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

Fentons Creamery has been around since 1922. They produce their own ice cream and toppings batch by batch on site. They serve breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, salads, but the main draw is of course ice cream. Their creations are simply huge. Even the kid’s ice creams are huge.
Decor, Vibe - Classic ice cream fountain decor with booth seating lining the wall. Lots of families, college students, and big groups enjoying breakfast.

Menu Pictures

Website Menu

Picks:

Bacon and Eggs with red potatoes ($3.95 Kids) was huge. Just think how big the regular sized one is. Quality of items was good.

Ice Cream Float ($2.50 Kids) with Vanilla ice cream and root beer. Massive amounts of ice cream. Hard to see any root beer in there.

Banana Split ($4.95 Kids) with any 3 scoops of ice cream, 3 toppings, and whipped cream was pretty big. The regular one is about 100% bigger. Good smooth ice cream and lots of toppings.

Belgian Waffle ($5.95) One giant, fluffy Belgian waffle served with a blend of Vermont maple syrup, butter and a dusting of powdered sugar.

OK:

Old-Fashion Oatmeal ($3.95) Steamy oatmeal served with brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins and non-fat milk.

Pancakes ($3.95 Kids) with choice of Farm-Fresh Buttermilk or Whole Wheat. Served with a blend of Vermont maple syrup and butter.

Pans:
None

Fentons Creamery is a classic place to go. They serve basic comfort food but specialize in huge ice cream creations. They are also known for a mean crab sandwich. Definitely go there if you are in need of an ice cream fix. They have a to go ice cream counter and ice cream cakes.

Also at:
Fentons Creamery at the Nut Tree
1669 East Monte Vista Avenue
Vacaville, CA 95688

707-469-7200

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

The C restaurant and bar is a stylish new California cuisine restaurant that opened in May 2008 at the brand new Intercontinental Hotel The Clement on Cannery Row.

In a great location overlooking Monterey Bay and next door to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, this is probably the best restaurant on Cannery Row. We’ve tried the touristy Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Fish Hopper on Cannery Row, and Portola restaurant inside the Aquarium.

The restaurant has a modern room with minimalist decor and lots of windows to see the awesome view. We saw many birds, otters, and other animals playing in Monterey Bay. Many hotel guests were dining alongside tourists visiting the aquarium.

They have outdoor seating, for when the weather allows. A small bar with lounge seating called the Reading Room has drink service too.

They have a cool fire pit outside in the courtyard. They adhere to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s seafood watch program to ensure sustainability of sea life. They serve breakfast (buffet and a la cart), lunch and dinner.

Menus:

Picks:

Drinks:

Mango Mojito ($9.50) was smooth, flavorful and strong, very good GL Morgan Chardonnay ($10) - Surprisingly normal wine markup, kids non alcoholic Calvin’s Cooler ($3, Several Fruit juices), Peppermint Patti. ($3, Minty Hot Chocolate)

Appetizers:

New England Clam chowder ($6 Cup, $10.50 Bowl) was very creamy and full of goodies,

Oysters on the half shell in a nice presentation on top of seaweed, Miyagi’s on this night. Includes Champagne mignonette. (5 for $15, not cheap)

The butter for bread was a cool ice cream-like scoop. Yummy and smooth.

Entrees:

Rack of Lamb ($39) with Creamy Polenta and Castroville Artichokes had high quality ingredients, a balanced sauce, and was cooked ok. Definitely a more hearty dish.

Pan Seared Striped Bass ($28) with Broccolini, Capers was prepared very well although the crust was a little burned. Nice light sauce. Seared Diver Scallops ($31) are from Maine, very fresh and cooked perfectly.

Low cost Kids Menu. Kid’s Pasta ($7.50) was satisfying for the kids. Free Berry Appetizer too.

Dessert:

The Clement Sundae ($10.50) with Pistachio Gelato, Lebanese Yougurt Gelato, Giandujo Gelato, Camalized Banana, Chocolate Sauce is a must. Unusual combination but it worked for us.

Pans:
None

Conclusion:

A nice scenic location and decent food makes it an easy choice after a day at the aquarium. Service was decent and the views were awesome.