A LUNCH WITH A VIEW
Written: Jun 07 '02
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Pros: The food was plentiful and well prepared. The view was spectacular.
Cons: The wait can get long near regular dining hours.
The Bottom Line: Good food for the tummy, an attentive staff for the attitude, and a view that was a feast for the eyes. A wonderful combination!
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| gungian's Full Review: Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant and Market |
In early May, Mrs. G and I made our first visit to Monterey, California. Prior to our trip we had heard great things about the Monterey Aquarium. So we were right outside the main entrance at 886 Cannery Row when the doors opened. We had a grand time and it was nearing 2:00 PM when we finally bid adieu to our finny friends and ventured outside.
We were immediately greeted by a loud rumbling. Other pedestrians looked around while I scanned the heavens for the inevitable storm clouds. “Hmmm”, said I, “one would expect to see black clouds with all that thunder.” “Silly rabbit”, countered Mrs. G., “that’s just your stomach growling. We had best get you something to eat before you single-handedly run off the tourist trade!”
Fortunately, my lunchtime liberator was waiting just a few doors down. This was Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market, 720 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940. [Restaurant hours are Sunday – Thursday 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM and 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.]
Even at two in the afternoon there was a bit of a line at the hostess station. The efficient staff asked our seating preference [inside or outside], jotted down our name, and gave us one of those buzzy vibrating things. Our backsides had barely settled on the well-worn wooden bench when the thing went off. Total wait time from walking in to being seated at our table was certainly less than 10 minutes.
Luck was with us and a party had just vacated a coveted inside corner table. With a knowing smile our hostess gave the tabletop a couple of swipes with a wet rag and pulled out Mrs. G’s chair. We were comfortably seated within arms reach of windows facing two directions. The two northwest windows looked out over a small beach sandwiched between Bubba Gump and the adjacent restaurant. The windowed wall to the northeast provided a near-panoramic view of Monterey Bay. Spectacular!
Our server, Tommy, passed behind us within minutes. He had his arms full but said a quick hello and promised to be with us shortly. True to his word, he was back to take our drink order in a blink. Mrs. G had her trademark Pepsi [$2.19] but I was a bit undecided. Pegging me [correctly, I might add] as a beer man, Tommy suggested a draft Widmer wheat beer [$4.25] in a frosted mug. Just the ticket, I thought, and he hurried off to get our drinks.
The Bubba Gump menu featured eight or nine appetizers – many with a seafood bent. Chezzy Fries and Quesadillas shared space with Calamari Fritti and Chilly Shrimp. The next table over ordered the Run Across America Sampler [a combination of chips & dip, chicken strips, peel & eat shrimp, and fried shrimp] and that could have easily made an entire meal for me. [Appetizers ranged between $2.99 and $12.99].
The menu had quite a nice variety of meals and sandwiches. Entrees ranged from the Jenny’s Peace ‘n Love Veggie Plate [$8.99] to the Bone-In Rib Eye Steak [$16.99]. There were also a number of seafood specials at Market Price. The sandwich board was equally diverse with the All American Hamburger [$6.99] anchoring the low end and the Dixie Fishwich [$8.79] at the other. Sides of coleslaw, fancy rice, fries, and garlic-mashed potatoes could be added on [$1.99 - $2.99]. [During the course of our stay we overheard many positive comments about the quality and quantity of the food.]
Mrs. G and I both chose their Captain’s Fish & Chips [$9.99]. [While at the Aquarium, we had gotten Seafood Watch cards. These wallet-sized cards enumerated marine life that is in danger of extinction or over-fishing.] Each order of fish and chips came with four generous pieces of Pacific Northwest whitefish – a species that is not among those listed as endangered. The fillets were plump, juicy, and coated in a flaky beer batter. Tubs of creamy coleslaw and baskets of hot, slightly spicy French fries rounded out the meal. I somehow managed to polish off all of my meal and a good portion of Mrs. G’s fries. [I also found room for a second mug of beer.] But we actually had to leave half a piece of fish uneaten – there was plenty of food.
Two tables down ordered the Alabama Mud Pie and the Jenny’s Strawberry Dream [each $5.99]. On the way out I asked them about their desserts. Both proclaimed them delicious and, judging by the sounds of the spoons scraping along empty dishes, they were.
As good as the food was, it took 2nd place to the view. The natural and man-made mingled at sea and ashore. It was as if Mother Nature wanted to impress us with Monterey. We were!
The day was gorgeous with a dark cobalt sea stretching out to meet the pale azure sky. The 15-knot surface wind propelled the wispy cirrus clouds landward while the high cumulous clouds seemed to float along at a more leisurely pace.
Gulls preened as they perched on the weathered wood railings just outside our windows in both directions. Albatross, herons, and sea skimmers performed aerial acrobatics. Seals and sea lions slithered over the rocks, frolicked in the spume-topped waves and then submerged in the gray-green mat of seaweed.
The horizon was peppered with the billowing sails of half a dozen fiberglass sloops and one stately wooden ketch. Fishing vessels small and large trailed lines or nets as they etched their white wakes across the bay. Canoes, kayaks, and a number of divers competed with the marine life in swirling eddies between the rocks and the beach.
I was sorely tempted to order yet another Widmer draft and while away another hour. Mrs. G, however, noticed the growing line at the hostess station. “Weren’t we lucky that this table came open just when we needed it? Maybe we should pass on the favor.”
We thanked Tommy and made certain that his tip matched our appreciation. And so it was that I traded a swipe of my plastic card for two very satisfying hours. At $32.90 [not including gratuity], it was a terrific lunch with a view.
You can learn more about more of the Bubba Gump properties at http://www.bubbagump.com. In addition to usual web fare of address, locations, and menu – this homepage also has information of franchise opportunities, job openings, and details on ordering seafood delivery. It is a fun and informative site.
© 2002 Gungian
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Casual dining with a spectacular view.
Best Suited For: Friends
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gungian
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Location: Falls Church, Virginia
Reviews written: 222
Trusted by: 439 members
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10/16/06 - Life is hectic - but good! Write On!
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