We went last Wednesday, they're open for outdoor dining. Excellent restaurant, service was great. We ordered the escargot of course, veal sweetbreads, frogs legs, lamb chops, etc. The escargot was delicious. Butter and garlic sauce with super soft escargot. Everything was amazing! read more

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We loved this spot! The service was absolutely spectacular, and the food was great. COST: $160 total (w/ a very generous tip) for 2 wines, 2 apps, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert. A very filling dinner (with leftovers!) for two. THE WAIT: None at 8pm for two on a Saturday! We called a few places around Carmel and this was the only one where we could eat right away. THE SERVICE: Beyond amazing. When we got there there was only a table available in the first dining room - I asked about the other dining room (smaller, more private) but there was nothing. A little later, the host said that a table was opening up in the other room, and there was a large group sitting near us who they thought might be a little loud. I really appreciated that they moved us! Then there was our server, Haven. He was so genuinely happy to be there, recommend food, and his timing was perfect. We couldn't wait for each course since we knew that meant Haven would come back to our table and talk to us. Towards the end of dinner, when the restaurant only had a couple clients left, I started going around taking pictures of the various snails that were part of the decor. The staff was so nice - they started bringing out additional snails from the kitchen for me to photograph! MUST-HAVES: Rack of Lamb! Banana tart dessert special. APPETIZERS: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA * Caramelized onion & sonoma goat cheese tart (field greens, balsamic vinaigrette. $9.95) - 3.5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#dgvbOKKCQumYHfBQTetPUg cross-section: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#SSQJmEL0b4NRwbZAn7UhAA This has nice texture, the tart being buttery and flaky. It was maybe a little too crisped (when we cut it in half to split it, the different layers fell apart a little too easily), and this was a little heavy of an appetizer. * Frogs' legs lemon, garlic herb butter ($13.95) - 3.5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#CTzVmtCLaH5vSImJhzvg5w The texture was fairly tender, but a little tougher than I remember from having frog legs a few years ago. I don't mind unique meats, but I didn't find this super impressive. The flavor was decent but like the onion & cheese tart, a little heavy. ENTREES: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#K7W6xYVPOwREIsoCNAUJ8Q * Roasted Rack of Lamb (dijon-panko crust, garlic rosemary jus. $38.95) - 5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#jnUpk5rav5t1eqT91ek-jA Absolutely fantastic! Light crispy, crumbly breading. Perfectly medium-rare lamb, juicy pink in the middle and cooked just through at the ends. This had a smoky aroma to it, which I loved. The sauce and everything came together like a perfectly composed harmony in my mouth. Also, this wasn't too heavy like some of their other dishes. * Braised Rabbit w/ Penne Pasta (pancetta, wild mushrooms, chardonnay-mustard sauce. $27.95) - 4.5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#fO3TZkjzGlafVan13BuVrw This was heavier than the Rack of Lamb, but it was a nice complement with its delicious intense flavors and tasty meats. The pancetta added a great crunch to the texture, and the sauce was intense and went really well with the penne. The rabbit meat was tender and really tasty too. I liked this and my bf enjoyed it even more. DESSERTS: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#j_ICUOKdxfZtjFuok0xeyA * Banana tart (special. $8) - 5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#9Fp16VlUmOuZ_WZ2sXlv0g Wow, this was also amazing! Crumbly baked oats on top, the banana wasn't super overpowering, and the house-made vanilla ice cream came together so nicely. I like more intense desserts, and while this was intense, it wasn't too heavy of a way to end the meal either. Escargots, Soups, Salads menu: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#hShFrD3a_KkeNdZbxPK0dw 3-course prix-fixe menu: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/l-escargot-carmel?select=y7rOxd4B96SjUwgvf36RJA#75Xtdm65_xnFXbL3vKSRAA read more

