ROUX

Found this gem by accident today & had the most amazing blueberry cheesecake with a crumbled…read moretopping. Everyone was so friendly. I'll be back for lunch with my husband and our very gentle dog next time we're here!

I was so intrigued that I came back out to the valley on a day that they were open. Lovely little…read morespot that is obviously frequented by locals in the know. 5ish tables, family run, unique and revolving menu. I enjoyed a ravioli entree and a bowl of their soup of the day. Owner comes out and reads some of her own poetry! I recommend calling before going- their hours vary by additional commitments. I will definitely be back when in the area!

Typical lunch menu

Ravioli

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Tomato and brown rice soup w/ herbs de Provence popover. This was excellent. Really chunky with plenty of vegetables.

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.

Haiku: La Bicyclette…read more Cozy atmosphere Classic and fresh comfort meals Attentive service. --- Hands down, my favorite meal of my Monterey trip. I've come a couple of times, and I couldn't wait to bring my family to enjoy this popular family-run neighborhood establishment. They do simple, comforting dishes well. The star piece is their wood-fired oven baking delicious artisanal breads and pizzas. Some dish highlights: - Pains assortis: Assorted wood-fired bread with local butter. - Pan-seared fresh catch - Spaghetti con vongole. Clam pasta - Classic Pepperoni wood-fired pizza I love the vibes and the European bistro feel of petite wooden tables, hanging copper pots, and bicycle decor. This place is cozy and intimate. As popular as this place gets, I did feel cramped at my table. It was hard to get out of my seat without backing into the chairs behind me and shimmying past the tight neighboring tables to use the ladies' room. Service was attentive, friendly, and efficient. I highly recommend making reservations to avoid long wait times.

Cute seating, delicious pasta!

Oysters du Jour

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Celebratory Profiterole

Lugano Swiss Bistro

4.3(464 reviews)

10.5 mi

Amazing food. Each dish was perfection and a good amount to share amongst a family of 4. Uniquely…read moredecorated interior with ample seating, no wait time on a Saturday early evening. We were given a complimentary basket of bread and butter to start off with, simple as it sounds, it was still really good. We ordered the Swiss onion soup which was so good that my kids were slurping the remaining soup even, best onion soup I've had (better than other French onion soups I've had before). We also got the schnitzel and fish and chips, both of which tasted great. Finished the meal with creme brûlée which definitely did not disappoint. Not sure if this place would be considered kid friendly, there were no kid utensils given. Maybe it was also because there were no other kids at the quiet restaurant but it felt awkward with our loud kids in there. Despite this, would love to come back for the food.

Carmel Fondue Institution is a Must Eat…read more Visiting Carmel and want something a bit off the beaten path of the typical tourist? Lugano has been serving fondue for 30 years, and they should be on your list of restos to try while visiting the area. Decked out in Swiss chalet kitsch from floor to ceiling in marvelous wood with everything from bells to beer steins and mechanical clocks, the atmosphere is as warm and inviting as the service and the food. So what did we try? We went for the fondue sampler, and the jaegerschnitzel and pork bratwurst: 1. Fondue Sampler. Overall okay value. But we could skip the broth course. a. Salad. Ranch dressing. Nothing special but a good start! b. Swiss Original. Mixed with 3 cheeses, this has the required gruyer but also emmentaler, making this a delicious trio of slightly salty creamy flavors with a mild and savory bitter finish. Must get. Comes with bread and fruits. Best part of this. Unlike other places, they don't add oil, which makes this super delicious. c. Broth. Chicken and beef. Sadly, not our favorite. It's kind of like hot pot, but the broth is lackluster. And the meats are not good choices because: the beef is too thickly cut; and the chicken gets hard when boiled so not recommended for this. d. Chocolate. Only one choice with no additions possible. Very good chocolate though. 2. Jaegerschnitzel. Dark mushroom sauce with plenty of flavor. Schnitzel was properly breaded and juicy. Buttery spaetzel with nice al dentez Recommend. 3. Bratwurst. Pork was delicious: plump and juicy, full of tasty flavor. Excellent with the sauerkraut and well made mustard. Definite recommend. I thought the German potato hash too salty by itself but perfect paired with sauerkraut or pickled onions. Overall, a delightful experience. We will come again and focus on the cheese and chocolate next time. And the bratwurst!

