Scales Seafood & Steaks

Scales is a fun new place on the wharf, very open with a wonderful view of the harbor. We had Halibut, tacos and paella. Everything was cooked perfectly. Chris, Kelly and Danielle were very accommodating. Thanks from Reno

Having lunch here now. Nice setting/​seating over waters edge. Cool. Ordered Ahi Tuna Stack, Pelligrino to drink. Service is on time ready. Have asked for cheesecake first. Not rapidfire here but ok. Food looks good. Cheesecake is good. Not wow, but good. Tuna Stack arrives. Wow. 2 real nice portions. Beautiful. Nice presentation also. Vegees’ very good mix. Riceball of warm veg mix also really good. And finally the Tuna. Very good. Excellent dining experience

Fantastic food and presentation! Loved the modern atmosphere overlooking the ocean. Waiters and staff were super attentive and the food was worth the price!

Called this restaurant three times for a reservation, the never called back. Called a fourth time, got a reservation for 7:30 pm on Saturday night. Reservation was for 15 people, told them table for 8 & 7 was fine. They called back in the evening on day of reservation to tell me they could seat us at 8:45 pm for dinner. We asked for 3 tables of 4 and one for 3. They would not honor their given reservation. Don’t have a clue if it is a good restaurant. Customer service is lacking.

I stopped into the Scales takeout area for lunch and it was awful. I knew the food would be lower scale than the full restaurant, but thought it would still be edible. I ordered nachos and my boyfriend ordered Mac n cheese, they both were made with the same cheese which was carnival style cheese sauce. It was very disappointing and cost $ 25 for an inedible lunch. I honestly won’t even go to the regular restaurant side now knowing they compromise the integrity of their food using items that could be found at a carnival, gross… However, the lady taking orders at the counter was nice.

We went last night for our 4 year anniversary. Everyone was friendly, with smiles on their faces. Beautiful resturant. Too bad we couldn’t see much outside because our dinner reservation was at 7:30. The presentation of the food was great but it tasted very bland. Maybe missing the basics salt and pepper. The was a bummer becuase i started this very strict diet and get to have a cheat day once a week. This was the day and I was not very pleased. Based on the reviews are why we went. Plus we’ve been to the Shake brother’s other restaurants. I have never had a bad experience.

The food and the service were both fantastic here. I got the warf surf and turf with some white wine. The lobster was fantastic and my bacon wrapped filet mignon was so so tasty. All around the food was wonderful!
Our server was Roberto and he was so helpful, polite and just all around respectful. It’s so rare to find such nice service! My boyfriend and I came here for a Valentine’s Day dinner from the Bay Area. We will definitely be back!

Clam chowder is tasty. The rest of the food is bland. Fish tacos, fish and chips, crab avocado panini, crab Mac and Cheese. I quite surprised that the food was so disappointing. Staff is very unwelcoming for families with young kids. I don’t remember Old Fishermans Grotto to be so anti family but given the sign outside its pretty clear they don’t want families to eat here.
We already sat down but otherwise I’d walk out now. Families beware.
Free appetizer is scam. It doesn’t say what is free on the card. Ask them before you order.

You know when someone’s trying too hard…
Well, that’s the feeling here.
FOUR hostesses at the counter when you walk in.
The old Gilbert’s has been remodeled and the interior is pretty modern and slick.
It reminds me of a city.
That’s what I think the Shakes are attempting here.
Scales feels chain-​like.
We came opening weekend (the day after Thanksgiving 2015), and the place was about half full during late afternoon.
We easily got a window seat.
There are quite a few employees. One server didn’t hear or see me when I wanted a refill on my decaf, but seconds later another server swoops in and says «more coffee, miss?»…That’s where the ‘trying too hard’ vibe comes from.
I had out-​of-​town family and all of us loved the chowder. They say it’s the same as the Grotto but I’m sure it is not. It tastes different and better. Love that it comes out piping hot.
We all ordered the Crab Stack Louie and it was huge and stylishly presented.
The wharf needs a spot where tourists and locals can feel comfortable stopping in for a ‘quickie’ or just ordering a beer and appetizer. This place has the potential for being that spot. They just need to loosen their collars and stop trying so hard to impress.
Still, I give the place four stars.
Because this place can be the spot for a guranteed winner for out-​of-​town guests who insist on the wharf. The food menu has enough to keep everyone happy. It can also serve as a special occasion spot for a ten-​year anniversary. It’s spacious enough and has the staff to handle large groups — including small children.
So Grotto remains a spot for killer crab prepared in different ways and is perfect for a dinner out without the kids — this spot is the place that will accomodate all the family.

