Spotted Duck
542 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, (831) 920‑2662, spottedduckpg.com
Yes, we said “casual fine dining.” Chef Jerry Regester doesn’t like to show off, so the dishes appear simple – seared rock cod, country paté, steak frites, salads and the like. But looks can be deceiving. You see, Regester is a superb fine dining chef, and he brings those techniques, as well as a demand for the best ingredients, to each dish. In other words, he adds an unexpected wow factor to a room that is unpretentious and a menu that does hint at aspiration, but doesn’t prepare you for what you are about to experience. Sure, there are other great options on Sunday and Monday – Hula’s Island Grill, for instance. But Spotted Duck has an air of simple refinement.