The Famed Whaling Station, Monterey County's Prime steak dinner house, has a fresh new look for the 21st Century. International television chef, John Pisto, has taken the best of the 35-year tradition and made it even better. The restaurant decor now reflects a more casual, yet sophisticated dining experience featuring the County's finest selection of USDA Prime beef (exclusively) and fresh seafood as well as specialties created by the celebrity chef himself. Those familiar with Pisto's television show on the AmericanLife Cable Network & Comcast Cable, "Monterey's Cookin' Pisto Style", enjoy being able to taste the creations they have seen on the screen and may even ask to meet the chef, who is often in the kitchen. Located in a historic building, perched above famed Cannery Row, this totally fresh dining experience will bring you back again and again.
"The filet mignon was cooked perfect to my medium rare order, however the top was slightly crips. The short ribs my gf ordered melted in her mouth and she loved them."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: good for groups
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"That was the best filet that I have had in years. Just melted in my mouth, and the béarnaise sauce was great too. Service was superb. Wish I lived closer so I could go back more often."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, notable wine list, special occasion
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Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"As usual, the food was excellent... The service was good but the timing of things could have been a little better... The maitre'd gave us the option of waiting 5 minutes for a better table, yet the wait ended up being over 20 min... The timing on the meal service could have been a little better as our salad came quickly and then we waited another 10-15 min for the entree... The waiter was very good, friendly... But he seemed very busy as he was covering lots of tables... Won't change my overall opinion - we still love The Whaling Station!"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Took a break from all of the seafood dinners while vacationing in the area and decided on Whalers for some steak. We were very impressed with the dry aged ribeye as well as the tenderloin steaks! Easily comparable to any major steakhouse like Manny's. During dessert, the chef wheeled out a cart with a slow roasted prime rib. When I commented about how it looked, he asked if I wanted to try a slice. I didn't think the steaks could be topped but the prime rib was even better. A dry rub was used and then it was slow roasted for hours. Best prime rib I've ever tasted! They even dry age their own meat in a cooler at the front of the restaurant. Definitely a repeat!!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2007
Special Features: notable wine list
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"I was disappointed by the food compared to the price. Maybe because we ordered seafood since that is not their claimed specialty. It wasn't bad, just nothing special and pretty pricey. The waiter was very nice and friendly."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list
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"A great meal... The steaks are by far the best we've had anywhere - my filet could have been cut with a butter knife, it was that tender. Our server was attentive but not intrusive... The creme brûlée was wonderful... All in all, a good night!"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"My Wife and I frst dined at the Whaling Syation 21 years ago on our Wedding Day,at which time we brought our families with us. Every time we enjoy a dinner here it is just as wonderful,last week on our 21st Anniversary was no different, we were greeted, we were early so we decided to sit at the bar for glass of wine and some (excellent)calalmari, at our table our waiter was very knowledgable and entertaining, the food was superb. We always get exactly what we expect and more, I can definitely say we will be back. We always recommend the Whaling Station to friends when ever we know they are heading to Monterey."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Impressive table-side prep of ceasar salad from scratch but tasted bitter to me. Our steak and fish were mediocre at best and pricey. Maybe it was an off night because locals had raved about it."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2006
Special Features: special occasion
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"Very nice food. Prepared properly and with great taste. The service was the best in the area and very much appreciated. Third visit and better than ever"
Dined on 03/09/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"We had the filet and rib eye. Steaks cooked as order, very sumptuous. My son had the blue point oysters as an appetizer. Very good, fresh, and clean tasting. Felt the wine mark up was a little high, double retail price. Service was good, not obtrusive, but no warmth or oomph. Dinner felt a little rushed even though there were plenty of empty tables."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2006
Special Features: kid-friendly, romantic, special occasion
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"Best steakhouse in Monterey! Great service, friendly accomodating staff, fantastic steak. The grilled artichokes are outta sight. Prices are comparable to great steakhouses & you do not hvae to order everything alacarte. Highly recomend!"
