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Dear Chris,
My family and I would like to thank you and your staff for such a
wonderful experience at the Grotto. In 1995, my husband proposed
to me while we were having dinner at your restaurant. Your staff
treated us well back then on that magical night and we were given
a VIP card. Fifteen years and two kids later, our daughter was
celebrating her 9th birthday and requested that we have lunch at
the Grotto because she wanted clam chowder. (I will only eat your
clam chowder, so I think she just knows better than to suggest any
other place). We put our name in at the front, as it was a busy
Saturday afternoon. The greeter asked how we were doing and my
husband said, "Great! We are celebrating our daughter's birthday
today!" We didn't expect what came next! We were brought a
complimentary appetizer (even though we hadn't yet notified our
server that we had our VIP card). Then, after our lunch, our
server brought out a beautifully presented slice of cheesecake
with a candle for my daughter! My daughter, Schae, was pleasantly
surprised and felt so special. Your staff went above and beyond
our expectations and made it such a memorable day for our family!
THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!
Sincerely,
Angie McGrew |
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Another Great Meal
Today Pat and I treated our friends John & Sue Simpson, from
Aptos, to lunch at Chris Shake's OLD FISHERMAN'S GROTTO on the
wharf in Monterey. The meal was great, and the host, Chris Shake,
as usual was very gracious. John was one of the finest, if not THE
finest, administrators ever to run a school in the North Monterey
County Unified School District (and he has run several -- Elkhorn
Elementary, Moss Landing Middle School, Gambetta Middle School,
and was VP at North Monterey County High School).
Bob Coble, Seaside, California |
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Good afternoon Mr. Shake. We had the good fortune
of spending my birthday dinner at your lovely restaurant. My
parents have told us about it for years and my dad remembers your
dad standing at the door. My parents are 74 and 77. They live in
Groveland now and aren’t in the area too often.
We loved the dinner, our waiter Luis was wonderful
and the service was impeccable. We can’t wait to visit Monterey again and come in
for dinner.
Thank you very much,
Maryanne Elliott |
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Dear Chris,
I just wanted to express how much our family misses your
restaurant. We moved to Georgia 3 years ago and NOTHING
compares.
My husband and I started going to Old Fisherman’s Grotto in 1987
and had the pleasure of meeting your father on several
occasions, he would always greet us with a warm smile and made
us feel “right at home.” We used to drive to Monterey from the
Bay Area at least once a month just to have dinner at your
restaurant. Even when my husband got laid off from his job in
2003 and we could not afford to dine out, we would still make
the little journey for the chowder in a bread bowl.
I am so thrilled that I came across your website because I’m
going to order some clam chowder for my husband for Father’s
Day!
Best of luck!
Deanna Mitchell |
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Dear Chris, |
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My wife and I had the pleasure of
dining at your family's restaurant last Sunday the 17th. You may
remember us as you graciously signed one of your cook books for
us and then gave it as a gift. I wanted to return the gesture of
kindness with some wine from the winery that I currently work
for. Having been a business owner, I appreciate those operations
that show the owner's involvement and enthusiasm that you
exhibited that night. It is obvious you love your work.
Our night was one of the most enjoyable dining experiences we
have had. Every one of your employees was thoughtful and
efficient. The meal was unparalleled and one of the best seafood
presentations we have enjoyed. The appetizer you sent us was
delicious as well. Please be assured that whenever we have the
opportunity to recommend a dining experience in the Monterey
area, your restaurant will be the first mentioned.
I hope you will enjoy the 2 wines I have selected for you. These
Reserve wines are two of my favorites. As I mentioned that
night, if you have a chance to visit our area, please allow time
for me to host you at the winery for a tour and tasting.
Dining at the Grotto now gives us an excuse to visit Monterey
more often.
Sincerely,
John & Sandy Bertram |
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The 50th Anniversary Luncheon
of
Delta
Chi
alumni from Stanford
University. |
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Hi Chris,
My wife and I just wanted express our sincere appreciation for the
attention you and your staff gave us on our recent visit to your
restaurant. The reason we came to Shake's Old Fisherman's Grotto
is that the look, color and the cleanliness of the front of the
restaurant as well as the display of some of the foods was
appealing. Most of all, your presence, smile and the way you
welcomed us and others at the entrance to your place was very
professional and appealing. You never pushed us to come in. We
were treated as if we were a guest in your home. When we entered,
the decor of the interior was just outstanding. The chair and hat
honoring your father is just one more thing that impressed us. I
still have a chair and hat of my father. The food and the
cleanliness of the interior and the attention given to us was
tremendous. Our thanks to you and Julio G. who's service was
outstanding and you both made our anniversary celebration
beautiful and a memorable occasion. Recognition from an employer
is motivation to an employee to take pride to be the best. We
shall return.
