Carmel-by-the Sea restaurants recommendations, please
 

Our plans have changed and we will now be in the area for 2 days/nights.

We are staying in Pacific Grove at Seven Gables.

We have reservations for our first night at Passionfish.

I am looking for a place for second night.

I am considering the following:
L'escargot
Christophers on Lincoln
Bouchée Restaurant

California, Mediteranean, Seafood are all okay. Price isn't as much an issue as is a great meal. {We gave up Cyrus reservations in Healdsburg to do this, so want an equally nice meal in Carmel}.

Your input on the above restaurants as well as suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks in advance.
Deb

ttt
(bookmarking for later)

I have not been to the 3 places on your list but I have eaten at Portabella a few times and enjoyed it very much.

http://www.carmelsbest.com/portabella/

Go to mid-valley, to Carmel Valley Ranch. Dine at Citronelle. You'll have to make a reservation ASAP. Amazing, amazing!

If you want to stay downtown, then, Christopher's would be my pick. You'll need a reservation there, too.

Guys, I forgot to tell you that Billy Quon Lee opened another restaurant. It's in Carmel Valley Village and it's called Billy Quon's Volcano Grill and Mai Tai Bar http://www.volcano-grill.com/home.html Billy and Teresa are friends of ours. We got to tour before and after the opening, last week - it's beautiful, vibrant and fun! It's worth the drive to the village. ((D))

Bouchee is very good, my favorite "wow" factor restaurant in Carmel remains to be the Pacific's Edge at the Highland's Inn, amazing food, service and ambiance here. :)

If you are ever in the Big Sur area, Sierra Mar @ the Post Ranch Inn also is outstanding. Enjoy your trip, too bad you had to give up Cyrus, it also is one of our favorite restaurants in CA. ***kim*** ((f))

Pacific Edge was full and the prices seems really high, even to me. I know the views are great there.
Deb

I just returned from Pacific Grove this past weekend (see my trip report). There were six of us and the best meal we had was Saturday night at Fandango--right in Pacific Grove. The restaurant is quite charming, the food amazing and the wine prices very reasonable. The service was top-notch and there are lots of nooks and crannies that break up the noise. We all decided we can't wait to return!

eat with the locals at Christophers. great food & excellent dining house!

Pacific's Edge was yesterday's news a few years ago. If you must fo, just go for a drink and the view.

Fandango is good but way overpriced for the quality. Plus, you don't have any views and you'll be in PG, not Carmel, as you desired.

Deb--Follow Tess's recommendations, she steered me to Christopher's and was right on. Citronelle looks fabulous (although beyond my usual dining out price point!!)

Was just at Citronelle as it just opened,not nearly as good as Marinus at Bernardus Lodge. If you want a meal close to that of Cyus I would go to Marinus at the Bernardus Lodge or L'Auberge. Bouchee is good along with Flying Fish Grill.
I agree with Pacific Edge being not as good as it used to be.
Will

L'Escargot is intimate, charming, wonderful French food, fresh ingredients, expertly prepared by owner-chef. Casanova, around the corner is a long-time favorite, aldo intimate and charming, French/Italian/Mediterranean cooking. Never disappointed in some 30 years.

GSTDR - have you tried the club restaurant at CVR? Much better than Marinus any day.

Thanks Sab! We've only been to two private parties at Citronelle with passed hors d'oeuvres. We haven't actually sat down for a meal. Friends from D.C. and Santa Barbara say it's amazing. I can't imagine it being otherwise.

No I haven't Ttess. I am routing for Citronelle to do well. I think not having chef Michael Richard in the kitchen won't help matters in the long run. You sound like a valley girl Ttess :)

Will

Just a lil' ol' Carmel girl who loves to dine out and socialize, GSTRDR ((D)) Are you from the peninsula, too?

My wife and I are planning to move to Carmel in the near future. We live outside New York now. Your very lucky to have grown up there.
Please call me Will Ttess.

Will, I'm a CA native but didn't grow up on the peninsula. I'm here because my husband and I refuse to live anywhere else!

By the way, I don't blame you for wanting to move here. It's pure heaven.

I know Ttess, thats why we are moving there.
We are coming back out in early May and early June.
Will