• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Posh Journal
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Collections
    • Subscribe
    • About
      • Contact
      • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Homepage » Favorite Things

    Monterey Dining - Jacks Restaurant & Lounge - Portola Hotel

    Published: Oct 19, 2016 · Modified: Nov 3, 2020 This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 21 Comments

    0 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Mix
    • WhatsApp
    • Flipboard
    • Telegram

    In partnership with Portola Hotel.  As always, all opinions are my own

    The Portola Hotel landed the biggest of fish with their new Executive Chef, Danny Abbruzzese.  He’s dedicated his life to learning about all facets of food and cooking, and is happy to be joining an already talented and enthusiastic staff at both of the Portola Hotel’s restaurants, Jack’s and Peter B’s Brewpub.  Danny is extremely humble and prefers to call himself a cook rather than a chef, although he’s been an executive chef for over twenty years.  As a respected expert in his craft and makes food that packs a wallop of flavor in every bite.  Even simple dishes had our taste buds dancing:

    Heirloom Tomato Salad with canary, purple, Cherokee and brandywine tomatoes,  mozzarella, pickled onions, fried capers, and basil.  This salad is amazing, even my kids were devouring it like a dessert.

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel Heirloom Tomato Salad

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel Heirloom Tomato Salad

    My Fois Gras Torchon was arranged beautifully in its flavors and plating.  On brioche toast with puffed rice, blood orange puree kumquat marmalade and microgreens.  The torchon process is my favorite, with more of a poaching and press instead of a sear.

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel

    The Certified Angus Beef Rib Eye Steak that my husband ordered which was perfectly cooked and paired with their signature barrel aged Manhattans.  The Rib Eye had local Coke Farm romanesco, Heirloom Organics rainbow carrots, potato puree and house butter.

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel Certified Angus Beef Rib Eye Steak jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel Certified Angus Beef Rib Eye Steak

    I also tried their Cucumber Martini which has a rose and elderflower liqueurs (Hendricks and St. Germain respectively), then fresh cucumber muddled in.  Yes, it was every bit as good as it sounds!

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel pink panther

    The inside is classy with nice wood everywhere and a lounge with stellar happy hour prices. We enjoyed their outdoor patio and the gas fire pit ambiance.  Our kids were having fun outside, and similar to Peter B’s the patio is a pet-friendly.   Great kids menu, this whole hotel is dialed in to the kids experience.

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel

    Jack’s has a breakfast which we didn’t try so I can’t comment on but is very popular even amongst locals and looks to have a nice spread (including mimosas).  There’s an excitement in the air at Jack’s and the Portola Hotel and Spa as they embark on a new chapter.  Jack’s has already established itself as one of Monterey’s best restaurants, and with the addition of Chef Danny Abbruzzese to an already great staff including Chef Jay Moon and GM Stacie Tarantino the sky is the limit.

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel

    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel
    jacks restaurant lounge portola hotel

    Jacks Restaurant & Lounge

     Portola Hotel & Spa, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940

    Phone: (831) 649-2698

    « Peter B's BrewPub - Monterey's Original Craft Brewery with Amazing Grub!
    Healthy Curried Carrot Soup Recipe »
    0 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Mix
    • WhatsApp
    • Flipboard
    • Telegram

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rebecca Swenor

      October 20, 2016 at 1:10 am

      The Portala Hotel's restaurant and pub sound amazing. The cucumber martini would be something I would love to try along with the rib eye steak with veggies. Both of these looks and sound so good. Thanks for sharing your experience.

    2. Paula Schuck

      October 20, 2016 at 8:37 am

      That looks like such a great place! The food looks amazing, and there's nothing better than great atmosphere.

    3. Terri Ramsey Beavers

      October 20, 2016 at 10:24 am

      My goodness, I love the whole atmosphere. The food and drinks look pretty amazing as well.

    4. Pam Wattenbarger

      October 20, 2016 at 12:45 pm

      That looks like a great place to have a meal. I love the decor and that heirloom tomato salad is absolutely beautiful. I bet it tastes even better than it looks.

    5. R U S S

      October 20, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      Everything is enticing! It is lovely place for dates or even catch-ups with girlfriends. I'm sure the food tastes good, too.

    6. Liz Mays

      October 20, 2016 at 4:38 pm

      Oh my, I think I'd like their heirloom tomato salad a lot. It's great that someone so talented is putting the dishes together at this hotel.

    7. Brandy

      October 20, 2016 at 4:55 pm

      This looks like a great place to dine! Loving the decor too, fantastic!

    8. Stephen

      October 20, 2016 at 6:29 pm

      Oh wow - this place looks to die for. The decor and the presentation of the platters really stood out to me!

    9. Bart & Eena

      October 21, 2016 at 3:42 am

      This one is not just a great place to dine in, but their menu looks like a healthy one! Great review!

    10. Fi Ni Neachtain

      October 21, 2016 at 5:09 am

      The food looks absolutely delicious and was presented sp well. I love that it's a kid friendly place too.

    11. Dina Demarest (@dinade)

      October 21, 2016 at 8:28 am

      that looks like a fabulous place to stay. I've noted it for our next vacation to California!

    12. Jeanine

      October 21, 2016 at 11:08 am

      Wow this looks awesome. The food looks delicious, and the place just looks incredible to dine in!

    13. Garf

      October 21, 2016 at 1:32 pm

      It looks like a great place to dine in. They have lots of choices of good food to choose from.

    14. Bonnie Gowen

      October 21, 2016 at 6:39 pm

      That looks like a very nice place to have a meal with someone special. The food looks great too.

    15. aaronica @ the crunchy mommy

      October 21, 2016 at 7:43 pm

      This menu!??! OMG this looks divine!

    16. Michele d

      October 22, 2016 at 4:20 am

      That rib eye steak looks mighty delicious! -And so doesn't that salad. Total yum!

    17. Chubskulit Rose

      October 25, 2016 at 2:50 am

      The ambiance looks beautiful and the food looks so delicious! It is nice to stay to a place like this.

    18. Hilario

      June 26, 2017 at 3:46 am

      Skype has established its internet-dependent client beta on the entire world, after introducing it generally from the Usa and You.K.
      earlier this four weeks. Skype for Web also now supports Chromebook and
      Linux for instant text messaging communication (no
      video and voice however, individuals demand a plug-in installation).

      The increase of the beta adds assistance for an extended listing of spoken languages to assist strengthen that overseas
      functionality

    Did you like this recipe? Leave a star rating! I'd appreciate it!

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    How I Relax with Straight Up Tea

    Hi, I'm Rika! Through Posh Journal I share my passion for food, travel and other things I enjoy along the way.  Don’t let the name fool you, most of my recipes are easy to cook and can be enjoyed on a daily basis. 

    More about me

    Popular Posts

    • Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders (Oven-Fried Chicken Strips)
    • Fish Soup (Flavorful and Easy!)
    • Roasted Baby Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
    • Perfect Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Featured On

    As Featured On

    © 2021–2022 poshjournal

    0 shares