Rover Reviews

My “Woof, Woof, Woof” turned into “Wow, Wow, Wow!” after my Mom and her BFF (Best Friends Forever) took me to lunch with them. They had planned on something simple and ended up spending over two hours at probably the most scrumptious seafood restaurant in the Wow, Wow, world! I’m barking about the Café Fina…100 percent Italiano, complete with fantastic wines, incredible appetizers, yummy entrees, a full assortment of desserts, and the ambiance one would find in a scenic fishing village in southern Italy. And guess what? I didn’t have to spend hours in the cold belly of a plane to get there. My Mom simply drove down to Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf, and there we were!

Colorful tablecloths, large displays of wines, and huge jugs of homemade limoncello, as well as a cheerful and very attentive staff along with the owner, Dominic, greeted us as we approached this well-established, local’s favorite restaurant. I was quick to note the hooks on posts for leashes and a lovely, sunny, carpeted, outdoor patio. Folks, and even sometimes their dogs, come from all around the world to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf. And “Wow Wow Wow!” my view was unimpeded, and my ear and nose sensors were on high alert because the walls surrounding the patio were made of glass. It was as if I were looking out a window at the hungry passersby, the whale watchers who had just disembarked from their boat, and the seagulls swooping down for bits of sourdough bread. I was absolutely delighted to bask in the sun and watch my favorite people enjoy a splendid assortment of soups, salads, pastas, seafood and grilled meats. My nose went wild when fried calamari and grilled sardines found their way to the table. I stayed close by when bits and pieces of tomato bruschetta fell to the ground.

Soon my own entrée arrived. The doggie menu, aptly named, “Café Fina’s Canine Cuisine,” was full of tasty choices. “Hound Dog Heaven,” a delectable New York steak, was the only way to go when I realized my Mom and her BFF were going to stay the five courses. ny other occasion, I would have been happy with the “Paw-Some Pupperoni Snack.” The cost of the Pupperoni? One wag of the tail!

You must hound your person. Go grab a slipper. Go knock over the bowl. Go scratch on the door. Insist!! I mean, really insist that you are taken to Café Fina. This is a bona fide, friendly and delicious place to enjoy homemade (everything from scratch), gourmet food. Even the Chocolate Chip Cannolli is Grandmother’s famous recipe.

What lucky dogs we are to have such a wonderful seafood restaurant right in our own front sea yard. And the most wonderful thing of all? We can go there so many times – and for the price of just one ticket to Italy!

Arrivederci and Buono Appetito!

Rover