So adorable!

Tomato Ticino fondue

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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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Anton & Michel Restaurant

4.1(734 reviews)

11.5 mi

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

Bar area

Abalone

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Braised Beef Cheeks

Taste Cafe & Bistro

4.6(501 reviews)

13.4 mi

My family and I would definitely recommend this restaurant. We came to Pacific Grove with our dog…read morefor the second time and we had to eat outside. The owner gave me a blanket and turned on the outdoor heater and made us feel welcome. We weren't very hungry to start, but we ordered the escargot appetizer, the Sea-bass special which included soup or salad and we had the Caesar salad with that. My husband and I had wine and we enjoyed the red blend Behringer and the Pinot from Monterey. Our Apple galette is coming right now and we know it's good because we had it last time. So remember, dog, friendly, and great customer service!

Went to a wedding reception here and the food was incredible, got the salmon dish and loved the…read moresauce, fish and vegetables were so fresh. Crème brûlée was also solid. Interior is beautiful, honestly no complaints and want to come here for dinner now sometime.

Coffee

Butterscotch Pudding

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Tuna steak with broccoli and mashed potatoe

Enzo

3.7(678 reviews)

11.6 mi

The food and service was amazing!! The crab ravioli is something I will be dreaming about forever!…read moreThe back patio is a beautiful place to eat, such a vibe! The chef specially curated a pasta dish for my sister and it was insane!! If the chef suggests it... get it!

We found Enzo on Yelp while on holiday in the area. Our dog's name is "Enzo" so of course we had…read moreto enjoy lunch on their patio. We started with delicious bread (and olive oil, no balsamic vinegar). My fiancé had absolutely delicious PROSCIUTTO E BURRATA pizza and I thoroughly enjoyed PAESANO (Italian sausage, bell peppers, cheese in ciabatta bread). Both dishes came with a side-salad that we both loved. Yum. Our entire meal tasted like something you would enjoy in a Trattoria in Italy. Why only 4 stars? The older waiter (likely about my own age) was not terribly friendly and didn't seem to want to be working. Perhaps it is his own restaurant? We recommended the restaurant to friends who happened to be in Carmel 2 weeks later. When they went over there, two servers were angrily yelling at each other in Italian outside the building. They went somewhere else and have decided never to return to Enzo. YMMV -- but we enjoyed it.

Backyard outdoor dining and indoor dining

Calamari

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Osso Bucco with a glass of Pinot Noir!

Somm's Kitchen

4.9(497 reviews)

82.9 mi

•$$$$

Protect Ian at all costs! From what or whom, I have no idea lol--but what an absolute treasure this…read moreexperience was! Meeting Ian and spending the evening with him and the other wonderful folk around us was an unforgettable experience. From his stories of adventures around the world to his vast knowledge of food / wine, every conversation was captivating and fun. He is charismatic, funny, and has a way of making every guest feel seen. He takes time to get to know each and every customer. Ian does all the cooking, booking and prep himself. His entire team consists of just two people--a husband & wife kitchen maintenance team who have been with him for the past 13 years. Every dish tells a story. It's was far more than just a meal--it's an experience I'll always remember!

It was a very hot day in Paso Robles. We had reservations…read morefor lunch at the 12:00 PM sitting. It's a small venue only room for 16 around a curved bar. We walked in to a freshly poured glass of Cold Champagne and a Glass of cold Marsanne wine. Our first course of cold purée squash soup, really hit the spot on a hot day. 2nd course chilled curry shrimp paired beautifully with the 4 more Champagne as With the next course (see picture) also cold, mozzarella cheese, with a spicy tomato sauce and sun dried with an olive oil dressing. The flight of 6 (100 point) Bordeaux wines came next with a filet of beef with lentils and freshly made olive bread. The last course cake was lemon curd and fresh raspberries. All the food was amazing. Ian's commentary on the wines was outstanding as well as the food and wine pairing. We all clapped at the end for a truly memorable experience.