Scales was very clean and modern. The food was just ok. I had the crab and avocado panini and it was more like a 22.00 grilled cheese. Very thin and hardly no crab at all. It was just a bunch of cheese. For the price it’s a rip off. My husband had fish n chips is was good, portion of fish was small, but a lot of fried, which makes you full. Nice views, good service, and I will say the clam chowder I would go back for.

I am sort of in between a 3 or 4 star but I decided to go with 3. Overall the place is really clean and nice looking interior, good ambiance and good place to go for a special occasion. I would recommend going while its still light out and grabbing a seat by the window as you get a nice view of the ocean and harbor, perfect to watch the Sunset. The service was really good in fact almost too fast-​I will admit we were talking non stop and took forever to look at first the wine list then the dinner menu so they had to come back several times.
We went with an italian red which was decent and both did the locals special 3 course deal. It’s a good deal for the Wharf and they have some really good entrée choices-​unlike some who do this and only offer two lame options. Started with the Clam Chowder which was just ok, honestly if this was better I probably would add another star, I was surprised as I know the Grottos is really good and this is the same owners. I think one issue with it was that it was barely luke warm. I really enjoyed the entrée which was a pistachio crusted Mahi Mahi on top of sweet potato mash and grilled brussels sprouts-​it was delicious. The dessert was a bread pudding which was also very good but I was too full from devouring my entrée to enjoy it fully. All in all this place is decent and I would come back, wharf is tough because its touristy and tends to be overpriced but I think the locals 3 course special is a great deal and worth the price, they just need to up their clam chowder game.

Obvious standards of Old Fishermans Grotto. Wonderful table with view of the wharf. From the top to bottom the staff was friendly and helpful and our waitress Erika was wonderful. The wine selection was a novel to meet any taste and budget. We got the surf and turf and both selections were perfect. My wife chose a seafood trio of Mahi, Ahi and Sword fish. Each prepared to scent the fish, none disappointed. Then there was desert. What choices. Great choice for dinner that made our day. Worth it in every way.

Wonderful food and good service just like the Old Fishermans Grotto owned by the same group! This is much larger and much more suitable for families! The chowder is excellent and the bar is well stocked with good wine and alcohol! TV’s available in the bar for weekend sports!

This place has a café seating area and the dining room seating area. Take your pick, but choose wisely.
I came here with a bunch of my friends after hiking in Big Sur alll day long. We really wanted some Clam Chowder so we were just wandering along the Wharf when we came across this place. When we came to the front of the shop, we were offered a free sample of their clam chowder. HOLY NOMZ.
We first entered and sat at the Café area, where my friends ordered fries, and fish & chips. The fries were nicely cooked, and flavored well. Not too salty and not too bland.
We then decided that we wanted to get clam chowder at Old Fisherman’s Grotto… something. But when we walked across, they told us that they couldn’t accommodate for our large group, however they could seat us here at Scales… because low and behold… they’re under the SAME ownership. LOL
SO we wandered back over to Scales, and asked to be seated in the dining room. Boy oh boy was that the wrong choice… we only wanted clam chowder… and the Scales dining room was far too fancy for the way we dressed. We were seated and when we looked at the menu, we were all thinking «this is not what we were looking for.»
Dishes are pretty pricey here… because it’s all steak and seafoods… so we decided to walk out and sit at the Café instead.
We ordered the clam chowder from the Old Fisherman’s Grotto instead and sat down in SCALES.
All in all, the clam chowder from both places taste the same. I definitely want to come back to try the other dishes here, when I’m more prepared for it! ahha

Amazing view and phenomenal service. It overlooks all the boats in the wharf with sand city as the backdrop.
The food in all honesty is good not great. That is not why you are coming here. This is a place you can take a date to watch the sunset or grab a couple drinks with the squad.
The Shakes did a nice job with the remodel. Modern with an authentic wharf feel.
In regards to the food, get the clam chowder and ask for the locals menu. A three course meal for $ 18.

Came here for an intimate Thanksgiving Dinner with my family. We did not have reservations, but thankfully we arrived early (4pm) & it wasn’t busy. Although most of the restaurant was empty, we waited roughly 15 to be seated.
We ordered: Fish & Chips (nice size pieces of battered cod fish & fries); one Thanksgiving Meal (traditional Turkey, veggies, stuffing, & mashed potatoes with a slice of cheesecake for dessert) *I was told the Turkey was dry & with little flavor; I had Parmesan crusted Halibut over a bed of organic carrot risotto in a chunky tomato sauce. *Everything in that dish worked! All the flavors & textures totally complimented each other. So worth $ 30!!! Service was a bit slow, but everyone was hospitable. By the time we left the restaurant was packed!!!

