Cafe Kevah/Nepenthe
 

Hi,

We will be staying at Ragged point on Highway 1. We probably will not have time to stop at the Cafe on our way up. But having already done the drive along the highway to get to our inn, is it worth doing the 1 hr drive to Cafe Kevah/Nepenthe the next day?

I discovered that there are a lot of folks on this board that aren't fans of Nepenthe, but I loved it. Yes, you may be paying more for the view - but what a view! Everyone in our group was very glad we stopped for lunch. So, my vote would be "yes".

You'll probably have to make that decision that day. We really liked seeing it (and thought the food was fine), but it was foggy the day we went and there was no view. I wouldn't drive an hour out of my way to see it if fog appears. It may be worth it to stop on your way up (it's not far off the road) if it is a nice day -- just for a drink and to see the view.

I LOVED NEPENTHE!!! I went there when I had to satisfy my thirst to see Big Sur.
whether inside or on the deck with a great view, it's wondrful.

We really liked it, too. The food was good in that casual, sprouts-and-avocado way: homemade soups and bread, creative sandwiches and salads, all very down to earth. The servers are an eclectic, hippie/New Agey bunch and very attentive. There's a bar. And the views, of course, are to die for; on chilly days, there's a wood-burning fireplace inside that makes it really charming even if there's fog outside. And lastly, there's a cool gift shop downstairs--local jewelry, books, pottery, imported soaps and incense--again, a very distinctive vibe. Not sure if it would be worth it to you, but I'm glad we stopped.

This sounds like a fun thing to do, so we will make the drive back to the Cafe. We are travelling all the way from NYC, so a little extra cost for a nice experience is not really an issue.

If it's a clear beautiful day it's worth a stop. The food is nothing to write home about for the price, but the view is amazing. We usually just get a drink and soak up the atmosphere.
Have fun.

Don't know if this is on your itinerary, but McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer State Park is just a short distance from Nepenthe and definitely worth a stop if you are going by it.

http://www.waterfallswest.com/ca_mcway.html

We've had brunch/ lunch on the deck and enjoyed it. A little over priced but considering the setting, worth it.

We've been visiting Nepenthe almost anually for over 35 years. If we have nice weather next week, we may pay another visit. I guess that tells you how much we enjoy a lunch or dinner there. Have the fries (huge serving) & roast Chicken, or a Nepenthe Burger. View & ambiencs are an A+++, food a C+.

Stu Dudley

I'll be a pooper and say that I think Nepenthe is an overpriced tourist trap with lousy food, spectacular views and unique architecture. Go take a look, snoop around the shop downstairs, get a feel for the place and then leave before eating there. If you are driving up or down the coast, views that are better and/or comparable can be found at many places along the hiway.

I'm holding my nose as I type. As a local, I have to tell you that the food at Nepenthe stinks and is overpriced. Go for a drink and the amazing views. If you want to dine in Big Sur, drive up the street to Cielo...great views there, too.

Everyone is certainly entitled to an opinion, but I wonder how long ago you naysayers dined there? I had a crisp and fresh mache salad with a nice vinaigrette and sprinkled with feta and pine nuts; spicy black bean meatless jambalaya, and a thick slice of homemade bread served with fresh butter, not the wrapped-in-cubes kind. It didn't stink, so was this a random event? Or might it be that the food has improved?

Here's another thread on the topic that may be helpful in making plans.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34948658

Naysayer here. I like to keep an open mind and give things the benefit of the doubt. So, when we were in the area last year, even though every cell in my body screamed, "NO", I decided to try it. My opinion is based on past experience, and that more recent trip of which there will be no more. Give me Cielo or Sierra Mar anyday.

Another naysayer for the food at Nepenthe, especially dinner. Overpriced, just above chain food fare. If you must stop, do lunch such as their hamburger, at least you get a daylight view and you won't feel as gouged. BTW I freely acknowledge that I'm a spoiled SF diner, and I detest paying high prices for food that is not worth the price.

I'm a spoiled SF diner, too, and I love and highly recommend Nepenthe...because I don't go there for the food. It's certainly <i>more than decent</i> food, and when you've got a view like that, who's worrying about whether the baby spinach is fresh-picked or whether the curry is Bengali or Pakistani. You go to Nepenthe for your eyes and your heart, not your stomach.
;)

Lucie--Nobody has said anything negative about the view--some of us don't think the price you pay for the food is worth it. As Tess stated go for a drink and enjoy the view, or as I suggested go for lunch knowing you will pay too much. I prefer eating at Cielo or Sierra Mar, both of which have wonderful views as well as great food.

