Passionfish

I simply love this restaurant. The classy yet cozy vibe. The attentive yet considerate staff. And most importantly, the food! I love the scallop appetizer. It is fun to eat various elements while the scallop itself holds the top place. The main dish: the duck confit along with the cake and brocollini is perfect. The duck is indeed falling off the bones with crispy part to enjoy. The duck is free of game smell and the fruit sauce allows the dish to stay savory and flavorful. The brocollini is fresh and young, very pleasant to eat along with tender meat. Lastly, the banana bread pudding and the ice cream ends the night with such a sweet dream. The caramel is perfectly sticky and there is a crispy crust at the bottom of the pudding. The texture of the pudding and the ice cream is smooth and righteously decadent. Well, I finish the whole thing by myself with the sense of joy. You should know by now that you need to try this place. Let me finish my essay now lol. You

You cannot miss out this restaurant if you visit Pacific Grove. All dishes are well made. I especially recommend their scallops, lamb rack and rainbow trout . Also their desserts are Devine! I love the bread pudding with bourbon caramel sauce with banana ice cream. The panna cotta and plum sorbet are also very delicious!

It was our first time here, was recommended by a local. Went there on a weekday evening, and it was moderately busy. The ambience inside was nice, the host welcomed us in, and sat us at our table. Our server Paula took great care of us, and there was another server who took great care of us, with Paula whose name I didn't get. Now coming to the food, the Fried Calamari was great, as someone who tries calamari everywhere I go, it was really good, fresh, and melted in our mouths! The Duck Confit was another highlight, it was perfectly delicious, and the smoked chile potato cake that came with it was extraordinary, it was just so good!! The grilled shrimp was just okay. Overall it was a good experience, and would def recommend.

One of the better meals we've had in the Central Coast area. I had heard amazing things, but even with that expectation we were blown away. The scallop appetizer was wonderful, the lamb was perfectly cooked, and the desserts were incredible (particularly the chocolate torte). Will surely be coming back!!

We celebrated a special evening at Passion Fish in Monterey on August 15th with my friend who flew in from Texas. After a day of strolling around town, we wanted to treat her to a truly memorable meal—and this place delivered in every way. The restaurant was spotless, the atmosphere welcoming, and the staff struck the perfect balance: attentive without being pushy, deeply knowledgeable about both the menu and the wines, and so kind that you instantly feel at ease. The food was simply incredible. We shared several dishes, and every single bite—from appetizers through the mains—was full of surprising, perfectly balanced flavors. We’re all pretty spoiled when it comes to good restaurants, and lately I often feel disappointed eating out, thinking I could have made it better at home. But not here—everything was outstanding. Passion Fish left us delighted and grateful, and it’s a spot we’ll absolutely come back to. A perfect Monterey gem to share with out-of-town guests and celebrate life’s moments.

First night in Pacific Grove we dined at Passionfish. Everything is sustainably sourced. Excellent food and wine. I read a review to go for the halibut. It was delish and left me feeling good! The scallops were also perfectly cooked and yummy!!

Fantastic food and service!! We had the Beet Salad, Duck Confit, and Scallops. All were very tasty!! We also had the Maple Bourbon Banana Bread pudding, which we ate before taking a pic! Highly recommended!!

After two weeks of driving across California and trying countless spots, this was hands down the best meal we had. Every dish was fresh, packed with flavor, and beautifully presented—clearly made with care and attention to detail. The service was just as impressive. Our waitress was fantastic—knowledgeable, warm, and incredibly helpful with the wine selections. She really elevated the whole experience. What made it even more special was the thoughtful touch from the staff. They had read our booking notes and went out of their way to make our engagement celebration feel truly memorable. It was a perfect evening from start to finish. Highly recommended!

In this cozy little gem, the food does not disappoint at all. It's a deliciously polished meal the whole way through. From the fair-priced wine to the house-made desserts, every part was unique and impactful in its own way. The Spicy Fish Stew, Nancy's Buttery Buttermilk Biscuits, and Maple Bread Pudding are MUST HAVE items, especially the bread pudding. The banana ice cream is paired with this maple bourbon sauce and bread pudding made from their already delicious biscuits. Most entrees, especially any of the seafood-based ones and the duck confit, are also incredibly solid picks and are hard to go wrong with. The experience is worth its weight in gold.

