Carmel: Help with the third dinner
We have visited Carmel in December with friends for the past few years and intend to do so again this year. We generally stay three nights and have dinner at Bouchee Bistro, Cantinetta Lucca and Grasings. After a disappointing experience last year at Grasings, we intend to replace it with another Carmel restaurant. Would appreciate suggestions for our third night, with the only requirement that it be located in the village of Carmel, iteself.
By bobpantzer
on Jul 23, 2009 08:47 AM
View »
Video
Bob, Christopher's has been getting rave reviews on another board. Frankly, I have no personal knowledge regarding it. If you are an "old" Carmel visitor, it is housed in the old Sans Souci place on Lincoln. I have heard from two very happy locals who visit there often.
christopherscarmel.com
I believe Bouchee is under new ownership. If you are planning on the same menu, you might want to check their site.
I see you already have one Italian experience, we really enjoy Napoli. Many like Casanova's. It isn't our favorite foodwise, but it certainly has a charming environment.
Permalink | Reply
Thanks, Gail. Yes we are "old" Camel visitors and I do remember the old Sans Souci. Do you believe that Bouchee has changed owners since last December? It was my understanding that Bouchee and Cantinetta Lucca had common ownership.
We have been to Casanova's many times and, while we do like the atmosphere, we are not as enthused about the food as we used to be.
Many years ago we used to love the Italian restaurant that may have been located in the space currently occupied by Bouchee. I can't think of the name right now but they had fantastic Fetuccini Alfredo.
I will check out the Chrstophers website. Thanks again.
Permalink | Reply
Just thought of it--Rafaello's. I miss it.
Permalink | Reply
If you are willing to drive to Carmel Valley I would highly recommend Citronelle.
Permalink | Reply
Thanks, I've heard Citronella is great. BTW, I saw in your response to another post that you may try Bouchee Bistro in August/September to check out the new chef. If you do, would appreciate your posting your experience on this board. I hate it when chefs and owners change. .
Permalink | Reply
We thought about it but didn't go there in the end because the menu didn't look as good as we remembered. Instead we went to Bernadus Lodge which was a mixed experience (food had some hits and some misses and below average service. BL was one these restaurants were we have the problems from time to time that we are the youngest couple in the room and sometimes some waiters seem to think that based on how old we look we can't have any idea about upscale food/restaurants and treat us that way. (Cyrus in Healdsburg was by far the worst experience)
Permalink | Reply
Bouchee wasn't that great last night. We went last July and adored it. Last night we went again without realizing they'd changed owners. Menu a little less creative it seemed but still a good wine list. Waiter was woefully uninformed. No sommelier. We got a great wine but I'd asked if garlic on the duck confit with garlic/parsley sauce was roasted garlic or a stronger raw garlic flavor and he indicated it was the softer roasted flavor. Exactly the opposite. It was an overpowering nearly raw garlicky sauce that I happen to like a lot. It was also really salty (which I happened to be in the mood for yesterday). However, it was NOT what we'd planned for in choosing the wine and really over-the-top garlic wise. Lobster salad with truffle oil was really good but not as described on the menu. Very little artichoke - why mention it in the description if there's a tablespoon on the salad? Food came almost too fast as there were few diners (Tuesday night) but to his credit the waiter asked if we would like him to put in dinner orders sooner. Just seemed a bit off - we didn't stay for dessert even. Keep an eye on it. Chef seemed ok, but oversalting and underinformed waitstaff are worrisome.
Permalink | Reply
I don't understand the "waiter mindset" that doesn't allow him/her to say, "I don't know, but let me check with the chef". This applies especially in your situation with a Tuesday slow night. I would never object to this. I guess they think the owner/chef would think them inept. Too bad the waiter felt it best to guess...obvious inexperience.
Permalink | Reply
>>> Bouchee has changed owners since last December?<<<
Yes, it happened this past Spring (2009).
Ah yes, we also fondly remember Rafaello's and the bar in the Pine Inn. Both gone, but not forgotten!!
Permalink | Reply
I saw this on the San Francisco board and wanted to thank you for your help with Ms. SarahKC and give you my find Cantinetta Luca, but too late. My other suggestion just got quashed. I really liked Passion Fish. We stayed nearby and the second night we went to CL and it wasn't that far after I corrected the wrong turn that took us out to Asilomar.
Permalink | Reply
Thanks for the response. In addition to the food, CL has a great Italian wine list and a sommolier who is very knowledgeable and friendly. Maybe we should go there twice.......
Permalink | Reply
At Cantinetta I had the "Grilled King Prawns, Spagna Beans, Roasted Peppers and Salsa Verde." I don't usually eat prawns head to tail, shells and all but there was virtually nothing left to identify my dinner choice but a long thin plate.
Permalink | Reply
Sounds delicious. Can't remember what we had the last time we were there, but we ate a lot of food. There were four of us and I know we had salumi, pizza, pasta a couple of meat dishes, some seafood and dessert. We ate lots and talked about it for days. Had a bottle of an Italian white wine and two bottles of red. Fortunately, we were staying just a block and a half away.,
Permalink | Reply
Just returned today from a few days in Carmel. CL is well covered above. We ate there twice and had stellar meals both times. The squid ink fettuccine with baby shrimp was amazing as was the thin fettuccine with peas and house made speck. Litte Napoli wasn't bad either and I'd recommend the ravioili with marinara. If I could go anywhere though, I'd choose Aubergine at L'Auberge Carmel.
http://www.laubergecarmel.com/dining.php
Permalink | Reply