“The Presidio of Monterey is a active military base that also is the home of the Defense Language Institute. This base sits up on the hilltop and has some of the most spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. The Presidio has a very old history that dates back to the early Spanish settlers and Missionaries that discovered our beautiful state. This base requires visitors to check in at the designated gates with ID, etc. There's definitely plenty of interesting things to see like the Sloat Monument, part of the Berlin wall and a Russian tank from WWll . Many active duty military stationed at the Presidio consider it as paradise.“
“A small mom and pop restaurant located just off Cannery Row! Me and my friend visited yesterday for dinner after spending all day at Monterey Bay Aquarium. It wasn't busy, so we were able to be seated immediately. They have 3 TV screens playing, but the restaurant is actually fairly quiet overall (which I usually prefer bc it's better for table conversation). I ordered a dinner bento box, which comes with miso soup, rice, salad, and 2 meats. For me 2 meats, I got chicken teriyaki and a California roll (8 pcs). I really liked the miso soup and California roll! I wish I had gotten a different meat besides the chicken, but it was still pretty good overall. My friend ordered 2 sushi rolls and they were cutely decorate with mini umbrellas! When we got the check, they served us almond cookies and they were really good! Shout out to our server who was really nice and dealt with our shenanigans! The food was served fairly quickly as well, so we were happy with that. Would come back again!“
“I think this might've been the best sushi I've ever had. It's a small place, but we got ours to go, parked by the beach, and had a little picnic. We got 3 rolls, and they were all excellent. We'll be back next time we're in town!“
“The toro was amazing. Super fatty and fresh and it came with a homemade wasabi that really brough it all together.The other rolls were good, well above average (especially for the area). The tamago was a bit dry and overcooked.Will be back for the toro at the very least!“
“Every single time we go, especially for a family of 7, we always have a great time! Family is always treated with great hospitality! Very friendly staff. Great food! And the mustard base dipping sauce is excellent! Sapporo is our families absolute favorite place to eat in the Monterrey area and would absolutely recommend!“
“If you are ever lucky enough to find yourself in Monterey looking for sushi and end up in Crystal Fish thank whatever God you pray to and then just start ordering until you can't fit in your pants anymore! This place is absolutely amazing. I consider myself quite the sushi snob and I have yet to be disappointed by the quality, the flavor, the presentation, or the portion. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The menu is robust enough to make for a difficult choice but not so voluminous that you just feel lost. I come to Monterey once a year for 3 days for an event and I eat here all 3 nights!Parking: Who cares! Even if you have to park a mile away, the food is worth it. And you'll need the walk after because you'll be so full. BECAUSE THE FOOD IS SO GOOD!“
“Love this place food always delicious and that fried rice wow best I ever had can't wait for my birthday because I'm gonna celebrate it there ?Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly and my boys love the showWheelchair accessibility: They have a elevator no worries they got it covered“
“An unassuming location for good sushi. This restaurant is a great little spot for quality sushi with excellent service. Although this place is small, they manage to provide efficient and attentive service to more guests than it seems possible. I came here with my wife and two kids a little after 5:30pm on a weeknight. The place was already busy but there were a couple of tables left so we did not have to wait. There were a few seats at the sushi bar as well. But shortly after we were seated, new customers kept coming in and a small wait list was starting. My wife and I both opted for the sushi dinner with an assorted 7 pieces of nigiri along with our choice of a Maki Roll; there were many to choose from it was tough to decide. I narrowed my choice down to the salmon skin roll, and it was great. The meal came with soup and salad as well. We also started with an order of the fried calamari. My kids ordered a few different cut rolls. Everything was very good and the service was wonderful. Between the three servers they made sure we had everything we needed and promptly cleared our table of any unwanted dishes. Overall this was a very pleasant dinner experience and I would highly recommend this place if you’re in the area.“
Japanese • $
“Amazing service and food. The workers were super sweet & even took photos of me and my family for us. Repeated the order to us and didn’t miss a single thing! Food came out super quick and was absolutely warm and delicious. The prices were very worth the portions. Very short wait time. Love this place!“
“My daughter and I tried this cute little spot for lunch one day after a drive down to Big Sur and back. It was very busy (it was the week after Christmas) so the staff seemed a little harried, but the food was very good. We ordered miso soup and a couple of rolls. The rolls were as fresh as could be, and the presentation was beautiful. I should have taken a picture! And the prices were lower than we're used to in Southern California. We'll definitely return when we're in the area.“
“This is the very best sushi restaurant in the area! The food is amazing, the server was so attentive and the ambiance was clean and calming. I came on here to rave about the food but truly had a wonderful experience and plan on coming back soon!“
“Happy Hour from 5 to 6 pm Monday thru Friday is a bargain, the sushi, appetizers, wine and saki are a hit. Most items on the menu are between $5 and $15 dollars for edamame, cucumber salad, gyoza, and sushi or hand rolls. Beautifully presented and excellent service, everything fresh and yummy, in a very expensive restaurant town, this family owned Japanese Restaurant is a local secret.“