Excellent service - Ron took great care of us. He helped us with wine choices - even admitted when he went to someone else because our food options were different in flavor profile. Very good tostada's but damn that fried squid? You've gotta treat yourself to calamari that's more tender, more lightly fried like tempura, and with an awesome lemon vinaigrette with cilantro. My tuna fish was def well made. But the grilled shrimp in Lima beans we're so comforting and full of flavor. And please, try the biscuit - at least to go. Ginger ice cream with the pomegranate was a light pop of dessert

Dipped in on a Monday night around 7pm and were promptly seated in a nice cozy spot. The setting is streamline moderne, with nice noise buffering features to keep volume low - much appreciated. We had the butternut squash soup, smoked trout ceviche, and a biscuit for starters and the rainbow trout and the night's special: Black Cod. Absolutely everything was delicious! Great presentation, amazing flavor, no notes!!! Lastly we were suggested to try the Banana ice cream and bread pudding for dessert and let me tell you, this thing melted our brains. I cannot recall having a more deliciously decadent dish!! Would come back 1000 times over and would absolutely stop in just for that dessert.

My bf and I arrived right at opening ahead of our reservation and were promptly seated. It was really quiet and vibey initially since the restaurant was empty but the establishment quickly filled up - though it never got too noisy which we appreciated. Service was high quality and the server made us feel very welcome. My bf ordered the Duck Confit (4/5): Duck Confit was nearly perfect. While the sauce and potato cake were perfectly done (the sauce gave a tangy kick to otherwise heavy flavors) the cook of the duck was a tad more iffy. The skin was perfectly done and very crispy but the inside was tender at spots, falling off the bone when cutting it, and in other spots was kind of dry and chewy. Despite this we enjoyed the flavors and the portion size. I ordered the Sea Scallops (4/5): The sauce, rice pudding, and vegetables were delicious! The dish felt well balanced and all the different components worked well to come together into a coherent dish. However, one thing that we didn't enjoy was that a lot of the dish components were wet which meant there was a bit of liquid pooling on the plate and made the dish look a lot less appealing and eating it a bit more difficult. The scallops were also slightly overcooked but perfectly seasoned and seared. Overall this was a very solid dinner that left us pretty satisfied.

The food, service & ambiance here is still as fabulous as ever! We had the trout, albacore tuna, beet salad, yuzu panna cotta, chocolate truffle torte with passion fruit sauce, and a nice half bottle of Big Basin Pinot noir. Everything tasted excellent and was perfectly prepared. Wonderful & attentive service and good recommends which we appreciate. Elegant yet warm & inviting environment. Thank you!

My partner brought me here for my birthday after a nice evening of staring at otters in the bay. The vibe is definitely retired bougie which I don't quite fit into but meant the ambience was very calm and low key. Like the ocean Rainbow trout was a step outside our typical picks. It was well deboned (only two small ones on the side) and well cooked. We unfortunately didn't like the cardamom flavour accompanying it Scallops are a MUST HAVE. They are expensive, almost $10 per scallop but they were excellently cooked, buttery but firm enough to sit on a fork and the rice custard was so good too The squash bisque was a bit watery for a bisque but provided a nice warm feeling coming in from the rainy outside We got recommended the biscuit and thought why not, $4 and it was a HIGH RETURN dish. Definitely get it yourself, it is soft and buttery honestly I'd get one per person They also gave me an ice cream for my birthday, while we ordered the chocolate torte it was overpowered by the passion fruit syrup. If that's your thing, go ahead.