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My husband and I dined here for my birthday dinner. After reading rave reviews, we were underwhelmed with the whole experience. The restaurant is cramped, awkwardly quiet and the wait staff was attentive but slow. We started with an appetizer and salad, which were incredibly average. My husband ordered the duckling, which had good flavor but was very dry. The beef Wellington was phenomenal, the saving grace of the whole meal. We also ordered the crème brûlée islands for dessert, which took forever to come out and tasted like it had been sitting out. Overall, the food wasn't worth the price and there was nothing redeemable about the ambience. read more

Tucked away in one of the quieter streets of Carmel, this quaint French restaurants has the perfect ambience to match it's fantastic cuisine. It fulfilled all my expectations of French cuisine without any of the unnecessary pomp typically associated with these type of restaurants. It was a realistic high-level cuisine with amazing flavors that anyone could get behind and enjoy. For appetizers, we had the mushroom escargot and the veal sweetbread. The sweetbread was hands down the winning dish for me that night. The flavors were extremely complex, the breads was perfectly flaky, and the sauces were amazing. The mushroom escargot was very well-seasoned but I think I could've done without. For the entrée, we had the beef Wellington, the sea bass, and duck in 2 ways. The Wellington was full of flavor and the proportion of the layers was just right. The mushrooms with truffle was so flavorful and the puff pastry was cooked perfectly--it stayed flaky and intact the entire meal. Make sure you cut open the Wellington right when it arrives so The cooking process stops and you have a perfect medium rare. The duckling prepared two ways really showcases the duck into very different flavor pallets. The pan roasted breast had a steak-like texture and a smart choice of seasoning while the confit leg and thigh tasted very tender and natural which highlighted the natural flavors of the meat. The two ways well complemented each other and the sauce tied them together very well. The Seabass for me was cooked beautifully and the side vegetables was extremely tasty. Definitely worthwhile to try. For desserts we had the flourless chocolate ganache cake. It was not too sweet and I thought it was the perfect way to end a very great meal. If you ever get a chance, I definitely recommend that you try L'escargot! It was every bit worth the price and I had an amazing time eating with my family. Special thanks to Sean, our waiter, for his great service and accommodating attitude. read more

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Here is a great video on the restaurant! https://youtu.be/KXmeb0b0Jh4 Always a wonderful experience!! read more

L'Escargot - Absolutely the best food in town! Everything during our visit was exquisite. The country French atmosphere was perfection! - French Near Me - Carmel, California

Not only is the food fabulous and authentically French (but not the least bit "heavy"), the space itself is throughly charming, right out of the French countryside, and the service is impeccable. We had the namesake escargots, which were fantastic. My husband had the duck, which he pronounced among the best he'd ever had (which is a lot!). And I had the Dover sole meunière, also fantastic, and so fresh. This is the oldest restaurant in Carmel, and has had only two owners, both of them the chef in charge. On a Wednesday evening in February, every table was filled, some with obvious regulars. It is a gem that, in the summer, features outdoor seating, amidst beautiful flowers. Romantic, charming, professional - top notch! read more

Scallops were amazing. Lamb pops were just ok. Food is overpriced. The corkage fee is $40.00. Now if they had the bottle of wine that we brought, i could understand. The corkage fee was ridiculous and out of touch. read more

L'Escargot was astounding. My man and I enjoyed our meal through and through. He had made a reservation for 7:45pm for here on a Saturday night which I'm so glad he did. When we came there was a sign posted that said "no available tables tonight". Therefore I definitely recommend getting reservations! Even though their hours state 5-8pm, the last seating is at 8pm and they don't rush you to finish your meal. SERVICE: shout out to our server Shawn with his amazing presentation voice. Everyone is very courteous and it felt like we were in a 5 star restaurant! VIBE: very cozy and intimate! Felt authentic French. FOOD: Santa Barbara Pinot noir- went so well with my meal! Home Made Duck and Pork pate- presentation was beautiful and the mustard complemented the pate Classic Escargot- the garlic butter flavor was tasty without overpowering the escargot French onion soup- this was probably the best French onion soup I've had! Broth rich and onion-y, yum! Duckling Prepared two ways- I preferred the roasted thigh over the seared medium-rare breast but both pieces were great Beef Wellington- my man got this featured special of the night and he enjoyed it, but after tasting my food he actually preferred my duck dish! Creme brûlée- the presentation of this was so unique compared to other creme brûlées in the pans. Still super delicious and caramelized to perfection! Overall my man and I enjoyed our meal and think it is giving us a great glimpse of how our meals will be when we go to Paris this year :) read more

