Any opinions/experiences with the following restaurants in Carmel?

Carmel Chop House
Christopher's on Lincoln
Pacific's Edge
Grasing's
Piatti
Anton and Michel

If you have other suggestions, I would love to hear them. We will be spending two nights in Carmel in September. As always, thanks for your help!

I've been to 2 of the places on your list. At Pacific's Edge, I had one of the best dinners I have ever had and also one of the highest dinner checks. I have only been to Anton and Michel for lunch (many times) and the food was excellent every time (with more reasonable prices than PE). If you want to take advantage of the views at PE, arrive before sunset.

Other favorites of mine: Bahama Billy's in Carmel Valley, Fish Wife in Pacific Grove, Rio Grill in Carmel Valley, Roy's at Spanish Bay resort.

Passionfish in Pacific Grove is outstanding and pretty reasonable too..probably one of the best restaurants.
We enjoy Pacific's Edge at the Hyatt in Carmel but can be pricey..we go for app's and drinks.
Anton & Michel is excellent for lunch or dinner..
Piatti's and Roy's are good too.

www.passionfish.net

ksucat: Does that stand for Kansas State University Wildcats?

Our current favorite restaurant in the village is Cantinetta Luca. They serve Italian food using fresh local ingredients and have a wood burning oven, where they bake their own bread which is served fresh and warm.

On our last visit we had the braised lamb shank in a delicious sauce with rosemary and olives that was fork tender and fell off the bone. Accompanied with fresh spaghetti with shrimp and a side of sauteed spinach, it was a very nice, reasonably priced meal.

http://cantinettaluca.com/

We stayed in Carmel in the fall of 08, sadly for only two nights - but we had fabulous meals both nights - one at Aubergine , the restaurant at L'Auberge Carmel - small, intimate, light great jazz piped in, maybe a 10 or 12 table area but our food was top notch ( and this was immediately following our stay in Napa with some fabulous dining and wines) - and one of us had one of the wine pairing options ( think it was $ 55 for 3 courses, and $ 20 for each additional course up to 5 or something like that) - which was amazing -

for our casual night we ate at the restaurant that "curiousgeo" mentions above, the L'Auberge's sister restaurant in town - and have to agree it was amazing and that bread was indeed spectacular !! and the ingredients fresh and wonderful, so I would also second that choice !

Big fan of Christopher's; like Grasing's as well, but prefer Christopher's; Pacific Edge is OK, but too pricey for me; haven't been to Anton and Michel in a very long time, I found it too much style not enough substance. Been meaning to try Chop House as it comes recommended by a Carmel fodorite whose opinion I respect.

I also would recommend Cantinetta Luca and Passionfish.

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. If only I had more than two nights.........

I'm leaning toward Pacific's Edge for our last night before heading back to NY. You don't get a view like that and sunset just anywhere. Too bad the sunset is at 7:15. We will have to start earlier with drinks in the Sunset Lounge.

'that bread was indeed spectacular'

I think we will go to Cantinetta Luca for the first night. I can dream about great bread!

Did you know that they are opening Hotel Luca in Yountville in the fall? It looks beautiful, but that's for another trip! And btw, ds will be going to grad school in Ca for quite awhile and I am thrilled to keep coming back to visit!

While we're on a roll (no pun intended), could you recommend a restaurant in San Simeon and in Big Sur? We will be spending one night in each.

Many thanks again to you all.

In Big Sur, for lunch, Nepenthe has the best view. For dinner, the restaurant at Ventana Inn is good. Many people also like the restaurant at Post Ranch.

We dined at Christopher's last month, it was very good. Anton & Michl is also wonderful and has such a romantic, cozy ambiance. We have dined at Pacific's Edge several times, it's always good and the views are gorgeous.

This past December we tried Citronelle @ Carmel Valley Ranch, it is an amazing dining experience and a place you should consider. ***kim***

I would not dine for lunch at Nepenthe..only go for the view..or a drink.
Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur for lunch is exquisite..considered one of the best too.
Big Sur Bakery is another wonderful place.
Pacific Edge has lost its edge..imo..no view once the sun sets and its only for dinner.go for drinks and app's.
Cantinetta Luca is wonderful..
Passionfish is considered by other chefs and people in the biz to be one of the best restaurants in the country.

We had the Ambrosia burger at Nepenthe then went to Sierra Mar for dessert, don't miss the Creme Brulee at Sierra Mar. We also love Grasing's, very yummy crab cakes here. Last month we tried Demetra Cafe that has been getting alot of good press, it is a cozy little cafe on Ocean Ave. with some excellent food and the owners are very friendly. ***kim***