Passionfish

All their food was delicious. My family escpecially loved the fried squid. At most restaurants, the squid is served in a pile, but at Passionfish, the squid is beautifully placed around a pile of cilantro. My kids loved the buttermilk biscuit. I personally didn't eat it, but they said it was really good. The outer shell looked crispy, and they told me the inner part was very soft. For the entrees, I ordered a Rainbow Trout. The fish itself was really good. The fish had only salt and lemon on top of it. I really liked that they put the sauce on the side because I am the type of person that doesn't like a lot of sauce. Dessert I got the chocolate sorbet. The sorbet was made without milk, so the texture was very creamy. It was made with dark chocolate. Our server was welcoming and sincere. He earned five stars for service. The whole restaurant dominated a very calm atmosphere, with quiet murmurs. I will definitely come back here to eat if I can.🥰🥰

Was thrilled not to be disappointed after not having been there for nearly a decade. Every time we make a trip to Carmel, Passionfish always had to be one of the meals. From the onset, our server was friendly and attentive. We were seated at a 6 top toward the rear of the restaurant so we were away from the hustle and bustle. We started with a few apps and then moved on to midcourse. From there we moved on to the entrees which were spectacular. Though Passionfish is known for their sustainable fish Program, I have to have the lamp shank. It was braised to perfection with a tenderness of the meat that just fell off the bone. The other dishes were equally delightful, scallops, sole, grilled shrimp and a large salad. Once again it was a delightful night and would definitely recommend the restaurant!

This restaurant was better than a seafood Michelin star restaurant that I went to in San Francisco for half the price. The scallops, sauces, and accompaniments were amazing. The service was also top notch and the restaurant atmosphere was also nice. I would highly recommend coming here for a memorable evening. I didn't get a the bread pudding dessert because I was too full but I'd recommend it based on other reviews.

Fancy restaurant specializing in seafood. I had the duck confit and it was tasty, but I could swear it was chicken. If you are looking for an experience similar to a magret de canard, try the seafood dishes. The scallops seem great; same for the halibut. Oh, and don't pass on the biscuit as an appetizer. It was likely the best one I ever had. Crunchy on the outside, pillowy inside. Their bread pudding uses the biscuits and they are also superb.

Excellent service and fresh delicious food. Cooked perfectly. Generous portions and reasonably priced. Favorites are scallops, duck, mussels and pennacotta. Easy parking on streets.

We were truly disappointed as visitors from SoCal, and it was a special birthday celebration to top if off. We were truly looking forward to fresh market fish and an amazing experience. After reading the reviews and the website, our expectations were high. The Let Down - Dungeness crab salad was a tad bit too spicy - Albacore tuna entree was soggy and didn't look fresh, and all the ingredients within the dish didn't pair well, including a lack of presentation. The tuna lacked a red, shiny, and translucent color and had a feeling it was frozen. - Sea scallop entree, same as above, poor presentation and overall dish pairing wasn't good. The savory rice custard was horrible....it reminded me of hospital food. The Service - The table next to ours got a complimentary surprise desserts for their anniversary and birthday, but why did we have to pay? I'm not trying to be stingy, but if you saw that happen next to you, I'm sure you would question it too. - The server didn't ask why the main entree (tuna) was half eaten, and overall, she just lacked authenticity. The Positive - Nancy’s buttery buttermilk biscuit is amazing - Ambience is clean but with tight seating - The staff did clean up the empty plates quickly Parking is easy around the perimeter or in the front if you're lucky.

During my recent visit to Passionfish in Pacific Grove, I experienced a dining adventure that perfectly captured the restaurant's commitment to sustainably sourced seafood and quality ingredients. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the ambiance and the warm, attentive service provided by Francisco, who ensured that every aspect of our meal was exceptional. We began the evening with a glass of Domaine du Facteur Sparkling Gamay Rosé, a delightful choice that set the stage for what was to come. Francisco’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the menu were evident as he guided us through a selection of starters. We opted for the sea scallop appetizer, which was a true standout. The combination of caper-raisin-walnut relish with the artichoke risotto cake was both unique and utterly satisfying. Nancy's buttery buttermilk biscuit was next—a simple yet indulgent treat that paired wonderfully with the vibrant flavors of the dishes that followed. The beet salad was another highlight, offering a beautifully balanced dish with whipped gorgonzola dolce, yellow curry, and golden chutney that danced on the palate. The pecans added a perfect crunch, making this salad both refreshing and satisfying. For the main course, we couldn't resist the Alaskan halibut. It was cooked to perfection, with a flaky, tender texture that showcased the quality of the fish. The accompanying sweet white corn, tomato relish, and cotija cheese provided a delightful contrast, while the cilantro aioli added a fresh, herbaceous finish. As the evening drew to a close, Francisco surprised us with an off-menu dessert: peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. The peaches, sourced fresh from the local Farmers Market, were a perfect mix of sweet and tart. The cobbler was made with their famous biscuit dough, adding a comforting, buttery element to the dessert, while the vanilla ice cream was rich and creamy, rounding out the meal on a high note. Passionfish not only delivers on its promise of sustainably sourced seafood and realistic wine prices but does so with creativity and care that makes every dish memorable. With Francisco’s impeccable service and the thoughtfully curated menu, it’s clear that Passionfish is a culinary gem in Pacific Grove. I’ll certainly be returning to explore more of what this remarkable restaurant has to offer.

One of the best places in Monterrey/Carmel/Pacific Grove area. We always come here when we are in the area. MUST GET: sturgeon entree Ice cream mud pie - delicious SOLID: crab appetizer - fresh crab. Too much arugula Duck confit - kids portion is sufficient. SKIP: Scallop appetizer: one scallop served. The polenta cake underneath had cheese flavor Smoked trout tostaditas: sauce too overwhelming. Fattoush salad - iceberg lettuce. Tasted super bland. The wines are super reasonable and great selection. We had the sancerre half bottle and it was excellent.