Unfortunately I had to go on the road during the week of my birthday this year. But, as luck would have it, we overnighted in Monterey, California on the eve of my day. I wanted to eat a special meal on my birthday so we went to a place I tried last year where I ate some great seafood and drank some great California wine – Monterey’s Fish House!
Fish House exterior and interior
more interior shots; the menu
Hama Hama oysters; scallops, scampi style
close-up of scallops; wine of the evening; Sal, our bartender
If you enlarge the picture of the exterior you may notice the police tape on the hand rail in front. I’m assuming someone overdosed on the delicious seafood and wine, then crashed through the railing on their way out (ha, ha)! If I lived in Monterey or in the vicinity, this would soon become one of my restaurant hangouts. Nothing fancy, just damn fine food and wine at a reasonable price; friendly, knowledgeable staff and a laid back atmosphere – definitely my kind of place! They serve some of the biggest oysters I’ve ever seen – Hama Hama oysters from the deep water pacific caught off the shores of Lilliwaup, Washington. For dinner I had the scallops, scampi style which consisted of about a dozen sea scallops perfectly seared then served over fettucini w/ a sauce of fresh garlic, white wine, butter, green onions, tomatoes and mushrooms. Divine!! I broke the rules by having w/ the scallops one of my favorite red grape varietals, Zinfandel. California produces some of the best, so I chose the Boeger 2006 Walker Vineyard Zinfandel from El Dorado, California. Usually I have room for dessert, but not tonight!
If you happen to find yourself in Monterey, I highly recommend you give Monterey’s Fish House a try!! If Sal’s tending to the bar, tell him Bruno sent you :-)
A votre sante’!
Well my friend Bruno…first of all…I wish you a belated Happy Birthday!
As I sit here in my hotel room here at the Hilton in IAD…eating one more crew food meal from Rudy’s….my mouth is watering with the pictures of scallops and wine!!!
I will surely keep this place in mind if I ever get off the East Coast again!!!!
Nothing like a good meal to celebrate one’s Day!
Jill
Hey Jill, good to hear from you and thanks for the belated birthday wishes! Next time you’re in D.C. try Anita’s Restaurant for New Mexican cuisine. It’s real close to the Hilton and the food is much better than Rudy’s!!
You definitely need to try Monterey’s Fish House when you get a layover in Monterey.
Hope your tour is going well.