Restaurants
CARMEL
*Sea Harvest Fish Market and Restaurant
Its simple but tasty restaurant and shelves of condiments nicely complement Sea Harvest’s well stocked counter, where patrons can get close enough to see how fresh the fish really is. Of all foods, , seafood is the most difficult to purchase and definitely has to be fresh from the water, and owner David Deyerly ensures Sea Harvest brings the best.
Tucked inside Redwood Court, Tommy’s Wok features Szechwan, Hunan and Mandarin Cuisine and everything on the menu is homemade. Chef Tommy Mao and his sisters, Van and Joanne, have had two other successful restaurants in Sausalito and Oakhurst. They say, “Tasting is believing at Tommy’s Wok,” and if you don’t feel like dining in, the takeout is the best.
Since it opened in 1988, Allegro has been known for its unique pizza creations and relaxed atmosphere. Its owners say they wanted to create a “soulful pizzeria like the kind that exists in every Italian neighborhood... no big deal, just great food, friends, and wine.” A crowd favorite is the thick-crust Chicken and Basil Pesto with chicken tenderloin, pesto, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella, smoked and fresh, but the list is long and also includes fresh salads, pasta, Panini, and vino.
Restaurateur Rich Pepe’s restaurant is as lively and personable as he is, offering Italian comfort food in a warm, homey atmosphere. Looking for something rich? Try the Veal “Osso Buco” Ravioli with porcini-cream reduction and roasted mushrooms. Want fish? How about the Cioppino Rosso? Pepe’s expansive menu also includes several creative pizzas, sandwiches, salads and entrees that speak of his Italian heritage and Jersey roots.
For the warmest welcome in any sushi restaurant anywhere, accompanied by an extensive and creative menu offering some 150 varieties of fresh sushi and rolls prepared by sushi masters before your eyes – look no farther than Sushi Heaven. Owner Soon Huh is always well endowed with cheer, and his menu features popular Japanese dishes, including tempura, sashimi, bento boxes, exquisite soups, salads, entrees, desserts and much more. Sushi Heaven has a loyal following of locals and repeat business of visitors who discover it and come back, time after time.
Opened by best friends Faisal Nimri and Bashar Sneeh, Dametra Café features a veritable Mediterranean bounty, with a menu listing Greek, Italian, Spanish, Moroccan, Turkish, French, Israeli, and Lebanese dishes. Fans of this always lively, always packed restaurant swear the owners make them feel just like family. Just call ahead to make sure they have room to add you to the family tree!
Want to hang out with the movers and shakers in Carmel over a glass of bubbly or a creative cocktail? Then head for Happy Hour at the expansive, welcoming bar at Il Fornaio. The restaurant is part of an upscale chain, but local management maintains its hometown feel. Of course, Il Fornaio also includes a bakery and restaurant, featuring the cuisine and wines of Italy. Menus include a selection of antipasti, soups, salads, wood fired pizza, house made pastas, grilled and rotisserie roasted meats and a wide variety of desserts.
Chef Michele Cremonese, born in Verona Italy, is the owner of this new contemporary spot in the heart of Carmel. At Basil, he transforms fresh, organic, local ingredients into creative fare and offers equally creative cocktails, such as the Passionfruit Basil-tini, to match. Consider the watermelon and feta salad or fig and brie salad, and the duck prosciutto wrapped chicken as examples. The small venue offers a few tables indoors and a few outside in the patio.
Boasts the largest breakfast menu on the West Coast. There are 16 varieties of three-egg Eggs Benedict on the menu, as well as eight waffle plates, including the signature Belgian waffles. Owner Randall Bernett also offers blintzes with fresh berries,, Swedish pancakes, corned beefed brisket hash and Miss Audrey’s biscuits and gravy, just to name a few. Patrons can eat indoors at tables or at the bar in front of the kitchen where a friendly chat with the chef is in order. Or--- and this is a big favorite with locals – eat on the deck at the front of the restaurant under a giant redwood tree. Lunch includes seven burgers, 11 sandwiches, eight salads and the favorite huevos rancheros. If Katy’s place is a good enough for the locals, it’s also good enough for the King of Jordan, who dines there from time to time.