I had a fabulous meal at Passionfish last night, after not eating there in a while. I've always liked the restaurant, but not quite as much as others did. In particular, I found the entrees a bit too spartan, the flavor often fell a bit short of what I was hoping for, even as I loved other aspects of the experience. Last night started with a biscuit that was remarkably good (I saw on the dessert menu the restaurant sells a make-your-own kit). I had a calamari appetizer that was notably tender, with the richness of the fried calamari balanced by a zingy citrus sauce. Entree was halibut that was well-cooked and with a satisfying combination of flavors; my only modest quibble was that halibut works particularly well as a thicker cut, and this piece was fairly thin. Plating/presentation was strong throughout, and especially for the halibut. All of this was paired with a Santa Cruz-area Pinot Noir by Ghostwriter, which wasn't on my radar, that had Old World characteristics that paired nicely with the food. Dessert was a chocolate sorbet, almost certainly produced with a pricey Pacojet, that was exceptionally creamy and rich despite being dairy free. Service was great; casual, helpful, mostly very responsive. There was a delay in getting our table ready, I presume because a prior party lingered. We were low-key about it, but the restaurant might have acknowledged it in some modest way, e.g. just having the server mention it again, or sending a shared appetizer out for the table as a gesture. Ambiance was lovely. Price was appropriate, and kudos to the restaurant for marking wine up far less than most do. Overall, based on last night's meal, Passionfish is a restaurant I'm happy to recommend enthusiastically.

I loved this place, it was a perfect nice but not fine dining spot to enjoy fresh seafood. The wine was great and reasonably priced. The service was phenomenal. I will be coming here again next time I'm in Monterrey and want nice fish

Passionfish is a Pacific Grove gem. Went with a group of three and everything from service to dessert was on point. Shane, our server, was exceptional - knowledgeable about the menu, great timing, and recommendations that actually landed. Started with bubbles and their warm biscuits (don't skip these). The smoked trout ceviche tostaditas were fresh and balanced with just enough acid. The plum & jicama salad was unexpectedly good, that labneh and toasted almonds with the fresh herbs worked perfectly. For entrées, I went with the spoonable 12-hour lamb - fork-tender with meyer lemon stew and goat cheese sauce that I'm still thinking about. My dining companions had the sea scallops, which were perfectly cooked and served with a savory rice custard. Dessert trio: yuzu panna cotta (excellent - light and citrusy), maple-banana bread pudding with bourbon caramel (also excellent - pure comfort), and the mint & espresso mud pie. Fair warning on that mud pie - the mint is polarizing. I enjoyed it but my companions found it too unusual. Stick with the other two if you're not into adventurous mint. The space feels special without being stuffy, perfect for a nice dinner that doesn't require a suit jacket. Price: $80 per person after tax and tip Parking: Street parking in Pacific Grove Reservations: Recommended, especially weekends Worth a visit while in the Carmel/Pacific Grove/Monterey area? Absolutely. Shane made it even better.

I've dined here a few times over the past few years and enjoyed every visit. The seafood entrees are always fresh and prepared amazingly well. The appetizers and side dishes consistently hit it out of the ballpark as well. The fish soup is my favorite, and always with those eyes-rolling-they-are-so-good biscuits. The salads and vegetables are super fresh and flavorful as well. I'd say the vibe is fine dining, but relaxed. I love that it's not an obnoxiously loud restaurant, but also never so quiet that you feel the need to whisper. I've been here both for romantic dates, and for lively birthday parties, and in either circumstance, Passionfish felt like the perfect place to be.

We had a lovely dinner here tonight. Passionfish is an upscale and elegant restaurant known for their seafood being sustainably sourced. We had made reservations in advance, which is highly recommended. We were warmly greeted at the door by the hostess, shown to our table and were given menus. Our waitress, Candace, came and introduced herself and informed us of this evening's special, which was the rack of lamb. We decided to start our meal with the fried calamari squid herb salad with spicy tangerine vinaigrette. We also ordered the Dungeness crab salad. We shared both of these items. We also decided to share their famous buttermilk biscuit. The calamari starter was so good. Cooked perfectly with a light crispy batter exterior. The tangerine vinaigrette was delicious with a bit of heat. The Dungeness crab salad was amazing. The ginger vinaigrette paired extremely well with the crab, avocado and arugula. This was our favorite item. I'd come back just for this salad. The buttermilk biscuit was warm and delicious with the honey butter they provided. One was enough to split. For our mains, we ordered the rack of lamb and the sea scallops entree. My husband loved the lamb but had a hard time cutting it with the plain silverware knife that was part of our place setting. We asked for a sharp knife but they don't usually provide those for their guests. Candace was able to find us a sharp knife which worked out great. My sea scallops were perfectly seared on the top and bottom and creamy in the middle. So delicious. I did not care for the sides at all. The poached lettuce, was one of my sides, was not palatable at all. I'm just not into hot soggy lettuce. The other side was a rice custard. It definitely was savory and custard like. I had an issue with the texture. The menu isn't huge. I only wish they had more options for the sides where we can choose what we'd like. We had excellent service by the wait staff. Our waters were constantly being topped off. We did glance at the dessert menu, but were too full to try anything. We will definitely come back again and make sure to make room for dessert.

