We gave Chez Noir another try last night for a corrective experience (following a not so impressive 1st experience several months ago). Overall, we had a very good fine dining experience. The attention to service detail this time was outstanding and on point. We were welcomed back by practically all the front of house staff, and even Owner Chef Jonny Black himself stopped by. The menu (which is very seasonal and changes frequently) comprises mainly of a 4 course $150 Prix Fixe selection with optional upgrades (e.g. 3rd course steak upgrade was +$75, wine pairing +$85) and add-ons. This week's menu was a lot more interesting and appealing to our palate this visit, including their addition of several optional add on starters like Fried Delicata Squash and Oysters. Soon after being seated and placing our order, we were presented with an Amuse Bouche of their signature Grilled Abalone Skewer and a Grilled Octopus Skewer -- lovely treats to start off. Here's what else we had last night... * Optional Add On: Delicata Squash Frito Misto -- Battered and fried Delicata Squash Rings with Meyer lemon and honey. Nice starter, although some pieces with thicker batter had a somewhat mushy texture. * 1st Course: Dungeness Crab Salad -- Beautifully done. Fresh crab meat tossed with a celeriac slaw, topped with chunks of claw meat, organic greens and a touch of dill. Perfectly lightly seasoned to accentuate the fresh, sweet and tasty crab. * Signature Brioche Bun with butter to accompany the 1st Course. * 2nd Course: Fines Herbes Fazzoletti -- A delightful bicolor large square pasta with fresh mussels in a blue cheese sauce. I really liked the al dente pasta and fresh mussels, but I found the sauce a bit too salty. * 3rd Course (Diner#1): Skate Wing Grenobloise -- A grilled skate (fish) wing served with a meunière-style lemon sauce and croutons, garnished with nasturtium and grilled cauliflower. The skate wing was unique, fresh and tasty, and I enjoyed the grilled cauliflower. However, we felt this dish was let down by the sauce that was much too salty. * 3rd Course (Diner#2): Ribeye with Abalone (+$75 upgrade) -- The petite (6oz?) ribeye was delicious, cooked to a perfect medium plus as we had requested. The abalone topper was also very good, similar to scallop in taste but slightly firmer in texture. * Palate Cleanser: Orange Sorbet with Champagne -- What a fun and creative palate cleanser to wind down our meal. * Dessert (Diner#1): Persimmon Sticky Toffee Pudding with Sheep's Milk Yogurt Sorbet -- This was nice if you like pudding, sorbet was a good complement, but overall too sweet for my taste. * Dessert (Diner#2): Mont Blanc -- A coffee semifreddo, chestnut base, and candied citrus garnish. This was absolutely delicious. Best dessert we've had here. We had just had a wine tasting before dinner, so only ordered a glass of wine with dinner. They do have a full wine menu, as well as a drinks menu for wines and cocktail by the glass. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for elevated fine dining, excellent service, small intimate dining room ambience, and inventive fresh cuisine. However, I was surprised that a couple of dishes were served with oversalted sauces... seems like a detail that could be more easily quality controlled. Do expect to splurge at least $200+ per head, including an automatic 20% service charge regardless of party size. I do applaud the passion of the Owner husband-and-wife team Chef Jonny Black and Monique Black, and have no doubt they will continue to perfect their dining offering. I have seen significant improvements based on feedback since our last visit. Good for a special occasion pampering, but likely not a regular dining destination for us. read more

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There really isn't much more that I can say that hasn't already been said. Chez Noir was my preferred dining choice for my birthday. We made reservations weeks in advance. Highly recommend this as the venue is quite cozy. Inside is dimly lit and romantic, but also bustling and can be atad noisy. Outside was a little more peaceful and dog friendly, but of course the weather can be sometimes misty, wet and cold. For that, I'm glad we opted for inside. I spotted a corner booth when we entered and was secretly hoping we would be seated there. Anyone else scope out seats like that, or just me? As luck would have it, we were seated there! The menu at Chez Noir updates regularly, so there's very little point in rehashing my entire meal. Except to say that it was uniquely presented and entertaining to the senses. Yes, it was a little heavy on the seafood, but this close to the Pacific, what do you expect? We both opted for cocktails instead of wine. Every cocktail was superb and potent! Chez Noir was a lovely choice, and would definitely recommend as a destination restaurant. read more

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This place has one Michelin star, which I thought didn't quite live up to it... let me explain. The food actually started out amazing but once it got to the main plate, I felt like the taste did not compliment well, especially the fish plate. The pasta was super delicious and the bread and butter too. Salad was surprisingly good as well. We were also able to see the chefs organizing each plates delicately, however... what ruined the experience for me was that I saw the lady who was putting together one of the desserts (chocolate one) and licked her fingers, then proceeded to touch that same dessert with her fingers! I mentioned this to my group and it was actually witnessed a second time.... Beware of this. Hopefully the restaurant will make sure their employees do not do this again. Overall this place had a beautiful ambience, very intimate and romantic feeling, perfect for a date in Carmel. read more

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Good-excellent service cozy environment pleasant people Bad-mediocre food super expensive $250+ per person read more

Excellent food, and service. Prix fixe menu gives you good value. Highly recommend for a special meal.

