New Statue: Cannery Row Monument

There's a brand new photo opportunity down at Steinbeck Plaza! Some of Monterey's most  historical and notable figures have been laden in bronze on Cannery Row with gorgeous views of the Monterey Bay as its backdrop.

The Cannery Row Monument was unveiled yesterday, February 26th, which pays homage to nine important characters that played pivotal roles in Cannery Row's history.

Author John Steinbeck anchors the monument at the top of the rock with friend and marine biologist Ed Ricketts towards the bottom. Several other characters represent those who once worked in the bustling canning industry on the row including Chinese fishermen.


The statue also depicts four local entrepreneurs who are praised for their revival of Cannery Row and its tourism industry including Ted Balestreri, George Zarounian, Hary Davidian, and Bert Cutino.


The Cannery Row Monument was sculpted by local Carmel artist Steven Whyte and the $1 million price tag was covered entirely by private donations.

Above the Clouds: Point Sur Lightstation, Big Sur

Ever notice the piece of land resembling an island off of Highway One in Big Sur? It is a place where the coastline twists and turns along steep cliffs rearing high above white-tipped waves. The scene is dominated by Point Sur, a lofty monolith ringed by massive offshore boulders, dangerous reefs and swift currents. Did you know that at the top of Point Sur there is a lighthouse that some say is haunted, and did you know that you could actually climb to the top for impressive views for just $10? This place has always struck my curiosity and has been on my bucket list of “things to do” for quite some time.

Finally, after living in Monterey County for three years I decided to dedicate last Sunday to visit the mysterious Point Sur Lightstation. You might be wondering why it is a lightstation – not a lighthouse. Well it was once so remote (it didn’t have a road until 1937) that it basically had to provide for itself, so not only is there a lighthouse on property but there is also a barn, workshop and keeper’s quarters.

After scoping out the official Point Sur State Historic Park website and reviewing the tour schedule I chose the three-hour tour leaving on Sunday at 10am. All tours are on a first come first served basis (no reservations accepted) so I arrived a few minutes early.

I approached the farm gate off of Highway One, just as the website instructions stated, and was greeted by Trevor. Trevor directed my friend and I to travel down the manicured dirt road and to park at the base of the hill. The short drive was a treat in itself! Cattle surrounded both sides of the ocean view trail; I can see why the commercial says, “Happy cows come from California!”

Once at the summit we met up with the other lighthouse visitors and our other guide Al. Our group of fifteen was quite the diverse crowd. There was a mix of locals, young families, singles and even visitors from the Netherlands.

Al and Trevor guided us up the semi-steep hill to the lighthouse. Getting there is somewhat of a challenge as you must walk to the top of the secluded volcanic rock (360 feet elevation gain) and navigate two sets of stairs. Luckily we made several stops along the way for stories about the various families that called the lightstation home. The guides also noted several shipwrecks that occurred in the area including the wreck of the Ventura in 1875; this particular accident influenced the construction of the lighthouse which began operation in 1889.

Although the history was fascinating it was hard to pay attention with the distracting views along the way. We were looking down the cliffs with expansive vistas of the ocean and jagged coast. There was even a sea lion on the rocky shores below us, enjoying the view as well I suppose.

After 45 minutes of walking and talking we turned a corner and there she was, the Point Sur Lighthouse stood out on a bluff peeking over the Pacific Ocean; I could not wait to climb to the top! Once at the lighthouse we separated into two groups. Half of the group went up into the tower while the other half toured the lower museum area where the fog horn and Fresnel lens displays are held.

I chose to tour the museum portion first in order to save the view for last. Al talked about the Tyfon Fog Signal that the lighthouse utilized until the 1970’s. He then gave us a short lecture on the Fresnel lens and its function as the guiding light. The lighthouse’s original lens was an astonishing 18 feet tall and six feet in diameter and is now on display at the Museum of Monterey (MOM). The lighthouse currently uses a flash pattern system where light is flashed every 15 seconds.

After our lesson it was time to venture to the top of the lighthouse. We began to climb the spiral staircase stopping at each one of the windows to take a peek outside. Little did we know that these views were nothing compared to the surprise at the top.

Once at the top it seemed that everyone said “wow” in complete unison. The expansive panorama outside of the lantern room was truly breathtaking! From the front end of the lighthouse you looked into an infinity of ocean while the backside provided vistas of (what seemed like) the entire Big Sur coastline. The aqua colored water crashed directly below us and you could smell the sea in the soothing breeze. I could have stayed on the balcony all afternoon but Al wrangled us in to continue onto the blacksmith shop, barn and lightstation residence.

