review №145

2017-04-11 15:13:39

The restaurant and service are amazing. They were very attentive, and service was very professional. The wine and beer list is extensive as well, which was nice. I appreciate that this is a sustainable fish restaurant as well. Unfortunately, I had to dock a few stars because I wasnt impressed with the way two of our fish dishes were prepared. The sides were delicious but I felt the fish needed something else. It was grilled nicely but was really, well, for lack of a better word, bland. My huband enjoyed his dinner however - he had the mussels.

Review №146

2018-06-13 12:18:07

Food was super delicious and the service was great.

Review №147

2021-08-29 00:59:21

My boyfriend and I visited Monterey for a friend’s wedding, and decided to treat ourselves to a nice dinner the following night. We read reviews and decided on Passionfish for their menu and emphasis sustainability. We made a reservation and it was super easy to get in and seated when we arrived. I ordered the Halibut and he ordered the Duck Confit. We also got a buttermilk biscuit to share.My fish was over cooked and the rice custard, while tasty, had a super mush texture that made it tough to enjoy. My boyfriend’s duck was also over cooked, and his broccolini was burnt on the outside and not cooked all the way through. For the prices we were looking at, it was a pretty disappointing meal. Good flavors but the cooking just wasn’t there.After the server asked how we were doing, we answered honestly - we didn’t love it and thought it was a bit over cooked. We didn’t say much more, but when she returned, she had taken our entrees off the bill. I mean, we would have paid the full check since we ate 70% of the food before having to stop, but for the restaurant to take that off our bill without us even asking speaks to how much Passionfish values the entire dining experience for patrons.While this restaurant didn’t do it for us, I appreciate how they responded to our experience.

Review №148

2018-02-10 17:58:14

Really yummy food. It was fantastic to know that no matter what we selected, it was all good for us and the planet. Lots of great wines (many French) to choose from at reasonable prices. Nice dining room and friendly staff. Busy! Not fine dining, but excellent casual upscale.

Review №149

2021-06-21 23:26:58

Have had dinner twice in the last few weeks. First experience was nice, the second not so much. We had a reservation and there were plenty of open tables yet they tried to sit us in the back by the kitchen access. My duck was dry and my friends black cod had more bones than I have ever seen in ant fillet. For that price not acceptable to serve it like that. I dont ever have to go back.

Review №150

2019-12-09 12:48:58

Dining here was a wonderful experience. Tera, our server, was fantastic and very helpful with our selections from their fabulous wine list. The spicy fish stew and shaved brussel sprout salad appetizers were delicious. The Black Cod and Sea Scallops main courses were perfectly cooked and were a real treat. I highly recommend dining here.

Review №151

2017-08-17 02:38:41

Delicious for years! The wine and drinks were incredible. Our waiter, whos been there for years was fantastic. It was my first time but family members have been coming for years and years and always raved about it, now I know why! If youre in town you HAVE TO get a meal here!

Review №152

2021-12-14 16:32:35

Very cramped restaurant. You know, the kind you get to know your neighbors really well? I dont really mind that though so that was okay. Not sure the neighboring diners would agree haha. The food was good, nothing but the biscuits stood out though. My mahi-mahi was very dry and overcooked, (I still liked it though in a weird way.) My husband actually spit it out when he tried it. 🙄🙄He had a lamb dish and enjoyed it. A little feeling of being rushed as well.

Review №153

2021-11-01 04:02:56

We ate outdoors in October, but the little area in the back is somewhat shielded from the wind and the restaurant provided a heater near our table, so it was ok. The food was excellent, and the portions were modest, but filled us up because we ate slowly.

Review №154

2022-09-14 18:47:06

Went here for a special birthday dinner and was not disappointed, the whole experience was just perfect! The food was delicious, the setting amazing and the staff extremely professional....it truly was a 5 star experience, cant wait to go back again.

Review №155

2021-11-19 06:18:31

We happened onto this place. Wonderful menu and terrific wine selection. Our server Ben was well informed on everything and helped us make great choices with mani and prawns. Prices and quality are outstanding!

