Octopus legs - Must try! Well charred, nice crispy texture. Great flavored not too salty. Loved it! I ordered another one afterward. Had many grilled octopus at fine dining, this is one of the better one I've had. Crab cakes - Crunchy. Done crabby cakes aren't very crunchy and it falls apart friends on how they made the crab cakes. This one is filled with crab meats. But I am not impressed with the marinate. Nonetheless, you like crab, you won't go wrong. However my favorite appetizer here is the octopus legs. Chorizo tostada - it's ok. Not special. Kale and white bean soup- I like the soup! The chorizo spiciness made the soup better. Spaghetti with crab meat - A bit salty but all in all, ok. The crab meat taste didn't overwhelmed the spaghetti which I hope it will. Cause the flavor kind of bland. Sea bass - the texture of the sea bass is slightly tough. May be I got used to the Chilean sea bass. Otherwise it was done beautifully. Crispy on the skin, nicely roasted hazelnut. Good compliment on the garnish. Short rib - Tender. Flavorful. Well marinated. But dry cause it's got a little far in between. Very nice crispy fingerling potatoes. The waiter we had wasn't very god waiter... Every time we ordered extra food, he seemed to question... "You want another...?" He never asked if I want another Arnold palmer which I finished before he came back to take the entre order. He never asked if we need more food, more drinks, nor even asked us if we need a shuttle to chauffeur back to our room. The reason I mentioned all these is because the waiter who waited the table next to us did all that! Breakfast: Better waiter but still didn't ask me if I want an extra orange juice cause again I finished before he took my breakfast order... hey, I'm a thirsty guy! read more

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Wonderful service. Wonderful food and priceless view. Although it was a bit cold, the experience was amazing. I just wanted to sit there all day and enjoy the view and the sun. The food was delicious and the service was impeccable from beginning to end. Thank you Sara, Nick, Angel, Flávia and Jessica. Mahalo much for everything. We will be back very soon! read more

The Sur House - The view - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Definitely get the "sur" loin , it was amazingly tender. So good that I had it for dinner and my late night dinner later on. We also got the sable fish, which my wife thought was very soft and flaky. We got scallops and tofu for our lite night dinner too. The scallops were really good. Though the tofu was bland, it's a vegan dish which is expected lol though the veggies on it were very well seasoned. Overall, 4.5 for food and 5 for service. They attended to our every need and accepted any changes to the menu that we requested. Even though scallops were not on the late night menu, they served it to us anyway. As for all those negative reviews from the glampers, this is a resort restaurant. People pay a premium to be here away from kids, noise, and the city. You can't roam onto the resort grounds and expect to be served like paying guests....... read more

We stayed at the Alila so had the opportunity to have a number of meals at The Sur House.  I have to say almost everything was delicious.  My favorites were probably the Fish Tacos (halibut), Quesadilla and the Churrasco and if you are a chocolate fan get the Chocolate Ice Cream (for lunch)  and for dinner the Scallops were great and also the Prawns.  If you are a chocolate fan do not miss the flourless chocolate torte for dinner desert. The seasonings and presentation on these dishes were perfection.   Add that to the amazing view and the great service - don't know what else you would need! One warning - if you don't like "fancy" food you won't like it here.  Even their burgers are not just your average.   Oh yes and try their old-fashioned - its a bit on the sweeter side and great and also the Marine Layer drink - worth it just to watch the bubble pop! read more

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Just go. The food, the service, the ambiance, literally all of it. So good. My sister and I stayed at Alila Ventana and had multiple meals here. We are still regularly talking about It 6 months later. read more

Sick views. Very slow service but the food is delicious. Coffee tonic - unique and delicious Crab Louie salad - very good almost like a crab wedge salad instead of what you'd expect for a Louie salad Calamari - yummy and not that oily read more

