Hi! I took a week off for midterms, but I’m back now, just in time for fall break. To add to that, my team and I haven’t had time to gather and my dad came to visit.

Did I need a better excuse to indulge in good food? absolutely not.

I’d been wanting seafood for a while. This was the perfect opportunity. Of all seafood restaurants in PGH, one stood head and shoulders above the rest: Monterey Bay Fish Grotto.

I made the reservation a week before. The week couldn’t have passed fast enough.

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto

Pittsburgh does not scream seafood city, but as an inland port and river city, it receives imports of fresh catch alongsife Maurice populations of trout and bass among other things. Monterey Bay Fish Grotto is an upscale seafood restaurant situated at the top of Mt Washington on Grandview Avenue. Since 2015, it’s been serving up stellar seafood and steaks with a side of spectacular views

They match this with world class service and ambiance (more on that later).

Food

The menu is centred around a simple ethos: let the ingredients shine. It’s simple and concise, with minimal added ingredients. Unfortunately, my dad and team aren’t the biggest fan of seafood. That wasn’t a problem. Monterey Bay Fish Grotto is about much more than the fish. This is also not vegetarian/vegan friendly. There is only one, albeit delicious, vegetarian main

Calamari- “High end” and “fried calamari” usually don’t go together, but Monterey Bay Fish Grotto does it perfect. The mix of parmesan and herbs in the crisp breading elevates the an otherwise ordinary dish. The calamari itself was tender and sweet. Its flavour stood up strong against to the breading. Definitely worth it

The Full Monty- the full Monty is a tasting of seafood appetizers. 6 jumbo cocktail shrimps, 6 oysters, tuna poke and sardines with harissa and capers. I have to say I was very disappointed. Three of the shrimps were over cooked, the oysters were watery and the sardines were dry and lacked flavour. The poke was very good. I really enjoyed the subtle sweet sesame flavor that enhanced the tuna. I also enjoyed the firmness, almost beefy quality of the meat. 

Butternut Squash Ravioli- The butternut squash ravioli is the only vegetarian main on the menu. It’s one bomb of a main. I was particularly impressed with the masterful play with sweet and savoury. The filling had a rich nutty flavour, the lemon tarragon sauce mellowed out the sweetness and added depth. The crispy toppings added delicious, salty sweet texture to an otherwise soft dish.

Filet Mignon- As expected, The filet mignon was perfectly cooked. Charred exterior, ruby interior, well brined. What set this steak apart is the umami compound butter with hints of miso and shiitake. Chefs kiss. I regret not asking for the recipe.

Wagyu Strip- like the filet, the wagyu was executed perfectly with that magical compound butter. What impressed me the most is how juicy the steak was despite my dad ordering it medium well. 

Angel Food Cake Grilled Cheese- This innovative dessert takes the cake. The creativity and incredible balance of flavours made me happy on multiple levels. The tartness of the cream cheese cut through the sweet cake and added luxurious richness. The acidity from the blueberry compote balanced out the fat. Almonds and the burn sugar added crunch. Simply perfect. I will be stealing this.

Service and Atmosphere

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto really went above and beyond with the service and atmosphere. We were welcomed in by a very enthusiastic host. Our waitress arrived shortly and led us to our table. Her warm smile and attentiveness really made us feel comfortable. More broadly, the restaurant ran like a well oiled machine. The staff members seemed to know exactly when and where to go, almost as if the path was rehearsed.

The atmosphere matched the service. We were lucky enough to snag a table right next to the window (pure luck). I loved the simple, elegant decour- very modern and elevated. It prevented “high end” from becoming “pretentious”

I wish the room wasn’t so dim, but the candle light definitely added to the ambiance. For larger gatherings, there’s an event room on the lower level that’s perfect for parties, formal luncheons and weddings.

Overall Impression

Overall, I really enjoyed this special meal at Monterey Bay Fish Grotto and will be coming back, if only for the view. Of course, I also look forward trying more of their seafood. I would recommend it for any special occasion, even if the price tag is a bit steep. Trust me, its worth it.

I hope everyone has a great week! I’ll be back with new recipes soon. Until next time, Bye!

• Dining
• Pittsburgh