We were here for NYE, had reservations for 530pm thank goodness we decided on the early dinner because by 6pm it was getting packed. As more people came, our server wasn’t as attentive. Took 10minutes trying to get the bill and another fifteen for him to actually give it to us.
The location and ambience is very upscale. The lights kept on periodically dimming. The music in the background was very subtle.
The sesame crusted ahi tuna and coconut prawns was enough for two people. They serve the chili sauce vinaigrette on the side, it’s very think and fits more for the coconut prawns than the salad. We had the sea bass special, it was a little too dry for my liking. And the breaded sandabs were alright. With the sandabs we asked for more vegetables as a substitute for the mashed potatoes but the veggies were about the same as the sea bass serving.
I feel there is room for improvement since they opened up recently. So I’ll try this place in another 5 months or so. Very pricey but you’re paying for the location.

My parents and I were just walking around the wharf, looking for a good place for clam chowder. We walked up and down several times, discussing where to go for HH/​dinner, and finally we decided to just go inside Scales. It was getting chilly too, and honestly I just didn’t care where anymore!
We didn’t make reservations, so we just sat in the bar area. It was still pretty early for dinner (5ish), so it wasn’t crowded or anything. We found a small table by a window with a great view of the pier. Generally speaking, service was pretty slow and not the friendliest. We didn’t mind waiting though, since we weren’t planning on going anywhere else for the rest of the night besides our hotel!
For drinks, I got one of their specialty cocktails, the Smoky Manhattan. Our server actually brought over the glass and poured it in front of me so I could watch the chemical reaction and see the smoke rise. It was freakin awesome. TASTED awesome too! It was garnished with dark cherries too– not those maschiano cherries! It costed $ 15, but I thought it was worth it, hehe. Well drinks were only $ 5.
For food, dad got the clam chowder bread bowl ($ 12), I got the baja fish tacos ($ 8), and mom got the sesame crusted ahi tuna and coconut shrimp salad ($ 24). Prices were not outrageous or anything, but I didn’t think the salad was worth it. The slices of tuna were pretty skimpy. There were 2 coconut shrimps, which was the highlight of the salad. The fish tacos come in pairs, with fried fish topped with a spicy aioli sauce. That was pretty good. The clam chowder was alright, but I’ve had better. It was a bit too salty for my taste.
I had no idea this was a new restaurant until I checked in on Unilocal.Overall, this is an ooook place. I wish the bar area is a bit larger and the service is friendlier (but I’m sure service will improve with time).

I always get calamari when I’m back home in Monterey, which is only twice a year. Decided to try somewhere new this time and I’m regretting it…
Pros:
— The clam chowder is good but it’s supposedly the same chowder as at the Fisherman’s Grotto since they are owned by the same people. Strangely, it didn’t taste the same but it was equally as good.
Cons:
— It was a Sunday evening and the café portion of the restaurant was empty but they wouldn’t allow me to bring a stroller in. No good reason and no signs posted that I saw. I was informed by the lady that took my order AFTER I had paid at the counter.
— This forced me and my family to sit outside when it was 44 degrees.
— The calamari that I had been pining after all freaking week was horrible. It was SO greasy and the batter was mushy and falling off. See picture I’ve posted. The calamari itself was so tough I couldn’t bite a piece in half and when I tried I ended up with greasy mushy batter falling all over the place.
— I complained to two staff members who acted empathetic (and one was not very surprised) but neither offered the manager for me to speak to or to do anything about my crappy food.
I feel like the wharf just gets worse and worse and I’m missing the old days when good calamari was easy to come by!

Congrats to Chris & Sabu Shake, Jr. on their New Restaurant…
Where to start, First their Décor calls for you to come in and enjoy their great food and drinks. Compliments to the Chef for very exquisite dishes and servers for great hospitality… Plus one of the best views on the Monterey Bay. Will definitely be back again and again…

We had our dogs do we opted to eat at the café deli adjacent to scales. Same owners, same kitchen! The most difficult part was trying to decide what to eat. I had their amazing clam chowder, grilled artichoke (which they heated up for me) and s shrimp tostada. My husband had the pork belly pizza and s shrimp cocktail!!! Wish we had more room to try more!!! Everything was unbelievably fantastic!!! Why unbelievable? Because with each bite you could taste the amazing flavors!!! I recommend if you’re at the wharf to stop by, you won’t be disappointed!!!