RESTAURANTS
Some restaurants offer an all-inclusive dinner in which you may receive bread, a salad,
an entrée, and side dishes for one price, or you may order and pay for each item
separately (“a la carte”). When ordering a drink, specify if you do not want ice, as it is
common for wait staff to put ice in your drink. When considering the cost of your meal, do not forget that sales tax will be added (a minimum of 8.25% in the state of California). Also, unless the service is terrible, you are expected to tip the server at least 15 percent.
Ferenc's Top Choices (reasonably priced):
Sandbar & Grill: Municipal Wharf, Monterey (a local spot!) http://www.sandbarandgrillmonterey.com
Ocean Sushi Deli: 165 Webster St, Monterey (a variety of sushi rolls and Japanese dishes) http://www.oceansushi.com
Crystal Fish Sushi: 25 minute walk but recommended: 1514 Lighthouse Avenue Monterey, CA 93940
Expensive night on the town (car required)!
Pebble Beach Hotel: https://www.pebblebeach.com/dining/
Bernardus Lodge: https://www.bernarduslodge.com/
Hyatt Carmel Highlands: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-carmel-highlands-overlooking-big-sur-coast-and-highlands-inn-a-hyatt-residence-club/higph
Mission Ranch Carmel (Clint Eastwood's hotel): https://www.missionranchcarmel.com/
American
The Bagel Bakery: 452 Alvarado St, Monterey (fresh bagels, bagel sandwiches)
Rosine’s Restaurant: 434 Alvarado St, Monterey (great desserts!)
http://www.rosinesmonterey.com
SUR Burger 409 Alvarado St, Monterey http://surburger.com
LALLA Palooza: 474 Alvarado St, Monterey (lots of martinis to choose from!)
http://www.lalla-palooza.com
Seafood
Hula’s Island Grill: 622 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (great atmosphere and Hawaiian seafood dishes) http://www.hulastiki.com/
Monterey’s Fish House: 2114 Del Monte Ave., Monterey (make reservations as there is usually a line out the door) http://montereyfishhouse.com/
Frutti De Mar Grill: 431 Tyler St, Monterey https://fruttidemargrill.com
Asian
Siamese Bay Restaurant: 131 Webster St, Monterey (great Thai cuisine!)
http://www.siamesebayrestaurant.com
Full Moon Mandarin Cuisine: 429 Alvarado St, Monterey (the lunch menu is really cheap http://www.fullmoon-monterey.com
Indian & Mediterranean
Ambrosia: 565 Abrego St., Monterey (dinner menu is expensive, but the all you
can eat lunch menu is great!) http://ambrosiaib.com/
Petra Cafe: 435 Alvarado St, Monterey (Great Greek food, reasonable lunch
prices) https://www.oldmonterey.org/biz/petra-cafe
Dametra Fresh Mediterranean: Del Monte Center, Monterey (inexpensive, quick
serve sister restaurant to the famed Dametra Café in Carmel)
https://dametra.com/menu/
Halal Food
Ike’s Place: 570 Munras Ave. #70, Monterey (great sandwiches with the option of halal chicken)
http://www.ilikeikesplace.com/monterey
Mediterranean Halal Market: 825 Hamilton Ave., Seaside
Cafés and Coffee shops
Café Lumiere: 365 Calle Principal, Monterey http://www.montereylumiere.com/
Plumes Coffee House: 400 Alvarado St, Monterey
http://www.yelp.com/biz/plumes-coffee-house-monterey
Parker-Lusseau Pastries: 731 Munras Ave, Monterey (good French pastries!)
http://www.parker-lusseaupastries.com
Peet’s Coffee: 560 Munras Suite 10 (Next to Trader Joe’s)
http://www.peets.com/fvpage.asp?rdir=1&
Delis & Sandwich Shops
Subway Sandwiches: 195 W. Franklin St, Monterey (very cheap sandwiches and lunch specials!!) http://www.subway.com/
Troia’s Market: 350 Pacific St, Monterey (great sandwiches, meats and cheeses) http://www.yelp.com/biz/troias-market-monterey
Mexican
Papa Chano’s: 462 Alvarado St, Monterey (authentic Mexican food at cheap prices) http://www.yelp.com/biz/papa-chanos-monterey
Chipotle Mexican Grill: 560 Munras # 20, Monterey www.chipotle.com (inexpensive restaurant chain)
Mi Tierra: 1000 Broadway Ave., Seaside (a Mexican supermarket that also features a stall selling authentic, cheap food in the back)
TIPPING
There are a number of circumstances in the United States when tipping is expected. Americans tip to express gratitude for a service done well. Many service personnel depend on tips for the majority of their income. Although tipping should be based on the quality of the service rendered, most people tip as follows:
to porters at airports, train or bus stations, $1 per piece of luggage (unless a set
fee is posted in the terminal)
to waiters or waitresses in restaurants, 18 percent of the bill for good service
(lunch), and 18 to 20 percent for good and excellent service (dinner)
to taxi drivers, 15-20 percent of the fare
Some restaurants may already include a standard 18 percent tip to the final bill. Make sure check so you do not tip twice.
You are not required to tip hotel clerks, doormen, or chambermaids, nor is it customary to tip gas station attendants, theater ushers, bus drivers, or airline personnel. If you do not require the services of a porter or a bellboy, you can simply indicate that you prefer to handle your baggage yourself.