Our group!

Apple soufflé. Toothsome!

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Naschmarkt - Campbell

4.5(1.6k reviews)

56.9 mi

I've been trying to make it to this restaurant for over a year. Everything was top-notch, from the…read morefood to the service. Sal was our server--friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. I ordered the chicken paprikash with spätzle, and yum. The spätzle was cooked al dente and paired well with the dish. My mom ordered the salmon, which was seared nicely & still flaky and moist inside. We also tried the sausage trio & the sauerkraut, it was nice. But the real surprise, was the warm dill potatoes. Omg! They were flavorful and def. one of my favorite things we ordered. They were unfortunately out of the goulash when we went, but, that just gives me another reason to come back.

What a fantastic meal, I wish I had come here so much sooner! Everything from the food and drinks…read moreto the ambiance and service created such a great dining experience, I can't wait to come back. Three of us came here for dinner and we opted to share a few starters and entrees. We ordered the Meatball Spatzle, Goat cheese Purse Salad, Double cooked Pork belly, and classic wiener schnitzel. And then we finished off with the Strudel for dessert. Everything was great and we'd definitely order any of it again. There were so many delicious sounding things on the menu though, that I think I'll have to try new stuff next time, just to try more of it! The portions were really good, especially the Spatzle, and all of that was plenty of food for the three of us. I wanted to be able to eat more, but sadly I was getting too full. We ordered a variety of cocktails and wine, our server was very generous in letting us try the different drinks before ordering. I ended getting a glass each of an Austrian and German wine, and loved both. Cocktails were also thoroughly enjoyed by those that had them.

Interior

Spicy Paprikawurst (part of the three-course Valentine's Day Prefix $95/per)

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Pan-Seared Scallops (part of the three-course Valentine's Day Prefix $95/per)

Chicken Foot

5.0(5 reviews)

37.7 mi

This was one of the best meals I've had the pleasure of enjoying in some time. Came here and tried…read morea little of everything...stuffed myself to the gills. Everything was fantastic from start to finish and came out of the kitchen in glorious succession. The pompushki was buttery and soft, the tater tots were perfectly crisp, the loaded pirogies were stuffed full of cheesy potato goodness, and the khachapuri, oh my gosh, the khachapuri. Absolute heaven. I cannot wait to come back and do it all again.

Love the pierogis! They taste like my grandma's use to make! Always look forward to the farmers…read moremarket so I can taste some of my childhood!!

See more unrecommended reviews

Tater tots with black garlic aioli

Menu on 2/10/23

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Pompushki

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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.

10 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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I made the mistake of booking this restaurant for my anniversary, I shouldn't have. They treated it…read morelike just any other reservation and they didn't even have a generic placard or anything, let alone a personalized one. The waiters didn't even know the occasion... they thought I brought my wife and our kids all dressed up... just to eat dinner??? When I said we had a reservation, they also just sat us at a random table that was open, there was no intention behind it. Another couple came in and also had a reservation, the lady asked to not sit in the sun: you see, the afternoon heat has nowhere to go, that's why they leave the front door open. Starting at 5:30pm the sun beats down into the restaurant and starts encroaching further and further to cover more tables. The waiter gave them a table that was actively in the sun! The food, I must say, was good. The chef clearly has a head on their shoulders even if the front staff do not. However, in my opinion the food is overpriced because the rest of the experience doesn't match the quality of food. Don't charge me $50 for a steak if you're not going to congratulate my wife and I. And don't charge $30 for a fish if my wife asks the waiter what the daily special is and the waiters don't know!

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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.

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(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)