"Located within Monterey’s Plaza Hotel, Coastal Kitchen shares Plaza’s old-school opulence, so it’s a good pick for anniversaries or big milestone celebrations. As its name suggests, the restaurant is right on the coast, with incredible ocean views. The menu changes frequently, but you can expect beautiful presentation and exciting flavor combinations, like dreamy poached white asparagus with charred avocado and wasabi, and smoky, spicy miso black cod, with creamy coconut milk. At $145 per person for a five-course tasting (you can add wine pairings for an additional $95), this place is one of the costlier experiences in the guide." - allison green, gabi moskowitz
