Sardine Factory
- Neighborhood Gem
- Fun
- Casual
- Pre/post Theatre
- Sunday Lunch
- Disabled Access
- Great Beer
- Good Vegetarian Options
David has been a professional musician since the age of 17. He has played in numerous bands, opening for various acts such as Steppenwolf, Black Oak Arkansas, Rick Derringer, Crash Test Dummies and more. Versatile and accommodating David takes and plays requests from Led Zeppelin to Elvis Presley to the Everly Brothers.
Menu
Split Entrees add $30
Appetizers
Choice of:
tomatoes, basil, garlic & olive oil on toasted crostini
grilled lemon, marinated chickpeas, tomatoes, mixed greens, quinoa, vinaigrette dressing
3 ea., Pernod, pecan smoked bacon, hollandaise sauce
chili-lime sauce
chili-lime cocktail sauce & zatarain's® horseradish
lemon-butter sauce & 3 grilled wild pacific prawns
sustainable, lightly smoked, onions, chopped egg, lemon & capers
tarragon crème fraîche, fennel, preserved lemon
fine diced onions, carrots & celery, seasoned bread crumbs, parsley, port demi sauce
with our own calamari puffs, cocktail & remoulade sauce
4 ea., Pernod, garlic, herbs, fried parsley, baked in Toscani bread
lemon beurre blanc sauce
shaved leeks & fennel, white wine, herbed butter, grilled baguette
mascarpone cheese, shallots, sherry wine, tarragon & truffle cream sauce
Vermont cheddar cheese, panko bread crumbs
Tillamook cheddar, Romano & Parmesan cheese on toasted sourdough bread
2 grilled chesapeake crab cakes, fried pacific calamari, 6 grilled prawns, beurre blanc sauce (items prepared for 2 to 3 people)
petite Maine lobster tails, wild Pacific prawns, Saltspring Island mussels, seasonal Pacific oysters, clams, sardines & shrimp meat; assortment of dipping sauces (items prepared for 2 to 3 people)
Soups & Salads
any salad add shrimp $10; add maytag blue cheese $9
bacon, chives, madeira wine, our own creation served at "taste of america" for president reagan's inauguration
tomato oil
fresh buttered clams
extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic
locally grown romaine lettuce, creamy garlic anchovy dressing
house, blue cheese or candied garlic dressing
Iceberg Baby® lettuce, green onions, crisp pecan smoked bacon, artichoke hearts, beef steak tomato, blue cheese dressing
bay shrimp, crisp iceberg lettuce, olives, tomatoes, egg, red onions, blue cheese crumbles, basil-balsamic vinaigrette
Entrees
Seafood Entrées
We are proud to serve the best fresh fish, shellfish, meat & locally grown produce that is available. The seafood that we serve is on the approved "sustainable seafood" guide
black & white sesame seeds, wasabi aïoli, Asian salad
wild mushroom polenta, crispy prosciutto, toasted pine nuts, sage brown butter
braised asparagus, artichokes & carrots, beurre rouge
light breading, oyster mushrooms, asparagus, butter sauce
chive risotto, lemon-caper sauce
7 oz. each, roasted corn, red bell pepper, white beans, leeks, zucchini
sautéed Swiss chard, fingerling potatoes, maître d' butter
Seafood & Pasta Specialties
Gluten Free pasta available to substitute any pasta
sautéed prawns, garden pesto Alfredo sauce, wild mushrooms, Parmesan & Romano cheese
Mascarpone cheese, shallots, sherry wine, asparagus, tarragon & truffle cream sauce
fresh fettuccini pasta, fish, clams & prawns, tomatoes, garlic & san marzano marinara sauce
fresh Linguine pasta, fresh clams in shell, olive oil, garlic, parsley, butter, white wine
wild mushrooms, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, aged Parmesan, chardonnay cream sauce
Veal, Chicken, Lamb & Pork Specialties
free range chicken, fingerling potatoes, Cipollini onions, Cremini mushrooms
port sauce & baked beef marrow bone, fried onion straws