We took the stairs below the lighthouse up to the remainder of the lightstation grounds. The first stop was the carpenter/blacksmith shop. The cute workshop was resorted to resemble how it most likely looked in 1929 and housed several tools dating back to the 1920’s.

Point Sur’s barn was once used for the lightstation families’ livestock. It is now used as a recreation area and for special events held on the grounds.

Next up was the keeper’s quarters where several of the families resided. The cozy two-story house was complete with a kitchen, dining room, living room, bedrooms, washroom and bathrooms all reflecting the 1950’s era; talk about rooms with a view!

The last stop on the tour was the visitor center and gift shop. This place has all of your lighthouse needs from books, clothing and more; this is also where you pay for the tour. Fees are $5 for children ages 6-17 and $10 for adults, which I thought was a steal for this phenomenal three-hour tour! For a full schedule of tours click here.

I would highly recommend this tour for locals, visitors and just about anyone that is into epic views and interesting history. The lighthouse also offers special Ghost Tours every October, which can be quite fun, even if you don't believe in ghosts. For details visit www.pointsur.org.

If you go:

• Arrive early- Reservations are not available so be sure to claim your spot on the tour before it fills up!
• Wear lots of layers- Point Sur can get very windy and the clouds can be unpredictable. Wear several layers of clothing including windbreakers, beanies and hats (just don’t let them fly off).
• Wear your walking shoes- This is a one mile walking tour. Wear your comfortable shoes for an incline hill and two sets of stairs.
• Bring your camera- Make your friends and family jealous of the awesome photos from your tour.
• Ask questions- Guides and docents have gone through an extensive training process about the history and facts of the Point Sur Lightstation. Test their keen knowledge with any questions you may have.
• Leave your snacks at home- Although it may be tempting; avoid brining picnics, food or wrappers onto the Point Sur grounds. The park does not allow food or snacks on the tour.
• If you have mobility issues that are of concern, call California State Parks at 831-667-0258 well in advance to see how they can accommodate you.

Down-Low Diner: The Beach House at Lovers Point

What's not to love about a new, delicious eatery- especially one situated at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove? The Beach House Restaurant is easily one of the best additions to the peninsula with one-of-a-kind views of Monterey Bay, convenient location to the Rec Trail and not to mention a killer $9.90 Sunset Supper menu served daily from 4pm-6pm.

Luckily this place is just down the street from my house which is why I waited in extreme anticipation during its renovation, which took over a year. My name was basically on their waiting list before it opened its doors in June 2013 and boy was it worth the wait!

The updated Victorian mansion, formally the Old Bath House, has a contemporary yet cozy feeling but the true décor is right outside its paned windows. Nearly every seat has a dramatic view of PG's rocky coastline, historic Victorian homes along Ocean View Boulevard and curious sea life down below.

The heated outdoor patio is also a welcomed addition with sexy fire lamps and white party lights, perfect for a romantic dinner for two. It's no surprise that is this has become my go-to watering and dining hole; you can't beat their happy hour wine and beer for $3 and bacon wrapped meatloaf for $9.90!

Recently a few of my co-workers and I were invited to my favorite hot spot to dine on a special five-course dinner menu. All ten of us were seated on the warm patio where our attention was immediately stolen by a sea otter playing down below, only in Monterey County!

One of the best things about beginning a meal at the Beach House is the bread. I am always happy to be reunited with their warm delicious manna and I often have to remind myself that there is more to come.

The first "official" course of the night was a butter poached colossal shrimp with a basil-tarragon chimichurri sauce. Two monstrous shrimp were slathered with garlic infused Argentinian pesto which, in my opinion, should be bottled up and sold into mass production.

Shortly after, an arugula and roasted beet salad was presented. The colorful dark green arugula, deep purple beets and creamy off-white goat cheese literally made me salivate. Toasted pecans gave this refreshing dish a surprising crunch with the melt-in-your-mouth goal cheese fondant.

Next up was a very generous portion of Portobello mushroom raviolis, were they aware that there were five-courses to get through? The homemade pasta was the obvious favorite amongst our table. Let's just say that not one of us left one morsel of the cognac and mascarpone cream on the plate.

Somehow we managed to save room for the final fourth and fifth courses which included a brown butter seared petrale sole and pan roasted duck breast. The sole was served with a broiled halved lemon which was superb on the decadent fish and accompanied herbed risotto.

