I haven't been down that way in awhile and I'm always looking for new places to check out. Some old standbys I've frequented include Peppers in PG, Rio Grill in Carmel, and Tarpy's.

We have a condo in Carmel and eat out most of the time when it's not vacation rented. Try these;
#1 Casanova (great at lunch, pricey at dinner) - http://www.casanovarestaurant.com/
#2 Club Jalapeno (excellent Mexican) - http://www.clubjalapeno.com/
#3 Grill on Ocean Ave - http://www.carmelsbest.com/thegrill/
#4 Forge in the Forest - http://www.forgeintheforest.com/

All of these are in downtown Carmel. We also agree that Rio Grill is wonderful, but not downtown or walkable from downtown. Our favorite dish there is their Grilled Prawns on Penne Pasta with a leek, pea and bacon creole cream...yum

Little Napoli is very good and reasonably priced. I also suggest Tutto Mondo for a little more upscale Italian...also downtown Carmel.

<ul><li><a href="http://www.firstawakenings.net/">http://www.firstawakenings.net/</a</li></ul>

pricey pricey but excellent

Reasonably priced wines FTW.

I also like Stokes, but the last time I was there the meal wasn't up to the typical standards (which are very high, but still...).

Casanova was good too; were there during the AT&amp;T Pebble Beach and lots of pro golfers dining(fwiw)

PassionFish in PG was very good also. wine selection is a relative bargain and our waitress was super cool and attractive :)

Been there twice now and the bone in New York is superb. Great wine list as well.

Website says he opened 231 Ellsworth in San Mateo, considered one of the top restaurants in California. Kurt has worked in some of the finest restaurants in the world including Narsai's in Kensington, California, The Clift Hotel in San Francisco, The Pierre Hotel in New York, La Gavroche in London and Ventana, Big Sur.

Chef Narsai David brings a wealth of experience to the company. Narsai has shared his food and wine expertise for over twenty years, as restaurateur, editor and columnist for TV, radio and newspaper. His restaurant "Narsai' s" was describe in The New York Times as having one of the finest wine lists in the world.

try the 26oz Gionfiddo Cut Veal Chop:-)

Bring a Chateau D'Yquem if you go. Otherwise, Bouchee and L'Auberge Carmel are both exceptional. And, Bernardus in Carmel Valley is the real deal.

Best,

Andrew

Our Carmel condo is rented and our tenants say that when there's a northerly wind, you can easily see ash floating in the air and on the ground from the Big Sur fires. We were going to do a day trip to Carmel this weekend, but will likely find something else to do.

BTW, the local paper had an article today in which a fire official said that the Basin Fire (the one around Big Sur and reaching north towards Carmel Valley) is likely to keep burning until the fall rains since so much of the affected area is impossible to get equipment into. They're just trying to keep it from spreading its boundaries towards populated areas. That doesn't bode well for the local Monterey Peninsula economy this summer!

I figured there'd be some fallout from the fires....oh well, too late to cancel I guess I'll just deal with it.

Cafe Rustica, and the Village Fish House. Cafe Rustica has an outside patio with heaters, and being in the valley the temp is usually warmer than near the coast. Ate at both last weekend, prices reasonable, they serve the local wines, good food.

You can't leave this place without dropping a pretty penny. But their filet is mighty good. I also seem to remember a really good chocolate dessert the last time there (it's been a couple years).

Italian?

Thai?

Chinese (forget it)

Sushi?

Seafood?

gimme a little more guidance.

the temps down and blew whatever smoke away from the Monterey/Carmel area. Now back home to 100+ temps...ugh

do a real European-style meal, with multiple courses. I think I was there around 2.5 hours. Best Seafood is a toss up between Passionfish in PG (better food) or Fishhopper at the wharf (better ambiance/views). Best steak in town is at the Whaling Station down on Cannery Row. However, Fishhopper makes a great steak too &amp; is slightly less expensive.

I seem to recall something on the order of $100+ for two with no appetizers, no dessert, and just one glass of wine each. That's one reason we haven't been back...plus the fact that there are so many choices in town.

no more than any other nice place i've been to recently.