marble potatoes, rosemary & pancetta roasted carrots, Porcini demi
delicate flavor of loin of natural raised veal & petite Maine lobster tail; combined in sauce extraordinaire, Monterey Jack potatoes, sautéed asparagus & buttered baby carrots
Beef Specialties
We feature the best USDA Prime & Choice dry aged beef. Our steaks come from corn fed cattle and are hand picked and aged 40 days to ensure their flavor and tenderness. Add one or two 8 oz. Maine lobster tail to any steak or chop: Mkt. Price
mashed potatoes, sautéed broccolini, truffle demi cream sauce
baked beef marrow bone, truffle butter, fried onion straws
baked beef marrow bone, Béarnaise sauce, fried onion straws
baked beef marrow bone, truffle butter, fried onion straws
Sides
please allow 10 minutes
Friday & Saturday
twice baked potato, vegetable medley, horseradish cream
Desserts
served dramatically with dry ice
made with the finest cream cheese, served with fresh strawberries, raspberry coulis, chantilly crème
fresh berries, Melba sauce
cannoli sicilian, tiramisu & "The Factory" spumoni
classic silky custard with caramelized sugar crust
cinnamon & chocolate chips in sweet Ricotta cream cheese filled house made pastry shell
raspberry swirl, fresh berries
daily selection of sorbets, chocolate Kahlua cinnamon gelato, or "The Factory" spumoni
dark chocolate sponge cake, bittersweet chocolate mousse & raspberry; topped with rich ganache & vanilla crème anglaise
our unique combination of ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, rum, Drambuie & Kahlua with chocolate shavings on raspberry sauce
five individually wrapped chocolate sardines in special can
After Dinner Selections
Tuaca, Bailey's Irish Cream, long draw Italian espresso, topped with whipped cream
Galliano liqueur flamed in a sugar-rimmed bolla grande glass, sparkled with fresh lemon zest with Italian roast coffee
Amaretto, Kahlua, long draw Italian espresso, topped with whipped cream
Chambord liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream, long draw Italian espresso, topped with whipped cream
Frangelico, Bailey's Irish Cream, long draw Italian espresso, topped with whipped cream
Jameson® Irish Whiskey, sugar, long draw Italian espresso, topped with whipped cream
long draw Italian espresso, topped with whipped cream
Decaffeinated swiss water processed italian roast coffee & variety of teas
Gluten-Free Menu
Appetizers
sustainable, lightly smoked, onions, chopped egg, lemon & capers
olive oil, aged balsamic
shaved leeks & fennel, white wine, herbed butter
chili-lime cocktail sauce & Zatarain's® horseradish
chili-lime sauce
petite Maine lobster tails, wild Pacific prawns, Saltspring Island mussels, seasonal Pacific oysters, clams, sardines & shrimp meat; assortment of dipping sauces (items prepared for 2-3)
Salads
any salad add shrimp $10; add Maytag blue cheese $9
locally grown romaine lettuce, creamy garlic anchovy dressing
house, blue cheese or candied garlic dressing
Iceberg Baby® lettuce, green onions, crisp pecan smoked bacon, artichoke hearts, beefsteak tomato, blue cheese dressing
bay shrimp, crisp iceberg lettuce, olives, tomatoes, egg, red onions, blue cheese crumbles, basil-balsamic vinaigrette
Classic Pasta Specialties
gluten free spaghetti pasta, sautéed prawns, garden pesto alfredo sauce, wild mushrooms, Parmesan & Romano cheese
gluten free Spaghetti pasta, fish, clams & prawns, tomatoes, garlic & San Marzano marinara sauce
Seafood Specialties
black & white sesame seeds, wasabi aïoli, Asian salad
wild mushroom polenta, crispy prosciutto, toasted pine nuts, sage brown butter
fresh spaghetti pasta, fresh clams in shell, olive oil, garlic, garlic, parsley, butter, white wine
braised asparagus, artichokes & carrots, beurre rouge