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Great food and service, as a a French person I definitely recommend it, it makes me feel like home ! read more

L'Escargot - Sweetbreads are delicious! - French Near Me - Carmel, California

Outstanding food and service. We would go there again when visiting Carmel. Ambiance reminded us of a simple bistro in Paris.

This was a great place to eat. The first appetizer we had was the foie Gras that was accompanied with fresh miniature figs and toasted baguettes. The foie gras was smooth and buttery and melted perfectly in my mouth. This is an item you should get if you're into foie gras. The second appetizer was two crab cakes which were delicious and flavorful. You can taste the fresh crab and flavor. There were no fillers and it was a moderate size but wished it could have been bigger. :( I had their special. It was a sea bass special which was lightly crispy on the outside and soft from the inside. The seasoning on the fish was delicious. Lightly coated with spices and had a great after taste. Overall my gf and I had a great time here. The ambiance was semi quiet but nice enough so that I didn't have to yell across the table to my partner. The place was a happy place, the waiter and the staff made a great impression of the place. It made my gf happy, so it made me happy. So if you like to good food and want to be happy after eating a great meal. Then this is a place to be. Thumbs up! read more

I am so hopelessly behind on my reviews. This one goes back to when we celebrated my friend Vicki's big birthday with a zero at the end. I convinced that huge foodie to come out to California to celebrate with me. L'escargot is tiny and very French looking with the exposed dark beams on the ceiling, charming and romantic. I won't detail all the dishes, because with 6 of us it will just be too long a review . But I will hit the highlights: Superb waiter, Freddy Wino Wednesday means all wines are half price (Who knew?!). We had a Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc and an Albatross Pinot Noir, both superb Beef Wellington, that old throwback, is one of their specialties, and it was very good Halibut was extraordinarily fresh, with a light crust on the top, but not at all dry. Veal medallions in wild mushroom cream sauce even had fresh morels which I love. For those who like goat cheese, the chevre cheesecake was rich, creamy, not too goat-y. Food: 34/40 Service: 17/20 Atm./intangibles:18/20 Value: 16/20 Overall: 85/100 read more

We enjoyed a magical meal outside under the heater (which worked really well!). We both started with the Caramelized onion goat cheese tart, which I highly recommend. For dinner I had the Sole, which was incredibly fresh tasting. Hubby had the Scallops (a special the day we visited) which were over a delicious risotto. Dessert was a fabulous lemon tart. All of that food paired with a great glass of wine, friendly and attentive service (thanks Freddy!), and nice outside ambiance was a perfect night out in Carmel-by-the-Sea! read more

The beef Wellington is amazing!! The chef came out and greeted us and gave us a nice glass of champagne for our 10 year anniversary Cute and Quaint restaurant Will definitely return every year for our anniversary read more

My friends and I were super excited to dine here during our birthday trip from LA. Little did we know how disappointed we would be with our experience. we were greeted with an unwelcoming look as soon as we arrived. The gentleman who sat us seemed confused or surprised upon seeing us. It seems we did not have the "look" of their typical clientele. Service was slow and it took forever to hear the specials. For the prices, the food is mediocre. The only thing we truly enjoyed was the complimentary bread and the goat cheese tart. The mushroom soup was flavorless. Drinks were never offered to us. Beef Wellington was almost $65 and not worth it. Meat was tender but flavorless. Same with the scallops and risotto, very Bland. Vegetables taste like they were boiled after being frozen for weeks. We were so tired of the lack of service and genuinely uncomfortable at how we were treated. The only reason this review doesn't have one star is because our waiter was kind, however that does not excuse the poor and delayed service. As well as the judge mental and unwelcoming greeting. It truly set us up for an uncomfortable experience. Also chorizo was spelled wrong on the menu. read more

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Went there on Friday for lunch. But it's not open 10 minutes past the opening hour and phone call to the restaurant was not picked up.

