The chef tonight was amazing The tomato bisque with butter was so so so good Then we had to try a fun cocktail Cucumber margarita Was very summer festive We felt so special with the attention to service Cary is been one of the best best in the industry for years Always when you plan a dinner at Lucia you know it's top notch read more

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Beautiful Ambience and Setting. Decent Service. Our server was a nice guy and helped with the menu selection. Good Food that was beautifully plated. - Bread service - I know it's just bread but damn this bread is a beautiful creation of dough and baked to perfection. - Harvest Vegetable Bisque is fantastic! And completely plant based so don't let the "bisque" in the name scare you away. - Red Abalone appetizer - don't bother as you don't get to taste the abalone. The brioche and sauce overpower the abalone... so all you taste is brioche and butter sauce. - The farm fowl is hearty and comforting. The quail is quite tender. Loved all the veg in the dish too. - Salmon was perfectly prepared... meaty yet tender. Sadly the low points.... outweigh what should have been a lovely dinner out. - We received our wine AFTER we were mostly done with our appetizers. We even waited to start enjoying our appetizers thinking our wine would be out at the same time. Since my soup was getting cold, I could not wait any longer and had 1 bite left when our wine finally showed up. - Our server seemed overtaxed. It appeared he was trying to help literally everyone from what I could tell and disappeared for long stretches of time. - The 1 mom (sitting at the table behind us) constantly telling her toddler to sit down (the toddler was actually quiet, it was the mom that was irritating). - The multi family, multi kid large table that sat in the middle of the patio (while not super noisy) was disruptive with the kids constantly walking around all the tables and going back and forth from the patio to the "outside" down the stairs by our table. Seriously... your kids don't care that you want to sit and drink and hang out... they want to move and play and be kids. Eat and then take them someplace else. read more

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My husband and I have dined at this exquisite restaurant several times, and each experience has been nothing short of extraordinary! From vibrant brunches to unforgettable dinners, it's a place that captivates the spirit. Our first visit, during our stay at the beautiful Bernardus Lodge & Spa, sparked a love for this venue that continues to inspire us. The ambiance is enchanting, and the food is truly outstanding. While I did encounter a minor issue with my huevos rancheros -- my eggs were over easy instead of over medium -- the excellent customer service always reminds me to embrace the journey as we eagerly anticipate our next visit! read more

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Excellent service. Great good quality. Best breakfast anywhere. Beautiful setting with indoor outdoor feel. Occasional sparrows flying in and out. read more

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Disappointing experience for a Michelin-recognized restaurant. We came in as a party of 7, and unfortunately the evening fell short on nearly every front. The service felt off from the start -- our main waiter/s were short with us, not particularly engaging or welcoming, which isn't what you'd expect at this level of dining. There was an obvious lack of attention to detail. Food-wise, it was a mixed bag. Two of us ordered the halibut, which was pretty dry; maybe overcooked. The burger was inedible. The steak had good flavor, but was chewy and tough rather than tender. Compared to other Michelin-star restaurants we've been to, this one just felt off. We didn't leave with the experience we were expecting. read more

Food was okay. Service started out great, then went downhill. Came here over the weekend and the host was kind enough to seat us early and we cozied up in one of the booths. The atmosphere was chill and romantic. Kerry started off so energetic and knowledgeable about the chef and the menu. We ordered bread service, 2 oysters, the vegetarian pasta but added the pacific halibut. I ordered the fowl of the day, which was guinea fowl in like a deconstructed pot pie. Then it starts to go downhill. Our entrees took an unreasonable amount of time and even the floor manager recognized this and stopped by the table to check in. Additionally, we wanted more drinks and also had to flag her down for that. We barely saw him after he took our order. Our food came luke warm, like it was sitting under the warmer for some time. The sauce on my dish was cold and the halibut was overcooked and dryyyyyyyyyyy. Thankfully they removed this from the bill. I could see staying at the hotel and grabbing drinks at the bar. They also had a piano player in the lobby/bar area, so that was a nice touch. But would I come back for dinner? Unfortunately no. read more

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To note, this restaurant is inside the Bernardus lodge and Spa. Had a phenomenal birthday dinner here! Starting with the freshly baked bread and also the cheese plate; in the entrees, both the marinara pasta and their seasonal handmade vegetarian pasta were absolutely awesome and beautifully prepared. Definitely save room for dessert because the chocolate cake was a perfect, delicious end to a great meal. Will absolutely be back! read more