7 oz., each, roasted corn & red bell pepper, white beans, leeks, zucchini
Chicken, Beef & Lamb Specialites
We feature the best USDA Prime & Choice dry aged beef. Our steaks come from corn fed cattle and are hand picked and aged 40 days to ensure their flavor and tenderness. Add one or two 8 oz. Maine lobster tail to any steak or chop Mkt. Price
free range chicken, fingerling potatoes, cipollini onions, Cremini mushrooms
port sauce, sautéed seasonal vegetables
marble potatoes, rosemary & pancetta roasted carrots, Porcini demi
truffle butter, sautéed seasonal vegetables
Béarnaise sauce, sautéed seasonal vegetables
truffle butter, sautéed seasonal vegetables
demi sauce, sautéed seasonal vegetables
Sides
Please allow 10 minutes
Desserts
Can be served as an intermezzo before your entrée or as a dessert
fresh berries, Melba sauce
Kid's Menu
ages 12 and under only
Appetizers
Entreés
pasta, creamy cheese sauce
olive oil, butter, marinara sauce or plain
chive risotto, vegetables, lemon-butter sauce
french fries
french fries
french fries
mashed potatoes, vegetables
Desserts
Holidays
Celebrate the holidays with us in elegant style. Join us for Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve and enjoy a delicious Prix Fixe delicacy created for the season. We offer a special price for children, seniors, and also serve an a la carte and children's menu
Wines by the Glass
White Wines
California Sparkling
French Champagne
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio
Sauvignon Blanc
Albariño
Riesling
White Zinfandel
Red Wines
House Red
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Zinfandel
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Malbec
Grenache (Garnacha)
Dessert Wines
Blandys Madiera
Ports & Tawny
New World Ports
Non Alcoholic Wines
Sparkling Wines
California
Blanc DE Blanc
Blanc DE Noir & Rosé
Brut
New Mexico
South African & French Sparkling Wine
French Champagne
Blanc DE Blancs
Brut
Brut Rosé
Cramant
Italian Sparkling Wines
White Wines
Sauvignon Blanc
Stainless steel fermented & neutral oak, * Organic, Biodynamic and Sustainably Farmed Wines
California Rhone & Blends
Chenin Blanc
Riesling
Spanish White
Pinot Gris
White Zinfandel & Rosé
French Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon
Dry
Barsac (Sweet)
Sauternes (Sweet)
Loupiac
California Chardonnay
Monterey
Up and Down the West Coast
Napa Valley
Sonoma & Russian River
Oregon Chardonnay
New Zealand Chardonnay
French White Burgundy
Côte De Beaune, Chassagne-montrachet
Meursault
Corton-Charlemagne
Chablis
Loire Valley
Rhone Valley
Irouleguy
Alsace, Gewürztraminer
Alsace, Riesling
Austrian White Wines
Gruner Veltiner & Riesling
Late Harvest, Dessert Wines
German Riesling
Rheingau
Nahe
PFALZ
Mosel-saar-ruwer
Italian Wines
White Wines from Italy
Red Wines
Red Wines from Italy
Veneto
Barbaresco
Piedmonte
Tuscany
I.G.T. (Super Tuscan)
California Syrah & Rhone Style Blends
French Rhone Valley
Northern Rhone
Southern Rhone
Loire Valley
Provence
Australian Red Wines
Grenache Cinsault & Red Table Wine
Cabernet Franc
California Red Zinfandel
Napa Valley
Sonoma & Lodi
Meritage (Bordeaux Style Blends)
Of all the wines produced in California, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux, style wines receive the highest accolades. Cabernet is frequently blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec in various compositions. These wines are often called Meritage and may contain less than 75% of Cabernet Sauvignon. A joint effort by Robert Mondavi and Baron Phillip Rothschild and their wine makers produce Opus I, one of the first of this new style of wine. The wines listed below have various compositions of Bordeaux varietals blended together.
