Julia's — Restaurant in Pacific Grove

I found Julia's online and thought it would be a good option for Valentine's Day since my girlfriend is vegetarian. I was absolutely blown away by how incredible the food ended up being! The faux orange chicken (cauliflower) was probably the best orange chicken I've ever eaten and the yellow coconut curry was to die for. Julia's didn't slack on the drinks either-- their home made kombucha sangria was super tasty and refreshing. We were uncertain of our breakfast plans for the following morning, but only a few bites through our meal we decided we'd be back in the morning. For dessert, we ordered the brownie. I didn't know until then how much I had been missing out by not baking cherries inside my brownies; the fruity sweetness was a fantastic add-in. Paired with ice-cream, I was in heaven. The venue was great too. Cute backyard or porch-like dining under strings lights with live music from local musicians. Remember how I mentioned breakfast? No more than 12 hours after dinner, we came back for breakfast, Julia's is truly THAT good. For breakfast we ordered the huevos rancheros and the simran bowl. The huevos rancheros definitely took the spotlight over the bowl, but the roasted vegetables were cooked to perfection. They also had a slew of home brewed kombuchas available including a reishi mushroom infused one which we tried. Again, delicious and incredibly refreshing. As a regular meat-eater Julia's not only blew me away with what's possible for vegetarian cooking, but also with just how damn good food can taste. Anytime I'm in the Monterey area, I will 100% be making a stop here, it's hard for me to imagine much better. I haven't mentioned the service yet, which I was extremely happy with. I feel obliged to mention that our order was misplaced on Valentine's which led us to a partially self-induced (I'm a patient guy) long wait before receiving any food. The hostess, Rachel, was incredibly respectful and apologetic and immediately offered to comp our meal. We were also immediately offered/given tamales while our meals were rush ordered in the kitchen. Dessert and an additional round of drinks were also offered to us on the house. I really don't think there could have been a more generous or more professional response from the staff, everyone we interacted with the entire night, before and after, was pleasant and friendly. Breakfast was no different in that respect, and we felt like we left having made a friend of Julia's wonderful hostess. To sum things up, Julia's is a delightful little hole in the wall in Pacific Grove with a cute venue and spectacular food which will leave you wishing even more you lived in Monterey. Thank you Rachel and staff! TL;DR - Our order was misplaced on Valentine's and I'm still here telling you YOU HAVE TO EAT AT JULIA'S!...

If you’re looking for an unforgettable vegetarian dining experience, Julia’s is the place to be. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, setting the stage for what would become one of the best meals of my life.

I ordered the Big Sur pizza, and I don’t say this lightly. It is the best pizza I have ever had. And I eat pizza at least three times a week, so that’s saying something. The crust was perfect, the toppings were flavorful, and every bite felt like a revelation.

The faux orange chicken was equally impressive. It was my first time having fried cauliflower that wasn’t overly greasy. Instead, it was light, crispy, and packed with flavor. It came with brown rice that was cooked to absolute perfection. It was soft, fluffy, and just right. The vegetables were expertly stir-fried, retaining the perfect balance of tenderness and crunch.

A true standout was the mushroom sampler. If you have ever wondered just how varied and complex mushrooms can be, this dish will open your eyes. Each variety had its own distinct texture, flavor, and depth. It was an exploration into the incredible world of mushrooms that left us amazed.

To drink, I had the mango juice, which was refreshingly pure, and the kava kava, which added a unique, calming touch to the meal.

Adding to the experience was a talented pianist and keyboard player. His passion and skill filled the room with an uplifting energy. His music created a serene yet lively atmosphere, enhancing the entire evening. He also has a tip jar if you feel inclined to show your appreciation.

By the end of our meal, my wife and I felt an overwhelming sense of joy. It was a combination of the nourishing and delicious food, the soothing yet vibrant music, and the gentle effects of the kava. It was pure euphoria.

And if you have made it this far into the review, let me leave you with one final note. The bathrooms at Julia’s are a must-see. One feels like a secret fairy garden, while the other transports you to an ancient native cave dwelling. It is a mind-blowing touch that adds to the magic of the place.

Julia’s isn’t just a restaurant. It is an experience. Whether you are a vegetarian or simply a lover of great food, do yourself a favor and visit. It might just be the best meal you...

I saw this place on Google and was impressed by their reviews. I visited on a Sunday at 1.45pm, alone. After a 15 minute wait in the sun, where other larger groups were seated first (reasonable), I was asked to sit at the bar. My first impression is that although the place is small, 2 wait staff (one of which also doubles as bartender) is still insufficient. Tables were left uncleared and I could see people waiting for orders to be taken. I was then further ignored for another 20 minutes (despite informing the server I was ready to order once I stepped into the restaurant).

One thing I noticed was the server explaining dishes and recommendations to everyone who stepped in, except me (I'm a Singaporean Chinese, but my native tongue is English). I am not sure if this was a norm or maybe it was because I already knew what I wanted to have, but I would have liked to know they had watermelon juices, mushrooms were their specialty etc. In any case, being ignored did not feel good. I noticed the same happening for the Indian and Chinese parties seated behind me too. The server also consistently advertised their "fresh watermelon water" which was simply watermelon juice. I am unsure if fresh watermelon juice was a rarity in the Monterey, but it was slightly amusing to listen to.

When the food finally arrived 17 minutes from the time I ordered, I was not impressed. I had ordered the highly-raved yellow curry with an addition of lions mane mushrooms. It was served hot at least, but the taste was rather monotonous and not spicy at all for a curry. The ingredients were plentiful, but none of them carried the curry taste beyond the initial first taste.

FYI, I was seated at the right corner of the bar (there were 4 seats at the bar), which had multiple fruit flies due to the tomatoes they left out (as decoration?). I had to shift before my food arrived, cos god knows what would happen if I ate at that seat.

My water was also not refilled for the entire meal (thank god I had some in my car).

All in all, it was a disappointing experience. The food was average, service was poor and made me feel discrimated against, and you could do better at another restaurant for the same price. I gave it 2 stars because the food is not horrible, just overly priced...