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

Restaurant.com $25 Dining Certificate for $10
Entertainment Book 2 for 1 restaurant, food coupons, and much more

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?

Restaurant.com $25 Dining Certificate for $10
Entertainment Book 2 for 1 restaurant, food coupons, and much more

Golden Boy Pizza is a hole in the wall restaurant in North Beach. This place takes only cash and serves pizza slices from big trays that are warmed up. There are lots of beers and two rows of counter seating.

Decor, Vibe - Small stool and counter lined dive. Stickers all over the place. Mostly tourists and locals in their 20’s and 30’s.

Menu Pictures

OK:

The Combination ($3.25) and pepperoni pizza ($3.25) was bland, mushy and not flavorful. Crust is thick almost like foccaia bread.

The Clam and pesto ($3.50) had more flavor as it was mostsly covered with parsley.

This is clearly a place for those on a budget or in need of a quick slice and cold one. They are open till 2am on weekends, so it is a good place to fill that late night craving of pizza and beer.
This isn’t Zacharys or Little star. Service is friendly.

Restaurant.com $25 Dining Certificate for $10
Entertainment Book 2 for 1 restaurant, food coupons, and much more