Schmap Monterey and Carmel Dining & Drinking

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Monterey and Carmel - Dining & Drinking
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San Francisco may grab California's culinary spotlight, but local food partisans are quick to point out that celebrity chef Jeremiah Tower (late of Stars in San Francisco) roasted his first bell pepper at Big Sur's Ventana Inn. The fires of the California Cuisine revolution, they say, were stoked on the shores of the Central Coast. Certainly, Monterey is blessed with a year-round cornucopia of fresh local ingredients, Pacific Rim flavors carried in by the ocean breeze, and a host of creative chefs who know what to do with both.

One can not go wrong with seafood here. The Central Coast yields a bounteous harvest of such delicacies as Monterey Bay king salmon, abalone, and the delicate Monterey spot prawn. Restaurants in Monterey feature seafood in a spectrum of accents: Italian, Mediterranean, Californian, Asian, and Pacific Fusion. Not that that is all you will find, of course. The Monterey area features noteworthy steak houses, cantinas and barbecue joints, as well, and wherever you find them, greens are a star. Monterey County grows and ships much of the country's best artichokes, broccoli, and lettuces. Heirloom vegetables from local organic farms can make even the humble Brussels sprout a star.

Monterey

In Downtown Monterey, with its Spanish Colonial coziness, one of the most traditional spots you will find is Stokes Adobe Restaurant. An archetypal Monterey adobe home, Stokes Adobe was built in 1833 and has been functioning as a restaurant under various managements since 1890. Popular with locals and visitors alike, Stokes Adobe's California-Mediterranean creations are bold and adroitly executed. Not far away on Calle Principal, sleek Montrio's does well enough with its eclectic version to win awards and consistently rave reviews. Montrio's is a good bet for the vegetarian and for the wine lover, too, with a list featuring "alternative" and rare wines (as well as the esoteric Back Room List, if you know what you are doing). Nearby Jugem is a sushi spot sophisticated enough to please the most jaded sashimi snob. El Palomar serves exquisite Mexican seafood and a whole menu of tequilas in a comfortable and spacious ambience.

For an antidote to all this new world fare, duck into the Crown and Anchor (The) English pub, not far away on Franklin Street. Owned by actual English persons, the Crown and Anchor pushes all the buttons it can, from the picture of the Queen to the Yorkshire Pudding. No less than twenty beers and ales are on tap. The management has made humane concessions to its California clientele by adding calamari-and-chips and a veggie burger to the pub fare. A little ways off, on Highway 68 at Canyon del Rey, Tarpy's Roadhouse (part of the same ownership group as Montrio's and Carmel's Rio Grill) serves country comfort food like Herb Rotisserie Duck and Grilled Center Cut Pork Chop with Bourbon Molasses. The setting is an 1880 stone house, which will remind you of the old homestead your family never had.

On Fishermans' Wharf, Cafe Fina fulfills the most serious pizza cravings with imaginative creations from their wood-burning oven, as well as mesquite-grilled seafood, chicken, and beef. The atmosphere is friendly and the view can't be beat, providing you don't mind looking at water, Domenico's on Fisherman's Wharf, and Rappa's Seafood Restaurant are two more Fisherman's Wharf favorites. Alabonetti's is lively and casual, Domenico's on Fisherman's Wharf a bit more traditionally elegant, and Rappa's has been a comfortably reliable destination for 50 years.

Among the former sardine-packing plants of Cannery Row and within sight of the Monterey Bay Aquarium are some of Monterey's most popular restaurants. Paradiso Trattoria and Oyster Bar, in the Spindrift Inn building, serves up grilled California favorites with Italian accents. Seafood is sure-fire here, as is any pizza from the wood-burning oven. Paradiso Trattoria and Oyster Bar is another creation of John Pisto, owner of Domenico's on the Wharf. The view of the coast is exceptional: try to get a seat by the window. The Whaling Station has for years been one of Monterey's most popular destinations with its winning steak- and-seafood menu. A few doors down on Wave Street, The Sardine Factory (another nod to Monterey's aquacultural heritage) features filling seafood dishes like lobster and prawns on crescent pasta in brandy-lobster sauce, all served in astoundingly large portions. The signature dish is an abalone bisque; the only sardine on the menu is in the house salad.

