405684 Sun May 27 18:04:46 -0700 2007 3 3 California 0 2606726 At the last minute we decided to spend the night in Monterey after meeting friends on vacation from LA for dinner in Carmel. Here's a brief report of where we ate... Davenport Roadhouse - Davenport - On the drive to Monterey we stopped here for a late lunch and were not disappointed. We'd been wanting to try this place ever since it opened and had been there years ago when it was the Cash Store, with a kind of hippie-dippy cuisine that wasn't my favorite. Now it has a full bar and a more upscale "roadhouse" thing going (and nice decor) and we really liked it. My husband had the clam chowder (actual real clams and clamshells included) and the Kobe beef burger, which wasn't outstanding but good, along with some very good fries. I had the Magic Mushroom wood-oven baked pizzetti, which was just the right size for one and full of fresh herbs and a nice thin soft crust. I had a glass of the Meridian Pinot Noir and my husband had a Merlot but can't remember what. Wine list was good with a lot of local wines. We will definitely be returning -- maybe even for one of their massages! http://davenportroadhouse.com/ Anton and Michel - Carmel - Our LA friends picked this restaurant and we had been there probably a dozen years ago because they were on the Transmedia roster. :-) We didn't know quite what to expect after all this time, but all six of us really enjoyed ourselves and the food. This is an old school place where they will make a Caesar salad at the table as well as a number of flamed desserts (which one of our party ordered so everyone was staring at us over the flames). The service was very professional and the food quite good. It's French-California, with rack of lamb as a specialty (I tried my husband's and it was very good). I had a wonderful shrimp bisque and a seafood pasta special that was so full of seafood that I couldn't finish it (unusual for me). One couple had a 15% off coupon (they give these out to tourists at restaurants that have a relationship with each other) and that was a nice discount. Our portion (1/3 of a party of six) was $107 before tip, which included cappucinos for everyone, one bottle of Markham merlot, one martini, one flamed dessert, and appetizers and entrees for everyone. The restaurant overlooks a fountain and garden and is decorated in a 1980s style. http://www.antonandmichel.com/antonmichel/ Hank's at the Hook - Santa Cruz - On the way home we stopped for a late lunch here. I had the teriyaki chicken rice bowl and I don't think that was the right thing to order here. The sauce was overly sweet, the chicken overly dry. My husband did better with chicken and mashed potatoes. I think a sandwich would probably be a better bet. They have Sierra Nevada on tap and it's a fun vibe so I would give it another try. And it was packed. http://www.hanksatthehook.com/ Sun May 27 18:04:46 -0700 2007 10722 Wendy_san 1 2613003 Thanks so much for your recap, Wendy_san! I've been wanting to try the Davenport Roadhouse and your report gives me more incentive. I don't ever think of driving there for dinner, but it sounds like a great brunch option coupled with a visit to Swanton Berry. They are offering some weekday dinner specials w/ coupon to attract diners: $2 taco Tues, $5 pizzetta Wed, something like $13 for steak and sides Thurs. Very good deals. How was the service? I have some acquaintances who like Hank's at the Hook, so we checked it out one night. The menu didn't really draw me in and husband was adamant that we not eat there, so that was that. We tried Rock-of-the-Sea on Portola instead and thought it was pretty decent. Wed May 30 07:34:15 -0700 2007 2606726 10371 Carb Lover 2 2616480 Service at Davenport Roadhouse was just okay as far as our server went but the woman behind the pastry counter was very helpful in getting us acclimated since it was a little confusing how we were supposed to get seated for lunch since a large party was ahead of us. So service probably varies there (just like at most places here in Half Moon Bay!). I'd like to try Cliff's Cafe (?) across the street from Hank's. The thing about Hank's was that it's open straight through and by 2:15 (when we were there) the other place had closed. Am not familiar with Rock of the Sea... Thu May 31 07:05:30 -0700 2007 2613003 10722 Wendy_san 3 2620323 I believe that Cliff Cafe is a breakfast/early lunch kind of place. It's never open when I'm in the area. Rock of the Sea is west on Portola, on the ocean side. Big Mexican sit-down restaurant (great for groups and families) that looks like it has been there for a while and has a local following. The siete mares soup was pretty good and satisfying. Varied menu that calls for further exploration... Fri Jun 01 08:25:52 -0700 2007 2616480 10371 Carb Lover