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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Portola Hotel & Spa, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 649-2698
21 comments
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.
That looks like such a great place! The food looks amazing, and there’s nothing better than great atmosphere.
My goodness, I love the whole atmosphere. The food and drinks look pretty amazing as well.
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.
Everything is enticing! It is lovely place for dates or even catch-ups with girlfriends. I’m sure the food tastes good, too.
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.
This looks like a great place to dine! Loving the decor too, fantastic!
Oh wow – this place looks to die for. The decor and the presentation of the platters really stood out to me!
This one is not just a great place to dine in, but their menu looks like a healthy one! Great review!
The food looks absolutely delicious and was presented sp well. I love that it’s a kid friendly place too.
that looks like a fabulous place to stay. I’ve noted it for our next vacation to California!
Wow this looks awesome. The food looks delicious, and the place just looks incredible to dine in!
It looks like a great place to dine in. They have lots of choices of good food to choose from.
That looks like a very nice place to have a meal with someone special. The food looks great too.
This menu!??! OMG this looks divine!
That rib eye steak looks mighty delicious! -And so doesn’t that salad. Total yum!
The ambiance looks beautiful and the food looks so delicious! It is nice to stay to a place like this.
[…] From fois gras torchon to their amazingly fresh seafood, Jack’s Restaurant and Lounge is on the money when it comes to flavorful dishes. Jack’s had already established itself as one of Monterey’s finest restaurants, and with newly added and renowned Executive Chef, Danny Abbruzzese heading things up we can only expect more amazing things to come. Their Heirloom Tomato Salad was to-die-for, and my husband couldn’t get enough of his Rib Eye Steak. They served us up some outstanding martinis (my fav was the cucumber, so fresh). Jack’s is fine dining in an atmosphere that is welcoming and cozy… they even have a solid kid’s menu which was great for a vacationing family like ours. Here’s our full review of Jack’s Restaurant and Lounge . […]
[…] From fois gras torchon to their amazingly fresh seafood, Jack’s Restaurant and Lounge is on the money when it comes to flavorful dishes. Jack’s had already established itself as one of Monterey’s finest restaurants, and with newly added and renowned Executive Chef, Danny Abbruzzese heading things up we can only expect more amazing things to come. Their Heirloom Tomato Salad was to-die-for, and my husband couldn’t get enough of his Rib Eye Steak. They served us up some outstanding martinis (my fav was the cucumber, so fresh). Jack’s is fine dining in an atmosphere that is welcoming and cozy… they even have a solid kid’s menu which was great for a vacationing family like ours. Here’s our full review of Jack’s Restaurant and Lounge . […]
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[…] From fois gras torchon to their amazingly fresh seafood, Jack’s Restaurant and Lounge is on the money when it comes to flavorful dishes. Jack’s had already established itself as one of Monterey’s finest restaurants, and with newly added and renowned Executive Chef, Danny Abbruzzese heading things up we can only expect more amazing things to come. Their Heirloom Tomato Salad was to-die-for, and my husband couldn’t get enough of his Rib Eye Steak. They served us up some outstanding martinis (my fav was the cucumber, so fresh). Jack’s is fine dining in an atmosphere that is welcoming and cozy… they even have a solid kid’s menu which was great for a vacationing family like ours. Here’s our full review of Jack’s Restaurant and Lounge . […]