Passion fish is one of our favorite fish places in Pacific Grove that feels like an intimate restaurant that is actually bigger than it appears. They actually have 3-4 smaller rooms. The place has a modern feel. Local business owners recommend passionfish. This is close to nice rocky views of the coast. We like the hustle and bustle of Monterey but for relaxing times without crowds Pacific Grove has a lot to offer. The service was excellent and attentive. Menu seems to change seasonally. Some of the attached pictures are from previous visits. As with most seafood places, they have a lot of non-fish dishes for those that want non-fish items.

This would be five stars but for one item - the Spicy fish stew was much too spicy (and I'm a guy who loves subs heat). Trout tostadas were perfection - great contrast with pickled cabbage. The crab salad was not what I expected but better than I hoped. Biscuits were heavenly (and helped ameliorate the super spicy fish stew). Service was fantastic.

Passionfish delivers an elevated yet approachable dining experience, perfect for a special night out by the coast. The vibe is warm and sophisticated without being stuffy -- think soft lighting, coastal charm, and a hum of lively conversation. Service was polished, attentive, and well-timed, with knowledgeable staff who are very professional with handling food allergies. Sea Scallop: Perfectly seared with a golden crust and tender center, paired with flavors that highlighted its natural sweetness. Spoonable 12-Hour Lamb Breast: Fall-apart tender, rich, and deeply flavorful -- pure comfort with a gourmet twist. Duck Confit: Crispy skin, succulent meat, and a beautiful balance of savory and slightly sweet notes. Panna Cotta: Silky, light, and delicately flavored -- a refreshing end to the meal. Mud Pies: Decadent, chocolatey, and indulgent without being overly heavy.

Passionfish has been on my to try list for a while, and so glad we finally had a chance to visit. Reservations highly recommended. I can never pass up biscuits and these were excellent - crispy outside, flaky and light inside. So yummy we had to order another one. Heard they sell them frozen. If only there was a freezer in our hotel room . . . Started with the beet salad and sea scallop. Hubs really enjoyed the beet salad and thought it was light and a good way to start the meal. The scallop was also yummy. For entrees, hubs ordered the halibut - very meaty and filling. I went with the Arctic Char special - love the crispy skin and the combo of the fish with the fennel and that citrusy sauce. We noticed every table around us ordered dessert so knew we couldn't pass it up. We couldn't decide so we ordered the mud pie and the banana bread pudding. The mud pie was very reminiscent of an It's It. Great way to end our meals. Service was also excellent and all the dishes were nicely presented. Would definitely return the next time we're in town.

Passionfish - Pacific Grove If you're ever near Monterey, do yourself a favor and book a table at Passionfish in Pacific Grove. Their wine list and bubbles selection is extensive -- thoughtful, well-curated, and perfect for pairing with their seafood-focused menu. I had the best halibut I've ever tasted -- perfectly cooked, delicately seasoned, and absolutely unforgettable. Every detail, from the plating to the flavors, was spot on. Service was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive without ever feeling rushed. A truly exceptional dining experience from start to finish. Passionfish, Pacific Grove, CA Stellar wine & bubbles * Impeccable seafood * Excellent service

The food is so fresh! The spicy fish stew is yummy - if you enjoy the heat. Loved the scallop with truffle tomato butter. The staff is so friendly and welcoming! We celebrated our anniversary and they gave usa free dessert. Great place for fresh food and incredible wine selection! Wonderful ocean pics - great vibe to the place.

