Any recs for dining or wine related thing to do in the area?

Grab a single malt on the veranda at the Inn at Spanish Bay, and listen to the bagpiper at sunset. The restaurant there is good.

PH

Almost too numerous to count...of course I'm commenting on the entire Monterey/Carmel area. I keep hearing good things about Passionfish in Pacific Grove. I was just out there a week and a half ago, but couldn't fit it in. And I think we moved right before they opened out there.

I will comment on dessert though. Go to Rosine's in downtown Monterey and get a slice of Snicker's Pie. She does some great desserts.

We did go to Domenico's on the Wharf for lunch one day. I was hoping they would have the Monterey Bay prawns, but they didn't have any that day. However, the kids really enjoyed watching the otters, seals, and sea lions right out the window through the whole meal. Them and a seagull chasing a coot around the harbor. Very comical.

Carmel and Carmel Valley have a few tasting rooms worth going to. Galante has opened one in Carmel (their winery is quite a ways up the valley), their Cabs are excellent. Georis is in the valley along with Bernardus. Georis makes a decent merlot, and Bernardus has a few interesting wines.

Chef's Table at Marinus at the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley
We hard a wonderful meal there.

If you are driving around on HWY 1 checking out the Big Sur area-this casual place is pretty decent,they try to have an interesting wine list,and the view is to die for: Nepenthe

Passionfish is worth going. Seeing wines on a list for less than retail is a rare treat. Food is decent too.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Tong BBP:
Passionfish is worth going. Seeing wines on a list for less than retail is a rare treat. Food is decent too.

Ditto Passionfish. The owners are nice and the wine list is great and reasonable (for example, my memory is that I paid #125 for an 01 PM Pavots, which was less than the offering from the winery). Worth it to go to Pacific Grove just for the list and food.

The monteray sand dabs are fantastic.
I recommend having a drink at Hyatt Park Highlands and watching the sunset.

I didn't leave my heart in San Fran, I left it in Carmel. I agree about Inn at Spanish Bay.

We are seriously thinking of retiring to Carmel. Enjoy your trip.

I'll jump in on the Passionfish bandwagon in Pacific Grove. Winelist exceeds the menu in quality and price. Bring your own glasses though. Unless they upgraded, they actually suggest that on the winelist.

The forge in the forest is a fun causal spot for lunch or dinner. Casanova is on the pricey side, but I have had some great meals there. They have an expensive, but awesome wine list. Peppoli at the in at Spanish Bay is one of our favorites as well. Try to get there before sunset to catch the view. For breakfast go to the Tuck Box in Carmel for fresh scones and olallieberry jam.

It’s hard to pick a bad spot in that area. Have fun.

One more nod to Passionfish. It's been a couple of years but it was just a fun and relaxed place to eat and drink.

Passionfish FTW!