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CARMEL
Carmel-By-The-Sea
Carmel has over 50 restaurants, ranging
from formal French to casual pizza.
There is not, however, by town decree,
any fast-food or chain restaurants in
Carmel, which has led the Carmel
restaurant scene toward creativity and a
wide range of choices.
Casanova
Carmel's most romantic restaurant with a
Mediterranean menu and the villages most
European setting. Here, in a private
room, sits the table of Vincent Van
Gogh, recently imported from France.
They have a special room to accommodate
the table where the famous artist dined
while living at the Auberge Ravoux, just
outside of Paris (dedicated web site
www.vangoghstable.com). The owners, from
Belgium, have combined a sprinkle of
France to a dash of Italy and one of the
areas larges wine lists. (831-625-0501)
/ $$$ A+
Bouchee
David & Kathleen Fink, popular hotliers
and restaurateurs in the area for many
years, opened Bouchee in 2002 as an
extremely high quality
Cali-French-Bistro menu. The Fink's
courted the highly respected Executive
chef Walter Manzke, formerly of Patina
in L.A., and he produces exquisite
contemporary California cuisine. Wine is
a passion here, and there is even a very
popular in-house wine shop & wine bar.
831-626-7880 / $$ A+
Anton & Michael
White glove formal French Restaurant in
lovely courtyard setting. Famous for
lunches too, Anton & Michel have
delighted guests for many years and is
expensive but very special. 831-624-2406
/ $$$ A+
Carmel Chop House
A new village steakhouse owned by Narsai
David, the famous San Francisco food
critic and radio personality. Similar to
those al-la-carte steakhouses around the
country, large portions and top quality
steaks and chops. 831-625-1199 / $$ A
Little Napoli
Authentic Italian specialties in a cozy,
home cooked atmosphere. The food is
excellent and the two popular locations
in town are always busy, so call for
reservations! 831-625-4033 / $$ A-
Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch
Clint Eastwood saved this restaurant and
adjacent Inn from a developers wrecking
ball, and then spent millions on
renovations to re-create the "old ranch
feeling". For brunch on weekends and
dinners other nights of the years,
you'll enjoy great views of the meadow
and the lively atmosphere each night at
the piano bar. The Mission Ranch will
not win any Michelin stars, but it's a
really fun place to go! 831-625-9040 /
$$ B+
CARMEL VALLEY
No area has had more good additions in
the culinary field in recent years than
Carmel Valley. Chef Cal Stamenov
(pictured), actually oversees the menus
at three of the best Valley restaurants
(Marinus, Covey and Wills Fargo), and
the wine tasting in local tasting rooms
(Joullian, Talbott, Bernardus, Georis,
Heller, etc) compliment a nice day and
evening in Carmel Valley.
Marinus (Bernardus Lodge)
Talented Cal Stamenov’s great creations
at The Bernardus Lodge has quickly
become a regional standard. Showcasing
the Bernardus wines, complimented by the
area’s finest wine list supervised by
Mark Jensen, Marinus (and the adjacent
Wickets casual bistro), delights on a
daily basis with high quality dishes and
excellent service. This restaurant would
be a treat anywhere, and is a must while
visiting the Monterey Peninsula.
831-659-3131 /$$$ A+
The Covey (Quail Lodge)
For 35 years a classic American and Euro
menu at famous Quail Lodge, The recently
renovated Covey remains one of the areas
top dining establishments. Scheduled to
reopen in June 2003. 831-620-8850 / $$$
A
Corkscrew Café
By the owners of Carmel's ever popular
Casanova, a Mediterranean menu with
European atmopsphere featuring local
produce and great Valley wines. Before
an afternoon of winetasting in the
nearby Carmel Valley tasting rooms,
enjoy lunch here in the patio. You'll
probably want to return for dinner!
831-659-8888 / $$ A
Wills Fargo
Another of Cal Stamenov's restaurant
"empire" with prime grade steaks in an
old school setting. This is where Mom
and Dad used to go, and where their kids
are returning 20 years later. One of the
best steakhouses in the area.
831-659-2774 / $$ A
Baja Cantina
Mexican menu with a flair and loads of
activity indoors and outdoors. Wood deck
patio and indoor seating with a very
lively bar. Live music on weekends and
just steps from Quail Lodge.
831-625-2252 / $ B
MONTEREY
Monterey has featured a plethora of fine
seafood restaurants for over 100 years,
and in the last 15 years the quality of
fine restaurant selections has continued
to impress! Beginning with the Sardine
Factory on Cannery Row, a staple for
over 30 years, there are many nice
restaurants to choose from in Old Town,
Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf or in
outlying areas.
Sardine Factory
Ted Balestreri and Burt Cutino created
an old fashioned classic here some time
ago, and it has hosted royalty and the
rich and famous for years. Still
extremely popular because the food and
service is consistently wonderful, this
famed old-school classic is known for
beef and fish, and a selection of over
1000 choices of fine wines. A must when
visiting the Monterey Peninsula!
831-373-3775/ $$$ A+
Fresh
Cream
Greg Lizza’s classic French menu with a
touch of the central coast, and views of
Monterey Bay from the tasteful, yet not
stuffy, dining rooms. Expect high
quality night in and night out, and
Lizza's dishes impress each and every
time! 831-375-9798/ $$$ A+
Montrio
Trendy newcomer won America’s Best New
Restaurant in 1997, and although the
chef has changed, the quality is still
quite good. Located in the old Monterey
Firehouse, this unique and hip
restaurant gets busy with the "in
crowd". 831-648-8880 / $$ A
Tarpy’s
Roadhouse
Creative Californian menu in a classic
European setting, just minutes from
downtown on Highway 68 toward Salinas
(just past the airport). Worth the
drive, the food and wine here in the
charming manor house is a great
experience / $$ A
Café Fina
Fresh fish specialties located on the
Fisherman’s Wharf, a chance to see this
tourist mecca and enjoy a fine meal all
in one. Excellent flavor of old
Monterey. Ask for a window table for
views of the sea lions, harbor seals and
otters playing in the bay below.
831-372-5200 / $$ A |
