Monterey Desserts: Domenico’s Signature Homemade Sweets

Here at Domenico’s on the Wharf, we believe that we can’t count ourselves among the best restaurants in Monterey unless we give our customers a complete dining experience. To achieve this, we always aim to provide exceptional customer service and, of course, continue expanding our menus.

With that in mind, let’s talk about desserts. Traditionally, a dessert serves as the conclusion to an evening meal, though that’s not the only way to eat it. Desserts are essential parts of the meal, which is why we decided to include them in our menu. In this update, we’ll talk about our decadent homemade desserts that have placed us among the top restaurants in Monterey, CA.

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Must-Try Food at Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf

When heading out to Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf, one of the primary objectives of visitors is to satisfy their palates and tummies. With its many restaurants, the place is indeed a paradise for food lovers. If you’re planning a food trip in Monterey, here are some must-try menu items.

Meat from the Sea is Fuel for Runners

Monterey Bay, CA, is no doubt a runner’s paradise. With its streets and hiking trails providing a variety of running routes, you can have a change of scenery every time. You also get to enjoy the fresh sea air from the bay; and, after a satisfying run, you can reward yourself with a sumptuous but healthy meal in one of the excellent restaurants in the area.

Restaurants in Monterey, CA: Benefits of Prawns

Known to be small but definitely healthy, spot prawns are among the most popular seafood dishes in California for their delicious and versatile flavor and abundance of nutrients.

General Characteristics

Being similar to most crustaceans, spot prawns are pleopods or aquatic animals with five pairs of swimming legs. Adults are characterized by their reddish hues with white spots and stripes in their elongated bodies while younger ones may either be in red, green or brown colors with short, coarse hairs on their shells. This species of shrimp reaches about 10.5 inches in length and can be found in the seas off San Diego, California and in between the Sea of Japan and the Korean Strait.

Common Health Benefits

One of the most unique nutrients found in this particular crustacean is the antioxidant astaxanthin, an anti-inflammatory carotenoid that provides support for our nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Some studies have found that astaxanthin intake causes reduces risk of colon cancer and diabetes-related health problems.

Another important antioxidant is the mineral selenium, which recent research has found can be well-absorbed into the human body for about 80 to 85% of the total amount. Eating foods that are rich in selenium will help those who are suffering from health conditions associated with deficient selenium in the body, such as heart failure, depression and type 2 diabetes.

Moreover, people with weight problems can also benefit from consuming these crustaceans as they present low calories amid the large amounts of nutrients they bring.

Spot Prawns: Monterey’s Prized Possession

Every day, fishermen in Monterey catch tons of Monterey Bay spot prawns, which are considered to be the place’s prized possession. These prawns are not just famed for their alluring sweet flavor, but also for the sustainable fishing method used to catch them, which results in low environmental impact.

Environment-Friendly

 To catch spot prawns, Monterey fishermen usually use a pot assembled by hand and carefully constructed to enable smaller prawns to escape and reach their full length. These pots are not only a work of an expert, but are also made to protect other prawns, particularly younger and smaller prawns, thus protecting the fishery. Often, chefs that use Monterey Bay spot prawns for their dishes demand that all the prawns delivered to them should be of the same size, or simply have roe sacs.

The Expansion of the Spot Prawn Fishery

 Spot prawns were first caught in the area during the 1930s, when these were accidentally caught in traps made for octopus around Monterey Bay. Until now, spot prawns are being caught from Monterey Bay every day and are being sold for premium prices. Usually, freshly-caught spot prawns sell for $18 a pound and drops to $15 after a day.

Aside from shopping for freshly-caught spot prawns, there are other ways you can enjoy these delectable seafood. Visit restaurants in Monterey that offer this delicacy like Domenico’s On the Wharf and find out why they’re such a hit first-hand.

Must- Try Healthy Seafood Meals

Enjoy these exquisite seafood dishes by the sea in Monterey without worrying about your health.

Meat from the Sea with Your Beer, Sir

A recent Gallup survey established that around two-thirds of adults in America prefer drinking beer over wine. Some of them may have brought the habit into places that serve quality seafood in Monterey, and order a fresh draft with their meal. It begs to ask though – which seafood dishes go well with the restaurant’s beer offerings?

First Impressions: Picking a Restaurant for a Date

Now that you’ve asked that pretty girl out, you’ll want to impress her a bit, so start by choosing a nice restaurant. Restaurants with a warm and lovely ambiance provide a comfortable backdrop for two people who are still in the process of getting to know each other. So when picking out a restaurant for your first date, here are a few tips:

Location

Pick a location that’s easily accessible for both of you. If you plan on meeting at the restaurant, then select a place that’s in the middle of where you’ll be coming from. If you plan on picking up your date, you’ll have more freedom in choosing your destination. Monterey has several great places to choose from like the Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

The Atmosphere

You’ll want a restaurant that isn’t too romantic as that might be too much for a first date. Choose a place that is family-oriented and casual enough. It would be great if you’ve been there before, but a quick search online should be enough to provide you with an idea about the place’s ambiance.

The Food

The most important part though is the food. Choose a restaurant with a wide array of offerings. Monterey’s a coastal region so the place is awash with seafood restaurants so try one out. Pick one that sells fresh seafood, and you can’t have it fresher than those found at the Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

Where do Spot Prawns Live?

Among the many sumptuous seafood available in Monterey restaurants, Monterey Bay Spot Prawns is perhaps one of the most popular choices among food enthusiasts and casual diners alike. With a distinctive sweet taste and firm texture, spot prawns are considered the largest species of shrimp found along the west coast of the United States. At times, however, these mouthwatering treats can be hard to find.

Their Natural Habitat

Spot prawns are usually found on various water depths and habitat types. Young spot prawns are seen along muddy bottoms, while adults can be found along crevices, rock piles, corals, sponges, debris-covered bottoms, and under boulders. It has been said that fishermen can catch more spot prawns at around 60 fathoms, but usually they can also be found between 2 to 250 fathoms. To catch these prawns, fishermen would simply design traps and, at times, trawl nets for larger harvests, yet catching them doesn’t have any effect on their population or habitat yet.

Around the World

Aside from the west coast of the United States, spot prawns can also be found along the coasts of British Columbia and Alaska. In fact, spot prawns are the most commercially harvested shrimp in British Columbia, and are among the most popular seafood dishes in Japan, wherein you can opt to have them cooked or eat them raw.

 

Family Friendly Activities in Monterey

California’s “First” city is known for its notable historical attractions and is chock full of activities kids and adults can enjoy. For those who want to go on a holiday that provides the perfect opportunity to bond with their children and loved ones, a Monterey family vacation will create memories that can last a lifetime                                                                                                                      

Let’s Get Physical

The Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is perfect for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping and other outdoor activities that involve exploring and appreciating one’s natural surroundings. You can visit the Point Lobos State Reserve, which is simply the best place for diving and for checking out the coast’s stunning tide pools.