Hi, All!

I know this subject has been posted many times before, but the search function doesn't bring up anything recent.

Soooo, could you please recommend a great restaurant with a terrific view in Carmel/Monterey? It's been ages since I've been to Sierra Mar (or was it Cielo? Sorry, too busy looking at my companion ) and, besides I can't remember what we ate.

We have a special celebration coming up and, although we like La Foret (Almaden Valley), we've had their wild boar one time too many. Besides, we'd like a good view along with a great dinner.

So please help! Dare I say that Fodorites have the best taste buds?

Maybe take a look at http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34492226

Best wishes,

Rex

Thanks, Rec!

I took a look at the thread you started and it is a geat source of information!

Will try something in Carmel for sure. Probably the Sierra Mar, as it comes with such glowing reports on your thread.

Rocky Point is a bit too far for us for dinner. I do so miss Grasshopper and her wonderful postings!

Thanks again, Rex!

Anyone else with any other ideas? Please don't hesitate to chip in, we're still in the deciding stage.

You're welcome.

ET--both Sierra Mar and Cielo have lovely views, with the edge going to Sierra Mar in terms of food. Only one drawback to either for dinner is driving back to Carmel on 1 later at night. We try try to eat a little earlier for this reason and so that we can actually see the view. BTW isn't Rocky Point closer than Sierra Mar?

We used to go down to Monterey every May and/or Nov and the best "view restaurant" was a park bench along the walk/bike path from The Wharf to PB.

Picked up some wine at the wine shop, couple of salmon filets and some sourdough bread and set up a picnic dinner and watch a VERY amazing sunset while watching the sea otters play around.

SAB: Sierra Mar won out and I've made a reservation with a credit card "guarantee". Don't know what happens to my credit card if we cancel - LOL!

Yes, it's a bit far and that's making us hesitate, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime, coming-of-age birthday party.

We tried the Duck Club in the Monterey Plaza, but I remember their food as being just average, even tho the restaurant is on the water. For a once-in-a-lifetime event, we wanted once-in-a-lifetime food!

We've been to the Pebble Beach Lodge restaurant (Is Stillwater Grill its current name?) several times and love the view, but again, the food is not too fabulous. Ditto for Nepenthe. Don't get me wrong, the food is very good, just not great.

The other choices were Roy's or the Mission Ranch, both of which would be new experiences for us.

I don't remember exactly where Rocky POint is, but it seems to be close to the southern end of Big Sur.

Cielo was never in contention because dining out in the open at night would be a bit cold this time of year. Dining inside there would be not much of a view.

You see the agony of trying to make difficult choices! BTW, Sierra Mar's corkage fee is $25 - which isn't all that bad, especially when compared with the parking rates in San Francisco - LOL!

Will post the results - if we survive the curvy road back!

Kal: love your recommendation! Will try it once spring/summer comes along. Spring is ice plant time in PG and it's gorgeous then! I'm familiar with a lot of the picnic tables along the rocky beach in 17 mile drive. Every time we take visitors there, we stop to feed (no, not us!), the "aminals" - it's great throwing bread up in the air and watching a sea gull swoop in to catch it in its beak.

Ah, the California coast! How blessed we are to live so close to heaven!

ET--I know you like good food and Sierra Mar won't disappoint. Agree with you on Duck Club. Mission Ranch is nice and I like the location, but the food is nothing close to Sierra Mar. I'm not overly impressed with Roy's either, or what seems to be a favorite, Cassanova's, but you know I'm a spolied SF foodie and I know you take that into consideration. Have a great time!!!

Rocky Point is on the NORTHERN end of Big Sur but the food is terrible. Roy's at The Inn at Spanish Bay has lovely views and incredible cuisine. Club XIX at Pebble Beach is very, very good with lovely views.