Central Coast
Napa Valley
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Central Coast
Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley
Sonoma & Mendocino
California Merlot
Central Coast
Napa Valley
Washington State & South America
Spain, Chile & Argentina
South Africa & Lebanon
French Red Bordeaux
Graves & Pessac-léognan
St. Emilion
Pomerol
Moulis
Margaux
Médoc & Haut Médoc
St. Julien
Pauillac
St. Estephe
California Pinot Noir
Central Coast
Sonoma & Russian River
Oregon & French Burgundy
French Red Burgundy
Côte De Beaune, Volnay
Côte De Beaune, Pommard
Côte De Beaune, Beaune
Côte DE Beaune, Aloxe-corton
Côte De Nuits, Nuits St. Georges
Côte De Nuits, Vosne-romanée
Côte De Nuits, Vougeot
Musigny
Chambolle Musigny
Bonnes Mares
Morey-saint-denis & Clos De La Roche
Gevrey-chambertin
Domaine de la Romanée Conti
The Grandest Estate of Burgundy, owning the whole of Romanée Conti (just over 4 acres) and La Tache (15 acres) and major parts of Richebourg, Grands Echezeaux, Echezeaux, and Romanée St. Vivant.
Flagey-echezeaux
Wines of Portugal
Tawny Ports, Vintage Ports & Madeiras by the bottle.
Tawny
Ports
Madeira
Half-Bottles
White Wine
Sparkling Wine & French Champagne
Sauvignon Blanc
Other Whites
California Chardonnay
French White
German Riesling
Red Wine
California Syrah & Rhone Valley
California Red Zinfandel
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Bordeaux
California Merlot
Pinot Noir
Selections from the Cellar Master
White Wines
Chardonnay
Additional White Wines
Red Wines
Treasures of the Wine Cellar
The wine list at The Sardine Factory has seen many great wines over the years, and over that period of time we have set aside some of those wines for extended aging in the catacombs of our wine cellar. They have remained there, under perfect conditions, we are extremely proud to offer you these polished gems, some of which may be the last specimens on earth.
Whites
Reds
Adventures in Wine
These wines offer an opportunity to explore "Wine Routes" less traveled. Wines from regions you've never been to! Grape varieties you've yet to taste! Small producers of wines rarely seen! Your Wine Captain is at your service to assist with navigation.
White
Charles de Fere is located in Fere-En Tardenois, twenty miles outside of Champagne region in France. This sparkling wine is fresh, rich and toasty and quite smooth.
Le Cigare Blanc is a rich, savory white wine made from grapes sourced from the Beeswax Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. It is a Rhone style blend of 62% Grenache Blanc and 32% Rousanne. This wine has good acidity with tropical fruit flavors.
This wine is mostly Sauvignon Blanc with a tiny Semillon and it shows citrus and nectarine on the nose, with balanced acidity on palate and is very refreshing and clean finish.
Red
A Certified 100% Organic producer from our backyards in Carmel Valley. This wine is deep in color, smooth and soft on palate, luscious blackberry and raspberry flavors with soft tannins and medium to a full body.
Smooth and elegant Cabernet Franc from Carmel Valley, grown and bottled at the winery's Estate Vineyard. This wonderfully crafted Cabernet Franc has good fruit, soft tannins, and is nicely balanced with earthy tones.
One of South Africa's top boutique wineries, located near Cape town and producing superb quality wines. French and Italian grape varieties dominate the blend, making this wine elegant and opulent with soft tannins.