SAB, and all I'm saying is that I think the price I pay for the food <i>is</i> worth the view -- chacun a son gout!

I should have clarified: the view <i>at sunset</i>, which is when we've eaten dinner there twice in the last few years.
:)

We have the most amazing view of Carmel Bay at sunset with glorious colors. My cooking is better, much better. Maybe I should open up my dining room and charge big prices, what do you think SAB?

Hey Tess, I'll be there!!

Tess - Only if you promise to give a Foderite discount. We were all here at the moment of inspiration, afterall ;)

TTess, I'm sure your view is spectacular. My husband and I just happen to find the view from Nepenthe to be right up there with the greatest views in the world (though admittedly, we haven't been to Tibet -- yet.)...again, chacun a son gout, n'est-ce pas? :)

LucieV - so sorry about your gout. I thought men usually got that. :S-

OK SAB &amp; JCorrea - you're on. No charge for you two. You can be my guinea pigs. 8-)

uhoh, I guess I insulted somebody here.
;)

I felt the indoor restaurant was okay, but overpriced for what you got. The outdoor cafe, was a better value IMO.

Not at all LucieV, just having fun in the sunset. \:D/

Thank goodness for emoticons.

I know what lucie means, a meal can be less than superb if the charm or view is very special.

I agree. Thinking back on my 10 day trip to Napa, SF, Monterrey, down to the Hearst Castle and back, I can't remember a &quot;stupendous&quot; or &quot;spectacular&quot; meal - although I'm sure we ate at some very nice places (on expense account so $ wasn't really an issue and we took locals' and concierge's recommendations.

There was one meal that was a stand-out. Perhaps most of it was due to the stupendous and spectacular view - but the food was more than okay. Everyone, including a very, very, very picky (and to be quite honest, elitist) diner enjoyed the meal.

So, some folks don't like Nepenthe. Fair. The great thing is, they aren't required to eat there - and others who have enjoyed both the setting and meals served there can give input and let other travelers make their own decision.

I do know one thing. Next time I'm on the Left Coast in that area, I'm definitely stopping. It's one of my favorite memories of California. Sure there are great &quot;free&quot; views along the way via pulloffs. But, at least for me, have the fun of trips (and life in general) in breaking break with friends and relaxing for a while enjoying a meal. At Nepenthe, you have the chance to do so (and not worry about traveling companions that dart out of a car for a photo op and jump back in eager to &quot;see what's next&quot;. At Nepenthe, we relaxed and enjoyed the food, view and being with each other at such an incredible setting.

starrsville,
Do yourself a favor. If you are in the area again, stop at Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn (after the remodel) and you will understand what we naysayers are talking about. Nepenthe is a crab apple and Sierra Mar is a lucious, sweet blood orange. Some of my favorite memories of Big Sur are having breakfast, lunch and dinner there. You can even stargaze after dinner with an amatuer astronomer hired by the hotel. Why settle for less than fabulous food AND an amazing view?

MANY years ago, I went to big sur after reading Hnry Miller,and others ta;lk of the beauty and stayed at the then resonably priced Ventana inn where staff from Eselon came at night for drinks.

Okay. Will do.
BTW, what the price comparison of lunch at Nepenthe and lunch at the Post Ranch Inn?

cigale, we stayed at the Ventana 4 years ago. I couldn't wait to leave, honestly. I'm as airy-fairy as the next person, but I found the atmosphere and whole gestalt (!) just too self-consciously, preciously mellow. Ommmmmmmmm...

I stayed years before that, there were few people except for the OHMMMMM,
who came to sit by the fire for drinks.
But I'll never forget it or my night in Santa Barbra, my first time in that area.

Don't get me wrong, cigale: I love Big Sur, and I consider it one of the special places in my life. :)

I didn't lucie, you and I appreciated the view more than the food, It was one of my highlights being from th East Coast

Another fan here ~ what starrsville said :)

In july 05 we had an incredibly memorable lunch on the outdoor patio. While i can't remember 'what' we ate (altho its on fodors in a trip report) i vividly remember the experience shared with my family.

And thats exactly what we look for in our vacation dining ~ the unique experience. We have countless high end restaurants in our own backyard, but none where you gaze upon the stunning pacific.

The food might be average but we could've been eating cardboard and it wouldn't have mattered. It was a delicious, memorable experience.

So to the OP, yes its worth it.