x_travelbug_x

Hi Kim and Paul:
I started another post asking about the best dining in Carmel. You two seem to have a lot of great insight so I'd love to get your opinions. So far what I am finding out is that Casanova is great, but maybe more so for lunch. The reasons I have found are that it is big and some people have felt rushed which can take away from the romantic atmosphere.

Do you guys have any suggestions for romantic Italian dining? Italian restaurants I have found online are:
Tutto Mundo
Da Giovanni
The Covey
Portabella
Flying Gish Grill
The Gem restaurant
Rocky point
Little Napoli

I'm actually not sure if these are all Italian. Do you have any favorites that you would recommend?

Thank you.

drjones

Little Napoli is a great Italian resturaunt. Food is great and very
European atmosphere.

kimamom

We had a very nice lunch at Portabella. I prefer Casanova tho, for the food is wonderful there. We were there during a very busy lunch rush with the enitre patio being full and our service was still very personable and friendly. ***kim***

curiousgeo

x travelbug a, from the replies you received, I think you made a good choice with the Normandy Inn over the Cobblestone. The Cobblestone is a well run inn, with great service and staff. The rooms were fine but it is an older property with paper thin walls. We could hear the normal volume conversation of our next door neighbors as well as their tv.

x_travelbug_x

Ohh, good to know.

I think one day while we are there we will look around at the other B&B's just to see what they are like.

kimamom

Paul, could you tell me a bit about the rooms at La Playa? I'm trying to decide between this place, the Tradewinds or Vagabond's House for an upcoming stay in Carmel.

I really like La Playa's website, it looks beautiful and I like that they have a pool (avid swimmer here) and restaurant on site. Thanks! ***kim***

curiousgeo

kimamom, my wife and I stayed at the La Playa a few years ago in a standard room. Very tiny room with not much atmosphere to it.

The hotel grounds are indeed beautiful and well maintained as is the hotel itself, but I would guess a deluxe double would be the very least you would want to stay in. It's in a quiet location, several blocks to the village itself so close enough to walk, but a bit difficult at night walking the incline in the dark as there are no street lights. Parking is also an issue as it is with most places in Carmel. Its an easy walk to Carmel Beach during the day.

Colorado17

Just got back from up north in CA....stayed at the Cobblestone Inn, the queen sized bed isn't an issue, how much room does on really need anyway? The fireplace is gas....which I actually liked, less hassle! My husband and I had a great time there!!

We ate at the Flying Fish Grill....we made reservations the day we got there (and it was a Saturday night). One thing I will say, is that my husband and I are fairly young--26 and 30 and the treatment we received at the Flying Fish was like we couldn't afford anything....it was very obnoxious....we were well dressed and my husband is a physician and just returned from Iraq and we were looking for a nice quaint meal, not to be greeted "hi kids, how are ya?"....ugh....so patronizing, however, the food was excellent!

Have fun, we loved Carmel!!

kimamom

Thanks for the info on La Playa. I am considering a King Oceanview room, so maybe it's larger than the standard room.

We recently stayed at the Sonoma Mission Inn and had a very small room in the Heritage section. Didn't really bother us, it was beautifully decorated with a wall of windows that over-looked the mineral water pool.

I love the Flying Fish Grill. It's one of the first places we went when we were dating way back when, LOL! ***kim***