“A Culinary Journey to Remember at AkaoniFrom the moment I stepped into Akaoni in the enchanting town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I knew I was about to embark on an unforgettable dining adventure. This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a portal to a world where every bite tells a story, and every dish is a masterpiece.The ambiance struck a perfect balance between elegance and comfort, with subtle lighting that made the exquisite Japanese artistry around the room come alive. The staff welcomed us with genuine warmth, making us feel like honored guests in a grand culinary celebration.Then came the sushi - oh, the sushi! Each piece was a work of art, crafted with precision and passion. The fish, fresh from the dreams of Neptune himself, melted on the tongue, leaving behind a symphony of flavors that danced across the palate in perfect harmony. The sushi chef, a true maestro, wielded his knife with the grace of a samurai, presenting us with creations that were too beautiful to eat, yet too delicious to resist.But the magic didn’t stop at sushi. Every dish we ordered was a revelation, from the succulent sashimi that whispered secrets of the deep to the innovative rolls that brought together flavors and textures in ways I never imagined possible. It was clear that Akaoni isn’t just serving food; they’re crafting experiences.The highlight of the evening was an exclusive dish, whispered about among culinary circles but rarely seen. It was a fusion of flavors so unique, so extraordinary, that words fail to capture its essence. Let's just say it was an epicurean dream that lingered long after the last bite.As we bid farewell to Akaoni, walking out into the starlit night of Carmel-by-the-Sea, it was with the knowledge that we had just experienced something truly special. This wasn’t just a meal; it was a voyage to the heights of culinary excellence. Akaoni is not a restaurant you simply visit; it’s a destination you experience with all your senses.If you find yourself in Carmel-by-the-Sea, do yourself a favor: visit Akaoni. But be warned, your culinary standards might never be the same again.“
“FoodI drove down here from the boring city of Hollister to try out the nabeyaki udon. I enjoyed a tasty hot bowl of delightful dashi-based broth with udon and seafood. The sad part was running out of that hot, delicious food.ServiceThe wait staff only cared about the initial interaction and the end of my time there, when I was finished with my food. The wait staff did not check on me during the middle portion of my meal. I go to restaurants, and I expect good service as part of the experience. Good food by itself does not mean full stars. Two stars for service are gone because they need to improve their service.AtmosphereThe restaurant is in a small strip mall. Behind the strip mall, the area looks rather run down. The strip mall itself was alright. As for the restaurant itself, it's your typical Japanese restaurant with some ink painting of Samarais hanging on one wall. There's nothing that really makes this place stand out as a "You've got to come here." In fact, from the outside it looks rather bland.“
“We enjoyed a fresh, delicious dinner in this cozy space. There are about 5 tables that sit 2 people each and a sushi bar that fits maybe 4 people. Definitely a place for locals. This place is run by a husband and wife team. The husband makes the sushi and the wife does EVERYTHING else (takes drink and food orders, refills drinks, cleans tables and cooks everything). Patience is key, as many others have noted. All in all, my sister and I were in there for a total of an hour and fifteen minutes. Truly not bad considering it was a Friday night dinner and we were not in any hurry. When we first arrived, the wife did tell us that she couldn't help us "for a long time." We still decided to wait it out. While we dined, she actually had to turn away two parties because she would not be able to get to them for a while. Basically if you show up and there are no available tables, don't plan to wait for one. It did take about 10-15 minutes to get our drink order taken, then another 10-15 to place our food order. But once the food order was in, our food started coming out at a steady pace. The miso soup was amazing! So flavorful with a generous amount of tofu. The meals also came with salad that was fresh and included seaweed. We ordered: Gyoza- a generous 12 piece portion that came out piping hot and was very flavorful. Tempura- came with 3 tempura shrimp, green beans, onion and sweet potato. Came out hot and crispy and again, a generous portion. Salmon roll- small 6 piece portion. The salmon was fresh and buttery. So good! Combination dinner- my sister chose the beef teriyaki (amazing sauce and flavor), white rice and a Philadelphia roll (small 6 pc roll and fish was super fresh). Including our drinks, the total was $65. Customer service was really great, the wife was very cheerful, even if overwhelmed. I would return if in the area and had time for a leisurely paced dinner.“
“An oasis of deliciousness for two hungry travelers. We both had the Unagi bento, rich and suuculant on an amazing bed of delicious rice. The salad was fresh and the dressing was heavenly. Even tne pickled veg was beautifully done. My wife bought a box of green tea, mild, flavorful and a bargain. I didn't try the flan yet because it was a full meal but i am certain the quality is consistsnt and I hope to return soon to enjoy another excellent experince from Ocean Sushi Deli's fabulous menu.“
“High-quality fish is critical to good sushi, and Toro delivers! Absolutely mouth-watering sushi. If you like rolls, they have excellent options as well that are creative and delicious. You can tell ownership is good because everything comes from the top down and the service is wonderful and friendly.“
“This place has amazing food! The food might be the best I've ever had. The location was a couple of blocks off the main strip in Carmel. The restaurant itself was plain and had a diner feel to it but the food was top shelf. I do recommend it.“
“This is my go-to restaurant in Seaside. I always go in with what I plan to order in mind, but always check their specials board and things often change. Today, the Shio Ramen Special caught my eye and made a delightful lunch. Noodles, flavorful broth, bits of pork belly and more. Add a Japanese Craft beer and I left a happy (and full) guy).“
“Highly recommend this spot! A hidden gem. The food, service, and atmosphere were all outstanding. Lots of indoor dining with a nice patio area for outdoor dining. We sat at the bar and the sushi chef was very kind and friendly. All the staff were welcoming. The food was brought out quickly. Very fresh ingredients and delicious food! Absolutely loved the heart attack and bento plates with beef. The Sapporo was served in a chilled mug which really hit the spot. Overall I'm happy to have come by this restaurant and definitely plan on returning.“