The story
Coastal Kitchen, at 400 Cannery Row in Monterey, California, serves contemporary cuisine and earned a Four-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide in 2026. The dining room overlooks Monterey Bay, and the menu is built around the coast's seasonal produce.
Executive Chef Michael Rotondo builds the menu around fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Forbes reports that the kitchen aims to source 98 percent of its ingredients within a 100-mile radius. The menu changes with the season, and every service opens with a three-part amuse bouche. Reviewers single out the black cod and the tortellini. One Monterey County Weekly critic described a contemporary progression from vegetables to fish and pasta, then Wagyu beef with toasted rice and charred cabbage.
Sommelier Conrad Reddick leads the wine program, and pairings can be added to the $95 Choice menu or the $155 Chef's Selection. Forbes suggests booking near sunset so the meal coincides with the ocean view. Sunday brunch is a three-course prix fixe at $75 with free-flowing sparkling wine.
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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.
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