ROUX

The food was so good last time that I decided to come back with my family for my birthday dinner…read more There were eight of us with a 5pm reservation and the hostess kindly seated us a little bit early on the patio. The service at Cafe Rustica is outstanding. We had a waiter who took our orders, another one serving our food, and a third pouring water. All were very friendly and professional. I ordered the chicken apple sausage dish I loved so much last time. Others in the party ordered chicken, pinto bean soup, and I think the salmon. Everyone enjoyed their food. My sister surprised me with a small birthday cake she had purchased earlier from a bakery. The waiter brought us small plates and forks and we all had a piece.

My husband and I had a delightful evening at Cafe Rustica! After spending time in the hustle and…read morescene of CBTS, the vibe of this restaurant and surrounding businesses was just what we were after for a cozy, delicious, dinner. Roman took amazing care of us, efficient and friendly and making sure our plates weren't empty for long. Made great recommendations on the menu. Food was incredible, all seems to be homemade/from scratch, and had great flavors. Grilled shrimp skewers, beet salad, butter lettuce salad, lentil soup, vegetarian pizza, and passion fruit sorbet, finished with a decaf americano... would order it all again in a heartbeat! Memorably good spot for us!

Kitchen

Calamari

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The Dynamite

La Bicyclette

4.1(2.7k reviews)

11.6 mi

This was our favorite meal during our week in Carmel. We had an 11a lunch reservation. The oysters…read morewith mignonette and cucumber was simple yet super tasty. The gnocchi, as others have pointed out, was delicate and had a wonderful texture. My duck was out of this world. It had a Thai cream sauce with a medley of nicely cut julienne veg. Pizza was wonderful (perfect crust) and a tomato salad was very much enjoyed by our group. Service: quick and responsive to requests. This is Michelin-rated for good reason and should be on your program while visiting. On our next visit, we'll go for breakfast, which is only Friday-Sunday.

I was excited to try La Bicyclette for lunch on the last day of our Carmel vacation. I expected to…read morehave trouble parking since parking spots are hard to get in the village, and sure enough I had to park pretty far away (about a 10 minute walk). We had a reservation for 12:30pm and they seated us on time. It was a Saturday and the restaurant was very, very crowded. The five of us ordered gnocchi, salade rouge, pepperoni pizza, and more. The food was okay, nothing remarkable, but the service was terrible. The waiter wouldn't make eye contact with any of us and didn't bother to ask if we wanted drinks. When he served the two salads he unceremoniously dumped the plates in front of the wrong people. After we finally ordered our drinks he forgot to bring them until we reminded him. I doubt I'll return.

Cute seating, delicious pasta!

Oysters du Jour

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Celebratory Profiterole

Le Souffle

4.8(124 reviews)

•$$$$

Everything was delicious. My wife and I split something in each category…read more $250 for lunch is extremely high though

WOW! I can't remember how I stumbled upon Le Souffle but so glad I did!!…read more I remember going on their website and finding one slot open for a Friday reservation so I snatched it for my husband and I. We were approached by the co owner who was incredibly sweet and accommodating (I was 26 weeks pregnant at the time & she made sure I was as comfortable as possible in my seat). She's knowledgeable with their menu and drinks which is great! They change their menu often so our options were a bit more seasonal. Everything was baked to perfection and so delicious! Hats off to the chef!! My husband and I loved the non traditional limited seating as it felt more of a personable and intimate experience with the 3 course meal. Everything we both had was delicious!! Nearby, another couple was telling the owner that it was their second time coming back - says a lot! If you get lucky to snatch a reservation, do it! You'll walk away happy you went with a full belly!

Interior decor

Roquefort souffle

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Bistro Moulin

4.4(1k reviews)

13.3 mi

We came to Bistro Moulin with a group, which was perfect because we got to share and try several…read moredishes. I had the filet mignon special, and it was genuinely out of this world...perfectly cooked and served with asparagus, carrots, and silky puréed potatoes. We also shared the Sicilian eggplant pasta, which was absolutely delicious, along with the arugula salad and several desserts. Everything we tried was excellent. Incredible food, wonderful service, and such a warm, charming atmosphere. I already can't wait to come back to Monterey and eat here again!