For a drink on Cannery Row, stop into Sly McFly's (a good bet for an unfancy lunch) or A Taste of Monterey, which lets you sample many of the wines that have made Monterey County so well thought of amongst oenophiles. There's also a tasting room for the excellent local produce.

Fresh Cream is a bit off the beaten path at quaint Heritage Harbor, but worth the trip. Meticulously crafted dishes like Poached Salmon with Artichokes and Saffron-Thyme Sauce grace the menu of this unpretentiously decorated five-star restaurant. The service is impeccable, the prices a bit steep.

Pacific Grove

In quiet, cozy Pacific Grove, The Old Bath House makes the most of the restored Victorian in which it's ensconced. Diners are treated to an intimate, 65-seat setting, a stunning view overlooking Monterey Point, and Continental cuisine expertly worked up from local ingredients. Considerably less formal, The Tinnery is a genteely quaint breakfast, lunch and dinner spot with a dynamite view of the Sea. Or the fog. Be flexible.

Passionfish will help you cut through both the fog and any residual Victorian torpor with its seafood cuisine served up with a contemporary panache. Locals seem to think so, at least; lines to get into the cheery, pepper-accented restaurant can be long. Fandango (again located in an old house) will also dispel a gray mood with its sunny yet sophisticated Mediterranean menu, reflecting the Basque, Spanish, and Algerian backgrounds of its owner-chefs.

Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach, site of the AT&T Celebrity Golf Tournament, is one of the most beautiful and exclusive settings for golf in the world and is priced to match--just a fair warning before entering the casually elegance of the Bay Club at the Inn at Spanish Bay (The), where Northern Italian cuisine plays off local ingredients like Dungeness crab and Castroville artichokes. Another great choice is Roy's Pebble Beach, which brings you Hawaiian-style Pacific Rim cuisine with a California twist in an informal setting. The posh Club XIX, which overlooks the 18th hole of the Pebble Beach golf course, is likely the most chic, elegant setting on the entire Monterey Peninsula. Hubert Keller, chef at San Francisco's renowned Fleur de Lys, has joined the kitchen there to successfully wed Club XIX's staunchly American menu with lighter, more contemporary fare. The prix fixe menus are a good strategy to take here. Dinner jackets are required for men at dinner.

Carmel and Carmel Valley

Carmel, with its self-consciously quaint appeal, high per-capita income (and erstwhile celebrity mayor), is blessed with more first-class restaurants than it would know what to do with, were it not for the constant stream of visitors. Most of the restaurants are found on Ocean Avenue and the cross-streets to the south, as well as some notable restaurants along Highway 1 south of town.

The Court of the Golden Bough arcade offers the dog-and-kid-friendly PortaBella. The dogs and the kids should not detract from Porta Bella's purely gastronomic appeal, however. Its Mediterranean cuisine has garnered it praise and awards from publications like the New York Times.

For pure romance, head to Casanova Restaurant. Choose from the Harvest Room, the Milagro Room or the pepper tree-shaded patio, and rest assured that signature dishes like Grilled Veal Chop with Sauteed Mushrooms and Pan-seared Filet of Salmon with Pasta do not disappoint. The wine cellar is stocked with more than 30,000 bottles.

Two blocks north, La Boheme Restaurant, a tiny Parisian bistro with Paris Match magazines scattered about and a prix fixe menu of one entree nightly, is a delightfully nostalgic setting. Nearby, the family-owned Tutto Mondo Trattoria serves Italian food at very reasonable prices. The setting is simple and rustic, but what they've saved on decor has gone into the food (pizzas, pastas and bisteccas) and delicious house-made ingredients. The house olive oils and salad dressings are sold at the door. A block up on Sixth Street Grasing's Coastal Cuisine has garnered awards with its exceptional and reasonably priced California Mediterranean fare.