The Sur House - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Came here for dinner, but as a tip, come an hour before sunset to see the breathtaking ocean view from the mountain top. The staff were very attentive and quick to tend to any requests, felt like we were in 5star dining or so. Lighting is dim, so for those with David m vision, use that camera light to read your menus cuz it's ambience over accommodation here :) Two main dishes were ordered Tagiatelle Nero- such a rich buttery flavor condensed into a simple dish topped with dungeonous crab. Steamed mussels- this for sure is meant to be shared. It's a huge dish with savoury tomato broth base with plenty of mussels throughout the dish Lavender creme brulee- the aroma and flavor is so nice! Light and creamy with the crackling crispies of carmelized sugar garnished will the lavender... A perfect dessert to top the night off. Thank you for the wonderful birthday dinner, service and ambience! read more

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Located on the top of a hill, adjacent to (or part of?) Ventana resort, it is a great upscale restaurant with a beautiful view and breathtaking patio area. On the night we went, service was excellent. It was the night they had a brush fire on a nearby mountainside, and even though we had a dog and was supposed to be seated on the patio, they made an exception and let us dine inside (because the smell of smoke was so bad). I really appreciated the fact that they were trying to accommodate us, knowing there really wasn't too many choices late on Sunday night when we had a pet with us. The food was good, we had the salad, mussels and crab pasta. Everything was tasty, and the ambience was great. They also have this lookout deck (open Wed-Sun) attached to the parking lot, and the view from there is absolutely gorgeous, highly recommend even if you're not eating at the restaurant to check it out and take in the scenery. Thank you for taking care of us and making sure we were breathing clean air while eating. Really appreciate the staff for making our visit so enjoyable. read more

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Had a truly amazing experience at the Sur House over the weekend. We were here for the weekend visiting from Washington, DC. Juan was incredible, he was very kind, thoughtful, and just overall outstanding! We were celebrating multiple occasions and Juan made the experience so special. Juan gave the best recommendations on drinks and food as well. 10000/10!! We loved it here. read more

Accompanied by the sunset, ocean mist and the smell of the evergreens surrounding us, we enjoyed an unforgettable anniversary dinner on the patio of The Sur House this year. From the moment we arrived, we received impeccable service. Our waiter, I believe his name was Michael, was warm, welcoming and took amazing care of us. He answered all of our questions, and made sure we were comfortable and wanted for nothing. All of our courses were brought out promptly and he made sure to check on us regularly refilling our drinks. He even had the kitchen add "Happy Anniversary" to our desserts. He really made us feel special. The patio is lovely with a nice view. We sat near a wall with gas fire and it was just enough to keep the chill away while still allowing us to enjoy the crisp air. We had our pup with us and she was quite content as well. I love that they are dog friendly. Our food was top notch. Every dish was incredible, both in taste and presentation. To start, we had the spring chicory salad and the Spanish octopus. The goat cheese and walnuts in my salad were delicious and my husband said the octopus was crispy with the perfect amount of heat. I had chicken for my main (which I ordered mostly for our pup) but my husband did taste it and said it was very good. I really enjoyed the Moroccan flavors of the rest of the dish which were all vegetarian friendly. The couscous and olives were flawlessly flavored and it genuinely reminded me of our trip to Morocco a few years ago. Let me be clear that they have plenty of vegetarian options and they even have a menu for your dog, but I was craving the couscous and my pup was hungry too so it just worked out better for me personally. My husband ordered the dry aged NY strip steak medium rare and said it practically melted in his mouth. His dessert was a salty and sweet sundae which is a combination he is not too keen on but that didn't stop him from devouring it and my galette was simple, fresh and sweet. An exquisite end to an exquisite meal. Thank you Sur House. read more

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Great views, food and drinks were ok for the price range. Service was very good. But overall it was just an ok experience read more

The Sur House - two cocktails on a table - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

Service here is good, ambiance is nice outdoor seating is what they had, only issue was there was a lot of flies and wasps around the area where it was hard to eat comfortably. They have fans for the table but most of them were taken so they didn't have enough for every table. The food is good and fresh has different unique tastes where the menus are changed often. Had the steak which was cooked well and along with the potatoes. The sorbet flight was worth it, overall good place that comes with the reservation was worth it. read more