We were really looking forward to our meal, but unfortunately it didn't meet our expectations. The…read moremussels had a strong, unpleasant odor that concerned us. I felt bad about sending them back and was apologetic when we brought it to the owner's attention. He was responsive, explained that it was the natural smell of the sea, and kindly showed us the invoice proving they were purchased that day. He also offered to check with the vendor. While we appreciated his efforts, the smell was off-putting enough that we decided to order something else. We tried the lamb lollipop special instead. For $42, the portion was quite small--just five thin, uneven pieces--and the lamb was overcooked and overly salty. When we gently mentioned this to our server, she responded with an eye roll, which was disappointing. We genuinely dislike leaving negative feedback, especially for small independent restaurants, but the overall experience left us quite disappointed. Hoping they can improve these items, as the restaurant has potential.

Inside

Seafood Risotto

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Casanova

3.8(2k reviews)

11.6 mi

The food here is surprisingly good, and well worth it. The flavors are comparable to fine dining,…read morewhile portions are filling and satisfying enough for casual cuisine. The Spanish octopus was delightfully tender and paired well with an acidic dressing and greens. The crispy potatoes were well fried, being lightly crunchy while maintaining a fluffy interior. The gnocchi was good, but the least impressive, since it was largely relying on cream for flavor. The spinach didn't really come through. We went with the ribeye, which had a delightful crust yet was still juicy. The mushrooms were a mix of chanterelles, morels, and scored trumpet mushrooms sauted in a lovely wine sauce. Service isn't anything to write home about, but the food is certainly worth turning some heads.

Nope. Not again. Sadly this was our last visit here. The prices were so out of touch. We've been…read morecoming for years. The "rack of lamb" for $78 was 2 small chops. What?? For that price, there should be free bread on the table! Nope! Bread is $13!! My dessert was the smallest sliver of crostata with a little scoop of ice cream. $16 What are they thinking????? Service was great though. It really is sad when great restaurants raise their prices but don't provide matching proportions. Ciao Casanova.

Part of the indoor seating

Cannelloni

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Linguini

L'Escargot

4.4(298 reviews)

Elegant but cozy bistro off the main strip at Carmel…read more Just a couple blocks north of Ocean Ave hides a cute little bistro tucked away between some houses. Somewhat unassuming from the outside, you might be forgiven for thinking its interior was also rather low key. But upon stepping in, you are hugged with a relaxed but definite vibe that screams French bistro in a cottage. The service was warm, friendly, but forgiveably slow, seemingly apart of its charm. Ah, but the food is worth the wait! What did we get? 1. Potato leek soup. Deliciously done, you can taste the potato a bit while savoring the leeks. Solid starter. 2. Onion soup gratinee. Arguably one of the best French onion soups we've had (we had some in France even), the broth is full of flavor and not at all overpowering. The onions are deliciously sweet and the cheese crusty and salty as desired, with the added gratin being a nice addition. Definitely recommend. 3. Mushroom escargots. If you love garlic butter-cooked snails per the French staple, finding them in mushrooms is definitely next level. The mushrooms are a perfect pair with the snails and buttery goodness, offering a complimentary soft chew. Total recommend. 4. Scallop Risotto. Scallops were perfectly cooked, tender, and not too tough or dry with excellently done carmelization on the grilled crust. Risotto was soft but not mushy and had some nice texture as a result with great savory flavor. The green sauce added a nice sweet touch. Absolute recommend. 5. Rack of lamb. Total recommend, and my favorite of the evening. Lamb was perfect: no gaminess with beautiful savory flavor, well cooked and tender with a nice crust added. 6. Apple tart. Served warm with vanilla ice cream. I'm a sucker for apple anything or pie, so this hit the spot, ending the meal on a high sweet note. Apple was just the right sweet and tart, and the paired ice cream was an excellent march. Recommended. Will we go again? You bet. But don't take my word for it. Give this hidden gem a try when you're in town next.

This place is such a charming little gem in Carmel. The food is absolutely delicious! Their…read moreescargot is my favorite dish: rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, and very "Carmel." The service has always been kind, attentive, and welcoming, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. I've visited twice already, and both times I preferred sitting outside. The outdoor seating feels lively and relaxing, especially in the evening. Inside is cute too, but for me personally it felt just a little stuffy compared to the patio atmosphere. The only small disappointment was yesterday, during my birthday dinner. I mentioned that I was celebrating my birthday, and I honestly expected at least a small complimentary dessert or gesture, especially considering the level of the restaurant. It didn't ruin the evening at all, I still give this place a five stars review, but it would have made the experience feel even more special. Overall though, this is still one of my favorite spots in Carmel for French food, atmosphere, and a cozy dinner experience. I'll absolutely be back again, mostly for that incredible escargot and crème brûlée.

Vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate cake

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Chez Noir

4.4(189 reviews)

•$$$$

We came to Chez Noir having heard from seemingly everyone that it was a must when visiting Carmel,…read moreand it 100% lived up to its reputation. The service, ambience, and especially the flavors were absolutely superb. There is an incredible level of thought and care behind every detail of the experience. Even something as simple as laying a beautifully folded blanket across a hard bench so guests could sit more comfortably spoke to the level of hospitality here--nothing felt overlooked. Every course was brilliant, delivering layers of flavor and nuance while still feeling beautifully balanced. There was a confidence and precision to the cooking that made each dish memorable, and the warmth of the service made an exceptional meal feel equally inviting. Chez Noir manages to be incredibly refined without losing its sense of intimacy and genuine hospitality. Thank you to the entire team for one of the most exceptional dining experiences we've had. Chez Noir absolutely deserves its reputation and will be a must-return whenever we're back in Carmel.

My wife treated me to dinner for my birthday... I wanna keep this short so I'll use bullet points:…read more- I have had better food at restaurants that don't have a Michelin star - The drinks and the snacks were the best part of the meal, hands-down - If you sit inside the restaurant it's lively, warm, and pleasant, and the candlelight is very aesthetic! Yet, we were sat outside and so we had FOMO from the vibes and we feel like those seated outside are just left by the wayside... - also, not sure if it was just that night, but the chef was going around talking to guests inside the restaurant, and he didn't come outside to talk to us! - For $600 for two people, you need to rock our socks, and our socks are NOT rocked... - I've never been to a Michelin star restaurant where the servers didn't explain the wine menu - I've never been to a Michelin star restaurant where the servers didn't explain the FOOD menu!!!! - The staff do not have a passion for the food, they just drop off each course, say "enjoy," and then walk away - The add-ons were mediocre at best, I don't recommend spending the money on the cheese course specifically, that gets its own bullet point: - for $22 just go to Trader Joe's, get a full-size of each thing and still have $5 left over! We got like maybe 6 nuts, a spread of jam, a smidgen of honeycomb, bread that was more air than bread, and yeah you can see the picture and just see for yourself - The only time I felt whimsy was when I ate the ravioli because it tasted like blue box - I tried to keep it short whoops!

Ambiance + view of the kitchen

Delicata Squash Frito Misto

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Indoor

PortaBella

4.3(1.6k reviews)

Hands down, the best Fruits de Mer I've ever had. The pasta was loaded with shrimp, calamari, all…read moretossed in a rich, perfectly creamy sauce (not like Alfredo) that was absolutely delicious. Every bite was so flavorful and satisfying. Service was also on par and exceptionally. The restaurant itself has such a beautiful, old-world Carmel charm -- warm, cozy, and perfect for a leisurely meal. Love the upbeat vibes the music was playing in the background. So romantic too. Andy had his bread pudding, which was clearly the highlight of his meal. A beautiful lunch, amazing food, and one more Carmel memory to keep.

I hate giving bad reviews but to hopefully save others from our poor experience here it goes…read more Let's start with the food, we got soups, beef short ribs, seafood pasta and a couple of croque monsieurs. The soups were good but not extraordinary. The beef short ribs were supposed to have a mushroom gravy but it came out with a sauce that was sweet, kind of like a cranberry sauce. The beef was lacking flavor and there was no bone which we found odd. Kind of like something you get from Costco. The two croque monsieurs we got were just barely ok. They were kind of dry and sauce was a bit off putting. The pasta was the biggest offender. The pasta was hard. It was severely undercooked. How can an Italian restaurant not know how to cook pasta! Suffice it to say we didn't finish our food. Left kind of hungry actually. Usually a the service will help a bit but it was poor at best. We sat our table long enough waiting to be acknowledged that I contemplated about just leaving. The wait seemed surprised that we were ready to order by the time he finally came by to get drinks for us. I swear we waited about 15 minutes before he even came by. One might excuse it if they're busy but they weren't. I saw him standing around joking with the other staff. Totally not ok. Hopefully this review saves some people from wasting their time and money on poor food and bad service.