A gem worth more than five stars. A delightful experience starting with an adorable, quaint restaurant feeling as if we are in Paris. Service was more like good friends taking care of us. Might I say exceptional service with charm. I enjoyed speaking with beautiful Sophia, the hostess who not only complimented my attire but kept taking care of us during the meal. Nate, the general manager who also charmed us and watched over our every need. Stephen always with a smile serving us our wine. Enjoyed speaking French with Oscar too. Okay- let's talk food. Each dish was filled with love and attention to detail and nuances of flavors. I wish I could afford to come here for every new menu. Missed meeting the owners since they were not there that night, but you'd never know because the food still stood out. The oysters were beautifully different with flavors and an added crunch of radish. I can go ion and on about each dish that followed- including the tuna Crudo, and loved the Rock fish entree in the amazing fish stock reduction and both of our desserts too. Thank you to the Chez Noir team for a memorable experience. Sincerely, Stephanie and Rich read more

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Favorite dining experience in Carmel during our last visit A+ Service. It was amazing and the place is super cozy, both in the inside main dining room and the outdoor front patio My fav was the grilled abalone "snack" at the beginning. I've only had abalone as a traditional Chinese wedding dish but never had it from a western standpoint and I loved it! I also had sweetbread for the first time and it was a pleasant surprise. Think of a fancy tender popcorn chicken type of consistency. Delicious and loved the refreshing fresh salad on top for balance. Another stand out was the casoncelli pasta course. Short rib and tuna steak mains were both amazing. Dessert was just ok but the rest of the meal made up for it. read more

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We recently dined at Chez Noir during the final evening of our week-long visit to Carmel, where we had the opportunity to explore several Michelin-starred and highly recommended restaurants in the area. We made our reservation through Tock, where we opted for their 'Let us cook for you' menu, which was described as "A shareable, seafood-focused, 5 course feast of Chef's highlights and off menu dishes. Participation of the entire table required." -- Unfortunately, it seemed our entire meal did not include any off-menu dishes, and ended up being the entire menu shared between the two of us, with the choice of just one entree. Food 3.3/5 - Chez Noir places a strong emphasis on utilizing fresh and locally sourced ingredients, which largely relies on the expertise of the local farmers and the culinary team. Regrettably, on this particular visit, we found that many of these ingredients leaned toward the acidic side. Some dishes seemed to lack the perfect balance of seasoning, with a few appearing overly savory or overly acidic. There were instances where a lighter touch with savory elements in predominantly sweet dishes would have been appreciated. Service - 3/5 - Our service experience at Chez Noir was a mixed one. We encountered a range of personalities among the waitstaff, with some exuding warmth and enthusiasm while others appeared more reserved. At times, the service felt slightly awkward and less coordinated, although there were moments of genuine engagement and energy. The overall flow of service could potentially be improved, perhaps due to the restaurant's layout or varying staff dispositions. Ambiance - 3/5 - The restaurant boasts a chic French bistro ambiance, exuding a welcoming and cozy atmosphere that doesn't overly emphasize its beach-town location. While they offer an outdoor patio, we personally found it somewhat disconnected, almost feeling like an afterthought, especially given its proximity to the adjacent parking area near the entrance walkway. Consequently, we opted to dine indoors instead. Starting with the snacks: 1. Chilled oyster + Spot prawns - 4/5 - Fresh. Overly expensive. 2. Monterey Squid Gildas - 3.25/5 - Salty salty salty salty. The olives were so overwhelming. Only maybe 33% of the skewer seemed to be squid, the rest were overly salty ingredients. 3. Bluefin tuna belly tartare toast - 3.85/5 - The most well-balanced of the dishes. Good sweet, savory, slightly tangy flavors. The textures were on point, and the tuna was perfectly fresh. 4. Monterey Bay abalone skewers - 2.3/5 - Incredibly expensive for what it was. It wasn't good, it wasn't bad. Not worth it. 5. Brioche-a-tete 2.89/5 - I had very high hopes for this bread, but to me personally it felt like a cross between brioche and croissant without the benefits of either. The included cultured butter needs salt. Same with the bread. Middle: 6. Heirloom Tomato terrine "Basquaise" - 1.25/5 - My taste is quite biased against tomato, so this personally wasn't my cuppa. It's quite an old-style recipe, and its age shows quite a bit. 7. Monterey Bay Albacore Tuna Crudo - 3/5 - This dish was definitely a garden of colors. The most picturesque dish of the day. I loved the fish, the berries were a mixed bag of which were sour, sweet, or flavorless. Mostly there for texture, and not a good one. 8. Coal-roasted delicata squash - 2.3/5 - This dish felt a little bit unbalanced. The matsutake mushroom could've shined through quite a bit more if it had been roasted instead of thinly sliced. The cider sabayon didn't match the dish's flavor profile. Definitely not photogenic. 9. Costata Romano Zucchini tortelloni - 4.3/5 - The best dish. Good bite to the tortelloni, zucchini was delicious. Entree: 10. Grilled California Squab - 3.89/5 - Served a very nice rare, great skin. Included mushrooms were however flavorless. The sauce didn't adhere to the dish very well. The figs were pleasantly sweet as well. Dessert: 11. Goats milk yogurt sorbet - 3.2/5 - Very savory. The included peaches were the saving grace--very sweet. 12. Chocolate ambroisie tart - 4/5 - Warm center, hard crust. Included whipped cream seemed to imitate ice cream in a way that made me wish it was ice cream. 13. Canales de Bordeaux - 4.2/5 - This was the highlight of the meal for me. Good crust and a soft interior. In summary, our experience at Chez Noir was characterized by a distinctive menu with some standout dishes and a warm ambiance. While there were moments of exceptional service, there is room for refinement in certain aspects of both service and culinary execution. We appreciate the restaurant's dedication to local ingredients and look forward to seeing how they continue to evolve. read more