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My husband made our reservation for our Prix Fixe Anniversary Dinner prior to our arrival to Big Sur with us looking forward to their unique offerings. Finding the restaurant was a bit confusing but alas we made it to our reservation with a few minutes to spare - they are located on the Ventana property FYI. Greeted by the hostess, we were seated immediately, although known for their gorgeous views there was an inversion layer this April, so we were seated looking at a lovely Zen garden with the backdrop of Big Sur. The waiter's assistant immediately came over welcomed us restaurant while handing us the menus then offered us either sparkling or tap water which we requested sparkling. He then brought us fresh bread w/Himalayan salt accompanied with cream cheese that had fresh grated vegetables from the Ventana garden it was ~ amazingggg!! Our waiter followed shortly asking us if we had decided on our drinks for the evening and had any questions about the menu. The Chef's Taste of The Season Menu was a Prix Fixe four-course menu that had four choices in each four-course section - can you say WOW!! that's options! Our waiter (sorry we forgot your name) was helpful with what was his favorites and we started to narrow it down for our choices for the night. He asked what brought us in for the evening, that he had heard it was our anniversary - we shared that he was correct, and looking forward to a lovely evening out. For our libations of the evening we decided on a Spritzer for moi and a Remember When for my husband both very refreshing. First course for my husband: Octopus Carpaccio with compressed watermelon radish, cucumber, capers & aioli ~ well balanced and delicate!! 1st Course for me: Cauliflower Soup with maple truffle crumb and hon-shimeji mushroom ~ this was absolutely divine and I LOVED watching the chef pour the soup over the truffle crumb, I felt like a little kid watching this - TOO FUN!! be sure to watch my video!! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select_video=b2sWDxUMnX5h6bxFtYuFTQ&userid=GX0FKxi3OjDABcw4XwQ7Jg 2nd Course for my hubby: Tuna poke w/mango vinaigrette, coconut puree & jerk spiced macadamia nuts ~ how can anyone pass up POKE - this was absolutely deLISH! 2nd Course for moi: Ricotta Cavatelli with pancetta, Ventana spring onions, peas, lemon, Sausalito watercress & Parmesan ~ veryyy rich and yet everything complimented each ingredient - in a word - yum!! Main Course for my husband: Potato Crusted Ling Cod with bean cassoulet, pork belly, turnips and fennel ~ the cod was tender, cooked to perfection and everything meshed well, definitely OMTASTY!! Main Course for me: Ora King Salmon with fennel and lemon puree, potatoes, tapenade and asparagus ~ the salmon was rich, cooked perfectly, lemon puree and tapenade paired well with the potatoes & asparagus rounding off the dish - yep this dish was daBOMB!! We couldn't finish everything it was downright impossible but we definitely tried, ohhh wait you thought we forgot about dessert are you CRAZY!! LOL Final Course Dessert: We shared, although my husband tries to sneak a few more bites in when I am not looking LOL Almond Fancier and Strawberry Semifreddo ~ the staff went out of their way to dress up the dish and wish us a Happy Anniversary!! Thank you Sur House! both of our choices were absolutely yummilicious!! my fave if I had to pick the Strawberry Semifreddo - this is a MUST!! Our evening was a delightful dining experience by The Sur House along with their attentive staff. We loved the attention to detail, polite and attentive staff. If in the area you should experience Sur House for your special day or just to enjoy their Strawberry Semifreddo - yep that kind of yummilicious!! read more

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Well. I wasn't prepared for this outing to the Sur House. I should have read up on it a little bit more, but I came here because the restaurant across the street was reservations only during the high season of car week (mid August) in Big Sur, CA. The restaurant is apart of the Ventana Inn resort complex. It looks pretty plain from the outside, but inside it has amazing wood interior and rustic tables. The patio has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. On this trip, the patio was closed for a private event. Nevertheless, I was able to get a table next to the window that overlooked the patio and the ocean beyond that. I started with a French rose, followed by the grilled seabass. It was very good. I had overheard from the table next to me that they had the lavender creme brulee and I could not pass that up with some French roast coffee. Service was very attentive and every detail was produced without question. So, check your pocket book, because this is a great spot to splurge and relax to the ocean. Definitely a special event places for my future visits. read more

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Found a last minute reservation at The Sur House on a Thursday evening. The restaurant was pretty empty when we arrived so we were seated immediately! It was my first time in the Big Sur area and I'm so glad we chose this place as the view was amazing!! The view outside, was especially great! We got to walk around before/after dinner. The food/presentation was excellent, as well. You can choose to do a course menu or order a la carte, which we decided to do. I'd love to visit The Sur House again! read more

