Nepenthe Restaurant, Big Sur
 

I'm travelling with four other seniors and I read sometime ago about the Nepenthe Restaurant with fabulous views. Has anyone been recently? Was it worth the money, (assuming it is not cheap). But most importantly, one of our group may not be able to manage too many stairs. Is there any other access to the Restaurant.

Thanks!
Susan

There's a very informal restaurant, and below that, an equally informal patio cafe. Here's a link to the menus. If you need to keep costs down, you can go for lunch or in mid-afternoon for something light. The views are awesome if the weather is clear. There are lots of steps, but I don't know if there alternative ways to get up to the patio restaurant. The gift shop is great too.

http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/nepenthe-big-sur

You might try to make it upstairs, where you "can see forever" out the window.

It's considered a mid-priced restaurant by Zagat Survey.

For the California Coast, I'd say the prices were reasonable.

It is defintely worth the money. I don't remember it being terribly expensive., but the views and ambiance are worth very penny. I don't know if there is an alternate way up.
We were there for sunset and it got quite chilly, but they had propane heaters and blankets.
It really is a wonderful place.

I think its way way over hyped. View is great, but is great many places along the coast. Don't know that there is another restaurant with this good a view. Portion sizes are very small, IMOP. Food was good, but food is good many many places just north in Carmel/Monterey. I thought it was expensive for what we got. I would do it again though.

Call the restaurant to an answer; going to the source is often the best idea.

Hi -

Yes you are right - I will email the Restaurant regarding the steps - just wondered if it was a definite on our list of things to do.

Thanks everyone - loved hearing your thoughts!
Susan.

(PS I live in Torquay - on the coast of Victoria - an hour out of Melbourne Australia)

We've been to Nepenthe perhaps 30 times over the past 45 years. I think it is under hyped. When we were there earlier this year, I purchased a DVD at the gift shop titled "Big Sur in the 60s" narrated by Doug McClure (remember him????). I was there in the 60s!! On our honeymoon in '71 we camped at Big Sur & ate at Nepenthe. I still have the '71 menu.

I'm pretty sure that it is "law" that all places must provide access for handicapped people. There are lawsuits all the time in San Francisco where handicapped people sue restaurants/shops and the shops either change or close. If any spot in Calif goes out-of-the-way to provide handicap access - it's Nepenthe. I'm sure that there is a way to access the top area of the restaurant. Call them.

Their food portions are huge - I rarely finish the Lolly's roast chicken and my wife & I can't even finish a half-order of fries - and I love fries. Quality is OK, but the menu selections are certainly not "cutting edge". My wife always has the Ambrosia Burger and I usually have the Lolly's Roast Chicken. A few months ago I had the steak - and it was "good".

Lots of steps up to the restaurant.

Stu Dudley

" I live in Torquay - on the coast of Victoria - an hour out of Melbourne Australia"

Guess that is a very good reason to email them and skip the phone call. :o)

Stu,
We've been twice

I remember having a Beet Salad (our last trip) for $15 that I thought would be big enough for an entree at that price. It was tiny. I MEAN TINY. My wife had another salad(also small) with bowl of soup and we also ordered an Artichoke Aptzr. The appetizer only had 1/4 of an artichoke for $13. Looking back we wondered if waiter had the cup and bowl mixed up. I don't remember what we were charged for.

I have had their burger previously and it is a nice size(plenty of it) I just don't get why a person would order a $15 burger somewhere like this, but to each his own. I do get the fact that their "ambrosia sauce" is what the draw on the burger is along with the unusual bun (french roll/ciabatta type of bread).

I don't remember for certain, but I think their menu was pretty small. They also make a huge deal out of seating and how busy they are. Like they are doing the customer a favor by allowing them to sit down.

It seems to me, looking at plates, that the entree itself is small, but sometime they heap potato chip or fries. I do remember seeing a pasta dish that looked good and was the right size or perhaps even much of it.
I distinctly remember a guy remarking as he came out that the steak was excellent, just not enough of it. I don't know what exactly he meant by that comment.

>> I just don't get why a person would order a $15 burger somewhere like this,<<

That's really $10 for the burger and $17 for the views/ambiance. Where else are you going to pay $15 for anything, and get the type of experience you have at Nepenthe?

We dine out once a week in San Francisco and about 30 times in Europe (mainly France) each year. We usually eat at mid-range to higher-end restaurants. If I had to have a "last meal" anywhere, it would probably be at Nepenthe - mainly for the views, ambiance, & nostalgia.

Stu Dudley

I love Nepenthe. I think the food is good, the prices are reasonable for the California coast, and the views are incomparable. I admit, I also like the slightly dated California-70's-cool vibe of it.

Stu,

I remember Doug McClure. Great guy and a great show.

Reminds me of Captain Carrot on KPIX.

You go to Nepenthe for the view, the history and the experience! It's a unique spot, and when I was young I was impressed by the fact that John F Kennedy was kicked out for not wearing shoes. ( this was before his presidential years). The prices aren't prohibitive by most tourist spot standards. You can share a sandwich, have some lemonade or beer, have a salad... I don't recall portions being small but the food is not particularly memorable. Who cares? The ambiance is pretty special, especially on a clear day.

It is a special place. Go for the view and not the quality of the food. Don't miss the experience. though. Hoping there's access for the traveler who may have difficulty with stairs.

If you have never been to Nepenthe, it's worth a stop. But I stopped going there except with first time visitors a long time ago. I think it has been living on it's reputation for a long time and of course the view. I prefer Ventana's restaurant for ambience and food. IMHO Rocky Point has the best view because it is closer to the water. Best food, Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn.

The food is good, not great, but the views are "to die for". I wouldn't skip it if at all possible.

>> Best food, Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn.<<

How much do you think a hamburger would cost there - if they had one???

Stu Dudley

There is a delivery driveway off the parking lot that leads to a handicap parking lot. From that lot there is a ramp to the restaurant.

As others have said, it is not a budget place but not crazy expensive either, at least at lunch when we were there. I would say the food is OK but one does not go there for the food and the views are as advertised. Get a seat on the outdoor terrace and do not waste your money if it is not a nice day when you can enjoy the view.