Lucia Restaurant & Bar - New American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

This hotel has two 4-star diamond plaques on their wall so believe the hype. This restaurant is so well kept and just like the hotel, the food itself is fresh and incredible. The ingredients are grown on the grounds with nice veggie and fruit dishes. I thoroughly loved the classic breakfast plate with buttery crisp hash browns, and two egg Benedicts with a creamy Hollandaise sauce. My wife and son's eggs were cooked perfectly. Their bacon is cooked just right; thick strips and no burnt ends. Even the yolks are orange! My son's apple juice was freshly pressed, my smoothie was full of their fresh berries with no artificial sweeteners, and the cream for our coffee was pure. It's no wonder why this place is on the Michelin guide. The farm to table experience here is spot on. Even their sourdough toast has a nice thickness to it and pairs beautifully with their creamy butter and jam. There's not a single complaint here. The interior decor to the bathroom around this restaurant is just an A+. This is by far one of the best breakfast experiences I've had. I want to stay here next time with my wife and spend quality time because the ambiance is perfect all around. I totally recommend this restaurant and hotel. read more

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A bit pricey but always a delicious meal, beautiful atmosphere, and great servers. Some highlights: - A family friendly 4th of July a couple years ago with an outside table, yummy burgers, and great live music - Stopping in a few times with my husband for a dessert and cocktail (often an espresso martini!) - Date nights and Lucia's incredible wine list (if you're really into wine, ask to see the extended wine list with some amazing options) and a great somm - Delicious, fresh food - From our date last night, I loved the ahi tuna tartare, the beet salad, the snap peas and mushrooms side, and the fish of the day (halibut with great sides) - The strawberry matcha dessert was delicious too We'll definitely be back and be looking forward to more incredible wine! read more

Had lunch on the lovely outdoor patio. There was live acoustic music which we enjoyed as background music and to drown out some noisy children also sitting with their families on the outdoor patio. Drinks were delicious, and food was pretty good. I ordered the wedge and their seasonal pizza. I'd say it was more of a flatbread, but it was yummy and simple. I had a craving after seeing a kid with a chocolate chip cookie so I ordered their cookie stack that came with a scoop of ice cream. The cookies were warm and comforting. Service was good and I would return while in the area for wine tasting or if staying at Bernardus, but only for lunch. There are some very good eats not far in Carmel that I would pick over Lucia for dinner. read more

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My husband and I had dinner and celebrated my birthday there. We enjoyed the atmosphere, and the service was good. However, we felt a bit stomachache after the 3rd course, and we both had diarrhea two hours after dinner. read more

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We were seated at our table and given menus and then everything was downhill after that. It took 25 minutes to get our cocktails and water. I ordered the "Monterey Bay salmon" and it was a small salmon tail floating on a sea of soubise. Salmon was so thin and dry. I was expecting a delicious center cut of fresh salmon and what a disappointment. My friend ordered the heritage chicken and it was mediocre at best. read more

It had been years since I had been to Lucia. We had friends in town and wanted to have an upscale dinner in Carmel Valley, and didn't want to drive to Carmel/Monterey. We thought Lucia would be the best choice in Carmel Valley. Kerry was our server. Very personable. He was backed up by two managers who floated and assisted. This team service approach worked pretty well since Kerry was assisting several tables. We started with the Ad Astra bread service, which is a great local bakery. We also shared two crab cakes and the ahi tuna tartare. The crab cakes were mostly crab with a light crisp coating. Both appetizers were fresh and flavorful. I ordered the fresh fish of the day which was halibut. It was sautéed and then finished in a very hot oven. The fish was still very moist inside. Well seasoned. It was one of the best pieces of fish I've had in a long time. My wife and our friends also ordered the halibut and salmon as well. All cleaned their plates and said they enjoyed their entrees. We shared a crème brûlée for dessert. It was well made, with fresh berries on top which was a nice touch. So why not 5 stars? We had to pour our own wine all night. Although this seems like a minor issue, I believe it separates great restaurants from just good restaurants. Lucia is a very good restaurant and is the closest restaurant to fine dining in Carmel Valley. I highly recommend Lucia. read more