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best all inclusive dining for a hotel dinners requiring booking but lunch and breakfast do not great hyatt points value! food takes awhile to get to room so best to go in person rotating menu but most things were fresh and delicious. really enjoyed the harvest lettuces salad with green goddess and brioche crumble brussels sprouts umami sauce perfect hen egg awesome with prosciutto truffle and maitake lots of use of mushrooms at all meals, the breakfast hash was great and homemade granola with yogurt and a fresh smoothie for desserts, some looked better than they tasted. really friendly place read more

The food is great and the views are amazing!! The cold drinks on a hot day were refreshing. read more

The Sur House - Carrot cake - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Wonderful food that was included in our stay at Alila La Ventana. We had all our meals here and loved the cocktail hour. They also accommodated a cheese plate for me at lunch that is normally reserved for the cocktail hour. I enjoyed the desserts too, and the apple entremet was a vision! read more

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The food, service, and ambiance here was one of the best I've experienced. Juan was amazing. I can't say enough good things about him! We told him we were on our mini honeymoon and he made the night extra special. The food was creative and cooked perfectly as well. read more

The Sur House - Hen egg - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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The food and drinks were amazing and you have the opportunity to dine while seeing amazing views. read more

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"It always makes me proud to love the world somehow- hate's so easy compared." ― Jack Kerouac, Big Sur I understand your mileage will definitely vary with this restaurant. All I can tell you is how lovely our experience was. I had a planned a lovely lunch in the middle of our Big Sur hiking day. Which didn't turn out to be much of a day because the trail we were going to do (Ewoldason by McWay Falls) was closed. So this became a walking and photograph day with a lovely lunch indeed ;-) I've had good experiences at the Ventana Inn. Ate at the high end restaurant predecessor in 2000, had a wonderful camping experience with my then wife and son at the adjacent campground (where they have just added a bar and quick food service) and now this lunch. It started with the maitre'd agreeing to sit us at a nice table on the edge with a perfect view. It sounded like staff wanted to seat us elsewhere but he insisted since we had a reservation. I gave him a tip for that. Next we had a very agreeable server and water team that only made fun of me a little when I ordered Huevos Ranchero like a gringo (eggs scrambled). My friend ordered Cioppino and enjoyed it tremendously. We also had a side of fries but what really made the lunch, besides the stunning view, was the thoughtful wine list that added a nice midday treat. The Hearst Ranch Tempranillo was excellent as was the Adelaida Viognier. Two local wines that accompanied the meal perfectly. Yes it was pricey, but the view and service and food and wine made it well worth the fare. Highly recommended :-) read more

The place was amazing, the ambiance was beautiful and spectacular views everywhere you turn. Food prepared perfect and full of flavor. Service was outstanding and attentive. Waiting to go back again soon. read more

The Sur House - Just before entering the restaurant. - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

We only came here for drinks while we waited for our campsite to become available, but definitely enjoyed our time. I got a cocktail what was very refreshing, then switched to Rosé. Marine layer was thick so the view was obscured for the majority of the time we were there, but the sun was shining on the mountain which made for a nicer ambiance. Expect to pay at least $18-20 for a cocktail while wine and beer is priced about $1-2 above normal prices read more

The Sur House - Eat a Peach - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

I made a reservation at this restaurant on Tock and received several confirmations of it. I booked for 3 people at 530pm. When I showed up they told me there must have been a "glitch" because I shouldn't have been allowed to book because they are only for guests and don't allow children (my husband and I ad our so with us). I showed them my confirmation email and begged them to us anywhere they wanted if they didn't want us near guests, but they refused us. They admitted it was a mistake not to have mentioned their no children policy) on any confirmations (can't you imagine a 530pm booking for 3 might include a child? But nonetheless, we paid the price. They also said they are a "guests only" all inclusive hotel but another woman I met on a hike the next day told me she had lunch there the day before (she was staying at a camp sight). Whether you have a child or not, I'm wary of any business with this level of customer support. Getting from place to place in Big Sur is no small feat and to turn away guests with a legitimate reservation is inexcusable in my opinion and shows a lack of care for customers. read more