Came here with my family under the recommendation of a good friend and we were not disappointed! Service was attentive and thoughtful. We had an issue with our reservation (didn't seem to have gone through online) but luckily we were early before the dinner rush and the hostess seated us promptly. Dining room was cozy but not crowded. Offering for kids was limited, but we were grateful for the option and our kids loved their linguini! Fried squid was nice and the sauce had a noticeable kick. Nancy's buttery biscuit was delicious with nice flaky layers. Duck confit was made well and was flavorful and tender. We got both of the day's special: Australian lamb chops and Atlantic char. Both were cooked at just the right temp and the skin on the char was crisp without being burnt. We were too full for dessert but the options looked delicious - I'm a real sucker for panna cotta!

This is my honest review. If menu options and service levels have changed so be it, but this is what we experienced on the night that we went. Went here with my son who recently graduated. Wow, what a disappointment. I found it hard to accept the fact that not a single ocean fish was on the menu other than some kind of fish stew. No I didn't type that wrong. The passion FISH....."fish" that is........ offered no ocean fish baked, fried, sautéed, poached or other. Well, at least their fish is indeed sustainably sourced----IT WAS -almost-NON EXISTENT! Haah! Cap that off with the fact that what they did have was hugely overpriced and that we had very unremarkable service and what do you get? A firm conviction never to return. Too bad, I went here two other times 10+ years ago and it was much better which indicates to me this place has gone down hill. Owners - please get a clue or change the name of this restaurant because fish is clearly not your passion--it seems though, that money is.

Despite the reservation, we were seated 20 minutes late, a testament to its popularity and how unrushed the service is. Our server, Corinne S., was lovely and warm and suggested a wonderful Gamay to pair with our entree selections. We ordered the Arctic Char special and the sea scallops. It was hands-down the best sea scallops that I have had. They were prepared perfectly and delicately with a hint of lemon beurre blanc sauce. The arctic char had a crisp skin and mild flavor; it was beautifully plated. We finished with a Yuzu panna cotta with a meringue cookie. It was light and a perfect not-too-sweet finish. It is evident why Passionfish succeeds in making each guest feel they are experiencing an elevated and sophisticated version of a dining experience.

A wonderful dining experience! Very welcoming and delicious food. Asked for recommendations and got it. The bubbly was crisp, dry with a hint of apple. The biscuit divine...so buttery and crispy. The beet salad delicious with a light dressing, butter/candied nuts, blue cheese cream with beets over arugula. The scallops were done to perfection...fresh, crispy on outside, soft and moist on inside. The poached lettuce and onions with rice were the perfect accompaniment. Too full for dessert so need to return!

We ordered scallop and duck confit. Both of them are very good. Scallop is perfect cooked and the light sauce is great. The duck reduction is very tasty, the skin is still crispy and the sauce is great. The dessert, chocolate torte is very good, not too heavy with the great passion food sauce.

One of the better meals we've had in the Central Coast area. I had heard amazing things, but even with that expectation we were blown away. The scallop appetizer was wonderful, the lamb was perfectly cooked, and the desserts were incredible (particularly the chocolate torte). Will surely be coming back!!