The Maple Leaf Farm's duck breast was cooked to a medium-rare perfection! Slices of the flavorful red meat were topped with a balsamic apricot relish. The hints of dried cranberry made for a flawless sweet and savory combo.

At this point we were all about to explode and had to pass on dessert. At least we all know I will be back for more!

The Beach House is open daily at 4pm. The restaurant is also available to rent for large parties and banquets from 11am-3pm. For reservations and more information call (831) 375-2345.

Down-Low Diner: Cantinetta Luca & Salumeria Luca

Carmel-by-the-Sea is stuffed with so many options when it comes to dining venues. I often ask both visitors and locals alike what their favorite restaurant is in the small area and I kept getting the same response, Cantinetta Luca. I have been dying to see what the hype is all about so when my friend asked where we should go to lunch my answer was easy, Cantinetta Luca.

We maneuvered around quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea and found parking right outside of the eatery on Ocean and 7th. The outside definitely sets the tone as old school Italian meets modern Mediterranean.

As you enter the restaurant, the marble flooring, vintage Italian posters and rustic wood beam ceilings makes one feel as though you are in a small bistro somewhere in Italy. If you are seated in the front part of the restaurant, you can look through the big glass windows and enjoy the Carmel atmosphere with the passers constantly walking by. The tidy and casual restaurant also comes complete with an open-aired kitchen with its own wood oven.

While waiting to be seated I took a look at some of the awards mounted on the walls. I was impressed to see that Cantinetta Luca was voted as the “Best Restaurant in Carmel “four years in a row by Monterey County Weekly; I figured I was in for a treat!

Once we sat down we were greeted by our friendly waiter and handed the lunch menu. The lunch menu offered lighter fare compared to the dinner choices which was fine by me. I was having an inner battle between an Insalate or a Panini but the hazelnuts on the wild arugula salad had me sold.

While we waited for our main courses the waiter brought out a warm loaf of Italian bread (breadsticks are also offered) accompanied by a green and Kalamata olive dip. The spongy carbs soaked up the olive oil for a winning burst of juicy deliciousness.

Now, onto the main event! My mountain of fresh greens arrived stacked with a healthy amount chicken, aged goat cheese, roasted beets and hazelnuts, of course. The lovely presentation was almost too pretty to devour but I had no problem taking it down with the tasty pomegranate vinaigrette that I lightly dressed upon my salad. I was especially thrilled to see that the kitchen somehow knew about my obsession with hazelnuts, this dish was loaded with them!

My dining partner opted for the Margherita pizza, which I secretly wanted to order myself. The fragrant pizza had a light tomato spread, mozzarella cheese and shredded basil. The best part was the freshly grated Parmesan cheese that the waitress grated right in front of us.luckily I was able to snag a bite of his pizza. The wood oven, aka the secret weapon, cooked the thin crust to perfect crisp and the Parmesan cheese was the scrumptious clincher to the meal. Overall their pizza is phenomenal; the dough is crispy and flavorful with just the perfect balance of cheese and toppings. The restaurant’s executive chef even teaches a special pizza cooking class giving away some of his other secrets and tips.

We both saved a bit of room for dessert at Cantinetta Luca’s sister property and neighbor Salumeria Luca. They are known for homemade gelato among their fresh pastas, Italian deli meats and artisan cheeses.

The interior décor really makes you feel as though you stepped into a deli off of the streets of Rome. Meats hang from the ceiling and the fresh smell of toasted paninis almost made me forget what I was there for, gelato.

I ended up tasting not one, not two but three samples. I had a hard time deciding between banana, coconut and hazelnut. Since I had my fair share of hazelnuts at lunch I chose the banana gelato. The icy and fruity goodness was just what I needed to end my Italian feast. I will definitely be back to pick up items for a picnic on Carmel Beach. Cantinetta Luca is open for daily for dinner and Saturday and Sunday for lunch. For reservations call (831) 625-6500.

I Have a Need, a Need for Speed! Skip Barber Racing School at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

I recently had the opportunity to test out my driving skills with the Skip Barber Racing School out at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca racetrack. Obviously I jumped on board; I mean how could I pass up a chance to drive a sporty vehicle with tips from my very own professional racecar driver, this is something some people can only dream of!

The day had finally arrived for my afternoon of high speeds out on the track. I always love the drive out to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the twists and turns approaching Skip Barber’s headquarters gave me just the warm-up I needed.

