Customer Spotlight: Old Fisherman's Grotto

Old Fisherman’s Grotto has been a staple on the Wharf since the 1950s. As you walk in, you're greeted with a sophisticated, seaside atmosphere: Two levels decked out in leather seats and elegant dark wood everywhere you look, from the tables to the walls and ceilings. (One visitor even said they felt like they were dining on a ship!) And let’s not forget those waterfront views just outside, perfect for catching the sunset during an evening meal.

A look inside the entrance of Old Fisherman's Grotto, along with members of the team.

Alongside a full menu of seafood, steaks, pasta and house-made desserts, servers often recommend starting a meal with a bowl of Monterey Style Clam Chowder. While this regional style of chowder can be found at various eateries around town, the original recipe is exclusive to the Grotto.

Back in the restaurant’s early days, the founder and creator of Monterey Clam Chowder, Sabu Shake Sr., was known to hand out free samples of his famous chowder to folks passing by. He knew his one-of-a-kind bisque-style chowder would reel in the crowds, and boy, was he right!

Customers are still talking about this top-secret family recipe today. Review after review raves about it, even from diners who didn’t think they were chowder fans.

Beyond the food and coastal charm, the team at Old Fisherman's Grotto is another reason to dine in. Aside from their attentive service and top-notch recommendations, the waitstaff adds to the restaurant’s old-school elegance with their uniforms: Classic white dress shirts, bow ties and black vests to top it off.

Servers at Old Fisherman's Grotto wear bow ties and vests as part of their uniform.

When it was time to find a tie vendor that could supply the quantity of bow ties needed, an employee at Old Fisherman's Grotto recommended TieMart, a company they had ordered from at a previous job.

While TieMart's black band collar bow ties are now part of the waitstaff's usual uniform attire, Old Fisherman's Grotto likes to mix things up for holidays and special occasions. Case in point: This past Easter, they swapped out the classic black bow ties for brighter pink ones.

The servers switched to carnation pink bow ties for Easter.

TieMart has things covered when it comes to bow ties—they offer over 200 solid colors of bow ties. This means restaurants can easily match their server uniforms to just about anything, from holidays and events to the restaurant’s colors. And if you want to see the choices in person before making a decision, free color swatches are available.

Consistency is crucial in the service industry, which is why the employees at Old Fisherman’s Grotto opt for pre-tied band collar bow ties. As the name suggests, these bow ties come already tied, eliminating the need for employees to know how to tie a bow tie themselves. Once they're on, the entire waitstaff looks polished and professional.

The servers wear pre-tied bow ties at Old Fisherman's Grotto, which are easy to use and create a uniform look among the group.

If you're in the Monterey area and want to scope out our bow ties (and of course, that legendary chowder), we highly recommend making reservations. Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a busy spot on the wharf and walk-in wait times can be expected. But hey, that's how you know it's worth waiting for!

Old Fisherman's Grotto
39 Fishermans Wharf
Monterey, CA 93940

www.oldfishermansgrotto.com
Instagram: @fishermansgrotto

TieMart is an online retailer of neckties, bow ties, socks and other men’s accessories. The family-owned company specializes in carrying a wide selection of colors, which means it’s easy to find a matching tie for any event or occasion. For those matching a specific shade in the United States and Canada, free fabric color swatches are available.