Special occasion lunch between Palo Alto and Carmel.

[tdgandmsb]

Hi. Any ideas for special lunch venue for visiting elderly parents? Views, or nice setting would be good. Ritz Carleton HMB was nice last year. Thanks. Mark

[tdgandmsb]

Yes, thank you. Definitely will try Tamarine in PA, but Shadowbrook in Capitola is good mid-way point for our lunch. Thanks again. Mark

[Giselle]

I agree with thejulia. Tamarine is overpriced. Trader Vic's, Village Pub ( only weekday lunch is available) or Stanford Park Hotel Duck Club are better if you want near Palo Alto.

[thejulia]

i second manresa in los gatos if you can adjust this to dinner (no lunch hours)- it's heads, shoulders and torso above tamarine. tamarine is full of after work palo altans, stanford kids with their parents visiting, and googlers- decent meal but not destination dining.

manresa makes a very memorable meal, los gatos is very cute- be warned that if you get the chef's menu you're going to be VERY stuffed. and if you have the wine pairing, don't expect to drive anywhere.

then again, there's a lot of land covered in between palo alto and carmel, so there're plenty of other options.

[mangiatore]

I've never been there, but Manresa in Los Gatos is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the United States. Michelin gave it 2 stars. But since it's lunch, if it were me I'd head south 1 hour to the restaurant at the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. I grew up on the coast, and this place has one of the two best ocean views I've ever seen, the other being the view from the Roman villa at the peak of the island of Capri. It's not cheap, but the food is top notch.

[512window]

The Shadowbrook in Capitola has nice views and comfortable seating. You take a cable car down the hill to the restaurant. Food is only so-so but it's a "special" place.

[buoncibo]

If you liked the Ritz, you may want to consider Roys at the Inn at Spanish Bay on 17 mile drive in the Carmel/Monterey area. The Hawaiian/Asian fusion restaurant is part of the Roy Yamaguchi conglomerate and although not as good as in years past, it's still good enough, especially when you factor in the location. Like the Ritz Carlton HMB, Roys has a bagpiper before sunset and the coastal restaurant enjoys the Links at Spanish Bay as a backdrop. Although not as large an area as at HMB, Roys also has outdoor tables and fire pits for enjoying a cocktail or dessert.

Would be lovely to combine your meal with taking your parents on the the 17 mile drive with many magnificent homes and beautiful cypress trees. However, if you've had enough driving by the time you get there and want to skip the major portion of 17-mile drive, make sure to take highway 68 to the Pacific Grove gate. That is the shortest way to reach the Inn. Also keep in mind that the fee you'll have to pay to enter 17 mile drive is refundable if you eat in the restaurant, just get them to stamp your receipt before you leave.

http://www.pebblebeach.com/page.asp?i...

Enjoy the day with your parents, whatever you choose.

[tdgandmsb]

Great info, thanks. I'm in Carmel (and you've convinced my to try Roys), and we need something closer to Palo Alto. Thanks for pebble beach link! Mark

[grubber4]

Tamarine in Palo Alto.

[bbulkow]

Yep on Tamarine. Best food in PA, very special place.