Nepenthe or bust?
 

We are driving from Monterey to the LA area in a few weeks. I have heard so much about the beauty of Big Sur [been north of it and south of it many years ago]. Everyone we talk to says we must have lunch at Nepenthe! I went to the web site and understand that it's the view that's the attraction and not the food.<BR><BR>Anyone have a suggestion of an alternative restaurant, not $$$$ with just as fab of a view?

ttt

ROCKY POINT is near the south end of Carmel and has a view of the famous Bixby Bridge. Look for the sign on the right as you drive south from Carmel. Good views and right on the ocean.<BR><BR>Nepenthe is not that bad. Has a gift shop, outdoor dining weather permitting,and good views. It is farther down the Hwy 1 than Rocky Point.

ttt? OKKK!

We spotted the sign for Nepenthe and drove up to check it out. We had a dreamy time sitting outside at sunset and caught a stunning double rainbow, illuminated by the golden glow of the setting sun. We just had wine and a cheese and fruit tray and dawdled away several wonderful hours.

<BR><BR>I haven't been there in a couple of years, but I always enjoyed the food at Nepenthe's. <BR><BR>The Ventana Inn has (at least as of a couple of years ago) good food as well, but it's pricey too.<BR><BR>Every place, I think, in Big Sur (not that there are many places to chose from) are pricey.

I stayed at the Ventana Inn and loved it and I liked the beautiful deck and view at Nepanthe.

A friend of mine said, "I hope you like sitting at big picnic tables". That doesn't really bother me so much. Just wondering what all the buzz is about! <BR><BR>Thanks

<BR><BR>Margie,<BR>I read your first post and then your second. Frankly, I'm not sure what you're asking.<BR>Don't go to Nepenthe's if you don't won't to.

Nepenthe is really special--not for the food, true, but the view and the general ambience. You can sit overlooking the ocean in one direction, and the mountains in the other. If you go at night, they always have a big fire in the fire pit where you can meet other travellers--very friendly. Share a burger and fries if you want to save a bit, but you are paying for the view.<BR>There are few restaurants in Big Sur where you can see the ocean. Nepenthe also has a back deck you should check out.

I had lunch at Nepenthe in April this year and had a great meal, both in terms of the food and the view. What makes Nepenthe so special? The view - it's like being in an eagle's nest, high on a cliff above the water. You are among and above the treetops, lots of hawks and jays to watch as well as the mesmerizing surf/rocks/coastline. <BR><BR>I always find the gift shop on the lower level a little corny, but its over-the-top New Agey vibe just might be the Californian memory visitors would like to take home with them.<BR><BR>A word of warning about the "coffee bar" on the level just below the restaurant - it too has a nice view, but they charge almost 5 bucks for a cappucino. No way!<BR><BR>Further up the road towards Carmel, there is a bakery and cafe called, I think, the Big Sur Bakery. Great breads, pastries, etc. There's a pretty garden and outside seating with an incredibly uplifting view of the Santa Lucia mountains.<BR><BR>Have fun and drive carefully.<BR><BR>

Thanks for the feedback [except for yours Captain Kirk]. I think we'll have to check it out. Sounds like a winner!<BR><BR>Margie

I think the above poster meant "Ragged Point" which is a great place for lunch at the south end of the Big Sur drive and a nice hike down to the beach afterward. Nepenthe's food is pretty mediocre---if you want the view, it's probably OK.

No, I think he meant Rocky Point.

Oh, the view is spectacular, but to be honest, you can get a great view in the Carmel Highlands. We're up in Monterey every February, and (road permitting) we head down to Nepenthe for the Ambrosia Burgers and the late 60's, early '70's atmosphere; the cool mosaic tiled areas, the lacquered wooden seats with cushions. When it's cold, we hang by the fire pit and chill. Okay, the burgers are now $12.50, but we split one (comes with a big side salad), a big plate of fries. It's great.

OK so maybe he meant Rocky Point, but I would still recommend Ragged Point for a nice lunch and a wonderful pathway down to the ocean with beautiful views back north to Big Sur. Have fun.

across the road from the Ventanna Inn is the Post Ranch Inn, which is spectacular and the view from the restaurant is all ocean. It's to die for, and the food is good, too.

As you can gather from the other posts, Nepenthe serves basic American food like burger and fries. It is not bad but I don't think many people go there for the food. For alternatives, there are restaurants in both the Ventana and Post Ranch Inn hotels. Both serves great food (think either continental or french) but will cost you an arm and a leg. Another alternative is Pacific Edge in the Highlands Inn which is in Carmel Highlands. Rocky Point is good too but I would say the food at Ventana and Post Ranch Inn will be better.

<BR><BR>thanks for the vote of support, Margie, but you really should go back and re-read your posts. They send a mixed message. You admit that you went to ther website, but came away thinking that view was great but that the food wasn't worth the stop. I responded by saying that the food was good (IMO). I didn't comment on the view because you seemed to already know that the view is unparalleled (which indeed it is, and was substantiated by a few other posters.) Then you topped your post, which I can understand since you didn't get many responses. <BR><BR>But then you posted again and mentioned "picnic tables" and asking what the buzz was. Well, it seemed you knew (and which was confirmed by a few other posters) that the view is stunning, and that's why people go there. (In fact, Nepenthe's is written up in most guide books. It was a place where many Hollywood stars went to in the 1940s and 1950s because it was so romantic.) <BR><BR>So, I was merely asking what it was you were really asking. Excuse me.<BR><BR>p.s. I happen to love the place.

If you have done this much research and still can't figure out the draw of this place, you might as well skip it. You don't have the vibes. Probably won't enjoy it either and write back here complaining about your fries!