We enjoyed a lovely anniversary dinner. I had the beef Wellington and my husband had the Petrale Soul. Both were delicious. Our waiter was prompt and attentive. read more

L'Escargot - Exterior - French Near Me - Carmel, California

Cute dog friendly restaurant with a decent outdoor patio. We had the lamb and duck. Lamb was flavorful, tender, and just delicious. Duck was dry and unmemorable. read more

Pork medallion was very good, halibut on special was old fish, Escargot was burnt. Dessert was WAY over priced. Creame burle, (3 tblspoons of creame) no joke) Service was good. Ambiance was good. Wouldn't return. Good luck read more

We were visiting Carmel and our hotel made the reservation. When we walked in - nobody greeted us, no one said Hello... we reached out to someone and mentioned that we have a reservation. He said to go outside and someone will clean the table for us. We waited for about 10 minutes, nothing happened. We walked back inside the restaurant and kindly requested to be seated again. Finally we got a table. Checking the menu and figuring out what we wanted. Waiter mentioned a "special", beef Wellington, it sounded good. We ordered that as our main dish plus a few other things. When we got the bill, it looked a bit high. After checking it, we realized that SPECIAL, was a $75 item, and of course waiter never mentioned the price. All their main courses were in $40-45 price range... when we expressed our opinion, waiter mentioned that in Carmel, everyone is so wealthy, they don't need to mention the price of their specials... what an insult... mediocre food, poor service and a real bad attitude... read more

The food and service are impeccable! Shawn (Shaun?) was very hospitable and professional. Comparatively expensive but very fairly priced! All ingredients were fresh and smartly combined for a unique and very flavorful experience! read more

I have been going to L'Escargot since the 1960s. I usually order their Chicken in. Truffles sauce which is to die for. We went two weeks ago on a Saturday and did not find it on the menu. I asked if it was still available and they said it was and that the chef would make the Truffles sauce. What came out was their Marsala sauce with Truffle shavings. This chicken dish was very disappointing. The vegetables were soggy. The Cheese cake was to die for. Will I go back after all these years of patronage? I will have to think long and hard. read more

Hard to find in the dark, LOL. Service was slow at first, good in the middle, faltered again at the end, so we weren't impressed. Charming interior but tables are very crammed in, unlike Carmel Bouchee or Bistro Moulin. - Frogs legs: tasteless and tough. - Sweetbreads in cream sauce: The cream sauce tasted like dessert, it was so sweet. The delicate sweetbreads were almost invisible, they were so tiny and few, and to add insult to injury they were overcooked. - Fish special was okay, not terribly fresh but not inedible. - Steak was good, altho the cut was not our fav. Spouse doesn't drink so didn't care for the red wine butter melting on top. Desserts were good, and both iced tea and coffee were excellent. An okay experience, but there are better restaurants in the area. read more

We dined at L'Escargot last weekend and it was a much anticipated meal and long-awaited outdoor dining experience. They were strict about everyone wearing masks before you were seated which I really appreciated and the other patrons were comfortably distanced. We ordered the caramelized onion and Sonoma goat cheese tart, the escargot, the soup of the day and the french onion soup to start, Beef Wellington (a special for the day) and pork medallions for our mains, and the raspberry sorbet (another special) for dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious! Quietly dining on all of our excellent food as the sun set has been the highlight of the year thus far. read more