Passionfish is the perfect seafood spot for a nice date night/dinner! Came here as a party of 2 on Sunday night with a reservation at 5:30pm and was seated right away! (Highly recommend making a reservation as we saw a lot of people waiting on our way out) ~the food~ - Nancy's buttery buttermilk biscuit ($4): AMAZING, loved it! Super flakey, buttery warm biscuit that is super fluffy on the inside, but still so crisp and crunchy on the outside. Love the saltiness on the top of the biscuit as well! Paired super well with the honey butter. Definitely a rich starter given its buttery-ness so I would recommend sharing this! - Sea scallops entree ($39): The scallops were cooked to perfection, not chewy, just right. The tomato-truffle butter was also quite nice! I really appreciated that the truffle flavor was not overpowering and the poached lettuce was very nice too! First time trying a savory rice custard and it was really good! Kind of like shaped risotto! - Duck confit ($36) : Super tender duck, cooked to perfection. Loved the sweetness of the duck/sauce and the broccolini was also cooked super well. I think the smoke Chile-potato cake was ok! Nothing too special, but I think paired well with the dish! ~parking~ Lots of street parking around the restaurant, so we had no issues finding a spot! ~overall~ Service was 10/10, staff were super attentive, without hovering around too much; The ambiance is the perfect balance between casual and formal for a date night imo! It's casual enough that you can don't have to dress up, but would be totally normal to do so as well! Food was amazing, staff were super friendly. Pricing is super reasonable imo! Given the high quality/thoughtfulness put into the food, drinks, and service, I think the pricing is very reasonable! Will definitely be back to try some of their other dishes as well!

This place is truly excellent. I was looking for something in the area with seafood but not one of the touristy places, and Passionfish fit the bill. I did make a reservation ahead of time with Yelp. When we walked in around 6:15 on a Saturday, it wasn't super crowded, but by the time we left, people were waiting outside. This place is more spacious inside than it looks from the outside. The menu is very seafood-forward. I had a hard time deciding exactly what I wanted, but I went with the scallops. I was really glad I did. They were cooked perfectly with a sear on the outside but tender inside. The vegetable side with it was delicious, as was the creamy rice that came with it. My mom got the vegetable tajine that looked good, though I did think they should serve it in a tajine if they are calling it that! This would be a good dish for vegans. Also, the beet salad was excellent. I was too full for dessert, but the desserts looked really interesting. Curious about the Roquefort ice cream! Service was good though they took away our salad forks and didn't bring entree forks automatically, and had to ask for them. But the server was easy to flag down.

The food here was very good. It was a touch sweet for my palate, I do prefer if it was dialed back just a touch with a little more acid. But, just get some good wine and you will be fine I promise. Extensive wine list with good choices and great prices. Honestly, it's priced quite well for the venue, food, wine, and service that you get. Our waiter was EXTREMELY attentive and caring and he made the experience even better. Thanks Passionfish!

Delicious and beautiful restaurant. Came for a special evening and was friendly greeted and seated. All the items were great. We started with the biscuit and crab salad which was more spicy than we expected. For the mains we ordered the scallops and duck confit which were so yummy! Overall an amazing experience. Thank you team!

Lovely place with distinct dishes that really make it stand out! Loved the rainbow trout and the calamari especially. The calamari had an interesting flavor and didn't have too much breading. Definitely one of the most perfect dishes. The trout was flavored very well and deliciously grilled to perfection. The bread pudding was also delicious, but I wasn't a big fan of the mud pie and the mint ice cream part which overpowered the other flavor.

We have visited here several times over the years and the quality has never suffered, even during a global pandemic. If you visit here you have to get Nancy's biscuit. Each person needs their own, you will thank me later. It's hard to recommend a dish because so much of it is based on fresh sustainable seafood. This visit I had the 12 hour spoon lamb it practically melted in my mouth and the beans were cooked to perfection. The smoked trout with cashew pesto sounded delicious but the spicy salsa was too spicy for me. Our server was Corinne and she was delightful and extremely knowledgeable. Because it was our anniversary they provided us with special seating and a souvenir menu. The seating is cozy but not intrusive, there's enough space between tables and I love seeing what other people order. The staff does an excellent job checking on you and refilling your drinks. We will definitely visit again.

I wished I liked Passionfish but it was a miss. My friends and I were able to book a dinner reservation over MLK weekend and despite being a very popular restaurant, it was not at capacity surprisingly. What excited us the most about the restaurant was the sustainable sourcing and the upscale but casual vibe. While the servers were very attentive and polite, the food missed the mark. We loved the warm Brussels salad but the buttermilk biscuit, despite raving reviews, was too dense and overly buttery; the rainbow trout was delicate but we had no warning about bones still in the fish; and the clam linguini had the right amount of clams but the flavor was off. I am glad we went but left disappointed. We did not try the wine so maybe that would have elevated the meal/experience.