Complimentary bread

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Portabella Cream of Mushroom Soup

Bear + Flag Roadside

4.2(153 reviews)

7.4 mi

Locally owned & operated

Grab-and-go

We were on the hunt for a sandwich shop near us as we just moved to the Monterey Peninsula and Bear…read more+ Flag Roadside did not disappoint! We shared the "herb roasted turkey breast" sandwich and added avocado. Delicious and a good portion! We only ordered 1 sandwich and split it and it was perfect! What ever they do to season their shredded lettuce makes it so tasty. My boyfriend kept mentioning how delicious the sandwich bread was, maybe it was a sourdough baguette, as it tasted very fresh. Can't wait to go back and explore other options on their menu as well as explore their large selection of beverages and beers. We enjoyed the sandwich at their outdoor patio and it was a lovely casual spot. There were plenty of picnic tables to choose from under large trees which provided great shade. Highly recommend!

Just happened to be in the area for work and found this place…read more Great specials I had a roast beef sandwich friends had the brisket everything was delicious Service was outstanding great food

Our Artichoke Burger (vegetarian) housemade artichoke patty, havarti, sprouts, tomato

Family-friendly and dog-friendly (on a leash please) Patio

Bear + Flag Roadside - Frickles, Burger, Paisano Sandwich, Turkey + Avocado Sandwich, our amazing sauces & fries. If you haven't had Awesomesauce - you'll love it!

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Frickles, Burger, Paisano Sandwich, Turkey + Avocado Sandwich, our amazing sauces & fries. If you haven't had Awesomesauce - you'll love it!

Patisserie Boissiere

4.1(782 reviews)

11.5 mi

What a lovely little gem. The atmosphere was romantic yet simple -- softly lit, relaxed, and…read moreunderstated in the best way. It felt elegant without being pretentious, the kind of place where you instantly settle in and enjoy your evening. The staff was incredibly warm and welcoming, and the service throughout the meal was attentive and thoughtful. The baked goods were especially wonderful -- fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Everything we ordered was delicious and beautifully prepared. I really appreciated the subdued atmosphere. It made the whole experience feel calm, intimate, and comfortable. A perfect spot for a quiet dinner, a date night, or simply enjoying good food with good company. Definitely a place I'd happily return to. Five stars.

Bakery + restaurant altogether in one space. Awkward situation because even if you have a…read morereservation for the restaurant, you'd still have to wait to check-in with everyone else waiting in line for the pastries because the guy who checks you in is also the same one as behind the bakery counter. Service: 3/5 Food came out fast but service was lacking. Had to ask for water refills and checks because there was no one checking in on us throughout the meal. Food: 3/5 Chicken pot pie - This was tasty to eat. Salmon - Wrapped in parchment paper.. and I didn't like how my salmon was not thoroughly cooked in the middle.

See more unrecommended reviews

Filet mignon....

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French onion soup

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30 reviews that are not currently recommended

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chris m.

11 years ago

I enjoy eating at nice restaurants. I've been to some of the top-notch restaurants in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. I had dinner at Roux last night and I really liked it. A LOT. Roux is doing something new and different than most other places on the Monterey Peninsula. Do yourself a favor and give Roux a try the next time that you're in the area. You will not be disappointed. Food: 9/10 Our party of four shared a half-dozen of their "small plates". Each was different and NONE of them disappointed! Simple ingredients like Brussels sprouts, fingerling potatoes, deviled eggs and Ahi tuna, were elevated to "the next level". The table shared a main course of risotto with short ribs, that tasted as if the meat was braised all day long and the flavors were concentrated in the reduced sauce. The risotto itself was "spot-on" as the texture was perfect. The homemade bread pudding dessert with tart cherries was "crazy good". The wine list is very nice, although a bit on the pricey side. No "hard liquor" license, so no "real" cocktails are available Value: 9/10 Roux is a bit on the "pricey side", but no more so than other like restaurants. The ingredients used are the best and portion size is more than adequate. I felt that I received "a good bang for my buck" Decor/Ambience: 8/10 The exterior of the building looks a little bit like an "A" Frame ski lodge. The interior is decorated tastefully with a modern yet very comfortable feel. The restrooms are also modern and were spotless. The noise level is a bit high because the place is small and because people are loud when they are enjoying themselves. An outdoor patio should prove to be nice when the weather warms up a bit Service: 8/10 All of our servers, food runners and bus persons were personable, polite and professional. Roux has only been open for three weeks, so the staff is still learning their jobs. Any noticeable shortcomings were very minor (waiting for water refills and waiting 10 minutes for the check to be picked up) and are easily compensated for by the personalities of the staff. The owner was present and stopped by each table to say hello, which was a nice touch I really hope Roux does well and is supported by the local community and visitors alike. I think that they will establish their niche and only get better. I will be going back to Roux for sure! read more

Eliana P.