What an exceptional evening we had at L'Escargot in Carmel. We planned a celebratory dinner and could not have a better meal and experience. When making the reservation I mentioned my dietary restrictions and the chef could not have been more helpful; I knew I'd be in good hands and L'Escargot did not disappoint. The appetizers were a tasty start to the evening. They were perfectly prepared and seasoned: frog legs, escargot, wild mushroom soup, mussels (in the best mussels sauce we've ever had) and steak frites, served with excellent artisan bread to sop up the flavorful sauces that were lick the plate delicious. Entrees were the Petrale sole prepared perfectly for my dietary needs, the rack of lamb with a delicious herb crust, perfectly seared scallops over flavorful asparagus risotto and duckling prepared two ways that was also perfectly prepared and seasoned. Previous reviews mentioned the wine list was expensive, and while the prices were high it offered us a good selection and the sommelier was point on with his wine recommendation. As an aside, the restaurant also offers the option of bringing your own wine for a corkage fee that is comparable to other fine restaurants in the area. Hats off to the chef and his kitchen staff for our excellent dinner and to the friendly, professional service that set the tone for the night. We will definitely return. read more

On our night Saturday night on the town at Carmel by the Sea, a friend recommended having dinner at L'escargot. We made dinner reservations and were impressed with the level of service, and their food was outstanding. read more

I feel a little guilty not giving this full marks but there's plenty of choices in the area and a few that just tip the scale. L'escargot was actually great, its a block from Casanovas and a few off the main drag. The Restaurant is reminiscent of sitting in the front parlor of a house so intimate, not lavish but had an atmosphere and the staff were attentive and friendly. We had for starters the onion soup (well my wife did and I fear I will be hearing from it again) and I had the escargot. Mains were Duck 2 ways which was sublime and the Sandabs which were buttery and melt in the mouth. By the time we were finished with mains there was no room for desert so we called it a night. So I highly recommend but it is at the price-point where you could go crazy at Dametra, roughly the same price as Lucca Cantina or within shooting distance of Casanovas which all IMO hit all the stars. I will definitely return. read more

Very strong. Classic French food executed very well. Service was top notch as well. It is a little bit off the beaten path, but in the most beautiful little maisonette with gorgeous flowers surrounding. Inside the decor is generally dark and romantic, but the collection of creepy masks is well...a little bit creepy. They really hit on every course. The goat cheese tart was the favorite of the night. The puff pastry was buttery and delicious. The eponymous escargot was really warming and garlicky. Definitely recommend getting them in the mushroom caps. The steak frites are a great take on the classic. The thin fries were not quite matchstick (yay!) which means they still had a great potato flavor but were thin and crispy. The meat was cooked a perfect medium rare and the bernaise sauce was creamy and delicious. The sea bass was really well seasoned but a little overcooked. Also sad that it was poached rather than grilled so was missing a crispy skin. They had a pasta with butter and parmesan for the little ones. Glad they had this though $14 was a little steep for what it was. Lastly the chocolate "brownie" was really more like a delicious molten lava cake. Gooey, warm and delicious. I would recommend for anyone. read more

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Had a wonderful dining experience at l'escargot. The dinner specials were extensive and difficult to select just one ...they kept getting more and more tempting. Ended up with lamb leg special which was served with winter greens and mint/pistachio pesto and roasted potatoes. My husband had the sea bass. We both ate every bite. Of course, started with the classic snails which were tender and delicious. Our meal ended with the creme brûlée which was small but a wonderful few bites. Would definitely return. Meal definitely 5 stars but only giving it 4 because my glass of water was empty for too long and I sat without wine for also too long...with that many servers, that just shouldn't happen. read more

L'Escargot - Sign out front - French Near Me - Carmel, California

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I had a lovely experience eating at L'Escargot. I love the homey feel and quiet location. The food was wonderful and each item tasted great! I loved the French Onion soup, Merlot by Solis, and chocolate mouse cake! read more