At Carmel's Barnyard Shopping Village, the Lugano Swiss Bistro offers delightfully unfashionable Alpine cooking like Veal Schnitzel with Capers and the Mountain Sausage Platter. It's all delicious and comforting--picture red-and-white checked tablecloths aglow from the flames of the rotisserie. The Rio Grill, on Highway 1 south of Carmel, stays on message: grilled entrees are served with a Southwestern twist. The cuisine wins awards, and the service keeps locals coming back.

And, do not forget breakfast, often touted as the most important meal of the day. There are few places better for fueling up for a day of sightseeing (or relaxing) than the traditional country-style breakfast at Katy's Place or the hearty morning meals to be found at Cottage Restaurant (The). Both places are informal, and a friendly way to start the day.

Continuing past The Barnyard on Carmel Valley road brings you to Marinus, a wonderful place to stop while visiting the area vineyards, chi-chi shops or golf courses. The cuisine, created by French-trained Bay Area native Cal Stamenov, blends Gallic preparation techniques with the area's fresh produce. A more informal stop would be Will's Fargo Dining House and Saloon, a steakhouse that serves Porterhouse steaks second to none, as well as such California-style treats as Lamb with pesto. The saloon offers a tame homage to the area's rowdier days.

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A Taste of Monterey's Cannery Row Bay View Tasting Room

Or several tastes, as it were

700 Cannery Row
Suite KK
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 646 5446/ +1 888 646 5446

Here is an intelligent solution to the dilemma of how to wine-taste while navigating curvy mountain road: just make one stop. Make it in downtown Monterey, where there is nary a deer in sight. Spend the whole day. At this place, you can sample from dozens of vintages collected from nearly 40 local wineries. Taste the riches of Carmel Valley, Monterey and Arroyo Seco. Buy a few bottles or a few cases, as you like. When it is time to get some solid food in your overtaxed stomach, simply stumble on over to one of the many restaurants on Cannery Row. See website for online shopping, wine club details, event calendar and more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Barnyard

A shopper's paradise At the corner of Highway 1 and Carmel Valley Road
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93923
United States
+1 831 624 8886 For almost a quarter of a century this shopping center has been one of the best of its kind in all of California. With unique shops, galleries, salons, clothing stores and first-class restaurants, there is something here for every discerning shopper. The place is also surrounded by gorgeous gardens and brick walkways. You should not make a visit to Carmel without coming here. It is a great place for old-style shopping and the absence of any major department store makes it even more attractive. Credit card acceptance varies by store.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Cafe Fina

Four-Star Seafood & Wine 47 Fisherman's Wharf
No. 1
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 800 843 3462 Since this four-star seafood restaurant is right on Fisherman's Wharf, the view cannot be beat. It specializes in Sicilian seafood and the photographs lining the walls depict the owners' fishing background. A variety of tasty fresh fish meals with pasta are available, but the cioppino is the specialty of the house and is terrific. The wood-burning oven cranks out some great steak and lamb dishes as well. The wine list is eclectic, topping out with the usual USD200 Dom Perignon and an Italian Red, Tignanello, Marchesi Antinore at USD132. The service is family-like and locals frequent the place on a regular basis. See website for menus, videos, and more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Carmel

Monterey and Carmel
United States
Carmel takes quality-of-life matters very seriously, which is why you will see no neon signs, telephone poles or street numbers on houses. Affluent Carmel preserves its idyllic gracefulness with a stern propriety one might associate with Martha's Vineyard. In spite, or perhaps because of this, the town, known far and wide for exclusive gift shops, award-winning restaurants and secluded resorts, has been a popular destination for more than a century. That the city fathers remain so adamantly opposed to the intrusions of the late 20th century (to say nothing of the 21st) has inevitably brought them into conflict with development-minded area businessmen. It was just this that swept Mayor Clint Eastwood into office. Mr. Eastwood has served his term and stepped away from Carmel politics, although he remains a Carmel resident.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Casanova Restaurant

