My husband and I are going to Monterey for the weekend, and we'd like recommendations for restaurants that aren't overly touristy or filled with children. We'd like a place with:

- seafood or Japanese cuisine
- good wine (or sake) selection
- nice ambiance (doesn't have to be ultra-romantic or have an ocean view, but we won't object if it does)

We're both pretty adventurous food-wise and love trying new restaurants. $$$ is fine - we're staying in a cheap hotel so we can splurge on meals

Thanks!

Check out Passionfish in Pacific Grove.
They have a website.

Thanks for the suggestion, I looked at their website and the other comments posted here about Passionfish and it looks really good.

Any other places you'd recommend?

One of the BEST dinners we've had in Monterey is buying a few bottles of Charddy, a few BBQ salmon steaks, some calamari and fresh sourdough bread on the wharf then walk out along the bicycle path towrds the Coast Guard Station and sit on the park bench and watch the otters play and then the sun go down and the stars come out.

I like Montrio, which is downtown; Pasta Mia and Taste, both in Pacific Grove; Rio Grill in Carmel Crossroads; Gianni's for pizza (in new Monterey). None of these is paticularly touristy; not all are in Monterey, but I assume you'll have a car. And try doing a search here, too, as there have been so many restaurants recommended in the area. Have a great trip!

We had a delicious meal at Montrio as well.

For a splurge, try Roy's in Pebble Beach. We have also enjoyed the White House in PG, they make a really nice ahi dish there that I like. It is a fixed price meal,three courses not including dessert but very good food. ***kim***

I recommend the Flying Fish Grill in Carmel. I'm not sure about the wine selection but the ambiance is neat.

CASANOVA in Carmel. Old world ambiance. Great place!

BAHAMA BILLYS in the Barnyard Shopping Center on Hwy 1 in Carmel. The owner is well known in the area. The food is great, plus the Barnyard is a beautiful area to shop....away from the tourists on Ocean in Carmel. If you like men's clothes....KHAKI's in the Barnyard is outstanding.

ROYS at Spanish Bay. Agree. Great spot. Go early to enjoy drinks outside at sunset as the bagpiper plays on the golf course overlooking the ocean. Roy's also has views of the ocean...in daytime.

The Flying Fish in Carmel and Casanova are both favorites of ours,also. The Rio Grill was nice, but I'm not rushing to return there. ***kim***