Thirteen other daring participants were eagerly up for the driving opportunity of a lifetime just as much as I was. After signing our lives away (not really just a quick waiver) we met up with our driving instructors. I was impressed with the experience and dedication this team had. Some drivers were “newbies” while others were bona fide professionals in the field of racing with several years of instructing under their belts. Let’s just say I was thankful to know that I was in good hands.

We headed out to what is the “Paddock Area” at the racetrack where several cones and obstacles had been set up. This particular driving drill was about the art of turning sharp corners at high speeds. Two instructors demonstrated what we would be doing beforehand in the Mazda RX-5’s. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the wheel!

Putting on a confident front, I volunteered to be the test guinea pig, but I wasn’t fooling anyone; they could all see the terror in my eyes. Once I got in I realized there was one slight problem, this car was a manual not an automatic! Having never learned to drive a stick I knew I was in for an interesting ride. Luckily, my instructor had the patience of a saint and walked me through the process of shifting gears manually as if I was a pro.

With my new found skill of shifting gears I began weaving myself around the strategically placed cones out on the practice track. The trick is using your eyes to scope out the turns in front of you. Once I let my eyes do the guiding the rest was smooth sailing; in no time as I was turning corners like a champ, at least I thought so until the pros showed us what these cars could really do.

After my quick glory ride on the course I took the passenger’s seat and left the driving to the pro. My “saint-like” instructor suddenly had a devious streak and had me clenching on for dear life. The instructor was pivoting through cones at unimaginable speeds while my hair was flailing about and the smell of burnt rubber permeated the air. Talk about an adrenaline rush! I am still thanking my lucky stars that I am even able to write this blog after that stunt.

Taking a quick breath, I gathered enough courage for the “Skid Pad” challenge. I was intimidated before the drivers even explained what we would be doing. Heaping amounts of water had been sprayed on the pavement creating for a visibly hazardous scene. The instructors gave us a quick demo on the slippery track in two Mazda RX-8’s. After putting the pedal to the metal they hit the lip of liquid and spun out, on purpose!

Ignoring my apprehensions I approached the vehicle and securely fastened my seatbelt. Boy was I nervous! Peter my instructor told me to gas it just before approaching the small pool while turning at the same time; was he crazy? Not wanting to disappoint him, I did what I was told which resulted in a 360 degree spin out. Surprisingly I wasn’t hysterical and Peter gave me a fatherly lecture on what to do when in a situation such as this. I clearly didn’t have the grip on the wheel as I should have and slamming the brake was apparently a no no. On my next go around I listened to his advice and only did a 180 degree spin; improvement! I certainly hope to never use this newly found technique out on the open road but I definitely had a blast recreating the dangerous situation in a controlled environment.

Skip Barber had one last surprise up its sleeve, Hot Laps around the famed Mazda raceway Laguna Seca. I have been fortunate to have seen several races out at the track but I can’t say that I have actually been on it in a race car with a professional driver. I suited up and was securely fastened in the passenger’s seat next to my trusty driver in his Mazda MX-5 Cup Race Car and with no warning he hit the gas and we were off! I have not idea what our actual speed was but to me it felt like 200 mph. I imagine I resembled a dog with his head out of the window; fortunately no one was around for a photo opp. The 11 turns on the 2.238 mile course even had me feeling queasy and my stomach literally plummeted on the Corkscrew! After three exhilarating go-arounds my day with Skip Barber had sadly come to an end.

Experiences like this make me appreciate the diverse activities we have here. This once-in-a-lifetime experience definitely gave me a new perspective of the track and an appreciation for the instructors running this school. I especially commend their patience because lord knows they need it with amateurs like muah out on the road!

Interested in a lesson? Check out the Skip Barber Racing School program offerings at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Tales from the Trail: Palo Corona Regional Park, Carmel

Think you have been there and done that when it comes to trails in Monterey County? Think again. Palo Corona Regional Park in Carmel is a secret playground for those willing to go the extra step. The 10,000 acre ranch is one of the Central Coast's most significant undeveloped open spaces with several trails and unparalleled vistas open to just a handful of adventurers at a time.

Currently this park is only accessible to the public with a permit in order to alleviate parking and traffic congestion. The Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District grants 13 permits per day through their website and luckily the process is painless.

Needing to get in on this secluded sanctuary I went onto the Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District website and submitted my permit application for the upcoming Saturday. Within 2 days I received a printable permit through my email which included a parking permit and the access combination to the locked entrance gate.