World-class romantic Fifth Avenue
Between Mission and San Carlos Streets
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93921
United States
+1 831 625 0501 An old adobe house with beautiful gardens, houses one of Carmel's most romantic restaurants. Its Celebrity Room has photos of the celebrities who have dined there; the French Provencal Harvest Room has charm; the Milagro Room has a working fireplace; and, the outdoor patio has the shade of a Brazilian pepper tree. Try the Pan-seared Filet of Salmon served with pasta. The wine cellar holds more than 30,000 bottles of wine, some costing more than the average house. The restaurant regularly wins the Wine Spectator's Grand Award. With unparalleled service for tourists and locals, it is highly recommended.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Crown & Anchor

Authentic British Pub 150 W Franklin St
(between Calle Principal & Tyler St)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 649 6496 This authentic British pub serves dinner until midnight and the heated outdoor patio is legendary. You will think that you are in London, as the decor is truly British in all respects. The grub is typical pub fare: fish and chips, meat pies, sandwiches and the like, most of which tips the scales under USD10. Twenty beers are on tap and there is an extensive selection of single-malt scotches. It is never hard to stir up conversation. The bartenders are great, and the place attracts all walks of life, from business professionals to college students. See website for menu, bar info, and more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Domenico's on the Wharf

Dozens of choices 50 Fisherman's Wharf
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 372 3655 Picky eaters will appreciate this restaurant's menu; wishy-washy ones are apt to be overwhelmed. There are more than a dozen fresh fish specialties, and that is not including the shellfish dishes. Almost all of the house-made pasta dishes feature some kind of seafood, while the grilled menu sticks with Filet Mignon and other red meat classics. The modern, airy dining room buzzes with activity. Diners ponder the many options or simply slurp down a few savory choices from the raw bar.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Downtown Monterey

Monterey and Carmel
United States
Monterey's carefully restored downtown is in fact the historical cradle of California. From 1775, when it became the capital of the Spanish colony of Alta California, through Mexican rule and the brief period of independent California, it was governed from Monterey. The California Constitutional Convention met here in 1849, in fact. Landmarks of each of these periods are preserved in the adobe Colonial-style houses that line the streets and calles of the district. Downtown is best explored by foot, taking the well-marked Path of History walking tour. Within walking distance is Fisherman's Wharf, a well-touristed leftover from Monterey's days as a Spanish colonial capital, cargo facility, whaling station, and, finally, fishing port. Now it's home to some commendable seafood restaurants and more than a few tacky gift shops.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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El Palomar

Authentic Mexican Seafood 724 Abrego St
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 372 1032 The menu here is packed full of intriguing coastal specialties from South of the Border. The spacious and tastefully decorated interior with its tiered floors, assures one as to the quality of the food the moment one enters. Seafood is rendered into piquant dishes that can be ordered with confidence and that are served graciously. And there is plenty of chicken, beef, pork and a traditional array of enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and pozole, as well. Nor will vegetarians want for menu options. The bar is well stocked a variety tequilas and Mexican beers, as well as fine, locally grown wines. See website for menu, event calendar and more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Fandango

Creative, Spicy, Fun 223 17th Street
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93950
United States
+1 831 372 3456 The flavors of coastal France, Spain and Italy are brought into play at this restaurant, serving as the inspiration and the culinary backbone for such dishes as Bouillabaisse Marseleillaise and Osso Buco Fandango. Dishes are peppery, flavorful and rich. Order a selection of tapas as an appetizer. The bill will be high, but the place encourages diners to follow the European habit of stretching dinner into a three-hour experience. The interior is warm and handsome. The glowing natural tones of light wood are used in everything from the furnishings to the ceiling to the trim on the windows.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Fandango photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Fresh Cream Restaurant

