restaurant suggestions Monterey, CA area?

[Cathy]

Making a trip to Monterey, CA in a week. Any suggestions for good restaurants there, Pacific Grove or Carmel? Our tummies would appreciate it. Thx :-))))

[Gail]

Can't tell you where to eat, as it's been so long, the restaurants I've frequented are probably gone. I can tell you that if Mark Thomas's Outrigger is still on Cannery Row, avoid it like the plague.

Wait a sec. I take that back. The Sardine Factory, about two blocks inland from Cannery Row in Monterey (where long ago Clint Eastwood sat at the bar in "Play Misty For Me") is quite good-- and has some neat back rooms, I understand.
Also, The Old Bathhouse Restaurant I recall being good, too. That's on the water where Monterey turns into Pacific Grove I think.
Now, if you're heading south a little to Big Sur, I understand (but have not personally tried it) that Ventana at Big Sur is great. I also have a soft spot for Nepenthe with its 180 degree view of the ocean. If you ever wondered what happened to all the old hippies of the sixties, they're still hanging around Nepenthe. Go there for lunch and for the view. I love Nepenthe.

PS I have no idea if Clint Eastwood's restaurant in Carmel, Hog's Breath Inn, is still in operation-- but if it is, don't bother. It's unremarkable (or at least it WAS way back when...)

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 08-10-2000).]

[anna]

My husband and I had a delicious and romantic, but casual meal (not pricey either) at Pasta Mia in Pacific Grove last month. It was almost 10:00pm and we were starved, but I recall everything from the wine to the fresh pasta to dessert being delicious and we had very friendly service, too.

[Veronica]

I highly recommend La Boheme in Carmel. My husband & I LOVE this restaurant . . . fixed price menu. It's excellent & romantic. Check out www.laboheme.com. (http://www.laboheme.com.)

For a less expensive meal, the Fishwife at Asilomar Bay is good (in/near Pacific Grove). The fresh fish is the best . . . other menu selections are so-so.

Casanova's (country French & Italian cuisine) in Carmel looks very romantic, too. We couldn't get reservations the last time we were there. It's definitely on our list to try. They're located at 5th Ave. between San Carlos & Mission. Phone: 408-625-0501.

We've had nice lunches of clam chowder, salad, & sour dough bread at Flaherty's in Carmel, too. The last time we were there, though, it seemed that they'd changed ownership and weren't quite as good.

Have a wonderful time. Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel is one of our favorite travel destinations!

[Cathy]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For all the wonderful suggestions. I'm off to get FAT.
Yikes, I really will have to use CL after this trip :-))))))))

[Peggy]

Cathy,

How exciting! We love to go down to that area whenever we get a chance...

I have to second the motion on the Sardine Factory on Cannery Row. It is one of my favorites... Definately get reservations ahead of time. I like to eat in the Conservatory Room. Next door is The Whaling Station which is also very good. Not quite as fancy as the Sardine Factory but the food is excellent. There is another restaurant in Monterey we liked but the correct name is escaping me... Something like "La Crema" or something with "cream" in it.

I also agree about the Old Bathhouse Restaurant in Pacific Grove, especially for Sunday Brunch.

For a very romantic setting, I'd recommend The Covey Restaurant. It's a short drive out of Carmel at the Quail Lodge Resort. Excellent food and beautiful setting.

I must agree with Gail's assessment of Hog's Breath. I think it closed for awhile but is now reopened. If you just want to have a look at Clint's place, go there for a drink at the bar. The food is basically hamburgers and nothing exciting.

Have a great trip!!!

Peggy

[Peggy]

P.S. The name "Fresh Cream" is now coming to me... But I'm still not sure. The mind definately goes as we get older!!!

Peggy

[Gail]

Cathy,

If you haven't left yet, please give us a follow-up when you come back. I could use some suggestions for MY next time... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[ChrisF]

Cathy--have you left yet??:->
I live in Pacific Grove, (or, locally, "PG") and we like to eat in smaller places, so I'm not very familiar with the Cannery Row establishments. Our current favorites are Lighthouse Bistro on Lighthouse Ave in New Monterey, Vito's on Forest Ave. and Joe Rombi's on 17th Ave in PG for Italian, Pepper's on Forest Ave for Mexican, and for seafood, our very favorite is Monterey Fish House on Del Monte (the menu is typical, but the specials are outstanding.) For our special occasions, we head to MonTrio in downtown Monterey - excellent! I recently had a terrific dinner at Tutto Buono (sp?) in downtown Monterey. Well, my little dinner salad looks pitiful now! Hope this helps..if you need more specifics, just post a question, and I'll try to help.

[laden]

Someone mentioned Casanova's. It's a great restaurant. Food is wonderful and so is the atmosphere. Definitely try to go there. Actually we didn't have a bad meal in Carmel, everything was really good. But especially Casanovas!

[cindyh]

When ever we go to Pacific Grove, we visit the Fishwife. The fresh fish there is excellent and the service is very good. I highly recommend it.

[This message has been edited by cindyh (edited 08-15-2000).]