When Saturday arrived I printed 2 copies of my permit (one for my car's dashboard and one to take with me) and followed the arrival instructions just as the permit indicated. The Palo Corona Park entrance is located just passed Rio Road in Carmel on Highway One. I parked along the eastside shoulder of the highway and headed towards the main entrance gate.

The combo on the gate was easy to figure out and just inside was a welcome center with a sign in and printed trail maps. My boyfriend and I snagged a handy trail map and decided to head up to Inspiration Point via the park's main artery, the Palo Corona Trail.

Just passed the welcome center is the Palo Corona Barn with plenty of picnic benches and a well-kept porta potty, a great pit stop before ascending to the lookout from the green rolling hills above.


Since Palo Corona is not fully open to the public I wasn't expecting much when it came to the park's upkeep. I was shocked to see well maintained trails, legible signage and pristine picnic areas throughout; probably the best that I have seen in Monterey County!

Palo Corona also serves as a working cattle ranch and most of the trails go directly through their pasture, but don't worry, they are completely harmless. "Happy cows come from California," with fantastic real estate like this.

After trekking through a flat trail through shady oak trees we began to start the steep uphill climb to Inspiration Point. Every step granted a new perspective of Carmel's colorful coastline. The grassy greens at Pebble Beach's golf courses, sapphire crashing waves at Carmel Beach and the rusty red roofs near the Carmel Mission distinctly stood out.


At the top of the hill is another access gate which is basically the finish line to Inspiration Point. The open space is absolutely breathtaking giving you a bird's eye view of the peninsula with Point Lobos to the left and Pebble Beach to the right. The green and white barn where we started seemed so small in comparison to the expansive views in the distance.


My boyfriend and I had the entire place to ourselves, aside from some local bovines. We sat at the bench perched above the cliff and enjoyed a picnic lunch while pointing out recognizable landmarks like the Lodge at Pebble Beach, Crossroads Shopping Center and the Carmel Mission Basilica. The grand scale of the view was truly inspiring.

The trail to Inspiration Point does not loop so we came back down through the Palo Corona Trail. This time I focused on the outlooks of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range and Mount Toro in the distance, a stark contrast from the view of the coastline but just as awe-inspiring.


The entire hike was about 3.5 miles and took just under 2 hours, including an extended lunch stop at the top. This park is definitely worth the extra planning. Where else can you cherish a complete view of Carmel and have an entire park to yourself?

The Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District regularly hosts guided hikes throughout the Palo Corona Regional Park. Click here to view their schedule.

MST’s Grapevine Express

What to do on a foggy Monterey day? Find the sunshine in Carmel Valley with MST’s Grapevine Express! The Grapevine Express is an inexpensive and hassle free way to truly un-WINE’d in Carmel Valley’s plentiful wine country. The Grapevine Express leaves every hour and has 13 designated stops throughout Monterey, Carmel and Carmel Valley for only $4 roundtrip.

On a cloudy day in downtown Monterey I decided to head for the hills of Carmel Valley. I checked the MST schedule online and I took the bus that left at 10:20am to have plenty of time to enjoy the warmth of the valley. I quickly made my way to the Monterey Transit Plaza and waited for my bus to arrive. I was surprised when a mini-coach pulled up with my bus line number on the front, #24 to be exact, as I was expecting a typical public bus. I paid my $2 bus fare and off we went at exactly 10:20am.
The inside of the bus was very clean and comfortable and held only 4 other passengers at the time. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenic drive with stops at Carmel’s Barnyard Shopping Village, Mid-Valley Center and Chateau Julien. I was also impressed with the punctuality of the bus and its consistent timed stops.

After a relaxing 45 minute drive we arrived in the heart of sunny Carmel Valley village. I was like a kid in a candy store with so many wine tasting options. Luckily I had done my research beforehand and saw Parsonage received rave reviews. That day they were sampling eight different wines, all of which were fantastic, especially the Rocco Reserve Syrah.

By now I had built up quite the appetite and headed to the Corkscrew Café for lunch. The Corkscrew Café is known for their fantastic outdoor seating area which of course I had to indulge in. The rustic yet classy patio was shaded but had plenty of space to soak up some rays.

I opted for the fish tacos and lavender ice cream to cream finish off the meal. The extra tint of lavender made it feel as though you were eating a creamy flower, different but delicious! I can see why Rachel Ray decided to feature the quaint restaurant on Food Network’s TV show $40 a Day.
I checked my bus schedule and found that I still had 30 minutes before I had to head back to misty Monterey. Delighted to have some extra time I headed to the Boekenoogen tasting room and borrowed their patio while tasting three other fabulous red wines.