Review №156

2017-07-31 11:54:45

4.5. All the fish we had was hella fresh and perfectly cooked. Wine list was great with lots of interesting and affordable options (plus the markup isnt nuts). Service was great. My only minor complaint is that one of the wines we ordered by the glass seemed a bit flat.

Review №157

2021-08-02 18:47:09

We ordered the scallop, ahi & halibut. The halibut was out of this WORLD delicious. The scallop appetizer was pretty good, maybe not worth the high price to be served a single scallop though. The ahi was underwhelming, something about the dish did not pair right to me.Service and atmosphere was wonderful. I’m excited to dine here again.

Review №158

2020-10-08 03:20:33

Biscuits are fantastic! Scallop appetizer was off the chart! Lamb breast was VERY good, though the presentation left much to be desired. It looked like it was served on a bed of chickpea stew. Still, even the chickpea stew was tasty. The duck confit was dry and unappetizing. The desert trio was awful. Still, Id go again just for the scallop appetizer and biscuits. They really were that good.

Review №159

2018-06-17 18:52:24

Truly amazing quality of food! The staff was really service minded as we were running late (over service hours) but we really wanted to eat, so the staff made the food for us and unlocked the door for us so we could enjoy it. The prices are quite heavy, but the food was definitely worth it! Don’t forget about the wines, they were great and well paired.

Review №160

2017-05-08 21:14:19

This place is amazing!!! From the owner/head chef to the line cooks to the servers/ waiters. Excellent service, excellent flavor, appropriate food portions, clean relaxed atmosphere. Ive had their trout, shark, and halibut and all were amazing!!! Excellent wine selection. You most definitely get what you pay for.

Review №161

2021-07-09 05:13:36

Attentive and informed staff, in a comfortable space in a beautiful seaside town. Our locally sourced food was not only individually great as ingredients, their flavor combinations and presentation were also perfect. Great date place, Also good for a business meeting, or just a quiet family meal.

Review №162

2019-01-06 04:33:23

Lovely place, quite busy when we visited as part of a larger party.I had a nicely cooked rockfish with a spicy salad. Quite tasty. My date had scallops ( as did most of the party) which were excellent and so was the rice custard. One thing I absolutely recommend is the biscuits. Try them, you wont be disappointed.Nice place, will definitely return.

Review №163

2022-09-06 05:23:57

Great menu, lovely wine selection.

Review №164

2021-12-31 21:46:24

Great restaurant experience. Amazing food In a relaxed environment. Knowledgeable staff serving fresh local dishes. And order the biscuits - best I’ve ever had. you will not be disappointed.

Review №165

2022-06-25 13:31:33

Service and wine prices were great. Food was fine but nothing spectacular that would justify all the buzz that this place gets. Still a nice restaurant to try in PG.

Review №166

2022-11-27 01:19:52

This is a great place for dinner with locally sustainable menu options, and the desserts are wonderful. I would highly recommend Passionfish. The food and service are high quality.

Review №167

2022-04-11 06:15:40

This was my favorite fish dinner in Pacific Grove. Every bite was inspired and delicious. We started with the most savory sea scallop riding atop an artichoke risotto cake and covered with a caper, raisin, and walnut relish. That got our tastebuds into high gear. We knew this was going to be a great meal. We tried the saltspring mussels which were served in a sumptuous fennel-bacon broth with fingerling potatoes, all perfectly cooked. The humble rockfish was also extraordinary. Cooked perfectly and sitting on a wonderful mango-lime salsa, with a lip smacking chili-garlic marinade spooned over the top. It huddled with buttery cooked beet greens and shallot. It also came with a very original fried avocado couscous falafel. Just a fabulous combination. Our very knowledgeable server suggested a wonderful Chenin blanc from the Loire valley which was exquisite. To finish our meal, we had the Meyer lemon panna cotta with a strawberry glacé which was light, lemony perfection. Also, the Straus organic mint and espresso mudpie which was so delicious, my dining partner actually teared up. If only we lived 350 miles closer to this amazing restaurant. Do yourself a favor and experience this gem.

