Nepenthe restaurant?
Jun 10th, 2008, 01:13 PM
#1
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Nepenthe restaurant?
Ok, hope I spelled the name of the restaurant correctly. Anyway, is it worth a lunch? I've read from some reviewers that it's overpriced. However, every guide book seems to praise it for one of the nicest views. Is it worth simply just getting some coffee and a desert? Thanks in advance!
Jun 10th, 2008, 01:50 PM
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It's good for exactly what you are looking for - THE VIEW, coffee and dessert. We don't have a desert here, on the coast. 
Don't bring a dog, they won't even allow them on the deck. Burns me up....
If you've ever been to Carmel, you'd know how crazy we are about our doggies.
Don't bring a dog, they won't even allow them on the deck. Burns me up.... If you've ever been to Carmel, you'd know how crazy we are about our doggies.
Jun 10th, 2008, 01:59 PM
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That's one of my favorite restaurants.
Ambience & views are A++++. Food is C- (fries are great - the Ambrosia burger is fine, Lolly's roast chicken is OK). We've been going there for 40 years - really.
Stu Dudley
Ambience & views are A++++. Food is C- (fries are great - the Ambrosia burger is fine, Lolly's roast chicken is OK). We've been going there for 40 years - really.
Stu Dudley
Jun 10th, 2008, 02:42 PM
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If its foggy when you arrive, don't bother to stay. Food is not great, price is rather high, so if no view, its not worth it. Try Ventana which is in the same general vicinity. Great view, high up on a hill. Can't remember much about the food, however. It had a lovely outside seating area tho....
Jun 10th, 2008, 02:48 PM
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I live in Ohio. When I was a senior in high school (1990) my parents took my brother and I to CA (started in SF, drove down the coast, flew out of SD). I remember the view and the amazing feeling I got from this restaurant to this day. I had a salad, it was good, but the VIEW OH THE VIEW.
Just seeing the name of it in your title gave me chills. Go.
Just seeing the name of it in your title gave me chills. Go.
Jun 10th, 2008, 03:42 PM
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Jun 10th, 2008, 04:29 PM
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I ate there this past December -- in the upstairs area, which has a big bar in the middle. Very very casual place (on Christmas afternoon, most people were in polarfleece and jeans).
Excellent view, "ambrosiaburger" and dessert very good but not in themselves anything to write home about. The burger was about $12 (check the menu online), which I thought was not at all overpriced -- you'd pay the same for that burger at many, many restaurants in SF or DC or Chicago, without the glorious view.
Excellent view, "ambrosiaburger" and dessert very good but not in themselves anything to write home about. The burger was about $12 (check the menu online), which I thought was not at all overpriced -- you'd pay the same for that burger at many, many restaurants in SF or DC or Chicago, without the glorious view.
Jun 10th, 2008, 06:30 PM
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I must echo snowrooster's experience. We happened upon the sign for Nepenthe heading north on Hwy 1 in the early evening and on a whim took the winding drive up to the restaurant. We settled in on benches facing the cliffs and nibbled on our cheese platter and sipped our wine. As the sun grew lower we began to glimpse not one but two rainbows over the cliffs. The sun's reflection deepened to a brilliant gold, outlined in a double rainbow. It remains, to this day, one of the most awesome natural sights we have ever seen. Even the jaded regulars and waitstaff crowded outside with gasps of amazement. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
Jun 10th, 2008, 06:46 PM
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I agree that Nepenthe is well worth a stop, and not just because of the views. I love the ambience of the interior--the fireplace if it's chilly, the wood panelling, the bar, the laid-back staff. It just speaks of how cool that old CA hippie aesthetic still is.
And anyone who says it's over priced is nuts, prices are the same there as at any other comparable restaurant in the area. We had soups, salads and sandwiches that we thought were very good, with organic ingredients and home-baked bread to boot.
Do check out the gift shop--interesting mix of books, jewelry, ceramics, candles, etc.
And anyone who says it's over priced is nuts, prices are the same there as at any other comparable restaurant in the area. We had soups, salads and sandwiches that we thought were very good, with organic ingredients and home-baked bread to boot.
Do check out the gift shop--interesting mix of books, jewelry, ceramics, candles, etc.
Jun 10th, 2008, 08:32 PM
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we stopped at Nepenthe and looked in the gift shop and enjoyed the view but had our lunch at the Post Ranch Inn. the lunch was really good and yes it was expensive but compared to the room prices of the Post Ranch it was a bargain. Plus they treated us like we were hotel guests and not just stopping in for lunch, it was some of the nicest service ever and the most incredible view.