11 years ago

Really love the outdoor vibe and decor. brings a touch of modern to rustic Carmel Valley. My tastebuds were not as thrilled. Our table ordered a variety of dishes so we got the opportunity to try several items. The best dish was the kale with blue cheese. it was interesting, unexpected and had great flavor and texture. second best was the short rib risotto but the short rib lacked flavor and the risotto was overcooked. Other items were ok but not memorable for the price point and local wines are more heavily priced than other restaurants as other reviewers have mentioned. I also don't categorize this menu as French including the sangrias which list soju a Korean rice wine as ingredients. I would give this place another shot but probably not for a few months. Service was awkward as servers had difficulty remembering descriptions and how to pronounce dishes. The Oreo dessert tasted just like the funnel cake at a fair so I would try a different dessert in the future. Would have been great to meet the owner operators which I've read about in local press. Didn't really feel any kind of personal presence which is kind of part of the charm of a lot of places in this area. read more

Kari Z.

7 years ago

BAD BAD BAD. LOOK AT THE REVIEWS WHERE THEY COMPLETELY VERBALLY ASSAULTED A GROUP OF YOUNG LADIES OUT FOR A SPECIAL EVENT. EVEN THE TABLES NEXT TO THEM WERE HORRIFIED BY THE OWNERS' BEHAVIOR, AND WROTE THEIR OWN REVIEWS OF HOW TERRIBLE THE INCIDENT WAS. this is a high$$$ area, and these racist and/or misogynistic owners need to be SHUT DOWN. then there would be another spot open for a truly gifted and delicious eatery to set its root down in. PLEASE. just take the time to read all of the reviews, and then DON'T GO HERE. they called people UNDER-QUALIFIED to eat there!!! and after the owners were called out for their terrible discrimination, they never apologized, AND CONTINUED TO BERATE THE WOMEN. even after working in the service industry for over 2 decades, across the country, this is one of the worst incidents i've ever heard of. per one of roux's owners: "this isn't an olive garden!" YOU'RE RIGHT! olive garden would have been better by MILES. i truly hope they either apologize and change their ways, or go down in flames. booooooooo ROUX!!! read more

Walt H.

11 years ago

Very loud restaurant. We could barely hear the nightly specials recited by the waitress. Food was solid to great. Asparagus risotto with black truffles one of the best risottos we've ever had. Boar belly was very good, but salmon carpaccio needed lemon. Easy fix, but a fix none the less. Pan sauteed bay scallops had pencil eraser sized scallops and overwhelmed by chorizo component. Hats off for the service though. Owner's wife noticed that the scallops went virtually untouched and immediately took them off the bill. read more

Jensen A.

11 years ago

Came to roux tonight while visiting family, I have been to Joya where chef fabrice came from and I have to say the food here at roux is a sad attempt of what he tried to do in Palo Alto( the fried Oreos are the exact same and they are carnival food at best,does he have an original thought in his head)over priced for quality , while the space is beautiful( hence the one star) the food is bad and unoriginal, if Mr Roux thinks he will survive on reputation alone he is mistaken. read more

Josh M.

625

2 years ago

My family and I had dinner reservations for Christmas Eve. Although we are staying in Monterey, we were very excited to make the drive. However, upon arriving, we realized it was closed. They were accepting reservations on both Yelp and OpenTable. This review is not based on their food or beverage but only their business practices. Please make sure to update your hours of operation or at the very least your voicemail message. We called them several times. read more

Savannah H.

8 years ago

How are these people still in business?? I don't care how good the food is (which it's not that good - my sister later got food poisoning from the Salmon and was sick the whole car ride home), no establishment has the right to treat their customers with such terrible service (most of this terrible service came straight from the owner herself). Save your money - not worth coming here and definitely not worth supporting a business like this. read more

Kimberly S.

11 years ago

Just ate at the best new restaurant in Carmel Valley. The food at Roux was amazing! The filet minon was buttery soft and the foie gras sauce was better than I have ever tasted. I was really impressed by the welcoming reception as we walked in the door, and the extensive wine selection. The setting was perfect for a small, intimate dinner. The owners are wonderful people, who are very knowledgeable about fine foods and wines. read more

Maria S.

