dinner in Carmel?

[cortez]

Next month, I'll be spending one night in Carmel with my wife. I'm looking for chowhound advice for dinner: delicious, fun, lively in main part of downtown Carmel. Any type of cuisine or price point is ok.

Thanks for your help.

[Beach Chick]

Hi cortez..
I look forward to the responses as well since I will be at Highlands Inn Park Hyatt in Carmel for 3 days in September and have asked where to go on this board for dinner..
I have heard mixed reviews of their stunning restaurant, Pacific's Edge..it looks just like my kind of place and with our oceanfront townhouse, I really don't want to leave the property but if the food is that bad, I will venture into town...Anton & Michel and Bouchee seem really nice.
Hogs Breath Inn is supposed to be fun and lively..
Keep us all posted!

www.highlandsinn.hyatt.com

[baseballfan]

We also stayed at the Highlands Inn. We had a fabulous meal at Pacific's Edge. The food and service were excellent but be aware that it is extremely expensive. We also tried the other restaurant on the property (the nmae escapes me) and it was also excellent and much more casual which was exactly what we were looking for.

Hogs Breath Inn is fun for a drink but the food is marginal at best and very much caters to the tourist crowd.

[Beach Chick]

That's great news baseballfan and randgalt about Pacific's Edge!
Menu looks fab and the wine list too..
The place looks stunning and its where I want to celebrate my birthday dinner..making reservations tonight.
Thanks!

[baseballfan]

It's a great place for a special occasion. It has a celebratory air and the view is to die for. Enjoy!

[Beach Chick]

Thanks so much!
Made the reservations today..have a couple of bottles of Insignia..$40 corkage per bottle..2 max.
Gotta get a great rose champagne..throw it in the mix.
I'll report back..

[honkman]

If you have a car I would definitely try Passionfish in Pacific Grove which is an excellent restaurant with their main focus on fish. (Unfortuntaly Robert's WhiteHouse in Carmel is closed). In Carmel I can highly recommend Cantinetta Luca - better than any Italian I had so far in SD. (outstanding chacuterie plate). I went to Bouchee a few years ago and had a very good dinner but the chef changed recently and there are some mixed reviews on CH. But I will be in Carmel end of August/beginning of September and mostly likely will try it again.

[Beach Chick]

Passionfish and Cantinetta Luca sounds perfect honkman!
Too bad I'll miss you by a week or two..report back on any gems along the way..we are doing the road trip from SD/SB/Carmel/SF/Napa for a week..
Best to you..

[Beach Chick]

honkman..
I took your advice and made reservations for Passionfish for my birthday/anniversary..love their approach on food, wine and the wine list is a real bargain!
Sierra Mar at Post Ranch for a light lunch and Pacific's Edge for cocktails and caviar when we arrive at our hotel.
Cantinetta Luca for lunch..
Thanks again honkman and will report back.

[needletoofar]

Beach Chick - how were the restaurants? we are going to be in the area next month & are contemplating staying in carmel -- if the food is worth it. If not we'll just drive through.

[randgalt]

For fine dining, L'Auberge Carmel is the best in town. But, it's not what I would call fun and lively. One of my other favorites is Cantinetta Luca. Great food and definitely fun and lively. If you don't mind driving a bit, Michel Richard's Citronelle is very good. We also love Pacific's Edge at the Highlands Inn.