Fine, Fine Dining 99 Pacific Street
(100C Heritage Harbor)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 375 9798 This is a place for discerning customers who want only the best. The cuisine is primarily French with a definite California twist, and the service is beyond impeccable. The decor is low key so as not to detract from the incredible views. Highly awarded both locally and nationally, the kitchen offers meticulously crafted dishes such as Poached Salmon with Artichokes and Saffron-thyme Sauce, and boned and roasted Duck in Black Currant Sauce. Sit back and enjoy the harbor lights while sampling from the huge wine list.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Grasing's Coastal Cuisine

Coastal cuisine with wine Northwest corner of Sixth Avenue and Mission Street
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93921
United States
+1 831 624 6562 This new restaurant was voted the best by Adventures in Dining Magazine's readers' poll and it offers a delicious variety of Central California coastal cuisine. Locals haunt the place. The selection of wines is designed to perfectly complement the dishes: a 1998 Honig Sauvignon Blanc is paired with Mustard-crusted Halibut, for example. You can eat inside, surrounded by polished wood surfaces, or on the patio. Entrees average USD20-25. It is a great bet for a reception or an intimate dinner. The service is warm and friendly.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Inn at Spanish Bay

First class all the way around 2700 17-Mile Dr
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93953
United States
+1 800 654 9300 / +1 831 647 7500 Consistently voted a top mainland resort, this deluxe hotel surrounded by pine trees, is one of three resorts at Pebble Beach. Guest rooms overlook the forest and the golf course, and are loaded with top-notch furniture, art and fireplaces. The balconies and patios also make great places to take in the ocean air or watch the golfers below. This is a truly world-class resort that continues to win numerous awards.

Review © 2007, Wcities

John Pisto's Whaling Station

Prime Steaks & Seafood 763 Wave St
(between Irving and Prescott Sts)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 373 3778 An old, old standby in Monterey, this eatery serves up world-class steaks and seafood in an airy, colorful environment that is casual and cozy. Alive with the ebullient chatter of customers, the restaurant will delight you with its Wood-fired California Swordfish and its Brace of Fresh Large Quail. The wood-grilled, corn-fed beef dishes are to die for and the service is impeccable. It is a popular spot for tourists and locals. See website for menu, online deals, and more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

John Pisto's Whaling Station photo by wcities
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Jugem

This is Sushi 409 Alvarado Street
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 373 6463 This is an oasis for the traveling sushi sophisticate. Exceptionally fresh fish is crafted into a dazzling array of traditional and speciality sushi and sashimi. Tempura, teriyaki and udon round out the menu, and edamame (green soybeans) and nasu (eggplant with sweet sauce) should start off every meal. A wide selection of sake is available, as well. The decor is as slick, urban, and contemporary as any in Los Angeles, but the service is competent and gracious in the most traditional Japanese manner.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Jugem photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Katy's Place

Tradtional country kitchen Mission Street
(between Fifth and Sixth avenues)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93921
United States
+1 831 624 0199 Claiming to have the largest breakfast menu on the West Coast, this traditional country kitchen is popular with everyone in Carmel, and it has been around for almost 20 years. On the menu you will find several types of waffles and other gourmet breakfast edibles, served all day long. There are even 10 different Eggs Benedict dishes. Many repeat customers constantly flock to this legendary place, and the service is downright spectacular.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Monterey

Monterey and Carmel
United States
While no longer the county seat nor even its largest city (both honors rest with blue-collar Salinas), Monterey remains the area's best-known and most popular destination. A city of only 32,000, it attracts easily 100 times that many tourists each year, motivated mostly by its aquarium. Arguably the finest in the world, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is as good as it is not only because of its imaginative presentation and great funding, but also because it focuses on what is just outside in the deep waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. You will see otters at play, a towering kelp forest, trance-inducing jellyfish, and the world's largest aquarium window, and you can pet a velvety bat ray.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Monterey Bay Aquarium

World class aquarium 886 Cannery Row
(at the corner of David Avenue)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 648 4888 This is one of the best designed aquariums going. A unique feature is the two-story tank, home to a kelp forest in which swim sunfish, sharks, and the occasional diver tasked with squeegeeing the algae off the tank walls. Sand dabs are displayed in shelf-like tanks ideally suited to the flat fish, and a school of sardines swim in an endless circle in their cylindrical tank home. If you want to interact with some aquatic dwellers, you're invited to pet the bat rays (oddly velvet-like). The jellyfish display shows that they are like something from another planet.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Montrio Bistro