11 years ago

I love Carmel Valley so I wanted to try this resturant. OMG ! The service was terrible ! And the food was very bland. The portions were dinky and prices were very high for what you got. If you like being charged $15 for $3 worth of food, have 2 hours for lunch and don't mind loud noises, this is the place for you. Sorry Roux, but I was very disappointed. read more

Meah B.

3 years ago

Roux....more like Roux'd (as in rude). Called this place just to ask a simple question, and the lady on the phone was like 0 to 60 in 5 second flat with her impatience. She really has a way with her aggressive speaking that makes you feel like she swearing at you without actually swearing . So...I guess that's a special kind of skill. read more

Tammy R.

10 years ago

I was so impressed with this restaurant! The food was incredible, every single thing I ate was amazing. You can tell a lot of thought and preparation goes into every ingredient. The staff was wonderful, all very knowledgable about food, great service and very professional. I'll definitely be going back every time I come to Carmel!!! read more

Mark W.

5 years ago

Not reviewed for food as we didn't stay. Wait staff was rude and the indoors was depressing. Had hoped for a more locals focused meal, but with the cold and unfriendly welcome and dismissively seated at a table that wasn't even set, couldn't see clear to persevering through. read more

Jim A.

9 years ago

What a wonderful restaurant with a great choice of delicious meals, even for the American teenage pallet. The servers, ours was Omar, were attentive and gracious. We will definitely be coming back often. read more

Gary B.

8 years ago

This place is AWESOME! Not much more I can say about this place. I/We will be back. Every time we head into the Valley, we will stop here for dinner. read more

Tareq B.

7 years ago

Great French food by French cook. It's a family operation. Outdoor seating in the summer nights are heavenly! Excellent wine selection.

Utkarsh M.

1 year ago

Do not book even if it says 'open' - This place closed in 2024 Closed Closed closed closed closed closed read more

Ryan M.

10 years ago

Wonderful experience here!! The owners are hands on and caring of your experience. See you next time

Elsa W.

10 years ago

Exquisite from start to finish! I love everything about this restaurant and highly recommend it.

Andrew A.

11 years ago

Disappointing. Very noisy, eclectic small plates menu poorly executed, and overpriced wine.

Chris M.

7 years ago

This place is great to go for some sangria and try the small plates. Owner is awesome too.

ROUX - tapasmallplates - Updated September 2026

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Came in Saturday night during car week and was completely blown away by the staff, service and…read morefood! We originally planned to dine elsewhere but weren't impressed by the service and Fandango was kind enough to fit us in short notice on a very busy weekend! We started with wine and EXCELLENT martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives, salads and entrees. The staff was very friendly and efficient and the GM even came to our table to make sure we were enjoying our dinner. The ambiance was super rustic and charming and I will definitely be back! 10/10!

A lovely place for a romantic date night out. We were seated by the fireplace which created a…read moreperfect ambiance for me. We ordered a bottle of Belle Glos Pinot Noir which was real smooth and delicious. Filet Mignon is one of my favorite meals and the one served here did mot disappoint. The duck a l'orange was tender and flavorful and melted in your mouth. The scallop potatoes were a bit lacking and I would've rather had them mashed which it didn't seem could be modified. The veggies were quite tasty as well. We dug into the ice cream stuffed cream puffs which was not an overwhelming dessert! Overall it was pleasant experience and we'll be coming back again.

La Cote Bleue

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Had an absolute blast celebrating a friend's birthday at La Côte Bleue with a big group of 20…read more Organizing dinner for that many people is usually a headache, but the staff set up a custom special menu for us and made the whole night feel completely effortless. The food across the board was genuinely great, but you seriously cannot leave without getting dessert--the crème brûlée was hands-down amazing. Super warm vibe, great hosting, and just an all-around fantastic spot in Pacific Grove if you've got a celebration coming up.

At first glance this quaint restaurant seems quiet and elegant but the moment you walk in the…read moreambiance of great food over comes you as well as the elegance! The two waiters i encountered were Ruben and Mateo. Mateo greeted me initially and had specials at the ready and Ruben had the kindness and smile that I had been looking for out of all the restaurants along the main strip. Courteous, kind men and better service than I could have asked for! Tucked away you'll find fantastic service and prices I was astonished by! I ordered 2 proseccos and 2 plates of oysters as they only come in 6. Being on the coast I was expecting, ehh, decent oysters but their shucked raw oysters blew me away with freshness! And I'm a gal who grew up on the coast and knows my mollusks. A place I was willing to try and once I did it was hard to leave, a staple in Monterey I cannot wait to come back to! Cote Bleue is a MUST TRY!

