Best Restaurant - Cannery Row
The Fish Hopper
700 Cannery Row, Monterey
(831) 372-8543, fishhopper.com
When it came to naming the restaurant, The Fish Hopper’s owner had it easy. Of the items on a recent dinner menu, 68 percent involved some kind of seafood. And that figure seems low, considering the crab-stuffed prawn pasta doubles down on shellfish. And it’s not just any seafood, mind you. The Fish Hopper overlooks Monterey Bay and takes full advantage of the fresh daily catch. But the kitchen doesn’t ignore other Monterey County products, as the artichoke ravioli attests. The vegetables are in tune with local harvest, as much as possible. The steaks are certified Angus and the parmesan crusted chicken is a favorite. So when the maitre’d says, “Step right up,” guests are eager to do so.