Crab House — Restaurant in Monterey

My husband and I came here on Valentine's Day. The food was alright but I do think it was slightly overpriced. The waitress really made the whole difference in our experience. Also, this place was freezing. I am usually the type that will not speak up about anything but, we actually moved around twice because it was so cold. The waitress was such a dear and accommodated us and was very sweet about it. I am giving this place 3.8 starts because of the overall service which can really make or break an experience regardless of how awesome the food is. Also, it was Valentine's Day- so who knows what kind of day it was for them.

Here is what we ordered: Appetizer: Crab Cakes $20; they were a bit too salty for my liking.

Entre: Lobster Ravioli; small portion for the $40. The ravioli tasted good, but I do not think it was worth $40. My husband ordered the surf $80; and turf and the steak was a bit dry (he ordered it well done, but it was still a little pink so I don't believe that is why it was dry). The lobster tail was a little salty.

Dessert: Bread pudding with chocolate ice cream. We usually do not order dessert BUT, it was delicious.

Drinks: I ordered the Might Mai-Tai $12; it was delicious. Although, the first round taste different then my second one. I asked the waitress and she told me she made the first one and bar tender made the second one. They were both good though! One one slightly stronger. My husband...

Overall we had a great time, and recommend this restaurant above all on the wharf. It is best for large parties and for the best view it affords Food was good, not mind blowing, but very good, yet portions were very small for the SIGNIFICANT price. We had a large party, we were not allowed to move the tables together even when we offered to put them back (that's fair). They could not split the bill for 22 people (not fair, especially when we were sitting at different tables). They said it was because the food would come out at different times yet they still came out at different times. Being served took a long time. They had one person serving the whole upper floor, and consequently it took forever to get our orders taken, ask for anything, and ultimately get served. We were not offered waters automatically (which restaurant doesn't just give you water or at least offer?). The young newlywed couple walked in with food (pizza slices) and the manager very rudely just snatched the food out of their hands without a word. You can say something, you can ask them to leave, you can refuse their business, but you can't touch them and snatch something from their person, that was wrong. The menu was very minimal as of New Year's Day, but we were told the whole menu is going to be revamped and offer extensive...

Probably the best view from a restaurant on the Wharf, regretfully not the best gastro experience.

Shrimp Cocktail appetizer was good. Four prawns were well cooked and fresh. cocktail sauce was on par.

Bread with butter: Honestly, i think the bread was microwaved. either that or kept in a steam table with a cover, no crunch, very spongy.

Blackened Salmon Alfredo: Flavors were good and the fish was well cooked but there was a lot of residual oil remaining on the fish. Not sure if the noodles were oiled but the sauce didnt want to adhere which tells me they were. there was a lot of sauce.

Kids cheese burger and fries. Probably the best item we had. quality beef well cooked. good flavor.

Cioppino: This made me sad and honestly the presentation might have had a lot to do with that. Calamari was overcooked. Crab was scarce and didnt seen as fresh as it could have been. The soup, which to me is the heart and soul of a Cioppino, left a bit to be desired. A little too "Campbells" feeling. Really just felt like Stew slopped in a bowl, which would have been fine if I was working the docks in San Francisco but, alas, I was not.

Service was good and prompt, but with how slow the restaurant was, I feel like the presentation of the dishes could have had much more...