This has become a family favorite for special occasions or a quick delicious dinner. The truffle chicken is awesome. The fries are the best I've EVER tasted. read more

After dissing a couple of the Monterey restaurants, I thought i would give a recommendation for a restaurant in the area. If you like french food, L'Escargot will not disappoint. Great menu. Knowledgable and friendly service. Both my wife and I had the beef wellington, because not many restaurants offer this. It was delicious. Good wine list also. read more

I was disappoint in our evening here. A rather cool welcome when we arrived. I had been planning on have the rabbit that was listed on the online menu but it was absent from the menu that night. The decor is sadly in need of updating. I was facing a blank wall and the table had no candle or flowers. Altho' my entree was good, it didn't warrant the price. The service was adequate but not up to the standards of other local French restaurants. We weren't even offered coffee at the conclusion. I don't think I will return. There are many other French restaurants in our area that are better. read more

Best rack of lamb I have ever had. I have traveled all across America and visited the best restaurants in the world. This rack of lamb is #1

A truly shocking and outrageous experience. We are a same sex couple invited to dine at L'Escargot last night. After a pleasant, but uneventful dinner, as we were leaving, one of the waiters rushed out of the restaurant and screamed at us (the same sex couple) that we were not welcome ever and that we could not return. He was out-of-control in a rage and it was a truly upsetting experience for all four of us. Avoid this restaurant if you are same sex until and unless they become more welcoming. read more

My favorite restaurant in Carmel by FAR. It's small, so it retains a great ambiance, and the chef/owner, Kerry, is truly a master. Not to mention he always wants to make sure the dining experience is one to remember! If you aren't sure about the wine, just ask Kerry to recommend something. He does a lot of tasting himself, so he has excellent knowledge. (It doesn't hurt that I love dry or full-bodied reds - he has introduced me to some of my favorites!). Favorite appetizers: caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlet, frog legs, and sweetbreads. Favorite entrees: anything with lamb, anything with the cabernet reduction sauce (ask if it's available with the filet mignon for truly spectacular meal!), or the fish of the day. Favorite desserts: creme brulee, wine poached pear, granny smith tart tatin. Easily the best deal in Carmel for the price, and really, the food is amazing. NOTE: This is one of the few restaurants that will actually serve you a true medium rare steak. If you don't want any pink, make sure you say so! For those of us that DO love a juicy medium rare steak, this is definitely the place to come! read more

I was here for one of my niece's wedding reception in August of 2009. The five course dinner was excellent. The place may be a little small but the food made up for it. If you love French food and the coastline this is a great place to eat. read more

We had heard about this restaurant from a friend of ours that frequents this location. At first sight, I thought, how cute it looked. The inside is charming, if not a little too rustic for my taste. We were seated at a corner table ( there were 4 of us ). We placed our order for appetisers, escargot and the onion tartlett. The escargot couldn't have been more bland! Way too much butter and hardly any garlic. The cheesy plastic snail shells it was served in was a pain to eat with. Getting the snail out wasn't easy. The tartlett, while good, was TINY!!! We had to ask for bread, which as stated in another review, was NOT fresh! How can a French restaurant not have fresh bread? I ordered the ahi noissia ( sp? ) which was served with green beans and I asked for the saffron rice rather than mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes with ahi tuna? WTF??? Anyway, it was just OK. My husband had the trout almondine, also just OK. We had 2 bottles of wine and our total bill was $350 for 2 couples. Talk about pricey! I knew we were going to be spending a lot, so we were prepared, but for that kind of money, I'd rather go elsewhere! Needless to say: we won't be back. Oh, the restaurant states that they have a " full bar " not quite true. If you go there expecting to get a martini ( even a lousy one... ) I doubt that they'd be able to accomadate. There is a table in the middle of the room that displayed several liquors and cordials, but that was about it. read more

