Tips for Dining, Eating and Food Shopping in California (exc. LA, SF Bay Area, San Diego)
Start New ThreadI'm taking a roadtrip starting in San Jose, CA and driving down Hwy 101 to San Luis Obispo. Then we're going to head up north from SLO on Hwy 1 to Monterey where we'll spend a week at. Does anyone have restaurant recommendations for casual dining/good eats in any of these locations....Monterey, Carmel, San Jose, Morro Bay or Pismo Beach? We're open to all types of food, but probalby nothing too pricey. Thanks!
By kellysan
on May 3, 2007 05:03 AM
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Don't forget about pacific grove (PG), cute little town between Monterey and Carmel, you can actually get there walking the bike path along the beach from Cannery Row. I love the Red House Cafe, great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, amazing soups and a lovely room. First Awakenings which is attached to the American Tin Cannery Outlets right of Cannery Row is also great for breakfast or lunch. Papa Chano's on Alvarado St. in Monterey does super Mission style burritos, Turtle Bay a block down from Alvarado does yummy healthy Mexican seafood dishes for cheap.
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http://www.chowhound.com/search?item_...
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In Monterey try Blue Moon on Cannery Row. Crab salad and wild mushroom ravioli great!! There is Pelican Tavern at the Tin Cannery very surprising all entrees under $18 most under $15. They also focus on local tap beers.
Passionfish is a CH favorite and one of mine. Go there if you love wine.
I second First Awakenings for breakfast or Lunch. Or LouLous on warf 2 for breakfast.
For Mexican I recently tried Jose's there are a few locations.
In Carmel Rio Grill great food all of it!!!!
I haven't been for years but there is Rocky Point on Hwy 1 before Big Sur it was greatg place to whale watch while eating lunch.
Pismo/SLO if you love clam chowder can't miss Splash Cafe.
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Haven't been to Rocky Point since Nov., but at that time they had locally made tamales on their menu...wonderful!!
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions!
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Nice to hear that Blue Moon is still going strong. 10 years ago when I worked on Cannery Row, it had the best eats in the area--great burgers etc and a fine selection of beers on tap, but I have been reluctant to post about it because so much can change in that time. It's an upscale pool hall on the 3rd floor of a building, so I guess they need good food to attract diners.
ed
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Ed, it's now perched over the water at McAbee beach, great views, much more than burgers and no pool tables, iirc. Haven't been in a couple of years, but food was very good then.
http://bluemoonmonterey.com/index.htm
(Edited to add
)654 Cannery Row (bottom floor of some hotel I believe)
(831)375-4155
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Ed you are thinking of Blue Fin which unfortunately is now closed!!! I liked that place as well. Blue Moon is right across from there it used to be Pariaso (I think).
I was just at Rocky Point for lunch today for lunch. Views are great!!! Food is good not great!!! I would go back for the views!!
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Did they still have the tamales on the menu?
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Yes Tamales still on the menu!! Next time I'll give them a try!
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My bad. You're right. Memory is one of the first things to go. Even worse, I've had a meal at Blue Moon with some friends a few months after it opened. I remember that one item (the salad, I think) was outstanding, the other dishes were not memorable, and the service was awkward and clumsy. Sounds like they've improved. I think it is a Pisto restaurant.
ed
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