California epitomizes the melting pot of America. Chef Abbruzzese’s inspiration and passion for creating signature dishes has brought him full circle to highlight different flavor profiles unique to cultures from around the world. Chef Abbruzzese uses traditional techniques from immigrants who call California home, while highlighting our locally sourced, sustainably conscious ingredients found throughout Monterey County.
Open for Lunch & Dinner.
For more information visit www.jacksatportola.com.
Really disappointing!
The service was absolutely impeccable! The food of course was good as well. The only drawback is that this restaurant is located mostly in the lobby of the hotel - which means it can get very loud. It also means that if you get a table by the doors you get hit with freezing temps quite often
The food was better than expected and the service was great thanks to Colleen. Ambiance is poor. You are eating in a hotel lobby with people coming and going. Doors to the outside continually opening force you to eat with your coat on.
The gnocchi and salmon dishes were delicious. Hope they bring back their cauliflower steak with romesco sauce soon. The service was gracious and welcoming.
Great hotel , food and service! Would like to come back sometime!
Overall, adequate but disappointing; better food, ambience, and value can be found elsewhere
Dinner served in a high-ceilinged atrium with a door to the outside that was often opened, letting in cold air Out of prime rib by 6:30 PM, food barely edible (almost raw Brussel sprouts, canned green beans, very poor quality cake, watery halibut). Way over-priced for the quality--poor value
Stay away. Poor food and worse service
We made a reservation 3 weeks ago for Christmas dinner they had a set menu with 3 different entrees to chose from .
We sat down and looked over the choices then we were ready to order then we were informed no prime rib. The reservation was for 6:15 and they were out of prime rib for Christmas dinner so that left you with a choice of turkey or fish or o veggie substitute if you wanted. The manager informed us that we could order a steak but only one of us could not both of us for the price it was not worth it especially when you cant honor the menu choices.
Awful experience. Would not recommend would not go back
It is cold in the big room and not at all as nce as on pictures on the website. The desserts did not taste home made.
The food was okay. The service was not great. We had slim pickings for a Christmas Eve dinner reservation. Don’t think I would go back.
Enjoyed our dinner but disappointed that the lovely room we dined in years ago is not not open for dinner anymore and instead seating was in the lobby or lobby bar. Food and value was fine but not the same lovely ambiance
Made a reservation for Sunday Brunch December 15. Had no problems, reservation was there waiting for us. We were seated at a lovely table (the lobby of the Portola is just beautiful). We were just across from the back door, which was chilly with people going in and out. The brunch menu was varied with lovely choices. We opted for eggs benedict and corned beef hash. Both were just delicious and beautifully plated. Our food arrived hot, as ordered, and we were checked on often (not intrusively, but the waitstaff was very attentive, we didn't want for a thing!). Our waiter asked if we were locals, we are, and received a 15% discount, which was lovely of him to offer up. We would absolutely return and look forward to doing so. For brunch, there was a pianist, who was excellent and played at a nice volume-not too loud, but you had no problems hearing him.
Wonderful food in a beautiful setting with friendly and attentive staff.
Had the Soft Shell Crab sandwich for lunch. I found it salty with the Old Bay Seasoning. Prefer the Sand Dab sandwich, but not on the menu anymore. Service was pleasant (usually slow service) and prices are high (but hotel restraunt prices are always going to be high). Dined in the Atrium area and Ficus tree leaves had to be wiped off several tables including mine.
Wonderful, creative menu -- not your run-of-the-mill breakfast standards. Food was prepared beautifully, artfully, and was so delicious. Everyone in my party was delighted with the food, cocktails, service and ambiance. Everything was positively top-notch. I will be recommending Jacks to all of my friends, both local and visitors.
Food was well seasoned, but in our party of 4, one entree came much later than the 3. The server nicely took it off the bill but it didn’t really help. The blue cheese bacon burger was minus the bacon, and a side of roasted potatoes came much later as well. Pre dinner drinks were slow, slow, and one didn’t even get to the table until the salads came. Server apologized and was even embarrassed but kitchen and bar needed help!!
The restaurant is located inside the Portola Hotel. Staff were very friendly and food came out in a timely manner. There are 3 seating areas (by the bar, in the restaurant, and a larger seating area immediately around the front restaurant in the hotel lobby. There was a lot of foot traffic because the Resturant is located in the lobby of a hotel so I recommend getting a seat inside the restaurant. The food was average to above average for it’s price point. The Resturant was kid friendly.
Options for party of two items are huge. Strawberry salad was awesome.
Jacks was able to accommodate for out groups specific needs. The service was great and the food was stupendous!
Obeohl wir bei Reservierung und Ankunft mitteilten, dass es ein Geburtstagsessen ist, wurde keinerlei Reaktion (Glückwunsch, Aufmerksamkeit,...) wie sonst in den USA üblich vollzogen. Gleiches beim Check in im Hotel
Our table was not ready until 90 minutes after our reservation time, horrible service, mediocre food and outrageous prices for the quality. Although our waitress was friendly, you can tell she was overwhelmed. Avoid like the plague.