With so many accolades from Pine Cone readers for so many years, Casanova must be really special—and it is!! Founded in 1977 by brothers Walter and Gaston Georis, their sister Denise and her friend Michel, Casanova combines old-world elegance and hospitality with culinary innovation and has remained a Carmel favorite since its inception. Its wine list is deeply varied and a point of pride for the owners, especially considering Walter’s ownership of Georis winery, winner of the Golden Pine Cone for Best Monterey County Merlot. Casanova’ menu changes daily, but memorable dishes include lamb brochettes, linguini with seafood and fresh mussels with shallots. Longtime chef Didier Dutertre departed to open his own restaurant in Monterey ( Bistro Moulin) three years ago, but the quality , freshness and romance at Casanova have not changed.
The Restaurant in the hotel owned by former Carmel mayor Clint Eastwood, and where he occasionally appears to have a drink by the fire or to play the piano, offers a decadent brunch ($27.95 for adults, $13.95 for kids 12 and under, and $5.50 for toddlers) with everything one could want on a relaxing Sunday, including live jazz. Starting with a complimentary glass of bubbly, the brunch includes a salad station, main dishes like Eggs Benedict and whole baked salmon, an omelet station, carving station, classic breakfast dishes and desserts. In the evenings a great dinner (starting with Mission Ranch’s famous clam chowder, perhaps), is made even better when it can be enjoyed outdoors on the deck. Well equipped with heaters for those chilly Peninsula evenings, the venue offers sweeping views of pastures full of grazing sheep and the craggy coastline.
For over 30 years, this charming, family owned restaurant has been serving breakfast and lunch made from the freshest of ingredients lovingly prepared by an expert chef. From Eggs Benedict to made-to-order omelettes to the best Huevos Rancheros around, it’s impossible to beat their award-winning breakfasts. . Enjoy your meal inside next to the fireplace or outside on the flower lined patio. Pet friendly!
Great place for you and your dog!
Whether you’re craving lunch, dinner, cocktails or afternoon tea in the company of your faithful furry companion, Terry’s Lounge in the Cypress Inn is ready to welcome you both. Crab cakes served with orange and Grand Marnier cranberry chutney or the Cypress Burger topped with Gruyere cheese makes a great lunch, and dinner is equally delicious, but afternoon tea is particularly pleasant. The complete tea service features a selection of homemade scones and cookies, sandwiches, cakes, jam and thickened cream for scones, and a range of Mighty Leaf teas. Dogs, meanwhile, can enjoy their own tea tray of impressive snacks.
CARMEL VALLEY
For any cut of beef prepared any way you like it, there’s nowhere better to go than Will’s Fargo, a restaurant that’s been around for more than a half-century. Originally built as a tea room in the late 1920’s and then serving as a road house on the “milk run” between Monterey and Tassajara, Will’s Fargo Dining House and Saloon became a landmark steak house in 1959. Bernardus founder Ben Pon bought the restaurant in 2002, bringing his high-powered fine-dining staff to the kitchen. The place remains comfortable and old fashioned, while its reputation for excellent dining and service has been renewed.
A favorite with locals, Café Rustica offers enormous salads full of fresh ingredients, mouthwatering pastas and an extensive menu that melds the best of California and Mediterranean cuisine. But it’s the thin-crust, wood-oven-fired pizzas that make owner Julien Belliards restaurant one of the busiest in the valley.
CARMEL HIGHLANDS
When you live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, there’s no need to hop a jet to go celebrate an anniversary, birthday or milestone. Instead, head to Pacific’s Edge. Perched above the Pacific, the restaurant in the Highlands Inn offers stellar contemporary cuisine at the hands of Executive Chef Matt Bolton, an extensive wine list and recommendations from the knowledgeable Paul Fried, lovely ambiance and impeccable service. An evening at Pacific’s Edge often proves unforgettable, making it perfect for a celebration.
PEBBLE BEACH
Before Asian fusion was commonplace in the culinary world, Chef Roy Yamaguchi began combining European techniques with bright and exciting Asian and Pacific Rim foods and flavors. He opened his first restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii, more than two decades ago and now has 31 locations in the United States, Japan, and Guam. At Spanish Bay, the venue offers sweeping bay views and elegantly presented cuisine in a bright and lively setting.