Split plate charge $30 - no substitutions
Prime Rib Nights
Friday and Saturday are Prime Rib Nights! Every Friday and Saturday Night From 5:00pm. Enjoy prime quality Omaha raised beef cooked to perfection. $39 per 12 oz. cut, $47 per 16 oz. cut
twice baked potato, vegetable medley, horseradish cream (no split plates or substitutions)
USDA Prime Rib & Lobster Tail, USDA Prime Rib & Grilled Gulf Prawns, USDA Prime Rib & Chesapeake Crab Cake (priced accordingly)
Early Dinner 3-Course Prix Fixe
Early Dinner Menu
$38 per person. Served nightly from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm, order must be placed by 6:00 pm. We suggest a glass of wine or sparkling wine to start, only $9.50
Choice of Starter
choice of dressing
garlic anchovy dressing
Choice of Entrée
free range chicken, fingerling potatoes, cipollini onions, mushrooms, green tomato salsa
chive risotto, sautéed seasonal vegetables, lemon-butter sauce
sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, wild mushrooms, garden pesto
Choice of Dessert
raspberry swirl, Chantilly crème, fresh berries
classic silky custard, caramelized sugar crust
Happy Hours
Served Daily from 5:00pm - 6:00pm and 9:30pm - 10:30pm
Signature Cocktails
$7. All Martinis & Manhattans are 3 oz. and up; Add $3. All Well Drinks on Rocks 1 1/2 oz
Draft Beer
Selected Wines by the Glass
Small Bite Starters
$6
spring vegetables, naan bread
pecorino romano butter
Mozzarella cheese & tomato topped with basil
Monterey Bay sea salt
blue cheese dressing
abalone bisque, artichoke bisque or clam chowder
Tanimura & Antle Artisan® lettuce, choice of house or candied garlic dressing
Small Bite Starters
$8
two seasoned meatballs in San Marzano sauce, parmesan cheese, parsley
two sliders, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese
caper tartar sauce
sweet & spicy chili or hot sauce with celery, carrots & blue cheese dressing
fried crispy onions
chili-lime cocktail sauce
A Selection of Desserts
$8
classic silky custard with caramelized sugar crust
raspberry swirl, fresh berries
cinnamon & chocolate chips in sweet ricotta cream cheese filled house made pastry shell
daily selection of sorbets: chocolate Kahlua cinnamon gelato or The Factory spumoni
Cocktails
Our Factory Crafted Cocktails & Martinis
Patron Reposado, Patron Mango Citronage, agave nectar, elixir of Antillean hibiscus bitters, hibiscus salted rim, served straight up in a martini glass
Angel's Envy bourbon, Grand Marnier, Lillet Blanc, fresh lemon juice
Russian Standard vodka mixed with ginger ale, served on the rocks in a copper cup
Burnett's citrus vodka with homemade sweet & sour shaken to your preference, served straight up and rimmed with sugar
Knob Creek Rye whiskey, Emperor Norton absinthe, Peychaud's bitters and sugar
Botanist gin, St. Germain liqueur, grape purée, fresh lime juice, sparkling wine
Limoncello, fresh grapefruit, orange and lemon juice, sparkling wine
Four Roses bourbon, Noilly Prat sweet vermouth, Bada Bing cherry juice, dash of bitters, fresh lemon peel
X-Rated vodka, infused with mango, passion fruit and blood orange; splash of pineapple in a mint leaf rimmed glass
Grey Goose vodka mixed with pomegranate juice, homemade sweet & sour and a touch of Triple Sec
Absolut Mandarin vodka & Midori liqueur, fresh lime and pineapple juice
Bacardi Superior rum, muddled fresh mint & raspberries, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, a splash of ginger ale & a sugared rim
Milagro Reposado Tequila, fresh lime juice, a dash of Fee Brothers Lemon Bitters, agave nectar, splash of 1/2 & 1/2, served up in a martini glass
Bulleit Rye whiskey, Campari liqueur, Noilly Prat sweet vermouth, fresh orange peel
Hendrick's gin, cucumber-basil infused Lillet Blanc, fresh orange juice, wheel of fresh cucumber
Grey Goose vodka mixed with rosemary infused simple syrup, fresh lime juice, splash of soda water
Small Bite Starters
spring vegetables, naan bread
Pecorino Romano butter
blue cheese dressing
crispy fried onions
chili-lime cocktail sauce
sweet & spicy chili, or hot sauce with celery, carrots & blue cheese dressing