This is our second time here, and Passionfish did not disappoint. The menu looks pretty similar to the first time we came in November. The first time we were here, we only got 1 of the buttermilk biscuit, and we couldn't stop thinking about it. The sea bass and the albacore tuna were also delicious. The server was very attentive and met all our needs. We would definitely come back again if we're in the area.

What an incredible dinner I had! I work in hospitality and I had a guest that would always hype up this restaurant, and for good reason. They gave me a gift certificate to try this place and I was more than impressed. I had the fried Calamari which was melt-in-your-mouth goodness and with that orange vinegarette made for the perfect appetizer! Yelp reviews for Passionfish often express the Duck Confit as a popular dish here and now I know why. The duck is perfectly cooked and falls right off the bone. I left the restaurant full to my heart's content. The service was excellent and the ambiance was cozy with class. A couple near me got to sit at the same table they got engaged at 25 years ago to the day which made me appreciate this restaurant even more. I look forward to coming back someday with my family and creating a happy memory like that.

What a beautiful and elegant restaurant. The food looked fantastic, unfortunately their menu didn't allow for many options for my wife to enjoy due to her gluten allergy. We sat down and she was given a special allergen menu that helped identify what was safe. There were options, but all of the most appealing dishes were not safe. We ended up leaving and enjoying a nice meal down the street at a fish spot that had a huge range of safe options. I love my gluten, so I don't blame them for making the food the way they like it. I just wish the safe options were more plentiful.

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.

Food, service, ambiance all excellent!!! The fish stew was delicious! Definitely enough for a meal along with the fresh baked biscuit. Francisco was personable and quite helpful. He knows the menu and the expansive wine menu, offered recommendations and tasting. We will return next time we are in the area.

Food unbelievably delicious! Service Amazing. This was an amazing vacation dinner.

I'm pretty much set on coming back here every chance we get to be in Monterey for dinner. What an incredible rarity of a restaurant! I'd chosen it for its focus on sustainability and didn't realize just how lux yet approachable it would be. Such fresh, fun combinations of colors, textures, flavors, especially in our apps. The biscuits, which I'm told they're famous for, were famous-worthy. - sea scallop, caper-raisin-walnut relish, artichoke risotto cake 15 - smoked trout ceviche tostaditas, cashew pesto, spicy salsa brava 13 - nancy's buttery buttermilk biscuit 4 Entrees were delicious and so satisfying - I had a tough time deciding but chose seafood because when in Rome. I've always been a fan of scallop but omg I fell head over heels for scallop here. - rainbow trout, sweet potato-wild rice sauté, cardamom syrup 25 - sea scallops, tomato-truffle butter, poached lettuce, savory rice custard 38 The mud pie was simple but sooo good. The wine selection was a surprise only because i hadn't done proper research - they're known for their incredible wine selection, close to retail price. Their wine list is super fun and you can really go wild. You can actually feel the passion from their menu and it'll rub off on you! - mud pie - glass of bubbly - glass of skin contact - bottle of chilled red/white blend (we took half home) Service was outstanding. It was also crazy affordable - under $200 for alllll that before tip? I don't know how they do it.

The thing that stood out for me was the creativeness of each individual dish. Each dish had its own authenticity. And that creativity tasted really good. We shared several dishes. We got there early which was nice because it was quieter. A lot of well behaved kids were there. The service was attentive and well informed. Considering they talk up their reasonable wine prices, I thought the corkage fee at $35 was not in keeping. We make Pinot Noir and we brought an older vintage that was a knock out with the Roquefort ice cream. Be ready for a whiplash of flavor.

The place looks clean Customer service was not good. It was my birthday and my husband tried to make it special for me , he called and told them we are celebrating birthday thinking I won't hear it . They didn't acknowledge at all. He was really sad and disappointed that they didn't even put a candle on dessert we ordered. Food was ok I ordered the trout and it was extra sweet . They didn't check on it as all. They brought the food and we had to wait good 10-14 mins to get our fork and knife , and there was no apology either. Our waiter I guess was mad at the table next to us , he passed us cussing them and mad. I was very disappointed esp that it was our first time there and celebrating my birthday.

