Looking for some lovely Carmel Restaurants that are very romantic. We will be celebrating a special anniversary and will be there for one night. They do not necessarily have to break the bank. Somewhere under $50 a person would be great. Thanks!

Casanova is as romantic as it gets, and we always had great food for 30 years. Continental/French/Italian and has multiple rooms, even an indoor-outdoor room. Also L'Escargot for French in an intimate atmosphere, and excellent fresh food from owner-chef.

You might try one of the restaurants at the Highlands Inn for lovely views/food/ambience. We ate at the California Market restaurant as Pacific Edge is closed Tues/Wed night. These are in the Carmel Highlands, not in Carmel by the Sea.

The restaurant at L'Auberge looked very intimate. My wife and I stayed here once but never ate here. It has the highest Zagat number in Carmel.
You may also want to listen to Tess as she lives in the area.

http://www.laubergecarmel.com/dining.php

It is a little bit of a drive (10 miles) south of Carmel but Al & Jack's Rocky Point is great place with great food and great view.

It is on Hwy 1 about 10 miles south of the Highland Inns Hotel. You will miss it the first time as the sign is small and just past a small hill that hides it.

Just watch for it and then go to the next turn out and come back.

Keep and eye out for local resident movie stars as they tend to hang at the bar.

Our two favorite restaurants are

Christopher's on Lincoln
Bouchee

great food & nice setting!

We had a very nice lunch at Grasing's a couple of weeks ago, our dinner at Pacific's Edge was lovely as well. Bouchee is another nice choice, Casanova is also very good. Have fun! ***kim***

I'd go with L'escargot, too.

The restaurant that used to be called L'auberge Carmel has just recently been re-named Aubergine, since the menus and chefs have changed completely. The original chef moved back to LA and the new chef is the sous-chef from Marinus at Bernardus Lodge. I liked his food there, so I imagine I'll probably like Aubergine, but it'll cost you more than $50 per person, especially with the wine pairings. We hope to get over there in a few days to taste a course or three (or five), unless we get too mellowed out in Big Sur... ;-) Enjoy your dinner.

What took you so long Tess?

Christopher's menu looks awesome.

Citronelle sounds good Tess. My wife and I are going to be in Carmel for one night before going to Post Ranch.
Not sure what your talking about in regrards to using google for my answers.

My wife told me that Citronelle is the new hot spot. I believe our choices for our dinner will be between Citronelle and Christophers. Its been 4 years since our last visit.

I'd like to chime in and recommend Bouchee also (yes, I've really eaten there and no, not 5 yrs ago) LOL We celebrated our 20th anniversary there. It was *very* romantic. It's located on Mission (between Ocean & 7th).

I love the food at Casanova, IMHO, I don't think it's all that quiet, intimate or romantic.

Judging from all the recommendations here, I'll have to check out Citronelle when I'm down in Carmel next week. Thanks Tess

Corina - did you know one of the owners of Bouchee killed himself a couple of weeks ago?

http://www.pineconearchive.com/080516-4.htm

How horrible Tess

You are mistaken, Tess. The man you refer to in the Pinecone article has absolutely nothing to do with Bouchee.

He was a partner in a completely different restaurant group in Carmel. I could list the restaurant names here, but what would be the point in doing something as insensitive as that??

You're right Gemstone, he owned the Porta Bella, Merlot, The Grill, the Village Corner and Flaherty's. So many, so sad.

Anton & Michel is upscale, quiet and offers superb Sand Dabs and Abalone. These days the Abalone is farmed but tastes great.