This was our first time back the this restaurant following the redesign. It does feel more lively now, being in the hotel courtyard setting, but I feel that the elegance has suffered. One can feel breezes from the outside now, and the acoustics aren’t intimate anymore. However, the menu and food are still very good. While the wine list isn’t extensive, it covers a variety of good labels and regions. One member of our group had to send his undercooked filet mignon back to the kitchen, but another steak was perfectly cooked, and one vegan is our group was happy with his meal.
This spot is getting mixed reviews mainly because although I have dined there twice recently and enjoyed the food - the scallops were about the best I've ever had - the ambiance leaves a lot to be desired. The reason for this is because the dining area is basically in their huge cavernous main room where hotel guests are checked in with many folks walking by. In the rear part of the dining room is a huge door that opens to the outside (cold air) every time someone comes in or out of the rear of the building, which is frequently as they also offer dining outside. If you are looking for a private and quiet intimate dinner this would not be the place. However, if you are interested in a location that is centrally located in Monterey with all it has to offer within walking distance and enjoyable tasty food then I would highly recommend this restaurant.
Good service and food. My husband particularly liked the filet mignonette sandwich.
Love the food, service and ambiance of the atrium dining. I have been to Jack's at least 5 times in the last 6 months, mostly for lunch. On Friday night, a singer was featured and while her voice was lovely, the amplification was way to loud. There were very few diners in the area in early evening but when she was performing we couldn't carry on a conversation across a very narrow table. To their credit, they did lower the amps a bit at our request. They also went out of their way to accommodate one of our party with serious food allergies. Super kudos to the servers and chef!
Food was excellent. Service extraordinary. Good times!
Due to the fact the US Open and Father's Day was happening during the Brunch, it was quiet. Enjoyed not only the meal but also the ambiance. I did notice more staff on the floor attending to ALL the guests (WONDERFUL!) and the staff more cordially then before (GREAT!) smiles all around!! I stayed safe by ordering Chicken and Waffles (which I have always enjoyed since I found out that in Jacks Menu) not my favorite Pacific Salmon (but I did notice it was still in the menu with vermicelli). I brought a guest with me and it was a Business Brunch. Very Refreshing...Thank You!
I have recommended Jacks even though this time something was diffidently wrong with the situation: (1) when I ordered what I normally order, I looked it up on their website to see if they were still serving it and yes it was still being served but when I go my order, that's when I was told the menu had changed...not by my server but the person serving my my food. (2) The food had NO staples...just a piece of salmon, shiitake mushrooms under it and 4 pieces of greenery and broth...my question is how are you suppose to eat it...no bread offered...no potatoes, no noodles...you are just getting a slab of fish and that's all! (3) I was surprised when there were times there was no wait staff on the floor! Every restaurant I have eaten at there usually is 1 to 2 personnel on the floor but this time there was no one, I noticed several people looking for assistance... actually told them to speak with the Bartender... and even when I first got there and guests were seated, there was a wait time five to 10 minutes before being acknowledged and some even got up and left (that's money lost!). I have always enjoyed my Brunch there and the food was so wonderful (Chicken Waffles, Pacific Salmon, Cheese Blitz, Club Sandwich, etc.) I'm a people watcher because I have been in their shoes!
Beautiful hotel. Food... not impressed. New travel rule... don’t eat at the hotel you are staying at
Hi OpenTable Diner, Thank you for sharing your review about Jacks Monterey on OpenTable. We are continually striving to improve upon every guest experience, and we were disappointed to hear that we did not exceed your dining expectations. We hope that the next time you're in Monterey, you will give us another try. Sincerely, Jacks Monterey Management Team
Fresh and tasty. Convenient location for conference attendees and hotel guests
We had a delightful mother’s day lunch at jacks? They had live music a violin and an accordion which made us feel like we were in Paris. Great food, great service fantastic ambiance! We will be back. 😊
The food was presented well and the taste was wonderful. Our server was prompted meeting our needs and knowledgeable about the menu. However, upon being seated it was noted that the dining area was littered with the remnants of previous diners (paper, crayons, food, etc). Cleaning up between diners would eliminate that "iHop" feel when being seated, after all this is the Portola Hotel and should be represented as such.
good food, nice and friendly staff
Loved our lunch at Jacks. Caesar salad perfectly dressed and the Cauliflower Romescu was absolutely delicious. We opted to sit "outside" which means in the tree-filled atrium, which added to the pleasure of our meal. Great service, really good food and a pleasant atmosphere. What more can you ask. We will definitely be back.
They gave us an anniversary dessert!! The dessert was heaven! I could eat the lamb dish every night! When you dine there you eat out in the lobby basically, so nice if it’s not a super special occasion.
Lobby restaurant for hotel
We had a lovely time at Jack’s. Remodel is great!
The food is excellent, our waitress both nights was the same person, a college student who was friendly, knowledgeable and made or experience great!
Hi Arthur, Thank you for taking the time to share your review about Jacks Monterey on OpenTable. We were glad to hear that you enjoyed your overall dining experience and we hope you're able to join us again soon! Sincerely, Jacks Monterey Management Team
FAQs
Jacks Monterey is rated 4 stars by 139 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable. Due to local restrictions, this restaurant may not be accepting reservations at the moment.