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The food was spectacular, and the drinks just as impressive. Service was incredibly accommodating of gluten and dairy intolerances (the house made gluten free bread is a must try, even for those who don't have any problems with gluten), which made the experience even better. The atmosphere was wonderful to top it all off -- I can't wait to return. read more

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Here's a secret if you can't get a reservation or don't feel like splurging on the entire tasting menu - walk in and grab one of the 6 seats at the bar. You'll be offered both the tasting menu and an a la carte menu, which offers most (though not all) of the items on the tasting menu. Having read so many glowing reviews for Chez Noir last year (felt like they were on every year end round up), I was expecting a lot. Unfortunately I felt the price to value left me a bit disappointed - the food felt comparable to SF spots that are 50% cheaper. We tried: Squid gildas - These were quite refreshing although quite olive-y so don't get this if you don't like olives. Brioche-a-tête - The brioche is really solid, super soft and pillowy. Abalone skewers - These were really good. The sauce is so umami + smoky, I wouldn't have guessed I was eating abalone if I hadn't known. This was definitely my favorite dish of the night. Quail - I found this disappointing. Compared to the other high end quail I've had (Benu, SSAL), this was much less tender and even a tad dry in some places (even though they all source their quail from Wolfe Ranch). The sauce was nice though. Dry aged brandt steak "a la Joe Beef" - The real reason to get this dish is for the duck liver terrine. It's probably the most creamy and delicious duck liver terrine I've ever had, my favorite singular bite of the night. But at $100, I find it hard to justify ordering this dish. The steak itself wasn't the most tender I've had in recent memory (can't beat a good wagyu) although I appreciated that the dry aged flavor here was subtle. read more

Another 1* Michelin restaurant for the books! I booked this restaurant online a month in advance for my husband's birthday. Upon arrival for our reservation, the staff was very welcoming. We were immediately seated. We were a bit worried about outdoor seating but there were plenty of warm lamp heaters surrounding us. I was also given a cozy lap blanket to stay warm. This restaurant operates off a prix fixe menu so it's 3 courses + dessert. There is also a wine pairing which my husband opted for. The food and service were 10/10! Each dish is prepared with care using high quality ingredients. We would definitely come back. read more

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My first Michelin star restaurant did not let me down. What an experience! The service was impeccable, several polite and friendly servers who chatted amicably, gave recommendations, and even helped me pick my wine. We had the perfect view of the open kitchen window to watch the impressive chefs at work- like dinner and a show! The menu is French inspired local fare especially fresh seafood. We had some unique offerings on the menu, including chewy tender sweet meats and beef tongue so a word of caution for those less adventurous. That being said we enjoyed our meal tremendously and loved the little surprises sprinkled in like the amuse bouche. I want to come back to try a different menu! read more