Both the server and the atmosphere were wonderful and after having read the reviews I thought the food would have been better. We ordered the leg of lamb and one of the specials, both of which were below average. Lamb was poorly cooked, excessively chewy and not well flavored, paired with a couple fingerling potatoes and a small handful of vegetables that were bland. The fish was excessively breaded and paired with essentially a tartar sauce. Seriously? Creativity people... Reminiscent of something you would get at a diner. The best part of the meal was the desert, though that too was just vanilla ice cream drizzled with raspberry sauce. Being someone whom enjoys french cuisine I was astonished to see how poorly the food in a restraunt that was coined as "fine dining." read more

The hours here say that they close at 11:30. We went for a nice dinner here on a Friday night with a couple celebrating their anniversary. Our friends' family have long been enjoying and recommending this spot. It was my husband and my first visit. The ambiance was nice, the food and drinks were good and the service was nice - until the end. We were enjoying a great conversation and drinks after just recently closing out our bill (several hundred dollars plus a generous tip) when we were abruptly told we had to leave immediately as it was 10:30 and that is the time they close and we needed to relieve the waiter so he could go home. The owner was having a party in another room apparently. We were never warned or told it closed at 10:30 on a Friday night as apposed to the 11:30 advertised here. It left a terrible taste in our mouths and our friends who have been long time patrons said they would not be returning. I see there are other negative reviews regarding similar experiences. There are many wonderful dinning options in Carmel, I recommend skipping this one. read more

A year and a half later, these clowns are still claiming that their old-people's restaurant is open until 11:30 pm. That's a lie and they know it. They don't serve food past 7:30 pm, and yet they still haven't changed their hours. How dishonest can you get? Definitely do not trust dishonest business owners no matter how good their food is. Eventually their attitude will come back to bite them! read more

I'm not sure why others rate this restaurant so high. The atmosphere is OK but not uniquely French. The service is OK. The food at a recent visit was less than impressive. My French Onion soup was excessively salty with excessive cheese on top that made a chewy clump. My veal medalions were unrecognizable as such with a excessively salty sauce and chewy mushrooms. The side dishes of rice and vegetables were plain and overcooked. Desert was a fairly generic ice cream on brownie. My wife had different foods but similar comments about her food. Our collective response was that L'Escargot didn't seem especially French... read more