Contemporary California coast cuisine! The restaurant is open to the public. I had the opportunity to dine here as apart of the inclusive stay at Alila Ventana. It was very difficult to decide what to order at meals because everything sounded so good. As a resort guest, we were welcome to order anything on the menu with no limitations. Any leftovers could be taken back. Everything i had was simply delicious and well prepared. The ingredients are locally sourced with some items from their organic garden on property. The service is great! The staff was very attentive and great at making recommendations. It's a short walk from the property. Shuttle service to and from the rooms is available. They are open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. Breakfast and lunch, weather permitting, is served on the patio which offers beautiful views of the ocean and the wilderness. The patio is also a popular spot for happy hour. Great view of the sunset!! read more

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Fish tacos disappeared from my plate in few seconds. We enjoyed The perfect view and great food today. I asked to switch to a different table because the guest next to us brought a dog and it was constantly shaking off. The server okayed us with a great big smile. Thanks Ed!!! read more

The Sur House - Fish tacos - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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3 course meal plan. Wonderful experience, $100 person. I recommend the hot toddy drink read more

Had a 5pm dinner reservation and was given the worst table in the house (literally no tables behind me) even though the restaurant was empty (maybe one other table sat) upon my arrival. I was "glamping," meaning I was not paying $2000/night at the resort, so I'm assuming that had something to do with it. Service matched the seating location - my server did not make me feel welcome but more like he was doing me a favor, was very rushed and did not walk me through the menu at all or even try to make suggestions, both things I would expect when spending $200+ on dinner. I did notice another server when I was about to leave who was very kind and helpful, so I'd request Michael next time. Cocktails - The Marine slayer was delicious and came with a fun smoke bubble, but wouldn't pay $28 for it again. The warm punch was way too sweet. Food was mediocre at best - I am a foodie to the core and expected a lot more flavor. I had the kabocha squash soup and sea scallops with risotto. The kabocha squash was fine but nothing to write home about, scallops were not impressive but at least were cooked properly. The risotto was incredibly salty/inedible. For $55/plate they should be tasting before serving! The dog meals are fun and appreciated. Next time I'd ask them for a half portion as it was a lot of food for my little 20lb pup. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back here again. If the service was a little better that might've changed my overall experience but this truly put a damper on my first night in Big Sur. read more

We were staying at Alia ventana for 2 nights and meals at this onsite restaurant is part of the resort fee. Maybe that explains the service here. The first night we made a reservation for dinner at 8:15. After arriving we were told that our table wasn't ready, we waited until 8:40 before we flagged someone down and finally got seated. After getting no one came by to give us water for another 20 minutes by the time our food finally came out it was so dark that it was impossible to see what we were eating. And we used our phone flashlights to eat... We also had breakfast and a second dinner here and thankfully the service (albeit still a bit slow) wasn't as ridiculous as the first night. But we made sure to book an early dinner The food itself was just fine for the price point (based on the price on the menu) but the drinks were visually pleasing read more

Hit or miss food in a decent environment but between the expense, some A and some C dishes and the sad, cold basement room, we can't recommend this place. First issue was when we walked in, a woman was sitting at the bar with her dog on her lap. Tables where they were serving food were about 5 feet away. Not sure what the rules are here, but even without my dog allergies, that's gross. Then we were led through the warm, inviting dining room down some stairs to a big, undecorated, cold room where we sat next to a window with a draft so big we had to keep our coats on the whole time. The prix fixe meal started well, with a delicious crudo, moved to a basic egg-in-a-hole (look, when you order that on a $90 fixed menu, you expect something elevated...), on to an average duck breast dish (tough, but purée was good) and really forgettable chocolate dessert. Best part of meal was our incredible server. Totally on point and very attentive. Went in for a romantic dinner and both of us walked away wondering what the fuss was all about. read more

This restaurant is part of Ventana and currently only open to hotel guests. My husband and I were staying her for our anniversary celebration and had the most wonderful experience. The food is incredible and service was above and beyond. For dinner, we tried the lamb, sea bass, beet poke and carrot soup, very flavor was well pronounced. It's a must try! read more