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Chez Noir was recently a finalist for the James Beard Best New Restaurant award. After my experience here, I can see why. I've been highly anticipating trying this restaurant ever since moving down to Monterey and finally had the opportunity tonight. Nestled away in a side street of Carmel-By-The-Sea, Chez Noir served as a serene culinary hideaway for guests to be transported into the imagination of Chef Jonny Black. Upon arriving, the staff warmly greeted my family and me with inviting smiles, immediately making us feel right at home. We got seated right in front of the kitchen, getting the pleasure of seeing glimpses of the kitchen staff's meticulous work. While minimalistic, there was a sense of sophistication balanced with comfort in the restaurant's decor and ambiance, perfect for this occasion. Our waitress was very inviting and helped ease our nerves. A quick look at the menu and we were all set to order. We ended up getting the following: 1) Grilled and Chilled Oysters, 2) Tuna Crudo, 3) Eggplant Agnolotti, 4) Smoked Washington King Salmon, 5) Wolfe Ranch Quail, 6) Peach Melba, and 7) Chocolate Sabayon Tart. There were a few special surprises that were scattered throughout the meal but I'll leave it as a surprise until I get to that part of the review ;) Not too long after we ordered our food our starters came to the table. We decided to get one order each of the Grilled and Chilled Oysters. I had the pleasure of having one of the chilled oysters, which had a pepper gel, coupled with gin and some olive oil. While the oyster was fresh with a slight hint of saltiness, I found the acidity of the gel mixture a little too overpowering, but still refreshing nonetheless. I didn't get the chance to try the Grilled Oysters but the presentation played homage to the natural habitat of oysters on rocky shores. Here was the first surprise of the night! Before getting to the Tuna Crudo, our waitress brought out Grilled Abalone Skewers along with Tuna Tartare. You should have seen the look on our faces ... this was exactly the type of surprise we loved! The abalone skewers had a fantastic char to them that lent a smoky taste with a hint of sweetness (either from a marinade or the abalone itself). We were already thoroughly impressed but the Tuna Tartare knocked it out of the park yet again. A piece of red pepper on top of the tartare helped bring a slight kick to the dish and paired nicely with the sweetness of the tuna and the crunchiness of the bread. Next up was the long-awaited Tuna Crudo. Before digging into the dish, I couldn't help but admire the playful presentation of the dish. Slices of cucumber represented the scales of a fish, covering the Bluefin Tuna meat underneath. Each bite of this dish had a mixture of freshness, acidity, and umami that was unparalleled. Just like an advertisement ... BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE! They brought out a fluffy brioche, which frankly might have stolen the show for tonight. The buttery, fluffy, and perfectly salted bread was unforgettable and I would have purchased a full bag if I could. It was seriously that good. At this point, we were all blown away by the food, and the Eggplant Agnolotti further cemented Chez Noir in our hearts. The green pastas are intricately woven into a medley of cherry tomatoes and shelling beans. It was colorful and whimsical, reflecting the quality of the ingredients used. Now for the main events: Smoked Washington King Salmon and Wolfe Ranch Quail. The salmon came with some cucumber and grapes, topped with salmon roe. Cooked to perfection, the salmon was flakey and had very delicate flavors with a hint of smokiness. The grapes provided a pallet cleanser with their sharp sweetness and burst of juice. As for the quail, it was so tender and had a great pesto rub. The shishito peppers gave a slight kick which I really appreciated. Overall, these both did not disappoint and exceeded my expectations. Alas, all good things must come to an end, but at least it was an ending to remember. A chocolate tart along with peach melba marked the culmination of this culinary journey. The Canales and chocolate chip cookies thrown in at the end were a pleasant surprise and thoughtful gift to help us on our way out of Chez Noir. The food was stellar, but the service was just as impressive. All of our waiters were super attentive (water, clearing dishes and cleaning tables, etc.) and didn't mind answering all of my questions and satiating my never-ending curiosity. Big shoutout to all of them! Chez Noir is simply put, a hidden gem. The fact that they aren't even more booked than they already are is surprising to me. I could not have asked for a better experience and WILL be back very soon to see what else Chef Black has to offer. Cheers! read more

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I'd had this Carmel fine dining spot on my radar since before they opened - there's a lot of talent in the kitchen, and there's also clear Michelin star ambitions. But I'd been hesitant to go because I couldn't figure out if the tasting menu would really be worth it. But I managed to snag a last minute reservation when in Monterey, and...yes, it's worth it. "Let us Cook for You" is the tasting menu - and much like Rich Table in SF circa 2019, it really just means "eat practically everything on the menu." It's absolutely worth the splurge, even if not every dish impresses. Every snack and appetizer was stunning, particularly the abalone, the squid, and the chilled oyster with rhubarb. The trout crudo also impressed more than I expected, mostly because of the innovative cherry flavors attached. I was less impressed with the seafood (it was a little dry and the sauces didn't connect as well as I'd have liked), but meat courses (duck and pork) were again mine-blowing. I'm not sure they will get the Michelin star they're hoping for this year. But that just means it's still a slightly-undiscovered gem that actually serves better food than the upscale Michelin-starred spot down the street. Service: good, with a casual vibe. My guest for dinner noted that you felt like you were at a cool dinner party rather than a restaurant. Ambiance: the chefs live upstairs; you're literally invited into their home. read more

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As a foodie, I had to indulge while visiting the Monterey area for my birthday. I did not think ahead so I did not make any reservations, but I did notice on Chez Noir's website that they sometimes have space for walk-ins. Worth a shot, right? The alternative would not have been bad with dozens of tasty restaurants in the surrounding area. The stars were aligned for me on a Monday night! Monique Black, co-owner and front of house expert of this husband wife duo, greeted us and welcomed us into the bar while a table on the front patio was prepared. Within a couple minutes, we were seated and offered blankets to keep warm. With it being an unusually warm night, I was perfectly comfortable without the blanket (even though they looked super cozy). The pre fixe, 4 course menu was just slightly different than what I had viewed online--with a change to one of the additional appetizers (extra cost) and one dessert option was change. These slight changes were actually more enticing to me anyways, so it worked out. The entire meal was paced out well and had a couple surprises throughout. My favorite course was actually an optional cheese course which was a crostini with foraged mushrooms and melted cheese. The final parting gift was a warm salted chocolate chip cookie. I ate it while walking on the streets of Carmel back to my car. It was gooey and crisp all at the same time. Food = Delectable. Hospitality = Perfect. Ambiance = Charming. This was a perfect evening to step back from it all and just be. read more

Second meal at Chez Noir last night, six months after the first, overall a great experience again. Service was outstanding; casual, attentive, warm, and well-informed. Food was excellent overall. Favorite bites included much of what was served, including the caviar tartlets (a spendy extra), abalone skewers that were notably tender, amberjack crudo, and steak that was remarkably tender, and various breads. One less-favorite bite was the sea urchin toast (another spendy extra); a big part of the joy of sea urchin is its creaminess, and the ham served on the toast, with its different texture, got in the way of that for me. Wine pairings were surprisingly edgy/quirky/weird. As an intellectual exercise, the wines were fun, and there was a logic to the pairings. But I prefer my wine to be delicious, and for me, the paired wines mostly weren't. As I wrote last time, it'll be fun to keep watching Chez Noir evolve. read more

