Domenico’s
50 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
(831) 372-3655, domenicosmonterey.com
Operating a dining spot on Fisherman’s Wharf can be as challenging as a game of Catan. Everyone is essentially vying for the same resources: local diners, tourists’ dollars, seafood, while claiming the best staple foods – clam chowder, shrimp scampi, cioppino and some kind of fish and chip deal. Good players sweeten the deal with views and free samples. Great players do that – and then some. This year, Domenico’s takes the crown, accumulating points for originality (like adding marinara to liven up freshly caught sardines), boldness (like daring to swap a plain ricotta filling with ultra savory smoked salmon in their ravioli), and value (because cioppino and pasta should only be served in board game-sized vessels). Readers know the rules: The most points win.