L'Escargot - Enjoy French Onion Soup, Merlot by Solid, and chocolate mouse cake - French Near Me - Carmel, California

Beautiful flavors. My wife and I recently moved from the one of the world's greatest food cities (San Francisco) to Santa Cruz. Unfortunately the food in SC isn't all that wonderful so we've traveled out to find some very sexy French food. L'Escargot in Carmel was incredible. The Food: Pros: FREE: From the baguette and butter appetizer, we knew we were in for a good meal. The butter was soft and spreadable and the bread was warm and toasted. There isn't enough appreciation paid to French style European butter. Additional APP: We also ordered the caramelized goat cheese tart and the puff pastry on this baby was expertly prepared. The crack of the pastry as we cut in was music to my ears, and the gooey goat cheese just melted further in your mouth. This was a very tasty treat. ENTREES: My wife and I both ordered the daily specials and were not disappointed. She had the rack of lamb which is prepared how you ask for it. We chose to go medium rare as that is what the chef recommends. The flavors were robust and the roasted potatoes and seasoned vegetables were wonderful additions to the plate. I chose to have the Beef Wellington with a Foie Gras and truffle oil interior. THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I HAVE EVER EATEN! I will have dreams about this dish. If we move to Lyon, France, I will still return to L'Escargot in Carmel for this special. I would make love to this dish if it were appropriate. I can't go on enough about how great this dish was. This was just a "special" this dish is Special. SERVICE: Our waiter was great. He was knowledgable and attentive. This place was a knockout. So happy to have found it. You won't be disappointed. read more

Sat evening, dinner for three. Nearly the top of town around 4th. First time there - one of the oldest restaurants in Carmel - opened in 1958. Not heavily advertised or in Yelp reviews - but a very solid place, charming, good food and attentive and interesting wait staff. Quiet and charming atmosphere. Dino was a pleasant, informative and important part of the mix as our server. He mentioned that they have a 'Wino Wednesday' - half price on any wine on the menu (including the very tasty Darioush). Started with vegetarian soup w/cream (very tasty), caramelized onion and goat cheese tart and escargot that needed a bit more garlic. For entree we went with creamed chicken with black truffle (solid, but not 'amazing flavor' ) - afterwards Dino suggested the house chicken), braised ribs and sand dabs - fried with great sauce. Desert was mixed - the creme brulee was huge disappointment (was tasty but not classical in any way - three small scoops of brulee with a thin coating served on a plate - not like any of the 100's of tasty brulees we have tried). Apple in tart was fine and three chocolate brownie was very good. Wine list is 'sparse'. The chef/owner was there and seemed to be very interested in what folks thought (he didn't stop by our table though). Prix ffixe menu is best value, but no substitutions allowed. Owners 'ESCARGOT'-licensed red Porsche is out front - nice touch. Dino made it an 'invitation' to come back - and we will - on a Wednesday for the next trip: half price wine, best-chicken-ever and dover sole will be what we try. read more

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The food is just ok. The signature onion soup doesn't have enough flavor, the caramelized onions in the soup need more work. Other than the food, we found hairs in the butter, so disgusting. The waiter simply replaced it with a new one without apologizing, and ignored us during the entire dinner. read more

It was our very first time in Carmel so I ofcourse did some research online (Google and Yelp) to help me with dining options. I found 6 places which all sounded amazingly good. This being the first on my list. We came around 3:30 hoping to get some lunch but they weren't open until 5:30pm per the gentleman working inside. I asked if we needed to make any reservations and he said not if we came early. I told him we'd be back. We got there around 6pm and the hostess and waiter asked me if we had reservations. I told them no. And they said that they had to see if there were any tables available. Luckily there were and we were seated right away. It's a small cozy restaurant. Maybe around 8 tables? I got the escargot and it was still in its shell. It came with the cool little snail tong and fork. I've never had snails still in the shell before but there's always a first time for everything. I hate to say this but the snails didn't have any taste to it even though it was in a butter sauce. My daughter and I shared the sand dabs. This is a must try entree at this restaurant. My husband got the prix fixed menu that had the french onion soup, trout, and creme brulee. I thought the soup and trout was ok. But the creme brulee here.....is an original and to die for dessert. You can't compare this creme brulee to any that you've ever tried. Cuz it's a no brainer. You will choose the creme brulee here over any others. A little heads up about the creme brulee. Don't expect the usual bowl of creme brulee. It's 3 bite sized spoonfuls with some berries around it. Very pleasing to the eyes. Don't think about sharing and get your own. You won't regret it. Service was very attentive. My water glass was never past half empty. We will definitely dine here again. I highly recommend making reservations since the place fills up quickly. Parking may be a bit hard to find so arrive a bit earlier than your reservation time. read more