PACIFIC GROVE
As a testament to its delicious food and its popularity among locals craving its Latino American cuisine, Peppers MexiCali Café is almost always bustling at lunch and dinner time. Seafood is heavily emphasized, including the grilled prawns with fresh lime and cilantro dressing. Entrees include tacos, enchiladas, chilies rellenos, tostadas, burritos (try the Mission District burrito platter), and tamales when available. Fish and meat entrees include Mahi Mahi Veracruz with tomato, green chilies, capers, and lime juice, and carne asada (marinated and grilled New York steak.) Peppers also has a full bar showcasing several tequilas, and the bartenders make a mean margarita.
Fifi’s Bistro Café is heralded for the authenticity of its French specialties and other dishes. Sunday brunch might well be Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, accompanied by a Bloody Mary or a mimosa, while lunch could be indulgent Croque Monsieur or Moules Frites. And for dinner? Perhaps Duck a l’ Orange or Filet Mignon aux Truffles. Diners love Fifi’s authentic flavors, bistro ambiance and talented kitchen.
Ted Walter who owns Passionfish with his wife, Cindy, is an inspired chef who focuses on seafood sustainability, organic produce and original cuisine. This multi-award winning restaurant offers unique appetizers, like sea scallop with caper-raisin-walnut relish, and unusual salads, including baked gorgonzola on curried greens served with chutney and candied pecans. The Walters’ main thrust is, of course, fresh seafood. Try his lightly smoked rainbow trout with red-wine-braised vegetable salad and basil aioli. The ever-changing menu also features rib eye, duck confit and a vegetarian selection.
MONTEREY
Take creative cuisine with European and American influences, add an historical Monterey firehouse and a fabulous bar, combine the two with great service, and you have Pine Cone readers Favorite Monterey Restaurant for three years in a row. This year, chef/co-owner Tony Baker revamped the menu, retaining some old favorites while deftly applying his creative touch and love of rich, bold food to craft new dishes, like the Pork-trio, the Bacon and Egg salad and Ratatouille Risotto Fritter. The Happy Hour is unbeatable, and this bistro with big-city ambiance is one of Monterey’s favorites for all occasions.
Chef/owner Bhupender Singh believes in creating memorable, flavorful meals that speak of India in their preparation, aromas and presentation - and has done so well that he opened a café on Cannery Row last year. The lunch buffet at the Abrego Street location is unbeatable (especially the butter chicken), and Ambrosia’s tandorri ovens produce all types of naan, and bone-in marinated chicken skewered and roasted. The mixed grill includes chicken, minced lamb and seafood entrees are all tempting and affordable. Dine indoors or in the lovely garden.
A family-run restaurant for three decades Rosine’s was a hit from the start, with its extensive menu and towing desserts. The bright and friendly spot on Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey is the perfect venue for families, as it’s casual, lively and a little loud, while it definitely does not compromise on the quality of food or service. The menu has something for everyone, from entrée-size salads and hot and cold sandwiches, to fresh fish of the day, steaks and pasta dishes. But leave room for dessert, because Rosine’s is famous for its towering cakes, specialty cream cakes, cheesecakes and other sweets, all baked fresh onsite daily.
Inexpensive appetizers all the way up to some pretty high-end steaks. They offer pizzas, pastas, meatloaf and much more. Located in downtown Monterey, has very good service, good food, good happy hour.
Coffee
Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co. won out over all the other coffee roasters on the Monterey Peninsula, so they must have terrific coffee. Established in 1994, CVCRC roasts serves 100 percent certified organic Arabica gourmet coffee, with its signature blend being Organic Carmel Foglifter. Other locations include Mid-Valley Shopping center in Carmel Valley and the Crossroads in Carmel.
*Carmel Coffee House and Roasting
Carmel Coffee House and Roasting Co., is the town’s only onsite roaster, processing beans in small batches to ensure freshness, and the welcoming employees serve up the best espresso drinks, brewed coffee, hot tea and other drinks in town. Add to that a nice selection of baked goods, sandwiches and snacks as well and an idyllic courtyard, quiet indoor seating area and free wifi and it’s no surprise that Pine Cone readers named it their favorite coffeehouse.
Things To Do
Spa
Yoga
Pet Store
Golf Courses
*Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach
Pacific Grove Gold Links - Pacific Grove
Bayonet and Black Horse - Ft. Ord
Local Attractions
Monterey Bay Aquarium
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Visit www.montereybayaquarium.com for more details
Local Wineries
Local Newspapers
* Voted 2010 Best in Town, Carmel Pine Cone