Great food in Carmel/Monterey?

[josephnl]

We will be spending four nights in the Carmel/Monterey area and we love great food. We get great Asian (Japanese and Chinese) food at home, so really are not looking for this, but rather would prefer outstanding regional American, French or Italian cooking. Cost not an issue, although we're not wanting to spend much over $100pp with drinks and wine. Where would you go for four solid meals in this area?

[Dan Wodarcyk]

L'Auberge Carmel would be first choice, though it will exceed your $100pp......worth it. If you can't, even try a cocktail and small plate(s) in their tiny lounge. Best duck and foie slider you'll ever taste. One of their sister restaurants, Cantinetta Luca. Solid Italian menu with very good wine list and so much better than the other Italian tourist traps in Carmel. Housemade pastas, excellent grilled octopus appetizer, great house charcuterie choices. Both are in Carmel.