Zero stars because you won't find decency on the menu here.... When messaging via instagram, I inquired about the possibility of cancelling my reservation early in the morning. They advised i would be charged the cancellation fee. Also asked a couple of questions regarding the changes in menu as my reservation was made a month and a half in advance. There was no indication of the menu being changed drastically. Long story short, without requesting it, the owner Monique cancelled my reservation for 2 people over an hour in advance without allowing me to even attend my reservation or allow someone else to take it. Then I got an email saying it was cancelled and l've been charged a fee. To make matters even worse, I was double charged. $600 fee for a party of two when their ridiculous policy is $150 per person. I reached out about their mishap and was snubbed by the arrogant chef and owner. Zero regard for the issue they created and promised follow up which never occurred. Monique, congratulations on your Michelin star. I was very excited to attend, but with your awful personality, l'd recommend sticking to what you are good at and letting someone with not only business sense, but common sense run the front of the house. Being a decent human goes a long ways in business read more

Chez Noir - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

I'm so grateful that a restaurant like this exists in Carmel. This place is a breathe of fresh air that brings in the pedigree of a big city chef. In addition to food that has high technique, this place also has a fabulous cocktail program. Such a nice departure from the same old same old in Carmel: the fettuccine alfredo, shrimp scampi, filet mignon & lobster tail blah blah. We came here to celebrate our first date night in seven months after the birth of our son. And the staff took such good care of us from beginning to end and made us feel extra special. Maybe it was because it was a Wednesday night, so the staff had extra time to take care of us. But either way, the service was exceptional. The food was also delicious. The abalone skewers were unbelievable, one of those few bites where I said, "oh my God" twice to my wife. The rack of lamb was also a noteworthy dish, with the right garnish to brighten up the deliciously fatty cut. Save room for dessert, they don't disappoint. The mixologist also is happy to make most cocktails that aren't on the menu - so I treated myself with a Naked & Famous that was expertly made. Thank you to all of the staff - front and back of the house - who made our dinner such a treat. Come here for any occasion: casual bites at the bar, or all out fancy in the dining room. read more

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4.5 STARS In September, my first night in Carmel was quite an eventful one. My foot hit the bed frame and I broke my toe. Wish I could say, it was from doing something, ermm..."exciting". But, nope...just my usual clumsiness. Way to KICK off your birthday weekend! In October, a redo in Carmel was in order and I knew I had to visit Chez Noir, a new Carmel restaurant that I looked forward to opening all year. Because let's keep it real, while I love Carmel for its small-town charm and white sandy beaches, the dining scene (IMHO) tends to be expensive and underwhelming. SO, when a Three-Michelin Star Atelier Crenn, Quince, and Per Se alum opens a new restaurant in Carmel (along with his wife), it's a MUST visit! Chez Noir is open for indoor and outdoor dining (dog-friendly). Rezzies on Tock are highly recommended. There's a $25 pp deposit that's deducted from your final bill. There's also a $2.25 Tock "order fee". M E N U Modern Californian cuisine with French and Spanish influences using hyper-seasonal ingredients. Their seafood centric menu changes frequently so don't have your heart set on something you see online. Feeling bougie? You can add caviar to anything (5 g-$28/$35) and alba white truffle to select dishes (5g-$125). Full bar. $40 corkage fee. 20% service charge added to bill (additional tip is optional). D R I N K S * Vesper Martini, Monkey 47 ($21): https://tinyurl.com/4mmah965 Smooth and ultra-stiff (not too much vermouth)...just the way I like it. * Hendrick's Gin, on the rocks ($15): https://tinyurl.com/3uuvmk3r I appreciate that they used a highball ice to not dilute the gin. F O O D * Oyster w/ peach pepper, passion fruit, marigold ($5 ea): https://tinyurl.com/4f37snfp Fresh and briny with a subtle tropical heat. I appreciate that the passion fruit didn't overpower the delicate flavor of the oysters. * Oyster Gratin w/ st. george absinthe sabayon, leek ($6 ea) Pool of hot, rich, and creamy ocean-y goodness - what's not to like? * Amberjack Crudo w/ rangpur lime, fresh wasabi, other brother olive oil ($25): https://tinyurl.com/4f37snfp Hella fresh and buttery with the lime and wasabi giving it just enough punch without overshadowing the pristine amberjack. Right up there with Maligne's crudo, as the best crudo in Monterey County. * Jamón Ibérico Croquettes w/ bluefin tuna belly, scallion (2 pc-$32): https://tinyurl.com/4nnpzhy5 Fav bite of the night - the croquette was crunchy on the outside and deliciously creamy on the inside. The otoro (tuna belly) crown took this to the next level adding a meltingly soft umami. * Tortilla Española w/ Monterey squid, salsa verde, saffron aioli ($18): https://tinyurl.com/basapt5j The soft tortilla española (Spanish omelet) was filled with layers of potatoes like a gratin and topped with fresh, mildly sweet squid and a zesty salsa verde. Bomb; even the next morning eaten cold. It's a staff fav for a reason. If it's on the menu, get it! * Chicken Wings w/ seafood boudin, oyster, green garlic ($26): https://tinyurl.com/323p7hk4 The crispy fried chicken wing was stuffed with a bouncy seafood boudin sausage stuffing and then topped with an onion-y green garlic sauce. While I liked the creativity of this dish, it was underwhelming. * 20 oz "Vaca Vieja" Beef w/ borba farms peppers, fingerling potato, lardo ($125): https://tinyurl.com/46fhzrww Vaca Vieja = old cow. This cow is so old that it starts collecting social security before it ends up on your plate! It was my first time having vaca vieja beef and the flavor is unique - deep, earthy, and complex. While perfectly medium rare, the steak was quite chewy. Not sure if it's because it's an older cow but it didn't stop us killing the entire platter. Ohhh and the accompanying roasted potatoes draped with lardo? Nothing like unctuous pork fat to elevate a simple staple. * Chocolate Sabayon Tart w/ Tahitian vanilla bean + whiskey ice cream ($18): https://tinyurl.com/3xpecc8y Great ending to dinner, the tart was rich, chocolate-y, and satisfyingly bittersweet with the vanilla ice cream adding sweetness. Loved the crunchy buttery crust. S E R V I C E Cordial and refined with well-paced courses. A M B I A N C E Cozy, casual-elegant Parisian-style indoor dining room with a mini bar. The courtyard patio was comfortable with heatlamps but a warm jacket is still recommended. P A R K I N G Parking can be rough during peak season but you park at the USPS parking lot next door after 5 pm. Overall, Chez Noir is such a welcome addition to the Carmel dining scene. They're bringing haute cuisine with creative, hyper-seasonal dishes that this tiny beach town isn't really known for. A hot contender for a Michelin star so Chez Noir is THE one to watch out for! read more