Overrated. Entree taste on lunch menu was average. Plating portion small. Service average. Ambiance: foggy

Bad, horrid and great... my wife and I ate there three times for lunch, dinner then breakfast. Lunch service was had lackluster service especially that we had to ask multiple times for things and bus person was far more attentive than our waiter. Only thing memorable was the mushroom soup which was more cream than mushroom. We had made reservation for window seat to celebrate wife's 50th Birthday however when we got there no window seat to be had. We talked to manager who matter of factly said that we get lots of requests and you are one of many and walked away. Clearly tone deaf to customer service. We sat anyways but then sat there for 10 minutes with nobody helping us. So we got up and left...staff smiling at us and not a single person trying to see what was wrong. Ended up eating elsewhere. Returned to room and found managers card, note and a bag of nuts - laughable because who gives a bag of nuts and that I am allergic to nuts. Talked to manager and while apologetic still seemed clueless. We ended up going again at the encouragement of the hotel general manager. This experience was so much better with attentive staff. Cinnamon bun was divine, they screwed up the omelet but fixed quickly and the pancakes were very good (although compote made them soggy). Still a much better experience. read more

This is probably my favorite restaurant in Big Sur. The food was incredible, we enjoyed every single dish - each one so thought-through and full of flavor: potato leek soup, ricotta cavatelli and duck, with an amazing merlot suggested by our waiter. The butter they bring in is also amazing! With edible flowers from their garden. The service was flawless. All staff members that helped us tonight went above and beyond our expectations- nice and helpful, diligent and so considerate (one brought us blankets since we hung outside for a bit after dinner). I recommend this place to everyone who loves great food. Vegetarians (like me) will appreciate the delicious options as well. If you are in Big Sur, Ventana is a must! read more

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Food was great! We sat outside. Clean and decently priced for what it was. Staff was friendly

Went for dinner on 7/4/23. Excellent ambiance and attention to detail with seating, heaters (and heat wall), and well-spaced tables. Views are very good (but not like Sierra Mar). I thought that the food was good but not fantastic. A little disappointed with that, but everything else was great. Cocktails were fantastic, as is the view from the bar seats when the sun goes down. Very accommodating staff and host (Anthony??). read more

This is an excellent place but requires reservations ahead of time. Views are stunning overlooking the ocean and the coast. I believe the menu is prefix read more

Went to The Sur House on Thanksgiving day this year. Ordered the Roasted Turkey, Cioppino, Brussels Sprouts, Oysters, and Fried Oyster Lettuce Wraps. The Oyster dishes were both 5/5 in tastiness and freshness. Brussels Sprouts were 4/5; they were flavorful, but could have been more crispy :) Personally didn't try the Cioppino, but the Roasted Turkey was very moist and flavorful, and the stuffing hash on the side was delicious! I give it a 4/5; I just wish they added more to the dish like mashed potatoes or asparagus to make it more of a complete Thanksgiving dish. Ordered the Lavender Creme Brûlée with House Brewed Coffee for dessert. The lavender flavor was just right (and I'm pretty picky about this, as I'm a huge lavender fan) and the Verve coffee was a perfect complement to the sweetness of the creme brûlée. 4 stars only because the food was good, but not extremely noteworthy or unique. However, the view and ambiance is 10/5 stars because it's incredible!! Worth it alone to check this place out. I will be back next time I'm in Big Sur! read more

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Excellent food and beer/wine/ciders! Doggies love hanging out in the back patio under the trees with a beautiful view of the mountains. Recommend the pork tacos! read more

This place is amazing! As others have mentioned, it is inside the Alila hotel. We stayed in the Hyatt Glamping next-door, and came here for dinner and it was truly amazing. They do a three course dinner so you choose an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert for $110 per person. It was truly one of the best meals we've had in several months, the uniqueness of the food was unparalleled! We brought our dogs and had Jose as our server, and the assistant manager Alicia came to chat with us for a bit. Jose had great recommendations and excellent service, and Alicia was fun to talk to, and very friendly! They both encouraged us to try the carrot cake, even though we are not big carrot cake people, and I am going to do the same to you! You have to get it! Thank you, Jose for an amazing dinner and experience, we will be back soon! read more