It was our first trip to Carmel. My french wife and I were excited to check all the amazing restuarants in the area, and the French restuarants topped the list. We decided to take in our first culinary experience at the L'Escargot. Wow, were we ever disappointed and shocked. This was by far the worst experience either of us had encountered in our many trips too hundreds of resturants around the world. The food was less than average in quality and the treatment we received was nothing short of bizzare. From the outside, L'Escargot stood as a quaint little building adorned with flowers in a quiet neighborhood. Upon entering, however, our opinions began to change. We always enjoy the variety of smells coming from the kitchens of fine restuarants, but here, we were greeted with the foul smell of old carpet that had survived a few too many plates of spilled golash. No one was around except for one lone table against the wall. We stood there for several minutes, when finally the hostess arrived and with barely a greeting or a smile pointed us to a table in the corner. We were determined to enjoy our evening and settled into our seats at the nicely appointed table. We placed our order of Escargot and the Filet with peppercorn sauce. After a trip to the bathroom, however, we began to feel a little concerned about health hazards. One could literally scape the dirt off from around the sink with a French butter knife. In fact, one of the knives at our table looked as if it had been used for this very purpose. The loaf of French bread arrived but was bland in flavor and obviously not baked there, but too our surprise, was what one would purchase at the local Aldis grocery store. A fine restuarant can usually be judged by the bread they serve, but the worst was yet to arrive. Just minutes after we placed out order, we decided that we did not want to risk our evening or our health, so we informed the hostess (waitress, busboy), that she could deliver the escargot to us when ready, but to please hold off on cooking the steak while we decided if we would stay or go. She came back to the table and informed us that the cook had already began cooking our medium-rare steak. This was well before our appetizer had arrived so we doubted the veracity of this excuse. The escargot arrived, and aside from being served in the usual 1980's style of the fake snail shells, still looked appetizing to two hungry patrons. That changed quickly after my first snail. It was literally spoiled. I suppose that they thought with enough butter and garlic, they could cover up anything. Being a physician, I had seen too many cases of food poisoning to allow myself to be the next victim so I advised her not to partake of the spoiled crustaceans. Thank goodness we had canceled the steak order, as I could only imagine that it had been sitting in the cooler since 2006. About this time, an unshaven, overweight fellow came from the kitchen in bluejean shorts and a too short dirty red T-shirt. He asked us if we had ordered the steak, too which we replied "Yes, but we had changed our minds, not wanting too offend over the putrid quality of the snails. It turns out that this "gentleman" was actually "Chef" Loutas. He abuptly removed the snails from the table, confiscated our plates and glasses and told us our meal was over and to leave immediately. Talk about shocked! Loutas is a "chef" of a fine French restuarant? His imagination in this regard is only surpassed by his rudeness and aggression. Here is this unshaven, ill-mannered man, looking like he had just come in from the local baseball field with his Budweiser-filled beer cooler, telling us to leave his essentially empty restaurant, because he might have lost one steak order that would have undoubtly gone back into the dark recesses from which it came anyway. We left as he stood threateningly in the doorway. Looking back, I am sure he did us a great favor by allowing us to put an end to such a tortuous evening, but I truely believe that this man has some psychiatric issues and should be medicated. He should certainly not being working in the public sphere risking making people sick with rancid food, in an effort to turn a profit. (Yes, I had diarrhea for two days thereafter, from that one rotten snail.) My advice to anyone looking for a nice place to eat....ignore the other reviews and avoid this place at all costs. There are much better establishments throughout Carmel, CA without risking a trip to the ER, or subjecting yourself to the mental instability of a French Chef wannabe. read more

So glad to be back celebrating New Year's Eve here. The staff is very professional and Kerry's food is superb. A very inviting, cozy restaurant with amazing food. What more can you ask for?? read more

My family and I have been coming to this place for years. The food is always outstanding, and the staff is very attentive. I highly recommend starting off with Escargot in the shells. Dipping the bread in the garlic butter with parsley is so good. For the main dish the filet mignon or the chicken with black truffle is excellent and you cannot go wrong on those two dishes. The only thing that we noticed is the ambience of the restaurant needs a bit more of a warmth feel. In the past it used to have old bottles of wine on the wall and candles on the table. Now it seems a bit cold in the restaurant like it is missing the warmth feel. Have some candle light on the table, and if your afraid of fires then at least bring battery operated flicker lights on the table for a more comfortable feel. The restaurant should have some child friendly dishes as well, and not only offer fries for the kids. Add some burgers or mac and cheese on the menu, but of course French style. Other then that L'Escargot is one of the two best restaurants in Carmel as well as Casa Nova. Overall, we will continue to come back here for many years to come. read more

This was a wonderful place , very homey but upscale . Wait staff is great ! Dino really helped with our food choices . We went on weds , not knowing it's "wino Weds" all bottles of wine are 1/2 price ... they have a modest selection of wines that look to be local and all award winners . We had a santa Lucia valley Pinot noir ! Again great experience , great food , great wine ! Will always come back and recommend to all . read more

My son a recent college graduate wanted to take his girlfriend for a special weekend in Carmel (this sounds serious) and wanted recommendations on a very romantic place to eat. I immediately thought of L'escargot. He was afraid that he might not be able to afford it so I made a call to the restaurant and Keri the owner and chef answered. I explained to him that this was a very important event for my son but he was concerned about not breaking the bank. Keri was fabulous and went through the prix-fixe menu and all the options. I explained that my son knew little to nothing about wine choices and Keri assured me all would be fine. Keri seemed flattered that L'escargot would be the place that my son and his girlfriend would be having that very special, first real real, romantic, grown up dinner and seemed genuinely excited for the kids and even reminisced about how special he remembers those things were. Needless to say the kids had their very romantic dinner and thought that it was as amazing as we had told them. I think they were a little scared taking on French food, fine wine and trying to act all grown up but I think they had a great time and I owe Keri my gratitude for being not only an excellent chef but a caring and kind person. Thank you again from myself, my husband and our family for helping us make so many great memories at L'escargot. read more