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It's always fun to try a new restaurant especially in a town like Carmel. Plenty of tourists anytime, same for the locals. This restaurant had a fair amount of pre-opening PR to set the stage and the expectations. Who doesn't want to try a place where the owner/chef background includes Crenn and Per Se? So we set out to find if the Experience matched the PR. Well, not exactly. I know all the reviews so far are "5's." They could be in the future but not today as far as I'm concerned.One thing to consider-- because they set high expectations we reviewers should rate them based on what they say and how they ultimately performed. Were they rated as a high end restaurant? The restaurant has no phone. All communication is done online or via email. You can only make a reservation via Tock. $25 per person. The $25 is credited against your final bill. Note: the deposit is NON- refundable. So if you make a reservation ( up to a month in advance) you will lose your deposit if you cancel. Not very user friendly. Seems to me with such high demand they should eagerly be happy to make another party happy. BTW, they are not very timely answering emails. Ambiance. 4. Very nice and fresh inside. Very tight seating inside area with view into the kitchen. The surfaces are all "hard" which causes the noise level to be 9 out 10. It's Impossible to have any conversation with any of your party because everyone is yelling so they can be heard. Furniture is simple and attractive. They do not use tablecloths, a little strange since they are high end. If you happened to be seated outside it's very cold this time of year even though they have heaters. It's kind of strange outside because the area next to the table areas has two parking spaces. I saw a large SUV and a large pickup truck. Ugly view. Just FYI. Service: 3 food server. 5 Som. Server was just ok. Basic food descriptions. Left used dishes too long on table. Used table to set other dishes on while serving. Too friendly if that's even possible. "Ok Hon, your turn to order"-- look I'm not Mr Formal but I'm not looking for a new friend, just attentive service. The SOM was terrific, knew his stuff, and made great recommendations. Food: 3, 4. Depended on the dish. First, we all thought the Menu was a bit confusing. Some of the dishes description didn't match the delivery. The Koda rice Dish with seafood turned out to be a kind of sort of paella. The bread option was $16 and was really for 1 person, maybe 2. The Squab ($52) was boned, had a strong game flavor which turned out to be a fig sauce. We always want to look a menu and like so many things we can't choose one. Here we just had a hard time choosing period. The whole fish was over salted. Here's the thing-- we all wanted to love the place. Jonny has talent, no question. For what they are charging ( about $200 per person-- we bought two bottles of wine, no cocktails) the food has to be better. They have to be Swiss watch perfection. It wasn't. I suspect over time it will work out the kinks. I will try again. Later. Chicken wings ($26) turned out to be fish. read more

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Food is average, the first 2 course are actually good ， the main course and dessert are very disappointing, but I'd consider given 3 star is that's the full story The thing pissed me off is, they offer couple options with extra charge in the menu , that's pretty common for fine dining . However their set is$150/person . for salad they offer a lobster which adds extra $90, and steak charge for $55 . We were curious what's special about steak so we tried , the meat quality is very mediocre, no idea why it can charge $55. read more

We stopped in for dessert and drinks while celebrating our anniversary in Monterey, and it was the perfect treat. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, and the service was just right--friendly without being overbearing. We shared a decadent dessert that hit all the right notes, paired with beautifully crafted cocktails. Thank you. read more

Chez Noir - Yummy drinks and Mille-Feuille cake - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

