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Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa Reviews List
Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Ideal for any occasion, Jacks Restaurant offers the finest local cuisine the Central Coast has to offer. Sit down for breakfast featuring a European breakfast buffet, lunch with the best salad bar in town, and dinner for a great steak or seafood on our outdoor patio or indoors in our comfortable fireside dining room.Pair your meal with a selection from our extensive wine list that highlights Monterey County's diverse viticulture tradition, or complement your selection with Fair Trade organic coffee or tea from Peerless Coffee, a proud family-owned business that has been a Northern California tradition for 86 years. At Jacks Restaurant, you'll find a deliciously unique Monterey flavor and a cozy coastal locale, all in historic downtown. Come visit us soon – we look forward to sharing our passion for sustainable dining with you.
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43 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 43 reviews
5 stars
(20)
4 stars
(16)
3 stars
(4)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- romantic(15)
- fit for foodies(14)
- special occasion(14)
- good for groups(9)
- great for brunch(8)
- great for lunch(8)
Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa Reviews List
Review 1 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good for Special occasions
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We enjoyed our anniversary dinner at Jacks. The service was really good, specially the customized menu's. The food was good, but the quantity was ok."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion, kid-friendly
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Review 2 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The salad bar ought to include a non/low fat dressing"
Dined on 5/08/2013
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Review 3 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Hotel restaurants are often
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Hotel restaurants are often adequate but rarely excellent. Jack's is one of the exceptions. Wonderful seafood and beef."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list
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Review 4 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Prices Have Risen, Quality Is Down
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"All our previous meals at Jack's have been magnificent.
Last week's trip will probably be our last.
Food did not match the quality implied by the new,
staggeringly high prices.
Last week's trip will probably be our last.
Food did not match the quality implied by the new,
staggeringly high prices.
Wonderful ingredients were drowned in oversugared sauces.
"Roasted" vegetables were underdone (not al dente -- just underdone)
and nearly tasteless.
I love rosemary; however, sticking a coarse branch
of rosemary hedge into every entree
proved neither very imaginative nor very edible.
One small bread basket and one tiny dish of olive oil,
overpowered with balsamic vinegar, were provided for
a table of four. We asked for and were given more,
but we should not have had to ask.
"Roasted" vegetables were underdone (not al dente -- just underdone)
and nearly tasteless.
I love rosemary; however, sticking a coarse branch
of rosemary hedge into every entree
proved neither very imaginative nor very edible.
One small bread basket and one tiny dish of olive oil,
overpowered with balsamic vinegar, were provided for
a table of four. We asked for and were given more,
but we should not have had to ask.
There were very few diners. One can understand why."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2011
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Review 5 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A real gem for lunch or dinner!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Quality of food, selection, service and ambience outstanding. Absolutely one of the best choices in Monterey!"
Dined on 04/03/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 6 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great evening,as always.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great evening,as always. Our last four visits... in the last four months... were always outstanding.... largely because of Haley's compitance and personality."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Satisfyingly tasty food but
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Satisfyingly tasty food but our server, Steve, made our dinner truly amazing. He gave great recommendations and made sure we were all taken care of, and he was just very pleasant overall. Definitely try the crab cakes and calamari appetizers, the scallop and rib eye steak entrees, and the chocolate bomb and creme brulee desserts; you will not regret it! It was a great experience - I can't wait to come back to California (from Maryland) and eat at Jack's again. Thank you!"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, romantic, special occasion
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Review 8 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Our server, Haley, is very
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Our server, Haley, is very personable, knowledgeable and attentive. As much a pleasure as the food. We have enjoyed her three times now, and have requested her for our noext three visits. She is our reason for staying at the hotel as well as dining there so frequently."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 9 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Decadent, and perfect!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We enjoyed a voucher for oysters with bubbly and we chose to sit on the patio fireside just before sunset. Totally this was a decadent, terrific experience. From our entrance to exit, the servers did everything possible to be sure we were happy. The oysters and bubbly were decadent and delicious and the patio lovely. We added a delicious spring roll too. A great experience we'd definitely do again."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2008
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 10 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Gathered a group here while
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Gathered a group here while at a conference. The event ran long at the restaurant graciously held our table. Nice lunch selections and everyone was happy with their food."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for lunch
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Review 11 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We had a great time. New menu
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had a great time. New menu was delicious. Service was wonderful. Thank you Mac."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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Review 12 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wife & I celebrated a delayed
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Wife & I celebrated a delayed significant wedding anniversary. We had stayed in the Portola Hotel, and we chose Jacks over several other nearby restaurants. Interior was lovely, lighting was nice -- neither too dark nor bright; we had a large booth. There were only a few other customers on a weeknight, and service was superb. We got frequent attention and good help with menu items. The food itself was well-prepared and -presented, and was quite nice. We received a shared dessert, gratis, to honor our celebration that we had noted in the reservation. Altogether, a wonderful dining experience."
Dined on 02/19/2013
2006
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 13 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Was my first visit to Jack's
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Was my first visit to Jack's and we ventured there to celebrate my friend's birthday. We were not disappointed. The food was excellent, the service was non intrusive, and the setting is perfect for its location. I will make it a regular stop when I am in Monterey for fun and dining. My request for a small birthday dessert was accommodated and was more than I could have asked for. Jack's was a great find!!!!!"
Dined on 02/11/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Special place. We had Haley
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Special place. We had Haley as our server again, as we did in December, and she makes the evening special. Good food, wine and service."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 15 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I had a very good lunch and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had a very good lunch and our server, Juan, was very attentive. I was in Monterey for a conference and the restaurant was very crowded, but the service was good as was the food."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2010
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Review 16 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great omlette station
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was great--the build your own omlette was a hit with our group. The brunch buffett is not extensive but is adequate. Limited fruit, breakfast sides and pastry options. We felt that the servers rushed us--overly efficient at bussing tables."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch
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Review 17 for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I can only state the most
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I can only state the most positive attributes for Jacks Restaurant - as there are none of the other kind to report! This is my third visit to Jacks, as following my first visit I cancelled two other reservations I had. I was that sure I wanted to return for more marvelous meals there. Everything is first-rate: the superb quality, innovative combinations, and presentation of the food, the personal, friendly-yet-unubtrusive service, the quiet surroundings (yes, one can actually have an intimate conversation!), and the spacious and pleasant ambience is so gratifying.
Thank you, Jacks, for your meticulous attention to detail. It is much appreciated.
Betty"
Dined on 01/19/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, late-night find, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Jacks - Portola Hotel & Spa
Based on the average of (26) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
3 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate