Red House Cafe — Restaurant in Pacific Grove

I wanted to write the perfect review but I won't be able to do that. The people there were so nice and so warm. The location is in an old house in historic downtown Pacific Grove. But I can't let this go, the prices were high (as expected) and then they did the old trick of, "Did you want chorizo with that"....without telling you it's a $6 upcharge for two teaspoons added on top of your $17 plate of chilaquiles. So for $23, you get a full plate, I mean piled high of tortilla chips covered in a homemade red sauce (delicious). A table or teaspoonful of queso fresco per the recipe (delicious), two fried eggs, and sour cream on the side, (awesome). Most recipes for this dish that I've eaten will offer a choice of protein. Chorizo is a very common breakfast protein for this recipe. I would argue that it should be part of the recipe regardless but if you ask people, "Do you want chorizo on that?", many will say yes for the reasons I mentioned above. But when the bill comes watch out. It was a $6 upcharge to my $17 choice of breakfast. If it's an upcharge you have to tell me in advance. "Do I want it?", is one question. "Do I want it for the price you will charge me?", has to be a separate question. If it's some amount that high, an extra 1/3 of the price of my breakfast, then you should feel extremely obligated to tell me how much. Don't make me feel like an a-hole bringing up your sketchy business upcharge practices to you in the middle of a super-packed breakfast/brunch rush when you hand me the bill. I didn't bring it up but I wanted to, very badly. As good as the meal was the experience left a bad taste in my mouth and more than a week later I'm still shaking my head about it. For a place that thrives on tourist and word-of-mouth business, there's no reason for this type of shady business antics which leads someone like me who otherwise really enjoyed this place to go to the trouble of leaving a bad review. I probably won't go back...

Exceptional Hospitality and Delicious Cuisine at The Red House Café

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Red House Café in Pacific Grove, and I can confidently say that it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality. Bella, Nelson, and Martina went above and beyond to make us feel right at home, and their attentive service truly made our visit exceptional.

The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the incredible breakfast we enjoyed. I ordered the salmon pancakes with capers, and I requested them to be extra crispy for my wife's birthday breakfast. The dish was a culinary masterpiece - the flavors were perfectly balanced, and the presentation was exquisite. It was evident that the chef's attention to detail and culinary expertise shone through in every bite.

To accompany our meal, we indulged in the Italian coffee, which was nothing short of amazing. As a black coffee drinker, I have high standards when it comes to coffee, and I was thoroughly impressed by the rich, robust flavor of the brew. It was the perfect complement to our delicious breakfast, and it left a lasting impression.

The overall ambiance of The Red House Café was delightful, and the attention to detail in every aspect of our dining experience was truly commendable. The combination of exceptional service, delectable cuisine, and a welcoming atmosphere made for a memorable and enjoyable morning.

I would wholeheartedly recommend The Red House Café to all of my friends and family. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to Pacific Grove, this charming establishment is a must-visit. I look forward to returning to savor more of their delightful offerings and to once again experience the genuine hospitality that sets this restaurant apart. Thank you, Bella, Nelson, and Martina, for making our visit...

3 stars. Lunch at the Red House Café was a divisive experience. Many things very good with a couple disappointments. The café is in a charming small cottage with a grandma’s house feel. Not an overwhelming menu but a nice selection of salads and sandwiches with a couple more substantial plates. Baked goods in the case upfront looked very good. Pretty quiet on our visit with no wait for a table. Service was prompt and personable. We chose a couple of sandwiches today. BLT for the wife and a Warmed Tomato Mozzarella for myself. First thing I will say regarding the meal was that the Orzo Pasta salad served alongside the sandwiches was really, really tasty. Perfect pasta, red peppers, red onion, and olives mixed with a bright lemony dressing. Could easily be a meal unto itself with a chunk of warm bread. Tomato/Mozzarella was surprisingly served open faced on a nice crusty bread. Tomatoes were wonderfully sweet and the caramelized onions very flavorful. Disappointingly, rather than fresh mozzarella as expected the cheese appeared to be sliced like a deli cheese. Then full sandwich warmed under a broiler. Unfortunately, dousing of a balsamic dressing made the bread soggy very quickly. Still pretty tasty. The BLT was a mixed bag of flavors depending on the composition of the bite. Sometimes it tasted like bacon and mayo, others sweet caramelized onions. The main issue was with the quantity of mayo and the lettuce, the sandwich insides just slid all over and also caused the roll to disintegrate. This ended up being taken apart and ingredients eaten separately. Wonderful bacon. We both felt, even with the other concerns, more onions on both sandwiches would have been a good thing. Too full for dessert today. While our experience was mixed, I’d come here again in a heartbeat to enjoy another meal....