Review №168

2019-12-28 15:36:14

Reportedly this is the best restaurant in Pacific Grove. In our group of 10 we found the food well prepared with a seafood focus as the name would imply.. The wine list was adequate but the entire wait staff maintained an air of displeasure throughout our stay. Perhaps it was we had a young toddler with us although generally well behaved. We made a 5 pm reservation with other guests in mind.. Note ... only booster seats are available suggesting babies are not welcome; there were no high chairs. Our party reported the dessert was the best part of the meal. We will not hurry back.

Review №169

2023-05-08 05:41:13

Delicious sea scallops and rainbow trout. Service was excellent, efficient and thoughtful.

Review №170

2022-01-16 02:02:12

One of the best meals Ive had in a very long time. My wife and I ordered the ceviche to start. I got the duck and my wife got the Mahi Mahi, both which were really tasty. One of the best parts about Passionfish is their wine program: quality, local wines sold at a significantly lower than typical restaurant markup.

Review №171

2021-09-08 14:55:39

Maybe it was an off night for the staff and kitchen but I had an awful experience for my birthday there. It took a half hour just to finally put in our appetizer order. The table next to us waited almost an hour to get their biscuits, which are delicious btw, so that was a sign of how the night was going to go.It was a Tuesday night and maybe at half capacity so not a case of being overwhelmed I would think. We didn’t get our entrees till an hour and a half after we sat down and my wife’s Artic Char was not even fully cooked. Would have sent it back but then we would have been sitting for another hour waiting. The duck was good, very delicious sauce, but the potato cake that came with it was not cooked.After we said yes to dessert, then waited 20 mins to even get to put a dessert order in, I was ready to get up and leave BUT they did bring out some ice cream with a candle for my bday which was a nice touch…..then we noticed we got charged for 2 instead of 1 bottles of wine so that negated that.As I said, maybe an off night, and all I have seen and heard while visiting was how great it was so was looking forward to it. Hopefully when you go you catch the staff on a good night.

Review №172

2023-11-08 21:17:07

Excellent fine dining

Review №173

2022-09-24 01:44:14

Food is bland and not enough food to fill your belly. Asked for bread, they said they only had biscuits and was $3.00 extra. I said ok, but never received any. Im still hungry and I did order appetizers.

Review №174

2018-10-18 18:31:16

Super delicious! It’s pricy so I wouldn’t recommend going with a large crowd unless you’re planning on paying a large check. The staff are friendly and very attentive. I’ve tried both their banana bread pudding and their scallops before and they were amazing. Perfect for a couples night out to dinner. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because I didn’t get a total 100% ‘wow factor’ on flavor, but it’s definitely one of the best dining options in Pacific Grove!

Review №175

2022-10-16 04:36:34

Everything was fantastic. We ordered scallops, ceviche, halibut and the banana pudding and all the items were 10/10. Beyond impressed!

Review №176

2020-01-26 17:33:09

The restaurant menu was fantastic — creative and delicious, which makes it up for lack of interior ambiance and lack of customer service on the hostess and our waiter. The reception/hostess person could use a refresher course. Both women (especially the older one) has a displeasing aura and unwelcoming look as soon as you walk into the hostess stand. Our waiter is good and attentive but overly educating us about how the restaurant works.We paid our bull and noticed that my credit card was not with the receipt. I asked the waiter, and he felt his pocket and said,” I gave it back to you with the receipt” I ask him kindly to check the register just in case he left it there. A little reluctant but he went and check and then when he was walking back to our table, we saw him he found the card on the floor. He Didnt apologize, and he said it been busy, and its a good thing he found it. Terrible attitude. Its ok to make mistakes and learn to own it.I am giving them four stars because the food was excellent. I deducted a star because of the lack of ambiance and the lack of customer service by hostess and waiter.

