I did the 17 mile drive many years ago but this is the first time my partner has been to Carmel/Monterey. He loves to golf so stopping at Pebble Beach is a must! I don’t know where else to stop on the route. We will do the drive before we hit Phil’s Fish Market in Castroville and then drive home.
We looked at the menu again and it looks like we’ll hit it for our last night in town. Thanks for the rec!
Are you able to squeeze in a visit to the Monterey Aquarium? The hypnotic jellyfish exhibit on the 2nd floor is mesmerizing! Does take some time to go through, however.
So we did the 17 mile drive and we had to stop at Pebble Beach so my guy could spend a few minutes in golf heaven LOL. We didn’t finish the drive as we had a long drive home and had to stop and have lunch in Phil’s Fish Market in Castroville. Thanks again.
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I’d been to the aquarium many times when I lived in the Bay Area and my son was young (he’s now 38!). We did go to the aquarium and it seemed different from the last time-I guess they did some remodeling. Cannery Row also seemed different without it’s charm–there were some new buildings and I didn’t see the sign for where Doc Ricketts (spelling?) was gone, also the pics of Dennis the Menace (referencing the park a bit away from the Row. Such is life I guess…
We’ve never been heard to pass on fried artichoke hearts on any menu anywhere, let alone Castroville . . .
Apologies for the delay in posting things, I’m tired from the long drive home yesterday. Thanks for all the recs and ideas. We had some great meals and one not-so-great.
Our first dinner was Domenica’s on Fisherman’s Wharf. The wharf was a must-do/see for my guy; I don’t know if any of the posters like this restaurant but I had eaten there several times and always enjoyed my meals and service. Tho tourist season was clearly done and gone, there was no lack in service or the quality of the meal, as opposed to what we had in Sea Chest in Cambria the night before. Supposedly Sea Chest has great food, as shown by the line-up to get in. We shared some escargot and it was great. Our entrees both had pasta, mine was shrimp scampi and there was no flavor in the pasta, and my partner’s was just as bad.. The scampi I had in Domenico’s was on point with pasta that had garlic flavor. Our server never checked to see if we were enjoying the entrees and we had to ask for bread/butter as other tables were definitely getting better service/attention (the bread actually had no flavor at all). When he finally came to see if we wanted dessert we complained about the entrees and he said we should have complained, but we told him no one came. He comped our dessert but that didn’t make up for food that had no flavor. I would happily go to the Wharf just to eat at Domenico’s.
As I noted in above, we really enjoyed Porta Bella. Another day we were walking on Ocean Ave and were a bit tired and hungry and saw the sign for AW Shucks. This was probably the only disappointment in Carmel. I ordered crab cakes w/Caesar Salad and I forget what my guy ordered but it had salad as well. The dressing for my Caesar salad was thin and thin–it had absolutely no flavor at all and only 2 croutons on top. The server said the dressing was made in-house so she offered other dressings. I chose Ranch and that was thin and tasteless; again the server said it was made in-house. After the Ranch was delivered, it was apparent from her tone that she had to defend the chef and agreed with us. She did bring a dessert (Key Lime Pie–excellent) we hadn’t ordered but I know we’ll never step inside that door again. “Typical tourist rip-off” could describe our meal, tho there seem to be some locals eating there…
The last night was at Dametra, which we happened upon while walking past it while shopping. My guy suddenly got a craving for Greek food so we stopped and made a rez for 7:30, and despite them not seeing us on the list, we were seated anyway. I don’t remember everything we ordered but everything was excellent, including the service. I do remember having spanakopita and baklava. The restaurant was packed with locals including 2 tables for birthday celebrations. While we were finishing our meal and having coffee and dessert, a man walked in and immediately talked to one of the birthday groups. He then went into the kitchen and came out with an acoustic guitar, not a “standard” one, and started singing in a language which I assumed was Greek. A manager who had supervised the service throughout started banging a small drum and between the two of them, they got everyone who was left up dancing and clapping to the music. I have never experienced so much energy and joy in any restaurant I’ve been to. Needless to say, the next time we’re back in Carmel, we’ll have dinner there again.
Our last meal was breakfast at Katy’s Place. I rarely order Eggs Benedict but I was intrigued by the different types on the menu (16!!) that I had to have some. I got the California Benedict (with avocado and turkey) and it was the best benny I have ever had.
All in all we had a great time in Carmel/Monterey, had some great meals and hopefully will go back in a year or two. Thanks again!
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