A very good meal with excellent service. The food is more traditional French cuisine, rather than California-French cuisine. Meaning the plates won't necessarily be artistically presented, but the food is quite good. The service really makes the experience. read more

Simply one of the best meals experienced including in France itself! We had a large group of 11 people with a variety of entrees ordered and appetizers. The specials of the night were too many to mention. There were about 8 different entrees ordered and we were all speechless it was so wonderful! The service was impeccable, the ambience is warm and wonderful and the food is beyond words fantastic. Do not miss this little tucked away gem in Carmel by the Sea!! read more

Dino and the staff are amazing at this unique restaurant. Highly recommend coming here for a romantic dinner! Service and food are amazing!

Wow! What a find. Visiting Carmel is great fun. Finding this place is just fantastic. I called for a reservation and Kerry introduced himself and said he was the owner and chef, and would be cooking for us that night. For us, that made it special before we even got there. So the name is what I had for an appetizer - but they serve it three ways. Regular in the shell, in puff pastry and in mushroom caps which was the way the server recommended. I was delighted I took his suggestion, as they were perfectly prepared in an unusual delivery vehicle! I had a cassoulet for entree with meat and duck in a white bean casserole that was the best I have ever had. A generous portion of meat and duck, and just enough beans was the key. Oh, and it was super tasty. My bride had onion soup and rib eye which was prepared perfectly and was tender, tasty and terrific. Because of the generous portions we skipped dessert. We won't make that mistake next time. On our way into the restaurant, we met a couple leaving who had to tell us that they dine there often, and it is the best. I can't argue with their assessment and only wish I didn't live 3000 miles away. read more

My husband and I were looking for the perfect place to have a great meal and connect. This place is it. The minute you walk in, you realize you are in for a treat. The place is cozy and friendly. Your server will be there when you need him with the perfect suggestion for a meal or wine. I had the sole with veg and rice which was done to perfection. My husband had the rabbit which he insisted I try....made me a believer. This is my new favorite place.... Great place... Great food... Great service...nothing to do but enjoy it!! read more

Truly one of Carmel's best restaurants for fabulous food and service!

The location is a couple of blocks away from the core of town so parking is not the usual Carmel problem. Service is very good but can be overextended. My main interest was to enjoy some French dishes not usually available., like cassoulet, which was hearty and well prepared. The fish is a good choice also. Caesar salad is chopped romaine with some extra stuff in it, which was a delicious variation on a standard salad. Good bread. Wine by the glass is much better than most places. This restaurant obviously caters to frequent diners who are friends of the Chef. You won't be ignored by any means, but some patrons "are more equal than others." Carmel can be super crowded, especially on weekends, and between Memorial Day and Labor Day, so planning to eat at 6 or 6:30 may be easier than 7:30. Casual to very casual is OK, but most patrons are older and dressier. Full bar. read more