Bistro Moulin

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Maligne

4.0

(194 reviews)

Pretty pricey for a Seaside boy like me, so we probably won't eat there often. We went on Mother's…read moreDay. I liked the inside decor. My wife did not. The outside almost seems to be hiding the place. We loved the milk bread. I had the "Royale with cheese." In other words, a cheeseburger. Very good! My wife loves lamb, and she says the rack of lamb was perfect. The service was friendly and efficient, but my wife thought the staff should have been dressed somewhat more formally.

Lovely experience overall. Top quality ingredients. You get a lot of food for the $ spent (esp. the…read morebigger dishes) and won't leave hungry. My major complaint was that the chef probably has a sweet tooth? Both tapas we got, crudo (bluefin tuna) and burrata, could use way more acidity. Sure they were still great flavors, but the balance was off. Needed something to cut through. Also the old fashion tasted way too sugary and got better after the ice cube melted, lol. Apart from that, the pork chop was ever slightly undercooked. I'm sure it was safe to eat (cooking meat to under-USDA-recommended-temp but keeping it at that lower temperature for longer is a good technique). But the meat could've been rested longer. While cutting and eating the pink juice kept flowing and it was a bit off putting.

Anton & Michel Restaurant

4.1

(734 reviews)

Came here the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend and had such a great lunch experience. We didn't…read morehave a reservation, but were able to get seated immediately. We sat outside in the courtyard and the ambiance was absolutely perfect with the water fountains, greenery, and live music! Aside from the amazing ambiance, the service was also great. Very friendly and attentive! The weather changed a bit while we were out there, with umbrellas being offered to move when we arrived, and heaters offered to be added as we dined. To eat I got the Sand dabs and my mom the Crab cake. We both liked our meals and would order them again! I did have my eye on a few other things on the menu though, so I would probably try something else next time for a little variety.

A few highs a couple lows. My husband and I came here for a…read morebirthday dinner and told the host when we checked in. We were seated outside in a lovely courtyard next to a fountain pool. The ambiance was so nice minus the extremely loud family sitting next to us but that's not the restaurants fault... We ordered the crab cake as an appetizer and it was phenomenal! I would come here again just for the crab cake. I ordered the filet mignon and broccolini with a Demi glaze sauce- both of which were delicious and well cooked. My husband ordered rack of lamb with chimichurri, Mac and cheese and potatoes au gratin all of which were VERY tasty. The only things that wasn't good were the fries we ordered as a side. They were described as garlic Parmesan fries but there was no garlic or Parmesan on them at all. Actually completely unseasoned and tasted like any old beer battered fries you could get at a bar. We also saw a woman who got a dessert and birthday song- we did not. They didn't notice until after we left and the host ran up the street after us and apologized for forgetting our birthdays and gave us a mini bottle of wine which was a nice gesture. Overall a good experience

Cella Restaurant & Bar

4.4

(175 reviews)

While I can't speak to the restaurant normal operations I can speak to their event hosting. We held…read morea farewell brunch the morning after our wedding at this restaurant and it was fabulous! The staff were easy to work with in setting up the event and more than accommodating with the several dietary restrictions that we brought up given the size of the party that would be stopping by (roughly 80 or so). They had a wide variety of pastries, meats, and other desserts that's were all absolutely spectacular. And bother internal and external of the venue are absolutely beautiful. We had a nice sunny morning so most of our party were sitting outside in the wonderful patio space and everyone was raving about how good the food was.