Review №177

2022-04-02 03:50:36

Excellent meal start to finish! We were very happy with everything we tried, but the black bean fritters, duck, and mud pie were definite favorites. Would definitely recommend this place

Review №178

2019-03-17 03:39:02

Absolutely wonderful! Started with the fried oysters and a biscuit. Both delicious! Had the rock cod and 12 hour lamb. Yum, yum, yum! The salad that came with the rock cod was fabulous. Finished off with the mud pie and decafe. Again, both delicious. Started with a half glass of bubbly and the wait staff was wonderful with picking out a bottle of wine that was perfect with the meal. Eat here!!!

Review №179

2018-10-02 11:55:52

Perfectly cooked fish with local ingredients. Great menu and wine selection.

Review №180

2019-06-06 02:13:35

Excellent service and food. Reservations are required if you want a table. Packed by 530. Excellent white NY wine. Reasonably priced and I LOVED that this place was kid friendly (even though mine are both grown).

Review №181

2021-11-06 15:03:43

Our waitress was very kind and attentive, but unfortunately the food fell flat for me- with the exception of the buttermilk biscuit. Hailing from the South originally, I can say I have not had a biscuit that good since moving here 5 years ago.Otherwise, I had the coho salmon and my fiancé had the special of mussels in a fennel bacon broth. My food wasn’t super hot and the flavor was simply lacking. Needed a little salt and acid to balance the fat in the dish. We both agreed that there are better spots in Monterey and Carmel that have better food for a similar price point. It was just lacking that umph.

Review №182

2017-12-19 16:04:19

Passionfish was an amazing experience; outstanding food and service. We ordered many appetizers & salads to share, and two mains to split all between four of us. The dishes had very different flavours that were enjoyable. They have very reasonable drink prices, and had specific allergy menus that we had never seen at another restaurant! Passionfish is ahead of its time, and I will definitely be coming back.

Review №183

2013-09-26 07:07:47

Fantastic service. Went with a group of 10 on a Tuesday night. Book beforehand if you can. Food was fantastic. Staff did a great job matching wines. Highly recommend the crab cakes, duck and rainbow trout. Their desserts are also to die for. My favourite was the creme brulee. Would definitely go there again. Its pricey, but definitely worth every penny!

Review №184

2017-10-01 18:34:45

One of my favorite restaurants! From the outside, you wouldnt know how amazing this restaurant is. Our server was wonderful and the staff was very accommodating when we had to call and push back our reservation. We loved our food and the wine so much that we came back another night on vacation.

Review №185

2022-08-27 04:30:51

AMAZING food. You can tell they are truly passionate about their food. Love the middle eastern influence. Great service and the ambience really lends itself to the experience by not distracting from the food.

Review №186

2017-07-30 02:48:49

Excellent place for a good meal and environment :-DGood selection of sustainably sourced seafood. Tried two seafood dishes and one salad. All were amazing!GIANT wine selection AND at great prices!!The best part, though, was dessert!! Tried two and I wanted to come back the next day for more!

Review №187

2018-10-01 16:31:09

The staff is friendly and helpful. The wine list is really nice. The restaurant buys from sustainable fishing. It is prepared well, but I wouldnt go so far as to say great. And it is a little loud, so dont plan on intimate conversation

Review №188

2018-05-27 23:03:26

One of the best meals Ive had in a while! Passionfish focuses on sustainable fish and fresh local ingredients. I had an excellent hot and spicy fish stew appetizer and perfectly cooked sea scallops with an amazing savory custard for an entree. They also feature fantastic wines at very reasonable prices. The waitress helped guide me to a new white varietal Id never heard of but fell in love with by the end of my meal. Passionfish is a must-visit if youre in Pacific Grove!

Review №189

2018-04-09 06:07:38

Great in all respects. Outstanding sustainable seafood, creatively prepared. Much more beautiful on the inside than it looks from the street. Has a particularly exceptional wine list at good prices, with many less commonly seen varieties and winemakers.

