The Wine and the Crab

Some restaurants proudly claim to be the gold standard for seafood in Monterey, and the presence of the Alaskan red king crab on their menu gives credence to the claim. Still, when it comes to fine dining, a good bottle of wine is never far from a guest’s mind. If you want to know which wine goes best with those exquisite red king crabs, consider the following:

No Pets Allowed: Animal Friendly Places in Monterey

As man’s most faithful companion, people tend to take their dogs with them everywhere. Some establishments, however, do not allow pets, much to the dismay of their owners. Thankfully, there are animal-friendly places in Monterey, CA that allow you to roam free with them.

Parks are good places to bond with your pets as you both get exercise, breathe in some fresh air, enjoy the view, and even have picnics with other friends and their dogs. To that end, you can go to recreational parks like the El Estero Park and Jacks Peak County Park for all of these.

Fun-Filled Activities in Monterey Bay

While the beaches along Monterey might be enough for a fun weekend, coming to this place won’t be complete without marveling over the diversity of underwater life Monterey Bay has to offer. Monterey Bay boasts a plethora of fish species, with many of them on display at the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Aquarium has over a million visitors a year, and it’s not that hard to see why, with about 550 species of underwater fauna on over a hundred exhibits. Get ready to be astounded by their aquarium exhibits, particularly their display of numerous jellyfish species, sea otters, and even a giant Pacific octopus, among many others.

Fish “Swimming” in Wine

Fine dining, especially at Monterey restaurants, calls for sumptuous dishes that go well with your preferred libation. When your palate calls out for seafood, it may even “beg” to have wine in the mix. A number of food experts – and even your waiter – can recommend some seafood-wine pairings that will leave you with a happy smile.

Salmon

Some food connoisseurs claim that salmon is a very easy fish meat variety to pair up with wine. Both reds and whites work; consider a Chardonnay or a Pinot Noir to match salmon’s rich texture.

Mollusks

If you’re in the mood to crack open some shells, clams or mussels all buttered up and cooked in garlic make the perfect choices. Light white wines and champagne are good palate cleansers. Chardonnays and baked oysters make a potent combination, especially when the oyster has a nice cream coating.

Why Crab is good for you

The next time you visit a local seafood restaurant, try something else besides fish, such as a delicious and healthy crab dish. Here are a few reasons why you should pay the tasty crustacean a gastronomic visit.

Protein – Crab meat is a great alternative to conventional livestock meat as a protein source, more so for gym buffs looking to ramp up their muscle mass. It contains almost as much protein per 100 grams as any type of conventional livestock or poultry meat, and is completely free of unhealthy saturated fats to boot. In addition, crab meat protein is one of the highest quality proteins available that is easily digestible.

Facts about Italian Food

Italian food is known for its healthy qualities and rich taste. As a result, it has found its way to food establishments ranging from fast food joints, all the way to the most authentic and expensive city restaurant. Below are some Italian food facts:

Al dente. Pasta can be undercooked or overcooked. Chefs test this by tossing strands on the wall to determine if it has reached Al dente perfection. If they stick, that means the noodles are good to go.

The bread. You won’t be given any plate or bowl to dip the bread in olive oil because you should use it to mop leftover sauces from your other dishes.

Fun Family Experience at the Fisherman’s Wharf

The city of Monterey, California is a well-known place for activities like kayaking, scuba diving and going to the beach. With famous attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Cannery Row, it provides tourists and natives alike with many interesting way of keeping entertained like deep sea fishing.

Whale watching is also a popular activity enjoyed by families and people of all ages. Cruise along the bay onboard a glass bottom boat to observe gray whales, sea otters and seals in their natural habitats. Other forms of entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, like sketching caricatures, visiting the Wharf Theatre, and wharf walks with historian Tim Thomas are also highly recommended.

The World’s Love Affair with the Monterey Spot Prawn

The Monterey Spot Prawn has captured the hearts of seafood aficionados around the world. Actually a shrimp, it is considered as the largest in the U.S. West Coast. Its fine-dining status and limited availability make it one of the most sought-after ingredients in the kitchens of celebrated restaurants.

Dining Etiquette at Italian Restaurants

Why the fascination with Italian restaurants? Well, for many, Italian restaurants offer the best of both worlds—delectable and sumptuous food, all at a good price. Not everyone is aware, though, that there are certain etiquette rules when eating at a fine dining Italian restaurant. Here are some to keep in mind:

Eat your pasta quietly

Pasta is an Italian restaurant staple, making it quite unusual for anyone to head out to a restaurant without ordering pasta. Most restaurants today offer a wide variety of pasta dishes to cater to a specific diner, like seafood pasta for those who have sworn off eating meat. Whatever type your pasta is, always twirl the strands with your fork against the side of the plate and avoid making slurping noises when you eat them.

Seaside Combinations: Know your Wine-Seafood Pairs

When you’re taking in the beautiful and relaxing sights by the seaside while enjoying your meal of fresh seafood, you’ll want to combine it with the right wine. Wine can bring out the flavor of the food you’re eating, sharpening the flavor and enriching the experience of your meal even more. Of course, this only works if the flavor of the wine balances with the taste of the food.  Pairing your meal with the right one requires some knowledge and experience with your wine list. Here are a few basic pairings that should work for your meal by the sea: