It doesn’t get much more California than sunset views and upscale seafood, a combination that the recently refreshed Coastal Kitchen serves up in spades. The window-lined dining room at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is everything a memorable night out on the coast should be: sophisticated not stuffy, elegant yet eclectic and downright delicious.
The Monterey restaurant reopened its doors in 2022 to local and critical acclaim for its stellar service and gorgeous vistas, but primarily for its seafood-focused five-course tasting menu from executive chef Michael Rotondo. In a bid to distinguish itself from sister dining venue Schooners Monterey, Coastal Kitchen opted for a fine-dining approach complete with white tablecloths and sommelier-selected wines to spectacular effect. With a blend of thoughtful plates, artfully choreographed service and stunning scenery, a night out here is exactly as it should be: effortless.
- As spectacular as the menu is at Coastal Kitchen, the view is an undeniable draw. Make a reservation just before sunset to pair your five-course feast with incredible ocean vistas.
- The menu changes frequently to best highlight the region’s seasonality, though every service starts with a three-part amuse bouche to whet your appetite.
- Black cod is a staple on the ever-evolving menu. A spring preparation might feature the flavors of fire with wood-roasted fish served with smoked-paprika-spiced yam and chorizo.
- Be sure to pair your feast with a glass of wine or two suggested by the sommelier. The vino expert knows the menu intimately and can easily suggest the perfect sip to pair with that 48-hour braised beef short rib.
- You can be sure you’ll enjoy a local meal: the restaurant aims to source 98 percent of its ingredients from within a 100-mile radius.
- Coastal Kitchen is helmed by Rotondo, whose culinary pedigree includes stints at acclaimed restaurants like Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago; Restaurant Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France; and Parallel 37 at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.
- Not only did Rotondo receive the Most Promising Chef award in 2008 at the world-renowned Bocuse d’Or competition, but Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller gave him the prize.
- The dress code at Coastal Kitchen is business casual.