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It's awesome that the crew here earned its Michelin star! Cocktails were innovative and good ($20 each) with flavor spins on classic cocktails (with flavors like apricot and melon), raw oysters were delicious at ($7) each. The abalone skewers smelled and tasted great ($22) with a nice balance of sweet, savory, and light smokiness. It is worth noting that these skewers made the Michelin guide inspector's favorite dishes of California list (one of five dishes on the list). The sweet corn agnolotti was a must try despite the slightly elevated price ($38). Veal rib was juicy and tender with melt in your mouth shrimp and an amazing sauce ($60). mille feuille ($24) was well executed. Overall the food was great. While I would love to come back to try some other items, the price is a bit high. I think it's worth trying at least once though for a special occasion. If I were to come back, one dish I would definitely order again is the sweet corn agnolotti. Staff were really friendly and not pretentious. Just the right amount of check-ins. Wish the lighting was a bit brighter so I could better visually appreciate the beautiful food, but perhaps this is just because I was in the bar area. read more

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We came here last night and while unfortunately, my husband came down with something (entirely unrelated to this meal) partway through dinner and we needed to leave, the entire staff was so kind and gracious--the restaurant manager gave us a few options and we are so grateful for how they handled everything. On top of that, all of the food we did enjoy before leaving was spectacular and the Somm was great (kudos to them for a really thoughtful wine list). We will be back with hopefully a bit less excitement next time. read more

I've been looking forward to come here. And the date I visited was the day that they changed the menu to prix fixe. So I was really excited. The restaurant is beautiful. I really like the decor here. Service here is great, because it's such a small place and there are many staffs. they will come by and ask you about food and pour you water all the time but not too much to make to feel uncomfortable. We started off with some cocktails which was good and actually they gave us a shot of welcome drinks also ( alcohol and non-alcohol if you preferred ) Before we started the menu they actually gives you a couple small bites. First the abalone: so good so tender the spices on it was great!!! Second one was the tartlets with salmon roe, the flavor combination was good but the roe itself was really really salty. First dish : the tuna CRUDO was good , love the acidity of the dish maybe a little to much marinated on the tuna. The other dish was the cauliflower salad, love the crunch the freshness of the dish Second : crab tortellini, probably the best dish for me of the night add that matsutake mushroom together, so good. Come with warm brioche and house butter. To die for Third dish : the cod was good but I'm not a fan of mussels , the veal reminds me of Japanese tonkatsu which was really good fried, the portion is really big. To this part of the meal. We are getting really full. Dessert: love the chocolate dish , really good combination and flavor, even we are full but we did finish the chocolate. But not the Mille feuille, much on the sweeter side and we couldn't finish it. At the end we really like the ambience, staffs and food. Thank you for the hospitality. Great place to go out while you're in Carmel. Definitely be back if I go to Carmel again. read more

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10/10 experience and it's a must try. We got super lucky with reservations the day before our trip to Carmel. All the staff from the front to the back was super attentive and helpful with making suggestions for our order. The food was phenomenal and it was amazing watching everyone work in the kitchen. Definitely will be returning when we come back to Carmela read more

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Absolutely amazing! We came here for a special occasion after they recently got their first star. We ordered the chef's menu and every dish was well-thought out, surprising, and intricate. Standouts include the tomato appetizer and the abalone skewers. The main dishes including the pasta and the lamb tended to be salty/overly saucy. Service was friendly and ambiance was fun but it did feel crowded in the restaurant. The tables were small and the servers struggled to place our dishes down. read more

Chez Noir - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

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A night of stars pt2: Chez Noir How do you describe a place that's wildly approachable, fanatically imaginative, playful and all the while dressed like a chateau in a picture book. Silver wings by Merle Haggard gently rambling in the background. We unfortunately did not come for dinner. The bartender described the L shaped counter as the place of eb and flow. I'd be so bold as to say her place, of thoughtfully curated cocktails based off the "vibe", a la carte treasures from the menu and spirited conversation. Baby girl and I will come back, if not for the food but for the Mille-Feuille. A perfectly balanced sweet of graham, nut and rebus fruit like a "pb&j but boogie". I fell in love with her again as she tried to drink what we now know is the original James Bond drink, the vesper. read more

Chez Noir - An elevated extremely well executed adult pb&j - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

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This review is for when we came on 10/20 - love this restaurant. Have been here now twice and always love coming back. Staff is super nice and friendly. Inside of the restaurant is darling. Cocktails fabulous. What more could you ask for. We loved the oysters, pasta dish (show stopper!), cauliflower salad (incredible!!) and dessert. The food is really delicious here but the ambiance makes it all even better. The one big miss in my opinion was the tuna dish that I ordered. My boyfriend decided to get the regular tuna as his main (I got the rabbit) and unfortunately we really didn't like his tuna preparation. The flavors didn't feel like they meshed well together in the dish, it was an odd choice that unfortunately fell very flat. So much so I ended up giving him most of my rabbit because we didn't like his. Maybe if we got the Tuna Belly we would have liked it better? But other than that one miss, everything else was fantastic. Love this spot. Definitely quite a bit of a splurge but worth it! read more

