First Awakenings is a restaurant in Pacific Grove near the Monterey Bay Aquarium that serves Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch. They are located in the Outlet center. We wanted to find a cheaper less touristy place for breakfast. They serve breakfast items as well as salads, burgers, and sandwiches. We had to wait 30 minutes to get in as the place was packed.

Decor, Vibe - Big patio outside, airy inside with lots of hanging plants. Lots of locals and tourists getting breakfast.

Menu Pictures

Website menu

Picks:

Siesta Key Cocktail ($6.49) - Yogurts, granola, raisins, nuts, fruit with a English muffin was very good. A nice mixture of healthy items that blended together well.

OK:

Mickey Pancake ($4.75) came with bacon. Pancakes were of average quality.

Texas French Toast ($4.50) with fruit was pretty big. Decent quality.

Pans:

Turkey Sausage Links ($3.29) tasted terrible. They are low in cholesterol, but better you’d be better off if did not have any.

Salmon Eggs Benedict Special ($11.59) with not very fresh smoked salmon, but decent eggs. Came with average potatoes. The most expensive item and not very good.

First Awakenings had average service, not terribly good with so many people there. Be careful what you order, stick to the basic stuff like pancakes that are hard to mess up. Most of the alternatives in this touristy area cost a lot more. Kids menu available.

Also at:
171 Main St
Salinas, CA 93901
831-784-1125

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Passionfish offers a “unique California dining experience with serious food and wine in a fun and casual atmosphere. The ever-changing menu features the freshest, sustainable seafood, slow-cooked meats, organic greens and delectable desserts, all complemented by an award winning wine list priced well below what you’ve come to expect.” They have been around for over ten years.
With the world class Monterey Bay Aquarium nearby and all its educational campaigns, this restaurant adheres to the sustainable seafood movement to serve ‘correct’ food. Passionfish is owned and operated by Chef Ted Walter and his wife Cindy Walter, who are vocal advocates for sustainabilty.

We have been visiting this restaurant for years and find it a consistent place for good food at reasonable prices, especially in an area full of tourisy restaurants. Menu changes daily.

Wine Cellar

Decor, Vibe - Sudued decor with a clean look with separate front and rear dining areas. Locals and tourists were dining, with both families and groups in their 40’s and 50’s.

Menu Pictures

Dessert Menu

Picks:

Monterey squid salad ($10) with mango, long beans, red peppers in an orange dressing was excellent. The squid was tender and the sauce was especially good.

Gulf of Maine Scallops ($24) with tomato truffle butter, Thyme risotto custard was excellent. Very good quality scallops with perfect carmelization.

Sturgeon ($23) with coconut rice, zucchini fritters, red curry vinaigrette was very good. A meaty fish that was cooked correctly.

Tilipia ($8, Children’s plate) had a mild flavor and was pretty good. Excellent price for real food aimed at kids.

Carpene Prosecco ($20) was an excellent value for the whole bottle. Wish more restaurants would price like this.

Mint and Espresso Mud Pie ($6) with chocolate sauce and walnuts was just huge. It was so hard we had to keep banging on it. Great walnuts.

OK:

Mussels ($10) steamed in a spicy tomato-cilantro broth was very spicy, avoid if you do not like hot food. Could not taste the mussels.

Duck ($8, Children’s plate) was average. Skin was crispy, but other entrees overshadowed this.

Pans:
None

Passionfish continues to deliver the goods even after many years. It is a perfect part of a Monterey trip. We have tried many of the touristy restaurants and have found this place to have better food, and at lower prices. You won’t have a view of the Bay though.
Passionfish has a huge wine selection at great prices near retail. Kids menu available.
If the Fried sweet potatoes are on the menu, be sure to order them.

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Nico Restaurant is a Mediterranean restaurant in touristy downtown Carmel. It has a main dining room and a small patio in the back. We were in town doing the tourist thing and found this place in the middle of the shopping district.

Decor, Vibe - Big wine racks in the middle of the restaurant, acting like a room divider. Mostly tourists and couples dining here.

Menu Pictures

Picks:

Grilled Portabella Mushroom ($10) with Rosemary and Roasted pine nuts had good quantity and was cooked correctly.

OK:

Crab Ravioli ($18) in a Champagne Creme Sauce with Sun dried tomato, and scallops was recommended by the waiter but was too creamy and had just average raviloi quality. Not many scallops.

Margherita Pizza ($10) Basil, Tomato, and Mozzarella had soggy crust and was not as flavorful as most Margherita pizzas.

Salsiccia Pizza ($11) Fresh Italian Sausage, Arugola, and Mozzerlla had the same soggy crust and average sausage on it.

Rosemary Smoked Salmon Sandwich ($10) with Roma Tomato, Pecornio Cheese, and Onion was average. It was also recommended. Good salmon but too soggy due to the tomato sauce.

Pans:
None

Nico Restaurant is typical of a restaurant in a touristy destination, prices are relatively moderate, but quality takes a back seat. Next time we’ll try a different restaurant. Any suggestions?

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