Reviews for Osteria Al Mare in Monterey, CA
Food - Good portions, generous amount of seafood compared to similar restaurants, tasty. The quality was satisfactory, however... nothing was unique. The salmon was quite dry. The red pasta sauce for the seafood pasta was lacking in flavor. The trufflemushroom pasta could use some more ingredients like veggies and more sauce. In addition the pasta noodles for the seafood pastaweren’t mixed in with the sauces or any oil so in the middle of the dish there was a clump of plain pasta stuck together. Thespecials that night were the best (risotto and pear ravioli). Service - We made a reservation and luckily this is one of theonly restaurants on the nicer end that was available to reserve the day before and also doesn’t require a financial depositfor larger parties. I’d still definitely suggest making reservations ahead of time as that night (Saturday) was packed. Wewere seated immediately by the host however he didn’t give us menus and it took a while for our waiter to come by and provideus menus and water. The rest of the night’s service was great though; the staff was friendly and efficient. They also provideda generous slice of tiramisu cake for my dad’s birthday. Ambiance - Beautiful interior that matches the beach vibes with woodand white decor and big windows lining the walls that look out over the bay. Con is that it was very loud at full house and hardto talk even to the person across the table or next to me without shouting. I’d suggest the restaurant consider adding somepadding or sound insulation under the tables to reduce noise. Price - The price is great for the ambience, service, and food. Ithink it’s one of the most affordable places to go for a fancier night out. Read more
If you want to capture the essence of Monterey in one evening then this is the place for you. The location is unique with a... private view of the bay and marina that makes you forget you are in a tourist destination, the ingredients are wonderfullyfresh. You can taste flavor in every bite, every dish is perfectly sculpted by someone that has passion for the art of culinaryexcellence. Treat yourself, go splurge on a meal that will turn into a wonderful memory. Read more
I made reservations and they told me that we would be seated at the bar section. We were pleasantly surprised when got seated... at a nice cozy table with a view. They were very attentive and their food is awesome! Fresh oysters and their fisherman's stewwas awesome! All in all great experience! Read more
Great location on the pier, but away from the more touristy Fisherman’s Wharf area. Seated in the bar/lounge area, which we... preferred as it was away from families with young children. The food and wine were excellent! Thanks, Mike, for theknowledgeable suggestions and great service. Slightly disappointed that none of the draft beer taps were working, and that theywere awaiting a delivery of teas. Other than that, a very good experience. Would recommend. Read more
Early valentines dinner with a view. Husband ordered Ravioli Al Ragu and I ordered Fettuccine Crema e Pollo. Both meals excited... our taste buds, we are hooked. We shared a bowl of clam chowder full of delicious clams. Our wonderful server suggested aChianti that hit the spot. We sat outside enjoyed the weather and the music playing. Very attentive staff and I enjoyed everysecond of it. We will be back. Read more
The food and service here were fantastic! Parking is limited so you might have to pay a small fee of $2 but it was well worth... it. The views and getting to have a beautiful meal outside made it even better! Read more
Great food and amazing service! And the view of the water from the balcony is definitely a plus! It was nice finding somewhere... that wasn't just a tourist trap with a good view, this place is the whole package! I will definitely be returning when I'm backin the area Read more
Great service, staff, and food. Our server made great recommendations and was kind enough to accommodate us splitting an entree... and dessert as we didn’t have a space to keep leftovers. The servings were plenty large - and the local fish was crispy with alight crispy breading, a fresh lemon cream sauce, and perfectly cooked. The cannoli was the best I’ve had! Not too busy on aweekday night with a quiet lovely atmosphere with views of the ocean. Read more