Colorful & Full-Flavored 414 Calle Principal
(at Franklin Street)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 648 8880 The kitchen and rotisserie are completely open for all to see in this colorfully decorated bistro that combines American, Italian and French cuisines. The interior is fancy and sleek, but the attitude is very casual, which accounts for the wide-ranging clientele. It won Esquire's award for "best eatery of 1995" for plates such as Grilled Gulf Prawns over Caramelized Leek Risotto and Veal Cheeks over Mustard Whipped Potatoes. Beginning at around $20 for the house varietals, the impressive wine list includes some alternative whites and adventurous reds. The friendly service will bring you back many times. See website for menu, wine list and more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Pacific Grove

Monterey and Carmel
United States
West of Monterey along Highway 1 lies the cozy seaside community of Pacific Grove. Three hundred and fifty-five days out of the year, Pacific Grove is as quiet a town as one could hope to find, with tree-lined streets fronting small quaint houses (the mix of Spanish adobe construction with Victorian accents is irresistible). But in November, a peaceful madness descends: Pacific Grove truly becomes the "City of the Butterflies" as hundreds of thousands of monarch butterflies stop off on their annual migration. Many of Pacific Grove's Victorians double as bed and breakfasts, and some as noteworthy restaurants. This is also the site of the Julia Morgan-designed Asilomar Meeting Center, situated in the dunes at the shore. Next to the meeting center is Asilomar State Park, with plenty of dramatically crashing surf.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Passionfish

Fresh Fish & Fine Wine 701 Lighthouse Ave
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93950
United States
+1 831 655 3311 In spite of its somewhat suggestive name, this restaurant is a model of propriety. The dining room is comfortable yet sophisticated. The cream-colored walls are adorned with just a bit of artwork, but not too much. Low lights and proper white table linens add a refined touch. The specialty of the house is its ever-changing selection of fresh, locally caught fish. The wine list has won awards in the past, and the restaurant is proud to offer many of the vintages at very affordable prices.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Pebble Beach

Monterey and Carmel
United States
Famed as the site of the Pebble Beach Country Club and Resort and Spyglass Hill golf courses, and home to the yearly AT&T Celebrity Golf Tournament (where huge crowds await Bill Murray's schtick), Pebble Beach has what may be one of the finest stretches of coast on the Monterey Peninsula. Craggy shoreline, crashing surf and cypress groves mark the spot where Portola landed in 1769 on his first, fruitless expedition to find Monterey. Pebble Beach has long been the enclave of the very top tier of country club society.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Rappa's Seafood Restaurant

Seafood with a View 101 Fisherman's Wharf, #1
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 372 7562 This legendary seafood restaurant is located at the end of Fisherman's Wharf and its origin goes back to the 1950s. It has been family run for decades, and the service is impeccable. Specialties include Linguini Shellfish and Swordfish Steak. An ample wine list features a 1995 Rutherford Estates Cabernet Sauvignon as its high end ($38). This is the place to get some of the freshest fish around. The restaurant caters to tourists as well as locals. See website for menus and more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Rappa's Seafood Restaurant photo by wcities
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Roy's--Pebble Beach

Contemporary Pacific Basin cuisine 2700 Seventeen Mile Drive
(The Inn at Spanish Bay)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93953
United States
Hawaiian super-chef Roy Yamaguchi brings his signature cuisine to the Monterey Peninsula. While California Cuisine is nothing new to foodies, Roy's mixture of ancient Asian cooking traditions and cutting-edge Pacific Rim techniques can make even jaded palates take notice. Try Slow-roasted Mongolian Pork Tenderloin, Steamed Hawaiian Onaga or Crispy Pumpkin Wontons. Accompany the meal with a red wine from Roy's own label. Relax in sophisticated surroundings, attended by an expert server. You will understand why Roy's is an island treat and a new mainland favorite.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Sardine Factory