Dined on 02/28/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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"I had the NY Strip cooked MR and it tough and lacking in flavor. I was expecting more for a $48 price tag. My Wife had the filet cooked M and she loved it. Over all atmosphere was noisy and the decore was plain and noisy."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
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"Off the main strip of Cannery Row, and delightful. The Oysters Rockefeller almost made me embarrass myself as I wanted to lick off the plate. The dry-aged steaks are done in-house, and amazing. Best steak in Monterey, for certain, and the best I've had since my visit to Kobe, Japan. Great service, too. All in all, a nice restaurant."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We had reservations for 8 and was not seated at our table until 9. Was promised a couple appetizers at the table for the delay but never received anything."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2013
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"In a community that is known for seasfood, not steaks, we wanted a steak that night. The food was okay; no where near a Ruth's Chris, Fleming's, Morton's etc. but okay. The ambiance was very medicore. The server tried but tended to be a forgetful, "no it all". The most frustrating experience oft he evening was that the restaurant was full (during the PGA Golf tournament) and thus, incredibly loud! Had to yell across the table to carry on a conversation. Gave up on coffee & dessert due to the noise and enjoyed dessert elsewhere that night. Recommend acquiring the services of an interior designer, move the bar (source of much noise) to a less central part of the restaurant and also, consider some sort of acoustical ceiling to capture noise."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2009
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"Awesome restaurant! The tableside caesar is amazing and the beef was done to perfection! This is an old school place that has not lost it's touch, great restaurant..."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2012
Special Features: special occasion
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"The Whaling Station offers the best steaks in the Monterey/Carmel area -- they proudly display the rib primals in their dry-aging cabinet. A good variety of fish dishes round out the menu. Be advised that the chef interprets temperature on the rare side, so if your steak comes more rare than you expected, don't be afraid to send it back for a tinge more heat."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The Whaling Station once again was absolutly outstanding. Paul our waiter could not have been better. He has been there since 79 and loves his job. The food was incredible and the wine fantastic. You cannot find a better staek house in the Bay area. I highly recommend it if you want outstanding service and incredible food.It is not inexpensive but is well worth the money."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2010
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Had the Prime Rib, it was dry aged and slow cooked to perfection; it was so tender I used my fork to cut it. My wife had a Halibut dish with clams, mussels & house made chorizo, which was wonderful as well. My wife said that it was the best piece of fish she's ever had. Everything coming out of the kitchen looked and smelled great, we cant wait to go back!!"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"I took my boyfriend for his birthday. The food was amazing we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Definitely worth the splurge. I just wish I had the room to try more on the menu."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Made reservation for our anniversary, sat us in hidden corner in the bar area. We waited over 25 minutes. I finally went to front desk, notified manager. Waited another ten minutes, then manager came over said first drink was on them and to order an appetizer. Waiter finally came, ordered drinks and tried to order a appetizer, said we could only have the artichoke platter. I then ordered Prime Rib dinner which only comes with garlic mash and green bean almond one, my husband ordered the Filet Minon which had same two sides. Food came Prime Rib was cold, green beans and mash were very cold on both plates. Reheated mine and ruined it. I left having had no dinner. Not a five star experience! Noisy, not good service"
Dined on 01/19/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list
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"Having relocated to Pasadena a few years ago, I arranged a BIRTHDAY DINNER for my wife and a couple of friends for 1-19-2013.
Although quite crowded at the time of our reservation (7:30 pm), the nig manager (Sammy ?) had us seated within FIVE (5) minutes and we received excellent attention from all staff members.
Although I was disapointed in NOT seeing John this night (spent many a dinner at the Whaling Station in the past prior to relocation), the staff and food were, as usual, EXCELLENT.
Hope to re-visit soon.
GEORGE THOMAS 831-212-1180"
Dined on 01/19/2013
2011
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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