My Wife and I have traveled to Carmel almost every year for the past 20 years to enjoy a weekend away and enjoy the local sites and amenities. Traditionally we have dined at a select few of the local fine dinning restaurants. This year, we decided to change it up a bit and try L'Escargot. We are so delighted that we did. -------- L'Escargot is much smaller and quieter than the other restaurants that we have frequented. Don't let It's unassuming appearance from the street cause you go elsewhere. It looks more residential from the outside than the exquisite fine dinning establishment that you experience on the inside. My Wife and I arrived for our 6:30pm reservation and were immediately taken to a room located just off the entry area. Once in the room, we were given our choice of the available tables. Some tables were small intimate settings for two. Other tables could actually seat four people quite easily, but were set up for a party of two (It was very nice to be given the option). We were immediately greeted by our Waiter (Sean), who was very polite and welcoming. Based on his professional and friendly demeanor, we were made to feel welcomed and comfortable from the start. The appetizers were served to us quite quickly and they were extremely delightful. My Wife loved her salad selection and I was served what would prove the be one of the best French Onion Soups that I have ever had. My wife ordered the Scallops, while I opted for the Chef's special Beef Wellington. Both were served perfectly prepared and plated quite beautifully. The scallops were seared to a deep golden brown, causing us to fear that the scallops might be over cooked. However, they were absolutely cooked to perfection and deliciously tender. My Beef Wellington was out of this world and I highly recommend it to any beef lover. We ended our meal with a fresh baked apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream and a beautifully prepared Cheesecake (made with a combination of cream cheese and goat cheese). We were allowed to enjoy the entire experience without feeling rushed or pressured in anyway. I highly recommend this hidden gem of a Restaurant to anyone looking for a top notch fine dinning read more

Really nice, intimate restaurant with friendly server who was very knowledgeable. Food was fabulous! We started with the escargot and frog legs and they were delicious. The sauce with the frog legs was yummy...sopped it up with the nice bread offering. We had the fixed menu and enjoyed the lamb shank, chicken and sand dabs. Again, the sauces were outstanding and made you feel like you were dining in the French countryside. They have a nice side dining room for larger groups, the rest of restaurant is great for conversation and relaxing with your friends. The servings were ample and absolutely fabulous!!! Keri, the owner and chef came out to greet the guests which made it an even more special evening. read more

We always dine at L'Escargot when we visit Carmel and we are never disappointed. We love the fact that they have large tables for two that are far from each other. It never feels crowded, even when full, and you can hold a conversation without raising your voice. The service we received from Dino and Shane was great. We enjoyed their Blue Cheese stuffed Figs wrapped in Prosciutto, Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tart, Mushroom cap snails, the Duck (which is the best we've ever had), the Butter Lettuce salad and their Salmon (a special dish that night). For desserts we had a flourless Chocolate cake and Lemon Cheesecake. Dino also made me a couple of delicious, and very strong, Manhattans. My partner enjoyed his glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Highly recommend making reservations in advance, especially if you plan on going during the weekend. read more

This is the best restaurant in Carmel. High quality food -- great service -- and a wonderful owner/chef. While visiting the area, do not miss a meal at this great place. When sand dabs are available, they are the best at L'Escargot. read more

I thought I had posted my review on one of my french restaurants. The weekend of the US Open. I like when spending weekends at the house in Carmel. Here it is again. L'Escargot! Great restaurant has a prix fixe menu, as well as a number of specials and an abundant a la carte menu. It also has a full bar and an extensive wine list. The wines are pricey, but not outside of what you will find at other Carmel top-flite restaurant's. The food was uniformly excellent. I started out with the french onion soup, caramelized onion and goat cheese tart, monk fish wrapped in bacon {didn't eat the bacon}in a cream-cheese sauce with rice. It was to die for. The setting is French country inn; you feel like you're the only ones in the restaurant. It has a soft decor, with continental music playing discreetly in the background. If you like French country cooking, { my mother and grandmother both from France always cooked great meals} you can't beat L'Escargot. Easily five stars. Bobby! Merci mon ami pour la cueillette à un excellent endroit pour dîner. Give it a try if you're in the area. read more

Ate here twice during our stay at Pebble Beach. Small, laid-back and really, really good. Try the French Onion soup or, of course, the Escargot. Both Excellent. Main course favorite was Coq au vin. Have to look for this restaurant as the entrance is off-road a few feet, on Mission. read more

