During a business trip tp S.F., my wife and I will spend a few nights in Monterey/Carmel. We're looking for a nice spot for a belated "special event" dinner celebration. Seems to be numerous spots; wine selection certainly doesn't seem to be an issue. We're sort of getting mixed reviews (ususlly the case!!), so I thought I'd try this forum.

In the past, this forum has steered to to several excellent spots, Laurel in San Diego, Mark's in South Beach, etc. etc.

Thanks.

Casanova is nice. Always get the specials, these are superb. Excellent wine list.

I am by no means a Carmel expert (only been there once for a couple days) but we had very nice meals at:

Grasings and Flying Fish

I highly recommend Passionfish. They have mainly a limited seafood menu with some land meat items. We ate there the last time we were in Carmel. Food portions were moderate, food was good. Service was flawless. The wine list is almost retail.

Another is the Chef's Table in Marinus (the hotel Bernardus)...I have not been personally yet but have heard very good things about it. CAUTION: very expensive

Heading out tomorrow for five days of fun. We will play Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay this weekend, and wine country starting tomorrow.

Anything new besides previous post?

TIA!

Nope. All the same...

I had one of the best meals of my life at The French Poodle in Carmel. I tried the abalone as they said many of their diners considered their preparation the finest in the world. After trying it, I could not argue. Some of the best service I've ever had too.

Have a great trip, w+a. What are the Pebble Beach greens fees up to now, $400?

Ill second Flying Fish. Great meal there, made better by excellent waitstaff.

However that was years ago.

Vinole-
How did the restaurant prepare the ab? My husband dives as well as friends so we have it fairly often, would love to hear.
Thanks-
Stephanie

quote:

Originally posted by Stephanie Beer:
Vinole-
How did the restaurant prepare the ab? My husband dives as well as friends so we have it fairly often, would love to hear.
Thanks-
Stephanie

Meunière style. Understand that great shellfish is my favorite food (King crab, Stone crab, abalone, etc.). Here is a website that shows the presentation of the dish. Abalone pic.

These Mobil ratings also came up for Carmel when I did a search on the restaurant which gdn and w+a may find helpful. Mobil ratings

Grasing's Coastal Cuisine was great a couple of years ago (of course, I have it built up in my mind as the greatest meal ever becuase of a bad experience earlier in the evening somewhere else), but the food and service were both excellent.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Have a great trip, w+a. What are the Pebble Beach greens fees up to now, $400?

Thanks Board-O.

I think it now cost $450, but will know for sure tomorrow. Last week in Vegas and the Wynn cost $500.

Will you adopt me?

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Will you adopt me?

Board-O, please understand. Last week was business, and this week I'm the guest.

Where shall we send the alms?

Last I heard it was 5 bills, but that may be incorrect. Back in the late 90's I was engaged to a girl and we were to be married just off the 18th green at Pebble (wedding WAS going to be over 50k) and they still wouldn't let me play the course because we weren't staying at PB. I think things have changed re that policy since the go-go 90's.

Fun place to grab a drink after dinner is the Hogsbreath in Carmel. They have this outdoor area behind the bar/restaurant with a bunch of tables by fire pits and it's a good place to take the wife/girlfriend. Never ate there, but thinks it's bar food and Eastwood's other restaurant is a piece of garbage (if it's still open).

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Where shall we send the alms?

LOL.

Oh, sorry, thought you meant Carmel, Indiana. (say it Car-mul). My bad.