Monterey Bay sea salt
Mediterranean mussels, chopped tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil & white wine
lemon-beurre blanc
caper tartar sauce
spinach, Pernod, bacon, Hollandaise sauce
Tillamook cheddar, Romano & Parmesan cheese on toasted sourdough
Doc Rickett's Favorites
fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic & olive oil on toasted crostini
two seasoned meatballs in San Marzano sauce, Parmesan cheese, parsley
caramelized onions, cheddar cheese
Vermont cheddar cheese, panko bread crumbs
Sandwiches
broiled 8 oz. blend of chopped short rib & sirloin; cheddar cheese, tomato, arugula, dill pickle chips & ambrosia sauce on toasted brioche bun with house made fries
salad, house made french fries, choice of house dressing
salad, house made french fries, choice of house dressing
salad, house made french fries, choice of house dressing
Pizza
Paisano Thin Crust Pizzas
San Marzano tomatoes, imported mozzarella cheese & basil
truffle essence, caramelized onions, aged pecorino cheese
imported prosciutto & mozzarella, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, toasted pine nuts & shaved parmesan cheese
Steinbeck Plates
Served nightly from 5:00pm to close in the Lounge. Add your Choice of Soup Or House Salad $8. Includes Hot Rolls, Butter, Sicilian Olives and Our Signature Bean Dip
sautéed vegetables, fingerling potatoes
garden pesto Alfredo sauce, mushrooms, parmesan & romano cheese
sautéed Swiss chard, fingerling potatoes, mâitre d' butter
chive risotto, sautéed asparagus, lemon-caper sauce
fingerling potatoes, cipollini onions, cremini mushrooms
braised asparagus, artichokes & carrots, beurre rouge
garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed carrots
The Wine Cellar
A "once in a lifetime experience" is how most guests describe the opportunity to dine in The Wine Cellar. Built to house our world-renowned wine collection, each private event held here is a symphony of the senses. Exquisite food and wine, a richly intimate ambiance, white glove service and music perfectly married to each course define the Wine Cellar experience. Available for private events only. Capacity: 28
Dining Rooms
Host your event in a garden setting, surrounded by lush greenery beneath a glass-domed roof. Capacity: 100
California's maritime history is paid tribute in the Captain's Room. Capacity: 50
Sample Menu
Soup
madeira, fresh chives
Salad
walnuts, goat cheese, red wine vinaigrette
Intermezzo
Choice of Entrée
artichoke ring, asparagus, Hollandaise sauce
Monterey Jack scalloped potatoes, sautéed broccolini & baby carrots, Cabernet-shallot jus
Dessert
fresh berries, Cafe & Tea
Featured Wines
Chardonnay, Monterey
Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Mountains
Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
Served nightly from 5:00pm to 6:00pm (order must be placed by 6:00)
Main
Includes hot rolls, butter, sicilian olives and our signature bean dip. Add your choice of soup or house salad $8
sautéed vegetables, fingerling potatoes
garden pesto Alfredo sauce, mushrooms, parmesan & romano cheese
sautéed Swiss chard, fingerling potatoes, mâitre d' butter
chive risotto, sautéed asparagus, lemon-caper sauce
fingerling potatoes, cipollini onions, cremini mushrooms
braised asparagus, artichokes & carrots, beurre rouge
garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed carrots
Food was not as good as I had hoped for the price. Also service needed to be better, waiter offered me another drink but neglected to ask other 3 guests that had empty drink glasses.
I ordered surf and turf. Filet was perfectly cooked but flavorless. The lobster was a little tough. Overall, I wasn’t wowed with their cuisine. The service however, was outstanding. Felix was very attentive and nice. If you’re a wine lover, then you’d really enjoy their extensive work wine list. Their Sommelier was fantastic as well and gave us a tour of the wine cellar, very cool. Overall, for the price I’d go back for appetizers and drinks, skip their dinner.
