Passionfish
701 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove
(831) 655-3311
What’s the secret? Manager and co-owner Cindy Walter says it’s the family spirit of the staff, and the passion and pride they have in trying to make every guest feel like part of the Passionfish family. That includes the culinary skill they use to transform deeply respected ocean resources into boldly flavorful dishes. Dishes like the fried oyster kimchee salad with ham and mint, the sea scallop and tomato-truffle butter with savory rice pudding or the shrimp mousseline ravioli with pancetta-braised shiitake mushrooms. Great desserts like the Meyer lemon panna cotta, the excellent wine list and servers who know how to pair also add to the superlative experience, and one Weekly readers have voted the best in the area four times.