L'Escargot - 3 blissful bites of creme brulee - French Near Me - Carmel, California

I could say "This place is good, you should try it." But the Chef at L'Escargot is so much more deserving of such a review. It's not just how the food tastes, it's how it makes you feel when you're dining there. When you walk in, the lighting is simply perfect as if you stepped into some dark little corner in Paris that was set up for just you and whoever you're with. Even the staff singles you out as if you're the only ones in there. I live about 40 miles from Carmel, but when I need to refresh and retreat and step into another dimension, I come here. There's this chicken. This chicken! I get it every single time I go. This chicken is smothered with this creamy buttery madeira sauce and topped with shaved black truffles. It's not always on the menu, but it's always in the kitchen so ask for it. You know that question, "What would be your last meal if you had to choose one?" Well this one is mine. I purposely eat only half of it so I can enjoy it again the next day. It's like nothing I've ever had until I had it. Can I just tell you to get it? Just get it. And then I want you to try and put into words how it made you feel. L'Escargot, and all who dwells inside... you will always have a special place in my heart. I'll see you all again soon. PS: Get the chicken. read more

This place is fantastic! If you are looking for a nice romantic dinner while in Carmel, this is definitely the place for you. I had a reservation here and when we arrived, we were seated immediately. The restaurant has delicious food and the service is phenomenal as well! I ordered the lamb and my boyfriend ordered the beef Wellington. Both were amazing and I'd recommend giving it a try! read more

I love the food at L'Escargot! It's the ONE high end place in Carmel-by-the-Sea that is NOT a tourist rip off. It actually has great food. There are two but the other one is not in Carmel by the Sea but in the barnyard in Carmel. L'Escargot is French and has food I dream about. Just not trusting other people enough to go out to eat yet. read more

Our server told us this is the oldest continually-operating eatery in Carmel - dating back to the 50s, and in its current location since 1961. An interesting feature is a quiet side of the restaurant opposite a more convivial side, with the quiet room counterintuitively being the more brightly lit of the two. Dinner was very good - foie gras, beef Wellington (including...foie gras), and veal. Because we dined on "Wino Wednesday," bottles were offered at half-price, allowing us to enjoy a wine we probably wouldn't have ordered otherwise. A fine poached pear was a dessert highlight. read more

terrible dining experience! celebrating our 61st wedding anniversairy with our son ...we were married in dijon, france and thought this would remind us of our superbe dinner in gevrey chamberin! i remarked on the overall cleanliness...specially the restroom...and a quick glance at the small kitchen...my son 's rack of lamb was "so_so" , (his comment), the duck preparation on the dry side, my husband thought the escargots had an off taste...i liked my sweet bread dish, the pate appetizer,thin slice with a few olives , cornichons,half a cherry tomato, a dab of mustard was very disappointing...the cheese cake , made by the mother of an employee was very good .....caution..watch your step as you approach the enrance: the sidewalk needs repairs! read more

Their French foods and customer services at the restaurant is excellent. It was just a great hassle of making the appointment for dinner. I hope they improve the process of setting an appointment in the future. I still rate this 5 stars and will come back to enjoy their high quality and tasty French courses. read more