Legendary Seafood Restaurant 701 Wave St
(at Prescott St)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 373 3775 Long popular with locals and tourists alike, this restaurant has several special features--each with its own appeal: its oak bar is nearly 200 years old, while the Cannery Row room has a pirate-like atmosphere; the conservatory is alive with statues, and the Captain's Room captures days-gone-by with its Barbary Coast feel. Foodwise, this restaurant is diverse as well; the abalone bisque (a local specialty) is world famous, and the venerable eatery specializes in create-your-own banquet meals. The service will be professional and personable. More than 1,000 wines are at the ready in its wine cellar, which can be rented out for parties of up to 16 people. Join the star-studded list of celebrities who have also dined (and explored) here. See website for menus and wine list.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Karen Seifert
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Sly McFly's

Jazz, blues, food, beer 700-A Cannery Row
(near Prescott St)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 372 3225 This popular jazz and blues club brings in masses of locals for the live music and excellent food. The place is always crowded, with people filling up the mahogany chairs to gorge on the plates of delicious seafood and steak or the good sandwiches. There is a great ocean view, and the stained glass windows give it an historic look. Bands play every night. The place has a wide variety of specials, from Monday Night Football deals to jam nights to private parties. One of the most popular spots on Cannery Row, it also has dynamite service.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Rich Fraser
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Spindrift Inn

Elegance Personified 652 Cannery Row
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 800 841 1879 Right on Cannery Row, this elegant and romantic inn offers a quiet, intimate setting. Each room is different and most feature oriental carpeting, fireplaces, feather beds, marble baths and chic decor. All feature first-class service from the top-notch staff. Try to grab one of the rooms with an ocean view, and your romantic evening is ready to get started. The hospitality is top notch and the view is utterly magnificent. Room rates range from $179 to $409. See website for more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Skip Hansen
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Stokes Restaurant & Bar

Contemporary Mediterranean 500 Hartnell St
(Polk & Madison Sts)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 373 1110 This eatery combines French, Italian and Spanish cuisines with bold California flavors. Situated in an historic adobe building that has gone through many incarnations since 1833, the restaurant caters mostly to locals who come in for the unique mixture of culinary influences and the or try a larger plate like the Smoked Hudson Valley Duck Breast with Hobbs Bacon. The wine list is good with prices ranging from USD20 to about USD375 at the top end. See website for menu, wine list, event announcements and more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Eric Kei Ping Lam

Tarpy's Roadhouse

Country cookin' 2999 Monterey Salinas Hwy
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93940
United States
+1 831 647 1444 Situated in an old stone house dating back to the 1880s, this is a good place for a romantic dinner. Dine inside by the fireplace or under the stars on the flowery patio. It features good old-fashioned country dishes such as Herb Rotisserie Duck and Grilled Center Cut Pork Chop with Bourbon Molasses. Rooms are available for private parties and catering is also available. The extensive wine list begins at the low end and includes several Syrah, Cabernets, and rare Magnums. The impeccable service attracts many types, from couples on romantic getaways to tourists to locals.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Joe Futrelle

Will's Fargo Dining House and Saloon

Classic western steakhouse Carmel Valley Road
(11 Miles from Highway 1)
Monterey and Carmel, CA 93924
United States
+1 831 659 2774 This classic western steakhouse has been serving up massive portions of meat and seafood for more than 40 years. You have the choice of dining inside amidst the turn-of-the-last-century decor, or outside on the patio. Either way, you will be able to choose exactly how you want your steak cut and cooked. The service here is dynamite. Go for the 22-ounce Porterhouse or the rack of lamb with pesto. This place includes a neat saloon, and you can even buy meat to take home.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Monterey and Carmel - Dining & Drinking"
Monterey and Carmel
Monterey and Carmel - Historical Background
Monterey and Carmel - Neighborhood Guide
Monterey and Carmel - Where to Stay
Monterey and Carmel - Art & Entertainment
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