We had lunch at Lucia's the last time we were in Carmel. We sat on the patio because it was a beautiful day, albeit a little on the warm side. I had the chopped salad and my husband had the turkey sandwich. I may be a basic choice, but he said it was the best turkey sandwich he's ever had. The bacon was perfectly crispy, the turkey was real and the bread was amazing. My salad was also amazing. Would like to come back for dinner to try out some of the amazing wines. They are inside the Bernardus Lodge and have a lot of awards posted in the lobby. read more

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This is just for Lucia Restaurant-- Maybe the best food in Monterey Peninsula. I've given "5" reviews and loved it. This is more of a "tip" -- had the lamb last night to celebrate wife's Bday. Food excellent- so why then"3l"--the lamb cost $60. I got 2 small ribs. Not two double ribs. About 4oz I'd guess. When dinner was over I asked our server if the portion was normal - Alex replied "yes"-- I am still a bit perplexed how two little but very tasty chops can cost as much as 14oz prime NY? Or 7 oz prime filet. Go to restaurants just don't order Lamb. No value for money spent. read more

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Food was abundant and delish! Bread, mushroom, split Cesar salad (nothing special; could have skipped), filet and halibut. All tasty! Service was exceptional! Kelly was our waiter and what a sales person! He knew the menu and was attentive and super friendly. Phoenix in the gift shop was lovely. Very helpful to me and kind Bathrooms: clean with fresh rolled towels. Will come back when we can be in the bar for a bit. We will be back. Honestly have nothing to "criticize". read more

We recently dined at Lucia Restaurant & Bar and left feeling pretty disappointed--especially for the price point. We spent around $250 (before tip), and unfortunately the food just didn't come close to matching the cost. The braised short ribs tasted like a basic pot roast you'd get at grandma's house--comforting, sure, but nothing elevated or restaurant-worthy. The sea bass was a bigger letdown: overcooked, dry, and missing that rich, buttery texture you expect from a dish like that. The drinks were also underwhelming--literally. They were noticeably under-poured, which felt a little ridiculous given the already high prices. To be fair, the service was excellent. We were at next to a lovely fireplace overlooking the beautiful grounds. The staff was attentive, friendly, and clearly doing their best, which was the highlight of the evening. That said, it wasn't just us. We overheard multiple nearby tables sending food back, which says a lot. Overall, you're paying luxury prices for very average food. Great service can't quite make up for that. read more

Just had a lovely work lunch at Lucia @ Bernardus. In particular, I thought the chef did a great job substituting for the risotto in the scallop dish, since I have a dairy intolerance. Lucia is not a cheap restaurant, but I think it's priced where it should be and it lives up to expectations at that price point. I do wish I had known that valet parking was complimentary. Since it was, I'm not sure a staff member needed to tell me to move my car out of a valet spot--of which there were many dozens open--and surely that staff member should have mentioned the complimentary valet parking. But live and learn, I guess read more

Lucia Restaurant & Bar - New American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

I had high expectations, but unfortunately the experience didn't match the $175 pre-fixed price point. Portions were extremely small, and the salad honestly tasted like it came straight out of a bag - not what you expect from a restaurant at this level. The oysters were especially disappointing: almost no flavor and borderline gaggable. Service was also noticeably slow, which made the overall experience feel even more frustrating. For a meal at this cost, the execution felt careless and underwhelming. Really wanted to love it, but ultimately a very poor value and not an experience I'd repeat read more

Celebrated my birthday there with my family along with my birthday twin (4 years elder brother). We all had an absolute blast and a memorable experience. Being vegetarians, there were plenty of great options. The servers were really polite too and really nice. Loved our wine and the ambience of the place overall. Very top class. The staff also surprised us with a very nice gesture of giving us a birthday card along with complimentary cake and dessert. Thank you again for making it super memorable for me and my family read more

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Extremely below average slow service. We had several meals here and the restaurant wasn't ever full. However there were not enough wait staff and the ones that were there seemed to not care. The food is so-so and average. You wait 20 minutes to be seated in an empty restaurant and then you wait another 30 minutes to get your check because they never come back to check in on you and to ask whether you need anything else. So painfully disappointing and will not go back. The restaurant/lodge might have had a Michelin star but they've downgraded their service, quality, experience, and overall enjoyment to save a dime or they just stopped caring. The Michelin plaque means nothing if your current experience is below average and frustrating. read more

We visited on a day trip to Carmel during the week, so wanted to provide context as it was not likely peak timing. Had to linger awhile in the lobby before someone seated us. The food was very bland. We got the fish tacos and fried chicken sandwich. Had to add salt to everything unfortunately. Service was... unemotional? Got the vibe our server either hated the day or us. Ambiance was lovely though, very peaceful and pretty. Not worth the money for bland and boring. Skip. read more