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My wife made reservations for last night to celebrate her birthday at this converted Carmel by the sea cottage off the beaten path of Ocean Blvd. I've got to say they have exceeded all my expectations. The five course meal was more like eight and each of the handcrafted plates, those small and size were packed with huge amounts of artistry style and flavor. I loved the vegetable plate, which featured at least 12 different, thinly sliced legumes drizzled with a very special olive oil and seasonings. The savory plates were amazing and I really liked the trout as well as the chicken, which was kind of like a Cornish game hen packed full of flavor. The wine pairings were on point, and featured delicate Pinot Noirs and Gris from France to provide an OG to complement each curated dish. Nothing was too bold and heavy as to take away from the food (like Cabernet or zin which we would normally prefer.) generous touch ups on the wine and champagne pairings Staff was delightful to a T and charming as F. Every interaction was full of enthusiasm and a warm sense of hospitality. Every member seemed to be a sommelier or chef the way they sold us on the wines or dishes. That was actually the best part. We had the patio to ourselves but noticed that the dining room was hopping full of foodies and had a nice romantic vibe to it and lived up to the name. Having been to many Michelin rated and starred restaurants I'd rate this very highly on my list of destinations. Merci beaucoup, Chez Noir! read more

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Beautiful restaurant, kind staff, and delicious food. The sweet corn agnolotti, chicken, and abalone skewers were our favorites, but literally every bite of ANYTHING will make you do a little happy dance. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous and I appreciated every single detail. Can't wait to return on my next trip home. read more

Chez Noir - Veal - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

Superb meal, excellent service, wonderful ambience. One of the best restaurants we've ever been to

I really had wished I had listened to the previous Yelp reviewers about this restaurant but dummy me followed that Michelin Star. Big mistake. Let me begin by stating the restaurant itself and the staff are great. The staff is what is keeping me keep this review to 3 stars. They were nice, attentive and always kept our table clean and water glasses filled. The food is where it falls short. This is a pre-fixe meal type of restaurant and at $150 with a Michelin Star so we were excited to see what the chefs had to bring. To start we added Delicata Squash Fritto Misto and the Chilled Oysters (only 2 for $14). Again, being fooled by that one star, we opted for the $65 supplement charge for the Spiny Lobster Risotto and $75 beef & abalone. So dumb and not worth it at all because these dishes were not mind blowing. The risotto was somehow tart with the langostas being a bit undercooked for the dish and the sauce for the beef was super salty however the abalone that accompanied it was good. The only highlights of the meal for us was the amuse bouche of abalone skewers and the brioche. Other than that I am a bit surprised this restaurant got a star as the food was just okay although the plating was pleasing to the eye. But the restaurant was a bit too dim to fully see the little details that went into them. I am thinking maybe because we were the last seating of the night, they decided to just phone it in on a Tuesday night. Whatever it was, I do wish them luck in keeping their star and hope they at least start serving the star winning meal so their patrons can truly experience why they got it in the first place. Our meal ended up being over $630 for the two of us (service fees are included) and all we drank was water and had coffees for dessert so at this point we feel pretty bamboozled by the Michelin hype. Bummer. read more

What a memorable experience! Exceptional service, exceptional food! We loved the staff, they put on an expert class for service and their enthusiasm for the food made our experience even better. Stayed at Stilwell Hotel, which was just steps from Chez Noir. Cannot wait to go back!! read more

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Definitely a place to visit in Carmel if you want to dish out some dollars for a very delicious, high quality meal that's worth every buck. I think the highlight was the Black cod which was cooked to perfection. The flavors of every dish were unique and well balanced. The layout of the restaurant was spacious yet intimate. The service was top notch and the attention to detail throughout the meal did not go unnoticed. Awesome meal! read more

If you like Michelin Star food and service to match, this is a don't miss in Carmel by the Sea. By far the best dining spot in the area, this chef/owner makes amazing dishes. It's not a bargain but it's worth every penny if you appreciate a truly first class meal and experience. read more

This space is very cozy and takes you out of CA. , The food was superb! Service impeccable. I liked that I had few decisions to make and to just enjoy the wonderful cooking Abalone Skewers, Amuse Bouche, House Baked Brioche,Raw Oysters! Yum read more

Chez Noir - The front door looking in - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

Most of the food was fantastic. The last course is the protein dish I had steak and friend had cod. To to much sauce and the sauces tasted the same for the fish and the steak. The service was very nice. Ambiance where we were sitting 3 people in a round both style facing toward kitchen and other guests was the perfect place. This was our 4th time . This last time there was a 20% service fee when I asked was that the tip they told us that it was not the tip it was for the food service people guess who worked in the kitchen. Our bill was over $1000.00 not including tipwill I go back maybe just to have a cocktail in the bar. read more

Chez Noir remains one of my favorite restaurants in all of California, it is the perfect blend of Californian and French cuisine. All the courses I had were simply incredible, my favorite being the Brentwood corn triangoli. I also opted to get the cheese course which was decent. The service is what you'd expect of a Mitchelin star restaurant, compared to several similar spots I've been to I'd say the service here is among the best. The staff were attentive and very conversational which I appreciate. The interior of the restaurant was also nice and fit the experience. Overall one of the best restaurants in California. read more

Wow. Just wow. We came here for one night during our honeymoon and it was easily the highlight. Everything about the food was so delicious and well put together. The service also made us feel really special. I am so glad we went and will be dreaming about returning often! read more

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