Catch — Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea

What was unappetizing about dinner at Catch? Sitting outside the table clothes on tables were soiled and waxy feeling Olive oil with balsamic vinegar was served with the bread - didn’t taste fresh/tasted a little rancid Amuse bouche was a shot of champagne and a small spoon of caviar - I don’t drink and sending it back it was unclear if I was welcome to eat the caviar If I was refusing the champagne I ordered sparkling water, Caesar Salad and grilled salmon with saffron sauce and opted for potatoes Au gratin over rice pilaf The lettuce for the salad was anemic and included the root end of one of the lettuces When the salmon was served it was smothered in bright yellow sauce on a bed of over cooked spinach. The potatoes Au gratin were grainy, too firm and not warm enough I should have known when I opened the menu - the name made me think it was going to be focused on fresh seafood, instead it reminded me of a bad fusion buffet - a mix of different styles - clearly nothing is their specialty and the combinations didn’t sound inspired and delicious It took over a Mediterranean restaurant that I enjoyed 4 years ago but which didn’t survive COVID. If it weren’t for the ownership by a successful restaurant group and the Ocean street location this place would be out of business. My bet is the chef and menu will change before the holidays.

I asked for the check after the first bite of salmon which was over cooked and didn’t taste fresh. The manager comped my meal which was nice and invited me to try them again. I chose to go eat at another restaurant I’d been to before. Vowing not to come again until the place changes...

I have never, until dining at this restaurant, felt compelled to leave a note of appreciation on the check for the fine dining experience. This was our last dinner out, celebrating our daughter's graduation from DLI at the Presidio at Monterey. Living far from the ocean ourselves, we had splurged on seafood for three nights in the Monterey area with our daughter on our brief visit, and I first tasted Cioppino on the "Fisherman's Wharf". I repeated that pleasure on "Cannery Row" the next night. Little did I know that the very best--by far--was yet the come on the last night when we visited Carmel and, impressed by the menu posted outside, we decided to have our final dinner together at the Catch. From the gratis caviar and bubbly at the beginning, to the Creme Brulee we ordered for dessert, the entire experience was the finest dining we'd enjoyed throughout our visit to the Monterey Bay area. I would be remiss if I didn't direct attention to my specific order that night--the Catch's Cioppino. Not only was it more flavorful than the other Cioppino's I'd been served in the area, it contained at least %50 more seafood than the others'. I specifically liked the abundance of mussels (compared to 3 or 4 bivalves served by others) and the cheese on the accompanying hard breads. Were I a local, Catch Carmel's Fish House would be the benchmark against which I'd measure all others. And to the professionally-black-clad-attired and demeanor-ed gentlemen who served us at the Catch Carmel's Fish House, thank you for a most enjoyable and satisfying...

Was able to check out this restaurant. I came for the sustainability grade, and enjoyed the ambiance, but felt the food lacked creativity and joy.

The oysters were fresh and delicious and the champagne and caviar bump was a very nice touch.

Our server did recommend an incredible 2016 sanford chardonnay, which was perfect with the fish and oysters. It was obvious that whomever is in charge of the wine selection has great taste.

However, the garlic French fries were not very fresh, and came out barely warm. My husband and I weren’t super hungry so we split the recommended Sea Bass.

Unfortunately, the soy glazed sea bass was very bland, and considering we were sharing our server did not split the plate or offer the split. The server just brought an extra plate. The side of veggies were just steamed with no seasoning. They tasted and looked as if they came out of a bag from the frozen isle.

Unfortunately, with our server Florencio that was the end of his contribution. The other female server with a tight black bun helped us for the remainder as well as the host, and busser. Our server Florencio never came back to help us continue our dinner.

The Host was so sweet and hospitable. She completely saw how we were a bit stranded and helped get us our check, offer dessert, and really wrap up our experience.

Felt very tourist trapped and was a bit bummed by the experience. Especially being in Carmel. Breathing a bit of life into the menu and food standard would really help people...