Just checked in- but we are not staying. The hostess, Ashaa, was rude and borderline racist. I am here with my in laws and husband and the way she spoke down to my in-laws and spoke to us like we were stupid was OFFENSIVE! This is a fancy place and we are here for a special event and were recommended to come to Lucia to get a bite while we wait for our test drive. The hostess is your first impression and to be treated like that upon arrival and in general was UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE! Needless to say we did not eat here and so I can't report on the food or the other staff, or ambiance. For a place that has high end clients coming through read more

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My husband brought me here for my birthday-weekend-dinner. This place is pretty far out in the boonies and seems more so when you're driving at night but once we drove up, it was pretty b/c of the lights. The service was fantastic - I forgot our server's name, but he was really great and made conversation with us. It felt like we were talking with a friend. He even gave us a couple restaurant recommendations during our stay in the area. He also shared with us that due to the weather, they would've normally opened the back area. I would like to return for brunch another day. He told us the specials and my husband selected the swordfish (special). He enjoyed it. I also enjoyed my filet mignon and was cooked perfectly. My iced tea was good! I know that sounds odd b/c it's just iced tea but I find it's too strong sometimes when I order it elsewhere. The server brought out a birthday dessert for me, and lemme tell you, it was giant! I think it was one of the most beautiful chocolate cakes I've had. The honeycomb crumble on top was really unique. He shared that they have bees from which they get the honeycomb. So that was pretty cool. I highly recommend them if you're celebrating a birthday or something special - they'll take good care of you. Side note: The restroom was a lil fancy in that they have little hand towels to dry your hands and you toss them in the basket by the door on your way out. The men's also has it b/c my husband went first and then he asked if me the women's also had the towels. I confirmed yes. This place is pretty nice and fancy. I don't get why some folks think it's cute to show up wearing a hoodie and a baseball hat to dinner. I wish they'd enforce some type of dress code. read more

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Went to Lucia last night for dinner. We have been here several times in the last few years. The first time was not good. The last 2 times were much better. Last night it was unfortunately mediocre. Unlike other yelp reviews, our service was excellent. No issues there at all. We ordered the red abalone appetizer. It was okay but just missing something. Same with the short rib and my chicken entree. The food is just missing that salt/seasoning/care that elevates a dish from mediocre to tasty. I don't know how else to describe it. Perhaps the chef will understand. A touch more attention to detail will elevate all of the food. That is just my humble opinion as a home cook. read more

One of my favorite places in Carmel Valley. We've had breakfast and lunch and dinner here over the years and the changing menu is always delicious, locally sourced and seasonably delicious. Ambience is wonderful and they take good care of us. read more

Enjoyed brunch at Lucia's today. Had a delicious fried chicken sandwich with a very tasty salad. My wife had a fantastic turkey sandwich with Hobbs bacon and a wonderful avocado spread. Excellent fries too. Service was really great. Was impressed with how well all the servers worked together. Of course, the patio was just beautiful. We were also treated to a wonderful jazz duet team of Andrea and Darrin. We can't wait to return!!! read more

Was in Carmel for a wedding and we had a brunch meal at Lucia the day after for post-celebration eats! Overall a good brunch. We had a good assortment of mimosas and drinks. I wasn't too hungry and just opted for a classic caesar salad with chicken. Salad was quite good. Should have asked to have the dressing on the side or have half the amount since it was a bit saucy. Anchovy flavor was really good! Unfortunately, the chicken was a bit on the sad side :/ but overall good salad. We also had a few blackened shrimp salads to share, and a few orders of fries. Desserts were ordered as well. I personally didn't eat any, but those who did thoroughly enjoyed it. Another downside, the bathrooms were super far...like 5 min walk across the premises. I believe there were only two available, so there could likely be a wait. Not completely sure if the bathrooms at the restaurant were out of order that day or not. Overall, good meal and good vibes! They had bocce ball on available which was fun to play a few rounds. Follow the adventure @shoyuthebest on IG! read more

Took a weekend trip to relax and enjoy myself with some friends - we visited Lucia with a reservation after some spa time and were told to wait at the stand to be served. Several waitresses/waiters walked by and saw us, but did not greet or offer to help. Although I saw the waitress creating conversations with other tables, we did not have the same experience after we were seated. We were not even informed about the special of the day until we overheard from another table discussing about it and had to ask another server what it was. Overall, while the food was great and very delicious, the service was subpar. I had hoped that every guest would be treated equally at such a high quality and top-rated restaurant. read more