Everything was great, went for our one year Wedding Anniversary! Would definitely recommend! Thanks!
Great restaurant for a special dinner. The history and ambiance are very enjoyable.
The food is top tier and the wine list is among the best anywhere.
Great place for any kind of event. Superb for business meetings and entertainment. Very professional and responsive.
Definitely a place we will return to whenever we are in Monterey. California Sardines is delish so was the rib-eye. Excellent service and awesome ambience
Second time at the SF., excellent all around...great people, service and in the heart of Cannery Row...prawn cocktail, steaks and salads...all were excellent... great desserts...
The various dining rooms are a treat....
My only complaint...the kitchen still overcooks the calamari...also...the breading is TOO bland...otherwise...it's a great destination!
Their ribeye is amazing the filet mignon is meh
I had the Mkt price Wild Abalone medallions ($80 btw), it was good; but not excellent. My husband had the Boneless Rib Eye which was excellent. The fresh oysters were gigantic. The atmosphere & service were wonderful, we will definitely be going back.
The food was great and the surroundings was beautiful and we had a great time.
The food was outstanding and the staff both pleasant and knowledgeable. If your in Monterrey i would highly recommend a date night here.
We let them know we were celebrating a 40 yr milestone anniversary - we had been there in 1978 on our first trip to Monterey! They gave us a perfect table in the beautiful dining room, the service was so attentive and personal, they remembered my note on Open Table and even brought us sorbet in their gorgeous ice swans when a friend called the restaurant asking them to do something special for us. The food and drinks/wine were amazing. And the owner Bert came out to wish us a happy anniversary and we chatted for a while. We are definitely NOT waiting another 40 years to come back. Already planning our trip for next year! Thank you to everyone at the Sardine Factory for making our evening magical and memorable. Congratulations on an amazing 50th Anniversary Sardine Factory!! Kim & Jer PS - can I get the recipe for the potatoes? They were so yummy!!
This is one of the best restaurants in Monterey... a must if you are in the area. There is a live piano player in the bar/lounge area on Tuesdays through Saturdays in the evening.
This is one of the world's great restaurants. Not an exaggeration! On Cannery Row in Monterey. Historic, amazing menu, awesome wine list, perfect service. Definitely for special occasions.
Whenever I get to Monterey Sardine Factory is a must. Great food, wine, service. Highly recommend.
Their abalone bisque remains one of my favorite things about this restaurant. I had Diver scallops that were huge & very tasty. My husband had veal Cardinale with a mini lobster tail. Lobster was very good. The veal was a little tough & didn't have a lot of flavor. We were celebrating an anniversary & were told we would be treated to a special piece of chocolate cake, always a nice surprise. However what we received was a piece of 3 layer cake that was so stale it was difficult to cut. The presentation was very pretty, but I think it was cake that was left over from their fixe price dinner celebrating their 50th anniversary held 2 nights before. So although the thought was appreciated & the cake looked very pretty, it really was not good.
Love this place. Very consistent over the years. Always a great meal and outstanding service. This is a must when in Monterey. His is classic dining. I love that they are still here after so many years. Food and service is impeccable.
Very nice dining room, very well prepared food and good service.
I picked the Sardine Factory because I had not been there for at least 20 years and it was also my Girlfriend's Birthday. We had reservations and were seated promptly. I told the person at the Podium that it was my Girlfriend's Birthday and if they could do something special. We order drinks and Food and Appetizers. My Escargot was prepared very different than usual, being cooked and placed in bread. I have had it cooked in Shells and or a ceramic plate with 6 to 8 escargot. Escargot was very dry. She ordered Chicken and I ordered Clams and Linguine. Chicken was Good, Linguine was overcooked and a lot of fluid. Anyway, they brought my Girlfriend a piece of Cake for her Birthday. It was SO HARD it was inedible. When you pushed the Fork in it didn't even pierce the Cake. Thought it was just our piece, but the table next to us had a Birthday and they got the same Cake and the couldn't eat it. Would have preferred to have had a MORE MEMORABLE experience for her Birthday, my not being there for a longtime and the Food.