Very pleasant dining experience. Friendly service, comfortable atmosphere and tasty food made for a nice evening. The beautiful setting adds to the relaxed feeling of the room. We seem to be on a quest for the best Crème brûlée around; while L'escargot's version is beautifully presented and flavorful, we would weigh in and say it is not the best ever, but very good none-the-less! read more

I have a second home in Carmel, and this restaurant has become one of our favorites. You feel as if you have walked into a small French bistro without the "jet lag" It is on Fourth and Mission so it is a little off the tourist's path of places they will see as they walk around the town. ...We just returned from dinner. I had the Rib eye and steak frites, which was fabulous. My wife had the goat cheese tart for her starter and the Petrale Sole for her main dish. She always orders creme brulee for desert ...she usually orders that that in France, U.S. or wherever we go...she likes Kerry's(the owner) the best.. They have a full bar and enough wines to satisfy the tastes of most people. If you are looking for a place that has the exclusive bottle of a very rare wine, you probably won't find it here. Check it out. I have referred many of my patients here and they all have raved about the food. read more

Warm romantic French restaurant. Food is very good. It is a bit of a hidden gem if you like a quiet place to talk and enjoy your company.

Excellent old style classic French cuisine. Small intimate restaurant that is quiet and good for conversation. Food selection is great from appetizers to dessert. Julia would approve.... read more

Had a truly wonderful evening at this beautiful restaurant. Ambiance is nice and our waiter Dino was attentive and informative all night without being overly so. We ordered the pate and potato frites as our appetizer and our daughter the goat cheese tart. All delicious and the french bread which accompanied the pate was excellent. Sea bass, scallops, and duck were ordered and all perfectly cooked. Moist and flavorful and just enough. A good meal with family-nothing could be nicer. Highly recommend this local Gem. read more

My husband and I were at Caraccioli tasting room and asked the owner for a dinner recommendation. He suggested L'Escargot and arranged a reservation for us. We were in walking distance, so that was nice. This is a cozy and quaint place. The service was great and the food was fantastic! I had the risotto with asparagus, prawns, and scallops. My husband had the beef Wellington with broccolini. They were both delicious! We also ordered a yummy Caesar salad to share, and they split it in the kitchen without charging us. We ended our meal with a delicious cheesecake. The ambience of the restaurant was very nice and the owner was around, cooking and talking to the patrons which was a nice touch. The drink prices were very reasonable with a good selection. The food was not overpriced and definitely worth it for the quality of food served. read more

The ambience was homey, the waiter was friendly and helpful, but the food was amazing. I had the beef Wellington, the best I have ever eaten, the pomme Frits were exactly like I prefer, thin, crispy, and salted perfectly, the salad refreshing, the vegetable a prefect complement to filet. Everyone loved their meal and we will be returning soon. What a enjoyable and amazing experience. Thank you! read more

Recommended by the owner of a well known menswear store in downtown Carmel, my wife and I made a reservation at L'Escargot on a Saturday night. As regular visitors to Carmel we have been disappointed quite a few times with some of the more popular places in town. So, we were on the hunt for something especially good. From the moment we arrived we were warmly welcomed and treated very graciously. The setting is calm, quiet and relaxing. The waiter couldn't have been nicer and more attentive without being smothering. We each chose something from their Fixed Price menu selection. I had lamb cooked to perfection and my wife had a flawless piece of salmon. The soup was a sausage white bean that was delicious and was accompanied by excellent bread. The desserts were quite simple and nice. If you live for dessert, this may make this a 4 star. The wines by the glass were excellent. L'Escargot deserves it's #1 ranking in Carmel for dinner. For a great meal and especially for a special celebration you won't be disappointed. read more

Delicious food and excellent service! There's also an inviting fixed price (prix fixe) menu selection. Good wine list and savory cocktails. read more

Absolutely wonderful dinner. Arrived shortly before closing. And we're treated extremely well. Excellent waiter. Food was delicious. And on Wednesdays they have half-price bottles of wine! read more