Ray & Lonnie Gonella, Sun City, Arizona |
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Hi Chris,
I just wanted to take a minute to thank you so much for your
hospitality with my Wine & Dine group last Saturday. I will pass
along to you, Danny, Dave and your staff that many in my group
are saying that that was the most fun Wine & Dine in our
forty-nine month of events (over four years). Pretty impressive!
The service was excellent, the ambiance just right, the prices
reasonable with generous portions, the wine list extensive and
fairly priced, and the food cooked to perfection. We were all
sharing dishes to taste different things, and all the feedback I
received from my entourage was positive ++. Now, of course, I
have my personal affinity with regards to the Grotto, but I let
everyone else make their own judgment regarding the experience,
and everyone came out with glowing accolades. |
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Please pass
along to Danny, Dave, the chef and our waiter all of our praise
for their care of our group. This is a tough, critical little
group of diners that freely share their opinions about every
nuance of their dining experience, and we relish being critical.
Again, I heard NO negatives following our Grotto dinner, a
first! And I would
like to give special kudos to Dave. He was wonderful! Of course
I took advantage of our friendship to taste a couple of wines I
had questions about before the dinner, and he graciously
obliged, but his customer service throughout the evening was
exactly what we wanted and what we so appreciate at the
higher-end restaurants, and his customer service pushed the
Grotto to the top tier of our historical list of favorite Wine &
Dine restaurants. |
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So once again
my friend, thank you for your graciousness and friendship and I
am certain that we have now turned several new families into Old
Fisherman’s Grotto regulars. If I can ever be of service, please
feel free to call. I’ll always be there for you!
John Thibeau |
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"Food was best on the wharf, server was outstanding."
♦
"Very
pleased, delicious!"
"Always excellent. We've never gone anywhere else on the wharf to
eat."
"Five star server! My favorite restaurant on the West Coast!"
♦
"Service
and food were excellent!"
♦
"Great
place!"
"We want to thank
you ever so much for providing us with an absolutely fantastic
dining experience.
The food, the service, the whole ambiance was truly wonderful. The
balloons made us feel special, too.
We will treasure the memories of our time in Old Fisherman's
Grotto. Thank you again, and we will definitely see you again next
year.
By the way, we simply had to return the following day for lunch --
you already know that your chowder is incomparable, but we also
have to mention the fried calamari -- batter so light it melted in
our mouths.
Thank you again and we look forward to our next visit."
-- Darryl and Teri House
"I was so impressed
with your restaurant - food, service, view, and everything!"
"Chowder in a Bowl, excellent -- Crab Louie, outstanding -- best
I've had in years."
"Your clam chowder is #1 and I'm from New Orleans!"
♦
"My son said best waiter and food ever."
"Best calamari and clam chowder in the Monterey area"
♦
"Everyone
is very friendly and attentive-superb!" |
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"We loved our visit - you exemplify
Monterey hospitality and great seafood!!"
"The best macadamia halibut and artichoke/crab quesadillas."
"We walked the pier and sampled all the chowder on Sunday. We ate
lunch and dinner all three days here. It's the best!!"
"The whole presentation of the restaurant was a superb
experience."
♦ "Five
stars, excellent service!"
"We love this place and the management as well. They have such a
great attitude and the food is amazing."
"The phone has not stopped ringing at my house. Everyone is in awe
of you. There are no words to adequately express our gratitude for
all that you have done to support the Nancy Kotowski campaign.
She was too excited to sleep last night. She was so thrilled and
was in total disbelief that you made the evening so special.
Everything was done to perfection-the decorations, the food, the
service, the professional manner in which every aspect was given.
I sensed smiles from your dad. Chris, you put your whole heart
into this event and it will not go unnoticed. You made lots of
friends last night-not just for what you did but for who you are.
Your exceptionally fine personal qualities shined brightly. You
have invested in the future of the children of Monterey County. I
am so grateful and I love you."
"You are awesome! I love you for who you are and what you do
for others." |
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