Great restaurant , excellent ambiance, good food and service . It was great to see so many friends at the Sardine Factory's 50th anniversary celebration. What an accomplishment, 50 years and still number one. Lobster was perfectly prepared. Delicious.
My absolute favorite restaurant in Monterey. The two happy hours are amazing quality, quantity, and yumminess. Incredible wine list and sommeliers.
This restaurant continues to impress. After 50 years, they are at the top of their game!
Great food, impecable service, romantic ambiance and lots of energy.
Best bar lounge with bar menu.
We were there for the 5pm seating on the 50th anniversary. Lobster tail and prime rib prix fixe dinners were both excellent.
What a great venue! Just celebrated 50 years and I have enjoyed nearly 40 of those years! Fabulous Restraurant!
We eat here often because of the excellent food, service and ambiance. You can come in business casual, casual, or suits and ties and never feel out of place. Truly a gem.
Lobster Mac and cheese is the best!
The food and service were excellent!
Birthday celebration for my wife. Took about 10 minutes before the waiter came to our table. Other than this unusually long delay, everything else was fine.
good place to eat . nice tormentor however, place was crowded and my wife and I were seated like Sardines ! very close and noisy to larger group/s. Waiters butts were constantly at our food level as we were seated too close. This was less than desirable for our anniversary dinner
The Sardine Factory is a notable restaurant fixture in Monterey. So much so, that they seem to be infatuated with themselves. Our recent experience was overshadowed by newer touches on classics that should have been left alone. Quality of ingredients is prime and this is what saves the cooking, in my opinion, less "modern" ambition and a heavier classic touch would help the kitchen a lot.
My two friends and I came to enjoy dinner after the Porsche races. The dining room was an atrium with a beautiful sunset view. All of us enjoy our dinner and dessert. The service was great and everyone was friendly. Next time I’m in town I’ll bring my wife!
This was the second time we have been disappointed by The chef. We ordered prime rib for both uf us my wife could not cut hers with the knife provided she ask asked Don to take it back to the chef. I fought through the prime rib served to me but it was very tough and chewy. I wonder as P.R. Can be soft (not firm like a N.Y. or Filet ) and a bit chewy why don’t the use a Sharp straight edge knife rather than a serraded knife?
The waiter was very understanding but why are they serving this type of poor quality. As I said this is the second time we have been disappointed in four weeks. I don’t see us coming again as I work hard for my money and why should we spend at the Sardine Factory when that seem to have average quality meals. The service was great but the chef and the meals are lacking.
Took my best friend to experience your restaurant
I'm sorry but I was not impressed with the Sardine Factory. The calamari appetizer was soggy; the abalone bisque was lukewarm. My mother and brother both ordered the veal with lobster (called the Cardinal). The veal was bland. On the other hand, my friend liked her diver's scallops and polenta. My linguine and clams was fair but nothing special. The waiter was friendly and attentive and the room where they sat us was very nice.
A little overpriced? Sure. Questionable service? Unfortunately, yes. However, the food was phenomenal. My girlfriend loved her oysters and filet medallions. The lobster ravioli app was delicious. Then, there’s the ribeye. Wow. One of the top 3 steaks I’ve ever had in my life and that includes several of the best steakhouses in the country. Cooked perfectly with a great sear. The aging process and prime beef really showed in the flavor and tenderness. The creme brûlée was delicious, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Toasted Sardine spiked coffee drink along with dessert. While our main server left a lot to be desired, the somm recommended an excellent wine after listening to what we were looking for. The service was also awkwardly timed and the gaps between courses were very off. However, the food and unique ambience of the atrium made this an incredible experience.