So many amazing flavors with each dish! Buttermilk biscuit was like a perfect croissant, Fish stew spicy and flavorful. Beet salad with candied pecans, yum! And my trout was PERFECTLY cooked and plated without bones, too. My husband's halibut was fantastic Great place for our Anniversary dinner!

The food was cool, but the service was definitely the highlight. We had the nicest waitress and she very accommodating. We ordered a few things but I think next time I'll order a new dish and reorder the biscuit with honey butter.

4.5 stars rounded up to stars. The setting was slightly upscale without being stuffy. Both food and service were fantastic. Smoked trout ceviche tostaditas, cashew pesto, spicy salsa brava - although it was pretty good, I liked other dishes better. Fried california squid, herb salad, spicy tangerine vinaigrette - standard tasting. Beet salad, whipped gorgonzola dolce, yellow curry, golden chutney, pecans - refreshingly tasty. Good favor combination. Duck confit, honey reduction, smoked chile-potato cake, grilled broccolini - although it's a seafood restaurant, the duck confit was awesome. Duck was off-the-bone tender and moist. The honey reduction was very tasty. Sea scallops, tomato-truffle butter, poached lettuce, savory rice custard - the scallops were cooked to perfection. Panna Cotta - the desserts were priced very reasonably. Panna Cotta was creamy, silky and rich. Mud Pie - pretty standard tasting. Pretty impressive experience. Would definitely come back when I'm in the area again.

First customers in the restaurant. Had 5pm reservations. The food was good with the exception of the beet salad. It was mushy the beets were over cooked and it was a HARD pass. The buttermilk biscuits I recommended one for each person at the table they were amazing. Ordered the scallop dish and the arctic char special. Both dishes were good. My biggest problem was the waiters cologne was offensive and waaaaaayyyyy too much, secondly it took 1.5 hrs for two people to have dinner no drinks. 15 mins just to be helped as the first and only people in the restaurant. The restaurants ambience was nice. Music not too loud I would say if the restaurant was busy the tables are extremely close. Maybe they had an off day, won't be returning.

Every dish was delicious and a new adventure with textures, colors and flavors. Service was great and very attentive. The interior is elegant and larger than what it seems on the street. I can't wait till my next meal at Passion Fish.!

We visited during a weekend trip to Monterey and had a reservation, though the restaurant wasn't very busy when we arrived. The food was good overall, but the highlight of the night was Nancy's buttery buttermilk biscuit--it was incredibly flaky with a perfectly crisp exterior and served warm. We also enjoyed the plum salad, rainbow trout, and the 12-hour spoonable duck breast. For dessert, the maple banana bread pudding was delicious, though a bit too sweet for our taste. This spot would be great for a date night or special occasion.

Got reservation but still waited for an hour. Terrible service from a lady at front desk. You got much better options and service in this area. Was here during the car week, they definitely ruined our weekend.

Pretty good place for a special occasion. I was skeptical because of the name and location. I don't like trendy type restaurants. Once we entered it did not feel trendy at all and was busy with local residents. The wine was well priced and the service was great. Be sure to reserve your table early, as every table was full. All four of us were happy with the meal. Some people dressed semi-formal, and some in very casual attire. No judgement!

500 stars!!! This was, hands down, the best meal I've ever eaten. Was here for a rehearsal dinner and everything was absolutely amazing. We had a tasting menu so we tried a bunch of different items - all of which were incredible. We've decided to return annually (if not sooner). Service was impeccable - even with 40 plus of us. We were in a back corner but the place was packed! I can't recommend this place highly enough. If you ever get the chance - RUN!!

Alaskan Halibut 3 sweet white corn, tomato relish, cotija cheese, cilantro aioli, slightly dry Sea Scallops 4 tender, buttery, tomato-truffle butter, not enough, poached lettuce, savory rice custard, creamy & flavorful Yuzu Panna Cotta 5 strawberry coulis, lemongrass meringue, too sticky, candied ginger, creamy, refreshing, not too sweet