Lucia Restaurant & Bar - 16 oz American Steak, Halibut, Artichoke Fontina Ravioli, and the Special of the Day - New American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Went there for 25th anniversary. Spectacular, really enjoyed Bernardo's as well. Great place, great food, great ambiance

Came here to celebrate my birthday for a light brunch. It was our first time in Carmel Valley and on this place. The restaurant offers a casual Al fresco dining on weekend especially brunch. Staff are friendly and takes care of their guest well. I have enjoyed our lunch everything taste great and.i love the chocolate mouse cake with honeycomb . One of the best lunch place I'd ever had. We were also able to explore the ground of this property . The walk in the well manicured garden is relaxing . Will try to stay here next time. read more

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Started out fine .... Then service dwindled to non existent. The time between salads and dinner was to the point we thought we would not get fed. This is not usually the case there. Nevertheless it was a disappointing dining experience. We expect better considering the price. The food was great once we got it. read more

Ordered the market salad to go and wish I'd checked the box before leaving. No goat cheese whatsoever and at best half of one beet and maybe a teaspoon of sunflower seeds. Total rip-off and if they can't get a $26 salad right I'd be out of my mind to fork over multiples of that for a full meal. Disgraceful. read more

Perfect venue for family union; celebrating 2 birthdays and work promotion. Great menu choices. Today, prawns and pizza were not available from the menu but still had plenty of great choices. Everyone (17 of us) still had plenty to choose from the menu. Burgers, chicken sandwich, salmon, oysters, ceasar salad, beet salad, crab cakes, scallops w polenta, angus filet steak, rancheros, eggs benedict and plenty more. All were perfectly prepared and delicious. Cocktail choices were plentiful and exotic. What made it more fun and memorable was the service we received from Chris and crew. We were spoiled w his friendliness and attentive to our needs. He was also willing to be our personal photographer and videographer throughout the night. He was always willing and professional. I think that might be his second profession on the side. He caught our candid emotions celebrating the festivities w our family. Thank you Chris for going beyond your normal duties to make sure the family received a long lasting and memorable dining experience. Looking forward to coming back for our next visit and celebrating another memorable family experience. read more

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My favorite Carmel Valley restaurant. Amazing breakfast menu Food is delicious atmosphere is unparalleled only outdone by the service. You can't teach nice and everyone I've come in contact there is so friendly and welcoming. Cannot go wrong here! read more

Lovely setting. Great food. Terrific wait staff. Been coming here for lunch for years and always enjoy sitting outside on the deck and garden. You will too! read more

3.5 stars from us. Service was very good and the ambiance very nice. We started with crab cake with was $24 for one. The cake was good with ample amounts of crab. Hubby ordered the beet salad. My entree fish was cooked just right and ample amounts of veggies. Hubby really enjoyed his moist, tender pork chop. He thought the meal was better than the one we had at another restaurant the day prior. We shared a delicious chocolate dessert. If I wasn't already full, I would have ordered another. They ended the meal with 2 comped fruit jelly squares. read more

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tldr: ambiance is nice but food leaves much to be desired. We ended up stopping by at Lucia's since it was open late in comparison to other restaurants in Carmel Valley. They were very accommodating and got us seated immediately. The vibe was classy and intimate. Now onto the food, we got the chicharron for the appetizer and it was the best part of the meal. The ravioli was alright - bland would have liked it to be more flavorful. The pork chop was NOT to be desired - it was dry and not flavorful at all. We had mentioned this to the waiter and she was very accommodating and took it back and brought us another rendition of the pork chops.... However, the second rendition was basically the same so we just tried to eat it as is. read more

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Breakfast and dinner simply amazing. Outstanding menu, everything was prepared perfectly, delicious food, and impeccable service. The indoor fireplace at night is wonderful and the outdoor heated patio for breakfast was beautiful. Highly recommend!! read more

Second time coming here for brunch food was very tasty menu was simple and great choices , our server was friendly went over the menu options we requested if they had iced coffee we did not see it in the menu she's was nicely to make our iced coffee was really good, the restaurant and staff very friendly we prefer the outdoor seating to enjoy sunshine and beautiful views of the property read more

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