Review №190

2021-03-30 05:55:07

This is our favorite restaurant in Monterey County. Considering how many excellent restaurants there are in the area, this is not taken lightly. We have tried pretty much everything on the menu, and have been happy with everything. The wine menu is carefully thought out, has excellent wines, and theyre priced much better than at many restaurants. The servers are all practically sommeliers, able to answer in detail anything about the wines. Normally, for me, salads are usually just enjoyable but not that interesting. Here, somehow, the salads seem to really stand out. Somehow the blend of textures and flavors balances perfectly. The crab avocado salad is amazing, as are the biscuits (I dare you to try to keep it to one biscuit), the duck confit is succulent and rich (someone at a neighboring table once told us hed had duck confit all over the world, and this one was by far the best). I had the black cod last time, and was very happy. Save a little room for dessert.

Review №191

2021-11-18 20:23:58

Passionfish is always a delight. Probably the most developed wine list Ive seen in PG, theres something for everyone on it at pretty affordable prices. The food consists of local fish dishes, with a few other options if you arent feeling fish that evening. The scallop appetizer is fantastic, highly recommend you try it.

Review №192

2022-02-19 19:49:45

Fabulous all around — strongly recommend the scallop starter, fried calamari, smoked trout, spicy fish stew, and coho salmon. Excellent and reasonably priced wine list. A must-have.

Review №193

2016-08-19 04:04:55

I come here every year during car week. I am a foodie and have been to many expensive restaurants. This place ranks in the top 5 places I have been in my life. Also the wine is an incredible value, it is hardly more expensive than the retail price. It is rare that you can have a nice bottle of wine with a premium dinner without spending $300.I love this place and highly recommend it if you are near pacific grove. I think this place is better than mastros or ocean club. The halibut I just had was unbelievable. The staff was fantastic as well, you will not regret going here.

Review №194

2019-02-06 06:09:13

Enjoyed an evening with a rather large group here recently. Ceviche bites were overly spicy for all in my group except me, which meant they were prepared too spicy. Spice doesn’t bother me due to the loss of the sense of smell, which has affected my taste to where I can tolerate spicy where most can’t. The dinner salad was tasty but had too much vinegar in the dressing, so you couldn’t taste the salad, only the vinaigrette. The bison bites were perfectly cooked, and the sea bass was a delicious plate as well. The wine was a fairly standard offering from a distributor that doesn’t utilize local winemakers who are equally as talented, so a bit boring. Dessert was tasty, not to be missed. Service was challenged by the large group and when food was brought out an hour after ordering, all items were served fast at all tables, thus a bit rushed. Those waiting on the tables did well to keep the wine and water glasses were filled, so not a bad service, but for the size of the group, definitely stretched. A great place, except where I noted about the ceviche and salad.

Review №195

2018-01-31 04:44:10

We had the fried oysters as an appetizer. The order comes with 3 but you can add an extra if you are sharing. We ordered the beet and apple salad (delish), the 12 hour spoon lamb oh my God was it delicious, tender, well seasoned and just awesome. To top it off, we had an order of buttermilk biscuits. Ive never tasted anything like them. The entire meal was every bit of 5 stars. Service was excellent. I can hardly wait to visit again.

Review №196

2018-04-16 04:13:13

What an incredible dining experience! Ive been waiting for years to get to this restaurant, and it was definitely worth the wait. Subtle, delicate flavors throughout the meal, capped off with the most fabulous trip of dessert offerings, paired with a dessert wine from the Jura in France. Bravo!

Review №197

2018-07-29 20:52:52

Dinner here was really lovely. It was a really nice restaurant without feeling pretentious. It was pricier but definitely worth it. We told them we were coming for our anniversary and they printed Happy Anniversary on the top of our menus, which was sweet!

Review №198

2019-12-01 14:04:56

This place is fantastic! We all had fabulous tasting meals and the waitress suggested a great wine to complement our food. Having dietary restrictions can be challenging and the staff was so understanding and able to keep us safe! We so appreciate that! Thank you!