At exactly 2:15pm MST’s friendly mini-coach pulled up to the curb to officially end my day in the sun and my wonderful experience in Carmel Valley.

Down-Low Diner: Old Fisherman’s Grotto, Monterey

My name is Allyson Thommen and I am a Yelp.com fanatic. I often use this addicting tool from everything to planning vacations down to where I am going to have my next meal. I recently had a strong inkling for some clam chowder and naturally resorted to my handy review resource. Everyone knows that Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey is the best place to get this clammy comfort food so I yelped for the highest rated restaurant on the famed strip of seafood eateries. To my surprise one restaurant easily stood out amongst the rest. With over 360 five-star reviews I just had to check out what the social commotion was all about.

Old Fisherman’s Grotto is located smack dab in the middle of Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey; you can’t miss the mustard yellow storefront with black and white checkered accents. Fresh fish are for sale at the adjacent Grotto Fish Market with everything from Ahi Tuna to Dungeness crab. As I was salivating over what would become my next scrumptious meal a friendly staffer offered me up a sample of their clam chowder which I quickly devoured. I think my fellow yelpers were onto something, the warm and rich tidbit certainly had me wanting more!

The exterior of the building was deceiving. Once I stepped inside I felt like I had stepped aboard a fine dining room on the Titanic. Dimly lit booths and tables were arranged throughout with pre-set wine glasses and white linen napkins; the décor was definitely date night material.

My fellow diners and I were seated in the main dining room. Luckily, we didn’t have to argue over seating arrangements as there wasn’t a bad seat in the house; almost every one has a prime ocean and harbor view. Our attentive waiter, Iman soon welcomed us and informed us of the day’s specials and presented us with the menu.

The menu was surprisingly extensive, especially for lunch. Everything from salads, sandwiches, pasta to an array of seafood dishes was up for grabs. Luckily my appetizer choice was easy as the free clam chowder sample was just a tease to the bowl I secretly desired; with that said I finally decided on the light Ahi Tuna Salad special.

While enjoying the views of the lively harbor and waiting for my hot cup of soup the owner Chris Shake stopped by. He wanted to ensure that we were being taken care of and he treated us as if we were part of his own family. You can tell that the rest of his staff has adopted his gracious hospitality, which I assume is a huge part of his customer’s loyalty.

To everyone’s delight Iman brought out the appetizers; we couldn’t wait to get our fix of the cozy chowder! The thick and creamy soup had large pieces of tender clams accompanied by bits of potato, garlic and onion. It’s no wonder why this ‘Monterey Style’ chowder consistently wins the “Best Clam Chowder in Monterey County” award by Monterey County Weekly. You can even purchase cans of this luscious goodness online!

My table and I had also decided on an array of other snacks. The crispy calamari, grilled artichoke and seasoned prawns were all superb. The grilled Castroville artichoke was my favorite. The meaty heart and leaves had a balsamic vinaigrette glaze and was grilled to perfection; the lemon dill aioli was the icing on the cake!

After subduing my hunger pangs with all those mouthwatering appetizers I was happy that I had gone with the “light” Island Salad as my entree. However, once it arrived I was astounded; crisp shredded lettuce leaves, rare Ahi Tuna, sweet mangos, juicy papaya slices and pickled ginger were pilled as high was Mt. Everest; the presentation was a crowd-pleaser and the taste was on par. The sweet chili sauce on the side was a divine accessory for this island infused dish. To the delight of my taste buds the large pieces of rare Ahi Tuna had a spicy Cajun kick in itself.

Somehow we had saved just enough room for the guilty pleasure of dessert. Iman brought around the tray of tantalizing treats which included crème brulee, tiramisu, chocolate cannoli cake and an apple cheesecake that was screaming to be devoured. We finally concluded that cappuccinos and the apple cheesecake would be the perfect conclusion to this well rounded meal.

Once again the presentation was stunning but we soon destroyed the meticulously placed berries and caramel spirals in search of a sugar high. The rich and luscious cheesecake had hints of granny apples and the nutty walnut topping made this the perfect fall treat.

So what exactly sets Old Fisherman’s Grotto apart from the other fine eateries on the seafood strip? To start, the restaurant has been family owned and operated since 1950, that’s 62 years if you didn’t do the math! Chris Shake has taken over his father’s passion for hospitality and the service certainly shows. Once again my fellow yelpers have not led me astray!