Cella Restaurant and Bar is a beautiful space in the heart of Monterey, with a warm interior and a…read morelovely back patio with heat lamps. Our server was very nice and attentive, but there was some unevenness in the courses due to a disconnect between what he described and what the kitchen actually delivered. For example, I mentioned that my partner has an aversion to cilantro, and in one course the kitchen actually replaced it entirely with chives, which was amazing. However, when our server came by, he mentioned they had put the cilantro on the side. In another dish, a full cilantro stalk came right on top of the plate. Not a huge deal since we could just pick it off, but it was a sign of inconsistency in service. We also ordered the cod dish, and when we mentioned we were avoiding undercooked proteins, our server said he would make sure it was cooked through, which confused me a bit since I believe cod is always fully cooked through. On to the food itself, we started with the plum lacquered duck kefta, which came out on two cinnamon sticks used as the skewers. These were absolutely fantastic, with the yogurt sauce acting as the perfect foil for the expertly seasoned duck and the cinnamon stick adding a subtle spice. The Moss Landing black cod was likewise delicious, with the cod cooked to a buttery and flaky texture, and it was paired with a sumptuous vanilla bean butter sauce over a bed of pepper and green bean panzanella that was out of this world. My only complaint was that for the steep price, the portion was quite small. The curried lamb shoulder was exceptional as well. It arrived with a striking presentation, encased in a three-quarter dome puff pastry shell filled with shredded lamb shoulder meat. It came with a side of some kind of fruit compote or chutney, though we were not given a detailed description of most dishes. This portion felt appropriate for the price and was the favorite of the night. We mentioned we were celebrating our wedding anniversary, and while we were not expecting anything over the top, we were a bit disappointed when we saw them bring out a dessert with a candle for what I assume was a birthday celebration at another table. For a restaurant of this caliber and at this price point, I have always experienced at least some sort of gesture, even if just a small card or message at the table. Overall, we had a pleasant evening, but it is not somewhere we would return to based on the uneven service and the mismatch between price and portions.

Foray

4.7

(166 reviews)

•$$$$

This restaurant was amazing. Had the best/most interesting dish ever offered by the chef as a thank…read moreyou/welcome after picking the pre fixe menu and wine pairing- a fresh oyster with lime/cilantro ice shavings! The entire meal was once in a lifetime.

We were part of a 20-person wedding dinner, and Foray handled it like pros. Group dinners can get…read morechaotic fast, but the timing, pacing, and service were flawless from start to finish. Every dish arrived at temp, plated beautifully, and with the same attention to detail you'd expect at a two-top. Between my partner and me, we shared the Wagyu tartare, seared scallops, 30-day aged bluefin tuna, and the foraged mushroom risotto. Every bite felt intentional. The tartare was silky and perfectly seasoned, the scallops were caramelized and tender, and the bluefin was rich and clean with that perfect melt. The risotto hit all the comfort notes without being heavy, layered with truffle and deep umami. Cocktails were another standout. The Coastal Bloom was bright, crisp, and herbal, while the Foray Old Fashioned brought rich coffee and cacao flavors that tied perfectly into dessert. We ended with the candy cap bread pudding and dark chocolate tres leches, both elegant and balanced, the kind of desserts you remember days later. Foray delivered a wedding dinner that felt personal and polished all at once. Exceptional food, kind staff, and one of the best group dining experiences we've ever had in Carmel.

Seventh & Dolores

3.8

(620 reviews)

Amazing service by OSCAR!! The filet, potatoes au gratin, mushrooms and mac n cheese were to die…read morefor! We also loved the Ceasar salad, onion soup and tuna tare tare. For dessert, our favorite was the bread pudding!!

Absolutely outstanding. The quality, attention to detail, and impeccable service made for a truly…read morememorable meal. Our waiter, Oscar, was amazing! 10/10

VIN By the Sea

4.0

(23 reviews)

This place was amazing for a bachelorette brunch celebration. We had a party of 5 with reservation…read moreand they set glitters on the table for celebration. The spot is very cute and great for photos, and the staff is amazing, accommodating, super nice. The food itself was bomb, I ordered the Louisiana chicken karaage that comes with ranch, Cole slaw, biscuit and hot honey, 10/10 combo. The drinks were reallllyyyy great too, highly recommend the vin spritz if you wanted something fruity and fresh, and the rose lemonade if you love sweets and don't love the taste of alcohol.

We were walking by Vin on our way to our dinner reservation and decided to stop in for a glass of…read morewine. The venue is a cute spot with a nice selection of wines. I ordered a rosé, while my husband chose a Pinot Grigio. The wine was tasty and exactly what we expected. Unfortunately, the service left a lot to be desired. The girl working at the bar was not very attentive and made us feel as though we were bothering her. She was neither friendly nor welcoming, which took away from what could have been a pleasant experience. The wine and atmosphere were enjoyable, but better service would definitely have made us want to stay longer and return.

Lugano Swiss Bistro

4.3

(464 reviews)